cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving the Writing Performance of Struggling Writers in Second Grade

An important goal in preventing writing disabilities is to provide effective early instruction to at-risk students to maximize their writing development. This study examined whether or not explicitly teaching six at-risk second-grade writers, including children with disabilities, how to plan and draft stories would improve their story writing as well as their recall of narrative reading material. The self-regulated strategy development model was used to teach these strategies; the impact of this instruction was evaluated via a multiple-baseline design. Instruction had a positive impact on students’ writing, as their stories were longer, more complete, and, with the exception of one student, qualitatively better. Instructional effects also transferred to the recall of narrative reading material for four of the six students. These findings were generally maintained over time.
An efficient and scalable parallel algorithm for discrete-event simulation

The authors describe a novel parallel algorithm for discrete-event simulation on an exclusive-read exclusive-write parallel random-access machine (EREW PRAM). This algorithm is based on a recently developed parallel data structure, namely the parallel heap, which, when used as a parallel event-queue, allows deletion of O(p) earliest messages and insertion of O(p) new messages each in O(log n) time, using p processors, where n is the number of messages scheduled. The proposed algorithm can simulate up to p independent messages in O(log n) time, thus achieving O(p) speedup. The number of processors, p, can be optimally varied in the range 1 >
Direct Doppler broadening in Monte Carlo simulations using the multipole representation

United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (Contract DE-AC02-06CH11357)
Sensory Analysis of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Fed Enriched Black Soldier Fly Prepupae, Hermetia illucens

A growth trial and fillet sensory analysis were conducted to examine the effects of replacing dietary fish meal with black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae, Hermetia illucens, in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. A practical-type trout diet was formulated to contain 45% protein; four test diets were developed by substituting 25 and 50% of the fish meal with normal (BSF) or fish offal-enriched black soldier fly (EBSF) prepupae. Dietary fat was adjusted to approximately 20% lipid using fish oil and poultry fat. Diets were fed to three replicate tanks of fish per treatment (10 fish/tank) for 8 wk. After the trial, three fish per tank were sampled for determination of hepatosomatic index, intraperitoneal fat ratio and muscle ratio, and muscle proximate and fatty acid composition. Fish remaining after sampling were used for sensory evaluation. Growth of fish fed the EBSF diets was not significantly different from those fish fed the fish meal-based control diet, while the growth of fish fed the BSF diets was significantly reduced as compared to the control diet. A group of 30 untrained panelists did not detect a significant difference in a blind comparison of fish fed the fish meal containing control diet as compared to fish fed the EBSF or BSF diets.
Evaluation of two doses of ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile suspension for treatment of metritis in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to evaluate efficacy of a 2-dose regimen of ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile suspension (CCFA-SS) for treatment of acute metritis in lactating dairy cows under field conditions and to provide additional safety and injection site tolerance data for injections at the base of the ear. Cows at 15 dairies with rectal temperature ≥ 39.5°C and fetid uterine discharge ≤ 10 d postcalving were randomly assigned by blocks of 2, based on order of entry and without regard to parity, to treatment with saline (1.5 mL/45.5 kg of body weight, n=509) or CCFA-SS (6.6 mg of ceftiofur equivalents/kg of body weight, n=514). Treatments were administered by subcutaneous injection in the posterior aspect of the ear where it attaches to the head; the first dose was administered on study d 0 and the second dose was administered in the contra lateral ear on study d 3. Rectal temperatures were recorded on study d 1 to 4 and 5 or 6 and cows were clinically evaluated daily from study d 1 to 13. Cows that exhibited increased adverse clinical signs of poor health or complications associated with metritis were categorized as a treatment failure and administered escape therapy. Each cow received a veterinary physical examination on study d 5 or 6 to determine if she should be removed from the study and on study d 14 to determine clinical cure or failure to cure. Clinical cure was defined as rectal temperature <39.5°C and non-fetid and purulent or mucopurulent discharge on study d 14 and no escape therapy administered. The injection procedure was scored after each injection (study d 0 and 3) and injection sites and ear carriage were scored on study d 5 or 6, 14, and 57±3. Of the 1,023 cows enrolled, 7 were completely censored due to protocol deviations and 34 were removed for protocol deviations or medical conditions not related to metritis. Clinical cure rate was higher for CCFA-SS than for saline (74.3 vs. 55.3%) and rectal temperatures for each of study d 1 to 5 or 6 were lower for CCFA-SS than saline. Injection procedure indices showed that CCFA-SS could be practically and safely administered using commercial dairy facilities. Although injection site scores were higher for CCFA-SS than saline at study d 5 or 6 and 14, ≥98.6% of ears were normal on d 57±3. Thus, a 2-dose treatment with CCFA-SS given 72h apart increased metritis clinical cure rate and was well tolerated in dairy cows.
The Evidence for α-Linolenic Acid and Cardiovascular Disease Benefits: Comparisons with Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid

