cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No evidence for observer effects on Lark Sparrow nest survival

Methods for monitoring bird nests might influence rates of nest predation, but the effects of various methods (e.g., visual markers and observer visitation rates) are often separately investigated among disparate avian taxa and geographic regions. Few investigators have explored the potential effects observers might have on nest success of grassland birds, despite concerns regarding population declines of these species in North America. We examined the possible effects of three monitoring techniques on daily nest survival of Lark Sparrows (Chondestes grammacus): (1) presence or absence of visible markers near nests, (2) observer visitation frequency, and (3) presence or absence of data loggers in nests. We monitored 113 Lark Sparrow nests during the 2009 breeding season. Of these nests, 88.5% failed due to predation, abandonment, weather, or unknown causes, yielding an overall nest success estimate of 9.8% based on daily survival estimation. Main effects of each monitoring technique appeared in top (� AICc <2) logistic exposure models. However, 95% confidence intervals around parameter estimates for each technique included zero, indicating no significant effects on daily nest survival. Our results suggest that the nest-monitoring techniques we used had no effect on Lark Sparrow nest success and, if true, nest survival of other songbirds in arid grasslands of the Great Plains may also be unaffected by cautious nest monitoring. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that any effects of the various techniques in our study were masked by locally intense nest predation. Therefore, additional study is needed to determine if there may be observable variation in nest survival among various nest-monitoring treatments in other areas of the southern Great Plains where nest predation is less frequent.
On the Secrecy Rate of Multi-Antenna Wiretap Channel under Finite-Alphabet Input

This work investigates the effect of limiting source signals to finite-alphabet on the secrecy rate of a multi-antenna wiretap system. Existing works have characterized maximum achievable secrecy rate or secrecy capacity for single- and multi-antenna systems based on Gaussian source signals and secrecy code. Despite the impracticality of Gaussian source, its compact closed-form expression of mutual information motivated broad use of Gaussian input assumption. For practical consideration, we study the effect of finite discrete-constellation on instantaneous and ergodic secrecy rate of multiple-antenna wire-tap channels. Our results demonstrate substantial difference between systems involving finite-alphabet inputs and systems with Gaussian inputs. Results from Gaussian inputs serve as upper-bound of secrecy rate for practical systems with finite alphabet inputs.
Pollinating Bees (Hymenoptera: Apiformes) of U.S. Alfalfa Compared for Rates of Pod and Seed Set

Alfalfa (=lucerne) flowers require visiting bees to trip the sexual column, thereby providing pollination and subsequent pod and seed set. Previous studies have compared the pollination values of different bee species solely by the speed with which they handle flowers and the proportion of visited flowers tripped. In this greenhouse study, five species of bees, including the three commercially managed U.S alfalfa pollinators, are likewise compared for their floral tripping frequencies. These bee species are also compared for the pod set and mature seed that results from their single visits to virgin flowers. Regardless of the identity of the pollinating bee, tripped flowers had the same probabilities of pod set and seed set. Thus, differences in the single-visit pollination efficiencies of the various bee species are entirely attributable to the proportion of visited flowers that they trip. Females of the alkali bee, Nomia melanderi Cockerell, and the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata F, tripped 81 and 78% of visited flowers, respectively. Males of these species are significantly less effective (61 and 51%, respectively), but still significantly superior to the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (22% of visited flowers tripped). These relationships are supported by field data for tripping frequencies. One candidate pollinator, Osmia sanrafaelae Parker, shows promise (44% tripped), but not the congeneric O. aglaia Sandhouse (13% tripped).
Towards NP¡P via Proof Complexity and Search

Abstract This is a survey of work on proof complexity and proof search from a logico-algorithmic viewpoint, as motivated by the P versus NP problem. We discuss propositional proof complexity, Cook’s program, proof automatizability, proof search, algorithms for satisfiability, and the state of the art of our (in)ability to separate P and NP .
Molecular Beam Studies of Internal Excitation of Reaction Products

Crossed-beam studies have been made of reactions of alkali atoms with about fifteen different halogen compounds. Kinematic analysis of the angular distributions of the alkali halide product indicates that in all these reactions the final relative translational kinetic energy of the products is comparable to the initial kinetic energy of the reactants. This has been confirmed for the K + Br2 reaction by direct velocity analysis of the KBr. Thus most of the chemical energy released (difference in strength of the new and old bonds) appears as internal excitation of the products. In some cases rotational and/or electronic excitation could be important; however, indirect arguments suggest that vibrational excitation of the newly formed bond is often dominant, at least for the reactions of alkali metals with diatomic halogen molecules. For these reactions, the cross section σr varies from <∼10A2 to >∼100A2. As σr increases, the favored direction for recoil of the alkali halide product gradually shifts from backward (rebound mechanism) to forward (stripping mechanism) and the angular distribution of alkali atoms scattered without reaction shows an increasingly pronounced fall-off at wide angles. These correlations and the product excitation are discussed in terms of simple models for the reaction dynamics.
Parry Romberg Syndrome: 7 Cases and Literature Review

