cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fine-scale spatial homogenization of microbial habitats: a multivariate index of headwater wetland complex condition

With growing public awareness that wetlands are important to society, there are intensifying efforts to understand the ecological condition of those wetlands that remain, and to develop indicators of wetland condition. Indicators based on soils are not well developed and are absent in some current assessment protocols; these could be advantageous, particularly for soils, which are complex habitats for plants, invertebrates, and microbial communities. In this study, we examine whether multivariate soil indicators, correlated with microbial biomass and community composition, can be used to distinguish reference standard (i.e., high condition) headwater wetland complexes from impacted headwater wetland complexes in central Pennsylvania, USA. Our reference standard sites existed in forested landscapes, while our impacted sites were situated in multi-use landscapes and were affected by a range of land-use legacies in the 1900s. We found that current assessment protocols are likely underrepresenting sampling needs to accurately represent site mean soil properties. On average, more samples were required to represent soil property means in reference standard sites compared to impacted sites. Reference standard and impacted sites also had noticeably different types of microbial habitats for the two multivariate soil indices assessed, and impacted sites were more homogenized in terms of the fine-scale (i.e., 1 and 5 m) spatial variability of these indices. Our study shows promise for the use of multivariate soil indices as indicators of wetland condition and provides insights into the sample sizes and scales at which soil sampling should occur during assessments. Future work is needed to test the generalizability of these findings across wetland types and ecoregions and establish definitive links between structural changes in microbial habitats and changes in wetland soil functioning.
A Taxonomy Guide for Surgical Simulation

The lack of a common language within surgical simulation can not only create confusion but can also impede efforts to coherently describe data, techniques, assessment, and research. The goal of this chapter is to present a comprehensive taxonomy of terms (Fig. 1) used within surgical simulation to guide those embarking on new simulation endeavors and to serve as a reference for those already in the trenches. Although best efforts were made to provide the most definitive description of each term, we do acknowledge that many terms referenced are in various stages of development. We provide references for further reading to guide the reader in additional understanding of each concept.
Cytological location and further characterization of the Third chromosome resistance gene in Drosophila melanogaster.

Mutations in the Third chromosome resistance (Tcr; 3-39.6) gene confer dominant resistance to α-methyl dopa and suggest the gene is involved in catecholamine metabolism. Evidence for involvement in catecholamine metabolism comes from the three phenotypes associated with the mutant Tcr chromosomes dominant resistance, dominant rescue of partially complementing l(2)amd alleles, and recessive lethal phenotypes. Only dominant resistance to αs-methyl dopa, however, was mapped to the Tcr locus. Both recessive lethality and dominant rescue of l(2)amd alleles have now been mapped to the Tcr gene and, through the isolation of a new deletion in the region, we demonstrate these phenotypes are due to a loss of Tcr function. This deletion places the Tcr gene in the 69B4-5 to 69C8-11 region. Additionally, we have tested and verified three predictions of the biochemical model proposed by Bishop, Sherald, and Wright (1989) for the function of the Tcr protein.
Quantitative Late Quaternary Climate Reconstruction from Plant Macrofossil Communities in Western North America

The Late Quaternary packrat (Neotoma spp.) midden plant macrofossil record in western North America is an exceptional record of biotic change that provides strong evidence of past climate. In this study, we generate quantitative estimates of climate from plant community composition of more than 600 individual paleomiddens over the past 50,000 years. Here we present the first large-scale application of CRACLE (Climate Reconstruction Analysis using Coexistence Likelihood Estimation), a quantitative climate inference method that uses plant community composition as a climate proxy under the individualistic concept of plant community assembly. The results are spatiotemporally specific estimates of temperature, precipitation, available moisture, and seasonal patterns that are consistent with well understood global climate patterns but provide previously unavailable detail and precision of the regional paleoclimate in western North America. Rapid warming is estimated at the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, at a conservative estimate of ca. 1°C per millennium. Previously projected future temperature increases suggest a rate of increase of more than 2°C over the next century, an astonishing 10× the rate experienced at any point during the past 50,000 years in Western North America. These analyses form a baseline demonstration of how the growing paleoecological record of packrat midden plant macrofossils can provide quantitative estimates of paleoclimate that aid in understanding the complexities of, and biotic responses to the regional climate system. This work is the first synthetic application of any paleoclimate estimation method to packrat midden plant macrofossils.
Cancer incidence and associations with known risk and protective factors: the Alaska EARTH study.

