cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TEMPERATURE AND CRITICAL ILLUMINATION FOR REACTION TO FLICKERING LIGHT : VI. FLASH DURATION VARIED.

For the turtle Pseudemys scripta the temperature characteristics for excitability of the response to visual flicker are found to be independent of flash frequency F, flash intensity I, and proportion of light time in the flash cycle. The maximum F to which the flicker response contour (F vs. log I) rises, and the abscissa of its inflection, are rectilinear functions of the percentage light-time in the flash cycle, but µ for 1/Iat any flash frequency is the same with different values of the percentage light-time (10 to 90 per cent). These facts, together with the properties of the variation of the critical intensity, objectively demonstrate the essentially simple or unitary character of the controlling events in the mechanism governing the excitability. They also provide a means of further illustrating a procedure whereby certain statistical factors in the performance of a population of units may be analytically separated from excitability properties common to all of the individual units. In particular, it is of general significance that it can be seen how it is possible for biologically exhibited frequencies or rates of performance to provide simple and physically significant relations to temperature, despite the fact that this performance may involve, almost inevitably does involve, the integrated actions of many individual units.
The type 3 serotonin receptor is expressed in a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons in the rat neocortex and hippocampus

We used in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry to investigate the presence of GABA in neurons that express the type 3 serotonin receptor (5-HT3R). Quantitative analysis indicated that more than 90% of 5-HT3R expressing cells are GABAergic in the neocortex and hippocampus. The co-existence of 5-HT3R and GABA in cortical and hippocampal neurons indicates that serotonin, via 5-HT3R, can affect GABA release and suggests the participation of 5-HT3R in the inhibitory regulation of forebrain neurons.
The role of antibodies directed against doublestranded DNA in the manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in childhood

The specificity of antibodies directed against dsDNA for SLE in a childhood population was tested by analyzing sera from 62 children with lupus and 283 children with other known or suspected autoimmune diseases. The role of these antibodies in the manifestations of SLE was then examined by correlating dsDNA Ab titer with clinical manifestations in 311 sera from 20 children followed for a mean of 51 months. Antibodies to dsDNA were found to be highly specific for SLE. The presence of antibodies in titers of 1:80 or greater correlated with the presence of active disease, arthritis, and rash, but not with azotemia, proteinuria, or increasing proteinuria; this indicated that their role in the induction of lupus nephritis was different from that in the induction of rash and arthritis. This may be due to a requirement for small immune complex formation during times of antigen excess in the initiation of lupus nephritis.
8F-2 High-Frequency Low-Noise Ultrasonic Detection Arrays Based on Parallelly Probing an Etalon

For ultrasound detection systems using a thin polymer Fabry-Perot etalon, optically probing the etalon surface defines the acoustic array geometry and element size. We have previously demonstrated wide bandwidth signal detection (>40 MHz) and low noise-equivalent pressure (NEP) (2.1 kPa over a 50 MHz band) for an element on the order of 15 mum in diameter. By integrating an etalon into a photoacoustic imaging system, high-resolution 3D images were obtained. Nonetheless, the previous system is limited for clinical applications because the etalon surface is optically probed point by point and therefore a photodetector array cannot be used to increase frame rate. To move etalon detector technology toward real clinical applications, we have built and tested an ultrasound detection system with an optical end capable of parallel probing. A tunable laser (HP 8168F, Agilent Technologies) was used to drive an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (KPS-BT2-C-30-SLM-PM-PB-FA, Keopsys) to output light at 27 dBm at wavelengths between 1535 and 1565 nm. A lens collimated the light to probe a 6-mum thick SU-8 etalon in parallel. The -3 dB light spot on the etalon surface was 1.8 mm in diameter. The reflected light was guided onto a photodetector (818-BB-30A, Newport) with an active diameter of 100 mum using a two-lens system mapping the active area to an element 28 mum in diameter on the etalon surface. A 2D translation stage was used to carry the photodetector so that it could detect signals from different array elements. The photodetector output was amplified and then digitized using an oscilloscope (WaveSurfer 432, LeCroy). The NEP was estimated to be 7.0 kPa over a 50 MHz band and the detection bandwidth was estimated to exceed 70 MHz. Using a single probe wavelength of 1550.6 nm, a ID array with 81 elements and a 1.7 mm aperture length was formed to image a 25 mum silver wire photoacoustically with laser pulse fluence of 27 mJ/cm2 at 532 nm (Surelite 1-20, Continuum). The final image shows an object size of 40 mum (axial) by 80 mum (lateral). According to the results, realizing high-frequency low-noise 2D ultrasonic detection arrays using an etalon is feasible.
The Illusion of Isolation: The Gullah/Geechees and the Political Economy of African Culture in the Americas