Parry Romberg syndrome is a rare progressive hemiatrophy of the face that typically occurs in children and young adults and has a peculiar progression that ceases without apparent cause after a highly variable period. Only a subset of patients with Parry Romberg syndrome will develop secondary neurologic or ophthalmologic symptoms, and prognosis is highly variable. Inconsistency in the pattern of atrophy and the development of associated symptoms in patients with Parry Romberg syndrome has made it challenging to diagnose, prognosticate, and treat. The precise etiology of this disease remains unknown, but some authors have implicated sympathetic cervical ganglion dysfunction, abnormal embryogenesis, autoimmune and inflammatory mechanisms, or vasculopathy as potential causes. We present 7 cases of Parry Romberg syndrome and their associated clinical and imaging findings with specific attention to the radiographic characteristics of this disease.
Fast Exchange Reactions of Group I, II, and III Organometallic Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the exchange reactions of Group I, II, and III organometallic compounds. The actual degree of association depends on the alkyl group involved and the solvent. The nature of the association in these derivatives permits two types of exchange: group exchange between aggregates (intermolecular) and migration of groups within an aggregate. To account for the exchange, two alternate intramolecular paths were proposed in which rearrangement of the bridge bonds provides a mechanism for the transfer of the methyl groups. They also found that in the exchange of methyl groups between trimethylgallium or trimethylindium and trimethylaluminum the activation energy was within experimental error of that observed for the bridge-terminal exchange. The rates of exchange were the same in toluene solution but the methyl group exchange was a factor of ten slower than bridge-terminal exchange in cyclopentane solution. The main reason proposed for this is that the x-system of the unsaturated group interacts with the vacant nonbonding molecular orbitals of the aluminum atoms and this interaction stabilizes the bridge system.
Effects of Maternal Smoking during Pregnancy on Offspring Externalizing Problems: Contextual Effects in a Sample of Female Twins

Studies of maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) suggest increased risk for cognitive impairment and psychiatric outcomes. However, it is uncertain whether these associations are the direct result of MSDP or related to confounding familial variables associated with MSDP. The current study employed propensity score analysis to examine the effects of MSDP on offspring EXT using data from a large sample of 979 unrelated mothers. Logistic regression models were used to determine the propensity that the offspring of these mothers were likely to be exposed to MSDP [i.e., smoked during only the first trimester (MSDP-EARLY[E]) or smoked throughout their pregnancy (MSDP-THROUGHOUT[T])] given known familial confounders. Analyses focused on the effect of MSDP-E/T on the EXT behavior in offspring of these mothers (N = 1616) were conducted across the distribution of liability for MSDP-E/T and at different levels of risk for MSDP-E/T. MSDP-E/T was associated with offspring EXT problems, but the effects were partly confounded by the familial liability for MSDP. Further, the observed effects were not consistent across all levels of the MSDP risk distribution. These findings suggest a direct association between MSDP and offspring EXT behaviors, and that varied associations observed across studies may be the result of differences in the level of familial confounders that also have an effect on offspring EXT.
Nano Assembly and Encapsulation; A Versatile Platform for Slowing the Rotation of Polyanionic Gd3+-Based MRI Contrast Agents

Encapsulating discrete Gd(3+) chelates in nano-assembled capsules (NACs) is a simple and effective method of preparing an MRI contrast agent capable of delivering a large payload of high relaxivity imaging agent. The preparation of contrast agent containing NACs had previously focussed on preparations incorporating GdDOTP(5-) into the internal aggregate. In this report we demonstrate that other Gd(3+) chelates bearing overall charges as low as 2- can also be used to prepare NACs. This discovery opens up the possibility of using Gd(3+) chelates that have inner-sphere water molecules that could further increase the relaxivity enhancement associated with the long τR that arises from encapsulation. However, encapsulation of the q = 1 chelate GdDTPA(2-) did not give rise to a significant increase in relaxivity relative to encapsulation of the outer-sphere chelate GdTTHA(3-). This leads us to the conclusion that in the NAC interior proton transport is not mediated by movement of whole water molecules and the enhanced relaxivity of Gd(3+) chelate encapsulated within NACs arises primarily from second sphere effects.
Reconstructive techniques for creation of catheterizable channels: tunneled and nipple valve channels

