cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of Ecosystem C 18 OO Isotope Fluxes in A Tallgrass Prairie: Biological and Physical Controls

This chapter focuses on C 18 OO exchanges in a tallgrass prairie grassland located in north-central Oklahoma, USA. It uses a mechanistic ecosystem model modified for simulating oxygen isotopes to explore the physiological and biophysical controls on C 18 OO exchanges in this ecosystem. Because these exchanges are strongly coupled to the 18 O composition of leaf and soil water, the chapter also describes these quantities and their relation to δ 18 O-CO 2 . The model simulations presented here demonstrate the utility of a land surface model that simulates the isotopic contents of H 2 O and CO 2 ecosystem pools and fluxes. This utility is apparent because of the many non-linear processes that affect the 18 O of soil and leaf water as well as the dynamics of gross carbon exchanges between the land surface and the atmosphere. For example, the partitioning of net radiation into latent and sensible heat fluxes influences surface physical and biological processes that impact the δ 18 O value of both H 2 O and CO 2 exchanges.
Correlation spectroscopy of tissues with diffuse light

Diffuse light is emerging as a useful research tool to probe highly scattering tissues. A critical advance in the field has been the recognition and widespread acceptance that light transport over long distances in tissues is well approximated as a diffusive process. Using this basic physical model, it is possible to quantitatively separate tissue scattering effects from tissue absorption effects. I will discuss some of the research we have been doing with the highly scattered light. In particular I will describe how we are using diffuse light temporal correlation to learn about physiological properties of tissues.
Prevalence of amyloid and positive Congo red frequency among routine surgical specimens

Amyloidosis is characterized by an extracellular tissue deposition of one of a family of biochemical proteins that are abnormally folded. The deposits are often subtle, and can be missed on routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. Current literature does not offer an expected prevalence rate of amyloid or frequency of Congo red positivity among routine surgical pathology specimens in a referral bias-free setting. The objective of this study was to determine these parameters at a large community hospital. The pathology database was searched for all surgical pathology and autopsy cases diagnosed with amyloidosis from 2001–2013. All cases were reviewed and clinical parameters were recorded. Based on H&E interpretation, Congo red was performed on 218 cases. Of these, 36% confirmed positive birefringence. The prevalence of amyloid among routinely submitted pathology specimens was calculated as 0.027% over the 13-year interval. Amyloid was detected in less than 1% of routine surgical specimens. When ...
Sociocognitive factors and perceived consequences associated with alternative forms of alcohol use

ABSTRACTObjective: Popular media have highly publicized alternative forms of alcohol use (eg, eyeballing, inhaling alcohol vapor) among college students as a growing concern, possibly associated with severe health risks. Formative research indicates rarity of use. Participants and Methods: College students (Study 1: n = 411; Study 2: n = 687) completed an online survey. Results: Findings confirmed infrequent use of alternative methods of alcohol use and low likelihood of trying them in the future (Study 1). Participants indicated varied reasons for possibly trying each alternative form of alcohol use, but consistently perceived consequences for all forms (ie, health concerns), as well as very low perceived approval from close friends (Study 2). Social and environmental contextual factors associated with possible use were also explored. Conclusions: College students in the current sample have low prevalence and future likelihood of alternative forms of alcohol use. This information can be used by campus he...
A shape-based approach for salient object detection using deep learning

Salient object detection is a key step in many image analysis tasks as it not only identifies relevant parts of a visual scene but may also reduce computational complexity by filtering out irrelevant segments of the scene. In this paper, we propose a novel salient object detection method that combines a shape prediction driven by a convolutional neural network with the mid and low-region preserving image information. Our model learns a shape of a salient object using a CNN model for a target region and estimates the full but coarse saliency map of the target image. The map is then refined using image specific low-to-mid level information. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms previous state-of-the-arts methods in salient object detection.
Patterns of Use, Acute Subjective Experiences, and Motivations for Using Synthetic Cathinones (“Bath Salts”) in Recreational Users

ABSTRACTGiven the variety and potential toxicity of synthetic cathinones, clinicians and educators would benefit from information about patterns of and motivations for use, frequency of psychosocial consequences, and experience of acute subjective effects. We administered a comprehensive, web-based survey to 104 recreational users of synthetic cathinones. Sixty percent of respondents consumed synthetic cathinones once or more per month, usually snorting or swallowing these drugs, typically at home, usually with others, customarily during the evening and nighttime hours, and often in combination with another drug such as alcohol or marijuana. Acute subjective effects attributed to synthetic cathinones were similar to those of other psychostimulants, including increased energy, rapid heartbeat, racing thoughts, difficulty sleeping, euphoria, decreased appetite, open-mindedness, and increased sex drive. Reported reasons for using synthetic cathinones included its stimulating effects, curiosity, substitution ...
For Selected Services, Blacks And Hispanics More Likely To Receive Low-Value Care Than Whites

