cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interpreting temporal variation in omnivore foraging ecology via stable isotope modelling

Summary 1The use of stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotopes (δ15N and δ13C, respectively) to delineate trophic patterns in wild animals is common in ecology. Their utility as a tool for interpreting temporal change in diet due to seasonality, migration, climate change or species invasion depends upon an understanding of the rates at which stable isotopes incorporate from diet into animal tissues. To best determine the foraging habits of invasive rats on island ecosystems and to illuminate the interpretation of wild omnivore diets in general, I investigated isotope incorporation rates of C and N in fur, liver, kidney, muscle, serum and red blood cells (RBC) from captive rats raised on a diet with low δ15N and δ13C values and switched to a diet with higher δ15N and δ13C values. 2I used the reaction progress variable method (RPVM), a linear fitting procedure, to estimate whether a single or multiple compartment model best described isotope turnover in each tissue. Small sample Akaike Information criterion (AICc) model comparison analysis indicated that 1 compartment nonlinear models best described isotope incorporation rates for liver, RBC, muscle, and fur, whereas 2 compartment nonlinear models were best for serum and kidney. 3I compared isotope incorporation rates using the RPVM versus nonlinear models. There were no differences in estimated isotope retention times between the model types for serum and kidney (except for N turnover in kidney from females). Isotope incorporation took longer when estimated using the nonlinear models for RBC, muscle, and fur, but was shorter for liver tissue. 4There were no statistical differences between sexes in the isotope incorporation rates. I also found that N and C isotope incorporation rates were decoupled for liver, with C incorporating into liver tissue faster than N. 5The data demonstrate the utility of analysing isotope ratios of multiple tissues from a single animal when estimating temporal variation in mammalian foraging ecology.
Archives of a small planet: The significance of museum collections and museum-based research in invertebrate taxonomy*

Museum natural science collections are valuable, in many cases irreplaceable, and vital to research in many disciplines including taxonomy. Since 96% of known multicellular animals belong to one or another of the 34 invertebrate phyla, the value of those collections for invertebrate taxonomy (of both living and fossil taxa) is even higher. Systematic work that does not rely on museum specimens to verify or falsify the identities of the taxa studied is not science. Whether the techniques used are molecular or morphological, high tech analysis, or careful observation, systematics is the primary and most essential use of museum invertebrate collections. Their value and the case for their support for this primary and many other compelling reasons has been argued eloquently time after time, yet support still lags far behind needs.
The Schizosaccharomyces pombe S-Phase Checkpoint Differentiates Between Different Types of DNA Damage

We have identified an S-phase DNA damage checkpoint in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This checkpoint is dependent on Rad3, the S. pombe homolog of the mammalian ATM/ATR checkpoint proteins, and Cds1. Cds1 had previously been believed to be involved only in the replication checkpoint. The requirement of Cds1 in the DNA damage checkpoint suggests that Cds1 may be a general target of S-phase checkpoints. Unlike other checkpoints, the S. pombe S-phase DNA damage checkpoint discriminates between different types of damage. UV-irradiation, which causes base modification that can be repaired during G1 and S-phase, invokes the checkpoint, while γ-irradiation, which causes double-stranded breaks that cannot be repaired by a haploid cell if induced before replication, does not invoke the checkpoint. Because the same genes are required to respond to UV- and γ-irradiation during G2, this discrimination may represent an active suppression of the γ response during S-phase.
Impact of an irreversibly adsorbed layer on local viscosity of nanoconfined polymer melts.

T. K. acknowledges the financial support from NSF Grant No. CMMI-084626. Uses of the Advanced Photon Source and the National Synchrotron Light Source were supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contracts No. DE-AC02- 06CH11357 and No. DE-AC02-98CH10886, respectively.
Incorporating Nonlinear Relationships in Microarray Missing Value Imputation

Microarray gene expression data often contain missing values. Accurate estimation of the missing values is important for downstream data analyses that require complete data. Nonlinear relationships between gene expression levels have not been well-utilized in missing value imputation. We propose an imputation scheme based on nonlinear dependencies between genes. By simulations based on real microarray data, we show that incorporating nonlinear relationships could improve the accuracy of missing value imputation, both in terms of normalized root-mean-squared error and in terms of the preservation of the list of significant genes in statistical testing. In addition, we studied the impact of artificial dependencies introduced by data normalization on the simulation results. Our results suggest that methods relying on global correlation structures may yield overly optimistic simulation results when the data have been subjected to row (gene)-wise mean removal.
Cockpit checklists - Concepts, design, and use