The Gullah/Geechee people are the locus classicus for the study of “African survivals” in North American culture. As such, they have been saddled with the duty to generate universal principles for the explanation of Africans’ acculturation, adaptation, and cultural resistance in the Western hemisphere, and they provide the main North American test case for explanatory principles generated elsewhere in the Americas. Yet, the well-studied Gullah/Geechee case, like the Afro-Atlantic world generally, holds untapped lessons about the historical genesis of cultures and ethnic identities worldwide. Is isolation the normal precondition and conservator of cultural and ethnic distinctiveness? And do the enslaved and their descendants choose their ancestors’ ways and identities mainly when and where isolation from the oppressor has made the oppressor's cultural alternatives unavailable? The existing literature on the Gullah/Geechee people of the southeastern U.S. coast and islands says “yes” to these questions, which also stand at the heart of both black Atlantic and global cultural history.
A comprehensive approach for preventive and corrective control to mitigate voltage collapse

Summary form only given as follows. This paper deals with the determination of preventive and corrective control strategies to contain voltage collapse in stressed power systems. For cases with insufficient voltage stability margin, the margin sensitivity is first computed to identify the most effective preventive controls, then a linear optimization with the objective of minimizing the control cost is performed to coordinate the control actions. For cases when no steady-state equilibrium point exists, mostly resulting from severe contingencies, a parameterized control strategy is first utilized to restore the system solvability. Then, the continuation method is applied to compute the corresponding minimum corrective control actions. The control measurer consists of rescheduling real power generations, implementing generator secondary voltage controls, switching on shunt capacitors and shedding loads. Case studies with the New-England 39-bus system are presented to illustrate the approach.
Physiological effects of nanoparticulate ZnO in green peas (Pisum sativum L.) cultivated in soil

The toxicological effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in plants are still largely unknown. In the present study, green pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants were treated with 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg kg−1 of either ZnO NPs or bulk ZnO in organic matter enriched soil. Corresponding toxicological effects were measured on the basis of plant growth, chlorophyll production, Zn bioaccumulation, H2O2 generation, stress enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation using different cellular, molecular, and biochemical approaches. Compared to control, all ZnO NP concentrations significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) root elongation but no effects were observed in the stem. Whereas all bulk ZnO treatments significantly increased both root and stem length. After 25 days, chlorophyll in leaves decreased, compared to control, by ∼61%, 67%, and 77% in plants treated with 125, 250, and 500 mg kg−1 ZnO NPs, respectively. Similar results were found in bulk ZnO treated plants. At all ZnO NP concentrations CAT was significantly reduced in leaves (p ≤ 0.05), while APOX was reduced in both roots and leaves. In the case of bulk ZnO, APOX activity was down-regulated in the root and leaf and CAT was unaffected. At 500 mg kg−1 treatment, the H2O2 in leaves increased by 61% with a twofold lipid peroxidation, which would be a predictive biomarker of nanotoxicity. This study could be pioneering in evaluating the phytotoxicity of ZnO NPs to green peas and can serve as a good indicator for measuring the effects on ZnO NPs in plants grown in organic matter enriched soil.
COVER ARTICLE: History and Lore of Sesame in Southwest Asia

Abstract The purpose of this work is to present a botanical, cultural and historical portrait of sesame use in Southwest Asia, from earliest time to the present. The crop's domestication and subsequent dispersal are reviewed from the archaeological literature and early texts. The introduction of sesame represents an agricultural innovation in Southwest Asia, since as a ‘tropical’ warm weather crop, sensitive to freezing temperatures, it is successfully grown in the region as a summer crop, by selecting cultivars that mature early. Its seeds are used as food and flavoring. The chief constituent of the seed is its prized oil, 45–60 % by weight that resists oxidative rancidity. It is used as a salad or cooking oil, an ingredient in cosmetics, in the manufacture of soaps, pharmaceuticals, and lubricants, and was formerly used as a lamp oil. The press cake remaining after the oil is expressed is a nutritious livestock meal. Information about medieval cultivation practices and evidence of its use in early centu...
Why Do Managers Voluntarily Issue Cash Flow Forecasts

We study a relatively recent change in voluntary disclosure practices by management, namely the issuance of cash flow forecasts. We predict and find that management issues cash flow forecasts to signal good news in cash flow, to meet investor demand for cash flow information, and to pre-commit to a certain composition of earnings in terms of cash flow versus accruals, thus reducing the degree of freedom in earnings management. Our results also suggest that management discloses good news in cash flow to mitigate the negative impact of bad news in earnings, to lend credibility to good news in earnings and to signal economic viability for young firms. Our finding that management cash flow forecasts primarily convey good news is in contrast to the generally negative nature of management earnings guidance and suggests that different incentives drive firm disclosure of different financial information.
ARM: An algebraic robot dynamic modeling program