Cancer is the leading cause of mortality among Alaska Native (AN) people. The Alaska Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH) cohort was established to examine risk and protective factors for chronic diseases, including cancer, among AN people. Here, we describe the cancer experience of the Alaska EARTH cohort in relation to statewide- and region-specific tumor registry data, and assess associations with key cancer risk factors. AN participants were recruited into the Alaska EARTH cohort during 2004–2006. Data collected included patient demographic, anthropometric, medical and family history, and lifestyle information. This study linked the Alaska EARTH data with cancer diagnoses recorded by the Alaska Native Tumor Registry (ANTR) through 12/31/15. We compared EARTH incidence to ANTR statewide incidence. We examined independent associations of smoking status, diet, BMI, and physical activity with incident all-site cancers using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Between study enrollment and 2015, 171 of 3,712 (4.7%) Alaska EARTH study participants were diagnosed with cancer. The leading cancers among Alaska EARTH participants were female breast, lung, and colorectal cancer, which reflected those observed among AN people statewide. Incidence (95% CI) of cancer (all sites) among Alaska EARTH participants was 629.7 (510.9–748.6) per 100,000 person-years; this was comparable to statewide rates [680.5 (660.0–701.5) per 100,000 population]. We observed lower risk of all-sites cancer incidence among never smokers. Cancer incidence in the Alaska EARTH cohort was similar to incidence observed statewide. Risk and protective factors for leading cancers among AN people mirror those observed among other populations.
Effect of Simultaneous Electric Current on Thermal Conductivity

Experimental studies of thermal conductivity may be divided into two classes: (1) empirical studies of a given device to obtain specific data; and (2) more basic studies with the goal of improving performance through changes in material or design. For the first class of studies the most elementary concepts of the coefficient of thermal conductivity, λt, are generally satisfactory. For more basic studies, however, a clear understanding of the relation between theoretical concepts (such as lattice thermal conductivity, λl) and an experimentally measured quantity is essential. An example of confusion in this regard is the statement in Berman’s book on thermal conductivity1 that λl in a semiconductor is reduced by the small concentration of impurity atoms (about 0.001%) used in doping. In fact λl is virtually constant, but λt is being affected by changes in thermopower2. The aim of this paper is to describe a simple, correct procedure for the analysis of thermal conductivity, a procedure that facilitates theoretical interpretation of experimental data. The particular problem of thermal conduction in the presence of an electric current will be analyzed.
Laparoscopic Repair of Isthmocele with Hysteroscopic Guidance

Video Objective The objective of this video is to review the definition, diagnosis, consequences of an uterine isthmocele. This video also demonstrates surgical management of isthmoceles using a combination of laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Setting A patient with a history of 2 prior cesarean deliveries with strong desire for future fertility was found to have a profound isthmocele on transvaginal ultrasound. She presented for surgical management at our large academic center with a robust minimally invasive gynecological surgical team. Interventions The patient underwent an uncomplicated laparoscopic isthmocele repair. Hysteroscopy was performed concurrently as a means of visualizing the borders of the uterine defect as well as determining adequate margins for full removal. 6 months after repair, the patient underwent a repeat ultrasound that showed an intact repair with normal myometrial thickness. Conclusion Isthmocele is an iatrogenic defect in the uterine myometrium and can complicate future pregnancies. Laparoscopic repair with hysteroscopic guidance is a safe and effective way of addressing an isthmocele for patients that desire future pregnancies.
C4 Scholar Program: Promoting Success through Accountability for At-Risk Students.

The C4 Scholar Program (Cross Curricular Career Community) is an interdisciplinary, multi-semester learning community for first-year developmental students at a comprehensive midwestern state university. Faculty members from two units, Retention & Student Success and Arts and Sciences, created the program to address a persistent gap in retention between developmental and non-developmental first-year students. This article provides a description of the pilot phase and an explanation of how the ensuing comparative analysis led to adoption of a program framework based on business management literature. The framework, which was implemented with the next two cohorts, contributed to strong comparative gains in performance and retention.
Assessing mastery learning nursing students’ preferences for e-book and print books: A case study

This case study aims to discover nursing student preferences for print books or e-books in an accelerated undergraduate nursing block mastery-learning program. We share descriptive survey statistics and qualitative data collected from focus group responses in this paper. A new finding not seen in the literature is nursing student preference for e-books when participating in assessment challenges. This e-book preference may be relevant for institutions providing instruction in block mastery learning programs.
Fecal metatranscriptomics and glycomics suggest that bovine milk oligosaccharides are fully utilized by healthy adults

