cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Puberty in the male Nubian goat: serum concentrations of LH, FSH and testosterone from birth through puberty and semen characteristics at sexual maturity

Abstract Changes in serum hormone concentrations and the onset of puberty were studied in a group of eight male Nubian goats from birth through 44 weeks of age. Onset of puberty was defined as the age at which an ejaculate containing motile spermatozoa was first collected by electroejaculation. Sexual maturity was reached at a mean age of 32.4 ± 0.9 weeks at an average body weight of 37.7 ± 3.3 kg. Mean ejaculate volume and sperm concentration at puberty were 0.92 ± 0.07 ml and 1.25 ± 0.37 × 10 9 /ml of ejaculate, respectively. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were elevated between birth and 20 weeks of age, and then declined coincidently with an increase in serum testosterone concentration; LH levels thereafter remained low through 44 weeks of age. The temporal pattern of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion during this period was similar to that of LH, except after declining to a low concentration immediately postpuberty, FSH concentrations increased again to early prepubertal levels. Serum testosterone concentrations were low for the first 20 weeks of age, increased to peak levels at the time of puberty and then declined to adult levels. There was evidence of at least one LH pulse/3 h during the prepubertal period. These data indicate that a decline in serum LH follows an elevation in serum testosterone and suggests negative steroid feedback effects. Additionally, it appears that testosterone is probably an important regulator of sperm maturation and the onset of puberty in the male goat.
A parallel method for large scale time domain electromagnetic inverse problems

In this work we consider the solution of 3D time domain electromagnetic inverse problems. Solving such problems is an open challenge as they require very high computational resources. We therefore explore a method to parallelize the inverse problem by using time decomposition. We show that our approach can reduce the computational time although it does not scale optimally.
Integrated charge and position sensing for feedback control of electrostatic MEMS

Closed-loop control of electrostatic MEMS requires sensing to provide a feedback signal. We present an integrated sensor for charge and position that negligibly affects the open-loop dynamics, does not increase the device footprint, and may be easily fabricated. Numerical finite-element simulation, incorporating a realistic electrostatic field model, and experimental results validate the functionality of the sensor. Simulations show how the sensor may be used in conjunction with nonlinear control to provide full gap operation and improved transient performance. Nonlinear control is often considered too complex for convenient implementation, however the controller presented may be implemented using on-chip, local, integrated circuit components.
MO‐E‐M100F‐05: Fluoroscopic Tracking of Multiple Implanted Fiducial Markers Using Multiple Object Tracking Algorithm

Purpose: To develop a multiple fiducial marker tracking system providing precise tumor localization for beam gating and tracking. Method and Materials: We developed a multiple marker tracking system allowing us to track implanted fiducial markers for the treatment of mobile tumors. For each patient, LAT and AP fluoroscopic videos were acquired during the treatment. For each fluoroscopic frame, we first applied a prediction module to predict the marker positions and then a detection module to detect markers in the area around the predicted positions. Then, we applied a multiple object tracking algorithm to identify the true markers among all the detected ones. Breathing pattern information was used to improve the tracking performance. Four criteria were used to identify tracking failures, and when tracking failure happened, the system could immediately inform the user and disable the treatment beam. Results: We compared the performance of the proposed system to a conventional tracking system. To test the robustness of the tracking system, artificial markers were added around the true markers to generate false matches. The conventional system easily misses tracking markers in the presence of artificial markers; furthermore, it cannot detect subsequent tracking failures. Our proposed system could track markers well in the presence of artificial markers, and it could also successfully detect tracking failures. Our proposed system achieved a 0% failure rate almost all the time, and it yielded a low e 95 (the maximum marker tracking error at 95% confidence level) — less than 1.5 mm. Conclusion: The proposed marker tracking system can track multiple markers simultaneously without confusion and it is robust enough to continue tracking even when the marker is moving behind bony anatomy. It can also detect tracking failures and inform the user. Conflict of Interest: Research is partially sponsored by an NCI grant (1 R21 CA110177 A 01A1).
Characterization of thin films for optical sensors of food-borne pathogens

The purpose of this study is to produce a platform device with the ability to detect a variety of pathogens based upon antigen-antibody interactions. The sensor comprises a nanoporous GeSe channel waveguide fabricated on a substrate, with an intermediate cladding buffer layer [GeSe2], which is required when the substrate does not transmit at the desired λ. The light from a laser source is then coupled through a fiber and prism into the waveguide and collected with the help of a lens into a detector. The top cladding layer is a Ge28Sb12Se60 thin film in which biomolecules can be 'tethered' via functionalization of the surface. Therefore the surface chemistry of the thin film and the specificity of antibody to its antigen are important considerations. This paper will focus primarily on the surface characterization of the top cladding layer using XPS, AFM, ellipsometry, contact angle measurements and diffuse reflectance analysis.
One-year clinical outcome of dental implants placed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a case series