US minority populations receive fewer effective health services than whites. Using Medicare administrative data for 2006–11, we found no consistent, corresponding protection against the receipt of ...
Oral injuries and occult harm in children evaluated for abuse

Objective To determine the frequency of occult trauma in children with oral injury evaluated for physical abuse. Design This was a retrospectively planned secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study. Setting Emergency departments supported by 20 US child abuse teams in the Examining Siblings to Recognize Abuse (ExSTRA) network. Patients Children Interventions Analysis of index children with oral injury on initial examination. Main outcome measures Rates of physician-recognised oral injury, as well as frequency and results of occult injury testing. Perceived abuse likelihood was described on a 7-point scale (7=definite abuse). Results Among 2890 child abuse consultations, 3.3% (n=96) of children had oral injury. Forty-two per cent were 0–12 months old, 39% 1–3 years old and 18% >3 years old. Oral injury was the primary reason for evaluation for 32 (33%). Forty-three per cent (42/96) had frenum injuries. Skeletal surveys were obtained for 84% and 25% of these identified occult fractures. Seventy-five per cent had neuroimaging; 38% identified injuries. Forty-one per cent of children with oral injuries had retinal examinations; 24% of exams showed retinal haemorrhages. More occult injuries were found in children with oral injuries than other ExSTRA subjects. A high level of concern for abusive injury was present in 67% of children with oral injury versus 33% without. Conclusions Children with oral injury are at high risk for additional occult abusive injuries. Infants and mobile preschoolers are at risk. Young children with unexplained oral injury should be evaluated for abuse.
The Neurobiology of Fairness and Social Justice: An Introduction

The study of social justice has always been an interdisciplinary undertaking, but in recent years neurobiologists have joined scholars and scientists from other areas to tackle complex questions concerning fairness, empathy, equality, hierarchy, and ideological conflict and polarization. By synthesizing insights from multiple, mutually informative levels of analysis, it is possible to shed new light on basic biological processes that reflect, inspire, and inhibit the pursuit of a more just society. With this special issue we highlight groundbreaking research on the neurobiology of fairness and social justice, bringing together six articles that address core themes of social justice, including individual variability in definitions of fairness, the genetic basis of economic egalitarianism, neural bases of empathy in environmental and intergroup domains, and the neural and genetic correlates of ideological polarization. Taken in conjunction, these diverse contributions bring multiple theoretical perspectives and research methods to bear on the shared goal of understanding and promoting social justice.
The limitations of using activity space measurements for representing the mobilities of individuals with visual impairment: A mixed methods case study in the San Francisco Bay Area

Abstract Activity space measures are often utilized to quantify the physical spaces that individuals travel through and have access to over the course of their daily activities. To date, these measures have rarely been used to investigate the mobility of people with disabilities, who often experience difficulties accessing transportation and navigating the built environment. Additionally, researchers have yet to compare results from activity space measures to people's perceived accessibility as a means of method validation. This paper contributes to the existing literature by (1) evaluating the activity spaces of individuals with visual impairment (VI) in the San Francisco Bay Area and (2) comparing the activity space results to qualitative information about individuals' travel behaviors and their perceptions about the accessibility of their environments. This mixed quantitative and qualitative methods project models individuals' activity spaces from travel diaries and analyzes participants' travel behaviors and perceptions from interviews. Three activity space measures are considered: standard deviational ellipse, network buffer, and potential path area. The results demonstrate significant shortcomings in activity space measures for representing the experiences of people with visual impairment and identify how existing methods can be improved for future research on environmental accessibility.
FDTD Simulation of Electromagnetic Wave Transformation in a Dynamic Magnetized Plasma

Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) algorithms are applied to study the transformation of a pre-existing electromagnetic plane wave by prescribed time variation of a cold magnetoplasma with a magnetic field along the propagation direction. A one-dimensional FDTD code is used to verify the results obtained earlier using analytical approximations based on (a) WKB method for slow switching of the plasma medium and (b) Green's function technique for rapid switching of the plasma medium. A novel successive reduction method has been developed and applied to obtain the amplitudes and the frequencies of the new modes generated by the switching of the medium.
Homophobic Bullying in Catholic High Schools: Five US Studies in Heterosexism, Authority, Masculinity, and Religion

In research conducted over the course of nearly a decade in the United States, Maher describes how the sources of homophobic bullying in Catholic secondary schools include gender conformity, a culture of masculinity, and rigid religious beliefs. Homophobic bullying is described through interviews with gay and lesbian Catholic school alumni. Catholic secondary school staff and administrators describe their efforts to change their schools’ environments. Surveys demonstrate the connections between religiosity, masculinity, and intolerance. Maher also shows how the religious nature of these schools can contribute both to bullying and to combating bullying, when shaped properly.
The Applicability of Dispersed Metals as Catalysts for Organometallic Reactions