Human milk oligosaccharides play a vital role in the development of the gut microbiome in the human infant. Although oligosaccharides derived from bovine milk (BMO) differ in content and profile with those derived from human milk (HMO), several oligosaccharide structures are shared between the species. BMO are commercial alternatives to HMO, but their fate in the digestive tract of healthy adult consumers is unknown. Healthy human subjects consumed two BMO doses over 11-day periods each and provided fecal samples. Metatranscriptomics of fecal samples were conducted to determine microbial and host gene expression in response to the supplement. Fecal samples were also analyzed by mass spectrometry to determine levels of undigested BMO. No changes were observed in microbial gene expression across all participants. Repeated sampling enabled subject-specific analyses: four of six participants had minor, yet statistically significant, changes in microbial gene expression. No significant change was observed in the gene expression of host cells exfoliated in stool. Levels of BMO excreted in feces after supplementation were not significantly different from baseline and were not correlated with dosage or expressed microbial enzyme levels. Collectively, these data suggest that BMO are fully fermented in the human gastrointestinal tract upstream of the distal colon. Additionally, the unaltered host transcriptome provides further evidence for the safety of BMO as a dietary supplement or food ingredient. Further research is needed to investigate potential health benefits of this completely fermentable prebiotic that naturally occurs in cow's milk.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Oxalic Acid Vaporization and Brood Interruption in Controlling the Honey Bee Pest Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae).

A successful Integrated Pest Management approach to Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman control in managed colonies of western honey bees Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) must be an improvement over conventional control methods and include cost-effective treatments that can be readily employed by beekeepers. Herein, we tested the efficacy of oxalic acid (OA) vaporization and brood interruption as Varroa controls. Sixty experimental colonies were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups with 10 colonies per group.The six treatments were: 1) OA applied once, 2) OA applied three times, 3) brood interruption, 4) OA applied once + brood interruption, 5) OA applied three times + brood interruption, and 6) no OA or brood interruption. The OA was applied via vaporization, with each application being 1 g OA applied through the hive entrance (label rate), on the bottom board. Brood interruption was accomplished by caging a colony's queen in a queen cage for a period of 24 d. An additional 10 colonies were treated with amitraz (Apivar - positive control). Varroa levels were estimated before, during, and after treatment applications using sticky boards left in colonies for 3 d. Our data suggest that queen caging to achieve brood interruption during the fall season can negatively impact colony strength and survival. We observed high colony mortality in some treatments, despite diligent colony management to alleviate the side effects of the treatments. Colonies treated with amitraz were healthier and had better survival than those treated with OA vaporization. In conclusion, OA and/or brood interruption did not provide sufficient Varroa control.
New Prospects for Molecular Targets for Chordomas

Chordomas are malignant, highly recurrent tumors of the midline skeleton that arise from the remnants of the notochord. The development of systemic therapy is critically important to ultimately managing this tumor. Several ongoing trials are attempting to use molecular targeted therapies for mutated pathways in recurrent and advanced chordomas and have shown promise. In addition, immunotherapies, including brachyury-directed vaccination and checkpoint inhibition, have also been attempted with encouraging results. This article discusses the major pathways that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chordoma with an emphasis on molecular vulnerabilities that future therapies are attempting to exploit.
Improved stability of an engineered function using adapted bacterial strains

Engineering useful functions into cells is one of the primary goals of synthetic biology. However, engineering novel functions that remain stable for multiple generations remains a significant challenge. Here we report the importance of host fitness on the stability of an engineered function. We find that the initial fitness of the host cell affects the stability of the engineered function. We demonstrate that adapting a strain to the intended growth condition increases fitness and in turn improves the stability of the engineered function over hundreds of generations. This approach offers a simple and effective method to increase the stability of engineered functions without genomic modification or additional engineering and will be useful in improving the stability of novel, engineered functions in living cells.
Shattering the Illusion of the Self-Earned Tip: The Effect of a Restaurant Magician on Co-Workers’ Tips

Abstract During a service experience, consumers often encounter numerous workers seeking tips. For example, restaurant customers may face implicit tip requests from a parking valet, lounge musician, bartender, hostess, sommelier, waiter, and/or busboy. This raises questions about how the tips given to one worker depend on the performances of their co-workers and/or on the tip amounts previously given to those co-workers. The answers to these questions have implications about the role of affective, self-perception, licensing, and resource budgeting processes in tipping, about the fairness of different tip distribution schemes, and about decisions regarding how many different service workers managers should allow to accept tips. This paper empirically examines these questions for the first time in two natural field experiments conducted by a restaurant magician. Data indicated that: (i) servers got larger tips when the magician performed at their customers’ tables, and (ii) the magician (but not the servers) got substantially more in tips when he gave customers a souvenir card. The latter findings imply that the size of tips customers gave the magician had no impact on the size of tips they gave their server. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed along with directions for future research.
Initial experience with the fourth generation MitraClip™: Outcomes, procedural aspects, and considerations for device selection.