Purpose:Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent medical disorder. It is often accompanied with systemic adverse sequelae, such as wound healing alterations, which may affect osseointegration of dental implants. The use of dental implants in patients with diabetes mellitus remains controversial because alte
PowerMAX: Fast Power Analysis during Test

We present a fast power analysis flow called Power MAX in this paper. Power MAX is specially devised for power evaluation of test vectors. It has the capability of power calculation and peak current identification for each test cycle. This cycle-by-cycle power and current monitoring ensures the power-safety of test vectors before they are loaded to testers. Power MAX is layout-aware, thus able to pinpoint hotspots as well. The entire power analysis flow is seamlessly integrated into test vector simulation. Power MAX fills the gap of test power analysis flows that achieves both efficiency and accuracy. We believe our flow is the first attempt to address vector-based power evaluation problem especially for test mode. Results on industrial hard macros show that Power MAX provides high power-integrity sign-off accuracy with low CPU runtime.
Methods for screening for hearing loss in older adults

Two common screening tools for detecting hearing loss, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening Version (HHIE-S) and Audioscope, are compared. One hundred eighty-five consecutive patients over age 60 at a primary care clinic received both screening tests followed by pure tone audiometry. Three criteria for hearing loss was considered: Speech Frequency Pure Tone Average > or = 25 dB; High Frequency Pure Tone Average > or = 25 dB; and Ventry and Weinstein's criteria of a 40 dB loss at 1.0 or 2.0 kHz. Ranges of respective operating characteristics for the Audioscope versus the HHIE-S were: sensitivities 0.64 to 0.96 versus 0.29 to 0.63; specificities 0.80 to 0.91 versus 0.75 to 0.93; and positive likelihood ratios 4.86 to 7.52 versus 2.42 to 4.27. Most patients preferred screening with the Audioscope (60%) over the HHIE-S (13%). The Audioscope is preferred by patients, and outperforms the HHIE-S using a variety of reference standard definitions.
Differential expression of a BMP4 reporter allele in anterior fungiform versus posterior circumvallate taste buds of mice

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) is a diffusible factor which regulates embryonic taste organ development. However, the role of BMP4 in taste buds of adult mice is unknown. We utilized transgenic mice with LacZ under the control of the BMP4 promoter to reveal the expression of BMP4 in the tongues of adult mice. Further we evaluate the pattern of BMP4 expression with that of markers of specific taste bud cell types and cell proliferation to define and compare the cell populations expressing BMP4 in anterior (fungiform papillae) and posterior (circumvallate papilla) tongue. BMP4 is expressed in adult fungiform and circumvallate papillae, i.e., lingual structures composed of non-taste epithelium and taste buds. Unexpectedly, we find both differences and similarities with respect to expression of BMP4-driven s-galactosidase. In circumvallate papillae, many fusiform cells within taste buds are BMP4-s-gal positive. Further, a low percentage of BMP4-expressing cells within circumvallate taste buds is immunopositive for markers of each of the three differentiated taste cell types (I, II and III). BMP4-positive intragemmal cells also expressed a putative marker of immature taste cells, Sox2, and consistent with this finding, intragemmal cells expressed BMP4-s-gal within 24 hours after their final mitosis, as determined by BrdU birthdating. By contrast, in fungiform papillae, BMP4-s-gal positive cells are never encountered within taste buds. However, in both circumvallate and fungiform papillae, BMP4-s-gal expressing cells are located in the perigemmal region, comprising basal and edge epithelial cells adjacent to taste buds proper. This region houses the proliferative cell population that gives rise to adult taste cells. However, perigemmal BMP4-s-gal cells appear mitotically silent in both fungiform and circumvallate taste papillae, as we do not find evidence of their active proliferation using cell cycle immunomarkers and BrdU birthdating. Our data suggest that intragemmal BMP4-s-gal cells in circumvallate papillae are immature taste cells which eventually differentiate into each of the 3 taste cell types, whereas perigemmal BMP4-s-gal cells in both circumvallate and fungiform papillae may be slow cycling stem cells, or belong to the stem cell niche to regulate taste cell renewal from the proliferative cell population.
Biocultural Factors in School Achievement for Mopan Children in Belize

Mayan children in Belize face a number of challenges to school success. Their families are the poorest of the poor, and the Mopan children in this study exhibit poor growth and poor school achievement. But a direct relationship between growth and school achievement was evident only for current nutritional status, not for nutritional history. A combination of quantitative and qualitative data revealed that school achievement for these Mopan children may relate more to family attributes and attitudes than to health and nutritional status. The strongest predictors of school achievement were father's literacy and grade level in school.
A traditional Tamil Brahmin marriage in Washington DC: Performance of culture and the ideal self