Cutaneous catheterizable channels allow for continent bladder emptying when an alternate route is desired. The goals of channel creation in the neurogenic bladder population are successful urine elimination, renal preservation, continence and lastly cosmesis. In addition to a particular surgeon’s comfort and experience with a given procedure, individual patient factors such as medical comorbidities, anatomic factors, and occupational function should be central to the selection of a surgical approach. An ideal channel is one that is short, straight, and well supported by associated blood supply and surrounding adventitia, so as to minimize difficulty with catheterization. Two types of channel continence mechanisms are discussed at length in this review—the tunneled channel, and the nipple valve. The appendicovesicostomy (Mitrofanoff), and reconfigured ileum (Yang-Monti) are both tunneled channels. The ileocecal valve is a commonly used nipple valve and provides continence when reinforced. The continent catheterizable ileal cecocystoplasty (CCIC) is an example of this channel technique. This method couples a tapered ileal limb as a catheterizable channel, the ileocecal valve as the continence mechanism, and the cecum and ascending colon as a bladder augmentation. While this procedure has higher perioperative complications relative to a simple tunneled channel, it has increased channel length flexibility and is also coupled with a bladder augment, which is completely performed using one bowel segment. Continent channel creation in adults can improve quality of life and minimize morbidity associated with neurogenic bladder. However, the decision to proceed with creation of a catheterizable channel should be made only after careful consideration of the patient’s medical comorbidities, physical abilities social support, and surgeon experience.
Effects of Reward Magnitude and Duration on Runway Performance

Spence (1956) notes that most studies of reward size confound the effects of magnitude and duration of reward. He cites a study (Czeh, 1954) in which Group I Ss received a single large piece of food and their consummatory time was not limited, Group I1 Ss also received a large piece of food but were removed after 30 sec., and Group I11 Ss received a small piece of food and were removed after 30 sec. Group I was superior to Groups I1 and 111, indicating that duration of reward was the significant variable determining performance. However, many Ss in Group I1 did not eat upon reaching the goal box buc merely picked up the food and waited 30 sec. until being removed to the eating cage (Spence, 1956, pp. 138-142). This uncontrolled delay of reward could account for the low level of performance of Group 11. The present study used the same general design, but size of reward was varied by giving different numbers of pellets rather than single pieces of food of differing weight. Method.-The apparatus was a straight enclosed alley 51% in. long and 5 in. wide. The end boxes were approximately 12 in. square and were separated from the alley by guillotine doors. The alley and starc box were painted white, and the goal box was painted black. A metal food dish 2 X 2 X 1/2 in. was fastened to the floor of the goal box by a thumbtack. Two .Ol-sec. clocks were started by raising the start-box door. The first clock was stopped by depression of a treadle just outside che scarc box to give start latencies. The second clock was stopped by lowering the goal-box door to give total time. Subtracting the reading of the first clock frcm the second gave running time. Ss were 60 male hooded rats from the colony at West Virginia Universiry (Mdn,,, of 132 days). Trizls were given ac 23 hr. deprivation, with food available 1 hr. per day and water continuously available. Two acquisition trials separated by about 30 min. were given each day for 20 days. Group I Ss received 12 pellets (45-mg. Noyes standxd formula) on each trial and remained in the goal box until E could see that the food dish was empty; Group I1 Ss also received 12 pellets buc after 20 sec. both S and food dish were removed to a carrying cage where S finished eating; Group 111 Ss received one pellet and were removed afrer 20 sec. 'Based on an M A. thesis submixed ro West Virginia Universiry, 1959. The advice, assistance and encouragement of Arthur R. Thomas are gratefully acknowledged.
Serial MRI in Rasmussen’s Encephalitis

The course of Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE) was studied by a correlation of serial MRI and histopathology of surgical specimens in 10 patients (7 children, 1 adolescent, 2 young adults) followed at the University of Bonn, Germany, and University of Vienna, Austria.
Carcinoid tumor of the rectum. DNA ploidy is not a prognostic factor.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcome of carcinoid tumors of the rectum and to assess flow cytometry deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis as a potential prognostic factor for management of these tumors. METHODS: Medical records, tumor registry database, and pathology slides were retrospectively reviewed. Flow cytometry DNA analysis was performed on archived specimens. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients with rectal carcinoid tumors underwent surgery between 1962 and 1987. Follow-up was available in 86 patients for a mean period of 12 years. Of 100 patients with tumors less than 2 cm, only one with a 1.5 cm ulcerated tumor developed liver metastases. Of nine patients with a tumor more than or equal to 2 cm, three with known liver metastases underwent rectal biopsy only, and three had rectal biopsy and laparotomy with biopsy of liver metastases. Three patients underwent radical resection. Following abdominoperineal resection, one patient died with local recurrence after 5 years, and one developed hepatic recurrence after 5.5 years and died at 9 years. One patient with coloanal anastomosis developed local and hepatic metastases seven years after surgery and died at ten years. No patients developed carcinoid syndrome. DNA ploidy did not correlate with metastases at presentation or recurrence of carcinoid tumor. CONCLUSION: Radical resection of rectal carcinoids with ulceration or size greater than or equal to 2 cm is associated with a poor prognosis; however, survival may be long term, even in the presence of metastatic disease. DNA ploidy does not appear to be a useful prognostic factor for rectal carcinoid tumors.
Cognition and compliance of hand hygiene among surgical medical staff in pediatric surgery department

OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of cognition and compliance of hand hygiene of surgical medical staff in this children′s hospital so as to improve the compliance of hand hygiene.METHODS The written examination,questionnaire investigation and field survey were conducted for the hand hygiene among 209 medical staff.RESULTS The knowledge level of hand hygiene of the staff with middle-or-high professional title was lower compared with those with junior or lower professional title(χ2=5.78,P=0.016).Initiative hand hygiene performance rate of the questionnaire investigation was as approximately same as the field survey.From the results of the field survey,the lowest performance rate(n=83,39.71%) occurred at the moment of before touching the body and the highest performance rate(100.00%) occurred at the moment of exposing to the body fluid or the blood.The performance rates of 'before touching the body and after touching the body in nurses were significantly higher than those in doctors(χ2=18.80,P0.001 or χ2=8.63,P=0.003).The performance rate of 'before touching the body in staff with junior or lower professional title was also higher than that in staff with middle-or-high professional title(χ2=10.03,P=0.002).Meanwhile,the performance rates of before touching the body and before aseptic manipulation in staff with bachelor degree or below were both significantly higher than those with master degree or above(χ2=7.97,P=0.005 or χ2=4.14,P=0.042).CONCLUSION The compliance of hand hygiene is relatively low among the doctors,the staff with middle-or-high professional title,or the staff with master degree or above.It is necessary to pay much attention to the supervision so as to improve the compliance of hand hygiene.
Task-General Object Similarity Processes.

The similarity between objects is judged in a wide variety of contexts from visual search to categorization to face recognition. There is a correspondingly rich history of similarity research and many known behavioral trends and models of similarity. Nevertheless, most similarity behaviors have been identified and tested only in a comparatively narrow set of unique contexts. This leaves open the question of the extent to which similarity judgments rely on common processes or resources and the specific nature of those processes if so. We tested three diverse yet well-established measures of object similarity using identical, psychometrically controlled stimuli and identical analyses across tasks. We found several consistent behavioral effects across tasks that provide clues as to the nature of task-general similarity processes and serve as diagnostic targets for computational models of similarity.
Preventive oral health behaviors among Detroit-area residents.

PURPOSE It has been recommended that adults brush and floss their teeth daily and have periodic oral health checkups. A study was conducted to determine if those recommendations are followed. METHODS Data were collected during face-to-face interviews with a probability sample of 662 dentate adults residing in the Detroit metropolitan area from August to November 1989. Participants were asked how frequently they brushed, flossed, and had checkups. They were also asked about the thoroughness with which they brushed and flossed, and about the advantages and disadvantages of all three behaviors. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS The response rate was 72%. While 97% of subjects reported brushing at least once a day and 32% reported flossing at least once a day, 13% indicated they did not brush all teeth or all parts of teeth, and one-third of those who said they flossed daily did not floss all teeth. Seventy-three percent of respondents reported getting dental checkups at least once a year. For brushing, insufficient thoroughness was more commonly a problem than insufficient frequency. CONCLUSIONS Patient education efforts related to brushing will probably be more effective if they focus on thoroughness rather than frequency. Interventions to increase flossing should probably focus on overcoming skill deficits.
A policy framework for analyzing multi-use pass pricing decisions

The multi-use pass is widely used by public sport and leisure agencies. Typically, it offers users a potential discount on price for a season or year. Decisions on pricing these passes often are reflexive and imitative, rather than thoughtful and explicitly analytical. This paper provides a policy framework composed of four dimensions that should be analyzed in multi-use pass pricing decisions. The first three are: encouragement of commitment; potential for leveraging more revenues from existing users; and adherence to the Benefit Principle. The analysis of these dimensions assumes the pricing goal is to maximize revenues. The fourth dimension, adherence to the Ability to Pay Principle, recognizes that maximizing revenues has to be reconciled with the obligation of agencies to be inclusive.
Use of a Two-Day Sleep Log to Assess Relationship of Sleep with Resident Well-Being and Satisfaction with Education: A Pilot Study (P2.371)

Objective: To determine sleep schedules among LSU-Shreveport neurology residents using a two-day sleep log, correlating sleep with sense of well-being and satisfaction with education. Background: Because considerable variation exists in residency experience across specialties, we believe that each program should obtain baseline resident sleep information as this may be associated with sense of well-being and satisfaction with education or other aspects of training. Design/Methods: LSU-Shreveport Neurology PGY-2 and 3 residents take “24 +6” hour calls, every 3 or more days, with 2 to 6 calls per month. Grand Rounds are held every Friday morning attended by all. To minimize interference with normal education process, we designed a simple survey to distribute during Grand Rounds that would obtain information pertaining to resident sleep during the preceding two days, call status (call, post-call, non-call), PGY level, and sense of well-being and education satisfaction, using a visual analog scale. After IRB review and exception were obtained, the questionnaires were distributed to residents during Grand Rounds for 6 weeks. All forms were anonymous and viewed only by a non-clinical staff for analysis. Results: 37 questionnaires were included in the final analysis. Residents slept between 0 to 5 hours when on-call, 7 to 12 hours when post-call, and 3 to 9 hours when non-call. Sleep was significantly correlated to resident well-being (r=0.451, p<0.01) and education satisfaction (r=0.409, p<0.05) when the amount of sleep two nights before the survey was used for analysis. No other significant correlation was obtained. The mean resident well-being was 6.1/10, while mean education satisfaction was 6.8/10. PGY-2s had lower sense of well-being, but higher satisfaction with education. Conclusions: Our pilot study revealed interesting findings. In a feedback session with residents, we identified potential sleep issues and formulated interventions to improve residency experience. Our questionnaire may be applied to other programs. Disclosure: Dr. Rodriguez has nothing to disclose. Dr. McGee has nothing to disclose. Dr. McCarty has nothing to disclose. Dr. Davis has nothing to disclose.
Climate Change Reporting in Great Lakes Region Newspapers: A Comparative Study of the Use of Expert Sources