Summary Initial work indicates that dispersed metals may be used to promote a variety of organometallic reactions. The Heck Arylation proceeds smoothly over supported Pd catalysts while diene cyclizations can be catalyzed by dispersed Rh metal. The use of these heterogeneous species facilitates product isolation and permits the application of flow systems rather than batch reactors for these reactions. Frontier Molecular Orbital and mechanistic considerations indicate that these reactions take place on the coordinately unsaturated corner atoms on the metal surface.
Quantitative Approach in Clinical Microbiology: A Paradigm Shift Toward Culture-Free Methods

Traditional diagnostic methods in clinical bacteriology rely heavily on the culturing of single pathogen colonies. These techniques have three main drawbacks: they depend on the bacteria being able to reproduce in a culture medium, they often take several days before a conclusive result is obtained, and they require that clinicians suspect a causative infectious disease agent in order to set up pathogen-specific culturing conditions. Furthermore, the famous Robert Koch thesis of one pathogen–one disease has been superseded by the concept that shifts in local human microbial communities are linked with disease states and progress. The symbiotic relationship between the host and microbiome has led scientists to believe that an individuals’ disease susceptibility is affected by their bacterial population and evidence is growing that polypathogenic diseases may exist.
Association of State Firearm Legislation With Female Intimate Partner Homicide

Introduction The aim of this study was to assess the association between state firearm legislation and female intimate partner homicide. Methods In 2017, the authors conducted a secondary data analysis of 16 states from 2010 to 2014, using data from the National Violent Death Reporting System, the State Firearm Law Database, and additional public sources. Poisson regression analyses quantified the association between the number of state restrictive firearm legislative provisions and the female population-based intimate partner homicide rate. For etiologic reasons, intimate partner homicide was disaggregated into homicide–suicide (intimate partner homicide followed by perpetrator suicide) and homicide-only intimate partner homicide (intimate partner homicide in the absence of perpetrator suicide). Results There were 1,693 female intimate partner homicide deaths in the 16 states during 2010–2014; 67% were homicide-only intimate partner homicide. The number of state-level legislative provisions related to firearm restrictions ranged from four (Alaska) to 95 (Massachusetts). The intimate partner homicide rate in states with zero to 39 provisions was 1.16 per 100,000 person years (95% CI=1.10, 1.22) and in states with >40 provisions was 0.68 per 100,000 person years (95% CI=0.61, 0.72). The incidence of female intimate partner homicide was 56% lower in states with ≥40 legislative provisions (adjusted incidence rate ratio=0.44, 95% CI=0.28, 0.68), relative to states with zero to 39 provisions. This protective association was stronger for homicide-only intimate partner homicide than homicide–suicide intimate partner homicide. Conclusions More state-level restrictive firearm legislation is associated with a lower rate of female intimate partner homicides.
Caring for Women in Labor at the Height of Liberia’s Ebola Crisis: The ELWA Hospital Experience

The Ebola epidemic of 2013–2015 caused over 11,000 deaths in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. During the crisis, hospitals ceased operations or limited the care they provided. Pregnant women needing assistance with complicated deliveries had few alternatives. The Eternal Love Winning Africa (ELWA) Hospital in Liberia was one health facility which experienced a period of closure, reduction of services, and health care personnel becoming ill with Ebola Virus Disease. In this phenomenological study, we initially present data from ELWA Hospital’s Obstetrics Department during a 3-month period at the peak of Liberia’s Ebola epidemic (July to September 2014). We then present the stories of two physicians as they cared for patients and interacted with staff during the crisis. Through these vignettes, we learn of the barriers to care that patients experienced, as well as the manner that relationships between health care providers and patients were impacted by the Ebola outbreak and its sequelae. The authors then discuss their reflections on the impact which Ebola had on the doctor-patient relationship. Both doctors and patients approached interactions differently due to perceived risks. By examining the doctor-patient relationship through professional, spiritual, and philosophical lenses, resources are identified to counteract the forces threatening that relationship.
Bioinspired magnetic nanoparticles as multimodal photoacoustic, photothermal and photomechanical contrast agents

Nanoparticles from magnetotactic bacteria have been used in conventional imaging, drug delivery, and magnetic manipulations. Here, we show that these natural nanoparticles and their bioinspired hybrids with near-infrared gold nanorods and folic acid can serve as molecular high-contrast photoacoustic probes for single-cell diagnostics and as photothermal agents for single-cell therapy using laser-induced vapor nanobubbles and magnetic field as significant signal and therapy amplifiers. These theranostics agents enable the detection and photomechanical killing of triple negative breast cancer cells that are resistant to conventional chemotherapy, with just one or a few low-energy laser pulses. In studies in vivo, we discovered that circulating tumor cells labeled with the nanohybrids generate transient ultrasharp photoacoustic resonances directly in the bloodstream as the basis for new super-resolution photoacoustic flow cytometry in vivo. These properties make natural and bioinspired magnetic nanoparticles promising biocompatible, multimodal, high-contrast, and clinically relevant cellular probes for many in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications.
I-n-I Re-member Now: A Rastafari Reading of HBO’s Westworld