Objectives We present our initial experience with the fourth-generation MitraClip™ (G4) system and propose preliminary criteria for device selection. Background The MitraClip™ G4 system recently underwent a "controlled release" for transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. The four new devices include technical improvements such as controlled gripper actuation (independent leaflet capture) and continuous left atrial pressure monitoring. To date, a patient-specific device selection algorithm, and the technology's impact on procedural times and success, have not been described. Methods We present an initial multi-center experience and short-term outcomes with the new system, suggest procedural and imaging considerations, and propose initial guidance for device selection. Results Sixty-one procedures performed by three operators at two centers between November 2019 and May 2020 were analyzed. At 30-day follow-up, there were three deaths (4.9%), four neurological events (6.6%), and seven re-hospitalizations (11.5%). Fifty-nine patients achieved device and procedural success (96.7%), and there was one device-related technical issue (1.6%). Compared to the same operators utilizing the third generation MitraClip™, the G4 system resulted in a significant reduction in the median number of clips used per patient (1 IQR 1-2 vs. 2 IQR 1-3, p = .023) and a trend toward shorter device times. Conclusion Based on our initial experience, we found that the MitraClip™ G4 system is associated with high procedural success and fewer devices needed per procedure. The expanded device options may allow a more targeted approach to the myriad of pathologic presentations of mitral regurgitation. This early experience should provide a foundational opportunity for further refinement.
Suicide, Self-Injury, and Violence in the Schools: Assessment, Prevention, and Intervention Strategies

Preface. Acknowledgments. About the Authors. PART I: Suicide and Self-Injurious Behaviors. 1 Suicide in Children and Adolescents ( With contributions by Karen Michelle Hunnicutt Hollenbaugh and Alexis M. Rae ). 2 School-Based Suicide Prevention Programming. 3 Working With Suicidal Students in Schools: Assessment and Intervention. 4 Working With Students who Engage in Nonsuicidal Self-Inflicted Injury. 5 After a Suicide: Postvention in the School Environment. PART II: Violence Assessment, Response, and Postvention. 6 Utilizing Face-to-Face Clinical Interviews With Violent and Potentially Violent Students and Their Families. 7 Using a Systems of Care Approach With Post-Violent and Potentially Violent Students. 8 Utilizing Psychological First Aid When Responding to School Violence Survivors and Their Parents. 9 Adapted Solution-Focused Survivors-Parents Debriefing Model. PART III: Legal Issues and Preparation. 10 Ethical and Legal Issues. 11 Wrap-up: Preparedness and Promising Future Interventions. Appendix: Ethical Decision-Making Model. References. Index.
Relations with Germany: Failure of Neutrality

The Dutch policy of neutrality was largely based on the assumption that the chief, if not exclusive, threat to Netherlands security came from the side of France. With Belgium’s permanent status of neutrality guaranteed by the great powers and with England’s known interest in maintaining an independent Netherlands, the Dutch felt fairly secure.
Major Copyright Issues in Academic Libraries: Legal Implications of a Digital Environment

Abstract This paper provides an overview of some of the major copyright issues for libraries in a digital environment. It explores how statutory and case law determine the path libraries must take to accomplish their mission. Copyright law is complex and ambiguous. It poses many challenges for librarians, but it is crucial that librarians have a basic understanding of the various provisions of the law in order to make informed decisions. However, the law is only one part of the equation. The interpretation of the law by the courts must also be constantly evaluated for potential impact to libraries.
A philosophy of political myth

In this book, originally published in 2007, Chiara Bottici argues for a philosophical understanding of political myth. Bottici demonstrates that myth is a process, one of continuous work on a basic narrative pattern that responds to a need for significance. Human beings need meaning in order to master the world they live in, but they also need significance in order to live in a world that is less indifferent to them. This is particularly true in the realm of politics. Political myths are narratives through which we orient ourselves, and act and feel about our political world. Bottici shows that in order to come to terms with contemporary phenomena, such as the clash between civilizations, we need a Copernican revolution in political philosophy. If we want to save reason, we need to look at it from the standpoint of myth.
Capturing and Using Clinical Outcome Data: Implications for Information Systems Design

The need for capturing measures of client outcomes has been recognized for decades by researchers, policy makers, administrators, payors, and practitioners. A variety of forces have made this need more urgent than ever. From a political perspective, policy- and law-making bodies are responding to consumers’ demands for accountability from health care professionals for the results of their treatment plans.1,2 Health care professionals themselves, through their professional organizations, have spent a great deal of energy developing guidelines that incorporate outcome standards.3-5 The U.S. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) has made outcome measurement a central focus of its “Agenda for Change.”6,7 Economic forces around the world are forcing the health care industry to move from its quality-at-any-cost paradigm to models that provide acceptable outcomes within limited costs.8,9
Relief of Protracted Hypercarbia by High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilator in a Young Infant with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Conventional ventilators have their limitations in management of certain conditions such as protracted hypercarbia in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Although high-frequency ventilators (HFV) may be less effective in patients with lung diseases complicated by high airway resistance, such as BPD, high-frequency oscillatory ventilators (HFOV) can still provide an alternative treatment of choice due to its property of active exhalation, in addition to its tidal volume being less than dead space and its minute ventilation being more dependent on tidal volume. This report describes 3 episodes of successful relief of protracted hypercarbia in a young infant with BPD using HFOV after failure of conventional ventilatory therapy.
Experimental Adipocere Formation: Implications for Adipocere Formation on Buried Bone*,†