The computer program ARM (Algebraic Robot Modeler) has been implemented to generate symbolically the forward solution and complete Lagrangian dynamic robot model for control engineering applications. Development and application of this versatile dynamic modeling and control engineering tool are highlighted in this paper. The Q matrix formulation is employed to develop nested iterative algorithms for the symbolic computation of the inertial, centrifugal and Coriolis, and gravitational components of the Lagrangian dynamic robot model. The computational requirements are enumerated as functions of the number of degrees-of-freedom of the manipulator. Automatic generation of the centrifugal and Coriolis force vector dominates the computational load for both state-of-the-art and futuristic robots. The forward solution and complete dynamic model for the three degree-of-freedom positioning system of the Puma robot are exhibited to illustrate the capabilities of Arm. On-going enhancements to ARM are then summarized.
‘This is your face on meth’: The punitive spectacle of ‘white trash’ in the rural war on drugs:

This article engages the dynamic role of the crime image and more specifically the mug shot, in a contemporary anti-methamphetamine media campaign known as ‘Faces of Meth’. Understood here as a pedagogical policing program, Faces of Meth attempts to deter methamphetamine use through graphic ‘before meth’ and ‘after meth’ images of the faces of white meth users. Our objective is not to evaluate the actual effectiveness of these fear appeals. Rather we discuss how the photographs are largely structured by and embedded within already existing cultural anxieties about the figure of ‘white trash’, reflecting both the dominance and precariousness of white social position.
Closely spaced mirror pair for reshaping and homogenizing pump beams in laser amplifiers

Channeling a laser beam by multiple reflections between two closely spaced, parallel or nearly parallel mirrors, serves to reshape and homogenize the beam at the output gap between the mirrors. Application of this device to improve the spatial overlap of a copper laser pump beam with the signal beam in a dye laser amplifier is described.
Participation in Daily Living Tasks Among Older Adults With Fear of Falling

Objective. This study investigated patterns of participation in daily living tasks by older adults with fear of falling. The relationship between reported participation in a broad set of daily living tasks and the risk of falling involved in task performance—or activity-related risk—as judged by occupational therapists was examined. Further, several characteristics of older adults that have been associated with fear of falling were examined to determine which older adults had patterns of participation most strongly associated with the activity-related risk. Method. Thirty-eight occupational therapists were surveyed and asked to judge the activity-related risk in performing specific daily living tasks. Additional data were obtained from 339 older adults with fear of falling who participated in a previous study on the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce fear of falling. Older adults’ participation in daily living tasks as measured by items of the Sickness Impact Profile was correlated with the judgments of activity-related risk controlling for potential confounding factors. Univariate regression analyses and t tests were used to determine whether several characteristics of older adults were associated with the relationship between participation and activity-related risk. Results. Small to moderate significant relationships were found between older adults’ participation in daily living tasks and the activity-related risk as judged by occupational therapists (r = ‐.25, p < .0001). Older adults with the lowest confidence in ability regarding falls had the strongest relationships. Conclusion. Activity-related risk is an aspect of daily living tasks that relates to participation in activities by older adults with fear of falling. Knowledge of the activityrelated risk involved in daily living tasks can be used to facilitate occupational performance in clients with fear of falling and associated activity restriction.
Assessing the potential of skin electroporation for the delivery of protein- and gene-based drugs

Although transdermal drug delivery has many potential advantages, the permeability of skin to macromolecules is extremely low. However, the application of short, high-voltage pulses to electroporate skin has recently been shown to make it reversibly permeable. A number of studies have demonstrated that electroporation-mediated transdermal delivery of peptides, polysaccharides, oligonucleotides and genes may be possible at clinically relevant rates, leading to the current commercial development of electroporation techniques.
EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM PEMOLINE ON THE AVERSIVE THRESHOLD TO SHOCK IN THE RAT

The effect of magnesium pemoline on pain thresholds in 52 rats was tested via the jump-flinch technique in groups receiving 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg of the drug. No significant differences were found between groups in the number of jumps or the specific mean intensity at which the first jump was displayed over 4 series of 17 different shock intensities. The findings were interpreted as refuting the hypothesis that superior performance of drug-treated Ss in avoidance situations is due to a sensitization effect to electric shock brought about by drug action.
Derivation and application of conformal absorbing boundary conditions in 3D scattering