Our understanding of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) benefits of α-linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n-3) has advanced markedly during the past decade. It is now evident that ALA benefits CVD risk. The expansion of the ALA evidence base has occurred in parallel with ongoing research on eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and CVD. The available evidence enables comparisons to be made for ALA vs. EPA + DHA for CVD risk reduction. The epidemiologic evidence suggests comparable benefits of plant-based and marine-derived n-3 (omega-3) PUFAs. The clinical trial evidence for ALA is not as extensive; however, there have been CVD event benefits reported. Those that have been reported for EPA + DHA are stronger because only EPA + DHA differed between the treatment and control groups, whereas in the ALA studies there were diet differences beyond ALA between the treatment and control groups. Despite this, the evidence suggests many comparable CVD benefits of ALA vs. EPA + DHA. Thus, we believe that it is time to revisit what the contemporary dietary recommendation should be for ALA to decrease the risk of CVD. Our perspective is that increasing dietary ALA will decrease CVD risk; however, randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm this and to determine what the recommendation should be. With a stronger evidence base, the nutrition community will be better positioned to revise the dietary recommendation for ALA for CVD risk reduction.
ON TRANSCENDENTALISM: ITS HISTORY AND USES

If any student, graduate or advanced undergraduate, should offer to delve deeper than survey samples and seriously “take on” the Transcendentalists, he or she would be well advised to begin with the histories by Barbara Packer and Philip Gura. For that matter, these sharply differing studies will undoubtedly provoke and clarify the thinking of even the most seasoned scholars, especially if they were to read these works against each other. The more specialized though no less interesting monograph by Elisabeth Hurth, which is not offered as an introductory overview, nevertheless comprises a fully imagined history in its own right, as it places Transcendentalism in the context of crucial nineteenth-century German innovations in Protestant thought, and of the American movement's thence-derived tendency—as its critics alleged—to “atheism.” These three books, as a group, raise interesting questions about how literary history is now being written, what purposes such studies can serve, what coherence “Transcendentalism” might yet retain as a subject of useful historical inquiry, and what kind of importance the movement might have for readers today.
The use of a general education course to introduce nonengineering students and faculty to concepts of engineering

In particular, the Electrical Engineering Department at Northern Illinois University (NIU), where a substantial majority of the students are undergraduates, elected to promote their programs and to teach the nonengineering students the various facets of electrical engineering with a general education course. Some of the technical topics included were discussions of computers, remote communication, VCRs, microwave ovens, automatic control systems, household wiring distribution, as well as current items of interest such as the Hubble telescope imperfections. In addition, each student selected or was given a problem to conceptually use his/her new found tools to solve. Vehicle location using local radio stations as beacons, parking lot license plate readers, computers to determine parking bills, and home basement gas detectors were typical problems the students elected to conceptually solve. This course, with typical enrollments of over 100 students, has alerted the administration and many of the 25000 students/1200 faculty at NIU to the new Electrical Engineering program on campus. This has resulted in the program being more dynamically supported by the university community. >
Geometric modeling of flight information for graphical cockpit display

The authors discuss the design and implementation of a computer graphics-based environment capable of modeling tactical situation arenas as viewed from the cockpit. A user can position mountains, hostile threat envelopes, and a projected flightpath through the region. The resulting three-dimensional models are intended to be used to prototype graphical formats for future aircraft. An overall goal of this investigation was to allow the cockpit researcher to create an entirely new tactical solution display model in less than one hour via mouse input. >
Numerical simulation of bubble collision and formation of vortices

We perform a numerical study of the dynamical formation of vortices in 2+1 dimensions in the collision of critical bubbles. An initial field configuration is prescribed in the form of three critical bubbles with given positions and Higgs phases. These bubbles expand and form vortices after coalescing if the Higgs phases have appropriate values. We find that if the initial Higgs-phase distribution is not uniform, or if bubbles do not collide symmetrically, then the vortices can develop large velocities at the time of their formation (about 0.5{ital c}). We also find that a subcritical bubble bounces back after each collapse, losing energy in each bounce.
The landscape context of Anasazi pebble‐mulched fields in the Galisteo Basin, Northern New Mexico

Anasazi farmers in northern New Mexico occasionally applied a pebble mulch to their gardens during the 14th and 15th centuries A. D. to increase crop yield and to buffer against drought. Regional variations in surface geology and soils are compared to the distribution of pebble-mulch gardens near Pueblo San Marcos in the Galisteo Basin, south of Santa Fe. The slope angle and aspect of 96 individual garden plots are also examined to determine the role of microenvironment as a siting consideration within the broader geological-pedological context. It is found that Anasazi pebble-mulch gardens were consistently sited on south-facing, relatively flat slopes of erosional benches, within naturally occurring surface/near surface deposits of gravel. This suggests that the Anasazi intentionally exploited regionally scaled variations in geology and soils in their pursuit of agricultural diversification. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Probabilistic Graphical Approach to Computing Electricity Price Duration Curves under Price and Quantity Competition.

