cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in ecological interaction strength with island area: theory and data from the Bahamian archipelago

Aim We ask empirically how the strength of the three major interactions – predation, competition and mutualism – changes with increasing island area. We review and expand current theory concerning these relationships. Location Data for evaluating this question come from several Bahamian archipelagos and involve both experiments and observations. The latter can be especially long term; in one case data were collected over a 17-year period. Methods We analyse the effect size of the following interactions across a range of island areas: (1) predation by lizards on spiders, (2) competition between two lizard species, (3) competition between two spider species, (4) ant–plant mutualism, and (5) plant–pollinator mutualism. Results Effect sizes for predation and competition mostly show a hump-shaped relationship with island area. Effect sizes for ant–plant mutualism were reduced on large islands compared with smaller islands. Germination rate showed a steady increase with island area which we infer to be caused by an increase in pollinator limitation on smaller islands. Main conclusions We argue that the effect size–area relation has rather similar aetiologies for predation, competition and to a somewhat lesser extent ant–plant mutualism. Specifically, we suggest that high species diversity, top predators, plant defences and (for predation and competition) spatial heterogeneity with respect to refuges or resource use reduce effect size on large islands, while harsh abiotic conditions, marine subsidies and stochastic events reduce effect size on small islands. Thus, for these interaction types, the greatest effect sizes are observed on intermediate-sized islands. For plant–pollinator mutualism we suggest that the monotonic increase in effect size with increasing island area is the result of interaction strength being enhanced, rather than weakened, by diversity.
Almost linear time computation of the chromatic polynomial of a graph of bounded tree-width

An O(n log2n) algorithm is presented to compute all coefficients of the chromatic polynomial of an n vertex graph of bounded tree-width. Previously, it has been known how to evaluate the chromatic polynomial for such graphs in linear time, implying a computation of all coefficients of the chromatic polynomial in quadratic time.
Ccr4-Not and TFIIS Function Cooperatively To Rescue Arrested RNA Polymerase II

Expression of the genome requires RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) to transcribe across many natural and unnatural barriers, and this transcription across barriers is facilitated by protein complexes called elongation factors (EFs). Genetic studies in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast suggest that multiple EFs collaborate to assist RNAPII in completing the transcription of genes, but the molecular mechanisms of how they cooperate to promote elongation are not well understood. The Ccr4-Not complex participates in multiple steps of mRNA metabolism and has recently been shown to be an EF. Here we describe how Ccr4-Not and TFIIS cooperate to stimulate elongation. We find that Ccr4-Not and TFIIS mutations show synthetically enhanced phenotypes, and biochemical analyses indicate that Ccr4-Not and TFIIS work synergistically to reactivate arrested RNAPII. Ccr4-Not increases the recruitment of TFIIS into elongation complexes and enhances the cleavage of the displaced transcript in backtracked RNAPII. This is mediated by an interaction between Ccr4-Not and the N terminus of TFIIS. In addition to revealing insights into how these two elongation factors cooperate to promote RNAPII elongation, our study extends the growing body of evidence suggesting that the N terminus of TFIIS acts as a docking/interacting site that allows it to synergize with other EFs to promote RNAPII transcription.
EXPERIMENTAL GLOMERULONEPHRITIS INDUCED IN RABBITS WITH THE ENDOTOXIC PRINCIPLE OF STREPTOCOCCUS SCARLATINÆ

1. Broth-grown cultures, cultures from blood agar slants and culture filtrates (Berkefeld N or V) of H. Streptococcus scarlatinae are without appreciable effect upon the rabbit, no matter how large the dose or by what route introduced. 2. The active toxic principle of H. Streptococcus scarlatinae for rabbits is intimately associated with the protein of the bacterial cell, and is not given off in the artificial medium during the growth activity of the organism, indicating, therefore, its endotoxic character. 3. The endotoxin is readily obtained from the viable scarlatinal cultures through the medium of the peritoneal cavity of the rabbit immunized against the homologous strain (Pfeiffer phenomenon). The toxic substance thus obtained we have termed a lysate. 4. The rabbit is highly susceptible to the in vivo prepared lysate of Streptococcus scarlatinae, at least from the cultures we have employed. The degree of the toxic effect upon the rabbit depends upon the size of the dose and the route through which it is introduced. The specific effects range from mild to severe and fatal forms of toxemia as indicated by high fever, leucocytosis, paralysis and acute hemorrhagic glomerular nephritis. 5. The experimentally induced nephritic lesions are analogous in kind and variety to those of acute scarlatinal nephritis in man, including the "epithelial crescent" formation, hyaline thrombi of glomerular capillaries, hemorrhage into capsular space and necrosis of capillary tufts.
Forensic handwritten document retrieval system