The computation of scattering from 3D geometries has been carried out using partial differential equation (PDE) techniques and integral equation (IE) methods. As the problem size increases, PDE techniques become more attractive since the required computational resources scale linearly with the number of unknowns. However, for open domain problems like radiation or scattering, one must also consider the efficiency and accuracy of the mesh termination scheme. As is well known, the mesh truncation condition can be exact or approximate. Exact boundary conditions like the combined finite element-boundary integral formulation implemented in Yuan (1990) result in full submatrices that severely limit the problem size. Approximate boundary conditions or absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) are local in nature and preserve the sparsity of the finite element matrix. The ideal situation would be to enclose the scatterer inside a mesh termination boundary which is of the same shape as the scattering body. In Chatterjee and Volakis (1993), a new absorbing boundary conditions was derived which can be employed on mesh truncation surfaces conforms to the surface of the target. The present authors show how the ABCs in Chatterjee and Volakis can be incorporated into the finite element equations. They also comment on the symmetry of the system for doubly curved surfaces. In the last section, they examine the performance of these ABCs, in terms of computational cost, when applied on mesh termination surfaces conformal to the scattering object. >
Theoretical Advances Spurred by “Stubborn Facts”: A Defense of the Behavioral Economics Paradigm

Economists have regarded behavioral economics as contributing evidence violating accepted theories. This paper contends that a second, perhaps more important, contribution is the new theory that has arisen to address these challenges. To illustrate, the paper examines how a single observed fact, cooperation in the finitely-repeated prisoners’ dilemma, has led to extensions of the folk theorem as well as to new concepts including sequential equilibrium, quantal response equilibrium, psychological game theory, and pregame and post-game perfection. Thus, the observed departures from previously-standard theories have led to not only new understandings of behavior, but also to additions to the economics toolkit.
Multiresolution analysis for surfaces of arbitrary topological type

Multiresolution analysis and wavelets provide useful and efficient tools for representing functions at multiple levels of detail. Wavelet representations have been used in a broad range of applications, including image compression, physical simulation, and numerical analysis. In this article, we present a new class of wavelets, based on subdivision surfaces, that radically extends the class of representable functions. Whereas previous two-dimensional methods were restricted to functions difined on R2, the subdivision wavelets developed here may be applied to functions defined on compact surfaces of arbitrary topological type. We envision many applications of this work, including continuous level-of-detail control for graphics rendering, compression of geometric models, and acceleration of global illumination algorithms. Level-of-detail control for spherical domains is illustrated using two examples: shape approximation of a polyhedral model, and color approximation of global terrain data.
Toward a Hegemonic Resolution in the Banana Trade

Free and fair trade can assume various meanings, depending on who defines the terms. This study draws on the Gramscian notion of hegemony to link meaning and social structure. Taking bananas as a test case, the study employs documents, interviews, and on-site observation to explore five meanings of fair trade: supporting smallholder markets; assuring historical shipping arrangements; encouraging national development; guaranteeing decent working conditions; and preserving ecological balance. Structurally, the first two meanings emerged within the banana trade's competing hegemonic systems, one dominated by three US-based transnational corporations and the other by former colonial powers in the European Union that favored their own shipping. Although the battle finally required WTO intervention, as Gramsci points out, hegemony can also comes from below. Independent national banana growers made direct trade arrangements with supermarkets. Militant unions became especially active within the TNC system, while small-scale producers and "Fair Trade" advocates refined the EU approach. They each have forced fresh approaches to product certification. As TNC domination weakens and independent producers cultivate supermarket outlets, the expiration of EU banana quotas in 2006 may determine which of these competing approaches to trade prevails. A bottom-up alliance among labor, smallholders, and consumers/environmentalists threatens to inspire a fresh hegemonic trade discourse.
THE NUCLEAR PORE COMPLEX

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) creates an aqueous channel across the nuclear envelope through which macromolecular transport between nucleus and cytoplasm occurs. Nucleocytoplasmic traffic is bidirectional and involves diverse substrates, including protein and RNA. It is unclear whether import and export are mechanistically similar, but evidence suggests that numerous pathways may be involved. The discovery of filaments that extend out from each side of the NPC suggests that the NPC may also have a structural role, perhaps providing a connection between cytoskeletal elements of the nucleus and cytoplasm. If this suggestion is valid, it remains to be determined whether this aspect of NPC function is related to its role in nuclear transport. This review discusses recent developments regarding the structure of the NPC, characterization of its constituent proteins (nucleoporins), the mechanism by which transport occurs, the function of individual nucleoporins, and the pathway of NPC assembly and disassembly.
Is a Cure for HIV Possible

It may be very difficult to achieve a sterilizing cure for HIV; however, it may be entirely possible to achieve a functional cure for HIV if a large enough number of HIV-resistant hematopoietic stem cells is transplanted into an HIV-infected recipient, eventually creating an immune system that can control the virus. This has been demonstrated in one patient who received a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a naturally occurring CCR5 deletion. If stem cell gene therapy with autologous cells can be performed with the vast majority of the cells expressing anti-HIV activity, a similar outcome can be expected. In the future, stem cells may also be generated from pluripotent stem cells, particularly induced pluripotent stem cells, promising large numbers of tested, HIV-resistant autologous stem cells for patients with HIV.
Demography of a ground nesting bird in an urban system: are populations self-sustaining?

