cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural fumigation efficacy against Tribolium castaneum in flour mills

Structural fumigations of food processing plants to manage stored-product insects have been a major component of pest management programs, but limited information on field efficacy is available. Efficacy, based on pheromone trapping data, consists of initial reduction in captures after treatment and recovery in trap captures over time after treatment (i.e., rebound). Patterns of Tribolium castaneum reduction and rebound were evaluated after 21 fumigations in two flour mills. Influence of time of year fumigation occurred, environmental conditions, and impact of other pest management tactics on efficacy was determined as well. Information generated can be used to guide fumigation decisions, including the development of risk thresholds for levels of pheromone trap captures. Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normale Tabelle"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Keywords: Tribolium castaneum , Fumigation, Flour mills, Efficacy, Methyl bromide
Effect of a Chromosome Segment Marked by the Php Gene for Resistance to Phytophthora nicotianae on Reproduction of Tobacco Cyst Nematodes.

Johnson, C. S., Wernsman, E. A., and LaMondia, J. A. 2009. Effect of a chromosome segment marked by the Php gene for resistance to Phytophthora nicotianae on reproduction of tobacco cyst nematodes. Plant Dis. 93:309-315. Host resistance is an important strategy for managing Globodera tabacum subsp. solanacearum and G. tabacum subsp. tabacum, important nematode pests of flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) in Virginia, and cigar wrapper tobacco (N. tabacum) in Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. Field research from 1992 to 2005 evaluated reproduction of G. tabacum subsp. solanacearum on genotypes with and without a chromosome segment from N. plumbaginifolia containing a gene (Php) that conferred resistance to race 0 of Phytophthora nicotianae (causal agent of tobacco black shank). Ratios of G. tabacum subsp. solanacearum eggs/500 cm3 soil at the end versus the beginning of experiments (Pf/Pi) were significantly lower in cultivars and breeding lines possessing the Php-containing chromosome segment from N. plumbaginifolia compared with genotypes without the segment. Numbers of vermiform G. tabacum subsp. solanacearum juveniles in roots were similar among genotypes but numbers of swollen and pyriform nematodes were significantly lower for the known G. tabacum subsp. solanacearum-resistant cv. NC 567 and in genotypes possessing the Php gene compared with genotypes and cultivars without the gene. In a 2003 greenhouse test, the percentage of plants with visible G. tabacum subsp. tabacum cysts was also significantly lower for parental and progeny genotypes homozygous and heterozygous, respectively, for Php compared with similar lines without the gene. These results indicate a close linkage or association between a likely single, dominant gene (Php) for resistance to P. nicotianae and suppressed reproduction by G. tabacum subsp. solanacearum and G. tabacum subsp. tabacum. Further research to accurately elucidate the relationships among these genes could lead to significant improvements in tobacco disease control.
Effects of nitrogen deposition on the interaction between an aphid and its host plant

Anthropogenic increases in nitrogen deposition are impacting terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. While some of the direct ecosystem-level effects of nitrogen deposition are understood, the effects of nitrogen deposition on plant - insect interactions and on herbivore population dynamics have received less attention. 2. Nitrogen deposition will potentially influence both plant resource availability and herbivore population growth. If increases in herbivore population growth outstrip increases in resource availability, then increases in the strength of density dependence expressed within the herbivore population would be predicted. Alternatively, if plant resources respond more vigorously to nitrogen deposition than do herbivore populations, a decline in the strength of density dependence would be expected. No change in the strength of density dependence acting upon the herbivore population would suggest equivalent responses by herbivores and plants. 3. A density manipulation experiment was performed to examine the effect of nitrogen deposition on the interaction between a host plant, Asclepias tuberosa , and its herbivore, Aphis nerii . Aphid maximum per capita growth rate ( R max ), carrying capacity ( K ), and the strength of density dependence were measured under three nitrogen deposition treatments. The effect of nitrogen deposition on the relationship among these three measures of insect population dynamics was explored. 4. Simulated nitrogen deposition increased aphid per capita population growth, plant foliar nitrogen concentrations, and plant biomass. Nitrogen deposition caused R max and K to increase proportionally, leading to no overall change in the strength of density dependence. In this system, potential changes in the negative feedback processes operating on herbivore populations following nitrogen deposition appear to be buffered by concomitant changes in resource availability.
Life-Cycle Analysis of Production and Recycling of Lithium Ion Batteries

This paper discusses what is known about the life-cycle burdens of lithium ion batteries. Constituent-material production and the subsequent manufacturing of batteries are emphasized. Of particular interest is estimation of the impact of battery material recycling on battery manufacturing. Because some materials come from comparatively less plentiful resources, the recycling of lithium ion batteries and the potential impact on battery-production life-cycle burdens are discussed. This effort represents the early stage of lithium ion battery life-cycle analysis, in which processes are characterized preparatory to detailed data acquisition. Notwithstanding the lack of data on production of battery materials, it is estimated that the energy use and greenhouse gas emissions associated with battery manufacturing make up only a small percentage of a plug-in hybrid vehicle's total life-cycle energy use. Further, the recycling of battery materials potentially can significantly reduce the material production energy.
Culture and Causality: An Anthropological Comment

