cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utilizing fluorescence hyperspectral imaging to differentiate corn inoculated with toxigenic and atoxigenic fungal strains

Naturally occurring Aspergillus flavus strains can be either toxigenic or atoxigenic, indicating their ability to produce aflatoxin or not, under specific conditions. Corn contaminated with toxigenic strains of A. flavus can result in great losses to the agricultural industry and pose threats to public health. Past research showed that fluorescence hyperspectral imaging could be a potential tool for rapid and non-invasive detection of aflatoxin contaminated corn. The objective of the current study was to assess, with the use of a hyperspectral sensor, the difference in fluorescence emission between corn kernels inoculated with toxigenic and atoxigenic inoculums of A. flavus. Corn ears were inoculated with AF13, a toxigenic strain of A. flavus, and AF38, an atoxigenic strain of A. flavus, at dough stage of development and harvested 8 weeks after inoculation. After harvest, single corn kernels were divided into three groups prior to imaging: control, adjacent, and glowing. Both sides of the kernel, germplasm and endosperm, were imaged separately using a fluorescence hyperspectral imaging system. It was found that the classification accuracies of the three manually designated groups were not promising. However, the separation of corn kernels based on different fungal inoculums yielded better results. The best result was achieved with the germplasm side of the corn kernels. Results are expected to enhance the potential of fluorescence hyperspectral imaging for the detection of aflatoxin contaminated corn.
An energy-based partial pushdown analysis procedure for assessment of disproportionate collapse potential

Abstract A disproportionate (or progressive) collapse is triggered by localized structural damage that propagates throughout a large portion of a structural system. The current guidelines issued by the US Department of Defense use the alternative path method to assess the vulnerability of a structural system to disproportionate collapse. In this method, the capability of a structure to sustain local damage is evaluated by notionally removing primary load-bearing elements and checking whether the local damage can be absorbed. The assessment can be performed using linear or nonlinear static structural models or a nonlinear dynamic model. Although nonlinear dynamic analysis gives the most accurate results, it is computationally intensive and requires considerable skill to implement properly. In this paper, the vulnerability of three steel frames to disproportionate collapse is assessed using an energy-based nonlinear static pushdown analysis. The predictions are sufficiently close to the results of a nonlinear dynamic time history analysis that the method would be useful for disproportionate collapse-resistant design of buildings with regular steel framing systems.
Ventral gill arch muscles and the interrelationships of gnathostomes, with a new classification of the Vertebrata

The ventral gill arch muscles of chondrichthyans, Latimeria, dipnoans, larval amphibians and actinopterygians are described and compared. Muscle patterns are characterized as primitive or derived and the derived patterns are used to test various hypotheses of the interrelationships of these griathostome groups. Gnathostomes differ from agnathans in having branchial muscles associated with the ventral gill arches. The monophyly of chondrichthyans is corroborated by the presence of coracobranchiales of hypobranchial origin. The monophyly of Recent teleostomes (Osteichthyes) is indicated by the presence of discrete transversi ventrales and interarcuales ventrales, and by the loss of the fifth superficial constrictor. A monophyletic Sarcopterygii which includes Latimeria is refuted by three paired branchial muscles found in dipnoans, Recent choanates and actinopterygians, but missing in Latimeria: pharyngoclaviculares, obliqui ventrales 1 and transversi ventrales 4. A new name, Euosteichthyes, is proposed for the group including dipnoans, choanates and actinopterygians. Sarcopterygii is restricted to include only dipnoans and choanates (among Recent organisms). Actinistia, including Latimeria, is proposed as the sister-group of all other Recent osteictithyans. Brachiopterygians (polypterids) are placed within Actinopterygii. A phylogenetic hypothesis supporting this classification is presented.
A masking study of key-click feedback signals on a virtual keyboard

We study masking of key-click feedback signals on a flat surface for ten-finger touch typing with localized tactile feedback. We hypothesize that people will attribute tactile feedback to the key being pressed, even with global tactile feedback, provided that the tactile signal on other parts of the surface is sufficiently attenuated. To this end, we measure the thresholds at which a tactile signal is barely perceptible to a finger that is resting passively on a surface while another finger actively presses on the surface and receives a key-click feedback signal. Combinations of the index and middle fingers of both hands are tested. The results indicate that the thresholds are independent of the signal amplitude on the active finger. Larger signal attenuation is needed when the index fingers of both hands are involved than when two fingers of the same hand are involved. Future research will extend the current experimental design to ten fingers and typing-based tasks.
Effects of CP-336,156, a new, nonsteroidal estrogen agonist/antagonist, on bone, serum cholesterol, uterus and body composition in rat models.

