cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creatine monohydrate supplemented in swine finishing diets and fresh pork quality: I. A controlled laboratory experiment

Creatine monohydrate (CMH) was fed during the final stage of growth to determine its effects on fresh pork quality. Twenty-four Duroc-sired market hogs (107 kg) were individually penned and fed a corn-soybean finishing diet containing 0.55% lysine with 2% added choice white grease. Treatments consisted of a control diet (control) tested against two durations of CMH-supplemented diets (25 g CMH.pig -1 .d -1 ) fed for 5 (5 d) or 10 (10 d) d before slaughter. Eight pigs were used per treatment. Pigs were slaughtered on day 11 of treatment (118 kg). Postmortem pH was measured in the loin (10th rib) and ham semimembranosus at 45 min (pH1) and 24 h (pH2). At 24 h, Hunter L * values were taken at the 10th rib and the ham semimembranosus. At 48 h, drip loss was determined from the loin (8th rib) and semimembranosus. Percentage of moisture, crude fat, and crude protein were determined for loin (9th rib) and semimembranosus. Treatment 2 semimembranosus tended to have a higher pH1 (P = 0.083) and pH2 (P = 0.05) than controls. Although not statistically different, 10 d semimembranosus had the highest proportion of moisture and lowest CP:moisture ratio, suggesting greater myofiber hydration. No statistical differences were detected across treatments for loin pH1, pH2, CP:moisture, or drip loss. Loins and semimembranosus from 5 d pigs had a numerically higher proportion of chemically determined i.m. fat, suggesting optimal intramuscular creatine phosphate saturation may allow for more energy to be stored as i.m. fat. Standard deviations of ham L * value means for 5 d (SD = 2.53) and 10 d (SD = 2.05) were 26 and 48% lower than controls (SD = 3.95). Standard deviations of loin L * value for 5 d (SD = 2.53) and 10 d (SD = 2.53) were 51 and 64% lower than controls (SD = 1.86). These results suggest that CMH supplementation buffers early postmortem and ultimate pH decline in the semimembranosus, which may reduce 48-h moisture loss.
John Nash: Connections

This chapter describes some connections between problems in mathematics that are surprising. Seeing connections was a great strength of Nash, and new ideas on Nash equilibria in non-zero-sum games have surprisingly come from complexity and cryptography.
Effects of symmetry on the structural controllability of neural networks: A perspective

The controllability of a dynamical system or network describes whether a given set of control inputs can completely exert influence in order to drive the system towards a desired state. Structural controllability develops the canonical coupling structures in a network that lead to un-controllability, but does not account for the effects of explicit symmetries contained in a network. Recent work has made use of this framework to determine the minimum number and location of the optimal actuators necessary to completely control complex networks. In systems or networks with structural symmetries, group representation theory provides the mechanisms for how the symmetry contained in a network will influence its controllability, and thus affects the placement of these critical actuators, which is a topic of broad interest in science from ecological, biological and man-made networks to engineering systems and design.
A qualitative study of gestational weight gain goal setting

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important predictor of short and long-term pregnancy outcomes for both mother and child, and women who set a GWG goal are more likely to gain within recommended ranges. Little information is available regarding potentially modifiable factors that underlie a woman’s GWG goals. Our aims were to explore women’s perceptions regarding factors that affect GWG, their understanding of appropriate GWG, their goal-setting experiences including patient-health care provider (HCP) conversations, and supportive interventions they would most like to help them achieve the recommended GWG. We conducted nine in-depth interviews and seven focus groups with a total of 33 Boston, Massachusetts (MA) area women who were pregnant and had delivered within the prior 6 months. We recorded and transcribed all interviews. Two investigators independently coded resulting transcripts. We managed data using MAXQDA2 and conducted a content analysis. Perceived factors that contributed to GWG goal-setting included the mother’s weight control behaviors concerning exercise and diet—including a “new way of eating for two” and “semblance of control”, experiences during prior pregnancies, conversations with HCPs, and influence from various information sources. Women focused on behaviors with consistent messaging across multiple sources of information, but mainly trusted their HCP, valued one-to-one conversations with them about GWG, preferred that the HCP initiate the conversation about GWG goals, and would be open to have the conversation started based on visual aid based on their own GWG progression. Pregnant women highly value discussions with their HCP to set GWG goals. Pregnant women view their clinicians as the most reliable source of information and believe that clinicians should open weight-related discussions throughout pregnancy.
Thermal properties of size-selective nanoparticles: Effect of the particle size on Einstein temperature

