cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Assessment/Vulnerability

Risk assessment analysis is determined for specific locations/regions with a history of being targeted by one or more primary hazards or triggered events, the probability of recurrence, the magnitude, the frequency of occurrence in a damaging/destructive magnitude range, and the projected estimates of injury, deaths, and damage and destruction. What must be also be factored in to risk assessments are the control of infectious disease and diarrhea illnesses, and mental health needs. Risk assessment analysis establishes the socio-economic value of risk related to a specific hazard (and triggered events), or injury or death in a human population and other organisms, and damage to the environment if a hazard and its effects cannot be lessened. Risk can be evaluated in a multi-step process. The first step is to identify hazard(s) and triggered destructive events they may generate and to map their intensity and the extent of their reach. A second is to catalogue the human and economic assets to be protected in an area. The third is to estimate the potential losses of life, magnitude of personal injury, damage to an economy (property loss, loss of employment, loss of tax revenue), and loss of social services expected from a hazard. Risk assessors estimate financial costs to restore conditions that can better withstand a disaster, and/or medical/death payouts to both the insured and uninsured (e.g., government grants, no cost or low cost loans). The fourth step is to determine the probability that a hazard with a specific magnitude range will occur in a given time frame.
SPECT/CT imaging of bone in pediatric patients

257 Objectives To determine if low dose co-registered (co-reg) CT added to bone SPECT provides additional useful diagnostic information in pediatric patients (pt). Methods Bone SPECT/CT studies in 49 pt (age 6 - 25 yr, median 14 yr) were reviewed . Indications were back pain in 37, hip/leg pain 5, tumor 5 and other 2. Pt received planar and SPECT imaging and a co-reg low dose CT scan. During the study period, 37% of all bone SPECT pt had co-reg CT; co-reg CT was performed in pt with planar bone scan, radiographic or MRI findings. CT was limited to the area of greatest concern, and acquired at approximately 30% of the exposure parameters used for a diagnostic CT. Effective dose (ED) was calculated for the CT parameters and z-axis limits in this study by the ImPACT program. Results CT or SPECT bone imaging was abnormal in 46/49 with SPECT abnormal in 39/49 and CT abnormal in 36/49. SPECT/CT findings in back pain pt included sclerotic pars interarticularis (pars) in 7 pt (6 SPECT+), pars defect(s) in 13 (8 SPECT+), pars uptake with normal CT in 7, facet joint abnormality in 6, spinous process uptake in 2, unilateral sacralized vertebra in 3 (2 SPECT+), sacroiliac joint uptake in 4 (1 CT+) and other findings in 8 (9 pt had multiple findings). Co-reg CT added diagnostic information in 38/49. The CT z-axis field included 2 vertebral bodies in 12 and 3 vertebrae in 12 studies. For 2 vertebral bodies the calculated additional ED for CT was 25 mrem (0.25 mSv). Conclusions Co-reg CT adds diagnostic information to bone SPECT in a high percentage of patients when selectively utilized, providing more complete evaluation of back pain at low added ED.
Influence of menopause status and age on integrated central and peripheral hemodynamic responses to subsystolic cuffing during submaximal exercise

These data suggest locomotor muscle subsystolic cuffing during submaximal exercise provokes an increased pressor reflex in adult women. However, in demonstrating increased arterial pressure despite...
Homo homini lupus? Morality, the Social Instincts, and our Fellow Primates

The question whether we are naturally good or bad is a perennial one. The past quarter of a century has seen biologists weigh in with a thoroughly pessimistic view according to which we are not naturally moral. This is a curious position, because it presents us as going against our own nature when striving for a moral life. Accordingly, we are moral only thanks to culture and religion. I will call this “Veneer Theory,” as it postulates morality as a thin layer disguising the less noble tendencies seen as the true core of human nature (de Waal 2005). Veneer Theory radically breaks with Charles Darwin’s position that morality is an outgrowth of the social instincts, hence continuous with the sociality of other animals (Darwin 1871). Veneer Theory suffers from several unanswered questions. First, why would humans, and humans alone, have broken with their own biology? Second, how is such a feat even possible? And third, where are the empirical data? The theory predicts that morality resides in recently evolved parts of our enlarged brain and leads to behavior substantially at odds with that of animals. Both are verifiably wrong. For the latest human evidence, I refer to Haidt (2001), Greene and Haidt (2002) and Greene (2005). This chapter discusses the animal evidence. Animals may not be moral beings, but they do show signs of empathy, reciprocity, and a sense of fairness. I will review evidence for the continuity between humans and other primates expected by Darwin, and suggest that the building blocks of morality are older than our species.
Black–white differences in self-rated health, 1972–2015

Abstract This paper documents that the black–white gap in self-rated health declined by approximately 50% between 1972 and 2015.
Constraint Coordination Method and its Application to Gas Resources System

Abstract This paper has made a study of the scheduling and the allocation of the byproduct gases in a large scale steel works. In order to realize the optimal utilization and allocation of these gases with a micro-computer, the paper introduces the model of multi-objective optimization and proposed a new decomposition-coordination method, called Constraint coordination method, which is simpler and more effective than Dantzig Wolfe decomposition method. In the last part of tho paper, the method has been successfully used in the computation of optimal allocation of the gas resources in the steel works.
A study of right and left brain dominant students at IB&M with respect to their gender, age and educational background.

