cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Greater Soil Carbon Sequestration under Nitrogen-fixing Trees Compared with Eucalyptus Species

Forests with nitrogen-fixing trees (N‐fixers) typically accumulate more carbon (C) in soils than similar forests without N‐fixing trees. This difference may develop from fundamentally different processes, with either greater accumulation of recently fixed C or reduced decomposition of older soil C. We compared the soil C pools under N‐fixers with Eucalyptus (non‐N‐fixers) at four tropical sites: two sites on Andisol soils in Hawaii and two sites on Vertisol and Entisol soils in Puerto Rico. Using stable carbon isotope techniques, we tracked the loss of the old soil organic C from the previous C4 land use (SOC4) and the gain of new soil organic C from the C3, N‐fixer, and non‐N‐fixer plantations (SOC3). Soils beneath N‐fixing trees sequestered 0.11 0.07 kg m 2 y 1 (mean one standard error) of total soil organic carbon (SOCT) compared with no change under Eucalyptus (0.00 0.07 kg m 2 y 1 ; P 0.02). About 55% of the greater SOC T sequestration under the N‐fixers resulted from greater retention of old SOC4, and 45% resulted from greater accretion of new SOC3. Soil N accretion under the N‐fixers explained 62% of the variability of the greater retention of old SOC4 under the N‐fixers. The greater retention of older soil C under N‐fixing trees is a novel finding and may be important for strategies that use reforestation or afforestation to offset C emissions.
Adaptive detection for shallow-water acoustic telemetry with cochannel interference

Adaptive decision feedback equalization (DFE) has recently been used to enable high-rate data transmission through shallow-water acoustic channels. This adaptive receiver successfully tracks and suppresses intersymbol interference due to a dispersive multipath channel. However, acoustic modems which are used for network applications must also contend with interference due to cochannel signals from proximal modems. In this work, we propose and evaluate a multiuser receiver with cochannel interference suppression. The advantages of this multiuser receiver in the presence of strong cochannel interference are shown by a performance comparison to a bank of the single-user DFEs described above. Conclusions are supported in part by the demodulation of experimental data for two simultaneous cochannel signals and by a steady-state performance analysis.
Height reduction of control recurrences for ILP processors

The performance of applications executing on processors with instruction level parallelism is often limited by control and data dependences. Performance bottlenecks caused by dependences can frequently be eliminated through transformations which reduce the height of critical paths through the program. While height reduction techniques are not always helpful, their utility can be demonstrated in a broad range of important situations. This paper focuses on the height reduction of control recurrences within loops with data dependent exits. Loops with exits are transformed so as to alleviate performance bottlenecks resulting from control dependences. A compilation approach to effect these transformations is described. The techniques presented in this paper used in combination with prior work on reducing the height of data dependences provide a comprehensive approach to accelerating loops with conditional exits. In many cases, loops with conditional exits provide a degree of parallelism traditionally associated with vectorization. Multiple iterations of a loop can be retired in a single cycle on a processor with adequate instruction level parallelism with no cost in code redundancy. In more difficult cases, height reduction requires redundant computation or may not be feasible.
Characteristics of an Inverted Shorted Annular-Ring-Reduced Surface-Wave Antenna

The electrical characteristics of an inverted shorted annular-ring-reduced surface-wave (RSW) antenna are presented in this letter. This microstrip antenna is designed for RSW excitation and lateral radiation and, hence, the characteristic patterns are relatively smooth in the forward region and demonstrate significantly reduced backscattered radiation, relative to a conventional microstrip patch. Results from a theoretical analysis of the antenna will be presented, along with confirming experimental results. These results include a radiation, input impedance, efficiency, bandwidth, directivity, and gain characterization of the antenna.
A monocysteine approach for probing the structure and interactions of the UmuD protein.