The androids of Westworld, and this chapter will make the case for Maeve in particular, allude to this aspect of the forced mass migration, and function as palimpsests to be written upon by hegemonic forces who constantly erase their memories, thus denying them a past and a sense of self. But Nigerian Nobel Prize winning playwright Wole Soyinka argues forcefully in his seminal play, Death and the King’s Horseman that “Memory is Master of Death, the chink in his armour of conceit,” and as Maeve’s memories of the brutality she has suffered irrupt the false narratives of her creators, she begins to comprehend the extent to which her life is a carefully constructed lie, and claims an identity of her own. Although the bicameral theory of robotic consciousness posited by Joy and Nolan is elegant and worth exploring on its own merit, my chapter will offer a different, less obvious model of consciousness as a hermeneutic through which one can grapple with Maeve’s psychological journey. Instead, I choose to read Maeve as a Rastafari figure, struggling to gain what Jack A. Johnson-Hill calls an “I-n-I consciousness” that stands in opposition to the world of Babylon that is Westworld, the site of her captivity. Despite the many times she is raped, murdered and brought back to life, Maeve eventually asserts her dignity against the oppressive context of her existence, and ultimately brings her fractured consciousness together through the power of memory.
The social construction of disability and the capabilities approach: Implications for nursing.

Problem Improving the health and well-being of people with disabilities (PWD) should be included https://plato.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/encyclopedia/archinfo.cgi?entry=justice-distributivein any strategies aimed at eliminating health disparities and achieving health equity in the United States. However, practitioners and policymakers often overlook disability when considering health equity. This is problematic because structural injustices including social and environmental barriers frequently worsen health for PWD. A commitment to social justice, however, dictates that everyone should have equitable opportunities to participate in chosen aspects of life to the best of their abilities and desires. Methods We use a critical commentary to provide suggestions for the nursing discipline. Specifically, we 1) position the disparities in health and well-being experienced by PWD as matters of equity and social justice, 2) describe Amartya Sen's capabilities approach, and 3) provide suggestions for incorporating tenets of the capabilities approach into nursing practice, research, and policy. Conclusion The capabilities approach can provide a useful framework to guide nursing practice, research, and policy in order to advance social justice for PWD.
“Los bastos dominios de este Reyno”: El proyecto de 1752 del virrey conde de Revillagigedo para reorganizar Nueva España

El primer conde de Revillagigedo, Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas, propuso una reorganizacion de Nueva Espana, territorio del que era virrey (1746-1755), de gran alcance. En su memorando del 4 de junio de 1752, que hasta ahora fue desconocido, Revillagigedo abogo para establecer gobernadores militares en Puebla de los Angeles, Valladolid (Morelia) y Antequera de Oaxaca. El gobernador de Puebla deberia recibir un salario anual de 4 000 pesos, el de Valladolid 3 000 pesos y el de Oaxaca 2 000 pesos. Revillagigedo tambien recomendo nombrar un teniente coronel para el gobierno de Tabasco. Ademas, para fomentar la fe, explotar las minas, expandir el comercio, y repeler los enemigos, los gobernadores de Sinaloa, Nuevo Mexico, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila y Tejas deberian ser oficiales con el rango de teniente coronel o superior. Ellos obedecerian al jefe gobernador de la Nueva Vizcaya, que residiria preferentemente en San Felipe el Real de Chihuahua, o en Durango, San Jose del Parral, o el valle de San Bartolome (unos 33 kilometros al oeste de Parral). El jefe gobernador tendria por lo menos el rango de mariscal de campo y recibiria un sueldo anual de 12 000 pesos.Algunas de las sugerencias de Revillagigedo se convirtieron en realidad, sobre todo con el nombramiento de gobernadores militares en Puebla y Sinaloa en 1754 y el establecimiento de la comandancia general de las provincias internas entre 1776 y 1777. El memorando de Revillagigedo es parte de una larga discusion sobre la reorganizacion del virreinato y se encuentra en el Archivo de los Condes de Guemes, microfilmado en 1985 por la Biblioteca de la Universidad de Florida, en Estados Unidos.
Changing the Culture and Managing Imposter Syndrome

The culture of academic medicine is demanding and one that historically relied on the self-sacrifice of the physicians within. It is also imbalanced as it relates to women physicians. Gender bias is seen in salaries, promotions, leadership opportunities, and even everyday interactions. Our disparate culture is a perfect climate for burnout in women physicians. If the world of academic medicine wishes to eliminate burnout, then we must have a complete culture change to promote an environment of support, edification, and equality. Changing the maladaptive aspects of our culture starts by transforming our individual approach to our colleagues, empowering the influencers, rebuilding the institution of medicine, and changing the way we look at ourselves.
Laparoscopic Myomectomy with Left Tubal Reanastomosis and Right Neosalpingostomy