Anthropology's unique contribution to a discussion of causality is rooted in its specialization in culture rather than in methodological protocols for bolstering our confidence in correlations. This is so because causal arguments are inherently interpretive and, moreover, because human actors themselves operate in terms of meaning. The best interpretive models direct analytic attention to contexts of meaning and motivation. Because these meanings lie inside of people's heads, the interpretation of causality in these terms demands that the validity of analyses be argued for in terms of logical coherence based on highly localized criteria. As with all explanations of human behavior, demographic explanations are as a consequence open to constant reformulation based on new information and the never-ending search for coherence.
Altered expression of the twist gene in young versus senescent human diploid fibroblasts.

We have recently reported the cloning and characterization of the humantwistgene (H-twist), which encodes an evolutionarily conserved helix–loop–helix transcription factor. In several species,twisthas been shown to play a role in mesoderm differentiation. We now report on the differential expression of H-twistas a function ofin vitrolife span in human diploid fibroblasts. H-twistwas found to be expressed at a relatively high level in quiescent young cells. Addition of fresh serum to young G0cultures results in a rapid repression of H-twistmRNA expression. This repression depends on the presence of growth factors, specifically EGF, and requires protein synthesis. mRNA stability studies using either actinomycin D or α-amanitin indicate a similar decay rate of H-twistmRNA in both young and senescent cells, suggesting that the differential expression of H-twist in young versus old is not primarily regulated at the level of mRNA turnover.
Data for Room Fire Model Comparisons

With the development of models to predict fire growth and spread in buildings, there has been a concomitant evolution in the measurement and analysis of experimental data in real-scale fires. This report presents the types of analyses that can be used to examine large-scale room fire test data to prepare the data for comparison with zone-based fire models. Five sets of experimental data which can be used to test the limits of a typical two-zone fire model are detailed. A standard set of nomenclature describing the geometry of the building and the quantities measured in each experiment is presented. Availability of ancillary data (such as smaller-scale test results) is included. These descriptions, along with the data (available in computer-readable form) should allow comparisons between the experiment and model predictions. The base of experimental data ranges in complexity from one room tests with individual furniture items to a series of tests conducted in a multiple story hotel equipped with a zoned smoke control system.
The Scalability and Performance of Common Vector Solution to Generalized Label Continuity Constraint in Hybrid Optical/Packet Networks

In hybrid optical/packet networks, wavelength and VLAN tag continuity along a label switched path are two common constraints. These two types of constraints, referred to as generalized label continuity constraints, have global significance in a network; namely, the label should appear only in other link- or node-disjoint paths. In considering these constraints, a solution is the common vector approach, which seeks a common available label along the path determined by CSPF without label constraints. In this paper, we provide an estimation method to compute the upper bound of the blocking probability for the above approach. We also address the scalability problem of the existing traffic engineering algorithms. We then present the simulation results corroborating with our analytical model.
The structure and circulation of the deep Venus atmosphere

A simple model for the structure of a nonrotating Hadley regime in an atmosphere with large thermal inertia is developed. The radiative fluxes are estimated by using a linearization about the radiative equilibrium state, and the dynamical fluxes are estimated by using scaling analysis. The requirement that differential heating by these fluxes be in balance in both the meridional and vertical directions leads to two equations for the mean static stability and meridional temperature contrast. The solution depends on two parameters: the strength of the radiative heating, as measured by the static stability of the radiative equilibrium state; and the ratio of the time it takes an external gravity wave to traverse the atmosphere to the time it would take the atmosphere to cool off radiatively. It is shown that it is not necessary to invoke convection to explain the approximate adiabatic lapse rate in the Venus atmosphere, but a greenhouse effect is necessary to explain the high surface temperatures.
Thoracoscopic anterior instrumentation and fusion for idiopathic scoliosis.

Thoracoscopically assisted surgery is a new approach to access the anterior spine to perform biopsies, anterior releases, diskectomies, and anterior instrumentation and fusion for idiopathic thoracic scoliosis. This approach compromises the chest wall less than an open thoracotomy does because it uses several small portal incisions. It has been suggested that this approach allows fusion of fewer motion segments and better correction of curvature than does posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation. The technique, which is still evolving, is technically demanding, requiring advanced training and special instrumentation and anesthesia techniques. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2003;11:221-227
Peering into the “rabbit hole” of publication bias and inadequate research transparency: Adding tangibility to the abstract