Managers all over the world each day combat the challenges associated with Managing the workforce. In order to unravel their truest potential managers have to understand them and motivate or sometimes above that i.e. to ignite the spark that gives the momentum to their capabilities that make them productive and give them an everlasting happiness. Management is termed as Right brain activity. It involves dealing with the human mind and emotions which are very complex and variable unlike the scientific method which we perceive management to be. In order to check the co-relation of the right and left brain people research was carried out. This study was conducted with approximately 50 Business students with a survey, as well as a comprehensive review and analysis of literature concerning the brain. This study would help the instructors to understand the fact Management is not a science and based on the number of left or right Brain students the current teaching methodology of Business students can either be revised or transformed altogether.
Occurrence of ceramide-glycanase in the earthworm, Lumbricusterrestris

Abstract We have detected the presence of ceramide-glycanase in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris . We have also devised a simple method for the preparation of this enzyme from the earthworm. This enzyme cleaved the linkage between the ceramide and the glycan chain in LacCer, GbOse3Cer, GbOse4Cer, GbOse5Cer, GM3, GM2, GM1 and GD1a. By using tritium-labeled GM2 as substrate, the optimum pH of this enzyme was found to be between pH 4 and 4.5. In the earthworm, the ceramide-glycanase was mainly found in the muscle. The intestine was found to contain a very low level of this enzyme. Because of their easy availability, earthworms should become a convenient source for the preparation of ceramide-glycanase.
Exertional Heat Illnesses

Exercising in hot, humid environments can have a negative impact on exercise performance and one’s health. Strategies such as gradually becoming accustomed to exercise in new environments, adequate hydration and nutrition, and appropriate work-to-rest ratios can help decrease the risk of exertional heat illness. If an exertional heat illness does occur, it is imperative to rapidly recognize the condition and provide appropriate treatment. Rapid recognition and rapid cooling are essential for survival in cases of exertional heat stroke, which can be fatal. Determining the cause of the heat illness is key to ensure the athlete can safely return to exercise following the heat illness.
THE ENDONUCLEASE ACTIVITY OF EXONUCLEASE III AND THE REPAIR OF URACIL-CONTAINING DNA IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

ABSTRACT In addition to its well-known exodeoxyribo-nuclease and DNA-3′-phosphatase activities, exonuclease III of E. coli has RNase H activity and is an endonuclease for apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in DNA. This endonucleolytic activity produces base-free deoxyribose-5-phosphate end groups, as predicted by a model in which all of the enzymatic activities of exonuclease III are catalyzed by a single active site. dUTPase ( dut ) mutants generate apyrimidinic sites through the mis-incorporation of uracil into DNA, followed by its removal. They do not tolerate exonuclease III ( xth ) mutations; dut xth double mutants are conditionally inviable, suggesting that exonuclease III functions in the repair of uracil-containing DNA.
Characterization of hormonally regulated and particulate-associated phospholipase A2 from bovine endothelial cells.

Hormonally regulated and particulate-associated phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was detected in endothelial cells from bovine pulmonary artery. The enzyme was solubilized and subjected to initial characterization. PLA2 activity was determined in subcellular fractions from bradykinin (BK)-stimulated and nonstimulated cells by following the release of arachidonic acid (AA) from exogenously added 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-14C]arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine. Stimulation of cells with BK led to increased PLA2 activity in a particulate fraction (the 92,000 x g pellet of the postnuclear supernatant). The activity in the cytosolic fractions from BK-stimulated and nonstimulated cells was the same. The association of the hormonally regulated PLA2 (HR-PLA2) activity with the particulate fraction was not affected by decreasing the Ca2+ concentrations in the homogenate from 7 microM to 33 nM and therefore was not induced during homogenization by the presence of Ca2+ in the homogenate. The HR-PLA2 activity was Ca(2+)-dependent and was maximal at submicromolar concentrations of Ca2+. Incubation of the particulate fraction obtained from BK-stimulated and nonstimulated cells with 10 mM n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside resulted in a differential solubilization of the HR-PLA2 activity. Its isoelectric point was determined to be 5.7. HR-PLA2 activity in the octyl glucoside extract of the particulate fraction from stimulated cells co-sedimented in sucrose gradients with the cytosolic PLA2. Their molecular mass was estimated to be 103,000 Da. The extracted enzyme from BK-stimulated cells retained its increased activity toward 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-14C]arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine. However, its activity toward 1-palmitoyl-2-[1-14C]oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine was equal to the PLA2 activity extracted from nonstimulated cells. Treatment of the cells with 100 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate resulted in a 20 +/- 1.2% (mean +/- S.E., p < 0.01, n = 4) increase in the PLA2 activity in the cytosol but failed to increase PLA2 activity in the particulate fraction. In contrast, addition of 7 microM Ca2+ ionophore A23187 resulted in a 21 +/- 0.55% (mean +/- S.E., p < 0.01, n = 5) decrease in the cytosolic activity and a concomitant increase of 68 +/- 9.6% (mean +/- S.E., p < 0.05, n = 5) in the particulate-associated activity. We conclude that stimulation of endothelial cells with BK increases the activity of a Ca(2+)-sensitive high molecular weight isoform of PLA2 which is associated with the particulate fraction. Possible mechanisms of activation are discussed.
Phenomenological Conceptions of the Life-World