Characterizing size related thermal properties of nanoclusters is challenging due to the requirement to accurately control both their average sizes and the size distributions. In this work, temperature-dependent Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure spectroscopy and the phenomenological bond-order-length-strength (BOLS) model were employed to investigate the size-dependent Einstein temperature of Au nanoclusters. Theoretical calculations of Einstein temperature and average bond distance for clusters with different sizes agree quantitatively with experiment. The BOLS model is thus useful for predictive understanding of structure and thermal properties in well-defined metal clusters.
Electronic Structural Analysis of Copper(II)–TEMPO/ABNO Complexes Provides Evidence for Copper(I)–Oxoammonium Character

Copper/aminoxyl species are proposed as key intermediates in aerobic alcohol oxidation. Several possible electronic structural descriptions of these species are possible, and the present study probes this issue by examining four crystallographically characterized Cu/aminoxyl halide complexes by Cu K-edge, Cu L2,3-edge, and Cl K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The mixing coefficients between Cu, aminoxyl, and halide orbitals are determined via these techniques with support from density functional theory. The emergent electronic structure picture reveals that Cu coordination confers appreciable oxoammonium character to the aminoxyl ligand. The computational methodology is extended to one of the putative intermediates invoked in catalytic Cu/aminoxyl-driven alcohol oxidation reactions, with similar findings. Collectively, the results have important implications for the mechanism of alcohol oxidation and the underlying basis for cooperativity in this co-catalyst system.
Social Security Disability Insurance Enrollment and Health Care Employment.

Objective To examine the relationship between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) enrollment and health care employment. Data Sources State-year level data from government and other publicly available sources for all states (2000–2014). Study Design Population-weighted linear regression analyses model associations between each health care employment measure and each SSDI enrollment measure (i.e., SSDI overall, physical, or mental health enrollment rates), controlling for factors associated with health care employment, state fixed effects, and secular time trends. Data Collection Data are gathered from publicly available sources. Principal Findings A one standard deviation increase in SSDI enrollment per 100,000 population is associated with a statistically significant 2.6 and 4.5 percent increase in the mean employment rate per 100,000 population for health care practitioner and technical occupations and health care support occupations, respectively. The size of this relationship varies by the type of disabling condition for SSDI enrollment (physical versus mental health). Conclusions Social Security Disability Insurance enrollment is significantly associated with health care employment at the state level. Quantifying the magnitude of this relationship is important given high SSDI enrollment rates as well as evolving policy and demographic shifts related to the SSDI program.
Cocaine Selectively Reorganizes Excitatory Inputs to Substantia Nigra Pars Compacta Dopamine Neurons.

Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine neurons and their targets are involved in addiction and cue-induced relapse. However, afferents onto SNc dopamine neurons themselves appear insensitive to drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, when afferents are collectively stimulated electrically. This contrasts with ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons, whose glutamate afferents react robustly to cocaine. We used an optogenetic strategy to isolate identified SNc inputs and determine whether cocaine sensitivity in the mouse SNc circuit is conferred at the level of three glutamate afferents: dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN), and subthalamic nucleus (STN). We found that excitatory afferents to SNc dopamine neurons are sensitive to cocaine in an afferent-specific manner. A single exposure to cocaine in vivo led to PPN-innervated synapses reducing the AMPA-to-NMDA receptor-mediated current ratio. In contrast to work in the VTA, this was due to increased NMDA receptor function with no change in AMPA receptor function. STN synapses showed a decrease in calcium-permeable AMPA receptors after cocaine, but no change in the AMPA-to-NMDA ratio. Cocaine also increased the release probability at DR-innervated and STN-innervated synapses, quantified by decreases in paired-pulse ratios. However, release probability at PPN-innervated synapses remained unaffected. By examining identified inputs, our results demonstrate a functional distribution among excitatory SNc afferent nuclei in response to cocaine, and suggest a compelling architecture for differentiation and separate parsing of inputs within the nigrostriatal system. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prior studies have established that substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopamine neurons are a key node in the circuitry that drives addiction and relapse, yet cocaine apparently has no effect on electrically stimulated excitatory inputs. Our study is the first to demonstrate the functional impact of a drug of abuse on synaptic mechanisms of identified afferents to the SNc. Optogenetic dissection of inputs originating from dorsal raphe, pedunculopontine, and subthalamic nuclei were tested for synaptic modifications following in vivo cocaine exposure. Our results demonstrate that cocaine differentially induces modifications to SNc synapses depending on input origin. This presents implications for understanding dopamine processing of motivated behavior; most critically, it indicates that dopamine neurons selectively modulate signal reception processed by afferent nuclei.
Experience level analysis for a cognitive radio engine

A cognitive radio engine (CE) is where the advanced adaptation algorithms for a cognitive radio is implemented. A CE is an intelligent agent which observes the radio environment and chooses the best communication settings that meet the application’s goal. In this process, providing reliable performance is one of the major challenges faced by a CE. Therefore, one of the most important issues in designing CEs is the ability to characterize and reliably predict performance of the CE in different operating scenarios. An operating scenario is defined as the set of the operating objective, channel availability, and channel quality metrics. In this paper, we develop several performance evaluation and prediction indices to quantify the amount of knowledge of different CE algorithms independently of the implementation approach and/or their operating scenarios. Using these new indices, we are able to provide a more accurate estimation of the learning process and future performance of each individual CE algorithm. A number of simulation-based experiments was conducted. Our results show that proposed contextual CE algorithms based on the developed knowledge indicators is able to improve the wireless communication system’s objective rewards significantly. In effect, the contextual CE is able to deliver about 10% more data than the CE with the fixed exploration rate.
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor in a 65-year-old man presenting with disseminated leptomeningeal disease: A case report and review of the literature.