When patients seek medical care, they assume the treatment or advice they receive is based on a strong understanding of the human body and its processes. They also typically assume the care they receive is based on a strong understanding of the research literature pertaining to their well-being and any ailments for which they might seek care. However, publication bias and inadequate research transparency greatly threaten medical providers’ ability to practice evidence-based medicine in its truest form, and this in turn puts patients at unnecessary risk. The evidence of these issues existing is unequivocal. However, systematic reviews and other studies that present overviews of these issues – although certainly incredibly important in establishing the undeniable presence and pervasiveness of these issues – may inadvertently obfuscate the concreteness of these closely-related processes in action. Therefore, this article presents a “case series” of these detrimental issues in action in an effort to emphasize the tangibility of these issues and thereby help make their importance unmistakably clear.
An Ultrasonic Trepanning Technique for Radial Sampling of Ceramic Fuel Pellets

An ultrasonic trepanning technique for use in the radial sampling of small-diameter ceramic fuel pellets takes an initial sample in the form of a small-diameter solid cylinder from the center of the pellet. Subsequent samples are thin-wall concentric hollow cylinders. Radial samples 1.56 to 6.80 mm in diameter and 5.35 to 6.80 mm long have been obtained from 93 percent dense UO$sub 2$ pellets and 91 percent dense mixed-oxide (UO$sub 2$--PuO$sub 2$) fuel pellets. Cylindrical samples with wall thicknesses of 0.25 to 0.44 mm can be obtained without difficulty. Diameters and wall thicknesses of individual samples and concentricity between samples can be held within +--0.01 mm, at a sample cutting rate of 0.02 mm/s. The technique has been adapted to existing ultrasonic grinding equipment located in a shielded glove-box facility, which had been used for less precise ultrasonic drilling operations. The technique is currently being used to obtain radial samples from fresh (unirradiated) mixed-oxide fuel pellets that have been subjected to low-burnup exposure in the transient test reactor (TREAT). The individual samples taken from each pellet undergo burnup analysis using standard gamma-counting techniques. The gamma emitters are the $sup 140$Ba--$sup 140$La daughters formed during the radioactive decay of the activatedmore » fuel pellets. The analytical results, expressed as fiss/(g s), obtained for discrete radial locations provide the necessary information on the radial power distribution within the individual pellet. (auth)« less
Base Flaps and Oscillatory Perturbations to Decrease Base Drag

The objective of this investigation is to study possible means for reducing the base drag of a tractor-trailer. The experiments are conducted in the Dryden wind tunnel at the USC Ground Vehicle Aerodynamics Laboratory. A roughly 1/15 scale model resembling a trailer is utilized for the study. The model is fitted with a shaped nose-piece to ensure attached flow over the forward portion of the model. The model is equipped with a force balance to measure drag. In addition base pressures are measured, and hot-wire wake surveys are conducted downstream from the model base. The Reynolds numbers (based on the square-root of the model cross-sectional area), range from 0.1 × 106 to 0.4 × 106.
Measurement of osmotic reflection coefficient for small molecules in cat hindlimbs.

Capillary osmotic reflection coefficients (sigma) for NaCl, urea, sucrose, and raffinose were measured in the isolated, perfused cat hindlimb using the osmotic transient technique. sigma were determined from the ratio of the maximum rate of transcapillary absorption [delta Jv(max)] to the increase in the osmotic pressure (25-35 mosmol/kg H2O) in the arterial inflow (delta pi a) produced by adding one of the molecules to an albumin-electrolyte perfusate containing isoproterenol (greater than 10(-7) M). delta Jv (max) was determined from organ weight and delta pi a from perfusate osmolalities. For each molecule, the delta Jv(max)/delta pi a ratio increased monotonically with perfusate flow rates (Q) to Q greater than 100 ml.min-1.100 g-1. This ratio was independent of the size of the delta pi a. Apparent sigma values were calculated by dividing these ratios by the capillary hydraulic capacity determined in other studies. At low Q, apparent sigma was comparable to the approximately 0.1 values found by others in skeletal muscle. At the highest Q, apparent sigma for these molecules were at least 0.5. These data are consistent with at least 50% of transcapillary water flow moving through a water-exclusive pathway.
Influence of RNA Binding on the Conformational Dynamics of the Lassa Virus Nucleoprotein

Lassa virus is an enveloped virus, with a bisegmented ambisense single-stranded RNA genome, encoding only four gene products. The most abundant protein is the nucleoprotein (NP) which encapsidates the viral genomic RNA. Multiple structures of the NP have been determined. The full-length NP was determined in the absence of RNA in a trimeric arrangement, which has been shown to be the dominant solution form of NP. A second structure of only the N-terminal domain of NP was determined in the presence of a short RNA strand, which revealed an RNA-binding groove. There were significant differences between the RNA bound and RNA-free forms in the NP N-terminal domain, highlighted by helix 6 adopting a distal (open) orientation, and helix 5 undergoing a partial loss of helicity, when RNA is bound.The primary focus of this investigation is to understand the mechanism by which the Lassa virus NP binds to RNA and how conformational changes in the NP are achieved. We have employed extensive equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the influence of RNA on the global motions of the NP, and have identified that RNA-binding induces a closing motion. This observation is supported by free energy calculations using both umbrella sampling and metadynamics methods. The free energy profiles show the closed state is more favorable, both in the absence and presence of RNA, and that RNA-binding reduces the energy cost for opening. The observation that the RNA-bound form prefers a closed configuration appears in disagreement with the open-state crystal structure. However, we believe non-native crystal contacts are stabilizing the open form of NP, which is supported from energetic analysis of MD simulations of NP dimers present in the crystal unit cell.
Control of Hæmoglobin A and F Synthesis: Hæmoglobin Formation in Fœtal and Adult Erythroid Cells

Control of Haemoglobin A and F Synthesis: Haemoglobin Formation in Fœtal and Adult Erythroid Cells
A Galerkin least squares approach to viscoelastic flow.