Although the aircraft checklist has long been regarded as a foundation of pilot standardization and cockpit safety, it has escaped the scrutiny of the human factors profession. The improper use, or nonuse, of the normal checklist by flight crews is often cited as a major contributing factor to aircraft accidents. This paper reports the results of a field study of flight deck checklists and examines this seemingly mundane yet critical device from several perspectives: its functions, format, design, length, and usage, and the limitations of the humans who must interact with it. Certain sociotechnical factors, such as the airline 'culture', cockpit resource management, and production pressures that influence the design and use of this device, are also discussed. Finally, a list of design guidelines for normal checklists is provided. Although the focus of this paper is on the air transport industry, most of the principles discussed apply equally well to other high-risk industries, such as maritime transportation, power production, weapons systems, space flight, and medical care.
The deuterium quadrupole coupling constants of di- and trihalomethanes

There have recently been published a number of papers reporting the deuterium quadrupole coupling constants (QCC) of small molecules dissolved in liquidcrystalline media (1-5). The results presented show, in many instances, wide variations in QCC values determined by different groups. These differences can be mainly attributed to the presence of different solvent-solute interactions in different liquid-crystal phases. Other causes of the range of values found arise from the difficulty in choosing appropriate bond lengths and making vibrational corrections to the dipolar couplings. Such uncertainties have led to some puzzling anomalies. For example, with the deuterohalomethanes, tribromomethane appears to have a considerably larger QCC than either trichloromethane or triiodomethane. These results have prompted us to determine the QCC values for deuterotrihalomethanes, C!HX3 (X = Cl, Br, or I), and dideuterodihalomethanes, C2H2X2, using solid-state deuterium quadrupole spin-echo techniques (6). Such measurements, at least for the di- and trihalomethanes, do not suffer so severely from uncertainties due to solvent effects, arising, for example, from the use of various liquid crystals containing aromatic and other more polar groups, or to uncertainties in bond lengths, vibrational averaging, and unknown electric field gradient asymmetry parameters. Spectra were obtained on a “home-built” spectrometer at 55.3 MHz using an 8.‘45 T, 3.0 in. bore Oxford Instruments (Qsney Mead, Oxford, U.K.) superconducting so’lenoid, a Nicolet (Madison, Wise.) 1180 computer and 1290 transient recorder, together with a variety of other digital and radiofrequency electronics. We also used a home-built solenoidal radiofrequency coil probe (sample volume -0.8 cm3), together with a quadrupole spin-echo sequence (6), for data acquisition. The 90” pulse width used was 3.3 ps. All samples (except [2H]triiodomethane) were obtained from Merck, Sharpe, and Dohme (Canada), and were used without further purification. [2H]Triiodomethane was prepared from [2H]trichloromethane and iodoethane, as reported in the literature (7). A typical experimental spectrum (displayed for the convenience of the reader as a “mirrored” on-resonance single-phase detected spectrum), together with its com
Eco-LCA: A tool for quantifying the role of ecological resources in LCA

The Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) has highlighted the fast depletion of ecosystem services over the past 50 years and has identified their crucial role in human well-being. This emphasizes the need of accounting for ecosystem goods and services in life cycle of products and processes. Despite the availability of numerous Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) techniques, most methods only account for a handful of ecosystem services. Furthermore, methods for interpreting and aggregating these services are also needed. The framework of Ecologically-Based Life Cycle Assessment (Eco-LCA) can overcome these challenges [1], and a software tool for this approach has been developed. This tool is based on the 1997 U.S. economic inputoutput model, and can account for many provisioning services, and some regulating and supporting services. The web-based Eco-LCA tool is an easy and quick way of implementing the methodology. This article highlights the key features of the Eco-LCA tool and the kind of results it can provide, via an illustrative case study.
Failure Prediction based on multi-parameter analysis in support of autonomic networks

In this paper, we present a Failure Prediction System (FPS) using a novel algorithm that extracts frequent anomalous behaviors based on multi-scale trend analysis of multiple network parameters. The proposed Correlation Analysis Across Parameters algorithm (CAAP) utilizes multiple levels of timescale analysis to reveal the frequent anomalous behaviors. The CAAP philosophy is that failures usually do not occur because of change in a single parameter behavior; instead, a set of interrelated parameters change their behaviors jointly and lead to a particular failure. The proposed algorithm requires an enhanced version of FABM algorithm which was presented by the authors in a previous paper and was used to analyze each parameter's behavior individually. Moreover, the new version, called FABMG algorithm, has the same polynomial computational complexity of O(n2). The CAAP utilizes the data mining techniques of association rules mining in order to reveal the existed correlation relationships. Consequently, as found in this work, this approach improves the quality of the FPS results which was relying on individual parameter analysis only. One of the strengths of CAAP is that it requires the FABMG output only, i.e. it does not require rescanning the database in order to produce the correlation results.
A theory of markets, institutions, and endogenous preferences