Herbert Spiegelberg wrote in 1960 that “The most influential and suggestive idea that has come out of the study and edition of Husserl’s unpublished manuscripts thus far is that of the Lebenswelt.or world of lived experience.”2 Ten years later David Carr quoted the same statement with approval;3 and in the same year Aron Gurwitsch joined Husserl in calling a phenomenology of the life-world a scientific task of the first order of importance.4 I fully agree with these authors. Many phenomenologists today are convinced that the life-world notion is one of the most influential ideas of Husserl’s later philosophy. This influence has been enormous and evidence for this can be found in a number of different areas of theoretical concern. We find the influence of Husserl’s ideas about the life-world first of all in the realm of phenome-nological philosophy proper. Suffice it here just to mention a few names of phenomenologists in whose works the life-world idea has found a positive reception: H. Conrad-Martius, J. Patocka, R. Ingarden, E. Fink, L. Landgrebe, J.-P. Sartre, M. Merleau-Ponty, G. Berger, S. Breton, A. Gurwitsch, H. Spiegelberg, and A. Schutz.
Utility of prenatal MRI in the evaluation and management of fetal ventriculomegaly.

Fetal ventriculomegaly may occur in isolation or as part of a broader syndrome. We aimed to determine the added value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for informing the pre-natal and postnatal care of pregnancies complicated by ventriculomegaly (VM). Retrospective analysis of all cases of prenatally diagnosed VM referred to the fetal center at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford 1/1/2009–6/1/2014 were reviewed. Ultrasound (US) and MRI findings were reviewed, and the added yield of MRI evaluated. A total of 91 cases of fetal VM were identified and 74 (81%) underwent MRI. In 62/74 (84%) cases, additional CNS or non-CNS findings, not seen on US, were discovered on MRI, of which 58 were CNS-related. Forty-six (62%) of the additional findings were considered clinically relevant, of which 45 were CNS-related. Fetal MRI identifies additional, clinically relevant CNS and non-CNS findings in a majority of cases of VM following initial US.
In-Situ Simulation Enhances Emergency Preparedness in Pediatric Care Practices.

Background It is not uncommon for emergencies to present at primary care offices. As such, it is necessary for those offices to be prepared to handle, at a minimum, the most common types of emergencies. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of in-situ simulation training in improving emergency preparedness within pediatric primary care settings. Methods Simulation training was provided at 20 primary care offices in Central Florida. The participants were asked to complete a pre-simulation survey that utilized a five-point Likert-type scale to evaluate office preparedness and the confidence of staff members in managing emergency presentations within their settings. Subsequent to the simulation, participants were asked to complete a post-survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the simulation training. Results Primary care office staff members reported an enhanced preparedness in managing emergencies post-simulation training (pre-simulation 2.95 vs. post-simulation 4.02; p-value<0.05). They also reported higher levels of comfort in managing emergency situations after the simulation training (pre-simulation 3.22 vs. post-simulation 4.53; p-value<0.05). Overall, 100% of participants found the simulation to be effective or extremely effective. Conclusions Our data suggests that the simulation training has improved office preparedness in managing emergencies in a pediatric primary care setting. The simulation training has also been shown to improve the comfort level of pediatric primary care office staff in handling emergency situations. This study was limited to pediatric primary care settings in the Central Florida region, and it is unclear if the findings of this study are generalizable to all primary care practices. Further studies are required to explore whether such training can result in practice change and improve outcomes for more patients.
Estimation of Pneumonic Plague Transmission in Madagascar, August-November 2017.

Introduction Between August and November 2017, Madagascar reported nearly 2500 cases of plague; the vast majority of these cases were pneumonic, resulting in early exponential growth due to person-to-person transmission. Though plague is endemic in Madagascar, cases are usually bubonic and thus result in considerably smaller annual caseloads than those observed from August-November 2017. Methods In this study, we consider the transmission dynamics of pneumonic plague in Madagascar during this time period, as well as the role of control strategies that were deployed to curb the outbreak and their effectiveness. Results When using data from the beginning of the outbreak through late November 2017, our estimates for the basic reproduction number range from 1.6 to 3.6, with a mean of 2.4. We also find two distinctive periods of "control", which coincide with critical on-the-ground interventions, including contact tracing and delivery of antibiotics, among others. Discussion Given these results, we conclude that existing interventions remain effective against plague in Madagascar, despite the atypical size and spread of this particular outbreak.
User Guide for the Discrete Dipole Approximation Code DDSCAT 7.1

DDSCAT 7.1 is a freely available open-source Fortran-90 software pack age applying the “discrete dipole approximation” (DDA) to calculate scattering and absorption of electromagnetic waves by targets with arbitrary geometries and complex refractive index. Th e targets may be isolated entities (e.g., dust particles), but may also be 1-d or 2-d periodic arrays of “tar get unit cells”, which can be used to study absorption, scattering, and electric fields around arrays o f nanostructures. The DDA approximates the target by an array of polarizable points. The theory of the DDA and its implementation in DDSCAT is presented in Draine (1988) and Draine & Flatau (1994), and its extension to periodic structures (and near-field calculations) in Dra ine & Flatau (2008). DDSCAT 7.1 allows accurate calculations of electromagnetic scattering from targets with “size parameters” 2πaeff/λ <
The fine structure of the choroid plexus adult and developmental stages.