Washingtonil Tiruma am (Marriage in Washington), C vi's early-1960s Tamil-language novel about wealthy American Mrs. Rockefeller conducting an elaborate Tamil Brahmin marriage in Washington, DC, has been adapted for radio, stage, and television. In this paper, I compare the Washingtonil Tiruma am play to the novel and television serial to argue that the story facilitates the re-constitution and re-negotiation of Tamil Brahmin identity. It appeared during the anti-Brahmin movement in Tamilnadu and reflects conflicts within a community trying to define itself as both traditional and modern and suffering from the dual impulses of cultural narcissism and cultural anxiety. Washingtonil Tiruma am is a performance of tradition, the measure by which Tamil Brahmins tend to evaluate their culture. The American characters revalue everyday things and practices in the eyes of contemporary Tamil readers. The narrative displaces tradition onto the past or onto ideal selves, allowing contemporary Tamils to associate them...
Thermodynamic integration at constant pressure from the nonlocal Einstein crystal

The Gibbs free energy of a periodic, d-dimensional crystalline assembly can be estimated using thermodynamic integration at constant pressure from a nonlocal Einstein crystal. The method is demonstrated using a two-dimensional, harmonic crystal with hexagonal symmetry for which the isobaric Gibbs function can be derived analytically.
Regeneration of banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus) in the central Himalaya.

Abstract Banj oak ( Quercus leucotrichophora ) is the most common broadleaf tree in the mid-elevational central Himalaya in India. Past studies on this tree have reported that regeneration is sparse to absent promoting speculation that this species will soon be replaced by others. A study of banj forests was carried out in three areas of the central Himalaya in forests under different tenurial and disturbance regimes. An average of 1400 seedlings ha −1 were found on the study sites, indicating that regeneration was not as low as has been previously reported. In sanctuary forests (state preserves), which were well protected from grazing and lopping, the seedling number averaged only 510 seedlings ha −1 . The high tree basal area (36 m 2 ha −1 ) and dense canopy of these forests does not promote the satisfactory establishment of oak in the understory. Previous studies on this oak species in sanctuary forests have also concluded that regeneration was poor but do not cite inadequate light in the understory as a factor influencing regeneration establishment. Moderate disturbance appears to benefit regeneration. In private (small landowner) and reserve forests (state forests) over 2000 seedlings ha −1 were observed. Banj seedling number varied inversely with the number of adult banj oak. Canopy cover was an important variable. Seedlings in open stands had a lower height/diameter ratio and had more leaves per stem height. Soil carbon content over the three areas varied between 1.9% in an area where litter removal was practised and 4.0% in an undisturbed area, but this did not influence seedling number.
The association of perceived communication apprehension, shyness, and verbal aggression with perceptions of source credibility and affect in organizational and interpersonal contexts

This is a report of two studies that examined the association of receivers' perceptions of sources' levels of several communication traits (shyness, communication apprehension, verbal aggressiveness) with the receivers' reported levels of affect for the source (general affect and/or liking) and the receivers' perceptions of the sources' credibility (competence, trustworthiness, goodwill). Study 1 examined employees’ perceptions of their supervisor's communication trait behaviors in the organizational context, while Study 2 examined the students' perceptions of their roommate's communication trait behaviors in an interpersonal context. As predicted on the basis of previous theory and research, both perceived communication apprehension and perceived verbal aggressiveness of the source were found to be substantially negatively correlated with credibility and affect and/or liking reported by the receiver. Contrary to our hypothesis, perceived behavioral shyness was not meaningfully associated with either cred...
Microeconomics of advanced process window control for 50-nm gates

Fundamentally, advanced process control enables accelerated design-rule reduction, but simple microeconomic models that directly link the effects of advanced process control to profitability are rare or non-existent. In this work, we derive these links using a simplified model for the rate of profit generated by the semiconductor manufacturing process. We use it to explain why and how microprocessor manufacturers strive to avoid commoditization by producing only the number of dies required to satisfy the time-varying demand in each performance segment. This strategy is realized using the tactic known as speed binning, the deliberate creation of an unnatural distribution of microprocessor performance that varies according to market demand. We show that the ability of APC to achieve these economic objectives may be limited by variability in the larger manufacturing context, including measurement delays and process window variation.
Effect of optical feedback on beam patterns of a photorefractive oscillator

We have experimentally studied the effect of an optical feedback on spatiotemporal dynamics of a unidirectional photorefractive oscillator. The output of the photorefractive oscillator is sent to a feedback arm in which two lenses form a 4f-system. The relative phase difference between the feedback signal and the oscillating beam is changed with a piezoelectric translator attached to one of the mirrors in the feedback arm. Spatial filtering is implemented in the Fourier plane in the feedback arm. The phase sensitive feedback can be used to select beam pattern belonging to the same oscillating family or to drive the photorefractive oscillator from one family to another.
Variation in gene transcript profiles of two V1a-type arginine vasotocin receptors among sexual phases of bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum)