A Galerkin/least-squares stabilization technique is applied to a discrete Elastic Viscous Stress Splitting formulation of for viscoelastic flow. From this, a possible viscoelastic stabilization method is proposed. This method is tested with the flow of an Oldroyd-B fluid past a rigid cylinder, where it is found to produce inaccurate drag coefficients. Furthermore, it fails for relatively low Weissenberg number indicating it is not suited for use as a general algorithm. In addition, a decoupled approach is used as a way separating the constitutive equation from the rest of the system. A Pressure Poisson equation is used when the velocity and pressure are sought to be decoupled, but this fails to produce a solution when inflow/outflow boundaries are considered. However, a coupled pressure-velocity equation with a decoupled constitutive equation is successful for the flow past a rigid cylinder and seems to be suitable as a general-use algorithm.
Haiti Subsurface Imaging Project: Seismic and Gravity Results

The Haiti earthquake of 12 January, 2010 was initially reported to have occurred along the main strike slip fault (Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone, EPGFZ), but more recent studies proposed slips on previously unrecognized, neighboring faults (Leogâne). As a participant in SEG’s Geoscientists Without Border program, we have investigated the shallow subsurface at Leogâne Fan Delta, Haiti using seismic and gravity techniques. We found compressional (P)-wave velocities of 400-2350 m/s for an approximately 800 m deep section from seismic data analysis. Shear (S)-wave velocities (estimated from surface wave inversion) vary from 140-240 m/s for the top 20 m. The prominent change in both P-wave and S-wave velocities (around 200 m and 400 m offset) are interpreted as the effects of faulting. Extracted reflection coefficients also support a reflective structure at these offsets. Nearsurface reflection seismic analysis provided deeper information indicating multiple layers with varying velocities, intersected by a number of faults. Detailed ultrasonic measurements on hand samples provide an average of 6250 m/s for the sample A, 2700 m/s for sample B and 3450 m/s for sample C. The estimated Free air gravity profile suggests that the variation of the gravitational field may be related with the proposed faults.
Microdosimetry at middle age: some old experimental problems and new aspirations.

The increasingly wider use of microdosimetry in fields other than pure radiobiological research, especially in "practical" domains such as radiation protection and medical physics, has created a nu...
Nitrate Ion Photolysis in Thin Water Films in the Presence of Bromide Ions

Nitrate ions commonly coexist with halide ions in aged sea salt particles, as well as in the Arctic snowpack, where NO3− photochemistry is believed to be an important source of NOy (NO + NO2 + HONO + ...). The effects of bromide ions on nitrate ion photochemistry were investigated at 298 ± 2 K in air using 311 nm photolysis lamps. Reactions were carried out using NaBr/NaNO3 and KBr/KNO3 deposited on the walls of a Teflon chamber. Gas phase halogen products and NO2 were measured as a function of photolysis time using long path FTIR, NOy chemiluminescence and atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS). Irradiated NaBr/NaNO3 mixtures show an enhancement in the rates of production of NO2 and Br2 as the bromide mole fraction (χNaBr) increased. However, this was not the case for KBr/KNO3 mixtures where the rates of production of NO2 and Br2 remained constant over all values of χKBr. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that the presence of bromide in the NaBr solutions pulls sodium toward th...
Abstract IA04: Stromal regulation of pancreatic cancer epigenome and metabolome

A hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the dramatic accumulation of stromal components implicated in tumor growth, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. This creates a living chimera in which stroma-derived growth factors, matrix proteins and inflammatory cytokines are thought to nurture the nascent tumor. This study reveals that the stromal secretome exerts rapid epigenomic changes in the cancer cells that effectively marshals up metabolic and genomic networks needed to power cell growth. To tackle the complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME), we devised a three-dimensional culture system to dissect the adaptive impact of the stromal secretome on the cancer cell. This integrative approach identified the rapid mobilization of more than a dozen gene networks (cell cycle, steroid biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, DNA replication, etc.), as well as a commensurate adaptive metabolome. A major unanswered question relates to the sequence of events that result in the formation and ultimate function of these networks, in part generated by rapid changes in acetylation of histone H3 at lysines 9 and 27 (H3K9ac and H3K27ac). Our work suggests the existence of a molecular and-gate such that tumor activation is the consequence of mutant Ras and the tumor micro-environment. To mediate this molecular hand-shake, we find that BRD2 acts in the epithelial compartment to transduce stromal cues at the genomic level. Based on the above, and consistent with recent Mazur PK et al Nat Med (2015), we show the BET bromodomain inhibitor JQ1 targets a key synergy point and reduces pancreatic tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, this work describes a novel connection between the stromal response and a driver oncogene and may offer new insights into the role of the TME in the treatment of ras-driven tumor. Citation Format: Mara H. Sherman, Ronald Evans. Stromal regulation of pancreatic cancer epigenome and metabolome. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Function of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression; 2016 Jan 7–10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(15 Suppl):Abstract nr IA04.
Flow Cytometric Patterns of CD200 and CD1d Expression Distinguish CD10-Negative, CD5-Negative Mature B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders.