The endogeneity of preferences implies that not only individual preferences—along with technologies, government policies, and the organization of society and markets—determine economic outcomes, but also that the economic, social, legal, and cultural structure of society affects preferences. This paper develops a general equilibrium model of incomplete markets in which preferences are endogenously determined. The key feature in the model is the interplay between the extent of the market, competitive endogenous interactions among individuals, and the heterogenous formation of preferences. We develop our model through an example in which individuals’ attitudes toward risk are formed as a function of the exposure to market risks, market incompletenesses, and non-market uncertainties. The model can easily accommodate the consideration of the formation of other preference parameters, and their relationship with other characteristics of the economic, social, and institutional environment. We discuss and present empirical evidence that supports the implication that the degree of risk aversion responds to market arrangements.
Alumni assessment in the ABET 2000 environment

In the mid-1980s the Kansas Board of Regents mandated that all schools in the state system develop a program for assessment of alumni experiences. The objective of this program is to provide feedback on many issues having to do with the experiences that alumni had while in school. The program developed at Kansas State surveys new graduates, one-year graduates, and four-year graduates on a periodic basis. Feedback from these surveys has been used to make adjustments in academic programs, advising, and enrollment processes. This paper summarizes some of the actions initiated in these areas. The ABET Engineering Criteria 2000 indicate that acceptable evidence of success can be obtained from "alumni surveys that document professional accomplishments and career development activities". No mention of alumni feedback regarding program quality issues is made in the criteria. This paper discusses this issue and other assessment groups mentioned in the ABET Engineering Criteria 2000. Questions about the various methods of obtaining evidence for ABET are raised. The appropriate use of the results of various methods is discussed.
Cosy Auditor-Management Relationships and Corporate Frauds in India

Corporate accounting frauds are increasing in India. The unholy nexus between auditors and managements is allegedly the key reason for the rising trend in the country. Though the Satyam scandal (2009), the largest corporate fraud in the history of the country, spurred thorough audit checks, the series of frauds alleged thereafter call for more improved measures for prevention. The recent probes by Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO), the investigation arm of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) in India, into the alleged frauds since 2008 in 83 companies is quite evident for the signalling scenario in the country. Auditors' involvement in different forms in these frauds have been seriously deliberating in the country demanding measures to curb the situation. The very recent move in the new Companies Bill for the formation of National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) to look after the quality of audit, compliance by auditors, and also the disclosures they make is a significant move in the direction to remedy the situation. Alarmed by the magnitude of the situation, the capital market regulator SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), insurance regulator IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority), and telecom regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) have also been indulging in severe measures to improve the situation. It is in this context that the paper sheds light on the selected scandals to dig out the involvement of the auditors in these scandals.
Herpes virus aotus: a latent herpesvirus from owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) isolation and characterization.

SummaryAn uninoculated batch of owl monkey kidney cell cultures yielded a viral agent 23 days after the cell culture was initiated. This agent possessed the physical, chemical, cytopathic, histological, and ultrastructural properties of a herpesvirus. Random testing of owl monkey sera showed the presence of high titered neutralizing antibodies against this new agent. Herpesvirus simplex, Herpesvirus T., Herpesvirus B, Herpesvirus suis, Herpesvirus saimiri, infectious bovine rhinotraecheitis, and Herpesvirus saguinus, OMKI 372, and OMKI 68-69 antisera failed to neutralize the infectivity of this new agent. In cell cultures the virus grew best in cells of owl monkey origin. It also grew (poorly) in cebus monkey kidney cell cultures, some batches of squirrel monkey kidney cells, in Vero, BSC-1, human embryonic lung, whole human embryo and human embryo skin and muscle cells. It failed to form plaques under an agar overlay and does not form pocks on chorioallantoic membranes of embryonated eggs. Based on these...
Recent accumulation variability in northwest Greenland from ground-penetrating radar and shallow cores along the Greenland Inland Traverse

Accumulation is a key parameter governing the mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet. Several studies have documented the spatial variability of accumulation over wide spatial scales, primarily using point data, remote sensing or modeling. Direct measurements of spatially extensive, detailed profiles of accumulation in Greenland, however, are rare. We used 400 MHz ground-penetrating radar along the 1009 km route of the Greenland Inland Traverse from Thule to Summit during April and May of 2011, to image continuous internal reflecting horizons. We dated these horizons using ice-core chemistry at each end of the traverse. Using density profiles measured along the traverse, we determined the depth to the horizons and the corresponding water-equivalent accumulation rates. The measured accumulation rates vary from ~0.1 m w.e. a–1 in the interior to ~0.7 m w.e. a–1 near the coast, and correspond broadly with existing published model results, though there are some excursions. Comparison of our recent accumulation rates with those collected along a similar route in the 1950s shows a ~10% increase in accumulation rates over the past 52 years along most of the traverse route. This implies that the increased water vapor capacity of warmer air is increasing accumulation in the interior of Greenland.
Collodion-Agglutination Test in Human Tuberculosis