The neurohypophyseal hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) mediates behavioral and reproductive plasticity in vertebrates, and has been linked to the behavioral changes associated with protogyny in the bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum). In this study, we sequenced full-length cDNAs encoding two distinct V1a-type AVT receptors (v1a1 and v1a2) from the bluehead wrasse, and examined variation in brain and gonadal abundance of these receptor transcripts among sexual phases. End point RT-PCR revealed that v1a1 and v1a2 transcripts varied in tissue distribution, with v1a1 receptor mRNAs at greatest levels in the telencephalon, hypothalamus, optic tectum, cerebellum and testis, and v1a2 receptor transcripts most abundant in the hypothalamus, cerebellum and gills. In the brain, v1a1 and v1a2 mRNAs both localized by in situ hybridization to the dorsal and ventral telencephalon, the preoptic area of the hypothalamus, the ventral hypothalamus and lateral recess of the third ventricle. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR revealed that relative abundance of these two receptor mRNAs varied significantly in brain and gonad with sexual phase. Relative levels of v1a2 mRNAs were greater in whole brain and isolated hypothalamus of terminal phase (TP) male wrasse compared to initial phase (IP) males or females. In the gonad, v1a1 mRNAs were at levels 2.5-fold greater in the testes of IP males – and 4–5-fold greater in the testes of TP males – compared to the ovaries of females. These results provide evidence that V1a-type AVT receptor transcript abundance in the hypothalamus and gonads of bluehead wrasse varies in patterns linked to sexual phase, and bestow a foundation for future studies investigating how differential expression of v1a1 and v1a2 teleost AVT receptors links to behavioral status and gonadal function in fish more broadly.
Effect of stacking method on Salmonella elimination from recycled poultry bedding.

Recycled poultry bedding (RPB) is a protein and mineral supplement for cattle. Concerns regarding this product have arisen because of the perceived risk of transmitting potentially pathogenic organisms to cattle. This study’s primary objective was to assess survival of Salmonella in RPB stacked to a recommended height (2.13 m—DS-RPB), or a height of 0.76 m (SS-RPB). Dialysis bags containing RPB and Salmonella typhimurium were placed throughout stacks. Temperature was monitored daily using thermocouples attached to sample bags. After 21 days, sample bags were recovered. Ammonia analysis was performed from multiple sites in the stacks. Bag contents were cultured to determine viability of the salmonella inoculates. This trial demonstrated a wide variation of temperature within the stacks. Temperature near the edge of stacks changed with ambient temperature. Ammonia concentration in the RPB was highest at the top of the DS-RPB. Salmonella was eliminated in 98.7% of sites, with at least a 5-log reduction in the Salmonella organisms in sites where it was still viable.
Balanced identity in the minimal groups paradigm.

Balanced Identity Theory [1] formalizes a set of relationships between group attitude, group identification, and self-esteem. While these relationships have been demonstrated for familiar and highly salient social categories, questions remain regarding the generality of the balance phenomenon and its causal versus descriptive status. Supporting the generality and rapidity of cognitive balance, four studies demonstrate that the central predictions of balance are supported even for previously unfamiliar “minimal” social groups to which participants have just been randomly assigned. Further, supporting a causal as opposed to merely descriptive interpretation, manipulating any one component of the balance model (group attitude, group identification, or self-esteem) affects at least one of the related components. Interestingly, the broader pattern of cognitive balance was preserved across such manipulations only when the manipulation strengthens as opposes to weakens the manipulated construct. Taken together, these findings indicate that Balanced Identity Theory has promise as a general theory of intergroup attitudes, and that it may be able to shed light on prior inconsistencies concerning the relationship between self-esteem and intergroup bias.
Growth and plasma thyroid hormone concentrations of chicks fed diets deficient in essential amino acids

Consumption of low protein (10%) diets is known to produce elevations in plasma triiodothyronine (T3) in growing chickens. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of individual essential amino acid deficiencies on plasma thyroid hormone concentrations. For 13 to 15 d, chicks were fed either a control diet free-choice, one of six amino acid-deficient diets free-choice, or the control diet, pair-fed at the level consumed by chicks fed each of the deficient diets. The control diet was a 50/50 mixture of broiler starter and purified amino acid diets. The amino acids, fed at the indicated percentages of National Research Council recommendations, were: arginine, 60%; lysine, 60%; threonine, 60%; leucine, 75%; isoleucine, 75%; and methionine, 50%. Feed consumption and weight gain were significantly lower in all deficient groups than in the free-choice control group. In all cases except leucine, deficient chicks also gained less weight than their pair-fed controls. Plasma T3 levels in the groups deficient in arginine, lysine, isoleucine, or methionine were higher than in their respective pair-fed controls. However, only with the isoleucine deficiency did T3 levels exceed those of control chicks given free access to feed. Thyroxine levels were significantly lower than control levels only with the lysine deficiency. These results suggest that changes in circulating levels of thyroid hormones in a protein deficiency may be a consequence of selected amino acid deficits, because individual essential amino acids, when deficient in the diet, do not exert the same effect on circulating levels of thyroid hormones.
Third-generation, self-inactivating gp91(phox) lentivector corrects the oxidase defect in NOD/SCID mouse-repopulating peripheral blood-mobilized CD34+ cells from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