The electricity price duration curve (EPDC) represents the probability distribution function of the electricity price considered as a random variable. The price uncertainty comes both from the demand side and the supply side, since the load varies continuously, and not all generators may be available at all times. The production costs of electricity also fluctuate with the price of fuel. EPDCs have many application including the valuation of incremental generation assets or forward contracts on the energy produced by such assets, estimating capacity cost recovery and valuation of energy call options. Traditional approaches for calculating EPDCs were based on approximation methods such as the method of cumulants using Edgeworth expansions of multivariate probability distributions. This paper presents a new approach to compute numerically the EPDC under price and quantity competition models. This numerical method provide both exact numerical results and modeling flexibility. It is based on inference algorithms in probabilistic graphical models (PGMs) which exploit conditional independence relationships among the random variables
Sex-related differences in calcific aortic stenosis: correlating clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and computed tomography aortic valve calcium score to excised aortic valve weight

Aims Calcific aortic valve stenosis (AS) is purportedly associated with less calcium burden in women than in men. We sought to examine sex-related differences and correlates of surgically excised aortic valve weight (AVW) in pure AS. Methods and results Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of 888 consecutive patients who underwent aortic valve replacement for severe AS were correlated to AVW, and in 126 patients, AVW was also correlated to computed tomography aortic valve calcium (AVC) score. Women and men had similar indexed valve area (0.42 ± 0.09 vs. 0.42 ± 0.07 cm[2][1]/m2, P = 0.95) and mean systolic gradient (53 ± 15 vs. 52 ± 13 mmHg, P = 0.11), but women had higher New York Heart Association class (2.63 ± 0.70 vs. 2.50 ± 0.70, P = 0.01) and less prevalent coronary artery disease (38 vs. 52%, P < 0.0001). Aortic valve weight was lower in women (1.94 ± 0.88 vs. 3.08 ± 1.32 g, P < 0.0001) even when indexed to body surface area (1.09 ± 0.48 vs. 1.48 ± 0.62 g/m2, P < 0.0001) or left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area (0.54 ± 0.23 vs. 0.71 ± 0.29 g/cm2, P < 0.0001). Using multivariate analysis, male sex ( P < 0.0001), bicuspid valve ( P < 0.0001), and larger LVOT area ( P < 0.0001) were the major determinants of increased AVW, along with current cigarette smoking ( P = 0.007). Diabetes ( P = 0.004) and hypertension ( P = 0.03) were independently associated with lower AVW. Aortic valve calcium correlated well with AVW ( r = 0.81, P < 0.0001) and was lower in women than in men (2520 ± 1199 vs. 3606 ± 1632 arbitrary units, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Despite the same degree of AS severity, women have less AVC and lower AVW compared with men, irrespective of valve morphology. Aortic valve calcium is correlated to excised AVW. Hypertension, diabetes, and current cigarette smoking were independently associated with AVW. [1]: #ref-2
The Second Passover, Pilgrimage, and the Centralized Cult

The passage in Numbers 9:1-14 presents new legislation on the Passover sacrifice. For one who contracted impurity immediately prior to the Passover or was too far away to participate in it, the amendment prescribes an alternate date, one month later: When any of you or your posterity who are defiled by a corpse or are on a long journey would offer a passover sacrifice to the Lord, they shall offer it in the second month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight (vv. 10-11).
MixClone: a mixture model for inferring tumor subclonal populations

Tumor genomes are often highly heterogeneous, consisting of genomes from multiple subclonal types. Complete characterization of all subclonal types is a fundamental need in tumor genome analysis. With the advancement of next-generation sequencing, computational methods have recently been developed to infer tumor subclonal populations directly from cancer genome sequencing data. Most of these methods are based on sequence information from somatic point mutations, However, the accuracy of these algorithms depends crucially on the quality of the somatic mutations returned by variant calling algorithms, and usually requires a deep coverage to achieve a reasonable level of accuracy. We describe a novel probabilistic mixture model, MixClone, for inferring the cellular prevalences of subclonal populations directly from whole genome sequencing of paired normal-tumor samples. MixClone integrates sequence information of somatic copy number alterations and allele frequencies within a unified probabilistic framework. We demonstrate the utility of the method using both simulated and real cancer sequencing datasets, and show that it significantly outperforms existing methods for inferring tumor subclonal populations. The MixClone package is written in Python and is publicly available at https://github.com/uci-cbcl/MixClone . The probabilistic mixture model proposed here provides a new framework for subclonal analysis based on cancer genome sequencing data. By applying the method to both simulated and real cancer sequencing data, we show that integrating sequence information from both somatic copy number alterations and allele frequencies can significantly improve the accuracy of inferring tumor subclonal populations.
The Construction of Black Masculinity: White Supremacy Now and Then

How can a White supremacist nation, which subjects Black men to ongoing racism and demonization, at the same time admire and worship Black men as athletes? The author argues that key elements of White supremacy and the new racism are reinforced by popular representations of Black male athletes. In viewing far-Right White supremacist and sports cultures, two sites representing seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum of contemporary racism, the author examines the continuing significance of the historical image of the buck and the obsession with controlling and “taming” Black male bodies. The author examines four common themes that permeate the contemporary construction of Black masculinity and work to justify color-blind racism and inequality: a continued emphasis on Black bodies as inherently aggressive, hypersexual, and violent; concern with taming and controlling Black males; inequality depicted as a product of a deficient Black culture; and the naturalization of White supremacy and White male superiority.
Closed-Chest Cardiopulmonary Bypass and Cardioplegia for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: History and Development