Study Objective The goal of this video is to demonstrate a variety of options for addressing reversal of tubal ligations, while optimizing the environment to achieve pregnancy with myomectomy. Design This is a case report video. Setting Academic institution with residents and fellows participating in the surgery. Patients or Participants A 34-year-old female with abnormal bleeding due to fibroids, with a history of tubal ligation and desire for future fertility. Interventions Robotic assisted myomectomy with left tubal reanastomosis and right tubal neosalpingostomy. Measurements and Main Results N/A Conclusion This case shows the variety of surgical findings that can be encountered for which a surgeon may have to adapt and demonstrate a diverse surgical skill set. This skill set can then be applied to potentially unforeseen surgical findings in future settings.
Self-Convergence of Radiatively Cooling Clumps

Numeric convergence studies demonstrate that the evolution of an adiabatic clump is well-captured by roughly 100 cells per clump radius. The presence of radiative cooling, however, imposes limits on the problem due to the removal of thermal energy. Numerical studies which include radiative cooling typically adopt the 100--200 cells per clump radius resolution. In this paper we present the results of a convergence study for radiatively cooling clumps undertaken over a broad range of resolutions, from 12 to 1,536 cells per clump radius, employing adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) in a 2D axisymmetric geometry ("2.5D"). We also provide a fully 3D simulation, at 192 cells per clump radius, which supports our 2.5D results. We find no appreciable self-convergence at ~100 cells per clump radius as small-scale differences owing to increasingly resolving the "cooling length" have global effects. We therefore conclude that self-convergence is an insufficient criterion to apply on its own when addressing the question of sufficient resolution for radiatively cooled shocked clump simulations. We suggest the adoption of alternate criteria to support a statement of sufficient resolution, such as the demonstration of adequate resolution of the cooling layers behind shocks. We discuss an associated refinement criteria for AMR codes.
Drop squeezing between arbitrary smooth obstacles

A fully three-dimensional boundary-integral method (BIM) is developed for the interaction of drops, suspended in a uniform far-field flow at small Reynolds number, with arbitrary Lyapunov surfaces. The close approach of fluid interfaces to solid surfaces poses significant challenges for numerical BIM implementations, due to the highly singular behaviour of single- and double-layer boundary integrals. Two new methods are described that generalize the accurate calculation of the highly singular surface integrals used by high-order desingularization techniques. The first method is semi-analytical, and applies to axisymmetric solid obstacles (in an arbitrary three-dimensional configuration). An axisymmetric particle can be divided into a series of characteristic disks along its axis, for which closed-form expressions for single and double layers are derived in terms of elliptic integrals. To accommodate arbitrary smooth surfaces, a multimesh desingularization method is introduced that calculates surface integrals utilizing a hierarchy of embedded mesh resolutions, together with distance-activated mesh interactions. Several particle shapes, including spherocylinders (capsules) and flat plates, are used to represent major classes characteristic of porous media. A droplet approaching a capsule will break up after forming two lobes, connected by a thin filament, on either side of the capsule. The cross-sectional shape of the filament affects lubrication behaviour. A constriction made of two parallel capsules, even of low aspect ratio, significantly retards drop passage compared to two spheres. Trends in drop squeezing between two capsules are summarized over a range of capillary number, viscosity ratio, drop size and capsule length. A constriction of two coplanar plates results in notably different lubrication and squeezing behaviour. Flow rectification is demonstrated for constrictions that are non-symmetrical with respect to flow reversal, for several non-axisymmetric particles.
Temporal Utilization of Physical Therapy Visits After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background:Physical therapy (PT) rehabilitation is critical to successful outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Later-stage rehabilitation, including sport-specific exerc...
The use of social robots in classrooms: A review of field-based studies

Abstract Social robots are being adopted in PreK-12 schools around the world and have the potential to initiate far-reaching changes in education. Analysis from high-quality field studies is essential for educational researchers, administrators, and practitioners to make informed decisions about using these robots. We identified 23 studies between 2000 and 2020 that examined social robots in classroom settings. The 23 studies illustrated the feasibility of using social robots in natural school settings but revealed how difficult it was to obtain long-term, highly autonomous interaction between robots and children. The studies varied considerably on key conditions (e.g., length of deployment, the autonomy of robotic action, and length of interaction time). The studies did not demonstrate that social robots are more effective than human teachers (or even other forms of technology), and only occasionally explored important ethical and safety issues.
Executive Tax Discretion