ConclusionAfter several of the causes for false positive reactions in this method were eliminated, about 4% of human tuberculous sera gave specific positive reactions.
Concepts for Generating Coherent Radar Phantom Tracks Using Cooperating Vehicles

Multiple cooperating Electronic Combat Air Vehicles (ECAVs) are used to generate phantom radar tracks in a multiple radar air defense network. The vehicles use a range delay deception transponder, which delays the radar pulses received by the ECAV and sends them back to the radar. This results in the radar calculating an erroneous target range. A radar network will correlate tracks to discern actual vehicle positions from phantom targets. The ECAV team, however, precisely positions and dynamically coordinates the motion of the vehicles so that all radars see the same phantom track. This paper presents twodimensional mathematical relationships between the motion of the vehicles and the motion of the phantom tracks. Closed form solutions are obtained for the ECAV trajectory given a specifled phantom track. Parametric analyses are performed with constraints on the overall vehicle dynamics, in which case ∞yable regions are established to ensure the integrity of the phantom target track. Results are presented for a single vehicle and a single radar engagement, and for up to four vehicles generating single and multiple phantom tracks for up to four radars correlating returns. This paper presents several concepts for generating phantom tracks using cooperating vehicles.
Mexico’s Debt Problem and Policies for the Future

Mexico has been a central actor in the debt saga that has unfolded in recent years. In August 1982, the suspension of the servicing of its external debt precipitated the debt crisis. Subsequently, Mexico became the first recipient of an IMF loan package arranged with the participation of government and commercial bank creditors.
Characteristic of Phase Conversion and Its Cause on a Rainfall Process in Late Spring

There was an obvious rainfall process with the typical return flow on April 19,2013 in the middle and south of Hebei Province,which had a complicated conversion in precipitation patterns. The spatial distribution of precipitation patterns was rain in the north and snow in the south of Hebei Province,which was rare in the history. Thus,based on the conventional observation data,automatic meteorological observation data,Doppler radar data and reanalysis data from NCEP at 1° × 1° spatial resolution,the variation characteristic of the precipitation phase in late spring and the cause of phase transformation were analyzed. The results showed that two cold air from the east and west directions affected the central and south of Hebei Province. The cold air from the east path invaded mainly below 850 hPa in earlier stage,while the cold air from the west path intensified temperature going down in the central and south region with lower trough on 700 hPa moving to the east,which resulted in the precipitation types conversion in larger regions. The indication of the temperature above the ground 2 meter for the precipitation types conversions was limited because of the wide ranges of temperature from- 4 ℃ to 7 ℃,but the change of ground pressure was earlier than that of the temperature,thus the change of pressure was more meaningful to forecast the temperature going down. The low- level jet on 700 hPa played a decisive role in the formation of the middle- level warm layer,where the solid particles of rainfall could be melted to liquid. On the contrary,the rain converted into the pure snow when the warm layer disappeared. The- 2 ℃ isotherm of 925 hPa corresponded better with the snow area,so it was reliable to distinguish the phase of rainfall by the vertical profile of the temperature. Furthermore,the bright band of the 0 ℃ layer the rain and snow mixture appeared over about 4. 7 km,and the time of quickly declining of the 0 ℃ layer height was corresponding with the time of phase conversion of rainfall. Therefore,the change of the 0 ℃ layer height considered as an indicator of the phase conversion of rainfall.
Plasma amino acid alteration during teen-age pregnancy

Plasma levels of seven essential and seven nonessential free amino acids were determined by ion exchange chromatography procedures in pooled samples obtained from 80 teen-age pregnant girls from the twelfth to fortieth weeks of gestation. All concentrations were expressed as a mole per cent plasma as well as per cent of total concentration of plasma free amino acids measured. The mean levels of 4 week intervals were calculated and examined for gestational variation. Gestational changes were observed in both the essential and the nonessential amino acids when their concentrations were expressed as either absolute or relative levels.
Age- and Gender-Specific Normative Information from Children Assessed with a Dichotic Words Test.