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on the use of science sources as experts in news stories about climate change coverage in the Great Lakes region of the US and Canada. We examine, using the hierarchy of influences model, whether the use of scientific sources in climate change coverage may be related to factors such as geographic location, reporting frequency, and authorship, in the prestige press as well as regional and local media. The study found that as many or more non-scientists than scientists are selected as sources regardless of geographic location, reporting frequency, or authorship. However, the study also found that the more stories reporters produce on this topic, the more likely their stories are to use and give prominence to science sources. In addition, the articles included few denier sources, but denier views are more likely to appear in a more prominent location in the articles than supporters when stories are framed as conflict over global warming. These results highlight the need for additio...
Assisting in Human Communications

How do Cognitive Things integrate information across disparate sources and discover patterns in support of group communication?How do they find new alternatives and reason through the problem space?How do they communicate their recommendations in support of ongoing human conversation?
Evidence-Based Treatment for Feet Deformities in Children with Neuromuscular Conditions

Foot deformities are very common in neuromuscular diseases. In these conditions, the muscles themselves or their control by the nervous system are affected with subsequent spasticity, weakness or both. In general, spasticity is a result of an upper motor neurons injury (e.g. cerebral palsy). Weakness commonly develops in injuries of the lower motor neurons (e.g. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease).
The Use of Electrochemiluminescence Assays to Predict Autoantibody and Glycemic Progression Toward Type 1 Diabetes in Individuals with Single Autoantibodies.

Abstract Background: Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) assays have shown promise for enhancing the prediction of type 1 diabetes (T1D) with autoantibodies. We thus studied relatives of T1D patients to determine whether ECL assays can be used to refine risk assessments for T1D among individuals either positive for single GADA or single mIAA autoantibodies. Subjects and Methods: TrialNet Pathway to Prevention (PTP) study participants with either GADA or mIAA single autoantibodies were tested for ECL positivity during their participation in the TrialNet PTP study. Those ECL positive (ECL+) were compared with those ECL negative (ECL−) for conversion to multiple autoantibodies, 6-month glycemic progression (PS6M), and the progression to T1D. Results: The progression to multiple autoantibodies was significantly higher for those GADA/ECL+ (n = 107) than those GADA/ECL− (n = 78) (P = 0.001) and for those mIAA/ECL+ (n = 24) than those mIAA/ECL− (n = 63) (P < 0.001). The hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals wer...
Language Sampling With Adolescents: Building a Normative Database With Fables

Purpose The goal of the study was to create a language sampling task appropriate for adolescents and to contribute normative data from speakers with typical language development. Method Thirty adol...
Abstract 3057: Increased rt-PA Utilization Will Decrease Healthcare Costs in SC

Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) has been approved for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients since 1996. An early (1998) paper reported net financial and health benefits from its use, but we are aware of no reports of economic impacts of rt-PA use in todays healthcare system. We used a Markov model to estimate the expected current economic and health benefits of rt-PA use for the state of South Carolina. We compared expected cost for all stroke hospital admission for patients treated with rt-PA at the current rate (3%) of rt-PA use to the stroke costs if the treatment rate increased to 20% of all stroke admissions. We estimated total stroke costs for a five year time period (2012 through 2016). The Markov model used the original rt-PA trial data for estimation of expected outcomes based on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of disability at discharge. Health benefits are measured using quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and the economic impacts are estimated cost to treat a patient based on cost for SC hospital discharges and other stroke care. Costs are reported in 2010 currency. Inflationary factors and economic discounting is not employed for the budget impacts reported here.Assumptions in the model include the rate of recurrent stroke (.052), rate of symptomatic hemorrhage after rt-PA (6.45%), the inclusion of charge for a two hour specialist fee during initial evaluation, patients discharged to a nursing home remain there until death, subsequent strokes do not receive rt-PA, those discharged from rehabilitation went to a nursing home. Patients were assumed to have a median age of 67 years at the time of the stroke. Cost of rt-PA was $2750 for 100mg. A CDC AIS-specific death rate was assumed. We predicted a total cost of care for stroke in SC for 2012 through 2016 of $2,531,398,032 if rt-PA use continues at a rate of 3%. However, if the rate increases to 20% we will save $16,615,723 in stroke care cost over 5 years. Thus, given the current cost of AIS and the benefits documented for rt-PA treatment, concerted efforts to increase rt-PA use in SC may be expected to save money for payers in addition to improving quality of life for many stroke survivors.
An Examination of the Relationship Between Characteristics of Sect-Like Religiosity and Community Volunteering Among U.S. Churchgoers