We have discovered a new, nonsteroidal, potent estrogen agonist/antagonist, CP-336,156. CP-336,156 binds selectively and with high affinity to the human estrogen receptor-α with a half-inhibition concentration of 1.5 nm, which is similar to that seen with estradiol (4.8 nm). When given orally to immature (3-week-old) female Sprague-Dawley rats for 3 days at doses of 0.1, 1.0, 10, or 100 μg/kg·day, unlike 17α-ethynyl estradiol, CP-336,156 had no effect on uterine wet or dry weight. Similarly, no uterine hypertrophy was observed in aged (17-month-old) female rats treated (po) with CP-336,156 at 10 or 100 μg/kg·day for 28 days. We also found that CP-336,156 decreased total serum cholesterol and fat body mass and had no effect on lean body mass in these aged female rats. In 5-month-old ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley female rats, CP-336,156 completely prevented OVX-induced increases in body weight gain, total serum cholesterol, and serum osteocalcin at doses between 10 and 1000 μg/kg·day after 4 weeks. At...
How can we use MODIS land surface temperature to validate long‐term urban model simulations?

High spatial resolution urban climate modeling is essential for understanding urban climatology and predicting the human health impacts under climate change. Satellite thermal remote-sensing data are potential observational sources for urban climate model validation with comparable spatial scales, temporal consistency, broad coverage, and long-term archives. However, sensor view angle, cloud distribution, and cloud-contaminated pixels can confound comparisons between satellite land surface temperature (LST) and modeled surface radiometric temperature. The impacts of sensor view angles on urban LST values are investigated and addressed. Three methods to minimize the confounding factors of clouds are proposed and evaluated using 10 years of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data and simulations from the High-Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS) over Greater Houston, Texas, U.S. For the satellite cloud mask (SCM) method, prior to comparison, the cloud mask for each MODIS scene is applied to its concurrent HRLDAS simulation. For the max/min temperature (MMT) method, the 50 warmest days and coolest nights for each data set are selected and compared to avoid cloud impacts. For the high clear-sky fraction (HCF) method, only those MODIS scenes that have a high percentage of clear-sky pixels are compared. The SCM method is recommended for validation of long-term simulations because it provides the largest sample size as well as temporal consistency with the simulations. The MMT method is best for comparison at the extremes. And the HCF method gives the best absolute temperature comparison due to the spatial and temporal consistency between simulations and observations.
The Comprehensive Phytopathogen Genomics Resource: a web-based resource for data-mining plant pathogen genomes

The Comprehensive Phytopathogen Genomics Resource (CPGR) provides a web-based portal for plant pathologists and diagnosticians to view the genome and trancriptome sequence status of 806 bacterial, fungal, oomycete, nematode, viral and viroid plant pathogens. Tools are available to search and analyze annotated genome sequences of 74 bacterial, fungal and oomycete pathogens. Oomycete and fungal genomes are obtained directly from GenBank, whereas bacterial genome sequences are downloaded from the A Systematic Annotation Package (ASAP) database that provides curation of genomes using comparative approaches. Curated lists of bacterial genes relevant to pathogenicity and avirulence are also provided. The Plant Pathogen Transcript Assemblies Database provides annotated assemblies of the transcribed regions of 82 eukaryotic genomes from publicly available single pass Expressed Sequence Tags. Data-mining tools are provided along with tools to create candidate diagnostic markers, an emerging use for genomic sequence data in plant pathology. The Plant Pathogen Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) database is a resource for pathogens that lack genome or transcriptome data sets and contains 131 755 rDNA sequences from GenBank for 17 613 species identified as plant pathogens and related genera.
Development of the male germline stem cell niche in Drosophila

Stem cells are found in specialized microenvironments, or "niches", which regulate stem cell identity and behavior. The adult testis and ovary in Drosophila contain germline stem cells (GSCs) with well-defined niches, and are excellent models for studying niche development. Here, we investigate the formation of the testis GSC niche, or "hub", during the late stages of embryogenesis. By morphological and molecular criteria, we identify and follow the development of an embryonic hub that forms from a subset of anterior somatic gonadal precursors (SGPs) in the male gonad. Embryonic hub cells form a discrete cluster apart from other SGPs, express several molecular markers in common with the adult hub and organize anterior-most germ cells in a rosette pattern characteristic of GSCs in the adult. The sex determination genes transformer and doublesex ensure that hub formation occurs only in males. Interestingly, hub formation occurs in both XX and XY gonads mutant for doublesex, indicating that doublesex is required to repress hub formation in females. This work establishes the Drosophila male GSC niche as a model for understanding the mechanisms controlling niche formation and initial stem cell recruitment, as well as the development of sexual dimorphism in the gonad.
Using Triplet Arrays for Broadband Reverberation Analysis and Inversions