Central nervous system atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors are very rare aggressive tumor of childhood, primarily occurring at age of less than 3 years old. The prognosis of these tumors is very poor...
Failure to Meet Generative Self-Expectations is Linked to Poorer Cognitive-Affective Well-Being.

Objectives Generativity, or concern with contributing to others, is theorized to be an important goal of mid-to-late life. Greater self-perceptions of generativity are associated with better well-being over time. The aim of this study is to examine how generative self-perceptions and failure to meet generative expectations over time are linked to specific cognitive-affective states (feelings of connectedness, self-worth, and positive affect), and consequently, life satisfaction. Method Analyses used data from Waves 2 and 3 of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Multiple mediation was utilized to assess whether these cognitive-affective states linked generative failure to decreased life satisfaction. A Johnson-Neyman moderation analysis determined whether these associations vary with age. Results In demographically adjusted regressions, generative contributions and expectations were associated with greater perceived social connectedness, self-worth, and positive effect. Generative failure was associated with lower life satisfaction, a link that was strongest in the middle-aged and young-old and mediated by the cognitive-affective states. Discussion Greater feelings of generativity, and more positive expectations for future contributions, are associated cross-sectionally and over time with better affective well-being. Positive affect, social connectedness, and self-worth may partially explain why generative failure over time is linked to decreased life satisfaction.
Hardware Implementation of Relational Algebra Operations

The relational database model introduced by Codd in [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] has received considerable attention during the last several years. There is an increasing recognition of the relational data model’s advantages of simplicity, symmetry of access, and data independence. Another feature of the relational model is that the database may be manipulated by high level, non-procedural data manipulation languages [6,7]. Perhaps the most important feature of the relational database model is that it is based on strong theoretical foundations [8]. This allows for an efficient design of database schemas. In general this is acheived using the normalization theory [5, 9].
Status of U.S. Maglev Program

Factors that have led to a reawakening of national interest in maglev technology in the United States are discussed. The development of the National Maglev program, its findings, and the four maglev design concepts resulting from the System Concept Definition study are reviewed. Technical requirements for the SCD contractors and for the Prototype Development Program are compared. Some legislative background information is given, with a review of the most important maglev legislation. Plans for the National Maglev Prototype Development Program are discussed, and activities related to maglev at Argonne National Laboratory are summarized.
Mutagenesis and Plasmids

There are many naturally occurring plasmids that confer upon their host increased susceptibility to ultraviolet (UV) and/or chemical mutagenesis. This enhanced mutagenesis has been associated with an increased amount of cellular error-prone DNA repair. Other plasmid properties believed to involve cellular error-prone repair are ability to increase UV and chemical survival and ability to enhance spontaneous mutagenesis. Some plasmids have been shown to exhibit only a few of these effects, while other plasmids possess all of these properties, given the appropriate genetic DNA repair background of the host cell.
A Second Reporter Matters: Agreement Between Parents’ and Children’s Reports of Smoking Bans in Families

Background Home and car smoking bans implemented by caregivers are important approaches to reducing children's secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure and attendant health risks. Such private smoking bans are usually informal and are subject to individuals' interpretation, observation, and recall. Relying on a single reporter may lead to misclassification of bans in families. Purpose To determine (1) proportion of families with discordant reports of bans; (2) association between parent–child report agreement and SHS exposure; and (3) whether including a second reporter of bans improves prediction of child SHS exposure. Methods In each of 386 participating families a preteen and a parent reported separately on their home and car smoking bans, and agreement was determined. ANOVA, chi-square, and multiple linear regression were used to determine relationships between SHS exposure (measured by urine cotinine and reported exposure) and home/car smoking bans reported by preteens and parents. Results In 19% of families, reports disagreed for home smoking bans; 30%, for car smoking bans. Families who agreed on the presence of a ban had the lowest exposure, families who agreed on the absence of a ban had the highest exposure, and intermediate exposure for those who disagreed. Parent and child reports of bans each explained significant, unique variance in child SHS exposure. Conclusions Due to relatively high prevalence of discordant reporting, a more accurate classification of home/car smoking bans may result from including multiple reporters.
Bioanalytical method development and validation of moxidectin in plasma by LC–MS/MS: Application to in vitro metabolism