Previous research indicates a robust relationship between religious participation and volunteering. However, religion is a multidimensional phenomenon and relatively few studies have examined the effects that different types of religiosity have on the likelihood of volunteering. In this article I extend our understanding of the link between religion and volunteering by examining the effect that several characteristics associated with sect-like religiosity have on the likelihood of community volunteering among U.S. churchgoers. My findings indicate a more nuanced relationship between volunteering and religious belonging, practice, and experience than previous studies have shown. Density of congregational friendship networks and frequency of evangelism are found to increase the likelihood of volunteering through and for religious congregations while supernatural experiences and frequency of evangelism are found to increase the likelihood of volunteering outside of the congregation. Religious strictness is found to decrease the likelihood of volunteering outside of the congregation. Implications for our understanding of the link between religion and volunteering are discussed as well as directions for future research.
Paganism and Politics: A View from Central-Eastern Europe

A conference on “Paganism and Politics” held at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic in June of 2016 provided a platform for a stimulating discussion of the ways in which modern Paganism is affected by and involved with political and social issues in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. In the following, Michael Strmiska, one of the organizers and keynote speakers of the conference, provides an overview of conference papers and several other related articles that are featured in this special section of The Pomegranate , with a further selection forthcoming in the next issue.
Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain

Abstract The single biggest risk factor for neurodegeneration is advancing age. In this chapter, we focus on the changes that occur in the healthy aging brain and how these changes help to create an environment that is susceptible to different forms of neurodegeneration. In particular, we discuss the general declines in homeostatic quality controls in the aging brain—defects in protein quality control, mitochondrial dysfunction, increases in oxidative damage, and a general decline in the efficacy of DNA damage repair. Each of these declines places increasing stress upon the neuron and reduces its capability to respond to additional stressors. When combined with neurodegenerative stimuli, such as amyloid beta, tau, or alpha-synuclein deposits, the cell can enter into a vicious cycle of worsening performance and eventual cell death that underlies neurodegeneration and is distinct from the normal cognitive decline seen in older individuals.
De Novo Left‑Handed Synthetic Peptidomimetic Foldamers

The development of peptidomimetic helical foldamers with a wide repertoire of functions is of significant interest. Herein, we report the X-ray crystal structures of a series of homogeneous l-sulfono-γ-AA foldamers and elucidate their folding conformation at the atomic level. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography revealed that this class of oligomers fold into unprecedented dragon-boat-shaped and unexpected left-handed helices, which are stabilized by the 14-hydrogen-bonding pattern present in all sequences. These l-sulfono-γ-AApeptides have a helical pitch of 5.1 A and exactly four side chains per turn, and the side chains lie perfectly on top of each other along the helical axis. 2D NMR spectroscopy, computational simulations, and CD studies support the folding conformation in solution. Our results provide a structural basis at the atomic level for the design of novel biomimetics with a precise arrangement of functional groups in three dimensions.
Development of Biaxially Textured YBa2Cu3O7 Coated Conductors in the U.S.

Two new processes have been under development since 1991 that promise a new, cost- effective way to manufacture flexible, high current density wires made from YBa2Cu3O7 (YBCO). The key is to prepare a textured substrate, or “template,” on which the YBCO may be deposited as a biaxially aligned thick film. Ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) of yttria stabilized zirconia or magnesium oxide on alloy tapes enables a final superconducting layer with grain-to-grain, in-plane alignment to within 3–5 degrees. Similar results are achieved on rolling-assisted, biaxially textured substrates (RABiTS) using a variety of oxide layers on textured nickel tapes. The performance of research lengths of prototype wires in strong magnetic fields at 65 K already exceeds that of NbTi and Nb3Sn in liquid helium. A scalable, ex-situ process for the YBCO coating has been demonstrated on both types of substrates. Consistent values of critical current density (Jc) greater than 1 106 A/cm2 are now obtained on RABiTS, and Jc’s in excess of 2 x 106 A/cm2 have been obtained on both substrates. A nonmagnetic variation of RABiTS (Ni-13% Cr) has also been shown to yield Jc greater than 1.5 106 A/cm2.Six private companies in the U.S. are scaling up YBCO coated conductors for power and physics applications.
Frauen, Politik, Medien: Ist die Macht nun weiblich?