Objectives The importance of distinguishing mature B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPDs) is highlighted by the distinct treatments used for and varying prognoses seen in association with these different diseases. Immunophenotyping allows for accurate and efficient differentiation of many B-LPDs. Recently, we showed that CD200 is highly expressed in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) but not in marginal zone lymphoma (MZL), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL), or hairy cell leukemia-variant (HCL-v). Here, we assessed the usefulness of a flow cytometric panel combining CD200 and CD1d with CD25, CD103, and CD11c to distinguish CD10-, CD5- B-LPDs. Methods We analyzed the expression of CD200 and CD1d by flow cytometric analysis in 79 cases of CD10-, CD5- mature B-LPDs. Results Distinct patterns of CD200 and CD1d expression were seen in the examined B-LPDs. HCL showed bright positivity for CD200 along with positive staining for CD1d, whereas HCL-v showed low levels of expression for both markers. LPL demonstrated positive staining for CD200 in combination with dim to negative staining for CD1d. In contrast, MZL was commonly positive for CD1d and negative for CD200. Conclusions Flow cytometric analysis of CD200 and CD1d, along with CD25, CD103, and CD11c, can aid in the diagnosis of CD10-, CD5- mature B-LPDs.
Non-parametric inference on (conditional) quantile differences and interquantile ranges, using L-statistics

Summary We provide novel, high-order accurate methods for nonparametric inference on quantile differences between two populations in both unconditional and conditional settings. These quantile differences corresponds to (conditional) quantile treatment effects under (conditional) independence of a binary treatment and potential outcomes. Our methods use the probability integral transform and a Dirichlet (rather than Gaussian) reference distribution to pick appropriate L-statistics as confidence interval endpoints, achieving high-order accuracy. Using a similar approach, we also propose confidence intervals/sets for 1) vectors of quantiles, 2) interquantile ranges, and 3) differences of linear combinations of quantiles. In the conditional setting, when smoothing over continuous covariates, optimal bandwidth and coverage probability rates are derived for all methods. Simulations show the new confidence intervals to have a favourable combination of robust accuracy and short length compared with existing approaches. Detailed steps for confidence interval construction are provided in Supplemental Appendix E, and code for all methods, simulations, and empirical examples is provided. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: A Review

Patients with inoperable, high-risk, and intermediate-risk aortic stenosis can now be treated with transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration selectively choose centers based on experience and require a collaborative, multidisciplinary team approach in the treatment and decision making for these patients. The work-up has been streamlined. Gated multislice computed tomography angiogram has emerged as the gold standard for assessment of valve anatomy and sizing of the transcatheter heart valve. Assessment of risk has evolved to include a more comprehensive functional and frailty evaluation. Long term-results are needed before the expansion of transcatheter aortic valve replacement into the low-risk category.
Database Management Systems

This article has no abstract. Keywords: database management system (DBMS); database schema
The impact of information security threat awareness on privacy-protective behaviors

In this study, we examine how to motivate computer users to protect themselves from potential security and privacy threats. We draw on the Information Processing framework which posits that threat mitigation commonly occurs before full cognitive threat assessment and we conduct an empirical study to evaluate the effects of an exposure to general information security threats on the strength of passwords and the disclosure of personal information. Through an online experiment, we compare immediate computer user reactions to potential non-individually specific security and privacy threats in an extra-organizational context. We find evidence consistent with automatic security and privacy protective actions in response to these threats. Computer users exposed to news stories about corporate security breaches limit the disclosure of sensitive personal information and choose stronger passwords. The study complements the existing behavior modification research in information security by providing the theoretical and empirical foundation for the exploration of automatic security and privacy threat mitigation strategies across different contexts. We explore factors that affect perceptions of privacy breach among mobile app users.We evaluate how the type of information and legal contracts affect perceptions of a privacy breach.We develop and operationalize a new construct: perceived privacy breach.We find that not all privacy breaches are alike.Legal contracts only partially reduce perceptions of a privacy breach.
Microelectrode accuracy in deep brain stimulation surgery.