Adipocere, or grave wax (adipo = fat, cere = wax), is a distinctive decomposition product composed primarily of fatty acids (FA) and their alkali salts. FA result from the bacterial enzymatic hydrolysis of body fats. Reactions with ammonia and alkali metals originating from body fluids and pore waters of the depositional environment produce alkali salts of FA (soap). Adipocere formation is generally associated with burial of corpses with ample adipose tissue available. No indications that adipocere can form on defleshed remains have been presented in the literature. At the termination of a long-term bone diagenesis experiment, several samples were found to possess growths of an unknown compound. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed that the growths are adipocere. The results herein reveal that adipocere can indeed form on defleshed bones under the right conditions and that even residual adipose and lipids in defleshed bones are sufficient to produce adipocere growth on the surfaces of bone.
HDFS Heterogeneous Storage Resource Management Based on Data Temperature

Hadoop has traditionally been used as a large-scale batch processing system. However, interactive applications such as Facebook Messenger are becoming increasingly prominent in the Hadoop world. A key bottleneck in adapting Hadoop to real-time processing is disk data transfer rate. The advent of Solid State Drives (SSDs) holds great promise in this regard as they provide bandwidth on the orders of magnitude better than that of rotating disks. But due to their higher cost per gigabyte, a common approach is to have heterogeneous storage types. This paper presents a Storage Resource Management technique that automatically and dynamically moves data across this tiered storage based on Data Temperature, migrating "hot" data towards faster storage and "cold" data towards inexpensive archival storage. Thus, the cluster adapts based on the characteristics of the workloads over time to make effective use of the scarce expensive storage. Finally, I evaluate my modified version of the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) against the vanilla version to compare their performances. The results are promising and show an improvement in both read and write performance with a significant improvement in read performance.
Role of 5'TG3'-interacting factors (TGIFs) in Vorinostat (HDAC inhibitor)-mediated corneal fibrosis inhibition

We have previously reported that vorinostat, an FDA-approved, clinically used histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, attenuates corneal fibrosis in vivo in rabbits by blocking transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). The 5'TG3'-interacting factors (TGIFs) are transcriptional repressors of TGFβ1 signaling via the Smad pathway. The present study was designed to explore the expression of TGIFs in human corneal fibroblasts and to investigate their role in mediating the antifibrotic effect of vorinostat.Human corneal fibroblast cultures were generated from donor corneas. RNA isolation, cDNA preparation, and PCR were performed to detect the presence of TGIF1 and TGIF2 transcripts. The cultures were exposed to vorinostat (2.5 µM) to test its effect on TGIF mRNA and protein levels using qPCR and immunoblotting. Myofibroblast formation was induced with TGFβ1 (5 ng/ml) treatment under serum-free conditions. The changes in fibrosis parameters were quantified by measuring fibrosis marker α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) mRNA and protein levels with qPCR, immunostaining, and immunoblotting. Smad2/3/4 and TGIF knockdowns were performed using pre-validated RNAi/siRNAs and a commercially available transfection reagent.Human corneal fibroblasts showed the expression of TGIF1 and TGIF2. Vorinostat (2.5 µM) caused a 2.8-3.3-fold increase in TGIF1 and TGIF2 mRNA levels and a 1.4-1.8-fold increase in TGIF1 and TGIF2 protein levels. Vorinostat treatment also caused a significant increase in acetylhistone H3 and acetylhistone H4. Vorinostat-induced increases in TGIF1 and TGIF2 were accompanied by a concurrent decrease in corneal fibrosis, as indicated by a decrease in αSMA mRNA by 83±7.7% and protein levels by 97±5%. The RNAi-mediated knockdown of Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 markedly attenuated TGFβ1-evoked transdifferentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of TGIF1 and TGIF2 neutralized vorinostat-evoked decreases in αSMA mRNA by 31%-45% and protein levels by 12%-23%.Human corneal fibroblasts demonstrate the expression of TGIF1 and TGIF2 transcription factors. These transcriptional repressors are critical, at least partially, in mediating the antifibrotic effect of vorinostat in the cornea.
Reproductive biology of the tiger shark ( Galeocerdo cuvier ) in Hawaii