Publisher Summary Choroid plexuses play a primary role in the production of cerebrospinal fluid. Studies of the fine structure of the choroid plexus reveal details which support the concept of this structure as a secretory organ. These studies show that the choroidal epithelial cells possess certain characteristics found in other cells concerned with fluid transport. The choroidal epithelium, the ciliary epithelium of the eye, the epithelium lining the striated duct of the salivary gland, and the epithelium of the proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney have extensive invaginations and folding of their surfaces. This paper has a brief study by Pease, who proposed that plication of cell membranes provides a greater surface area where transport phenomena could occur. Specimens from six human embryos, ranging from 8 to 12 weeks were studied. The fine structure of the choroid plexus of the adult rabbit, and of embryos from the rabbit and human has been described in the chapter. As a conclusion, the chapter puts some of the results as: the cells of the first anlage of the telencephalic choroid plexus of the rabbit embryo are pseudostratified and have relatively simple surfaces. Thorium dioxide particles enter into the apical portion of adult and embryonic choroidal epithelial cells by pinocytosis from the cerebrospinal fluid. In the embryo, however, marker particles which have gained access to the interstitial area, are present in vesicles in the cytoplasm, and may also be found in the intercellular space between choroidal epithelial cells. The human embryonic choroid plexus shows similar immature membrane specializations, organelles, and glycogen accumulations, as in the rabbit.
Measurements of the Electrical Impedance of Living Cells in the Frequency Domain

Electrical impedance measurements of biologic materials have been performed for at least 75 years. The first systematic studies were done by Hober (Schanne and Ruiz-Ceretti, 1978) in 1910. Later investigators include Fricke (Fricke, 1924, and Fricke, 1925), Oncley (Oncley, 1938 and Oncley, 1942), K.C. Cole (Cole, 1928, and Cole, 1968), and Schwan (Schwan, 1957 and Schwan, 1985). All of these earlier studies utilized cell suspensions and the suspension equation. This equation was first derived by Maxwell (1873) for dielectric spheres in a conducting medium and modified by Fricke (Schanne and Ruiz-Ceretti, 1978) to account for the non-spheroidal geometry of human erythrocytes (HRBC), viz, $$\frac{{{\textstyle{\sigma \over {{\sigma _1} - 1}}}}}{{{\textstyle{\sigma \over {{\sigma _1} + 1}}}}} = \rho '\frac{{{\textstyle{{{\sigma _2}} \over {{\sigma _1} - 1}}}}}{{{\textstyle{{{\sigma _2}} \over {{\sigma _1} + \gamma }}}}}$$ ([1])
Pencil grip patterns among pupils

Background: Pencil grip describes the position of the fingers in gripping a pencil. It commences in the preschool years with the introduction of pencils markers, and other graphomotor skills, therefore, relevant to graphologists, forensic medicine, and anthropology. Objective: This investigation aimed at describing the diversity of pencil-grip patterns among pupils in Delta State, Nigeria. The effects of sociodemographic factors, handedness, and handwriting speed on pencil-grip patterns were also highlighted. Materials and Methods: A stratified random sampling was employed in this cross-sectional study. A total of 284 pupils between the ages of 1 and 10 years were investigated. Pupils were observed while writing from their textbooks. Photograph of the writing hand was captured with the digital canon camera. Handwriting speed was determined by a speed score (L/min) and timed for 60 s for each participant. Data were analyzed using the Statistic Package for the Social Sciences 20. The Kruskal–Wallis (K.W.) test was used to establish the relationship between pencil-grip patterns and sociodemographic factors, handedness along with handwriting speed. Results: Findings showed that the age had a statistically significant effect on pencil-grip patterns among nursery pupils at P
Predicting the Landscape of Recombination Using Deep Learning

Accurately inferring the genome-wide landscape of recombination rates in natural populations is a central aim in genomics, as patterns of linkage influence everything from genetic mapping to understanding evolutionary history. Here, we describe recombination landscape estimation using recurrent neural networks (ReLERNN), a deep learning method for estimating a genome-wide recombination map that is accurate even with small numbers of pooled or individually sequenced genomes. Rather than use summaries of linkage disequilibrium as its input, ReLERNN takes columns from a genotype alignment, which are then modeled as a sequence across the genome using a recurrent neural network. We demonstrate that ReLERNN improves accuracy and reduces bias relative to existing methods and maintains high accuracy in the face of demographic model misspecification, missing genotype calls, and genome inaccessibility. We apply ReLERNN to natural populations of African Drosophila melanogaster and show that genome-wide recombination landscapes, although largely correlated among populations, exhibit important population-specific differences. Lastly, we connect the inferred patterns of recombination with the frequencies of major inversions segregating in natural Drosophila populations.
On an equality and four inequalities for generalized inverses of Hermitian matrices