Abstract Microelectrode recording (MER) provides vital neurophysiological information about target nuclei during deep brain stimulation (DBS). There have been extensive studies looking at the accuracy of DBS lead placement; however, to date, no large series have assessed the accuracy of the microelectrode. In this study, we report the accuracy of microelectrode tip placement in comparison to preoperatively planned radiographic target. Patients who underwent DBS with MER from 2014 to 2016 were included in the study. At the authors’ institution, intra-operative CT (iCT) is routinely performed after the first microelectrode track to confirm tip accuracy. Retrospective analysis of microelectrode track error was calculated between the planned trajectory and the microelectrode tip. The radial error was calculated on the same axial plane using the Euclidian distance formula, and multivariate analysis was performed to ascertain any directional bias of error. A total of 227 microelectrode tracks were analyzed, (150 STN, 50 ViM, 27 GPi) yielding a total radial error of 1.2 mm ± 0.2 SEM across all targets. Analysis of vector error distribution revealed lack of directional bias. MER is an accurate electrophysiological representation of the planned target.
Functional analysis of the promoters of the human red and green visual pigment genes.

PURPOSE. To delineate cis-acting DNA elements involved in the expression of the human red and green visual pigment genes and to correlate these with transcription factor binding sites. METHODS. Assays of promoter activity were accomplished by transient transfection into WERI cells. Nested deletion and block mutagenesis were undertaken to delineate critical elements. Transcription factor binding sites were determined by DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) analyses. RESULTS. The human retinoblastoma cell line WERI, but not Y-79, was found to express the red and green pigment genes. Transfection assays in WERI cells revealed that the proximal region of the red pigment gene promoter had positive (- 130 to -113 and - 96 to - 23) and negative (- 190 to - 130 and -113 to - 96) regulatory elements. The green pigment gene promoter was found to be 2 to 4 times more active than was that of the red pigment. This difference in activity was attributable mainly to a T to C substitution at position -3. DNase I protection and EMSA studies demonstrated the binding of several ubiquitous and WERI-enriched proteins to DNA sequences between -130 and the TATA box. The locus control region (I.CR) did not have any enhancer activity in transient transfection. CONCLUSIONS. The WERI cell line is a good model system for the analysis of gene expression of the human cone visual pigment genes. The expression of these genes in a cell-specific fashion seems to be controlled mainly by positive-acting elements in the region between - 130 and the TATA box. The higher activity of the green pigment gene promoter could have evolved to compensate for its longer distance from the activating LCR than that of the red pigment gene promoter (approximately 34 versus 3.5 kb). Although the LCR does not enhance transcription in transient transfection, it binds factors that also recognize the proximal promoter region. These interactions may be important for the establishment of a transcriptionally active domain in a chromatin context.
The Sintering of Monodisperse TiO 2

The emergence of new techniques to produce uniform-size, spherical particles offers opportunities to quantitatively study sintering kinetics. The ability to control the average particle size and to form uniformly packed green microstructures enhances the applicability of many conventional experimental studies, such as isothermal and constant heating rate dilatometry and surface area behavior.
Serotonergic neurotoxicity of methylenedioxyamphetamine and methylenedioxymetamphetamine.

3,4-(±)-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-(±)-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) are ring-substituted amphetamine derivatives that have stimulant and hallucinogenic properties (1,2). MDA and MDMA are popular recreational drugs and their abuse is increasing in both the United States (3) and Europe (4). In recent years their clandestine manufacture and appearance on the street have made them popular drugs of abuse (5,6) for their ability to induce “a state of sensory amplification and enhancement without appreciable sympathomimetic stimulation” (7) and have been reported as useful adjuncts to psychotherapy (8). After misuse, chronic paranoid psychosis has been reported, which is persistent and resistant to treatment with haloperidol (9). In experimental animals, including primates, toxicity is also manifest as a selective serotonergic neurotoxicity. The actions of MDA and MDMA are biphasic, initially causing an acute release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (10) followed by prolonged depletion of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), inhibition of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) (11,12), and structural damage to 5-HT terminal and preterminal axons in various regions of the central nervous system (11,13). The immediate 5-HT release caused by these compounds can be blocked in vitro by 5-HT uptake inhibitors (14). The long term neurotoxicity can also be blocked in vivo by 5-HT uptake inhibitors (15) and by 5-HT receptor antagonists, but is potentiated by L-dopa (16). The predominant adverse consequences of MDMA and MDA abuse in humans include convulsions, hyperthermia, rhabomyolysis, and acute liver and renal failure (17).
ON THE GLOBAL BEHAVIOR OF A NONLINEAR VOLTERRA EQUATION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the global behavior of a nonlinear Volterra equation. The global existence, boundedness and the behavior as t → ∞ of solutions of the scalar nonlinear Volterra equation are discussed by frequence domain methods. Equations and variants of it arise in such applied areas as control theory, nuclear dynamics, population genetics, and viscoelasticity. The chapter presents a method that can be used to discuss the initial value problem for Volterra equations with infinite time lags.
Optimizing Mental Health Treatment for Emerging Adults with First-Episode Psychosis

ABSTRACTGrowing data have highlighted that the first few years of psychotic disorders may be a ‘critical period’ during which the receipt of evidence-based treatment may foster disproportionately p...
Arrhythmogenic cardiac alternans in heart failure is suppressed by late sodium current blockade by ranolazine.