Some directional characteristics of observed clutter and reverberation are presented using line arrays with cardioid elements. It is shown that the cardioid arrays break the left/right ambiguity for reverberation sources above ~600-700 Hz. Data analysis uses a cardioid beamforming algorithm developed by researchers at the NATO Undersea Research Centre (NURC, La Spezia, Italy) but the normalization for this algorithm is derived by the author. It is shown that this normalized algorithm has an upper frequency limitation not previously noted. Reverberation data are taken from two recent experiments. One was the 2004 Boundary Characterization Experiment near the Malta Plateau. The area is rich in clutter objects like wrecks and mud-volcanoes and has some subbottom features that may be important. Sources were monostatic coherent pulses and impulsive sources. The receiver was the NURC cardioid array. The other experiment was the U.S. Office of Naval Research's 2003 Geoclutter effort to study shallow-water bottom reverberation and clutter in the STRATAFORM area off New Jersey. Sources were bistatic coherent pulses. The receiver was the five-octave research array (FORA). The STRATAFORM has benign surface morphology but strong clutter is observed. Some highlights of the reverberant returns from that area are discussed that include returns from probable fish schools. From these two data sets, it is shown that up to 15-20-dB left/right discrimination is attainable on broadside cardioid beams in the 1200-1750-Hz region for both linear frequency modulation (LFM) pulses and sound-underwater-source (SUS) broadband data. Also, a (previously developed) constrained simulated annealing (SA) inversion technique is applied to the directional reverberation data from the NURC array. A two-layer fluid model of the bottom is assumed. The algorithm is best at estimating compressional speeds, layer thickness, and attenuations in that order. Extracted bottom parameters at the site are compared with independent inversion results previously reported by Holland. Inverting reverberation from directional arrays is shown to give somewhat better quality results since, unlike standard line arrays, the reverberation data apply to only one bearing along the seafloor.
A comparative study assessing factors that influence home fire casualties and fatalities using state fire incident data

The major factors that impact residential fire losses and casualties are relatively well known both on the national level and for any given state. Interestingly, relatively little has been done in comparing fire loss data between states. If state fire loss data are compared, one should be able to identify contributing factors that influence differences in fire losses between states. As an example, it is known that construction standards, regulatory policy, socio-economic factors, etc. all influence the frequency and severity of fires. In this study, subsets of National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data for the two largest US states by population are studied in order to identify how areas of origin, items first ignited, and heat sources contribute to the odds of casualties or fatalities occurring in fires, as well as to examine differences between the two states for these three factors. Data on residential home fires from 2006 to 2010 were gathered from the Texas and California NFIRS databases, Texas Fire Incident Reporting System and California All Incident Reporting System, respectively, for this purpose. Examination of the datasets separately using logistic regression models emphasized that fires started in the living room or den, fires in which the item first ignited was a flammable liquid, piping, or filter, and fires that were initiated from cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, all have significantly high odds of resulting in both casualties and fatalities for both states. Additionally, logistic regression modeling with interactions between state and area of origin, item first ignited, and heat source indicated that for many categories, the odds of a fire resulting in a casualty in Texas is roughly 1.5 times higher than the same fire in California. Language: en
Constraint solving for test case generation: a technique for high-level design verification

The use of constraint solving and symbolic execution to generate highly probing test cases is discussed. A system called AVPGEN, which uses such techniques for debugging high-level machine designs and has already proved useful in finding errors, is described. AVPGEN generates large numbers of architecture verification programs. It consists of a generator and a symbolic simulator. The generator uses constraint solving, symbolic values and undo capabilities to set up conditions. These conditions may be architecture specific or design specific. The simulator in AVPGEN, although not bug-free, is considerably simpler than any of the hardware implementations it is used to verify. >
Optimizations of a Hardware Decoder for Deep-Space Optical Communications

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has developed a capacity approaching modulation and coding scheme that comprises a serial concatenation of an inner accumulate pulse-position modulation (PPM) and an outer convolutional code [or serially concatenated PPM (SCPPM)] for deep-space optical communications. Decoding of this code uses the turbo principle. However, due to the nonbinary property of SCPPM, a straightforward application of classical turbo decoding is very inefficient. Here, we present various optimizations applicable in hardware implementation of the SCPPM decoder. More specifically, we feature a Super Gamma computation to efficiently handle parallel trellis edges, a pipeline-friendly ";maxstar top-2"; circuit that reduces the max-only approximation penalty, a low-latency cyclic redundancy check circuit for window-based decoders, and a high-speed algorithmic polynomial interleaver that leads to memory savings. Using the featured optimizations, we implement a 6.72 megabits-per-second (Mbps) SCPPM decoder on a single field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Compared to the current data rate of 256 kilobits per second from Mars, the SCPPM coded scheme represents a throughput increase of more than twenty-six fold. Extension to a 50-Mbps decoder on a board with multiple FPGAs follows naturally. We show through hardware simulations that the SCPPM coded system can operate within 1 dB of the Shannon capacity at nominal operating conditions.
New Insights into the Evolution of Passiflora subgenus Decaloba (Passifloraceae): Phylogenetic Relationships and Morphological Synapomorphies