Advances in videoscopic and endovascular techniques have provided the groundwork for the port-access technique for cardiac surgery. This peripherally based catheter system effectively achieves cardiopulmonary bypass, endovascular aortic occlusion, cardioplegia delivery, and left ventricular decompression. The development of this technology has facilitated and provided the basis for a closed chest approach to cardiac surgery. Robotic technology has contributed to the ability to perform closed chest procedures by providing the surgeon with more natural and precise movements in a confined space. While conventional sternotomy provides a reliable approach to most cardiac disorders, the goals of less invasive and perhaps a closed chest approach are to provide a safe and effective operation with less patient trauma and pain, shorter hospitalization and more rapid recovery. Continued technical advances in the field of minimally invasive cardiac surgery and robotic systems will facilitate the conduct of more diverse cardiac procedures in a safe and effective fashion with optimal outcomes.
Changes in antithrombin 3 and plasminogen induced by oral contraceptives.

Antithrombin 3 and plasminogen were measured in 33 women taking oral contraceptives in 33 women in the third trimester of pregnancy and in 19 control women. Antithrombin determined by a modification of the von KAULLA method was a mean of 30.2 seconds in controls 19.4 seconds in pill users and 19.6 seconds in pregnant women. Plasminogen determined by a modification of SWAIMs method was a mean 98.5% in controls 166.5% in pill users 152.8% in pregnant women and 185.9% in a group of 18 users of Ovulen (1 mg ethynodiol and .1 mg mestranol combined) who were treated for neurologic symptoms such as headaches dizziness or cerebrovascular accidents. All the experimental means differed significantly from the controls (p<.1%).
Detection of testicular endocrine abnormalities and their correlation with serum antisperm antibodies in men following vasectomy.

AbstractWe measured the serum gonadotropin response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone in 25 men who underwent vasectomy 2 to 64 months before the study. Ten age-matched fertile men were used as controls. Baseline serum follicle - stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels were not significantly different between vasectomized men and controls. However, mean serum follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone responses to an intravenous bolus injection of 100 meg. gonadotropin-releasing hormone were significantly greater in the vasectomy group (p equals 0.008 and 0.003, respectively). There was no correlation between these responses and the interval after vasectomy.Serum antisperm antibodies were present in 13 vasectomized men (52 per cent) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microagglutination techniques. A significant correlation (p equals 003) was found between the presence of serum antisperm antibodies and a normal follicle-stimulating hormone response to gonadotropin-releas...
Tips for a Successful Client Interview

This article provides suggestions on how to best make your client feel at ease during a client meeting so that the meeting is more effective for both parties.
Electrical Stimulation Effects on Muscle Hemodynamics Measured by Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy Flow-Oximeter

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy flow-oximeter was used to monitor muscle responses to electrical stimulations (ES) at different frequencies (2, 10, 50 Hz). The ES at 10 Hz was found to improve muscle blood flow and oxygenation efficiently.
Relation of Inclusion Biennorrhea to Swimming-Bath Conjunctivitis as Determined by an Accidental Transmission.∗†

That the conjunctivitis of infants designated as inclusion biennorrhea is transmissible to the adult was first demonstrated by Wolfrum1 when he inoculated successfully 2 volunteers inducing what he considered to be trachoma. The diagnosis, however, based partially on the presence of inclusion bodies in the experimental disease and partially on his conviction of their specificity in trachoma, was not justified by the clinical manifestations. Gebb,2 on the other hand, also reporting successful transmission, concluded the condition resulting from the inoculation was not trachoma. There the matter remained until recently when Thygeson3 reported the results of his elaborately conducted and carefully controlled experiments in which material from infants with inclusion blennorrhea transferred to adults initiated not trachoma but swimming-bath conjunctivitis.During the course of experiments on inclusion blennorrhea in this laboratory, the opportunity was afforded to study the progress of an accidental transmissio...
Gastric Pacing in a Child with Severe Gastroparesis and Review of the Literature

Gastroparesis is a disorder characterised by symptoms of and evidence for gastric retention in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, early satiety, postprandi...
NCV and EMG Analysis of 27 Patiensts with obstetric brachial plexus palsy

objective: To investigate the characteritics and the value of the electroghysiological exam of the obsteric brachial plexus palsy. Methods:In 27 patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy, NCV and EMG were measured on a regular basis. Result: with 9 cases of Erb's palsy(33.3%),l 1 eases of upper and middle trunk palsy(40.7%) and 7 cases of total plexus palsy(26%) in the 27 cases investigated. The abnormity rate of both NCV and EMG in infants under 3 morths is 100%. In the follow-up check-ups within the next 3 to 6 months, the abnormity rate of EMG is higher than that of NCV. Conclusion: Erb's palsy and upper-middle trunk palsy count for a majority of cases of obstetric brachial plexus palsy, NCV and EMG display different characteristics and have different value at different stages of obstetric brachial plexus palsy.
Opposing effects of diacetyl monoxime on contractility and calcium transients in isolated myocardium