Moxidectin (MOX) has recently been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of river blindness in select populations. It is also being evaluated as an alternative for the use of ivermectin, widespread resistance to which is becoming a global health issue. Moreover, MOX is becoming increasingly used as a prophylactic antiparasitic in the cattle industry. In this study, we developed and validated an LC-MS/MS method of MOX in human, monkey and mouse plasma. The separation was achieved on an ACE C18 (50 × 3.0 mm, 3 μm) column with isocratic elution using 0.1% acetic acid and methanol-acetonitrile (1:1, v/v) as mobile phase. MOX was quantitated using MS/MS with an electrospray ionization source operating in negative multiple reaction monitoring mode. The multiple reaction monitoring precursor ion → product ion transitions for MOX and abamectin (IS) were m/z 638.40 → 236.30 and m/z 871.50 → 565.35 respectively. The MS/MS response was linear over the concentration range 0.1-1000 ng/mL in plasma with a correlation coefficient (r2 ) of 0.997 or better. The within- and between-day precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) and accuracy were within the acceptable limits per US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The method was successfully applied to an in vitro metabolic stability study of MOX.
Regime type versus patronal politics: a comparison of “ardent democrats” in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

Kazakhstan is home to the longest serving ruler in post-Soviet Eurasia while Kyrgyzstan is among the region’s most competitive polities. Do these regime differences correspond to divergence in poli...
Knowledge Commons (2019)

This chapter provides an introduction to and overview of the knowledge commons research framework. Knowledge commons refers to an institutional approach (commons) to governing the production, use, management, and/or preservation of a particular type of resource (knowledge). The research framework supplies a template for interrogating the details of knowledge commons institutions on a case study basis, generating qualitative data that may be used to support comparative analysis.
Employment-Based Retirement Plan Participation: Geographic Differences and Trends, 2008

This paper closely examines the level of participation by workers in public- and private-sector employment-based pension or retirement plans, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2009 Current Population Survey (CPS), the most recent data currently available. About 56 percent of all working-age (21-64) wage and salary employees work for an employer or union that sponsors a retirement plan. Among full-time, full-year wage and salary workers ages 21-64 (those with the strongest connection to the work force), just under 63 percent worked for an employer or union that sponsors a plan, and just under 55 percent participated in a retirement plan. The paper begins with an overview of retirement plan types and participation in these types of plans. Next, it describes the data used in this study, along with their relative strengths and weaknesses. From these data, results on participation in employment-based retirement plans are analyzed for 2008 across various worker characteristics and those of their employers. The paper then explores retirement plan participation across U.S. geographic regions, including a state-by-state comparison and a comparison of certain consolidated statistical areas (CSAs). In addition to the results for 2008, trends from 1987-2008 in employment-based retirement plan participation are presented across many of the same worker and employer characteristics as used for 2008. Furthermore, an accounting of the number of workers who work for an employer that does not sponsor a plan and of workers who do not participate in a plan is provided by various demographic and employer characteristics. The paper concludes with a discussion of this study’s findings.
Harnessing Internal Support to Enhance Customer Relationships: The Role of Networking, Helping, and Allocentrism

This research uses social problem theory to examine how salespeople obtain the internal support to address the needs of customers. We propose effectiveness in coordinating internal resources is rel...
GPCRs in thromboinflammation and hemostasis

Abstract Thrombosis and inflammation have been commonly identified as linked processes. While neutrophils are one of the first responders to areas of inflammation, they are also the first cells to arrive and collaborate with platelets in thrombosis. Recently, the crosstalk between platelets and neutrophils has been recognized in a growing number of pathophysiological processes known as thrombo-inflammation. Neutrophil and platelet functions are tightly regulated by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), because excessive signaling can cause tissue injury and pathological thrombi, respectively. In this chapter, we describe the GPCRs expressed on neutrophils and platelets and their response to thrombo-inflammatory stimuli, as well as the regulators of this coordinated response. We also highlight pharmacological agents and structural studies that may inform future efforts to target these GPCRs therapeutically.
Human-Animal-Environment Interactions as a Context for Child and Adolescent Growth

Human-animal-environment interaction (HAEI) is increasingly used in special education. While most research of HAEIs has identified effects that broadly support positive special education outcomes, further research of HAEI-based interventions in these environments is needed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 teaching staff at a special education school that utilizes a range of HAEIs. The teachers are responsible for implementing evidence-based interventions to facilitate social-emotional learning (SEL), so assessing their unique perspectives on the impacts of HAEIs on student SEL outcomes is imperative. Phenomenological coding of the interviews identified 9 major themes that represented positive impacts as well as barriers and challenges experienced by students during HAEIs.
Investigating recent developments and applications of optical plasma spectroscopy: A review