Urbanization poses threats to earth’s biota, and retention of remnant native habitat in protected areas within expanding urban boundaries may help alleviate threats to wildlife. However, it is unclear for nearly all nonsynanthropic (i.e., not benefiting from an association with humans) species whether vital rates in urban habitats can sustain populations or if populations persist only through immigration from outside the urban boundary. We conducted a three-year study of spotted towhees (Aves: Pipilo maculatus) breeding in four undeveloped parks in Portland, OR, USA, to measure park-specific seasonal reproductive output (F) and annual adult survival (SA). We developed a stochastic model that combined F and SA with an estimate of first-year survival to measure population growth rate (λ) in all parks assumed to be closed to immigration. F differed among parks but SA did not. Relatively high F was possible because many pairs raised >1 brood/season. When combined with empirical estimates of survival through the 30-day period of post-fledging parental care (SD = 0.645), only 2 of 4 parks were self-sustaining (i.e., λ > 1.0). However, SD reflected substantial loss of fledglings to domestic cats (Felis catus). Assuming no loss to cats and either partial compensatory or additive mortality of fledglings substantially improved prospects of population persistence for declining (sink) populations. Moreover, allowing low levels of immigration to sinks reversed population declines in most parks even when vital rates were insufficient to maintain populations. Our results suggest that nonsynanthropic bird species can persist in urban landscapes, but also that offspring mortality in the post-fledging period may be a critical determinant of population viability.
Gross Internal Anatomy of the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa

The gross internal anatomy of the digestive, circulatory, nervous, and reproductive systems of the Madagascar hissing cockroach, Gromphadorhina portentosa (Schaum), are described and illustrated.
Self-reported chemical sensitivity and wartime chemical exposures in Gulf War veterans with and without decreased global health ratings

This cross-sectional telephone survey study assessed prevalence rates of current chemical sensitivity, frequency of chemical odor intolerance, and self-reported Persian Gulf chemical exposures among 41 randomly sampled Department of Veterans Affairs outpatients who were Persian Gulf War (PGW) and PGW-era veterans. The participants were drawn from an initial random list of 100 veterans, of whom 28 PGW and 20 era veterans had correct telephone data on file. Of those contacted, 86% of PGW veterans (24/28) and 85% of era veterans (17/20) agreed to participate. Significantly more PGW veterans with poorer global health after military service reported considering themselves now "especially sensitive to certain chemicals" (86%, 12/14) than did the PGW veterans or era veterans in stable health (both comparison groups 30%, 3/10). Among PGW veterans, the subset with worse health associated with marked increases in chemical odor intolerance since their military service had a significantly higher odds ratio for exposure to multiple chemicals, notably wartime pesticides and insect repellent, than did comparison groups. The high rate of chemical sensitivity of PGW veterans with deteriorated health is almost three times that in PGW-era veterans and in elderly primary care outpatient veterans at the same Department of Veterans Affairs medical center and in community-based civilian samples (i.e., 30%). These preliminary findings suggest the need for further study of chemical sensitivity, including tests for acquired increases in neural sensitizability to multiple low-level chemicals, in ill PGW veterans.
Locally Weighted Maximum Likelihood Estimation: Monte Carlo Evidence and an Application

Even small cities have complicated spatial patterns that are difficult to model adequately with a small number of explanatory variables. Shopping centers, parks, lakes, and the like have local effects on variables such as housing prices, land values, and population density. Proximity to such sites can be included as explanatory variables, but the number of potential sites is large and some may be unknown beforehand. Coefficient estimates are biased when relevant sites are omitted, but are inefficient when unimportant ones are included. Moreover, functional forms are often complex for urban spatial patterns even in the absence of local peaks and valleys.
COMPARISON OF PLATE LOOP AND AGAR PLATE METHODS FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF MANUFACTURING GRADE RAW MILK1,2

Summary Plate loop counts and standard plate counts on each of several manufacturing grade raw milk samples (handled in cans or in farm bulk tanks) have been compared. On the average, the plate loop count (PLC) was lower than the standard plate count (SPC) regardless of the type of handling of milk on the farm, can or bulk tank. Agreement between the SPC and PLC seemed to depend upon the bacterial-count levels present in milk. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences, at 1% level of probability, between the average bacterial count by SPC and PLC methods regardless of count level (≤100,000/ml or >100,000/ml) in case of can milk samples. On the other hand, in case of farm bulk tank milk samples, no significant differences, at the 1% level of probability, between the average bacterial count by SPC and PLC methods were obtained, when the counts were equal to or less than 100,000 per ml; when the counts exceeded 100,000 per ml, significant differences were present. Since the bacterial counts of m...
Research on lightning warning method based on the characteristics of atmospheric electric field