HIV-1–derived lentivectors are promising for gene transfer into hematopoietic stem cells but require preclinical in vivo evaluation relevant to specific human diseases. Nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice accept human hematopoietic stem cell grafts, providing a unique opportunity for in vivo evaluation of therapies targeting human hematopoietic diseases. We demonstrate for the first time that hematopoietic stem cells from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) give rise to X-CGD–phenotype neutrophils in the NOD/SCID model that can be corrected using VSV-G–pseudotyped, 3rd-generation, self-inactivating (SIN) lentivector encoding gp91phox. We transduced X-CGD patient-mobilized CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells (CD34+PBSCs) with lentivector–gp91phox or amphotropic oncoretrovirus MFGS–gp91phox and evaluated correction ex vivo and in vivo in NOD/SCID mice. Only lentivector transduced CD34+PBSCs under ex vivo conditions nonpermissive for cell division, but both vectors performed best under conditions permissive for proliferation (multiple growth factors). Under the latter conditions, lentivector and MFGS achieved significant ex vivo correction of X-CGD CD34+PBSCs (18% and 54% of cells expressing gp91phox, associated with 53% and 163% of normal superoxide production, respectively). However, lentivector, but not MFGS, achieved significant correction of human X-CGD neutrophils arising in vivo in NOD/SCID mice that underwent transplantation (20% and 2.4%, respectively). Thus, 3rd-generation SIN lentivector–gp91phox performs well as assessed in human X-CGD neutrophils differentiating in vivo, and our studies suggest that the NOD/SCID model is generally applicable for in vivo study of therapies evaluated in human blood cells expressing a specific disease phenotype.
Speeding up inference in statistical relational learning by clustering similar query literals

Markov logic networks (MLNs) have been successfully applied to several challenging problems by taking a "programming language" approach where a set of formulas is hand-coded and weights are learned from data. Because inference plays an important role in this process, "programming" with an MLN would be significantly facilitated by speeding up inference. We present a new meta-inference algorithm that exploits the repeated structure frequently present in relational domains to speed up existing inference techniques. Our approach first clusters the query literals and then performs full inference for only one representative from each cluster. The clustering step incurs only a one-time up-front cost when weights are learned over a fixed structure.
BitTorrent: An Extensible Heterogeneous Model

Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems in general, and BitTorrent (BT) specifically, have been of significant interest to researchers and Internet users alike. Existing models of BT abstract away certain characteristics of the protocol that are important, which we address in this work. We present a simple yet accurate and easily extensible model of BT. The model's accuracy is validated through a rigorous simulation-based study and its extensibility is illustrated by incorporating recently proposed approaches to protocol changes in BT.
Eating disorders in adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

Nutritional disorders and delayed physiological maturation are commonly seen in patients with cystic fibrosis. In our consultation work with a pediatric pulmonary service, we identified a series of 13 adolescents with cystic fibrosis and an atypical eating disorder. They did not fully meet the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, but they demonstrated marked weight loss, food avoidance, amenorrhea, and body image and bodily function distortions in the face of either normal gastrointestinal function or adequate pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. They also demonstrated significant depressive symptomatology associated with their eating disorder. We review the presenting characteristics of these patients and the case histories of two adolescent girls with this syndrome. The psychosocial literature on cystic fibrosis is briefly reviewed with a focus on factors associated with cystic fibrosis that may predispose patients to the development of eating disorders. The authors also hypothesize that adolescents with other chronic illnesses may likewise be vulnerable to the development of eating disorders.
Muslim Men and Women’s Perception of Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and PTSD Symptoms Post 9/11

This study examined the relationship between race-based stress (racial harassment and discrimination) and PTSD in a sample of 102 New York Muslim men and women post-9/11 while controlling for gender. Bivariate, univariate, and stepwise regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results of the study show that "feeling less safe" after the events of 9/11 emerged as the only significant predictor of PTSD (F = 10.32; p
Multichannel all-optical regeneration

We present our experimental results on 12×10 Gb/s all-optical 2R regeneration, enabled by the group-delay management scheme in Mamyshev regenerator, and discuss extension of this approach beyond 2R regeneration.
Testing ecological models: the meaning of validation