Abstract Phylogenetic relationships of Passiflora subgenus Decaloba were examined using 148 taxa and four molecular markers: nuclear nrITS, ncpGS, cp trnL-F, and ndhF. Relationships of subgenus Decaloba to the other four Passiflora subgenera (Astrophea, Deidamioides, Tetrapathea, and Passiflora) are investigated, as are relationships among the eight supersections within subgenus Decaloba. Results indicate that subgenus Deidamioides is not monophyletic. Subgenus Astrophea + subgenus Deidamioides (section Tryphostemmatoides) together form the most basally branching lineage in the genus, followed by a clade comprised of subgenus Passiflora + subgenus Deidamioides (sections Tetrastylis, Polyanthea, and Deidamioides). Passiflora obovata (subgenus Deidamioides section Mayapathanthus) is resolved as part of subgenus Decaloba. The Old World subgenus Tetrapathea is supported as sister to subgenus Decaloba. Subgenus Decaloba is monophyletic and contains seven major lineages that generally correspond to currently re...
Measurement and modeling of eye-mouse behavior in the presence of nonlinear page layouts

As search pages are becoming increasingly complex, with images and nonlinear page layouts, understanding how users examine the page is important. We present a lab study on the effect of a rich informational panel to the right of the search result column, on eye and mouse behavior. Using eye and mouse data, we show that the flow of user attention on nonlinear page layouts is different from the widely believed top-down linear examination order of search results. We further demonstrate that the mouse, like the eye, is sensitive to two key attributes of page elements -- their position (layout), and their relevance to the user's task. We identify mouse measures that are strongly correlated with eye movements, and develop models to predict user attention (eye gaze) from mouse activity. These findings show that mouse tracking can be used to infer user attention and information flow patterns on search pages. Potential applications include ranking, search page optimization, and UI evaluation.
eLearning: a review of Internet-based continuing medical education.

Introduction: The objective was to review the effrct oflnternet-based continuing medical education (CME) interventions on physician pegormance and health care outcomes. Methods: Data sources included searches of MEDLINE (1 966 to January 20041, CINAHL (1982 to December 2003), ACP Journal Club (1991 to JulyIAugust 2003), and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (third quartel; 2003). Studies were included in the analyses if they were randomized controlled trials of Internet-based education in which participants were practicing health care professionals or health professionals in training. CME interventions were categorized according to the nature of the intervention, sample size, und other information about educational content and form&. Results: Sixteen studies met the eligibility criteria. Six studies generated positive changes in participant knowledge over traditional formats; tvdy three studies showed a positive change in practices. The remainder of the studies showed no difference in knowledge levels between Internet-based interventions and traditional formats for CME. Discussion: The results demonstrate that Internet-based CME programs are just as efective in imparting knowledge as traditional formats of CME. Little is known as to whether these positive changes in knowledge are translated into changes in practice. Subjective reports of change in physician behavior should be confirmed through chart review or other objective measures. Additional studies need to be peqormed to assess how long these new learned behaviors could be sustained. elearning will continue to evolve as new innovations and more interactive modes are incorporated into learning
Managing Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury through Manipulation of Macrophage Function

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers inflammation with activation of innate immune responses that contribute to secondary injury including oligodendrocyte apoptosis, demyelination, axonal degeneration, and neuronal death. Macrophage activation, accumulation, and persistent inflammation occur in SCI. Macrophages are heterogeneous cells with extensive functional plasticity and have the capacity to switch phenotypes by factors present in the inflammatory microenvironment of the injured spinal cord. This review will discuss the role of different polarized macrophages and the potential effect of macrophage-based therapies for SCI.
Further Evidence for Hemisity Sorting During Career Specialization

Hemisity refers to binary thinking and behavioral style differences between right and left brain-oriented individuals. The inevitability of hemisity became clear when it was discovered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that an anatomical element of the executive system was unilaterally embedded in either the right or the left side of the ventral gyrus of the anterior cingulate cortex in an idiosyncratic manner that was congruent with an individual’s inherent hemisity subtype. Based upon the MRI-calibrated hemisity of many individuals, a set of earlier biophysical and questionnaire hemisity assays was calibrated for accuracy and found appropriate for use in the investigation of the hemisity of individuals and groups. It had been reported that a partial sorting of individuals into hemisity right and left brain-oriented subgroups occurred during the process of higher education and professional development. Here, these results were extended by comparison of the hemisity of a putative unsorted population of ...
Control coordination on the distribution power network

A two level (hierarchical) approach to controlling load voltages with under load tap changing (ULTC) transformers of radial power networks is formulated. The state of the art for controlling these devices is of the relay type and is insensitive to system-wide conditions. The proposed control law is nonlinear and employs the minimum information required to be effective in the regions classified in the past as voltage uncontrollable with the simple relay type controls. A brief review of the state of the art of ULTC controls is given. The theoretical conditions under which a two-level control approach, with the simple relay type controls at the primary level, is not effective in bringing the voltage to the required level, are discussed. The new control law is derived and illustrated using a constant power load model. >
The effects of advance organizer and prerequisite knowledge passages on the learning and retention of science concepts