The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is the largest shark in the family Carcharhinidae and the only carcharhinid with aplacental viviparous (ovoviviparous) reproduction. Despite its size and prevalence, many details of tiger shark reproductive biology are unknown. Size at maturity and litter size have been reported by several authors, but a lack of large numbers of pregnant females has made it difficult to determine gestation period, seasonality, and timing of the female reproductive cycle. Here we analyze data from shark control program fishing and incidental catches in Hawaii (n = 318) to construct the most complete picture of tiger shark reproduction to date. Males reached maturity at approximately 292 cm total length (TL) based on clasper calcification, whereas females matured between 330 and 345 cm TL based on oviducal gland and uterus widths. Litter sizes ranged from 3 to 57 with a mean of 32.6 embryos per litter. Data from 23 litters from various months of the year indicate that tiger sharks are usually 80–90 cm TL at birth, and that the gestation period is 15–16 months. Mating scars were observed in January–February and sperm is presumably stored for 4–5 months until ovulation takes place in May–July. Gestation begins in June–July and pups are born in September–October of the following year. Our data suggest that female tiger sharks in Hawaii give birth only once every three years. This could have major implications for conservation and management of this species, as it suggests that tiger shark fecundity is 33% lower than previously thought. This could greatly reduce the ability of this species to rebound from fishing pressure.
Prediction of oxygen uptake during over-ground walking in people with and without Down syndrome

The reduced gait stability and aerobic fitness of people with Down syndrome (DS) may increase their rate of gross oxygen uptake (gross-VO2) during over-ground walking. If so, the ACSM equation predicting gross-VO2 from speed may not be appropriate and an equation specifically for these individuals may be needed. This study therefore examined whether the relationship between gross-VO2 and speed differs between individuals with and without DS during over-ground walking and attempted to develop a gross-VO2 prediction equation for people with DS. Gross-VO2 was measured in 18 persons with DS (24.7 ± 6.8 years; 8 men) and 22 persons without DS (25.9 ± 4.8 years; 9 men) at rest and during five over-ground walking trials, each lasting 6 min, at 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, and 1.5 m/s. Multi-level modeling with random intercepts and slopes demonstrated significant effects of speed, group, group-by-speed interaction, and speed squared (P < 0.001). In each group, actual gross-VO2 did not differ from gross-VO2 predicted by the regression equation across speeds. Bland–Altman plots showed somewhat greater variability in the difference between actual and predicted gross-VO2 for participants with DS. Mean absolute error of prediction was 10.75 and 10.67% for participants with and without DS, respectively. In participants with DS, the ACSM formula under-estimated gross-VO2 across speeds, whereas, in participants without DS, only at 1.5 m/s (P < 0.001). Therefore, individuals with DS show altered curvilinear gross-VO2 to speed relationship during over-ground walking. The present regression equation appears to offer accurate prediction in people with DS and could be used for prescribing over-ground walking intensities.
Self-rated Health in Relation to Rape and Mental Health Disorders in a National Sample of College Women

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to employ a multivariate approach to examine the correlates of self-rated health in a college sample of women, with particular emphasis on sexual assault history and related mental health outcomes. Participants: A national sample of 2,000 female college students participated in a structured phone interview between January and June 2006. Methods: Interview modules assessed demographics, posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive episode, substance use, rape experiences, and physical health. Results: Logistic regression analyses showed that poor self-rated health was associated with low income (odds ratio [OR] = 2.70), lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (OR = 2.47), lifetime major depressive episode (OR = 2.56), past year illicit drug use (OR = 2.48), and multiple rape history (OR = 2.25). Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for university mental health and medical service providers to assess for rape history, and to diagnose and treat re...
Using GIS in Emergency Management Operations

The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of a geographic information system (GIS) in emergency management efforts for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response, and summarize an ongoing effort to build a GIS-based decision support system for the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency in the state of Kansas. Emergency management historically has focused on the immediate and urgent aspects of a disaster, response, and post-disaster recovery. However, there is a growing awareness that emergency management is much more complex and comprehensive than traditionally perceived. The primary function of government is to protect life and property. This involves not just crisis-reactive responses to emergencies, but also finding ways to avoid problems in the first place and preparing for those that undoubtedly will occur. The aim of this project is to build a database in a GIS frame that helps emergency management officers in decision making, focusing on Douglas County's preparedness, mitigation, an...
Human insulin-receptor gene. Partial sequence and amplification of exons by polymerase chain reaction

The partial sequence of the human insulin-receptor (hINSR) gene is presented. Using the gene sequence as a guide, we selected pairs of oligonucleotide primers from sites in the introns that flank each exon. These primers allowed each of the 22 exons of the hINSR gene to be amplified in vitro by the polymerase chain reaction. The sequences of the gene and oligonucleotide primers will facilitate studies of genetic variation in the hINSR gene and thereby increase our understanding of the role of this gene in the development of insulin-resistant states and glucose intolerance.
Knuth-Plass Revisited: Flexible Line-Breaking for Automatic Document Layout