Abstract UmuD participates in a variety of protein-protein interactions that appear to be essential for its role in UV mutagenesis. To learn about these interactions, we have initiated an approach based on the construction of a series of monocysteine derivatives of UmuD and have carried out experiments exploring the chemistry of the unique thiol group in each derivative. In vivo and in vitro characterizations indicate that these proteins have an essentially native structure. In proposing a model for the interactions of UmuD in the homodimer, we have made the following assumptions: (i) the conformations of the mutant proteins are similar to that of the wild type, and (ii) the differences in reactivity of the mutant proteins are predominantly due to the positional effects of the single cysteine substitutions. The model proposes the following. The region including the Cys-24-Gly-25 cleavage site, Val-34, and Leu-44 are closer to the interface than the other positions tested as suggested by the relative ease of dimer cross-linking of the monocysteine derivatives at these positions by oxidation with iodine (I2) and by reaction with bis-maleimidohexane. The mutant with a Ser-to-Cys change at position 60 (SC60) is similar in iodoacetate reactivity to the preceding derivatives but cross-links less efficiently by I2 oxidation. This suggests that Ser-60, the site of the putative nucleophile in the cleavage reaction, is located further from the dimer interface or in a cleft region. Both Ser-19, located in the N-terminal fragment of UmuD that is removed by RecA-mediated cleavage, and Ser-67 are probably not as close to the dimer interface, since they are cross-linked more easily with bis-maleimidohexane than with I2. The SC67 mutant phenotype also suggests that this position is less important in RecA-mediated cleavage but more important in a subsequent role for UmuD in mutagenesis. Ala-89, Gln-100, and Asp-126 are probably not particularly solvent accessible and may play important roles in protein architecture.
Mirror image condylar hyperplasia in two siblings

A Hispanic family with an unusual clinical and radiological pattern of condylar hyperplasia is presented. Mirror images of condylar hyperplasia, malocclusion of teeth, and shift of midline of the mandible were seen in two brothers. The father had a similar abnormality of his left mandibular condyle. The condylar hyperplasia in this family indicates that mandibular condylar hyperplasias could be genetic in origin, possibly Y-linked or autosomal dominant.
The structural basis of transitions between highly ordered smectic phases in semifluorinated alkanes

Abstract The semifluorinated alkanes F(CF2)10(CH2)9H and F(CF2)10(CH2)11H both undergo a reversible transition between tilted smectic phases above room temperature as demonstrated previously for F(CF2)10(CH2)10H. The transformation on cooling is achieved in two stages: an increase in molecular tilt relative to the layer normal, followed by a change in the molecular interdigitation within each layer. The extent of complete transformation is sensitive to temperature and time, due to strains occasioned by the accompanying volume change, and because the second stage requires significant molecular translations. Characterization of the transformation is possible by transmitted light microscopy, supplemented by X-ray diffraction.
Development of the 1-D Simulator

The system of nonlinear partial differential equations developed in Chapter II is not amenable to solution by analytical means. Chapter III outlines the development of a numerical model designed to solve such a system of equations for one space dimension. After a brief discussion of the oil industry’s experience in solving these types of equations, a finite difference solution scheme is described in detail in Section 3.2. Section 3.3 deals with the incorporation of boundary and initial conditions and 3.4 with the evaluation of fluid and matrix properties to define the equation parameters. The technique for the solution of the resultant set of nonlinear algebraic equations is discussed in Section 3.5. A listing of the one-dimensional computer code described in this chapter has not been included in this thesis but may be found in a separate documentation.
RECENT RADIATION OF ENDEMIC CARIBBEAN DROSOPHILA OF THE DUNNI SUBGROUP INFERRED FROM MULTILOCUS DNA SEQUENCE VARIATION

Studies of island endemism provide a unique opportunity to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of speciation. Here we examine intra- and interspecific DNA sequence variation at four unlinked genetic loci among populations of the Drosophila dunni subgroup to provide a detailed genealogical portrait of the process of speciation among these island endemic species. Our data indicate two major rounds of diversification that have shaped the D. dunni subgroup. The first occurred 1.6–2.6 million years ago and separated three major lineages, one in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, a second in the northern Lesser Antilles and Barbados, and a third in St. Vincent and Grenada. A second round of diversification occurred in the last 96,000 years in the northern Lesser Antilles and Barbados. The four distinct species that resulted from this recent round of diversification maintain relatively high amounts of genetic variation, similar to that of a closely related mainland species, and share extensive ancestral polymorphism. These data suggest a minimal role for population bottlenecks linked to founder events in the history of the D. dunni subgroup. Further, the recent divergence of these island populations highlights the extremely rapid development of reproductive isolation and distinct patterns of abdominal pigmentation that has occurred in these species.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection enhances Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm growth through dysregulation of nutritional immunity