Background Cardiac alternans is promoted by heart failure (HF)–induced calcium (Ca2+) cycling abnormalities. Late sodium current (INa,L) is enhanced in HF and promotes Ca2+ overload; however, mechanisms underlying an antiarrhythmic effect of INa,L blockade in HF remain unclear. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether ranolazine suppresses cardiac alternans in HF by normalizing Ca2+ cycling. Methods Transmural dual optical mapping of Ca2+ transients and action potentials was performed in wedge preparations from 8 HF and 8 control (normal) dogs. Susceptibility to action potential duration alternans (APD-ALT) and Ca2+ transient alternans (Ca-ALT) was compared at baseline and with ranolazine (5–10 μM). Results HF increased APD- and Ca-ALT compared to normal (both P Conclusion Ranolazine attenuated arrhythmogenic cardiac alternans in HF, both by suppressing Ca-ALT and decreasing the coupling gain of APD-ALT to Ca-ALT. Blockade of INa,L may reverse impaired Ca2+ cycling to mitigate cardiac alternans, representing a mechanism underlying the antiarrhythmic benefit of INa,L blockade in HF.
Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism after Neurotologic Surgery.

Objective This study aimed to determine the incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adults undergoing neurotologic surgery at a single center. Methods The records of adults undergoing neurotologic surgery from August 2009 to December 2016 at a tertiary care hospital were reviewed for VTE within 30 postoperative days. Particular attention was focused on postoperative diagnosis codes, imaging, and a keyword search of postoperative notes. Caprini risk scores were calculated. Results Among 387 patients, 5 experienced postoperative VTE including 3 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE) and 2 cases of isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT). All patients were given sequential compression devices perioperatively, and none received preoperative chemoprophylaxis. Patients with Caprini score > 8 had a significantly higher rate of VTE compared with those Conclusion While no specific validated VTE risk stratification scheme has been widely accepted for patients undergoing neurotologic surgery, the Caprini score appears to be a useful predictor of risk. The benefits of chemoprophylaxis should be balanced with the risks of intraoperative bleeding, as well as the potential for postoperative intracranial hemorrhage.
Do riparian forest strips in modified forest landscapes aid in conserving bat diversity

Agricultural practices lead to losses of natural resources and biodiversity. Maintaining forests alongside streams (riparian forest strips) has been used as a mechanism to minimize the impact of clearing for agriculture on biodiversity. To test the contribution of riparian forest strips to conserve biodiversity in production landscapes, we selected bats as a biodiversity model system and examined two dimensions of diversity: taxonomic and functional. We compared bat diversity and composition in forest, with and without stream habitat, and in narrow forest riparian strips surrounded by areas cleared for agriculture. We tested the hypothesis that riparian forest strips provide potential conservation value by providing habitat and serving as movement corridors for forest bat species. Riparian forest strips maintained 75% of the bat species registered in forested habitats. We found assemblage in sites with riparian forest strips were dominated by a few species with high abundance and included several species with low abundance. Bat species assemblage was more similar between sites with streams than between those sites to forests without stream habitat. These results highlight the importance of stream habitat in predicting presence of bat species. We registered similar number of guilds between forest sites and riparian forest strips sites. Relative to matrix habitats, stream and edge habitats in riparian forest strips sites were functionally more diverse, supporting our hypothesis about the potential conservation value of riparian forest strips. Results from this study suggest that maintaining riparian forest strips within cleared areas for agricultural areas helps conserve the taxonomic and functional diversity of bats. Also, it provides basic data to evaluate the efficacy of maintaining these landscape features for mitigating impacts of agricultural development on biodiversity. However, we caution that riparian forest strips alone are not sufficient for biodiversity maintenance; their value depends on maintenance of larger forest areas in their vicinity.
THU0296 CORRELATIONS AMONG VASCULAR ULTRASOUND ABNORMALITIES OF THE TEMPORAL AND LARGE ARTERIES IN GIANT CELL ARTERITIS