A Hermitian matrix X is called a g-inverse of a Hermitian matrix A, denoted by A, if it satisfies AXA = A. In this paper, a group of explicit formulas are established for calculating the global maximum and minimum ranks and inertias of the difference A − PNP , where both A and N are Hermitian g-inverses of two Hermitian matrices A and N , respectively. As a consequence, necessary and sufficient conditions are derived for the matrix equality A = PNP ∗ to hold, and the four matrix inequalities A > (≥, (≥, (≥, <, ≤)A + B in the Lowner partial ordering to hold, respectively.
Pediatric End-of-Life Simulation Program: A Novel Educational Approach for Pediatric Fellows

Purpose: Pediatric end-of-life (EOL) care is a high-stakes situation requiring careful planning and practice; there is only one chance to get it right. While several pediatric subspecialties commonly treat patients with life-threatening illnesses, fellowship training often lacks formal EOL training and skills practice. In this study we evaluated a half-day simulation-based workshop to determine feasibility and benefit to pediatric subspecialty fellows for their confidence and competence in EOL skills. Methods: Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Blood and Marrow …
Compressed Representation of High Dimensional Channels using Deep Generative Networks

This paper proposes a novel compressed representation for high dimensional channel matrices obtained by optimization of the input to a deep generative network. Channel estimation using generative networks constrains the reconstructed channel to lie in the range of the generative model, which allows it to outperform conventional channel estimation techniques in the presence of limited number of pilots. It also eliminates the need for explicit knowledge of the sparsifying basis for mmWave multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channel matrices, such as the DFT basis, and the associated compressed sensing based strategies for optimal choice of training precoders and combiners. Our approach significantly outperforms sparse signal recovery methods that employ Basis Pursuit Denoising(BPDN) algorithms for narrowband mmWave channel reconstruction.
Comorbidities and health care systems differences among states as it relates to COVID-19

A multiple linear regression analysis was performed on 12 independent variable predictors to determine the possible case fatality rates at the state level F, male to female ratio;COPD, congestive obstructive pulmonary disease;CVD, cardiovascular disease;DM, diabetes mellitus;HTN, hypertension;BMI, body mass index *No Hawaiian or Pacific Islander minority groups reported &No Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Native American minority groups reported
“Pee in Peace” or “Make Everyone Uncomfortable”: Public Perceptions of Transgender Rights:

We analyze a survey of Nebraskans as a case study to examine public opinion of transgender rights. Using a mixed-methods design, we find an even divide among mostly cisgender survey respondents on ...
The Trace of the Heat Kernel in Domains with Nonsmooth Boundaries

In this note, I would like to describe some recent work that considers the relationship between the smoothness of the boundary of a domain in R n and the spectral properties of the Laplacian in the domain.
DO MANUFACTURERS POLLUTE LESS UNDER THE REGULATION-THROUGH-INFORMATION REGIME? What Plant-Level Data Tell Us

Because past studies on the effects of right-to-know laws have relied on highly aggregated data, it is still unknown whether being located in a state with a funded right-to-know program has a signi...
Representation of the Child in Protection Proceedings: The Determination of Decision-Making Capacity

This article addresses the ambiguous position of the attorney appointed to represent a child in a protection proceeding. The article considers the goals of representation and proposes a standard for judging the child's decision-making abilities. The article recommends that even in protection proceedings the lawyer should represent the wishes of the child when possible and proposes a standard for assessment of the child's decision-making abilities which is related to the purpose of representation.
Can regional climate engineering save the summer Arctic sea ice

Rapid declines in summer Arctic sea ice extent are projected under high-forcing future climate scenarios. Regional Arctic climate engineering has been suggested as an emergency strategy to save the sea ice. Model simulations of idealized regional dimming experiments compared to a business-as-usual greenhouse gas emission simulation demonstrate the importance of both local and remote feedback mechanisms to the surface energy budget in high latitudes. With increasing artificial reduction in incoming shortwave radiation, the positive surface albedo feedback from Arctic sea ice loss is reduced. However, changes in Arctic clouds and the strongly increasing northward heat transport both counteract the direct dimming effects. A 4 times stronger local reduction in solar radiation compared to a global experiment is required to preserve summer Arctic sea ice area. Even with regional Arctic dimming, a reduction in the strength of the oceanic meridional overturning circulation and a shut down of Labrador Sea deep convection are possible.
Feeding Ecology of Humpback Whales in Continental Shelf Waters near Cordell Bank, California