Document storage and retrieval capabilities of the CEDAR-FOX forensic handwritten document examination system are described. The system is designed for automated and semiautomated analysis of scanned handwritten documents. For library creation, the system provides functionalities for (i) entering document metadata, e.g., identification number, writer and other collateral information, (ii) creating a textual transcript of the image content at the word level, and (iii) including automatically extracted document level features, e.g., stroke width, slant, word gaps, as well as finer features that capture the structural characteristics of characters and words. For extracting these features the system performs page analysis, page segmentation, line separation, word segmentation and finally recognition of characters and words. The extracted features are used for writer identification by matching against a library built as a database. The system design is driven by questioned document examination with its emphasis on writer identification. Several query modalities are permitted for retrieval: (i) document level: the entire document image is the query; (ii) partial image: a region of interest (ROI) of a document; (ii) word image: which is also called word spotting; (iv) text keyword: the user can type in keywords ranging from the words in the documents, case number, person names, time and the preregistered keywords such as brief descriptions of the case. The system has been implemented using Microsoft visual C++ and tested using MySQL database system from MySQL ABTM. It provides as a graphical user interface for forensic document identification, verification and analysis.
SimGate: Full-System, Cycle-Close Simulation of the Stargate Sensor Network Intermediate Node

We present SimGate ? a full-system simulator for the Stargate intermediate-level, resource-constrained, sensor network device. We empirically evaluate the accuracy and performance of the system in isolation as well as coupled with simulated Mica2 motes. Our system is functionally correct and achieves accurate cycle estimation (i.e. cycle-close). Moreover, the overhead of simulated execution is modest with respect to previously published work.
Automated Derivation of Application-aware Error Detectors using Static Analysis

This paper presents a technique to derive and implement error detectors to protect an application from data errors. The error detectors are derived automatically using compiler-based static analysis from the backward program slice of critical variables in the program. Critical variables are defined as those that are highly sensitive to errors, and deriving error detectors for these variables provides high coverage for errors in any data value used in the program. The error detectors take the form of checking expressions and are optimized for each control flow path followed at runtime. The derived detectors are implemented using a combination of hardware and software. Experiments show that the derived detectors incur low performance overheads while achieving high detection coverage for errors that impact the application.
Optimal nonparametric estimation of the density of regression errors with finite support

Knowledge of the probability distribution of error in a regression problem plays an important role in verification of an assumed regression model, making inference about predictions, finding optimal regression estimates, suggesting confidence bands and goodness of fit tests as well as in many other issues of the regression analysis. This article is devoted to an optimal estimation of the error probability density in a general heteroscedastic regression model with possibly dependent predictors and regression errors. Neither the design density nor regression function nor scale function is assumed to be known, but they are suppose to be differentiable and an estimated error density is suppose to have a finite support and to be at least twice differentiable. Under this assumption the article proves, for the first time in the literature, that it is possible to estimate the regression error density with the accuracy of an oracle that knows “true” underlying regression errors. Real and simulated examples illustrate importance of the error density estimation as well as the suggested oracle methodology and the method of estimation.
Building Information Systems for Network -Centric Warfare

Abstract : This paper examines the implications of network-centric warfare for information system development: How should we build C2 information systems for net-centric operations? We begin with six highly-probable predictions for the NCW future. From these we derive a number of present implications for system development: things we should do now, and problems we will have to solve along the way. Our answers touch on the information technology to be employed within the systems, the architectural principles that will guide and structure their development, and the acquisition process used to build and deploy the systems.
Identification of endoplasmic reticulum proteins involved in glycan assembly: synthesis and characterization of P3-(4-azidoanilido)uridine 5'-triphosphate, a membrane-topological photoaffinity probe for uridine diphosphate-sugar binding proteins.

Much of the enzymic machinery required for the assembly of cell surface carbohydrates is located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of eukaryotic cells. Structural information on these proteins is limited and the identity of the active polypeptide(s) is generally unknown. This paper describes the synthesis and characteristics of a photoanity reagent that can be used to identify and analyse members of the ER glycan assembly apparatus, specifically those glycosyltransferases, nucleotide phosphatases and nucleotide‐ sugar transporters that recognize uridine nucleotides or UDPsugars. The photoanity reagent, P$-(4-azidoanilido)uridine 5«triphosphate (AAUTP), was synthesized easily from commercially available precursors. AAUTP inhibited the activity of ER glycosyltransferases that utilize UDP-GlcNAc and UDP-Glc, indicating that it is recognized by UDP-sugar-binding proteins.
Gastric compartment syndrome: an unusual complication of gastric plication surgery