Fifty-five ninth-grade science students participated in this study which compared the effects of two pretreatments, an advance organizer and a prerequisite knowledge passage, on learning and retention measured at low (knowledge and comprehension) and high (application and analysis) levels of the cognitive domain. The effectiveness of the pretreatments was measured by a framework test and a prerequisite knowledge test prior to the beginning of instruction. An analysis of covariance, with IQ as the covariate, was performed on the framework test and the prerequisite knowledge test. It was found that the advance organizer group performed significantly better than the prerequisite knowledge group (p 0.05) for either the posttest or retention test. The results of this study do not provide evidence that an advance organizer facilitates learning and retention more than a preinstructional treatment that concentrates on developing prerequisite knowledge.
The Pericellular Matrix as a Transducer of Biomechanical and Biochemical Signals in Articular Cartilage

The pericellular matrix (PCM) is a narrow tissue region surrounding chondrocytes in articular cartilage, which together with the enclosed cell(s) has been termed the "chondron." While the function of this region is not fully understood, it is hypothesized to have important biological and biomechanical functions. In this article, we review a number of studies that have investigated the structure, composition, mechanical properties, and biomechanical role of the chondrocyte PCM. This region has been shown to be rich in proteoglycans (e.g., aggrecan, hyaluronan, and decorin), collagen (types II, VI, and IX), and fibronectin, but is defined primarily by the presence of type VI collagen as compared to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Direct measures of PCM properties via micropipette aspiration of isolated chondrons have shown that the PCM has distinct mechanical properties as compared to the cell or ECM. A number of theoretical and experimental studies suggest that the PCM plays an important role in regulating the microenvironment of the chondrocyte. Parametric studies of cell-matrix interactions suggest that the presence of the PCM significantly affects the micromechanical environment of the chondrocyte in a zone-dependent manner. These findings provide support for a potential biomechanical function of the chondrocyte PCM, and furthermore, suggest that changes in the PCM and ECM properties that occur with osteoarthritis may significantly alter the stress-strain and fluid environments of the chondrocytes. An improved understanding of the structure and function of the PCM may provide new insights into the mechanisms that regulate chondrocyte physiology in health and disease.
Effect of Pressure on the Resistivity of AgAu Alloys

The effect of pressure on the resistivity of Ag1−cAuc solid solutions has been measured up to 4 kbar in the temperature range 4 to 273 °K. Solid and fluid helium were used as the pressure transmitting media. The pressure derivatives of the total resistivity, ϱ−1 dϱ/dP, for the alloys in the concentration range c = 0.1 to 0.9 were observed to be negative and to increase in magnitude with increasing temperature. It is shown that the magnitude and sign of ϱ−1 dϱ/dP is primarily determined by the pressure derivative of the residual resistivity. The volume derivative of the residual resistivity, d In ϱ0/d ln V, was found to be positive and concentration dependent. It is suggested that the influence of the filled d-bands on the scattering potential is responsible for the behavior of d ln ϱ0/d ln V. Der Einflus von Druck auf den spezifischen Widerstand von Ag1−cAuc-Mischkristallen wurde bis 4 kbar im Temperaturbereich von 4 bis 273 °K gemessen. Als Druckubertragungsmittel wurde festes bzw. flussiges Helium verwendet. Es wurde festgestellt, das die Druckableitungen des Gesamtwiderstands, ϱ−1 dϱ/dP, fur die Legierungen im Konzentrationsbereich c = 0,1 bis 0,9 negativ sind und mit steigender Temperatur zunehmen. Es wird gezeigt, das Grose und Vorzeichen von ϱ−1 dϱ/dP vorwiegend durch die Druckableitung des spezifischen Restwiderstands bestimmt werden. Die Volumenableitung des spezifischen Restwiderstands d ln ϱ0/d ln V ist positiv und konzentrationsabhangig. Es wird vorgeschlagen, das der von den vollbesetzten d-Bandern auf das Streupotential ausgeubte Einflus fur das Verhalten von d ln ϱ0/d ln V verantwortlich ist.
Using behaviorally-based seasons to investigate canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) movement patterns and habitat selection

Both abiotic factors and behavioral patterns may influence snake activity. However, other than reproductive activities, behavioral patterns have rarely been incorporated into studies of snake habitat selection. We investigated seasonal differences in canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) movement patterns and habitat selection. We modeled habitat selection in two ways, with and without regard to behaviorally-based seasons, and compared the two models to determine which yielded the most informative results. Behaviorally-based seasons (foraging, breeding, and hibernation) were determined from field observations of study animals. Habitat selection was modeled as habitat use versus availability using a case control sampling design for males and nongravid females using logistic regression. Males had significantly larger home ranges, moved more often, and traveled greater distances between successive locations during the breeding season as compared to nongravid females. The male no-season habitat model lack...
Initiation, Propagation and Arrest of Seizures