Daytime feeding behavior of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in Gulf of the Farallones, California, and adjacent waters was observed during autumn of 1988 to 1990. Bodega Canyon, Cordell Bank, and the Farallon Islands were the primary sites of feeding activity. Fecal samples of whales and zooplankton tows contained euphausiids exclusively, dominated by Thysanoessa spinifera (79%), with lesser amounts of Euphausia pacifica (14%), Nyctiphanes simplex (4%), and Nematoscelis difficilis (3%). In 1988 and 1990, whales also were infrequently observed feeding on small schooling fish, presumably Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), and juvenile rockfish (Sebastes spp.). Feeding was the most common behavior observed (52%), and less frequently traveling (23%), milling (21 %), and resting (4%). Whales used different methods to consume euphausiid prey at the surface (0-10 m), in shallow water (11-60 m), and deep water (61-140 m). Humpback whales fed at the surface 56% of time in 1988 and 32% of time in 1990, using primarily lateral lunges to capture swarms of euphausiids. In 1989, no surface feeding was observed; however, deep, long-duration dives were followed by extended surface intervals with many respirations. These 1989 observations coincided with increased prey depth as indicated by depth sounder records of diving whales and prey scattering layers. In 1989, increased prey depth and associated feeding behaviors were strongly associated with unusually high surface temperatures, calm seas, and changes in water circulation. Environmental conditions in 1989 triggered the most intense and wide-spread occurrence of red tide in this region since 1980. Red tide samples collected throughout this period contained Alexandrium (=Gonyaulax) catenella and Noctiluca scintillans. Surface feeding was observed only in 1988 and 1990, when surface prey were available and red tides were very limited in extent, duration, and intensity. Annual variations in humpback whale feeding behavior were related to prey availability which is affected by corresponding environmental conditions. (PDF contains 94 pages)
FEC driven network coding based pollution attack defense in cognitive radio networks

Relay featured cognitive radio network scenario is considered in the absence of direct link between secondary user (SU) and secondary base station (S-BS). Being a realistic deployment use case scenario, relay node can be subjected to pollution attacks. Forward error correction (FEC) driven network coding (NC) method is employed as a defense mechanism in this paper. By using the proposed methods, pollution attack is efficiently defended. Bit error rate (BER) measurements are used to quantify network reliability. Furthermore, in the absence of any attack, the proposed method can efficiently contribute to network performance by improving BER. Simulation results underline our mechanism is superior to existing FEC driven NC methods such as low density parity check (LDPC).
AGVI - Automatic Generation, Verification, and Implementation of Security Protocols

As new Internet applications emerge, new security protocols and systems need to be designed and implemented. Unfortunately the current protocol design and implementation process is often ad-hoc and error prone. To solve this problem, we have designed and implemented a toolkit AGVI, Automatic Generation, Verification, and Implementation of Security Protocols. With AGVI, the protocol designer inputs the system specification (such as cryptographic key setup) and security requirements. AGVI will then automatically find the near-optimal protocols for the specific application, proves the correctness of the protocols and implement the protocols in Java. Our experiments have successfully generated new and even simpler protocols than the ones documented in the literature.
1988–1993: The Final Definition of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, its Site and Configuration

This paper focuses on the period during which the VLTI evolved from its conceptual phase to the way it is largely implemented now. That phase did not include the VLTI instrumentation, which was defined later and which did not make use of the homothetic beamcombining system that was part of the 1988 – 199 design.
Gregarines Infecting Ischnura spp. in Texas, U.S.A., Including Description of Septemlaterospora rasberryi n. gen. n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) and Revision of Steganorhynchus dunwoodyi (Apicomplexa: Actinocephalidae: Menosporinae)

Abstract: Septemlaterospora rasberryi n. gen. n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Actinocephalidae: Acanthosporinae) is described from adults of Ischnura ramburii (Odonata: Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae). Septemlaterospora n. gen is distinguished by the form of the oocysts: terminally truncated heptagonal bipyramids bearing 7 equatorial spines, 1 at each equatorial vertex, 7 terminal spines obliquely inserted at each pole, 1 at each vertex created by polar truncation; 21 spines total. The holdfast is compound, comprising a terminal epimerite and intercalating diamerite; epimerite is a thick disk or linearly crateriform sucker; diamerite is short (less than half of the total holdfast length) and very broadly obdeltoid. Association occurs immediately before syzygy and is cephalolateral and biassociative. Gametocysts are spherical with a conspicuous hyaline coat. Lacking conspicuous sporoducts, they dehisce by simple rupture. Steganorhynchus dunwoodyi is redescribed utilizing a new complete taxonomic data set, ...
Management of labyrinthine fistulas caused by cholesteatoma.

The surgical management of labyrinthine fistulas caused by cholesteatoma remains controversial. Forty cases (41 ears) of labyrinthine fistulas were reviewed. This represented 10% of our total series of cholesteatomas in adults and children (426 ears). Clinical presentation, extent of disease, results of fistula testing and audiometric studies, and radiographic findings were analyzed. A canal wall-down procedure was performed in all but one patient. Generally an attempt was made to completely remove the cholesteatoma, to graft the fistulous area, and to reconstruct the middle ear mechanism in one stage. The matrix was preserved in patients with large fistulas where the involved ear was the only hearing one, when the matrix was adherent to the underlying optic duct, and in selected elderly persons. Long-term followup did not reveal a significant difference in hearing, degree of vertigo, or incidence of recidivism when those patients in whom the matrix was removed were compared with those in whom the matrix ...
Climate-informed decisions: the capital investment plan as a mechanism for lowering carbon emissions