Abstract The ecological literature reveals considerable confusion about the meaning of validation in the context of simulation models. The confusion arises as much from semantic and philosophical considerations as from the selection of validation procedures. Validation is not a procedure for testing scientific theory or for certifying the ‘truth’ of current scientific understanding, nor is it a required activity of every modelling project. Validation means that a model is acceptable for its intended use because it meets specified performance requirements. Before validation is undertaken, (1) the purpose of the model, (2) the performance criteria, and (3) the model context must be specified. The validation process can be decomposed into several components: (1) operation, (2) theory, and (3) data. Important concepts needed to understand the model evaluation process are verification, calibration, validation, credibility, and qualification. These terms are defined in a limited technical sense applicable to the evaluation of simulation models, and not as general philosophical concepts. Different tests and standards are applied to the operational, theoretical, and data components. The operational and data components can be validated; the theoretical component cannot. The most common problem with ecological and environmental models is failure to state what the validation criteria are. Criteria must be explicitly stated because there are no universal standards for selecting what test procedures or criteria to use for validation. A test based on comparison of simulated versus observed data is generally included whenever possible. Because the objective and subjective components of validation are not mutually exclusive, disagreements over the meaning of validation can only be resolved by establishing a convention.
Modeling complexity of enterprise routing design

Enterprise networks often have complex routing designs given the need to meet a wide set of resiliency, security and routing policies. In this paper, we take the position that minimizing design complexity must be an explicit objective of routing design. We take a first step to this end by presenting a systematic approach for modeling and reasoning about complexity in enterprise routing design. We make three contributions. First, we present a framework for precisely defining objectives of routing design, and for reasoning about how a combination of routing design primitives (e.g. routing instances, static routes, and route filters etc.) will meet the objectives. Second, we show that it is feasible to quantitatively measure the complexity of a routing design by modeling individual routing design primitives, and leveraging configuration complexity metrics [5]. Our approach helps understand how individual design choices made by operators impact configuration complexity, and can enable quantifying design complexity in the absence of configuration files. Third, we validate our model and demonstrate its utility through a longitudinal analysis of the evolution of the routing design of a large campus network over the last three years. We show how our models can enable comparison of the complexity of multiple routing designs that meet the same objective, guide operators in making design choices that can lower complexity, and enable what-if analysis to assess the potential impact of a configuration change on routing design complexity.
Evacetrapib: in vitro and clinical disposition, metabolism, excretion, and assessment of drug interaction potential with strong CYP3A and CYP2C8 inhibitors

Evacetrapib is an investigational cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (CETPi) for reduction of risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with high-risk vascular disease. Understanding evacetrapib disposition, metabolism, and the potential for drug–drug interactions (DDI) may help guide prescribing recommendations. In vitro, evacetrapib metabolism was investigated with a panel of human recombinant cytochromes P450 (CYP). The disposition, metabolism, and excretion of evacetrapib following a single 100-mg oral dose of 14C-evacetrapib were determined in healthy subjects, and the pharmacokinetics of evacetrapib were evaluated in the presence of strong CYP3A or CYP2C8 inhibitors. In vitro, CYP3A was responsible for about 90% of evacetrapib's CYP-associated clearance, while CYP2C8 accounted for about 10%. In the clinical disposition study, only evacetrapib and two minor metabolites circulated in plasma. Evacetrapib metabolism was extensive. A mean of 93.1% and 2.30% of the dose was excreted in feces and urine, respectively. In clinical DDI studies, the ratios of geometric least squares means for evacetrapib with/without the CYP3A inhibitor ketoconazole were 2.37 for area under the curve (AUC)(0–∞) and 1.94 for Cmax. There was no significant difference in evacetrapib AUC(0–τ) or Cmax with/without the CYP2C8 inhibitor gemfibrozil, with ratios of 0.996 and 1.02, respectively. Although in vitro results indicated that both CYP3A and CYP2C8 metabolized evacetrapib, clinical studies confirmed that evacetrapib is primarily metabolized by CYP3A. However, given the modest increase in evacetrapib exposure and robust clinical safety profile to date, there is a low likelihood of clinically relevant DDI with concomitant use of strong CYP3A or CYP2C8 inhibitors.
Supposed Fossil from the Charnian

A tubular object composed of chlorite and resembling a worm tube, found in slate interbedded in quartzite of the pre-Cambrian Brand series, Charnwood Forest, Leicestershire, England, is described, and the possibility of its inorganic origin noted.
Discernment and creativity: How well can people identify their most creative ideas?

How well can people judge the creativity of their ideas? The distinction between generating ideas and evaluating ideas appears in many theories of creativity, but the massive literature on generation has overshadowed the question of evaluation. After critically reviewing the notion of accuracy in creativity judgments, this article explores whether (1) people in general are discerning and (2) whether some people are more discerning than others. University students (n 226) completed four divergent thinking tasks and then decided which responses were their most creative. Judges then rated the creativity of all of the responses. Multilevel latent-variable models found that people’s choices strongly agreed with judges’ ratings of the responses; overall, people were discerning in their decisions. But some people were more discerning than others: people high in openness to experience, in particular, had stronger agreement between their decisions and the judges’ ratings. Creative people are thus doubly skilled: they are better at generating good ideas and at picking their best ideas.
Servers in news and sport: evolution and revolution