Aiming at the shortcomings of traditional lightning protection measures in active defense for lightning accident, it is necessary to carry out studies on lightning warning method. On the basis of lightning warning information, measures can be taken to avoid lightning risk in advance. This paper makes comparative analysis between fair-weather electric field and thunderstorm-weather electric field by using Hilbert-Huang Transform, and analyses their intrinsic oscillation characteristics for lightning warning. Combining the amplitude of atmospheric electric field with its proportion of energy on high frequency band, a lightning warning method is proposed. Then typical thunderstorm-weather is utilized to verify this lightning warning method workable and accurate.
Early assessment of PSA response in patients with mCRPC treated with enzalutamide and abiraterone.

e574Background: Abiraterone (Abi) and enzaleutamide (Enza) are first-line agents for the treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Primary resistance is well-documented, but little data exists for rapid treatment responders. This study intended to further characterize patients with early prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline. Methods: A single-institution retrospective review was performed on 123 mCRPC patients treated with Abi and/or Enza. PSA was recorded every 4 weeks for the duration of treatment. The primary endpoint was to describe PSA response, including sensitivities and specificities, as a predictor of later treatment response (defined as ≥50% decrease in PSA from baseline). Additional clinical covariates were also evaluated as treatment-response predictors. Results: A PSA response to Abi was achieved in 52/123 (42%) of patients. Median time to PSA nadir was 37 days. 30/52 (58%) patients responded to the drug within 4 weeks. Median length of time on drug was 110 days. ...
Characterization of MoVTeNbOx catalysts during oxidation reactions using In Situ/Operando techniques: A review

Light alkanes are abundant in shale gas resources. The bulk mixed metal oxide MoVTe(Sb)NbOx catalysts play a very important role in dehydrogenation and selective oxidation reactions of these short hydrocarbons to produce high-value chemicals. This catalyst system mainly consists of M1 and less-active M2 crystalline phases. Due to their ability to directly monitor the catalysts under the relevant industrial conditions, in situ/operando techniques can provide information about the nature of active sites, surface intermediates, and kinetics/mechanisms, and may help with the synthesis of new and better catalysts. Sophisticated catalyst design and understanding is necessary to achieve the desired performance (activity, selectivity, lifetime, etc.) at reasonable reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.). This article critically reviews the progress made in research of these MoVTe(Sb)NbOx catalysts in oxidation reactions mainly through in situ/operando techniques and suggests the future direction needed to realize the industrialization of these catalysts.
Limitations and opportunities for immune checkpoint inhibitors in pediatric malignancies

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have shown great promise in a wide spectrum of adult solid and hematological malignancies, achieving objective tumor responses and prolonging survival. However, there is limited clinical success amongst pediatric patients. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of ICI and present an up-to-date overview of recent and ongoing clinical trials of ICI in pediatric malignancies. In addition, we will discuss immunologic and clinical difficulties in this young population, as well as future prospects for combination of ICI with other immune-based and conventional treatments.
Exploring the relationship between institutional factors and FDI attractiveness: A meta-analytic review

Abstract This meta-analysis attempts to synthesize and review decades of research on the relationship between institutional factors and host country foreign direct investment (FDI) attractiveness. Using prior tests derived from 97 primary studies, we find support for prior theoretical predictions that institutional factors such as political stability, democracy, and rule of law attract FDI, while others such as corruption, tax rates and cultural distance deter it. Further evidence suggests a need for exploration of moderating factors that may influence previous key findings. Specifically, environmental effects such as level of development, region of destination, and competitive industry environment have varying influence on the strength and significance of the relationship. We also explore a number of methodological and economic moderating variables, providing additional interesting insights into previous empirical analyses. We conclude with suggestions for future research that stress a call for further contextualization of the relationship.
Real-time Environmental Applications and Display sYstem: READY

Abstract Air quality forecasters, emergency responders, aviation interests, government agencies, and the atmospheric research community are among those who require access to tools to analyze and predict the transport and dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. Because of this need, the unique web-based Real-time Environmental Applications and Display sYstem (READY) has been under continuous development since 1997 to provide access to a suite of tools for producing air parcel trajectory and dispersion model results and displaying meteorological data. READY provides a “quasi-operational” portal to run the HYSPLIT atmospheric transport and dispersion model and interpret its results. Typical user applications include modeling the release of hazardous pollutants and volcanic ash, forest fire and prescribed burn smoke forecasting, poor air quality events, and various climatological studies. In addition, READY provides the user with quick access to meteorological data interpolated to the location of interest, helping in the interpretation of the HYSPLIT model results.
Role of Equatorial Pacific SST forecast error in the late winter California precipitation forecast for the 2015/16 El Niño