f p a T b t f t T l g p I o s i a p a f t a a c c s t g a w t w Despite being an investigational gastric restrictive procedure, gastric plication surgery (GPS) is gaining in popularity. The attributes attractive to patients include no stapling, no rearranging, and no need for a port or adjustments. The concept of gastric plication as a weight loss procedure has previously been published in animal models [1–3]. The largest clinical experience stems from Ramos et al [4] in Brazil, Talebpour nd Amoli [5] in Iran, and Brethauer et al [6] at the Cleveland linic. Reports are now appearing with gastric plication as an djunct to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding [7]. The resent case report describes an unusual complication after PS performed as a primary operation for weight loss.
Sensitive Fluorescence Assay for d,l‐Methadone

d,l‐Methadone forms a fluorophore when reacted with paraformaldehyde in concentrated sulfuric acid. Based on this reaction, a fluorescence assay suitable for quantitative d,l‐methadone analysis from plasma and other tissues was developed. d,l‐Methadone was extracted at pH 9.2 from the deproteinized filtrate of plasma or of aqueous tissue homogenate into an organic phase of 25% isobutanol in ethylene dichloride. After an aliquot of the organic phase was evaporated to dryness at 50‐55° with an air jet, paraformaldehyde (0.1%, in concentrated sulfuric acid) was added, and fluorescence was read at 450 nm with excitation at 275 nm. By this method, d,l‐ methadone can be assayed in the presence of its metabolites, morphine, diacetyimorphine (heroin), codeine, and cocaine; however, amphetamine, meperidine, and quinine interfere.
A web-based software system for dynamic gene cluster comparison across multiple genomes

Summary: Investigating the conservation of gene clusters across multiple genomes has become a standard practice in the era of comparative genomics. However, all existing software and databases rely heavily on pre-computation to identify homologous genes by genome-wide comparisons. Such pre-computing strategies lack accuracy and updating the data is computationally intensive. Since most molecular biologists are often interested only in a small cluster of genes, catering to this need, we have developed a web-based software system that allows users to upload a list of genes, perform dynamic search against the genomes of their choices and interactively visualize the gene cluster conservation using a novel multi-genome browser. Our approach avoids expensive genome-wide pre-computing and allows users to dynamically change the search criteria to fit their genes of interest. Our system can be customized for any genome sequences. We have applied it to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes to illustrate its usability. Availability: Our software is freely available at http://cgcv.cgb.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/index.cgi. Contact: [email protected]
Maneuvering a bed sheet for repositioning a bedridden patient

The marionette bed presents a new method for rolling and repositioning a bedridden patient using a pair of actuated rollers attached to both sides of the bedsheet in order to lift and manipulate the patient body. This prevents development of painful bedsores and of pneumonia. This paper builds a simple kinematic model to create trajectories for generation of desired body motion. It also addresses a closed loop control strategy, based on patient position and orientation feedback, for the marionette bed. Closed loop control provides flexibility and safety in the various modes of operation of the bed. The bed can now handle patients of various sizes when supplied with some parameters. The safety of the patient is also ensured because the position and orientation is continuously monitored. A prototype is built and initial experiments demonstrate that a human body is rolled and manipulated by the assist device, as desired.
Cholestatic Phenotypes of Autoimmune Hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis can have cholestatic features that are outside the codified diagnostic criteria. These features have uncertain effects on the clinical presentation and progression of disease. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis can have antimitochondrial antibodies and coincidental bile duct injury or loss (2%–13% of patients), focal biliary strictures and dilations based on cholangiography (2%–11%), or histologic changes of bile duct injury or loss in the absence of other features (5%–11%). These findings probably represent atypical manifestations of autoimmune hepatitis or variants of primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis, depending on the predominant findings. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transferase, histologic features of bile duct injury, and findings from cholangiography are associated with responsiveness to corticosteroid therapy and individualized alternative treatments. Corticosteroid therapy, in combination with low-dose ursodeoxycholic acid, has been promulgated by international societies, but these recommendations are not based on strong evidence. The frequency, variable outcomes, and uncertainties in diagnosis and management of the cholestatic phenotypes must be addressed by a collaborative investigational network. This network should define the genetic and pathologic features of these disorders, standardize their nomenclature, and establish a treatment algorithm. In this review, the different cholestatic phenotypes of autoimmune hepatitis, mechanisms of pathogenesis, current management strategies and outcomes, and opportunities for improving understanding and therapy are presented.
On the VC-dimension of uniform hypergraphs

Let $${\cal F}$$ be a k-uniform hypergraph on [n] where k?1 is a power of some prime p and n? n 0(k). Our main result says that if $$|F|> ({n\atop k-1}) -\log_p n + k!k^k $$ , then there exists E 0? $${\cal F}$$ such that {E? E 0: E? $${\cal F}$$ } contains all subsets of E 0. This improves a longstanding bound of $$({n\atop k-1})$$ due to Frankl and Pach [7].
A diffusion theory model of adoption and substitution for successive generations of high-technology products