Isolated, perfused guinea pig hearts were used to determine the effects of diacetyl monoxime (DAM) on atrial rate, atrioventricular conduction time (AVCT), and left ventricular peak systolic pressure (LVSP). Contractile force and calcium transients were also monitored in isolated papillary muscles injected with aequorin in the absence and presence of ryanodine (RYA). In the isolated heart, 0.2-5 mM DAM caused significant dose-dependent decreases in LVSP (up to 51%) without change in atrial rate and AVCT. DAM (10 mM) produced a small slowing of atrial rate, no change in AVCT, and a 76% decrease in LVSP; 20 and 30 mM DAM further reduced LVSP, decreased atrial rate 38%, and produced AV dissociation. In isolated, paced papillary muscles, 2, 10, and 30 mM DAM decreased contractile force 27, 58, and 87%, respectively, while calcium transients increased by -9, 38, and 225%, respectively. All cardiac effects of DAM were readily reversible. RYA (1 microM) alone and with DAM (30 mM) decreased contractile force by 30 and 99%, respectively and decreased calcium transients by 59 and 74%, respectively. This study shows that low concentrations of DAM have little effect on electrical activity but greatly depress contractility and modify intracellular handling of calcium.
Effectiveness of interactive videodisc instruction for the continuing education of paramedics.

Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of interactive videodisc (IVD) instruction of paramedics through the use of computer analysis of trip sheets.Design/Setting:Prospective, controlled, in an urban 9-1-1, paramedic, emergency medical services (EMS) system with total call volume of 62,000/year; 15,000 advanced life support (ALS).Interventions:All 150 paramedics in the system received eight hours of IVD instruction covering five subject areas: 1) airway; 2) head/cervical trauma; 3) chest; 4) shock; and 5) cardiac arrest. Trip sheets from 9,943 runs in the pre-IVD period were subjected to computer analysis, and a compliance score was generated using previously developed algorithms that assigned a weight to each omission and commission. After a nine-month IVD training period, 4,303 cases were collected and analyzed in the post-IVD period. Statistical analyses were made using “Student's“ t-test and Chi-square with alpha set at 0.05.Exclusions:Only those records of adult patients who fit one of the five protocols were eligible for computer analysis. Of the 9,943 cases in the pre-IVD group, 480 (4.8%) were excluded, all due to inadequate data recording by the paramedics. A statistically similar portion, 233 (5.4%) of the 4,303 post-IVD instruction cases were excluded (p = .15).Results:Overall the mean compliance score of the pre-IVD group was 0.65 ±0.19 (±SD). The post-IVD group score was 0.65 ±0.19 (p = 0.99). Analysis of scores for each algorithm also showed no significant differences. This study had an observed power of .94 to detect a difference in compliance as small as 0.030.Conclusion:Eight hours of IVD instruction did not result in improved paramedic performance as judged by computer analysis of trip sheets.
Exploring Stable Population Concepts from the Perspective of Cohort Change Ratios: Estimating the Time to Stability and Intrinsic r from Initial Information and Components of Change

Cohort Change Ratios (CCRs) appear to have been overlooked in regard to a major canon of formal demography, stable population theory. CCRs are explored here as a tool for examining the transient dynamics of a population as it moves toward the stable equivalent that is captured in most formal demographic models based on asymptotic population dynamics. We employ simulation and a regression-based approach to model trajectories toward this stability. This examination is done in conjunction with the Leslie Matrix and data for 62 countries selected from the US Census Bureau’s International Data Base. We use an Index of Stability (S), which defines stability as the point when S is equal zero (operationalized as S = 0.000000). The Index also is used to define initial stability for a given population and four subsequent “quasi-stable” points on the temporal path to stability (S = .01, S = .05, S = .001, and S = .0005). The regression-based analysis reveals that the initial conditions as defined by the initial Stability Index along with fertility and migration play a role in determining time to stability up until the quasi-stable point of S = .0005 is reached. After this point, the initial conditions are no longer a factor and mortality joins the fertility and migration components in determining the remaining time to stability. Overall all, we find that fertility and mortality have an inverse relationship with time to stability while migration has a positive relationship. The initial Stability Index has an inverse relationship with time to quasi-stability at S = .01, S = .005, S = .001, and S = .0005. We also find that a regression model works very well in estimating the intrinsic rate of increase from the initial rate of increase, but that this model can be improved by adding the components of change. We also compare time to stability and intrinsic r as estimated using the CCR Leslie Matrix approach to, respectively, estimates of time to stability and intrinsic r found using analytic methods and find that the former are consistent with the latter.
A two-stage fluid history for the Orocopia Schist and associated rocks related to flat subduction and exhumation, southeastern California