BACKGROUND The most widely used assessment in the clinical auditory processing disorder (APD) battery is the dichotic listening test. New tests with normative information are helpful for assessment and cross-check of results for reliable diagnosis. PURPOSE The Dichotic Words Test was developed for use in the clinical test battery for diagnosis of APD. The test stimuli were common single syllable words matched for average root-mean-square amplitude and each pair was temporally aligned at both onset and offset. The study was conducted to collect performance results from typically developing children to create normative information for the test. RESEARCH DESIGN The study follows a cross-sectional design. STUDY SAMPLE Typically developing children (n = 416) between the ages of 5 and 12 yr were recruited from schools in the community. There were 217 males and 199 females in the study sample. Only children who passed a hearing screening were eligible to participate. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Scores for each ear were recorded during administration of the first free recall version of the test. Ear advantages based on results recorded for left and right ears were used to measure prevalence of right, left, and no ear advantages. Results for each listener's dominant and non-dominant ears and the absolute difference between them were put into the data analysis. Results were analyzed for normality and because no results were normally distributed, all further analyses were done with nonparametric statistical tests. Normative data for dominant and non-dominant ear scores and ear advantages were determined at the 95% confidence interval through bootstrapping methods with 1,000 samples. RESULTS Children were divided into four age groups based on results in their dominant ears. Females generally performed better than males and the prevalence of a right-ear advantage was ∼60% across all children tested. Normative lower-bound cut-off scores were established for males and females within each age group for dominant and non-dominant ear scores. Normative upper-bound cut-off scores were established for males and females within each age group for ear advantage scores. CONCLUSIONS Normative information specific to age group and gender will be useful in clinical assessment for APD. Prevalence of left-ear advantage results in the sample may have been partly due to uncontrolled influences of voice-onset time in arranging the dichotic pairs.
Stabilizability of Hilbert Space Contraction Semigroups: A Scattering Theory Approach*

Abstract This paper will study state feedback stabilization of Hilbert space contraction semigroups using a scattering theoretic “structure” of the semigroups.
In situ neutron scattering study of nanoscale phase evolution in PbTe-PbS thermoelectric material

Introducing nanostructural second phases has proved to be an effective approach to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity and thus enhances the figure of merit for many thermoelectric materials. Studies of the formation and evolution of these second phases are essential to understanding material temperature dependent behaviors, improving thermal stabilities, as well as designing new materials. In this study, powder samples of the PbTe-PbS thermoelectric material were examined using in situ neutron diffraction and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques between room temperature and elevated temperature up to 663 K, to explore quantitative information on the structure, weight fraction, and size of the second phase. Neutron diffraction data showed that the as-milled powder was primarily a solid solution prior to heat treatment. During heating, a PbS second phase precipitated out of the PbTe matrix around 500 K, while re-dissolution started around 600 K. The second phase remained separated from the ...
Coherent spectral characteristics of passive and active dual-racetrack resonators

Dual-racetrack resonator structures are experimentally investigated. A single spectral is observed in each free-spectral range and the spectral phase variation indicates sufficient phase dynamic range. Electro-optic tuning of the structure produces rich coherent behaviors.
The Role of Standard Cognitive and Personality Tests in Neuropsychological Assessment

Clinical neuropsychology has become one of the fastest growing specialty areas in psychology (Golden & Kuperman, 1980), and is now recognized as a distinct and legitimate area of specialized practice. Central to this growth, and well documented throughout this volume, has been the success of neuropsychological testing procedures in detecting the presence and localization of brain dysfunction. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of standard cognitive and personality tests in the neuropsychological assessment of adults. The specific assessment devices covered are those measures generally considered to be part of the standard battery employed by traditionally trained clinicians for routine assessment purposes (e. g., the Wechsler tests, Bender-Gestalt, Rorschach, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, etc.). The utility of these testing procedures is first examined in a historical perspective that acknowledges the differences between the clinical psychological and neuropsychological approaches to the assessment of brain dysfunction. The strengths and weaknesses of these tests for neurodiagnostic purposes are next reviewed. Finally, the potential utility of standard cognitive and personality tests as adjuncts to other neuropsychological procedures is discussed in the context of the emerging emphasis on issues of everyday living.
A Resource-Capability Combination Study on the Competitive Dynamics: An empirical analysis

The recent emerging stream of literature on resource deployment underscores not only who owns what resources, but how those resources are deployed. This development calls for an analysis from the p...
Variance-Covariance Modeling and Estimation for Multi-Resolution Spatial Models

The tree-structured multi-resolution spatial models (MRSMs) yield optimal and computationally feasible spatial smoothers of massive spatial data with nonstationary behavior. The nonstationary spatial correlation structure of MRSMs is the result of inhomogeneous stochastic parent-child relationships at adjacent resolutions. Likelihood-based methods are presented for the estimation and modeling of variance-covariance parameters associated with the parent-child relationships, resulting in data-adaptive, nonstationary covariance structure. An application of the MRSMs is given to total column ozone (TCO) data obtained from a polar-orbiting satellite.
Miss Pauline M. Hald: A Pioneer Clinical Chemist.