This study deals with the dynamic sales behavior of successive generations of high-technology products. New technologies diffuse through a population of potential buyers over time. Therefore, diffusion theory models are related to this demand growth. Furthermore, successive generations of a technology compete with earlier ones, and that behavior is the subject of models of technological substitution. Building upon the Bass Bass, F. M. 1969. A new-product growth model for consumer durables. Management Sci.15January 215-227. diffusion model, we develop a model which encompasses both diffusion and substitution. We demonstrate the forecasting properties of the model by estimating parameters over part of the data and projecting shipments for later periods.
Forecasting Italian Language Proficiency of Culturally Immersed Students

foreign study programs a review of the literature reveals very little data bearing on the evaluation of such programs. The paucity of research can, in part, be attributed to a lack of appropriate instruments, or at least a lag in the application of already available devices. One of the more formidable problems is involved with securing reliable criterion data. Only recently have appropriate level standardized measures of foreign language proficiency become available.' This resolves one aspect of the evaluation problem, namely the assessment of the cognitive outcomes of language training. The area of attitudes and values has yet to be explored. The purpose of this paper is to present data bearing on the ability of selected standardized educational and psychological tests to predict both objective and subjective evaluations of the language and general academic performance of students in the Syracuse Semester in Italy Program.
Voting By Altruists: Some Electoral Implications of Civic Virtue

This paper examines some neglected implications of altruism in deterministic voting models in settings where voters differ in their altruistic propensities. Of particular interest is the extent to which relatively small groups of altruistic voters can affect electoral outcomes by simply casting votes. Ordinarily, in deterministic electoral models one expects small groups with "odd" policy preferences to have little impact on electoral outcomes. This paper demonstrates that relatively small groups of altruistic voters can have substantial effects on policies entirely determined by median voter preferences.
Issues in the Design of Tools for Distributed Software Systems Development

A number of issues which complicate the problem of distributed software system design are discussed. These issues occur because distributed computing entails substantially more complex computational structures than arise from traditional approaches to structuring process-based problem solving. We discuss the requirements for tools which can handle this additional complexity.
Characterisation of potassium bromide loaded with dysprosium fluoride nanocrystals for neutron detection

We explore a novel concept of passive optically-enabled detection of thermal neutrons that exploits transmutation of 164 Dy into 165 Ho. The concept relies on significant differences in optical properties of Dy and Ho and on our ability to find the most sensitive optical method of differentiating between Dy and Ho. While the concept applies equally well to bulk materials and to nanocrystals (NCs), the nanocrystalline approach is much more attractive due to its significantly lower cost, relative ease of colloidal synthesis of high quality NCs with controlled composition, and superior optical and mechanical properties of NCs compared to their bulk counterparts. One particular advantage of NCs for neutron detection is that in principle they can be integrated into a transparent host without causing optical scattering. Since Ho is known to have strong emission lines in mid-infrared, we considered potassium bromide (KBr), transparent in mid-IR spectral range, to be a suitable host for Dy-containing NCs. Here, we report on synthesis and characterisation of DyF 3 :10%Ce, HoF 3 :10%Ce, and DyF 3 :10%Ho,10%Ce NCs, their insertion into KBr matrix, and optical characterisation of the obtained nanocomposites, both non-irradiated and subjected to neutron irradiation.
Plasma Control of a Turbulent Boundary Layer in an Unstarting Supersonic Flow

The manipulation of a turbulent boundary layer during unstart is demonstrated at Mach 4.7 flow conditions using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) actuator. Rayleigh scattering from condensed CO2 particles is used to visualize flow features such as boundary layers and shock waves at low freestream static pressure (1kPa) and temperature (60K). Boundary layer thinning is observed when the activated low power (6.8W), low frequency (28kHz) single actuator pair is oriented parallel to the freestream flow. The control of the unstart process, initiated by mass addition to the supersonic flow, is demonstrated through actuation of these boundary layers. The actuation is more effective when relatively thick boundary layers are actuated.
Evaluation on HIV/AIDS Health Behavior Interventions Among Female Sex Workers in Entertainment Places of Lianyuan City