Ideally, the best model to study the mechanisms of seizures is man himself. However, other than EEG recordings, depth electrode studies and occasional biopsies of epileptogenic foci this is difficult to do. This is the case because detailed analysis of the basic neurophysiological and biochemical mechanisms of seizures involves work on the brain itself and sometimes removal of brain samples and this is not possible to do in humans. Consequently, experimental models of epilepsy must be used instead. The relevance of such studies is clearly related to the degree to which the experimental models approximate the disease in humans. The ideal model for studying the basic mechanisms of seizures is one that closely approximates human epilepsy and yet is readily available, inexpensive and easy to work with. No model at present meets all these criteria, but all models are potentially useful for studying at least one aspect of the mechanisms of seizures.
Neural Control of Non-vasomotor Organs in Hypertension

Hypertension affects over 25 % of the population with the incidence continuing to rise, due in part to the growing obesity epidemic. Chronic elevations in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) are a hallmark of the disease and contribute to elevations in blood pressure through influences on the vasculature, kidney, and heart (i.e., neurogenic hypertension). In this regard, a number of central nervous system mechanisms and neural pathways have emerged as crucial in chronically elevating SNA. However, it is important to consider that “sympathetic signatures” are present, with differential increases in SNA to regional organs that are dependent upon the disease progression. Here, we discuss recent findings on the central nervous system mechanisms and autonomic regulatory networks involved in neurogenic hypertension, in both non-obesity- and obesity-associated hypertension, with an emphasis on angiotensin-II, salt, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and the adipokine leptin.
Party-Society Linkages and Democratic Representation in Latin America

AbstractAlthough it is often said that there is a crisis of party systems and political representation in Latin America, it may be more accurate to assert that a transition is underway from some types of partisan representation to others. This transition is best understood by exploring party-society linkages and their transformation over time. Five types of party-society linkage are identified, along with the social and economic changes that have undermined encapsulating and programmatic linkages while buttressing those based on political brokerage, personal appeal, and political marketing. The net effect of these changes is to produce political parties that are more detached from organized social constituencies and more individualized and contingent in their patterns of affiliation.
Eugene O’Neill: The Development of Negro Portraiture

The career of Eugene O'Neill has some obvious progressions, from short one-act plays (The Dreamy Kid, The Moon of the Caribees), to essentially expressionistic dramas (The Emperor Jones), back to realism with hints of expressionism (All God's Chillun Got Wings), and finally to long fully-developed dramas (The Iceman Cometh) that are primarily realistic with elements of symbolism (as in Larry Slade's early description of the bar in The Iceman Cometh as "the No Chance Saloon, It's Bedrock Bar, the End of the Line Cafe"). The extent of the development of character proceeds accordingly: in the short plays characters are often only twodimensional, at best showing a small range of emotion, and at worst are mere caricature, while in the longer plays characters are, for the most part, more complex, showing a great depth of emotional capability which is only suggested in the early plays. O'Neill's depiction of Black characters generally falls along these same lines, achieving a growth in racial sensitivity from 1918 (the year of publication of The Dreamy Kid and the first performance of The Moon of the Caribees) to 1946 (the year of the first performance of The Iceman Cometh). Some recent critics have noted this development, most notably Peter J. Gillett and Roger Oliver, but all fail to recognize the racial bias that plagued O'Neill until the end, and conclude that in The Iceman Cometh O'Neill had progressed to a state of racial equality.1 Characteristic is Roger Oliver's conclusion that in Joe Mott, "O'Neill transcends his previous treatment of Black characters. Joe Mott's specific racial nature, seen in social rather than stereotyped personal terms, is balanced with his shared humanity."2 Throughout the progression, however, and even as O'Neill must be acknowledged as the first American playwright to include serious Black characters in the popular drama, O'Neill continually clings to some serious misconceptions and popular stereotypes concerning Black characters, with no exception in Joe Mott. The Dreamy Kid (1918) earns a notable place in the history of American drama as "one of the first plays to be cast with Black actors in serious roles by a 'white' producing company. When The Moon of the Caribees was
Abstract B123: Stopping a silent killer in the underserved Asian community: A novel liver cancer prevention clinic

Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008 B123 Asian and Pacific Islanders bear a disproportionate burden of liver disease caused by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is associated with a 25% risk of death from cirrhosis or liver cancer. However, few community based programs exist to tackle this serious public health problem among low income, uninsured Asian and Pacific Islander immigrants. The Hep B Free Clinic is a student-run grassroots organization that focuses on HBV and liver cancer prevention in one of the nation’s largest immigrant communities: San Jose, California. From 2007-2008, we provided free HBV serological screening to 510 patients. For chronically infected patients who elected to undergo follow up monitoring, a series of blood tests were given to evaluate for liver damage (alanine transaminase, ALT), a liver cancer marker (alpha-fetoprotein, AFP), and HBV replication (HBV DNA levels). Of those screened, 17% were chronically infected. Remarkably, one-third (33%) of infected patients were unaware that they were infected. Of those chronically infected, 100% showed signs of active liver damage as measured by elevated ALT, and 9% had elevated AFP tumor markers for hepatocellular carcinoma. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of those chronically infected carried HBV DNA levels that met the criteria for treatment. Patients who were candidates for antiviral therapy were signed up for free drug assistance programs, and those requiring triphasic CT scans for possible liver cancer were referred. Uninfected patients lacking protective HBV antibodies were provided free vaccinations. Our striking findings call for more aggressive liver cancer prevention in this community, including universal screening for HBV. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B123.
The Federal Reserve's Financial Crisis Response C: Providing US Dollars to Foreign Central Banks

The financial crisis that began in late 2007 with the decline in the United States (U.S.) subprime mortgage markets, quickly spread to other markets and eventually disrupted the interbank funding markets in the U.S. as well as overseas. To address the strain in the U.S. dollar (USD) funding markets, the Federal Reserve worked with foreign central banks around the world to provide USD liquidity to affected overseas markets by entering into currency swap agreements. Following the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, and the resulting further destabilization of the world’s financial systems, the size and utilization of these swaps expanded significantly. Ultimately the Federal Reserve would enter into currency swap agreements with central banks in 14 major economies and lend an unprecedented total of $10 trillion pursuant to them. In terms of commitment and usage, the currency swaps were one of the most significant efforts by the Federal Reserve to combat the crisis. These extraordinary actions succeeded in maintaining the availability of USD liquidity internationally and helped to moderate the stresses in the financial markets.
Diffusion-weighted imaging uncovers likely sources of processing-speed deficits in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a devastating psychiatric illness with onset in the late teens to early 20s, is thought to involve disrupted brain connectivity. Functional and structural disconnections of cortical networks may underlie various cognitive deficits, including a substantial reduction in the speed of information processing in schizophrenia patients compared with controls. Myelinated white matter supports the speed of electrical signal transmission in the brain. To examine possible neuroanatomical sources of cognitive deficits, we used a comprehensive diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) protocol and characterized the white matter diffusion signals using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and permeability-diffusivity imaging (PDI) in patients (n = 74), their nonill siblings (n = 41), and healthy controls (n = 113). Diffusion parameters that showed significant patient-control differences also explained the patient-control differences in processing speed. This association was also found for the nonill siblings of the patients. The association was specific to processing-speed abnormality but not specific to working memory abnormality or psychiatric symptoms. Our findings show that advanced diffusion MRI in white matter may capture microstructural connectivity patterns and mechanisms that govern the association between a core neurocognitive measure-processing speed-and neurobiological deficits in schizophrenia that are detectable with in vivo brain scans. These non-Gaussian diffusion white matter metrics are promising surrogate imaging markers for modeling cognitive deficits and perhaps, guiding treatment development in schizophrenia.
The Family’s Burden: Perceived Social Network Resources for Individual Disaster Assistance in Hazard-Prone Florida

This chapter contributes to the literature on social networks and disaster by describing individuals' perceptions of disaster-related resources available through their social networks. From a mixed-method study using surveys and interviews, findings indicate that financial resources are perceived as less available through social networks than nonfinancial resources, and also less appropriate to receive via social networks. Further, family comprises the majority of individuals listed as sources of disaster assistance. Finally, perceptions of social capital vary by respondent characteristics, indicating that the most vulnerable also perceive having fewer network ties able to provide valuable support in times of disaster. These results add specificity to previous research and highlight the need to differentiate the effect of social networks by disaster-related needs and resources available within social networks.
Molecular Mechanisms of Apical Periodontitis : Emerging Role of Epigenetic Regulators

Conventional root canal therapies yield high success rates. The treatment outcomes are negatively affected by the presence of apical periodontitis (AP), which reflects active root canal infection and inflammatory responses. Also, cross-sectional studies revealed surprisingly high prevalence of AP in the general population, especially in those with prior endodontic treatments. Hence, AP is an ongoing disease entity in endodontics that needs further understanding of the pathogenesis and disease progression. The current Chapter will discuss the basic mechanisms of AP with emphasis on emerging role of epigenetic regulators in regulation of inflammatory mediators.
Social movement documentary practices: digital storytelling, social media and organizing

Scholars and activists have studied social movement media for its potential to challenge dominant narratives, build community relationships and create social change. This paper presents a case stud...
A similarity-based PMU error detection technique