ABSTRACTStable isotopes combined with pre-existing 40Ar/39Ar thermochronology at the Gavilan Hills and Orocopia Mountains in southeastern California record two stages of fluid–rock interaction: (1) Stage 1 is related to prograde metamorphism as Orocopia Schist was accreted to the base of the crust during late Cretaceous–early Cenozoic Laramide flat subduction. (2) Stage 2 affected the Orocopia Schist and is related to middle Cenozoic exhumation along detachment faults. There is no local evidence that schist-derived fluids infiltrated structurally overlying continental rocks. Mineral δ18O values from Orocopia Schist in the lower plate of the Chocolate Mountains fault and Gatuna normal fault in the Gavilan Hills are in equilibrium at 490–580°C with metamorphic water (δ18O = 7–11‰). Phengite and biotite δD values from the Orocopia Schist and upper plate suggest metamorphic fluids (δD ~ –40‰). In contrast, final exhumation of the schist along the Orocopia Mountains detachment fault (OMDF) in the Orocopia Moun...
How Corporate Social Responsibility Influences Managers' Ethical Behavior: An Experimental Investigation of Spillover Effects

Managers prepare corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports by recalling and describing their past socially responsible actions. Using an experiment, we test whether the manner in which managers prepare CSR reports influences their subsequent ethical decisions. CSR reporting guidelines and firm policies can affect whether managers construe their past socially responsible actions abstractly or concretely (i.e., whether they focus on the underlying reason/purpose of the action or focus on the manner in which it was carried out). Drawing on identity theory and construal level theory, we predict and find that managers subsequently act more ethically if they construe their past socially responsible actions abstractly as opposed to concretely. Further, their ethical decisions are similar regardless of whether their past socially responsible action benefitted or harmed their personal welfare. We also find that the effect of construal reverses when managers prepare reports about past self-interested actions (i.e., actions that benefit the manager but harm others). We discuss practical implications of our results for standard setters, regulators, and senior executives responsible for creating external and internal CSR reporting guidelines.
Imposing Fine-grain Next Generation Access Control over Database Queries

In this paper, we describe a system that leverages ANSI/INCITS Next Generation Access Control (NGAC) standard called Next-generation Database Access Control (NDAC) for accessing data in tables, rows, and columns in existing RDBMS products. NDAC imposes access control at the data level, eliminating the need for implementing and managing access control in applications and/or through the use of proprietary RDBMS mechanisms. Consequently, the same policies can protect multiple databases from queries sent from multiple applications. Furthermore, NDAC not only provides control down to the field level, but to varying fields of select rows. NDAC is unique in achieving this granularity of control without the use and coordination of multiple protection mechanisms. Operationally, users issue wide sweeping queries, and NDAC allows access to the optimal amount of data permissible for the user. The method includes an Access Manager for trapping and enforcing policy over SQL queries issued by applications as well as a Translator for converting SQL statements to NGAC inputs and converting NGAC authorization responses to either an access Deny or one or more permitted SQL statements.
Alkalinity and Trace Metal Content of Drinking Water in Areas of New York State Susceptible to Acidic Deposition

Waters serving as sources of water supply in the central and northwestern Adirondack region were examined for alkalinity, pH, conductivity, and several major ions and trace metals. All waters from surface waters or shallow aquifers were corrosive. Elevated background concentrations of copper and lead were found sporadically but not at levels of significance to human health. Problems of copper dissolution and metallic taste existed in copper plumbing systems and were substantiated in the analyses. In about 10% of the individual systems with soldered copper pipes, volumes of first-flush water, ranging from 250 ml to one liter, contained amounts of lead equalling or exceeding the allowable daily intake from water for this element. Individual systems with lead service lines were not encountered in this study. Without appropriate treatment, such systems would pose a definitive health hazard with source waters of the type encountered.
Influence of herbicides on shipping quality of landscape plants.

Abstract Japanese barberry ‘Crimson Pygmy’, Crape myrtle ‘Byers Hardy Lavender’ and azalea ‘Girard Scarlet’ were treated with either Southern weedgrass control (pendimethalin) at 3.4 kg a.i./ha (3.3 a.i.lb/A) or Ornamental Herbicide-2 (oxyfluorfen + pendimethalin) at 3.4 kg a.i./ha (3.3 lb a.i./A) or 6.7 kg a.i./ha (6.6 lb a.i./A) prior to simulated shipping in an enclosed environment. No injury was observed on any plants as a result of herbicide treatments.
Paradoxical effects of 137 Cs irradiation on pharmacological stimulation of reactive oxygen species in hippocampal slices from apoE2 and apoE4 mice