Objective To conduct HIV/AIDS health behavior interventions among females serviced in entertainment places,and to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.Methods One hundred and ninety-nine female sex workers serviced in 32 entertainment places of Lianyuan,including hair salons,Karaoke bars,sauna centers,foot bathing and foot massage centers,and hotels were served as intervention group,and 157 female sex workers serviced in entertainment places of the neighbor town were served as control group.According to the principle of voluntary informed consent,6-month interventions(mobile phone short messages and peer education) were enforced in 199 females of intervention group.And the effectiveness of the interventions was assessed.Results As compared with before the interventions,the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS knowledge(43.13%,P0.01),the rate of condom use in the last sexual behavior(78.13%,P0.01) and in the last month(81.86%,P0.01) when to engage in sex with non-regular partners,the proportion of receiving HIV counseling and testing(58.75%,P0.01),and behavior for seeing doctors in formal medical institutions(73.13%,P0.01),and the detection rate of venereal diseases(13.75%,P0.05) of intervention group were all significantly improved within six months after the interventions.But 18 months after the interventions,only the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS knowledge of intervention group(31.76%) was higher than those of the pre-intervention(12.56%,P0.05) and control group(20.83%,P0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in the rate of condom use in the last sexual behavior(57.43%) and in the last month(56.08%) when to engage in sex with non-regular partners,health seeking behavior and the detection rate of venereal diseases(17.57%) between intervention group and control group(P0.05).Conclusions The short-term effectiveness of HIV/AIDS health behavior interventions is significant,but not notable in the middle-term and long-term;and hence,the long-term and continuous intervention plays a very important role in HIV/AIDS prevention and control.
Power video data network construction and networking scheme based on unified platform

Based on the unified platform and its construction scheme for the power video data network,the algorithm of video stream deployment is proposed in this paper.And the video surveillance system is built in state grids.The unified method are provided,it supports video surveillance systems and equipment management platform and the interconnection of platform,business integration.The platforms significantly improve the level of equipment management and maintenance,and enhance the capabilities of video resource sharing.The system is thus constructed regularly.Engineering practice results show that the unified platform based video data network satisfies the requirement of video surveillance in state grid corporation,and makes streaming media deployment effectively.
The onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade using combinations of atracurium and vecuronium.

The effect of atracurium-vecuronium combinations on the onset and duration of neuromuscular blockade was investigated in 30 adult patients undergoing general anaesthesia for elective surgery. The p...
Resection of pediatric lung malformations: National trends in resource utilization & outcomes

Abstract Purpose We sought to determine factors influencing survival and resource utilization in patients undergoing surgical resection of congenital lung malformations (CLM). Additionally, we used propensity score-matched analysis (PSMA) to compare these outcomes for thoracoscopic versus open surgical approaches. Methods Kids' Inpatient Database (1997–2009) was used to identify congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) and pulmonary sequestration (PS) patients undergoing resection. Open and thoracoscopic CPAM resections were compared using PSMA. Results 1547 cases comprised the cohort. In-hospital survival was 97%. Mortality was higher in small vs. large hospitals, p p p p Conclusion CLM resections have high associated survival. Children
Distribution of transuranic elements in bone

The transport, retention, and excretion of transuranic elements from the body have been widely studied for many years. A summary of the results is given with an emphasis on the distribution of these elements in bone. Implications of these studies for understanding the relationships between lead in blood and lead in bone are presented. The expected distribution of lead at various bone sites is also considered.
Conflicts of Interest and Abuses

To my knowledge, there are only four sources of data about the abuses that some claim to have been prevalent or at least present in the period before the passage of the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act. These are: (i) charges made in the Congressional Record prior to the passages of the Act; (ii) the Pecora Hearings (1933 and 1934); (iii) the SEP (Stock Exchange Practices) Report (1934);1 and (iv) the SEC Investment Trusts and Investment Companies Study (1940).
The Practical Implications of a Spatially Bifurcated Four-Moment Capital Asset Pricing Model

Javier Estrada has argued that differences attributable to the bifurcation of beta on either side of mean returns, at least in emerging markets, are too substantial to ignore.1 We should likewise expect to find considerable differences in financial performance arising from the deployment of a four-moment CAPM, the proper specification of this augmented CAPM according to cross moments, and the bifurcation of coskewness and cokurtosis along the upside and downside of mean returns.
Synchronized scene views in mixed virtual reality for guided viewing

Virtual Reality devices are available with different resolutions and fields of view. Users can simultaneously interact within environments on head mounted displays, cell phones, tablets, and PowerWalls. Sharing scenes across devices requires solutions that smoothly synchronize shared navigation, minimize jitter and avoid visual confusion. In this paper we present a system that allows a single user to remotely guide many remote users within a virtual reality environment. A variety of mixed device environments are supported to let different users connect to the system. Techniques are implemented to minimize jitter and synchronize views, and deal with different fields of view.
Muscle strength mediates the relationship between mitochondrial energetics and walking performance.