Optical spectroscopy is a powerful, nonintrusive diagnostic tool that can provide unparalleled insight into fundamental plasma properties. Specifically, these techniques are widely employed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize interactions of species within a discharge. This work is comprised of two parts: (1) a brief review of recent literature on the application of optical emission spectroscopy from the past decade, ranging from the study of atomic rare gas to more complex environmentally and technologically relevant plasma systems and (2) the presentation of new data that illustrate the power of optical spectroscopy techniques beyond simple species identification. Specifically, time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy was utilized to provide kinetic information about excited state species formation, ultimately lending mechanistic insights into a range of plasma processes. In addition, by combining optical emission and broadband absorption spectroscopies, rotational and vibrational temperatures for both excited and ground state species were determined. These data provide a thermodynamic base for enhanced understanding of the fundamental chemistry in plasma systems. The two platforms explored here were plasma-assisted catalysis systems containing NxOy species and fluorocarbon plasmas utilizing a range of precursors to evoke either etching or deposition, depending on the plasma conditions. Optical spectroscopy is a powerful, nonintrusive diagnostic tool that can provide unparalleled insight into fundamental plasma properties. Specifically, these techniques are widely employed to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize interactions of species within a discharge. This work is comprised of two parts: (1) a brief review of recent literature on the application of optical emission spectroscopy from the past decade, ranging from the study of atomic rare gas to more complex environmentally and technologically relevant plasma systems and (2) the presentation of new data that illustrate the power of optical spectroscopy techniques beyond simple species identification. Specifically, time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy was utilized to provide kinetic information about excited state species formation, ultimately lending mechanistic insights into a range of plasma processes. In addition, by ...
Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid-β During Sleep Deprivation in Healthy Middle-Aged Adults Is Not Due to Stress or Circadian Disruption

BACKGROUND Concentrations of soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) oscillate with the sleep-wake cycle in the interstitial fluid of mice and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of humans. Further, the concentration of Aβ in CSF increases during sleep deprivation. Stress and disruption of the circadian clock are additional mechanisms hypothesized to increase CSF Aβ levels. Cortisol is a marker for stress and has an endogenous circadian rhythm. Other factors such as glucose and lactate have been associated with changes in sleep-wake activity and/or Aβ. OBJECTIVE In this exploratory study, we used samples collected in a previous study to examine how sleep deprivation affects Aβ, cortisol, lactate, and glucose in plasma and CSF from healthy middle-aged adults (N = 11). METHODS Eleven cognitively normal participants without evidence of sleep disturbance were randomized to sleep deprivation or normal sleep control. All participants were invited to repeat the study. Cortisol, lactate, glucose, and Aβ were measured in 2-h intervals over a 36-h period in both plasma and CSF. All concentrations were normalized to the mean prior to calculating mesor, amplitude, acrophase, and other parameters. RESULTS One night of sleep deprivation increases the overnight concentration of Aβ in CSF approximately 10%, but does not significantly affect cortisol, lactate, or glucose concentrations in plasma or CSF between the sleep-deprived and control conditions. CONCLUSION These data suggest that sleep deprivation-related changes in CSF Aβ are not mediated by stress or circadian disruption as measured by cortisol.
Locally advanced breast cancer

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) of the noninflammatory variety is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by extensive local disease in the absence of identifiable distant metastases. Despite a large body of literature on breast cancer, there is a relative paucity of data on LABC. Moreover, the terms “unresectable,” “inoperable,” and “incurable” have been variably equated with LABC by different authors.
Comparison of chromium poisoning between lanthanum strontium manganite and lanthanum strontium ferrite composite cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Degradation mechanisms of chromium poisoning have been extensively investigated for last two decades on various cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells. While most researchers used half-cell experiments to investigate the effects of chromium impurities, this paper compares the degradation phenomena of LSM-YSZ and LSF-GDC cathodes in full cells under different operating conditions, namely polarized current density and humidity over the cathode. Under cathodic load, performance degradation of LSF-GDC cathode is significantly less than that of LSM-YSZ cathode. Most interestingly, under humidified air condition, LSF-based cell hardly experiences performance degradation while LSM-based cell shows a catastrophic degradation. Cr deposition in LSM-based cells occurs mainly near the electrolyte under both dry and humidified air conditions. In contrast, Cr deposition in LSF-based cell concentrates at the cathode surface under dry air condition, but concentrates both at cathode surface and near electrolyte under humidified air condition. Microstructure analysis reveals Mn-associated Cr deposits in LSM-based cathode, and Sr- and Fe-associated Cr deposits in LSF-based cathode. With the help of distribution of relaxation time analysis, the different electrochemical behaviors of LSM- and LSF-based cells are carefully interpreted. The effects of electrochemical deposition, Sr surface segregation, and humidity on LSM- and LSF-based cathodes are discussed.
Mechanical Properties and Photomechanical Fatigue of Macro- and Nanodimensional Diarylethene Molecular Crystals