Global trajectories for reducing carbon emissions depend on the local adoption of alternatives to conventional energy sources, technologies, and urban development. Yet, decisions on which type of capital investments to make, made by local governments as part of the normal budget cycle, typically do not incorporate climate considerations. Furthermore, current academic and professional literature specific to climate change draws attention to decision-making tools that would require access to technical expertise, data, and financial support that may not be practical for cities in low- and middle-income countries. Arguably, the methodologies most able to effect this transformation will be those that are convenient and affordable to administer, and that offer straight-forward low carbon alternatives to traditional forms of infrastructure investment. Current methodologies for capital investment planning that do not take climate change into consideration can result in prioritization of investments that diverge from a low carbon path and a potential missed opportunity to reap financial benefits from efficiency gains. This paper concludes that relatively minor alterations to common procedures can reveal the trade-offs and local benefits of low carbon alternatives in the capital investment planning process. This paper was written as an input to the preparation of the Climate-Informed Capital Investment Planning Guidebook, a how-to guide for local government staff, which will be published in 2015.
Element-level reverberation time series synthesis (sonar)

An alternative to the point scattering model approach for simulating reverberation is discussed. Reverberation is synthesized by passing a vector white noise process through a multichannel IIR (infinite-impulse response) filter whose time-varying transfer function matches the time-evolving spectral characteristics of the expected auto and cross range-Doppler maps. >
Order Amidst Turbulence

Variations in the solar magnetic fields can yield eruptions that short-circuit satellites and darken power grids. In his Perspective, [Toomre][1] explains how helioseismology, which, similar to terrestrial seismology, uses acoustic waves traveling through the Sun to measure its interior properties, helps to elucidate the origin of the magnetic fields. He highlights the report by [ Vorontsov et al .][2], who provide evidence for variations that are coherent over the full depth of the Sun's convection zone. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5565/64 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/296/5565/101
The Performance Implication of Task Size for Applications on the HPX Runtime System

As High Performance Computing moves toward Exascale, where parallel applications will be expected to run on millions of cores concurrently, every component of the computational model must perform optimally. One such component, the task scheduler, can potentially be optimized to runtime application requirements. We focus our study using a task-based runtime system, one possible solution towards Exascale computation. Based on task size and scheduler, the overheads associated with task scheduling vary. Therefore, to minimize overheads and optimize performance, either the task size or the scheduler must adapt. In this paper, we focus on adapting the task size, which can be easily done statically and potentially done dynamically. To this end, we first show how scheduling overheads change with task size or granularity. We then propose and execute a methodology to characterize these overheads and dynamically measure the effects of task granularity. The HPX runtime system [1] employs asynchronous fine-grained task scheduling and incorporates a dynamic performance modeling capability, providing an ideal experimental platform. Using the performance counter capabilities in HPX, we characterize task scheduling overheads and show metrics to determine optimal task size. This is the first step toward the goal of dynamically adapting task size to optimize parallel performance.
Evolution of Leadership Development at General Electric

GE's distinctiveness can be attributed to its long-term investment in its people and its knowledge base. GE has been and is a global American company. Its origin as a leader in the generation, dist...
Pyometra following Le Fort colpocleisis

The Le Fort colpocleisis is an obliterative procedure used in the treatment of pelvic prolapse in elderly women where prolonged reconstructive surgery or general anesthesia may be medically contraindicated. Advantages include the ability to perform this procedure quickly under regional anesthesia with a low postoperative complication rate. The authors describe a previously unreported complication of partial colpocleisis requiring subsequent hysterectomy. A 92-year-old woman presented with a 10-day history of lower extremity edema and pelvic pain. She had recently undergone a second partial colpocleisis for recurrent pelvic prolapse in which the drainage channels were partially obliterated. Radiologic evaluation revealed an enlarged complex pelvic mass. At the time of laparotomy, an enlarged uterus filled with purulent material was noted which necessitated subsequent hysterectomy. It was concluded that, although uncommon, postoperative infection is a recognized complication of Le Fort colpocleisis. To minimize the chance of abscess, adequate lateral channels should be created and maintained during colpocleisis to allow drainage of postoperative secretions, bleeding and inflammatory exudate.
Growth Regulation of Cultured Human Pituitary Cells by Steroidal and Nonsteroidal Compounds in Defined Medium

Human pituitary tumor tissue has been used to derive a cell line from which a subline (18–54SF) has been continuously propagated for over 50 passages in serum-free medium without supplements. These cells grow with a generation time of 30–40 h in serum-free medium and excrete two functional products, a growth factor and PRL, into the conditioned medium. We have also found that the growth of 18–54SF cells may be inhibited by specific additions of steroidal and nonsteroidal compounds. The steroids progesterone, 17β-estradiol, and estrone inhibit 18–54,SF cell growth approximately 75% at concentrations of 3.2 × 10-6, 1.8 × 10-6, and 3 × 10-6M, respectively. Other progestin metabolites do not have any effect on growth at concentrations up to 1.7 × 10-5M. The nonsteroidal progestin analogs 17α-hydroxy-6α-methyl-A4-pregnen-3,20-dione, norethynodrel (17α-ethynyl-17beta;-hydroxy-5(10)-estren-3-one) and norethindrone (17-hydroxy-19-nor-17α-pregn-4-en-20yn-3-one) inhibited cell growth as well as or better than proge...
LATTICES OF PLUTONIUM-ENRICHED RODS IN LIGHT WATER. PART II. THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF PLUTONIUM-FUELED SYSTEMS.