Disc storage is already in widespread use throughout TV News and Sports Production. The pressures falling on Broadcasters to cope with a rocketing demand from a modern day audience intolerant of lateness, mistakes and amateur presentation are immense and there is an increasing expectation that the new disc technology will dramatically ease the burden. But, is disc technology ready? Can it be expected to revolutionise the whole production process in one fell swoop? Can it reside in, and work with, an existing production system and allow it to evolve into something better and faster? The answer is yes ... depending on the disc technology used. This paper looks at the impact that available disc technology is currently making on the production processes of TV News and Sport. The different choices available will be measured against the imposing demands of the broadcast environment and their ability to provide an integrated solution is assessed. The paper concludes with an examination of how suitable disc technology, developed for broadcast television really can, and is, changing the way that News and Sports programmes are being made.
Intracardiac ultrasound for esophageal anatomic assessment and localization during left atrial ablation for atrial fibrillation

Intracardiac Ultrasound During Left Atrial Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation. Background: Esophageal injury during left atrial ablation is associated with a significant risk of mortality and morbidity. There are no validated approaches to reduce injury outside of avoidance, a strategy critically dependent on a precise understanding of the esophageal anatomy and location. Intracardiac ultrasound (ICE) can provide a real-time assessment of the esophagus during ablation. We hypothesized that ICE can accurately define esophageal anatomy and location to enhance avoidance strategies during ablation. Methods: Fifty patients underwent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. The left atrium and pulmonary vein anatomies were rendered by traditional electroanatomic mapping (CARTO). A Navistar catheter within the esophagus was used to create a traditional electroanatomic esophageal anatomy. ICE imaging was used to create a second geometry of the esophagus. The traditional and ICE anatomies of the esophagus were compared and the greatest border dimensions used to avoid injury. Results: The average age was 66 ± 10 years, 45% had persistent/longstanding persistent AF, and 18% had a prior AF ablation. The esophagus location was leftward in 17 (34%), midline in 22 (44%), and rightward in 11 (22%). Traditional esophagus and ICE imaging correlated within 1 cm in the greatest distance in 26 (52%) patients. Traditional imaging underestimated the esophageal location by >1–1.5 cm in 9 (18%) and >1.5 cm in 15 (30%). In those with poor correlation (>1.5 cm), the most common cause was the presence of a hiatal hernia. Ablation energy delivery was performed outside the greatest esophagus anatomy borders. Of those with 12-month follow-up, 75% were AF/atrial flutter free without antiarrhythmic drugs. No esophageal injuries were observed. One patient experienced a TIA greater than 6 months postablation. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that traditional means of mapping the esophagus using a catheter within the esophagus are insufficient and often grossly underestimate the actual anatomy. Imaging techniques that define the complete esophageal lumen should be considered to truly minimize esophageal injury risk. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 33-39, January 2013)
Towards a proper linguistic and computational treatment of scrambling: an analysis of Japanese

This paper describes how recent linguistic results in explaining Japanese short and long distance scrambling can be directly incorporated into an existing principles-and-parameters-based parser with only trivial modifications. The fact that this is realizable on a parser originally designed for a fixed-word-order language, together with the fact that Japanese scrambling is complex, attests to the high degree of crosslinguistic generalization present in the theory.
Transient thermoreflectance from metal films.

The first reported demonstration of thermal diffusivity measurements using picosecond transient thermoreflectance is described. Although previously reported methods of measuring thermal transport properties of thin films require precise knowledge of the thermal properties of the substrate, this technique permits measurements on films as thin as 100 nm without any evidence of substrate interaction.
A new freshwater chrysophyte, Chrysomorula cohaerens gen. et sp. nov. (Chrysophyceae, Chrysocapsaceae) from North America

A new freshwater chrysophyte genus and species, Chrysomorula cohaerens , is described from the United States. Chrysomorula cohaerens is a distinct taxon of non-motile heterokont chrysophyte. It forms macroscopic mucilaginous colonies attached to aquatic macrophytes, filamentous algae, and other substrata. Each colony is initially held together forming a hollow sphere by the confluence of its cell walls. The colony is at first a sphere, becoming ovoid to irregular with growth in size. Thus, it differs from other similar chrysophyte genera such as Heimiochrysis and Chalkopyxis . Cells bear pseudocilia.
Loneliness: How Superficial Relationships, Identity Gaps, and Social Support Contribute to Feelings of Loneliness at Pepperdine University

This study aims to understand the relationship between feelings of loneliness and the amount of selfdisclosure in relationships, inconsistencies in the portrayal of an individual’s identity to other people, and the amount of social support felt in relationships. This study addresses feelings of loneliness reported in freshman students at Pepperdine University. Our findings suggest that deficiencies in selfdisclosure negatively correlated with feelings of loneliness, as did feelings of a stronger social support system exhibit a negative correlation, but a positive impact among students in response to feelings of loneliness. Identity gaps were also found to be a prominent factor in feelings of loneliness.
A greedy buffer allocation algorithm for power-aware communication in body sensor networks