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity declines with age and negatively affects walking performance, but the mechanism for this association is not fully clear. We tested the hypothesis that impaired oxidative capacity affects muscle performance and, through this mechanism, has a negative effect on walking speed. Muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity was measured by in vivo phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy as the postexercise phosphocreatine resynthesis rate, kPCr , in 326 participants (154 men), aged 24-97 years (mean 71), in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Muscle strength and quality were determined by knee extension isokinetic strength, and the ratio of knee extension strength to thigh muscle cross-sectional area derived from computed topography, respectively. Four walking tasks were evaluated: a usual pace over 6 m and for 150 s, and a rapid pace over 6 m and 400 m. In multivariate linear regression analyses, kPCr was associated with muscle strength (β = 0.140, P = 0.007) and muscle quality (β = 0.127, P = 0.022), independent of age, sex, height, and weight; muscle strength was also a significant independent correlate of walking speed (P < 0.02 for all tasks) and in a formal mediation analysis significantly attenuated the association between kPCr and three of four walking tasks (18-29% reduction in β for kPCr ). This is the first demonstration in human adults that mitochondrial function affects muscle strength and that inefficiency in muscle bioenergetics partially accounts for differences in mobility through this mechanism.
Evaluation of Transgenic Rootworm Corn, with and without Seed Treatments or Insecticide

The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential benefits of combining transgenic rootworm protection with a soil insecticide. We tested the transgenic rootworm protected hybrid YieldGard VT Triple (DKC 61-69) and its near isoline (DKC 61-72) in a full factorial design with two soil insecticides, Poncho 1250 seed treatment and Aztec.
Predicting human norovirus infectivity - Recent advances and continued challenges

Human norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness globally, imposing a considerable public health and economic burden. Historically, one of the major obstacles to the study of human noroviruses has been the lack of an in vitro cultivation system. In addition to hindering elucidation of viral pathogenesis, research efforts have been limited by the inability to discriminate infectious from non-infectious viral particles. Two recent breakthrough human norovirus in vitro cultivation system systems have been reported, but in their current state, may be unsuitable for routine detection or study of human noroviruses in the food and water sciences. More accessible alternative techniques utilizing molecular assays, animal models, and surrogate virus systems for prediction of human norovirus infectivity have been presented. The purpose of this review is to present the multiple recent techniques used to assess human norovirus infectivity, including recently described human norovirus in vitro cultivation systems, cultivable surrogate viruses, animal models, and alternative molecular techniques, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages in the context of determining human norovirus infectivity.
Simulation and the Early Exercise Option Problem

This article uses Monte Carlo simulation to identify optimal early-exercise condition(s) for options. Thus, Monte Carlo simulation can value American style options for which there is no closed form solution and which may be too complex for other numerical methods. We first illustrate the procedure and demonstrate its accuracy by valuing an option with a known solution, the American put on an asset price that follows a pure diffusion stochastic process. We then demonstrate the flexibility of the method, and its capacity to value options that other methods cannot, by valuing an American put on an asset price that follows a jump diffusion stochastic process.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Open Cholecystectomy, and Cholecystostomy

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Mouret performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Lyon in 1988, and the first written report was by Dubois in 1989. Reddick popularized the procedure in the United States in 1990.
Ambition, the Poor man’s Son, and the Poor man’s Daughter

In Vanity Fair, Becky Sharp enjoys what Adam Smith calls the “toil and bustle” of commercial society. She wants to better her condition and seeks to increase her fortune, but most of all she desires power over others. Becky has a keen sense of hierarchy and believes her rightful place is at the top of the power pyramid. What sets her apart from other ambitious people is the pleasure she takes in working the machinery of society on her way to the top. Becky knows how to manipulate the vain people around her and happily uses them as means to her end. She enjoys the fitness of her skills to the goals she wants to achieve. Becky is the vivacious, ironic counterpart of Smith’s famous “poor man’s son” who strives to obtain the luxuries flaunted by the rich. The poor man’s son’s ambition drives him to work hard his entire life just to find that he was deluded about the happiness these luxuries seemed to promise. Becky, on the other hand, finds pleasure in the toil and bustle itself; she is ambitious and a social climber but ultimately it is her desire to dominate others that motivates her. Like Smith, Becky recognizes that vanity drives industry, but unlike the poor man’s son in TMS and the many vain characters in VF who lack self awareness, she is not a cog in the machine but a master of it.
From Colonial Wine to New World: British Wine Drinking, c.1900–1990

ABSTRACTBritish consumer demand has been credited with driving New World wine exports. More specifically, the growth of supermarkets post-1960 has been attributed with a simultaneous New World expo...
Use of Machine Learning for Diagnosis of Cancer in Ovarian Tissues with a Selected mRNA Panel