The diarylethene derivative, 1,2-bis(2,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene, undergoes a reversible photoisomerization between its ring-open and ring-closed forms in the solid-state ...
Conserving what? Conservation easements and environmental justice in the coastal US South:

Conservation easements, voluntary legal agreements whereby a landowner forfeits some of his or her land development rights in exchange for tax benefits, are an increasingly common strategy for prot...
Optimal design of controlled environment agricultural systems under market uncertainty

Abstract We present a novel methodology for the simultaneous robust design and scheduling of controlled environment agricultural (CEA) systems under multi-period risk. This problem is formulated as a semi-infinite program with several semi-infinite constraints pertaining to mean-variance risk exposure with uncertain covariance over each period in the planning horizon. The general model enables robust optimization of CEA systems for cultivation of any crop portfolio under any number of cultivation modes, with a solution that represents an optimal design and operating schedule that is robust to worst-case uncertainty. Therefore, this methodology provides a conservative basis for engineering and investment decision-making and represents, to our knowledge, the first robust optimization approach to CEA systems. Our approach effectively increases the robustness of CEA systems to market uncertainty, improves the long-term economics of CEA systems over naive operating strategies, and validates the economic viability of single and multi-mode CEA production of distinct crop portfolios.
LayoutXLM: Multimodal Pre-training for Multilingual Visually-rich Document Understanding

Multimodal pre-training with text, layout, and image has achieved SOTA performance for visually-rich document understanding tasks recently, which demonstrates the great potential for joint learning across different modalities. In this paper, we present LayoutXLM, a multimodal pre-trained model for multilingual document understanding, which aims to bridge the language barriers for visually-rich document understanding. To accurately evaluate LayoutXLM, we also introduce a multilingual form understanding benchmark dataset named XFUND, which includes form understanding samples in 7 languages (Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese), and key-value pairs are manually labeled for each language. Experiment results show that the LayoutXLM model has significantly outperformed the existing SOTA cross-lingual pre-trained models on the XFUND dataset. The pre-trained LayoutXLM model and the XFUND dataset are publicly available at https://aka.ms/layoutxlm.
Alimentos Ciencia e Ingeniería 7-1

Para muchos procesadores, comercializadores, proveedores y consumidores de la industria de alimentos, los terminos xenobiotico, nutraceutico y transgenetico son muy novedosos, pero a la vez confusos. Esta confusion se puede absolver si nos remontamos en el ano 1985 en que la medicina, utiliza el termino xenobiotico para denominar a las alteraciones organicas causadas al ser humano por el consumo de alimentos contaminados por productos quimico toxicos y que hoy incluyen tambien aquellas alteraciones que tienen su raiz en otros tipos de contaminaciones toxicas, incluso las de origen bacteriano o fungico. En efecto gran parte de la dieta de nuestra poblacion, en las ciudades y en el campo esta compuesta de alimentos procesados, alimentos que han sufrido una veces intencionalmente la inclusion de aditivos (substancias no nuitritivas), con propositos de mejorar su calidad y frescura, sabor o presentacion. Y otras veces de contaminantes que son substancias que se presentan en forma de alimentos en forma accidental, tal el caso de los pesticidas, drogas veterinarias, compuestos propios de los envases, contaminantes del medio. Entonces la xenobiosis adquiere cada vez mayor dimension, si consideramos que desde hace muchos anos estamos consumiendo alimentos y bebidas contaminadas y no existe control alguno que evite los errores y excesos en el manejo de aditivos que utiliza la industria alimenticia pero aun no se estudian los niveles de contaminacion con plaguicidas en los alimentos que consumimos los ecuatorianos. La evolucion de los patrones de consumo alimentario, se resumen en los nuevos deseos de los consumidores que demandan productos nutritivos, saludables, productos que contribuyan a la salud y a cuidar productos de facil preparacion.
College Engagement and Cognitive Skills Development for Latinx Transfer Students at Selective Institutions: A Comparison to Their Non-transfer Peers

A growing body of research has shown the positive relationship between student engagement and cognitive skills development among Latinx undergraduates at more selective institutions. However, despi...
MLP-WOA Neural Network-Based Automated Grading of Fruits and Vegetable Quality Detection for Food Industry Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques (Computer Vision—Image Recognition)

In recent days, quality estimation in the processing of post-harvest plays a major role in creating high-quality food products. It is necessary to grade as well as sort food depends upon their quality. The machine system utilizes the methods for quality inspection and also grading has increased more significance to meet the standards of high quality. There is the necessary for the development of accurate, fast as well as a planned quality guarantee regarding the horticultural food products. Nowadays, plants are affected due to several plant diseases and lead to vast financial losses in the agricultural industry around the world. In image processing of uneven and changing samples, image recognition, as well as feature extraction, is the most difficult task. In this thesis, a method is executed for food disease identification as well as recognition to separate the defected food from healthy food.
Interaction between the type 4 pili machinery and a diguanylate cyclase fine-tune c-di-GMP levels during early biofilm formation