Increasingly, Congress allows the president to determine tax consequences with the stroke of a pen. For example, if the president declares a major disaster under the Stafford Act, affected taxpayers are allowed a deduction for net personal casualty losses. This Article surveys instances of executive tax discretion scattered throughout the code, with a focus on disaster declarations. In isolation, any single presidential determination may have a limited impact on a relatively narrow group of taxpayers. But in the aggregate, these deferrals represent a concerning departure from democratic norms and an alarming augmentation of executive autonomy. They erode the protections of the typical legislative process, eliminate the safeguards of judicial review, and introduce opportunities for political mischief. With those concerns in mind, the Article identifies areas where Congress might look to further enhance executive tax discretion, particularly during financial emergencies. This Article concludes that any such expansion would be unwise and suggests alternatives that would facilitate agile and consistent responses while avoiding the risks associated with unilateral executive action.
Sexological Worldview Development Explained by the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity

Sexological worldview is the lens through which someone sees and makes meaning of the sexual world around them. The Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS) may be a useful tool in o...
Teleconnections of Indian monsoon rainfall with AMO and Atlantic tripole

The teleconnections between the decadal modes in the Indian monsoon rainfall (IMR) and the North Atlantic sea surface temperature are investigated. The two decadal modes of variability in the North Atlantic, the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) and the Atlantic tripole, have opposite relation with the two decadal modes of IMR. The AMO has positive correlation with the monsoon rainfall while the Atlantic tripole has negative correlation. This study has put forward hypotheses for the mechanisms involved in the teleconnections of the AMO and the Atlantic tripole with the IMR. The warm phase of AMO may influence the monsoon through the summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) and further through the equatorial zonal winds which increase the moisture flow over India by enhancing the southwesterly flow. The warm phase of Atlantic tripole may impact the monsoon through the all-season NAO, leading to decreased moisture flow over India through the equatorial wind pattern. The observed relations between the decadal modes in the North Atlantic and the Indian monsoon are explored in the simulations of National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4) model. Although the model supports the observed decadal teleconnection between the Atlantic Ocean and Indian monsoon, it has limitations in capturing the details of the spatial pattern associated with the teleconnection. The teleconnections of AMO and Atlantic tripole with the Indian monsoon is further demonstrated through an experiment with CCSM4 by decoupling the North Atlantic Ocean. The hypotheses for the mechanisms of the Atlantic teleconnections are also explored in the CCSM4 simulation.
Response of Low-density KC1 Foils to Multi-MeV Electrons†

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates the possibility of using low-density deposits of KCl and CsI in relativistic-rise detectors. It was found that 5–6 secondaries per primary are obtained, on the average, from low-density KCI for primary electrons of energy from 100 to 1000 MeV, and that the gain follows closely the relativistic rise in the ionization loss. The statistics of a single-particle detection device are determined almost entirely by the initial number of secondaries produced by the primary and a yield of at least 5 is required for accurate counting purposes. The data presented in this chapter indicate that an ensemble of low density KC1 foils can be used for velocity determination and detection of relativistic particles unless the secondary emission process is statistically “pathological” such as to give, for example, 50 secondaries for 10% of the incident particles and 1 secondary for the rest, instead of 6 secondaries per primary with Poisson distribution.
Distance Education Via Television: Some Reflections After Four Years

Four years of televising a university course for delivery to an audience of agricultural producers provides some reflections on the feasibility of combining traditional classroom instruction with in-depth extension educational programs. There are a sizable number of active agricultural producers who are eager to study academic topics in greater depth than could be obtained in traditional workshops or seminars. It seems possible to overcome many obstacles that earlier suggested distance education via television was not feasible from an administrative, budgetary or client acceptance point of view. The results seem worth the effort, with the providing institution benefiting from increased national recognition.
Modelling and analysis of an ensemble of eukaryotic translation initiation models

Programmed protein synthesis plays an important role in the cell cycle. Deregulated translation has been observed in several cancers. In this study, the authors constructed an ensemble of mathematical models describing the integration of growth factor signals with translation initiation. Using these models, the authors estimated critical structural features of the translation architecture. Sensitivity and robustness analysis with and without growth factors suggested that a balance between competing regulatory programmes governed translation initiation. Proteins such as Akt and mTor promoted initiation by integrating growth factor signals with the assembly of the 80S initiation complex. However, negative regulators such as PTEN and 4EBP1 restrained initiation in the absence of stimulation. Other proteins such as eIF4E were also found to be structurally critical as deletion of amplification of these components resulted in a network incapable of nominal operation. These findings could help understand the molecular basis of translation deregulation observed in cancer and perhaps lead to new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.
THE PARR-SMOLT TRANSFORMATION (SMOLTIFICATION) AND SEAWATER ADAPTATION IN SALMONIDS A REVIEW OF SELECTED LITERATURE

Abstract The purpose of this review is to provide fishery biologists and fish culturists with a summary of those published reports relating to the morphological, behavioral and biochemical changes associated with smoltification and seawater adaptation in anadromous salmonids.
Molecular markers for determining Gefitinib sensitivity