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a leading cause of death among women in the United States. Diagnostic molecular biomarkers for OC have been suggested as a prominent approach towards reducing the mortality rate. Standard single-molecule biomarkers do not provide sufficient sensitivity and specificity for detection of OC, while panels of biomarkers may potentially do. We previously have reported a panel of 26 mRNAs, each having a distinct expression pattern between OC and non-cancerous tissues. In this study, we use the 26-gene panel as a candidate biomarker set for training machine learning predictive models. We have used the selected feature set for classifying an integrated expression data of 530 ovarian tissues. After preprocessing samples and batch effect removal, we used the integrated dataset to train and evaluate multiple classification methods. Our analysis finds highly specific and sensitive Random Forest and Support Vector Machine pipelines for predicting cancerous tissues. We also verified the quality of the selected 26 mRNAs by reevaluating the pipeline on randomly selected mRNA expressions. These results suggest that the presented mRNA panel is a small candidate set of gene expression signatures for designing molecular-based OC biomarkers.
Control of a Downhole Drilling System Using Integral Barrier Lyapunov Functionals

Emergence of shale oil & gas and the unconventional wellbore condition motivate an increasing number of studies on analysis and control of the downhole drilling system. Due to complex downhole environments and underactuated, nonlinear, and nonsmooth features of the drilling dynamics, control synthesis of the drilling system is a challenging task. In this study, we propose a novel nonlinear control design for set-point tracking of torsional velocity and axial rate of penetration, for a vertical drilling system with coupled axial and torsional dynamics and a velocity-independent bit-rock interaction model. To eliminate damaging oscillations such as stick-slip, the Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) approach is introduced to ensure smooth motion of the drill bit, and to avoid having drilling operate in undesired working conditions. Meanwhile, the stability, boundedness and convergence properties with respect to different system states are proved. To this end, simulation results of two case studies are given to evaluate efficacy and robustness of the proposed control approach.
Characterization of R. JaponicumHup Gene Cosmids

We have reported the isolation of a number of recombinant cosmids from a gene bank of the Hup+ R. japonicum strain 122DES DNA which return hydrogen uptake (Hup) activity to Hup− mutants of R. japonicum (Cantrell et al, 1983). We now describe experiments conducted to determine the physical location and genetic organization of Hup determinants within cosmid sequences and the capability of these cosmids to return hydrogenase activity to additional Hup− Rhizobium strains. We also describe work in progress which is directed toward the use of subcloned DNA fragments from these cosmids to localize hup gene point mutations and isolate additional DNA flanking the presently isolated sequences.
A Layered Subtree Scheme for Multicast Communications in Large-Scale Elastic Translucent Optical Networks

To exploit the capacity introduced by elastic optical networks, efficient algorithms must be developed. Efficient modulation techniques have limited reach, so for distant destination nodes, the regeneration of a signal at a few intermediary nodes along the lightpath can effectively reduce the spectrum utilization and offset the extra cost, in terms of overall transceiver use, introduced by enabling the regeneration. In the context of multicast provisioning, although regeneration can be complex, it, in turn, due to its flexibility, further emphasizes the advantage of tree based routing over serving individual destinations. In this paper, we investigate the problem of routing, modulation level, spectrum allocation, and regenerator placement (RMSA-RP) for multicast provisioning, which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously addressed in the literature. Accordingly, we present a networking model through comprehensive integer linear programming, jointly enabling a routing method based on a subtree scheme as well as assigning a few nodes as regenerators of the signal. By means of an algorithm, we also propose a scalable framework to address RMSA-RP when the network is in operation. This algorithm implements a dynamic and automatic geographic partitioning of the destination nodes and then forms the corresponding subtree structures. Constraints taken into account include wavelength contiguity, wavelength continuity, and light splitting that affects the reach of the modulation techniques. Extensive simulation results show that the model can effectively support a greater number of demands without increasing transceiver use.
Association of frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination with tobacco withdrawal symptoms and smoking lapse behavior in African Americans.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Frequent experiences of discrimination could increase vulnerability to tobacco withdrawal and smoking lapse in populations subject to tobacco-related health disparities. This laboratory study (2013-17) examined whether individual differences in perceived exposure to discrimination in one's daily life predicted tobacco withdrawal symptoms and smoking lapse behavior following acute tobacco deprivation in African American smokers. DESIGN Mixed design with the between-subjects continuous variable of perceived discrimination crossed with the within-subject variable of tobacco deprivation status (deprived versus non-deprived). SETTING Academic medical center in Los Angeles, CA, USA. PARTICIPANTS African American non-treatment seeking daily cigarette smokers (n = 607, ≥ 10 cig/day). MEASUREMENTS At a baseline visit, self-reported frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination in one's daily life was measured [everyday discrimination scale (EDDS)]. At two subsequent counterbalanced experimental visits (16-hour tobacco deprivation versus ad-libitum smoking), self-report assessments of various tobacco withdrawal symptom domains [Brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges), Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and Current Impulsivity Scale (CIS)) and a behavioral smoking lapse analogue task were measured. FINDINGS Adjusted models demonstrated that greater frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination was associated with larger deprivation-induced increases in acute urges to smoke to alleviate negative mood, several negative mood states and subjective cognitive functioning-effect sizes were small in magnitude (βs = 0.09-0.13; Ps < 0.02). Data were inconclusive for associations between perceived exposure to discrimination and deprivation-induced changes in cravings, urges to smoke for pleasure, positive mood reduction, other symptoms or smoking reinstatement behavior. CONCLUSIONS Frequency of perceived exposure to discrimination appears to be modestly associated with increased severity of some deprivation-induced tobacco withdrawal symptoms in African American smokers.
Windows of vulnerability: Seasonal mismatches in exposure and resource identity determine ocean acidification’s effect on a primary consumer at high latitude