AbstractDuring the strong 2015/16 El Nino, only normal-to-below average precipitation fell across California in the late winter. This disagrees with both predictions by the ensemble mean of forecast models and expectations for strong El Ninos. We examine one of the possible reasons why this event did not bring expected precipitation to California in the late winter. The maximum equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) were located, compared to the 1982/83 and 1997/98 strong El Ninos, further to the west in the 2015/16 winter, which possibly caused less convection in the eastern tropical Pacific and shifted the teleconnection patterns westward in the North Pacific, thus weakening the influences on California. The SSTA and precipitation forecast for February-March-April 2016 based on the North America Multi-Model Ensemble showed large discrepancies from observations with the ensemble mean of most of the models overestimating SSTA in the eastern tropical Pacific and California precipitatio...
Surface Water Flow Modeling

The topography of the Earth’s surface controls the flow of water and mass over the landscape. Modifications to the surface geometry of the land redirect water and mass flows influencing ecosystems, crop growth, the built environment, and many other phenomena dependent on water. We used Tangible Landscape to explore the relationship between overland flow patterns and landscape topography by manually changing the landscape model, while getting near real-time feedback about changing flow patterns. We coupled Tangible Landscape with a sophisticated dam breach model to investigate flood scenarios after a dam breach.
DNA hybridization techniques and their application to the diagnosis of infectious diseases.

SUMMARY Several commercial DNA probe assays are widely used in clinical microbiology laboratories. These include culture-confirmation assays for Mycobacterium species, which are recommended by CDC because they are both rapid and accurate, and culture-confirmation assays for N. gonorrhoeae. Probe assays for direct detection of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis are also widely used in public health and large reference laboratories. In many cases, the probe assays have decreased the time to identification of positive cultures and improved detection of these pathogens because they do not depend on the presence of viable organisms to achieve a positive result. Nucleic acid amplification assays hold promise for the rapid detection and identification of many infectious agents. PCR using universal primers enables researchers to identify new agents of disease that cannot be cultured in vitro; more importantly, PCR provides a method for detecting the presence of any bacterial species, including common organisms, in normally sterile body fluids, such as blood and cerebrospinal fluids. The use of such primers may well give PCR the broad-based approach needed to identify organisms in the clinical microbiology laboratory of the future.
Assessment of Macro- and Microvascular Function and Reactivity

The arterial system consists of large conduit vessels that branch continuously into smaller and smaller vessels ending in arterioles and capillaries. The role of the larger (macro) arteries is to distribute flow to various organs and to provide compliance to minimize the load on the heart and to maximize pressure during diastole. The role of the smaller (micro) vessels is to control regional blood flow by varying their resistance in response to local demand. When all the cardiovascular sensors, control mechanisms, and actuators are working properly, the input impedance of the vascular system remains matched to the output impedance of the heart to maximize efficiency and energy transfer both at rest and during exercise or stress. When disease or aging alters part of the system, overall function is compromised and other parts adapt to maintain basic function but at reduced efficiency and reserve. Thus, when evaluating macrovascular versus microvascular function, reserve, and reactivity to isolate the primary culprit, one must recognize that the entire arterial system may be altered. There are a number of methods and techniques available for assessing vascular function and reactivity, the most accepted being flow-mediated dilation. In this method, microvessels in a limb are stimulated via ischemia during inflation of a blood pressure cuff and assessed by measuring flow or velocity during reactive hyperemia after cuff deflation. Macrovessels are stimulated during the reactive hyperemia and assessed by measuring the change in diameter induced by the increased flow. Other methodologies evaluate different aspects of macrovascular and microvascular function and reactivity, and macrovascular may not be separated from microvascular function unambiguously. Thus, a multifaceted approach may be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of peripheral vascular function.
Chromatography of mouse hepatitis virus replicative intermediate and replicative form RNA.

One of our goals is to obtain large amounts of selected size classes of the Coronavirus replicative intermediates (RI) and native replicative form (RF) RNA that contain the templates for viral genome and messenger RNA syntheses. The two replicative molecules differ in their relative amounts of single-stranded and double-stranded character, with the RF RNA considered essentially or completely double-stranded. It is known that there are seven species of RI RNA, each of which is proportional in size and abundance to one of the seven species of viral messenger RNA produced in infected cells (Sawicki and Sawicki 1990; 1998; Schaad and Baric 1994; Baric and Yount 2000). The presence in coronavirus-infected cells of seven viral minus strand templates was first reported by Sethna and Brian (1989). To assist in this effort, we undertook an analysis of how mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-A59) RI and RF RNA fractionate on three gel filtration matrices, Sepharose 2B, Superose 6 and Sephacryl S-1000. A second goal was to attempt to explain the failure by others to find subgenomic RI and their RF cores after ribonuclease treatment and gel filtration chromatography.
Compartments and Boundaries in the Developing Inner Ear