Monitoring human movements using wireless sensory devices promises to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare services. In spite of their potentials for many application domains, power requirements and wearability have limited the commercialization of these systems. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for optimizing communication energy by reducing inter-node data transmissions. This is accomplished by introducing buffers that limit communication to short bursts, and therefore decrease power usage and simplify the communication. Our buffer allocation is a greedy algorithm that can operate both in a centralized and distributed architecture. We experimentally demonstrate the effectiveness of our power reduction techniques. Our results show that, compared with an unbuffered system, our system achieves more than 30% reduction in energy consumption.
INJURY SEVERITY ANALYSIS WITH VARIABLE AND CORRELATED THRESHOLDS: ORDERED MIXED LOGIT FORMULATION

An ordered mixed logit (OML) formulation is proposed to model injury severity, given a crash. The proposed formulation extends the ordered probit/logit models by accommodating variable, random, and correlated injury severity thresholds associated with various severity levels. The proposed model is calibrated using a sample from the 1996 National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System data set. Chi-square tests indicate that the more general OML formulation provides a statistically superior representation of observed injury severity data than corresponding ordered logit models. Model results indicate that injury severity thresholds vary systematically depending on individual, traffic, crash-related, and vehicle characteristics. Further, significant unobserved variability in thresholds is found, and the thresholds are correlated within a given individual. The results suggest drastically increased chances of fatal injury due to certain factors including tripped rollovers and injuries sustained b...
An approach to comparative studies in CAVE using a virtual black wall

Comparative studies involving CAVE systems inevitably have some confounding factors. Except for the six-sided CAVE systems, the missing back wall(s) of a CAVE system can be a confounding factor when virtual and physical navigation interaction techniques are compared, regarding the viewpoint rotation. We introduce a virtual black wall as a way to avoid a possible confounding factor in comparative studies. Based on our pilot study, we found that the virtual black wall can provide the comparable experimental condition for the two types of navigation interaction techniques and that the wall can play a dual role as an obstacle and a landmark during navigation. These findings provide a stepping stone for further investigation of the virtual black wall.
First discovery of a primitive coelacanth fin fills a major gap in the evolution of lobed fins and limbs

SUMMARY The fossil record provides unique clues about the primitive pattern of lobed fins, the precursors of digit-bearing limbs. Such information is vital for understanding the evolutionary transition from fish fins to tetrapod limbs, and it guides the choice of model systems for investigating the developmental changes underpinning this event. However, the evolutionary preconditions for tetrapod limbs remain unclear. This uncertainty arises from an outstanding gap in our knowledge of early lobed fins: there are no fossil data that record primitive pectoral fin conditions in coelacanths, one of the three major groups of sarcopterygian (lobe-finned) fishes. A new fossil from the Middle–Late Devonian of Wyoming preserves the first and only example of a primitive coelacanth pectoral fin endoskeleton. The strongly asymmetrical skeleton of this fin corroborates the hypothesis that this is the primitive sarcopterygian pattern, and that this pattern persisted in the closest fish-like relatives of land vertebrates. The new material reveals the specializations of paired fins in the modern coelacanth, as well as in living lungfishes. Consequently, the context in which these might be used to investigate evolutionary and developmental relationships between vertebrate fins and limbs is changed. Our data suggest that primitive actinopterygians, rather than living sarcopterygian fishes and their derived appendages, are the most informative comparators for developmental studies seeking to understand the origin of tetrapod limbs.
Testosterone-Fatty Acid Esterification: A Unique Target for the Endocrine Toxicity of Tributyltin to Gastropods

SYNOPSIS. Over the past thirty years, a global occurrence of sexual aberration has occurred whereby females among populations of prosobranch snails exhibit male sex characteristics. This condition, called imposex, has been causally associated with exposure to the biocide tributyltin. Tributyltin-exposed, imposex snails typically have elevated levels of testosterone which have led to the postulate that this endocrine dysfunction is responsible for imposex. This overview describes recent evidence that supports this postulate. Gastropods maintain circulating testosterone levels and administration of testosterone to females or castrates stimulates male sex differentiation in several snail species. Studies in the mud snail ( Ilyanassa obsoleta) have shown that gastropods utilize a unique strategy for regulating free testosterone levels. Excess testosterone is converted to fatty acid esters by the action of a testosterone-inducible, high capacity/low affinity enzyme, acyl-CoA:testosterone acyl transferase, and stored within the organisms. Free testosterone levels are regulated during the reproductive cycle apparently due to changes in esterification/desterification suggesting that testosterone functions in the reproductive cycle of the organisms. Testosterone esterification provides a unique target in the testosterone regulatory machinery of snails that is altered by tributyltin. Indeed, imposex and free testosterone levels were elevated in field collected snails containing high tin levels, while testosteronefatty acid ester pools were reduced in these organisms. These observations indicate that tributyltin elevates free testosterone by reducing the retention of testosterone as fatty acid-esters. This endocrine effect of tributyltin may be responsible for imposex.