It is well understood that differences in the cues used by consumers and their resources in fluctuating environments can give rise to trophic mismatches governing the emergent effects of global change. Trophic mismatches caused by changes in consumer energetics during periods of low resource availability have received far less attention, although this may be common for consumers during winter when primary producers are limited by light. Even less is understood about these dynamics in marine ecosystems, where consumers must cope with energetically costly changes in CO2 -driven carbonate chemistry that will be most pronounced in cold temperatures. This may be especially important for calcified marine herbivores, such as the pinto abalone (Haliotis kamschatkana). H. kamschatkana are of high management concern in the North Pacific due to the active recreational fishery and their importance among traditional cultures, and research suggests they may require more energy to maintain their calcified shells and acid/base balance with ocean acidification. Here we use field surveys to demonstrate seasonal mismatches in the exposure of marine consumers to low pH and algal resource identity during winter in a subpolar, marine ecosystem. We then use these data to test how the effects of exposure to seasonally relevant pH conditions on H. kamschatkana are mediated by seasonal resource identity. We find that exposure to projected future winter pH conditions decreases metabolism and growth, and this effect on growth is pronounced when their diet is limited to the algal species available during winter. Our results suggest that increases in the energetic demands of pinto abalone caused by ocean acidification during winter will be exacerbated by seasonal shifts in their resources. These findings have profound implications for other marine consumers and highlight the importance of considering fluctuations in exposure and resources when inferring the emergent effects of global change.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of sex-based differences for concussion incidence in soccer

To compare concussion incidence in male and female soccer players due to the specific concussion-causing activity. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies published between J...
The Valuation and Market Rationality of Internet Stock Prices

This paper provides an analysis of some existing as well as new evidence of therelation between market prices and fundamentals in the internet sector over the period January 1998 to February 2000. Appealing to results across a broad class of outcomes, we demonstrate a strong, circumstantial case against market rationality In particular, we investigate (i) the level of internet stock prices given their underlying fundamentals, (ii) responses of stock prices to information-based events, and (iii) the volatility of internet prices. We review several potential explanations of these phenomena, including one based on heterogenous beliefs across investors who are subject to short sales constraints. We provide a discussion of the empirical evidence supporting this latter explanation.
After Further Review: How the N.C.A.A.’s Division I Should Implement Name, Image, and Likeness Rights to Save Themselves and Best Preserve the Integrity of College Athletics

California SB 206 bans California public schools from NCAA membership unless the NCAA alters its name-image-likeness (NIL) policy by 2021. The NCAA Board of Governors ordered each division to modernize and adapt its rules to honor the California law, while still respecting certain principles of amateurism. These two mandates are untenable, as the NCAA is hesitant to create an open market for athletes to shop their NIL rights to the school with the highest bidding boosters. The author started with SB 206 and identified areas where the NCAA was in violation. The author then examined the NCAA Board of Governor’s charge to the newly created Federal and State Legislation Working Group and its subsequent report. The author then sought out relevant quotations from leaders of the NCAA, university athletics, and legislators. The author then read hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles regarding SB 206 and NIL policy. Keeping the Working Group’s restrictions in mind, the author crafted a recommendation. This Article attempts to guide NCAA Division I in crafting its NIL policy. It examines the NCAA’s history of pay-to-play and the limitations placed on reform by the working group and gives the NCAA justifications and recommendations for NIL reform. Lastly, the author forecasts only three possible outcomes: preemption of federal NIL legislation, withdrawal of the California law, or NCAA litigation with California.