// Laura E. Villasana 1 , Tunde Akinyeke 1 , Sydney Weber 1 and Jacob Raber 1, 2 1 Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA 2 Departments of Neurology and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience, ONPRC, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA Correspondence to: Jacob Raber, email: raberj@ohsu.edu Keywords: cognition, superoxide, DHE, hippocampus, NADPH Received: March 01, 2017 Accepted: August 17, 2017 Published: September 01, 2017 ABSTRACT In humans, apoE, which plays a role in repair, is expressed in three isoforms: E2, E3, and E4. E4 is a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline (ACD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), particularly in women. In contrast, E2 is a protective factor for ACD and AD. E2 and E4 might also differ in their response to cranial 137 Cs irradiation, a form of radiation typically used in a clinical setting for the treatment of cancer. This might be mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an-apoE isoform-dependent fashion. E2 and E4 female mice received sham-irradiation or cranial irradiation at 8 weeks of age and a standard mouse chow or a diet supplemented with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) starting at 6 weeks of age. Behavioral and cognitive performance of the mice were assessed 12 weeks later. Subsequently, the generation of ROS in hippocampal slices was analyzed. Compared to sham-irradiated E4 mice, irradiated E4 mice showed enhanced spatial memory in the water maze. This was associated with increased hippocampal PMA-induction of ROS. Similar effects were not seen in E2 mice. Irradiation increased endogenous hippocampal ROS levels in E2 mice while decreasing those in E4 mice. NADPH activity and MnSOD levels were higher in sham-irradiated E2 than E4 mice. Irradiation increased NADPH activity and MnSOD levels in hemi brains of E4 mice but not in those of E2 mice. ALA did not affect behavioral and cognitive performance or hippocampal formation of ROS in either genotype. Thus, apoE isoforms modulate the radiation response.
Intranasal post-cardiac arrest treatment with orexin-A facilitates arousal from coma and ameliorates neuroinflammation

Cardiac arrest (CA) entails significant risks of coma resulting in poor neurological and behavioral outcomes after resuscitation. Significant subsequent morbidity and mortality in post-CA patients are largely due to the cerebral and cardiac dysfunction that accompanies prolonged whole-body ischemia post-CA syndrome (PCAS). PCAS results in strong inflammatory responses including neuroinflammation response leading to poor outcome. Currently, there are no proven neuroprotective therapies to improve post-CA outcomes apart from therapeutic hypothermia. Furthermore, there are no acceptable approaches to promote cortical or cognitive arousal following successful return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Hypothalamic orexinergic pathway is responsible for arousal and it is negatively affected by neuroinflammation. However, whether activation of the orexinergic pathway can curtail neuroinflammation is unknown. We hypothesize that targeting the orexinergic pathway via intranasal orexin-A (ORXA) treatment will enhance arousal from coma and decrease the production of proinflammatory cytokines resulting in improved functional outcome after resuscitation. We used a highly validated CA rat model to determine the effects of intranasal ORXA treatment 30-minute post resuscitation. At 4hrs post-CA, the mRNA levels of proinflammatory markers (IL1β, iNOS, TNF-α, GFAP, CD11b) and orexin receptors (ORX1R and ORX2R) were examined in different brain regions. CA dramatically increased proinflammatory markers in all brain regions particularly in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus. Post-CA intranasal ORXA treatment significantly ameliorated the CA-induced neuroinflammatory markers in the hypothalamus. ORXA administration increased production of orexin receptors (ORX1R and ORX2R) particularly in hypothalamus. In addition, ORXA also resulted in early arousal as measured by quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) markers, and recovery of the associated behavioral neurologic deficit scale score (NDS). Our results indicate that intranasal delivery of ORXA post-CA has an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerates cortical EEG and behavioral recovery. Beneficial outcomes from intranasal ORXA treatment lay the groundwork for therapeutic clinical approach to treating post-CA coma.
Alcohol Treatment Goal Choice Predicts Longitudinal Drinking Outcomes in Adolescent Substance Users

Social cognitive theory suggests that when individuals select their own goals, they work harder to achieve them as compared to clinician-imposed goals. Moreover, achieving goals during the course of treatment may increase self-efficacy, which could positively predict outcome. Research in clinical samples of adults with alcohol use disorder supports the utility of treatment goal choice in predicting longitudinal outcomes; a total abstinence (TA) goal choice has been associated with better clinical outcomes (e.g. greater percentage of days abstinent, more days to relapse to heavy drinking) compared to a controlled use (CU) goal choice. Treatment of adolescents presents unique challenges, because adolescents tend to be resistant to treatment and often enter treatment in response to external pressures (e.g. parent, school system). Data from 110 adolescents aged 14 to 18 were collected upon admission to outpatient substance use disorder treatment. A series of hierarchical linear regressions was used to test the utility of the alcohol treatment goal choice variable in predicting drinking outcomes at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-ups. Separate models were run to examine binge drinking days, percentage of days abstinent, and drinks per drinking day at each time point. Goal choice significantly predicted drinking outcomes at the 12-month follow-up, but not at the 6- or 24-month time points, such that TA goal choice was associated with better clinical outcomes. These findings are relevant to treatment planning, as they suggest that goal choice may have clinical utility as a predictor of alcohol use disorder clinical course in adolescents.
The Safety and Quality of Abortion Services in the United States: What Does the Evidence Indicate?