This paper presents a two stage error detection technique for a power system time series data. It implements a local similarity method to isolate an anomalous time series data, and further applies a window scanning technique to detect instances of inconsistent data segments. The requirement for few parameter definitions and small computation time makes this technique attractive for data error detection. Validation of the technique is carried out using data obtained from prototyped PMU clock delay and GPS signal loss.
Soft Libertarianism and Hard Compatibilism

In this paper I discuss two kinds of attempts to qualify incompatibilist and compatibilist conceptions of freedom to avoid what have been thought to be incredible commitments of these rival accounts. One attempt -- which I call soft libertarianism -- is represented by Robert Kane's work. It hopes to defend an incompatibilist conception of freedom without the apparently difficult metaphysical costs traditionally incurred by these views. On the other hand, in response to what I call the robot objection (that if compatibilism is true, human beings could be the products of design), some compatibilists are tempted to soften their position by placing restrictions on the origins of agency. I argue that both of these attempts are misguided. Hard libertarianism and hard compatibilism are the only theoretical options.
Hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia and supraventricular tachycardia in a patient with subcutaneous fat necrosis

Background Subcutaneous fat necrosis (SCFN) is a rare, self-limiting condition that has been associated with several complications including hypercalcemia. Case presentation We present the case of a 6-week-old male who presented to his pediatrician with a dime-sized erythematous nodule consistent with SCFN, who was also found to have supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Laboratory findings revealed hypercalcemia and hyperkalemia. Extensive evaluation for the electrolyte disturbances revealed no other etiology. This case reinforces that SCFN should be considered in newborns with hypercalcemia of unknown etiology. Additionally, this case is the first to suggest a connection between SCFN and hyperkalemia. Electrolyte abnormalities can potentially contribute to arrhythmogenesis and may have triggered the arrhythmia in our patient. Conclusions Our case highlights the importance of remaining vigilant in the workup of atypical rashes of the infant, which should include early assessment of serum electrolytes.
Cognitive Components of Vocal Communication: A Case Study.

Communication among nonhuman animals is often presented as rigid and inflexible, reflecting emotional states rather than having any cognitive basis. Using the world’s smallest monkey, the pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea), with the smallest absolute brain size amongst simian primates as a case study, I review the role of cognition in the development and usage of vocalizations in pygmy marmosets and present new data on the instrumental use of babbling and of food associated vocalizations. Pygmy marmosets have several contact calls that differ in the psychoacoustic properties for sound localization as well as the distance at which they carry through the rainforest. Marmosets use these calls strategically based on distance from neighbors. Marmosets alter spectral and temporal aspects of call structure when exposed to new groups and when newly mated. They display population specific vocal dialects. Young pygmy marmosets engage in extensive babbling behavior rewarded by parents that helps the young develop adult vocal structures, but older monkeys also use babbling instrumentally in conflict situations. Specific food referential calls generally relate to food preferences, but food calls are suppressed in the presence of animate prey. Unmated animals systematically combine a long distance call with food calls as though advertising for mates. Taken together, these examples show that even small brained primates use their vocal signals flexibly and strategically in response to a variety of environmental and social conditions.
Myelitis and Acute Flaccid Paralysis

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) of the extremities and/or the muscles innervated by the cranial nerves encompasses a range of infectious, autoimmune, and acquired etiologies. Acute paralytic polio as a complication of poliovirus infection was once a common cause of acute weakness leading to paralysis among children. Due to successful global polio vaccination programs, polioviruses have been eliminated from the Western hemisphere. Globally, only two countries remain polio endemic, and a surge of optimism for complete global eradication came with the 2015 announcement that one of the three poliovirus types, type 2, has been successfully eradicated from the earth.
SNR modeling for ground-based daytime imaging of GEO-satellites in the SWIR

This research outlines the expected performance and limitations of a ground-based shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensor in performance of the daytime geosynchronous satellite (GEO) custody mission with a generalized signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approach model. Ground-based SWIR imaging is a low-cost and informative method of daytime GEO detection and characterization. Previous research has shown that the observed daytime signal from GEOs persists in the SWIR through twilight. Imaging in the SWIR requires only moderately sized telescopes (≤ 1m) and relatively low-cost sensors, therefore large numbers of imaging assets are potentially available. Extending the daytime custody window further into twilight hours by even a few minutes increases vital space situational awareness (SSA) and provides valuable information for future SSA architecture development. This research shows the projected benefits of SWIR-band imaging over visible by GEO-belt position and season for daytime GEO satellite custody. Radiometric models of the satellite signal are developed assuming Lambertian reflectance and generalized satellite geometry. Sky radiance estimates are modeled using atmospheric scattering effects from the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) tool. The satellite spectral signal is compared to the sky background assuming background limited detection to determine SWIR bands of interest in terms of SNR. SNR trends for daytime custody of a generalized GEO satellite are presented for a full year using Dayton, OH as a representative ground site.