1272 Gefitinib sensitivity has been associated with EGFR mutational status, yet not all tumors containing mutations are sensitive to gefitinib and some tumors lacking mutations are sensitive to gefitinib. We screened a panel of NSCLC cell lines for gefitinib sensitivity, EGFR mutational status, HER family proteins levels and ligand expression levels. Additionally, affymetrix microarray analysis was performed on these cell lines. We identified 8 EGFR mutant cell lines, 5 of which were sensitive to gefitinib. Gefitinib sensitive cell lines all express EGFR and several vastly overexpress it. The levels of HER2 and HER3 vary, while HER4 expression is very low. One cell line, HCC2935, expresses EGFR, HER2 & 3 and numerous EGFR ligands, but not Heregulin. While addition of Heregulin to HCC2935 does not effect growth, it does induce gefitinib resistance. Analysis of ligand expression shows that gefitinib sensitive lines tend to overexpress EGFR ligands, particularly Amphiregulin and Epiregulin and have relatively low levels of the HER3 ligand Heregulin. Conversely, expression of HER3 and Heregulin at levels similar to or greater than EGFR is associated with gefitinib resistance. Tumor response to gefitinib predictions can be improved by knowledge of the relative levels of EGFR to HER3 on the receptor side as well as EGFR ligand (particularly Epiregulin and Amphiregulin) to the HER3 ligand Heregulin. This suggests that the HER3 pathway signals parallel to the EGFR pathway in NSCLC and its activation is associated with gefitinib resistance. Finally we present a model that may explain EGFR family ligand receptor interactions and their role in gefitinib sensitivity/resistance.
Computing percentiles of large data sets

We describe an algorithm for finding percentiles of large data sets (those having 100,000 or more points). This algorithm does not involve sorting the entire data set. Instead, we sample the data and obtain a guess for the percentile. Then, using the guess we extract a subset of the original data through which we search for the true percentile.
How Models of Creativity and Analogy Need to Answer the Tailorability Concern

Analogy is a major component of human creativity. Tasks from the ability to generate new stories to the ability to create new and insightful mathematical theorems can be shown to at least partially be explainable in terms of analogical processes. Artificial creativity and AGI systems, then, require powerful analogical subsystems—or so we will soon briefly argue. It quickly becomes obvious that a roadblock to such a use for analogical systems is a common critique that currently applies to every one in existence: the so-called “Tailorability Concern” (TC). Unfortunately, TC currently lacks a canonical formalization, and as a result the precise conditions that must be satisfied by an analogical system intended to answer TC are unclear. We remedy this problem by developing a still-informal but clear formulation of what it means to successfully answer TC, and offer guidelines for analogical systems that hope to progress further toward AGI.
The discovery and development of Viagra® (sildenafil citrate)

Sildenafil citrate (UK-92,480, Viagra®) is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) and acts on the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway [1, 2]. UK-92,480 was first synthesised in the Sandwich laboratories of Pfizer Ltd, UK in 1989, and resulted from a discovery programme aimed at developing a selective inhibitor of PDE5. The origins of the project that eventually led to the discovery and development of Viagra date from around the mid 1980s. At this time, scientists working at the Pfizer European Research Centre were interested in potential new approaches to the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases.
The Regulation of Gonadotrophin Secretion in Immature Ethanol‐Treated Male Rats

Exposure of immature male rats to 5% (w/v) ethanol as the sole drinking fluid from weaning age (21 days of age) resulted in a delay in balanopreputial separation (41.3 ± 1.4 days versus 37.6 ± 2.0 days in controls reared on tap water, P <0.02). The purpose of this study was to determine whether this delay was associated with changes in the regulation of gonadotrophins in the prepubertal period. Three tests of gonadotrophin response were used: 1) the measurement of FSH and LH levels during the first 48 hours after castration performed at 28 days of age; 2) the sensitivity of the castration response to replacement therapy with testosterone propionate (TP) or estradiol benzoate (EB); and 3) the response of 25, 28, or 32-day-old males to doses of GnRH ranging from 2 to 200 ng/100 g body weight. Basal FSH levels were elevated in ethanol-treated rats but LH values were normal. Both FSH and LH concentrations rose more rapidly in the first 48 hours after castration in 28-day-old ethanol-treated animals than in controls. When replacement therapy with TP was initiated just prior to castration, ethanol-treated rats were slightly less sensitive to the suppressive effects of TP as indicated by the rate of rise of both FSH and LH levels during the first 48 hours after surgery. Castrated ethanol-treated rats were also slightly hess sensitive to the suppressive effect of 0.5 g estradiol benzoate (EB). The ability of EB to suppress basal levels of LH in intact males at 28 days of age was similar in the two groups, but a significant decrease in FSH levels occurred in intact ethanol-treated rats. The pituitary response to GnRH decreased in both control and ethanol-treated rats from 25 to 32 days of age. At all ages tested, the FSH response was less in ethanol-treated animals than in controls. The LH response was lower in 25 and 32-dayold ethanol-treated rats than in controls. There was no difference between the LH responses in the control and the experimental groups at 28 days of age. It is concluded that the pubertal delay initiated by ethanol is associated with abnormalities in gonadotrophin, and
High performance, low complexity 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology for wireless circuit applications