A growing list of genes are suspected to be important in patterning the inner ear because they are asymmetrically expressed in the otocyst prior to overt patterning. The challenge now is to understand how such expression domains relate to the morphological structures that arise later. Recently, we proposed a model in which broad expression domains may be considered as developmental compartments. The boundaries and intersections of such compartments were proposed to provide spatial information for positioning key structural elements, such as the sensory organs or the endolymphatic duct. To test this model, we have been studying the spatial relationships between different transcription factors by comparing mRNA or protein expression patterns in the embryonic chicken ear. The data show that two homeobox-containing genes, SOHol and Pax2, meet at a boundary in the dorsal part of the otic vesicle, and that the endolymphatic duct forms immediately adjacent to this boundary within the Pax2 protein expression domain. Our previous work had demonstrated that sensory organs also arise on either side of this boundary near the middle part of the vesicle. Together, these data provide circumstantial evidence in support of a role for boundaries in ear development.
Investigation of pallet stacking pattern on unit load bridging

Considering the effect of packages during pallet design will reduce costs and improve the sustainability of the supply chain. Currently, many mechanical interactions between the pallet and the package product are not being considered during the pallet design process. This study investigates the effect of the magnitude and type of interlocking between layers of packaged products. The bending of the pallet supporting a unit load of corrugated boxes was measured under four common support conditions, warehouse rack storage spanning the pallet width and length, fork tine support across the pallet width, and floor stacking. Five different pallet stacking patterns were analyzed from column stacking to fully interlocked stacking. It was determined that interlocking packages reduces pallet deflection up to 53%. This is more significant for lower stiffness pallets and when the payload carried by the pallet is greater than the rated load capacity of the pallet. Increasing the magnitude of the interlocking reduces the deflection of the pallet by 11.6%. These results provide a guideline on improving pallet design and help further the understanding of the interaction between pallets and the orientation of packaged products placed on the pallet.
Conceptualizing restorative justice for people with mental illnesses leaving prison or jail

Individuals with psychiatric disabilities who are involved in the criminal justice system face a number of challenges to community integration upon release. There is a critical need to develop and evaluate interventions for these individuals that connect them to the community by enhancing naturalistic social connections and helping them to participate meaningfully in valued roles. The purposes of this article are to describe, provide a theoretical rationale, and propose a conceptual model for the use of a particular restorative justice model, circles of support and accountability, to meet this need. We describe the principles of restorative justice (repairing harm, stakeholder involvement, and the transformation of community and governmental roles and relationships) and how these map on to elements of the circles intervention. These elements include a focus on community participation, positive social support, democratic decision making, collective ownership of crime problems, and connection to community-based resources. We then suggest how changes in identity transformation, moral development and motivation, and collective efficacy might mediate relationships between these intervention elements and community integration outcomes. Finally, we encourage the systematic evaluation of the circles intervention for people with mental health conditions leaving custody and provide recommendations for policy and practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Chapter 25 – Power and Sample Size Calculations

This chapter introduces several fundamental concepts related to power and sample size calculations. We first review some key questions that should be considered when developing research studies. We then introduce the concept of statistical power and explain why having adequate power is essential for designing successful studies. Next, we present some basic sample size formulas for when we plan to collect a sample of either continuous or binary data and then wish to construct a confidence interval for the population mean or the population proportion with a certain degree of precision. Subsequently, we present some basic sample size formulas for when we plan to collect one sample, a paired sample, or two independent samples of either continuous or binary data and then wish to test hypotheses about specific characteristics of the populations from which the data came. Finally, we discuss several advanced topics related to sample size calculation and the collaborative process of study design.
UPC++ Programmer’s Guide (v1.0-2019.3.0)

Author(s): Bachan, J; Baden, S; Bonachea, Dan; Hargrove, P; Hofmeyr, S; Jacquelin, M; Kamil, A; Van Straalen, B | Abstract: This document has been superseded by: UPC++ v1.0 Programmer’s Guide, Revision 2019.9.0 (LBNL-2001236) https://doi.org/10.25344/S4V30R UPC++ is a C++11 library that provides Partitioned Global Address Space (PGAS) programming. It is designed for writing parallel programs that run efficiently and scale well on distributed-memory parallel computers. The PGAS model is single program, multiple-data (SPMD), with each separate constituent process having access to local memory as it would in C++. However, PGAS also provides access to a global address space, which is allocated in shared segments that are distributed over the processes. UPC++ provides numerous methods for accessing and using global memory. In UPC++, all operations that access remote memory are explicit, which encourages programmers to be aware of the cost of communication and data movement. Moreover, all remote-memory access operations are by default asynchronous, to enable programmers to write code that scales well even on hundreds of thousands of cores.