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine was asked to answer a series of questions on the appropriate use of different types of abortion services, associated health risks, safe...
Expression of Carbonic Anhydrase III, a Nucleus Pulposus Phenotypic Marker, is Hypoxia-responsive and Confers Protection from Oxidative Stress-induced Cell Death

The integrity of the avascular nucleus pulposus (NP) phenotype plays a crucial role in the maintenance of intervertebral disc health. While advances have been made to define the molecular phenotype of healthy NP cells, the functional relevance of several of these markers remains unknown. In this study, we test the hypothesis that expression of Carbonic Anhydrase III (CAIII), a marker of the notochordal NP, is hypoxia-responsive and functions as a potent antioxidant without a significant contribution to pH homeostasis. NP, but not annulus fibrosus or end-plate cells, robustly expressed CAIII protein in skeletally mature animals. Although CAIII expression was hypoxia-inducible, we did not observe binding of HIF-1α to select hypoxia-responsive-elements on Car3 promoter using genomic chromatin-immunoprecipitation. Similarly, analysis of discs from NP-specific HIF-1α null mice suggested that CAIII expression was independent of HIF-1α. Noteworthy, silencing CAIII in NP cells had no effect on extracellular acidification rate, CO2 oxidation rate, or intracellular pH, but rather sensitized cells to oxidative stress-induced death mediated through caspase-3. Our data clearly suggests that CAIII serves as an important antioxidant critical in protecting NP cells against oxidative stress-induced injury.
Sequence of a Menkes-type Cu-transporting ATPase from Rat C6 Glioma Cells: Comparison of the rat protein with other mammalian Cu-transporting ATPases

Rat Atp7a occupied a single open reading frame (27-4502) which coded for a protein of 1492 residues. Rat Atp7a was 98% and 95% identical to published sequences for the mouse and Chinese hamster, respectively, and 94% homologous to human ATP7A. Compared to ATP7A, the rat transcript coded for an additional alanine (A446) in the heavy metal binding (Hmb) domain and showed a 34 bp gap in the 3′ UTR. Based on published sequence data, hydropathic profiles for rat, mouse, Chinese hamster, and human Cu-ATPases were practically identical with the exception of 8 additional amino acid residues between the 4th and 5th Hmb sites in the human. As deduced from amino acid sequence data, Hmb was predicted to have regions with helical and beta structures. All four species had five of the six metal binding sites centered within hydrophobic regions. The comparative analyses suggested that the Hmb region of the molecule could experience numerous amino acid substitutions with no apparent disruption to the ATPase transport function whereas variations to the ATPase domain would be more critical.
The effect of the oil and gas boom on schooling decisions in the U.S

Abstract The development of cost-effective technologies, along with high crude oil and natural gas prices, accelerated shale oil and gas extraction in the United States in the early 2000s. We explore the schooling response to this boom, taking advantage of timing and spatial variation in well-drilling activities. We show that intensive drilling activities decreased grade 11 and 12 enrollment over the 14-year study period—41,760 fewer students enrolled per year across the 15 states considered in this analysis (95% C.I.: 12,685–71,567). We investigate heterogeneous effects and show that the effect was larger in states with a younger compulsory schooling age (16 years of age instead of 17 or 18), in states with a lower effective tax rate on oil and gas production, and in non-metro counties with traditional mining or persistent poverty.
Soft-Switching Analysis of Isolated Bidirectional LC Series Resonant DC-DC Converter with Phase-Shift Control

Isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter has become the common topology of the key DC distribution equipment such as solid-state DC transformer in many systems of DC microgrid and AC/DC hybrid distribution network due to bidirectional active power flow control, high reliability and high power density. In this paper, IBDC is taken as subject investigated. Based on the fundamental harmonic analysis, the influence of harmonics on resonant current is considered. According to the modeling for the fundamental and harmonics, discussion on voltage gain, switching frequency and phase-shift angle is analyzed for soft switching characteristics and harmonic current. Finally, the simulation and experiment verify the correctness of theoretical analysis.
It Is Time for Us to Get Artificially Intelligent

![Figure][1] Progressive digitization coupled with the growing demand for value has created a need for artificial intelligence (AI)-aided clinical care. The recent rise of AI to the forefront is a direct consequence of an improvement in our computing abilities and the concurrent
Fly-by-Logic: A Tool for Unmanned Aircraft System Fleet Planning Using Temporal Logic

Safe planning for fleets of Unmaned Aircraft Systems (UAS) performing complex missions in urban environments has typically been a challenging problem. In the United States of America, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been studying the regulation of the airspace when multiple such fleets of autonomous UAS share the same airspace, outlined in the Concept of Operations document (ConOps). While the focus is on the infrastructure and management of the airspace, the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) ConOps also outline a potential airspace reservation based system for operation where operators reserve a volume of the airspace for a given time interval to operate in, but it makes clear that the safety (separation from other aircraft, terrain, and other hazards) is a responsibility of the drone fleet operators. In this work, we present a tool that allows an operator to plan out missions for fleets of multi-rotor UAS, performing complex time-bound missions. The tool builds upon a correct-by-construction planning method by translating missions to Signal Temporal Logic (STL). Along with a simple user interface, it also has fast and scalable mission planning abilities. We demonstrate our tool for one such mission.