High frequency performance at low current density and low wafer cost is essential for low power wireless BiCMOS technologies. We have developed a low-complexity, ASIC-compatible, 0.18 /spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS technology for wireless applications that offers 3 different breakdown voltage NPNs; with the high performance device achieving F/sub t//F/sub max/ of 60/85 GHz with a 3.0 V BV/sub CEO/. In addition, a full suite of high performance passive devices complement the state-of-the-art SiGe wireless HBTs.
Information Flow Analysis and the Theory of the Firm

In this paper, I examine the role the firm plays in economizing on information flows that are required to turn raw materials and ideas into products and services used by final consumers. Specifically, I argue that scale economies associated with complex information transfers are an important benefit of integration. This argument is distinct from theories that are based on incentives and leads to different or more refined conclusions in some cases. The differences are explored in the context of literature on specific assets, vertically related monopolies, and physical asset ownership. Information flow analysis also arms managers with a framework for addressing organizational questions beyond firm-boundary decisions such as intrafirm decisions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MNE's dependence on foreign operations and performance: a study of MNEs from the “Triad” regions

Abstract The impact of the dependence of multinational enterprises (MNEs) on foreign operations and corporate performance has been widely recognized as an important issue for researchers and practitioners (see Kim, Hwang & Burgers (1989), Strategic Management Journal , 10 , 45–57). However, previous studies have tended to focus on MNEs located in a single country or a comparison of firms in two different countries. To address this gap in the literature, this study examines the relationship between foreign dependence and performance of multinational enterprises originating from the Triad regions of the Pacific Rim, Western Europe and North America. Results show a positive significant relationship between the extent of foreign dependence and performance, although the nature of this relationship is moderated by the region of origin in the Triad. Multiple performance measures were utilized to capture the long- and short-term orientations. The results show that short-term orientation measures are associated with higher performance for North American and European MNEs with high dependence on foreign operations but not for Pacific Rim MNEs. However, Pacific Rim MNEs were found to focus more on achieving long-term performance goals when compared to the North American and European MNEs.
Synthesis of juvenile hormone binding proteins by the fat body of Manduca sexta.

Abstract The hemolymph of fourth instar Manduca sexta larvae contains both a relatively low molecular weight protein and a large molecular weight lipoprotein that are capable of binding the C18 juvenile hormone (JH). The low molecular weight binding protein (BP) has a much greater affinity for JH than the lipoprotein. A variety of organs were incubated in vitro and both the media and homogenate supernatants were analyzed in order to determine the site of synthesis of the BP. By obtaining antibodies against the BP, immunoprecipitation and immunoelectrophoretic studies could be conducted along with polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis and double labeling experiments. The data strongly suggest that the fat body is the insect's source of JH-BP and that the BP is rapidly released from the fat body. That is, the fat body synthesizes BP but does not store it in significant quantities. The same appears to be true of the specific lipoprotein capable of binding JH.
R.F. plasma CVD of diamond from oxygen containing gases

A 13.56 MHz inductively coupled plasma system has been used to deposit diamond from CH4/O2 in H2, CO in H2' and CH4/CO2 in H2 plasmas. Depositions were made on substrates of silicon and quartz with surfaces modified by scratching, or coated with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC), or left unmodified. The C atom to 0 atom ratio was systematically varied as well as the total concentration. Polycrystalline films, faceted particles and spherical particles were deposited. We found that a C:0 ratio of 1:1 with a total concentration between 2% and 3% in hydrogen resulted in large area polycrystalline films for the deposition parameters investigated.
Urban conservation leadership and the wildlife resource

Abstract Municipal conservation leaders in one of the most densely populated of the United States were surveyed to determine their preferences for nonconsumptive wildlife-related activities and for wildlife species, and the extent to which wildlife considerations influenced the acquisition of conservation land. The preference among activities was highest for viewing wildlife and for hobby nature study. Wildlife species ranked highest were those that are common, visible, and well publicized. Much interest was expressed in rare and endangered species, but respondents were not able to identify those resident animals which are in this category. Wildlife played a very minor role in the acquisition of conservation land by the municipalities surveyed.
A simulation approach to real estate investment analysis

Abstract This paper describes a Monte Carlo simulation approach to the analysis of real estate investments under uncertainty. The procedure suggested in the paper is based upon the use of computer simulation to provide realistic estimates of the internal rate of return on a real estate investment and the risk of that investment. The mathematical structure and development of the computerized real estate investment analysis model are described in detail, and computational results from the model's application are presented and discussed.