To initiate biofilm formation, it is critical for bacteria to sense a surface and respond precisely to activate downstream components of the biofilm program. Type 4 pili (T4P) and increasing levels of c-di-GMP have been shown to be important for surface sensing and biofilm formation, respectively; however, mechanisms important in modulating the levels of this dinucleotide molecule to define a precise output response are unknown. Here, using macroscopic bulk assays and single-cell tracking analyses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we uncover a role of the T4P alignment complex protein, PilO, in modulating the activity of the diguanylate cyclase (DGC) SadC. Two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, combined with genetic studies, are consistent with a model whereby PilO interacts with SadC and that the PilO-SadC interaction inhibits SadC's activity, resulting in decreased biofilm formation and increased motility. Using single-cell tracking, we monitor both the mean c-di-GMP and the variance of this dinucleotide in individual cells. Mutations that increase PilO-SadC interaction modestly, but significantly, decrease both the average and variance in c-di-GMP levels on a cell-by-cell basis, while mutants that disrupt PilO-SadC interaction increase the mean and variance of c-di-GMP levels. This work is consistent with a model wherein P. aeruginosa uses a component of the T4P scaffold to fine-tune the levels of this dinucleotide signal during surface commitment. Finally, given our previous findings linking SadC to the flagellar machinery, we propose that this DGC acts as a bridge to integrate T4P and flagellar-derived input signals during initial surface engagement.
Oxygen-induced refinement of α precipitates in an aged metastable β Ti-15-333 alloy

Abstract Increasing the strength of aged metastable β titanium alloys through refinement of intragranular α precipitates has been previously demonstrated using heterogeneous nucleation on structural and compositional non-uniformities. Here, we show that elevated oxygen levels (up to 1.7 at. %) can also induce α phase refinement during ageing of a β Ti-15-333 alloy, providing an additional pathway to obtain fine α laths. Moreover, oxygen-induced refinement combined with ω-assisted α nucleation resulted in significantly reduced α sizes of ∼50 nm. The finer α precipitates obtained with higher oxygen concentrations resulted in increased compressive yield strengths during micropillar compression compared to specimens without oxygen. These findings highlight the use of high oxygen contents to improve α microstructural refinement and precipitation strengthening in β Ti alloys.
Genome-wide association study of open field behavior in outbred heterogeneous stock rats identifies multiple loci implicated in psychiatric disorders

Many personality traits are influenced by genetic factors. Rodents models provide an efficient system for analyzing genetic contribution to these traits. Using 1,246 adolescent heterogeneous stock (HS) male and female rats, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of behaviors measured in an open field, including locomotion, novel object interaction, and social interaction. We identified 30 genome-wide significant quantitative trait loci (QTL). Using multiple criteria, including the presence of high impact genomic variants and co-localization of cis-eQTL, we identified 13 candidate genes (Adarb2, Ankrd26, Cacna1c, Clock, Crhr1, Ctu2, Cyp26b1, Eva1a, Fam114a1, Kcnj9, Mlf2, Rab27b, Sec11a) for these traits. Most of these genes have been implicated by human GWAS of various psychiatric traits. For example, Cacna1c, a gene known to be critical for social behavior in rodents and implicated in human schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, is a candidate gene for distance to the social zone. In addition, the QTL region for total distance to the novel object zone, on Chr1 at 144 Mb, is syntenic to a hotspot on human Chr15 (82.5-90.8 Mb) that contains 14 genes associated with psychiatric or substance abuse traits. Although some of the genes identified by this study appear to replicate findings from prior human GWAS, others likely represent novel findings that can be the catalyst for future molecular and genetic insights into human psychiatric diseases. Together, these findings provide strong support for the use of the HS population to study psychiatric disorders.
The African American Theatrical Body: Reception, Performance, and the Stage

Overture: rites that render repairing: Suzan-Lori Parks' The America Play 1. Repetition/reproduction: the DNA of black expressive culture: Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun 2. Recuperating black diasporic history: W. E. B. Du Bois' The Star of Ethiopia 3. Re-enacting the Harlem Renaissance: Zora Neale Hurston's Color Struck 4. Resisting shame, offering praise and worship: Langston Hughes's Tambourines to Glory 5. Resisting death: the blues bravado of a ghost: James Baldwin's Blues for Mister Charlie 6. Rituals of repair: August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone 7. Reconstitution: Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog Epilogue: Black movements: Tarell Alvin McCraney's In the Red and Brown Water Bibliography.
The Role of Animal Experiments in Estimates of Radiation Risk