The measurement of blood chemistries is an integral part of the practice of medicine. Despite the importance of this to our profession, most practitioners have little understanding of the true history of its discovery. Dr. John Peters is touted worldwide as the father of modern clinical chemistry, and he co-wrote the first text in the field, entitled “Quantitative Clinical Chemistry” (1). Yet vanishingly few of us are aware of the essential contributions of Ms. Pauline Hald (1904–1998). Her name is not one we all know. But we should. Pauline Hald was born in 1904 to Frank and Josephine Hald, a young immigrant couple living in New Haven, CT. Her father was a German-born Catholic who, fleeing conscription into an army whose politics he did not support, emigrated to New Haven at the age of 17 years. There he met and married Miss Josephine Merritt of Nova Scotia, Canada. In a decision that was somewhat unusual for their time, Frank and Josephine Hald insisted that their daughter have a high-quality education. After graduating high school in 1917, she was accepted to …
PARACENTRAL ACUTE MIDDLE MACULOPATHY IN A PERIVENULAR FERN-LIKE DISTRIBUTION WITH EN FACE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose:To report a case of central retinal vein occlusion resulting in a perivenular pattern of paracentral acute middle maculopathy lesions best identified with en face optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods:Retrospective case report. Optos ultra–widefield fluorescein angiography, spectral dom
Protective Factors Against Distress for Caregivers of a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Caregivers of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience elevated distress. The current study examined potential protective factors against caregiver distress when child externalizing and internalizing behaviors are present: family resources, perceived social support, parenting efficacy, knowledge of ASD, and the agreement between actual and perceived knowledge of ASD. Caregivers of a child with ASD completed an online questionnaire. Results demonstrated main effects for externalizing behavior, family resources, and perceived social support. Significant interactions were found among parenting efficacy and internalizing behavior, and the agreement between actual and perceived knowledge with both externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Results indicate important factors that should be emphasized when working with families of a child with ASD.
Environment as Well as Sequence Determines the Secondary Structure of Proteins

The effect of solvent environment can overwhelm the propensity of an amino acid sequence for a particular secondary structure. Equivocal sequences that are predicted to be α-helical from amino acid preference but are found to be s-strand from x-ray diffraction of their respective proteins, and equivocal sequences that are predicted to be s-strand but found to be a-helical, are shown by circular dichroism (CD) to be α-helical in alcohol solvents and B-strand in hydrophobic solvents. Some sequences have a strong enough propensity to overcome environmental factors, but most sequences with a propensity for a particular secondary structure assume the structure dictated by the environment These results are experimental proof that environment as well as sequence is important in determining secondary structure. This implies that the microsolvent (environment) seen by a secondary structure due to nonlocal interactions of amino acids from the tertiary structure of a protein may be an important factor in determining secondary structure. Therefore environment should be considered to correctly predict the secondary structure of an amino acid sequence in proteins.
Frequency and feasibility of detecting FGFR mRNA expression in archival samples of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).

281Background: Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors show promising activity in patients with intrahepatic CCA harboring FGFR2 fusions, but these alterations have a modest frequency o...
Thorium Isotope Distributions in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific

Measurements of the radiogenic thorium isotopes 234Th 230Th and 228Th in seawater show that all of the isotopes occur mainly in the dissolved form (< 1.0 μm). The fraction of the Th found in the particulate form increases as the radioactive half-life of the isotope increases. We conclude that chemical scavenging of Th in the deep sea occurs by a reversible exchange process and that the rate of exchange is fast compared with the rate of removal of the particulate matter. As a result the suspended particles are nearly equilibrated with the surrounding water with respect to exchange of Th isotopes at their surfaces. This suggests that chemical equilibrium principles may be applicable to the problem of trace metal scavenging in the deep sea.
Tuning of Surface-Acoustic-Wave Dispersion via Magnetically Modulated Contact Resonances

Devices based on surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are employed in many engineering domains, for example, as delay lines and filters in electronics, and as particle sensors for lab-on-chip systems. All of these applications would benefit from tunable devices that can vary the frequency and speed of the traveling signal. The authors present a tunable metamaterial platform to control SAWs, exploiting contact resonances modulated with permanent magnets to generate and shift SAW band gaps. The concept could be miniaturized for application in telecommunication and sensors.
Chance constrained reachability in environments with spatially varying energy costs