Background Vascular ultrasound (VUS) is a sensitive and specific method for evaluating giant cell arteritis (GCA). Understanding patterns of temporal artery (TA) and large artery involvement may be important for aiding in diagnosis. Objectives To determine correlations among VUS abnormalities in patients with GCA. Methods We performed a retrospective study among 503 patients that underwent VUS to evaluate suspected or known GCA at an academic medical center, 2013-2017. Demographics, clinical features, VUS reports, and pathology data were extracted through electronic medical record review. Trained cardiovascular ultrasonographers imaged the right and left temporal, common carotid (CCA), subclavian (SCA), and axillary (AXA) arteries. The superficial temporal arteries (STA) and their frontal (TA-F) and parietal (TA-P) branches were abnormal if halo sign or hyperechoic wall thickening was present; the CCA, SCA and AXA were abnormal if those findings and/or stenosis or occlusion were present. Cardiovascular medicine physicians trained in VUS interpreted studies as acute arteritis, no arteritis, or hyperechoic wall thickening without acute arteritis. Among patients diagnosed with GCA by the treating physician (n=139), we determined correlations between abnormal vessels using phi coefficients (φ). We created composite variables representing each TA and its branches, and the left and right CCA, SCA, and AXA to test correlations between temporal and large arteries. Significance was determined using Fisher’s exact test with Bonferroni correction. Results Among 139 patients, 50% were diagnosed before VUS (median disease duration 17 months). Median age at VUS was 73 years; 75% were female and 93% White. Forty patients (29%) had TA biopsy-proven GCA; an additional 14 (10%) had biopsy-proven giant cell aortitis. Prevalence of abnormalities of TAs and large arteries were similar (20% of right and 27% of left TAs; 20% of right and 24% of left large arteries). VUS was consistent with acute arteritis in 32%, no arteritis in 53%, and hyperechoic without acute arteritis in 15%. Abnormalities in the STA, TA-F, and TA-P were moderately correlated ipsilaterally (φ = 0.46-0.62, p Conclusion We observed moderate correlations of TA branches and strong correlations of large artery branches on VUS among GCA patients. Abnormalities in the TAs and large arteries were not correlated, underscoring the importance of scanning both groups of vessels with VUS. Temporal composite: abnormal superficial TA, TA-frontal branch, and/or TA-parietal branch. Large composite: abnormal common carotid, subclavian, and/or axillary artery. NS: not significant † p Disclosure of Interests None declared
Relation of Patellofemoral Joint Alignment, Morphology, and Radiographic Osteoarthritis to Frequent Anterior Knee Pain: Data from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study.

Objective. Patellofemoral (PF) alignment and trochlear morphology are associated with PF osteoarthritis (OA) and knee pain, but whether they are associated with localized anterior knee pain is unknown, which is believed to be a symptom specific to PF joint pathology. We therefore aimed to evaluate the relation of PF alignment and morphology, as well as PFOA and tibiofemoral OA, to anterior knee pain. Methods. The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study is a cohort study of individuals with, or at risk for, knee OA. We evaluated cross-sectional associations of PF alignment, trochlear morphology, and PF and tibiofemoral radiographic OA, with localized anterior knee pain (defined with a pain map). We used 2 approaches: a within-person kneematched evaluation of participants with unilateral anterior knee pain (conditional logistic regression), and a cohort approach comparing those with anterior knee pain to those without (binomial regression). Results. With the within-person knee-matched approach (n = 110; 64% women, mean age 70 years, body mass index [BMI] 30.9), PF alignment, morphology, and tibiofemoral OA were not associated with unilateral anterior knee pain. Radiographic PFOA was associated with pain, odds ratio 5.3 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.6–18.3). Using the cohort approach (n = 1,818; 7% of knees with anterior knee pain, 59% women, mean age 68 years, BMI 30.4), results were similar: only PFOA was associated with pain, with a prevalence ratio of 2.2 (95% CI 1.4–3.4). Conclusion. PF alignment and trochlear morphology were not associated with anterior knee pain in individuals with, or at risk for, knee OA. Radiographic PFOA, however, was associated with pain, suggesting that features of OA, more so than mechanical features, may contribute to localized symptoms.
Integrin (α6β4) dependent translational control and breast carcinoma survival.

3040 During malignant transformation, the rich environment filled with growth factors and extra-cellular matrix is rapidly lost. In their absence, normal epithelial cells undergo anoikis, a programmed cell death. Therefore, it is highly important for carcinoma cells to maintain their survival and induce angiogenesis in tumor-micro environment. Our previous findings implicate a critical role of integrin α6β4 in the survival of breast carcinoma cells by maintaining cap-dependent translation of angiogenic/survival factor, VEGF under serum starvation via activation of the mTOR. Clearly, VEGF is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and, most likely, α6β4 stimulates the translation of other mRNAs that contribute to breast carcinoma survival. In addition, the mechanisms by which this integrin activates mTOR remain elusive. We have found that α6β4 activates mTOR in cooperation with its signaling partner c-Met in Akt and Ras dependent manner. Activated mTOR mediates α6β4 dependent breast carcinoma survival under stress conditions that mimic tumor micro-environment because downregulation of mTOR expression by shRNA or inhibition of mTOR acitivity via rapamycin blocks α6β4 dependent carcinoma survival. α6β4 to mTOR signaling enhances translation initiation of pro-survival and anti-apoptotic mRNAs that ultimately contribute carcinoma survival in vivo and progression. Considering that translational control is understudied, but important regulator of progression, our studies will provide the novel paradigm of integrin regulation of translation initiation that plays a pivotal role in cancer progression.