„Es ist ein Madchen“, daneben ein Kinderbild von Angela Merkel — so kommentierte die taz treffend eine schwierige Geburt: Die Union hatte sich entschieden, eine Frau ins Rennen um die Kanzlerschaft zu schicken. Die taz brachte damit verschmitzt ironisierend auf den Punkt, was nicht nur bei schwierigen Geburten immer die erste Frage ist: Was ist es denn, Junge oder Madchen? Bei der Wahl von Kanzlerkandidaten war die Frage bis zum Jahr 2005 allerdings ziemlich uberflussig gewesen, bei Geburten sind die Chancen fur Jungen und Madchen erheblich gleichmasiger verteilt als in der Politik. Seit der ersten Bundestagswahl 1949 hat es 53 Jahre gedauert, bis 2002 in Deutschland uberhaupt erstmals die reale Moglichkeit bestand, dass eine Frau als Kanzlerkandidatin nominiert wurde. Es dauerte dann noch einmal drei Jahre, bis tatsachlich zum ersten Mal eine Frau als Spitzenkandidatin der grosen Parteien in den Wahlkampf ziehen konnte und sogar Aussichten darauf hatte, schlieslich zur Kanzlerin gewahlt zu werden. Nachdem die Entscheidung gefallen war, geschah alles „zum ersten Mal“. Angela Merkel war die erste Kanzlerkandidatin in Deutschland, und sie wurde die erste Bundeskanzlerin. Was es bedeutete und wie damit umzugehen ware, dass zum ersten Mal eine Frau als Kanzlerkandidatin antrat, war dann auch eines der grosen Themen im Wahlkampf. Das hat sich nicht zuletzt daran gezeigt, dass es Angela Merkel gegenuber Gerhard Schroder gelang, den Kanzlerbonus zu uberwinden, und sie in den Medien mindestens so haufig genannt wurde wie der Amtsinhaber. Dass Merkel im Wahlkampf und erst recht dann, als sie das neue Amt antrat, stets „die Erste“ war und alles „zum ersten Mal“ tat, war zwar ohne Frage korrekt, verweist jedoch zugleich auf die ungewohnte Situation und damit darauf, dass Frauen in der grosen Politik und in politischen Spitzenamtern bislang die Ausnahmerescheinung waren und hier eher fremd sind.
Regression Adjustment for Variables in Multivariate Quality Control

Multivariate process control problems are inherently more difficult than univariate problems. It is not always clear what type of multivariate statistic should be used, and the most statistically p...
Overview of the Current Research on NVLD

For psychologists practicing in the field, the research on NVLD might appear to be as easy to untangle as the proverbial Gordian knot. So much has been written from so many perspectives that one might find one’s self wondering how to begin. The purpose of this chapter will be, first, to loosen the strings a little by showing how the literature as a whole evolved, then to provide some guidelines about how one might assess the utility of research articles available, and finally to offer some of the more reliable findings in the literature and to raise some questions still unresolved.
Between No Establishment and Free Exercise: The Dialectic of American Religious Pluralism

“Religious freedom” is one of the cornerstones of the American political-social order. The very first words of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States are “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” At the same time, however, these words in fact address in one breath two different aspects of the privilege. One is that there will be no law respecting the establishment of religion; thus the state may not establish any religion as a state religion. The second clause, however, is much less straightforward in its potential consequences and is where practically all “religious freedom” questions in the United States and beyond have been argued—namely that there shall be no prohibition of “the free exercise” of that religious freedom.
Factors affecting Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus time-to-stability in breeding herds in the Midwestern United States.

The time needed to wean porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus negative pigs consistently from a breeding herd after an outbreak is referred to as time-to-stability (TTS). TTS is an important measure to plan herd closure as well as to manage economic expectations. Weekly PRRS incidence data from 82 sow farms in six production systems located in the Midwestern United States were used for the analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of recorded predictors on TTS in participant sow farms. The median TTS was 41.0 weeks (1st quartile 31.0 weeks-3rd quartile 55.0 weeks). In the final multivariable mixed-effects Cox model, farms that experienced winter (hazard ratio (HR) 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-3.70) and autumn (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.16-3.13) PRRS outbreaks achieved stability sooner than farms that experienced PRRS outbreaks during summer. No statistically significant difference (p = 0.76) was observed between the TTS of farms that had a PRRS outbreak during spring and summer (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.62-1.91). Additionally, farms that had a PRRS outbreak associated with a 1-7-4 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) cut pattern took significantly longer to achieve stability (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27-0.72) compared to farms which had a non-1-7-4 PRRS outbreak. Finally, farms that had a previous PRRS outbreak within a year achieved stability sooner (HR 2.18, 95% CI 1.23-3.86) than farms that did not have a previous PRRS outbreak within a year. This study provides information that may result useful for planning herd closure and managing expectations about the time needed to wean PRRS virus negative pigs in breading herds according to the season of the year when the outbreak occurred and the RFLP cut pattern associated with the outbreak virus.
One-Step Route Synthesis of Siliceous Six-Line Ferrihydrite: Implication for the Formation of Natural Ferrihydrite

This paper presents a one-step route to the production of siliceous six-line ferrihydrite (6LFh) by oxidizing the aqueous Fe2+–silicate metal complex in solution. Synthetic 6LFh is analogous to nat...
Effect of a Community-Level HIV Prevention Intervention on Psychosocial Determinants of HIV Risk Behaviors among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (YBMSM).