There is an inherent flexibility in typesetting a block of text. Traditionally, line breaks would be manually chosen at strategic points in such a way as to minimize the amount of whitespace in each line. Hyphenation would only be used as a last resort. Knuth and Plass automated this optimization procedure, which has been used in various typesetting systems and DTP applications ever since. However, an optimal solution for the line-breaking problem does not necessarily lead us to an optimal document layout on the whole. The flexibility of choosing line breaks enables us, in many cases, to adjust the height of a paragraph by changing the number of lines, without having to make adjustments to font size, leading, etc. In many cases, the word spacing remains within the usual tolerances and visual quality does not noticeably suffer. This paper presents a modification to the Knuth-Plass algorithm to return several results for a given column of text, each corresponding to a different height, and describes steps to quantify the amount of expected flexibility in a given paragraph. We conclude with a discussion on how such "sub-optimal" results can lead to a better overall document layout, particularly in the context of mobile layouts, where flexibility is of key importance.
A longitudinal investigation of medical student attitudes toward the medically indigent.

Background: Studies have shown that medical student attitudes decline as students progress through school. Controversy persists about the meaning and generalizability of these findings because studies have not been longitudinal and many were conducted prior to an influx of female students. Much of medical education occurs in academic medical center environments where disproportionate numbers of indigent (uninsured and underinsured)patients seekcare. This study examined whether students' attitudes toward providing care to indigent clientele changed over time. Purpose: To track longitudinal changes in attitudes toward providing care for the medically indigent of 1 cohort of medical students and to determine if gender differences existed and persisted over time. Methods: Students entering a Southwest medical school in 1989 participated in this study. Attitudes were compared using the Medical Students' Attitudes Toward the Underserved questionnaire, a self-report, attitudinal scale. Results: Student attitudes...
Variability and correlation of chromameter and tape-stripping methods with the visual skin blanching assay in the quantitative assessment of topical 0.05 % betamethasone dipropionate bioavailability in humans

Abstract Bioavailability between five commercial 0.05% betamethasone diproprionate formulations in human skin is demonstrated with three methods; visual skin blanching, tape-stripping and a chromameter. Reproducibility of each method is evaluated for both intra- and inter-subject variability. The variability (coefficient of variation) in the intra-subject studies is consistently less than that in the inter-subject studies for all methods evaluated. The variability in the subjective visual skin blanching assay increases as a function of time. Variability in the tape-stripping technique performed at one time point only ranges from 7 to 30% in the intra-subject study to greater than 70% in the inter-subject study. Variability in the a scale on the chromamater is consistent over time (approx. 24%). The b scale on the chromameter demonstrates an inter-subject variation of about 15%, while the luminosity scale demonstrates a variability of approx. 6%. The rank order of 0.05% betamethasone diproprionate formulation potency is similar between the visual skin blanching assay, tape-stripping and the a scale on the chromameter. Further, the rank correlation between tape-stripping and the a scale on the chromameter with the subjective visual skin blanching assay is moderate to excellent (r=0.6, and −0.9, respectively). Thus, tape-stripping and the chromameter offer the investigator two objective, standardized and noninvasive methods with which to compare bioequivalence of topical corticosteroids.
Flow Between a Smooth Stationary Disk and Grooved Rotating Disk

The radial outflow between a grooved rotating disk and a smooth stationary disk was examined analytically and experimentally with an emphasis on flow rate and drag moment. All investigations were conducted for a zero overall pressure differential across the disk. The analysis was based on an integral method with an area-averaged boundary condition on the grooved rotor. Nondimensionalization of the governing equations revealed that the radial inertia terms cannot in general be neglected. With the exception of the centrifugal acceleration terms, the radial inertia terms are usually neglected in this type of analysis. However, for higher flow rates these terms were found to make a significant contribution. A finite difference scheme was employed in the radial direction and a zero pressure differential across the disk was satisfied by an iterative solution technique. This technique required iteration on both the inlet flow rate to the gap and groove region until compatible flow rates in these two regions were obtained through convergence. The analytical predictions for the smooth rotor, a radially grooved rotor, and a rotor with grooves inclined at ± 20 degree to the radius are compared with experimental data generated using both air and 10 wt. motor oil as test fluids. The agreement between theory and experiment is generally good. A transition regime from laminar to turbulent flow is tentatively identified and plausibility arguments are presented to explain its existence.
Direct Formulation of Causality Requirements on the S Operator

From a relatively operational causality assumption roughly to the effect that outgoing particles can be observed only when there have previously been incoming particles, dispersion relations for forward scattering of a scalar particle may be derived, in a manner that extends in principle to all types of scattering.
Experimental and CFD study of unsteady airborne pollutant transport within an aircraft cabin mock-up