Abstract In off-road environments, energy costs are highly uncertain and variable due to unknown terrains. To plan missions for robots with limited energy storage capacity, a robot’s reachable set must be determined. This work presents a novel approach for learning reachable sets based on data collected during a mission. Leveraging the authors’ previous work, a spatial energy map of an unknown environment, built with data collected by a robot, can be used to compute a chance constrained reachable set (CCRS) based on a user-defined confidence level. Simulations demonstrate that as a robot collects more data on an energy map, the true positive rate of a computed CCRS improves significantly while the false positive rate remains low, implying that a robot’s reachability can be robustly determined for use in future missions.
Subdiffusive Dynamics Lead to Depleted Particle Densities near Cellular Borders

Abstract It has long been known that the complex cellular environment leads to anomalous motion of intracellular particles. At a gross level, this is characterized by mean-squared displacements that deviate from the standard linear profile. Statistical analysis of particle trajectories has helped further elucidate how different characteristics of the cellular environment can introduce different types of anomalousness. A significant majority of this literature has, however, focused on characterizing the properties of trajectories that do not interact with cell borders (e.g., cell membrane or nucleus). Numerous biological processes ranging from protein activation to exocytosis, however, require particles to be near a membrane. This study investigates the consequences of a canonical type of subdiffusive motion, fractional Brownian motion, and its physical analog, generalized Langevin equation dynamics, on the spatial localization of particles near reflecting boundaries. Results show that this type of subdiffusive motion leads to the formation of significant zones of depleted particle density near boundaries and that this effect is independent of the specific model details encoding those dynamics. Rather, these depletion layers are a natural and robust consequence of the anticorrelated nature of motion increments that is at the core of fractional Brownian motion (or alternatively generalized Langevin equation) dynamics. If such depletion zones are present, it would be of profound importance given the wide array of signaling and transport processes that occur near membranes. If not, that would suggest our understanding of this type of anomalous motion may be flawed. Either way, this result points to the need to further investigate the consequences of anomalous particle motions near cell borders from both theoretical and experimental perspectives.
On the North American Species of Dolichosoma Stephens and Psilothrix Küster (Coleoptera: Melyridae: Dasytinae: Dasytini)

The two North American species currently placed in Dolichosoma Stephens, namely D. foveicolle (Kirby, 1837) (widespread in North America) and D. tenuiforme Horn, 1880 (“Texas”), were critically examined. After investigation of type specimens and comparison with Palearctic members of Dolichosoma and Psilothrix Kuster, D. foveicolle is transferred to the latter genus as Psilothrix foveicollis (Kirby, 1837), new combination, and D. tenuiforme is considered to be based on a mislabeled specimen of D. lineare (Rossi, 1794) and becomes a new junior synonym of that species. Consequently, the genus Dolichosoma is not represented in the North American fauna, and Psilothrix is recognized as the only truly Holarctic genus of Dasytinae.
Defining chromatin state transitions predicts a network that modulates cell wall remodeling in phosphate-starved rice shoots

Abstract Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant macronutrient vital to fundamental metabolic processes. Plant-available P is low in most soils, making it a frequent limiter of growth. Declining P reserves for fertilizer production exasperates this agricultural challenge. Plants modulate complex responses to fluctuating P levels via global transcriptional regulatory networks. Although chromatin structure plays a substantial role in controlling gene expression, the chromatin dynamics involved in regulating P homeostasis have not been determined. Here we define distinct chromatin states across the rice genome by integrating multiple aspects of chromatin structure, including the H2A.Z histone variant, H3K4me3 modification, and nucleosome positioning. In response to P starvation, 40% of all protein-coding genes exhibit a transition from one chromatin state to another at their transcription start site. Several of these transitions are enriched in subsets of genes differentially expressed by P deficiency. The most prominent subset supports the presence of a coordinated signaling network that targets cell wall structure and is regulated in part via a decrease of H3K4me3 at the transcription start site. The P-starvation induced chromatin dynamics and correlated genes identified here will aid in enhancing P-use efficiency in crop plants, benefitting global agriculture. One sentence summary Combining data for three components of chromatin structure from control and phosphate-starved rice shoots reveals specific chromatin state transitions that correlate with subsets of functionally distinct differentially-expressed genes.
Emergency powers in democratic states: Introducing the Democratic Emergency Powers dataset:

This article discusses the content and causes of emergency powers in democratic states. It makes two main contributions. First, it introduces the Democratic Emergency Powers dataset, which codifies...
Successful Use of Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as a Bridging Strategy in INTERMACS 1 Patients Undergoing HeartMate 3 LVAD Implantation