A theoretical analysis of UO2-PuO2 fueled, light water moderated lattice experiments has been performed to aid in establishing technical bases and design criteria for the utilization of plutonium-b...
MERCURY CYCLING IN LITTER AND SOIL IN DIFFERENT FOREST TYPES IN THE ADIRONDACK REGION, NEW YORK, USA

The fate of mercury in decomposing leaf litter and soil is key to understanding the biogeochemistry of mercury in forested ecosystems. We quantified mercury dynamics in decomposing leaf litter and measured fluxes and pools of mercury in litterfall, throughfall, and soil in two forest types of the Adirondack region, New York, USA. The mean content of total mercury in leaf litter increased to 134% of its original mass during two years of decomposition. The accumulation pattern was seasonal, with significant increases in mercury mass during the growing season (+4.9% per month). Litterfall dominated mercury fluxes into the soil in the deciduous forest, whereas throughfall dominated fluxes into the coniferous forest. The increase in mercury mass in decomposing deciduous litter during the growing season was greater than could be accounted for by throughfall inputs during the growing season (P < 0.05), suggesting translocation of mercury from the soil to the decomposing deciduous litter. This internal recycling mechanism concentrates mercury in the organic horizons and retards transport through the soil, thereby increasing the residence time of mercury in the forest floor. A mass balance assessment suggests that the ultimate fate of mercury in the landscape depends upon forest type and associated differences in the delivery and incorporation of mercury into the soil. Our results show that incorporation of mercury into decaying leaf litter increases its residence time in the landscape and may further delay the recovery of surface waters, fish, and associated biota following control of mercury emissions to the atmosphere.
Effect of naloxone and antidepressants on hyperphagia produced by peptide YY

Abstract Central injection of peptide YY (PYY) elicits a powerful feeding response with a short latency in satiated rats. Because of this effect, PYY has been implicated as a neurochemical signal in bulimia nervosa. Serotonin agonists and opioid antagonists induce anorectic effects upon feeding behavior in humans and animals. Therefore, to investigate a possible interaction between PYY-induced eating and these anorexigenic agents rats were given injections of either naloxone (100 μg/3 μl, ICV, and 10 mg/kg, SC), fluoxetine (3–30 μg/3 μl and 5–10 mg/kg, IP), or clomipramine (3–30 μg/3 μl and 5–10 mg/kg, IP) prior to fourth ventricular injections of PYY (15 μg/18 μl). Central and peripheral naloxone and IP but not central injections of fluoxetine blocked PYY-induced intake. Clomipramine had no effect. This suggests that PYY-stimulated feeding may require the action of endogenous opioids and may be inhibited by serotonergic function.
Practical advice for weeding in small academic libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present information on how to organize and carry out a weeding project in an academic library.Design/methodology/approach – Describes how the weeding project was organized and its various phases.Findings – Argues that weeding is appropriate in small, academic non‐research libraries and discusses a methodology for approaching it.Originality/value – Provides the academic librarian with a road map as to how to handle a weeding project.
Lithium ion conducting glasses in the system LiClLi2OP2O5SiO2

Abstract Glasses with good ionic conductivity of lithium ions have been prepared in the LiClLi2OSiO2P2O5 system. The SiO2/P2O5 ratio was kept at 1 5 and it was found that below 1200°C, this leads to a Li2O/P2O5 ratio of about two for the glasses formed. The structure of the glasses appears to be composed of linear chains of phosphate polymers. The highest ionic conductivity is observed in the composition 0.25LiCl0.48Li2O0.03SiO20.24P2O5 with σ = 2.5 × 10−3 (Ω-cm)−1 and Ea = 0.54 eV (52 kJ/mol) at 235°C. The conductivity increases, the activation energy and the glass transition temperature decrease with increasing LiCl content. Results of the ionic conductivity, FTIR, and DSC measurements are discussed in terms of composition and structural properties of the chloride glasses, and are compared with those of the corresponding oxide glasses.
Failure of instructional set to affect completeness of taste adaptation

The effect of task instructions on taste adaptation was investigated in two experiments. In the first experiment, three groups of subjects received a 3-min flow of salt solution, over the anterior dorsal tongue surface and periodically gave magnitude estimates of its intensity. Each group had previously received different instructions suggesting the appropriate outcome of the adaptation experiment. Not all subjects showed adaptation, and the instructions had no significant differential effects. In the second experiment, subjects who were practiced in judging pulsatile taste stimuli were instructed to rate the intensity of a continuous salt stimulus as it disappeared, but this produced no increased adaptation. Several possible hypotheses are presented to account for this repeatedly observed failure of many subjects to completely adapt to taste stimuli.