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the estimates of the carcinogenic effects of low-dose-rate protracted irradiation; they are the most important risk estimates in relation to radiation protection standards. The estimation of the risks of the carcinogenic effect of high-LET radiations depends on experimental data. There are two points of importance in the design of the experiments that involve protracted exposures: (1) total dose should be kept low because at total doses greater than about 3 Gy, the response per unit dose tends to increase; and (2) the age range over which the exposures are spread is important because of the marked changes in age-dependent changes in susceptibility, which in turn are tissue specific. The impact per unit dose of low doses of radiation and protracted irradiation is less than that of high doses and high-dose-rate exposures, not only because the probability of high cancer occurrence is less but also because the relative incidence of various tumor types and the nature of the induced tumors are different.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens

DNA microarrays (often interchangeably called DNA chips or DNA arrays) are among the most popular analytical tools for high-throughput comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses of foodborne bacterial pathogens. A typical DNA microarray contains hundreds to millions of small DNA probes that are chemically attached (or “printed”) onto the surface of a microscopic glass slide. Depending on the specific “printing” and probe synthesis technologies for different microarray platforms, such DNA probes can be PCR amplicons or in situ synthesized short oligonucleotides. DNA microarray technologies have revolutionized the way that we investigate the biology of foodborne bacterial pathogens. The major advantage of these technologies is that DNA microarrays allow comparison of subtle genomic or transcriptomic variations between two bacterial samples, such as genomic variations between two different bacterial strains or transcriptomic alterations of same bacterial strain under two different treatments. Some applications of comparative genomic hybridization microarrays and global gene expression microarrays have been covered in previous chapters of this book.
Trade credit, exchange controls, and monetary independence: Evidence from the United Kingdom

Abstract This paper examines the responsiveness of trade credit movements to changes in interest rate differentials. Evidence from the United Kingdom is presented and it is concluded that very large changes in interest differentials were required to induce trade credit movements comprising a substantial fraction of the Bank of England's reserves.
Tuberculosis Death and Survival among Southern California Indians, 1922–44

According to Death Registers kept by agents of the Office of Indian Affairs, between 1922 and 1946, Cahuilla, Kumeyaay, Cupeiio, hiseiio, Ser- rano, and Chemehuevi people of the Mission Indian Agenc ~f Southern Cali- fornia suffered 180 recorded deaths caused by tuberculosis, t K e leading cause of death resulting from infectious disease. Nearly half of those who perished were between the ages of 15 and 39. The leading "occupation" of those who died was "childlstudent." Throughout the period under examination, Indians had much higher crude death rates per 100fOOO population than did all people in the United States. In 1926, the Native death rate reached its zenith of 661, compared all races within the United States. Death rates among First Nations people 86 m% in uthern California declined during the 1930s and dropped off dramatically durin~ the 194% due to public health efforts of field nurses and teachers aswell as?he agency of 1ndik elders who taught children about the causes, transmissions, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis. RCsumC. D'aprPs les registres des dd& tenusde 1922 B 1946 par les agents du
Somatostatin inhibits vasopressin-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis and influx of extracellular calcium in clonal hamster β (HIT) cells

Vasopressin (VP) stimulates insulin secretion and inositol phosphate (InsP) production in clonal hamster beta cells (HIT) via a cyclic AMP-independent V1-receptor-mediated signal-transduction pathway. Somatostatin (SRIF) inhibited VP-stimulated insulin secretion, and the effects of SRIF were abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. The Ca(2+)-channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine also inhibited VP-stimulated insulin secretion during 20 min incubations, but verapamil was ineffective at 2 min, and the effects of SRIF and nifedipine together were not addictive. SRIF failed to inhibit further the attenuated insulin response to VP in Ca(2+)-free medium. VP-stimulated InsP production was also inhibited by SRIF in a pertussis-toxin-sensitive manner. Whereas VP-stimulated insulin secretion was almost completely inhibited by SRIF at an equimolar concentration, VP-stimulated InsP production was much less sensitive to inhibition by SRIF, even at a 100-fold excess concentration. VP increased cytosolic Ca2+ in HIT cells loaded with fura 2, the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator. The increase was biphasic, with an initial rapid spike increase followed by a prolonged second phase. Both SRIF, at a concentration which inhibited VP-stimulated insulin secretion but not InsP production, and verapamil failed to inhibit the rapid spike increase in intracellular Ca2+, but did inhibit the second phase. We conclude that VP induces biphasic changes in cytosolic Ca2+, secondary to mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and influx of extracellular Ca2+. SRIF inhibits insulin secretion by interrupting influx of extracellular Ca2+, likely by inhibiting Gi-subunit activity. Inhibition of VP-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis, which is also pertussis-toxin-sensitive, may represent an additional mechanism of action of SRIF.