Abstract It has been documented that diseases can spread within an aircraft cabin from the sneezing, coughing or breathing of a sick passenger. To understand the spreading mechanism it is very important to quantify the airflow and droplet transmission around a sneezing/coughing incident. In this project, tracer gas experiments were carried out in a full-scale Boeing 767-300 mock-up to study the global transport process of contaminated air within the cabin. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation was also used to provide additional information for understanding the principle. A steady airflow field was simulated first and then it was compared with the experimental data. The global airflow patterns were similar to those observed experimentally. This velocity field was adopted as the initial condition for further unsteady pollutant transport simulation. Experimental and simulated results were compared and discussed to develop a relationship between concentration and airflow pattern, source location, transport direction, and ventilation rate. Finally, the overall picture of concentration evolution by both experimental and simulated approaches was discussed.
COMMUNICATION ROLES AND COMMUNICATION NETWORKS IN A FORMAL ORGANIZATION

This study identified persons in two communication-based roles in a formal organization: liaisons and nonliaison group members. Reported member contacts were mapped onto a matrix so that communication groups could be identified. Separate networks were constructed for each of three message functions and liaisons were identified within networks. Liaisons and nonliaisons were compared on the basis of their perceptions of their own and their frequent contacts' behaviors and attributes. Eight hypotheses were tested regarding self- and other-perceptions of: range of contacts, influence, possession of particular information types, message control, satisfaction with management messages, system openness, and liaison occupancy of formal supervisory roles. Suggestions were made as to the utility of mapping communication networks, identifying communication-based roles, and examining the characteristics of role occupants.
A shift-invariant wavelet-based method to quantify and identify slight power quality disturbances in power systems

Amplitude deviation (AD), frequency deviation (FD) and phase deviation (PD) are the important compositions of power quality disturbance (PQD). To analyze PQD deeply, this paper introduces a wavelet-based method for separating slight AD, FD and PD from a combined PQD, then quantifying and identifying them. The method is based on the fact that a linear-phase complex wavelet is certainly with an even real part and an odd imaginary part, or inversely. The distinctive characteristics of the method are: complex biorthogonal wavelet with the shortest smoothing filter (Haar filter), shift-invariant wavelet transform (WT) at a few scales, simple relationships between the WT coefficients and the magnitudes of AD, FD and PD, simple binary feature victor and binary-decimal conversion identifying process. These make the method simple, correct and fast.
Intraperitoneal Circulation and Drainage in the Dog

The patterns of dispersion and drainage of a low viscosity, oil-based contrast medium within the peritoneal cavity were examined in 12 normal dogs. Intraperitoneal injection of contrast medium was cranial or caudal and drainage was by the sump-Penrose or open peritoneal method. Radiographs were made over a 96 hour period, before and after peritoneal drainage was established. Each dog was euthanatized and necropsied. The contrast medium was dispersed throughout the peritoneal cavity 15 to 30 minutes after cranial injection and 1 to 2 hours after caudal injection. Most of the contrast medium drained within 6 hours after open peritoneal drainage and within 24 to 48 hours after sump-Penrose drainage. At necropsy, there was complete encasement of all sump-Penrose drains and partial occlusion of all open peritoneal incisions by omentum adhered to the abdominal wound edges. Peritonitis was not grossly evident, but all dogs showed histologic evidence of an acute inflammatory reaction associated with the drain or wound edge.
Results from Lunar Laser Ranging (summary only)

Over 1500 lunar laser range measurements have been made during the past six years at McDonald Observatory. These data have been fitted with a 41 cm r. m. s. residual. The geocentric coordinates of McDonald Observatory are now known to better than 1 m, the three-dimensional coordinates of the Moon and the selenocentric coordinates of the retroreflectors are accurate to about 25 m, and the mass ratio Sun/(Earth + Moon) is determined to 2 parts in 107. A search for the Nordtvedt term in the Moon’s orbit, a term predicted by some relativity theories, gives a null value, a result consistent with general relativity. The measurement of the physical librations determines very accurately the moment of inertia parameters β = (C - A)/B and γ = (B - A)/C, and significantly determines the third degree gravitational harmonics C 30 , C 32 , S 32 and S 33 The postfit residuals are not random but yield corrections to the rotation of the Earth, values of U. T. 0 for individual days having typical accuracies of 0.5 ms (20cm). The anticipated regular operation of two or more stations will allow the separation of U. T. 1 and polar motion.
Feasibility assessment of a leading-edge-flutter wind power generator

Abstract This study addresses the preliminary technical feasibility assessment of a mechanical apparatus for conversion of wind energy. The proposed device, designated as “leading-edge-flutter wind power generator”, employs aeroelastic dynamic instability of a blade airfoil, torsionally rotating about its leading edge. Although the exploitation of aeroelastic phenomena has been proposed by the research community for energy harvesting, this apparatus is compact, simple and marginally susceptible to turbulence and wake effects. The objective of this study was to identify a conceptual configuration that could become operational at low and medium wind speeds. Pre- and post-critical regimes are simulated; the prediction of mechanical efficiency in the absence of dissipation is also discussed.