Purpose Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used to treat refractory cardiogenic shock, but prior reports have demonstrated poor survival in patients bridged to durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) with ECMO. The aim of our study was to assess the outcomes of patients bridged with ECMO to HeartMate 3 (HM3) in the contemporary era at a large volume ECMO center. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 165 consecutive patients implanted with a HM3 at our institution from November 2014 to July 2019. Baseline clinical characteristics, hemodynamic data, and post-operative outcomes were assessed in patients bridged with ECMO to HM 3 and compared to those who were not bridged with ECMO. Results Of the 165 patients, 11 patients were bridged to HM3 LVAD using VA-ECMO. Patients supported with ECMO were younger (48.4 ± 13.5 vs. 60.0 ±12.9 yrs, p Conclusion In carefully selected patients, VA-ECMO is an effective strategy to stabilize critically ill patients as a bridge to HeartMate 3 LVAD. Optimizing end organ perfusion with VA-ECMO prior to surgery and use of an upfront RVAD strategy may result in improved survival in these patients.
Basic training: A library orientation designed for student veterans

Abstract Colleges and universities across the country have been developing robust programs and services to support student veterans, including veteran-specific orientations. The Texas A&M University Libraries received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to pilot a veteran-specific library orientation inspired by the in-processing checklist, a common military method for orienting service members to their new military installations. This article describes the development of the Orienting Student Veterans to the Library project, details the structure and content of the library orientation, and shares the challenges and lessons learned from implementing the orientation. Assessment of the orientation revealed impact, especially in student veterans' self-reported likelihood of recommending library resources to fellow student veterans.
Morphological, cytological and molecular marker analyses of ‘Tapestry’ caladium variants reveal diverse genetic changes and enable association of leaf coloration pattern loci with molecular markers

Somaclonal variation and induced mutation are highly valuable sources of genetic variation for genetic improvement and research in horticultural crops; cellular and molecular characterization can greatly facilitate their uses in these areas. In the present study, 20 caladium variants were identified among ‘Tapestry’ plants that were regenerated from leaf cultures treated with or without colchicine. These variants showed changes in leaf main vein color and coloration pattern and were separated into ten groups based on leaf morphological changes. Five variants contained 3.3–9.7% more nuclear DNA than the wildtype and gained one, two or three chromosomes, while four variants contained 3.0–4.8% less nuclear DNA and lost one chromosome. Five, out of 22, simple sequence repeat-based molecular markers detected DNA banding pattern changes in 13 of the 20 variants. Two molecular markers (CaM24 and CaM62) detected DNA banding pattern changes in the same four variants, suggesting that these two markers may be located in the same chromosomal segment. Strong association between leaf characteristics (leaf blotching and main vein color) and molecular banding pattern changes with molecular marker CaM42 were observed in six variants, indicating that CaM42 may be associated with gene loci controlling leaf blotching and leaf main vein color in caladium. Detailed characterization of ‘Tapestry’ caladium variants revealed changes in nuclear DNA content, chromosome number and molecular marker banding pattern and associated gene loci controlling leaf characters with molecular markers.
Sjogren-Larsson syndrome

Sjogren–Larsson syndrome (SLS; MIM 270200) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, characterized by ichthyosis, intellectual disability, and spastic diplegia or tetraplegia. Brain neuroimaging reveals white matter disease and abnormal lipid peaks are detected on magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The disorder is caused by mutations in the ALDH3A2 gene that result in deficiency of fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase and impaired oxidation of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes and alcohols. The pathogenesis of SLS is hypothesized to arise from accumulation of fatty aldehydes, fatty alcohols, and related lipids, which disrupts the multilamellar membranes of myelin and stratum corneum.
Implications of Polymorphisms in the BCKDK and GATA-4 Gene Regions on Stable Warfarin Dose in African Americans.

VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genotypes explain less variability in warfarin dose requirements in African Americans compared with Europeans. Variants in BCKDK and GATA-4 gene regions, purported to regulate VKORC1 and CYP2C9 expression, have been shown to play an important role in warfarin dose requirements in Europeans and Asians, respectively. We sought to determine whether rs56314408 near BCKDK or GATA-4 rs2645400 influence warfarin dose requirements in 200 African Americans. Unlike the strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) between rs56314408 and VKORC1 rs9923231 in Europeans, they were not in LD in African Americans. No associations were found on univariate analysis. On multivariable analysis, rs56314408 was associated (P = 0.027) with dose in a regression model excluding VKORC1 rs9923231, and GATA-4 rs2645400 was associated (P = 0.032) with dose in a model excluding CYP2C (CYP2C9*2, *3, *5, *6, *8, and *11, CYP2C rs12777823) variants. Neither variant contributed to dose in the model that included both VKORC1 rs9923231 and CYP2C variants. Our results do not support contributions of the studied variants to warfarin dose requirements in African Americans. However, they illustrate the value of studies in African descent populations, who have low LD in their genome, in teasing out genetic variation underlying drug response associations. They also emphasize the importance of confirming associations in persons of African ancestry.