In contrast to intervention studies that assess psychosocial factors only as mediators or moderators of HIV risk, the present study assessed the effects of an Mpowerment-based community-level intervention on psychosocial determinants (e.g., depressive symptoms, sexual stigma) of HIV risk behavior among young black MSM. Approximately 330 respondents were surveyed annually for 4 years in each of two sites. General linear models examined change across time between the intervention and comparison communities, and participation effects in the intervention site. Social diffusion (spreading information within networks) of safer sex messages (p < 0.01) and comfort with being gay (p < 0.05) increased with time in intervention versus control. Cross-sectionally, intervention participants responded more favorably (p < 0.05) on social diffusion and depressive symptoms, but less favorably (p < 0.01) on sex in difficult situations and attitudes toward condom use. Findings suggest a need to address broader health issues of MSM as well as sexual risk.
Reliability and reproducibility of a four arterial occlusions protocol for assessing muscle oxidative metabolism at rest and after exercise using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Objective: To assess the reliability and reproducibility of using a four arterial occlusions protocol and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure resting and post-exercise muscle oxidative metabolism (mVO2). Approach: mVO2 was measured on the forearm muscles on two different days (day1 and day2) within one week in 11 healthy young adults (24.2 ± 2.7 years; 5 males). mVO2 was measured using NIRS during four repeated arterial occlusions at rest, and 5 minutes after exercise consisting of 90 seconds of rapid concentric contractions (5minEPOC). Main results: Resting mVO2 with four measurements was 17.88 ± 3.04%/min on day one and 19.42 ± 3.03%/min on day two (p = 0.171) with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 10.1%. When using only the first measurement, the CV increased to 18.5% (p = 0.039). 5minEPOC was 212.4 ± 142.5% and 177.1 ± 125.8% higher than resting and was not different between days one and two (53.83 ± 21.17%/min and 52.22 ± 22.10%/min, respectively, p = 0.199). The CV and intraclass correlation (ICC) for 5minEPOC between days one and two were, 6.5% and 0.98, respectively. Using only the first value for 5minEPOC resulted in slightly higher CV but similar ICC (7.6% and 0.98, respectively; both p > 0.05). Significance: Our results suggest that within a single testing session, one arterial occlusion can provide reproducible measurements for both resting and post-exercise mVO2 similar to that of a four arterial occlusions protocol. While a four arterial occlusion protocol provides similar reliability for post-exercise mVO2 with one arterial occlusion, it reduces the day-to-day variance for resting mVO2 and therefore should be employed for longitudinal studies.
Chapter 24 – Thyroids

This chapter reviews the development of the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland and the establishment of its control by the hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid axis, with emphasis on differences in the timing of these events in precocial and altricial modes of avian development. The binding of thyroid hormones to proteins in the circulation, their transport in and out of cells via plasma membrane transport proteins, and deiodination by enzymes that activate and inactivate thyroid hormone are explained in the context of their functions in controlling intra-organ events. The mechanisms of thyroid hormone genomic actions, mediated primarily by nuclear receptors, as well as nongenomic actions are described in the context of their developmental and metabolic effects. Interactions of thyroid hormones with other hormones systems and environmental influences on thyroid function, including those by environmental contaminants, are discussed.
Analysis of censored time-to-event data

Abstract This chapter considers the analysis of time-to-event data. In biomedical applications, one common characteristic of time-to-event data is that the event of interest is not observed on all subjects. These subjects are termed censored and special statistical methods typically referred to as survival analysis methods are used to account for censoring. This chapter provides a brief review of censoring and the types of censoring that may exist in studies. Estimates of the survival distribution are then presented along with the log-rank test for testing equality of survival distributions between two populations. Finally, the Cox proportional hazards regression model is presented to estimate the association between covariates and the risk of events while adjusted for other covariates. Interpretation of model parameters is covered as well as tests of association.
Extending Performance-Energy Trade-offs Via Dynamic Core Scaling

Modern processors often need to switch among different power states based on usage scenarios, energy availability, and thermal conditions. Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is a commonly used power management strategy to trade off performance and energy. As transistor scaling is reaching its limit, the viable supply voltage range where DVFS can operate is shrinking, which limits its effectiveness. To extend the performance-energy trade-off capabilities in modern processors, this article proposes dynamic core scaling (DCS) that does not rely on voltage scaling. DCS dynamically adjusts the active superscalar datapath resources so that programs run at a given percentage of their maximum speed while minimizing energy consumption at the same time. Since DCS does not need voltage scaling, it can be combined with DVFS to achieve greater energy savings. To effectively manage performance-energy trade-offs using a combination of DCS and DVFS, this article proposes an oracle controller that demonstrates the optimal control strategy, and two practical controllers that are applicable in real implementations. Evaluations using an 8-way superscalar processor implemented in a 45-nm circuit show that DCS is more effective in performance-energy trade-offs than DVFS at the high performance end for a number of SPEC CPU2000 benchmarks. When used together with DVFS, DCS saves an additional 20 percent of a full-size core’s energy on average. At the minimum operating voltage, DVFS hits its limit, while DCS is still able to achieve an average of 46 percent further energy reduction.