Clinical observations link respiratory virus infection and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in chronic lung disease, including cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The development of P. aeruginosa into highly antibiotic-resistant biofilm communities promotes airway colonization and accounts for disease progression in patients. Although clinical studies show a strong correlation between CF patients’ acquisition of chronic P. aeruginosa infections and respiratory virus infection, little is known about the mechanism by which chronic P. aeruginosa infections are initiated in the host. Using a coculture model to study the formation of bacterial biofilm formation associated with the airway epithelium, we show that respiratory viral infections and the induction of antiviral interferons promote robust secondary P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. We report that the induction of antiviral IFN signaling in response to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection induces bacterial biofilm formation through a mechanism of dysregulated iron homeostasis of the airway epithelium. Moreover, increased apical release of the host iron-binding protein transferrin during RSV infection promotes P. aeruginosa biofilm development in vitro and in vivo. Thus, nutritional immunity pathways that are disrupted during respiratory viral infection create an environment that favors secondary bacterial infection and may provide previously unidentified targets to combat bacterial biofilm formation.
A Review of "The Librarian's Legal Companion for Licensing Information Resources and Services"

As library acquisitions models become increasingly complex, library patrons clamor for online access, and public discussions of intellectual property and ownership proliferate, it is more important...
Abstract 678: Thoracic Aortic Dissection in Hypertensive Myh11r247c Mice Is Regulated by Gsk3β Signaling Pathway.

Acute ascending aortic dissections cause premature deaths due to pericardial tamponade. Mutations in the gene for smooth muscle specific myosin heavy chain (MYH11) causes aortic dissections with minimal aortic dilation, whereas mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1) causing Marfan syndrome is characterized by aneurysm formation before dissections occur. We hypothesize that distinct pathways might be responsible for the aortic dissections. Results: Mice with a homozygous Myh11 missense variant (R247C), Myh11R247C, do not have aortic enlargement and do not die prematurely of aortic dissections. Increased blood pressure induced by high salt diet and L-NAME in the Myh11R247C mice leads to sudden death that occur within 2 weeks due to acute aortic dissection and pericardial tamponade in more than 20% (9/39) of the animals (P=0.02, comparing to the death rate (1/45) in WT mice). Increased SMC proliferation and accumulation of proteoglycans are observed in the aortas of the hypertensive Myh11R247C mice. RNA Seq analysis of the Myh11R247C aortas with and without hypertension indicated targets of the Wnt pathway were increased and pathway analysis with DAVID Bioinformatics Resources identified the focal adhesion pathway was highly involved (P
Chronic Peptide Therapy With B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Pre-Clinical Diastolic Dysfunction (Stage B Heart Failure)

Abstract Objectives This study determined whether there is development of tachyphylaxis to enhancement of cardiorenal response to acute volume loading (AVL) with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) after 12-week, twice-daily subcutaneous BNP administration in patients with preclinical diastolic dysfunction (PDD). Background PDD is characterized by normal systolic function and moderate or severe diastolic dysfunction but no symptoms of heart failure (HF). Impairment in cardiorenal endocrine response to stress by AVL exists in PDD and is corrected by acute administration of subcutaneous BNP. Methods A double-blinded, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study was conducted to compare 12 weeks of twice daily subcutaneous BNP, 10 μg/kg (n = 24), versus placebo (n = 12) in PDD. Subjects underwent 2 study visits, at baseline and after 12 weeks. At each study visit, echocardiography, renal, and neurohumoral assessments were performed before and after intravascular AVL. Results Among those with PDD, there was a statistically significant improvement in diastolic function after 12 weeks of BNP, as measured by a decrease in the Doppler E/e′ ratio (where E is early mitral inflow velocity and e′ is mitral annulus early diastolic motion) (p = 0.004) and improvement of diastolic dysfunction grade (p = 0.008). After 12 weeks, there was statistically significantly greater sodium excretion, urine flow, and urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate excretion to AVL (all p Conclusions In subjects with PDD, chronic BNP administration resulted in sustained improvement in diastolic function without development of tachyphylaxis to the enhancement of cardiorenal response to volume expansion with BNP. (Human Brain Natriuretic Peptide [BNP] [or Nesiritide] to Help Heart, Kidney and Humoral Function; NCT00405548 )
The Exponential Function

(1957). The Exponential Function. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 64, No. 3, pp. 158-160.
The Effect on Selected Entomophagous Insects of Insecticides Applied for Pea Aphid Control in Alfalfa

Four insecticides were equally effective in controlling Acythrosiphon pisum (Harris) but differed significantly in their impact on selected entomophagous insects. Pirimicarb (2-Dimethylamino-5, 6-dimethylprimidin-4-yl dimethylcarbamate) was generally the least disruptive to populations of Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, Nabis spp. and Orius spp. and methomyl and Vydate® (5-methyl 1-(dimethlcarbomoyl)-N-[methylcarbamoyl) oxy[ thioformimidate) were the most disruptive. Chrysopa spp. were relatively tolerant to all the materials tested.
Eicosanoid production from porcine neutrophils and platelets: differential production with various agonists.

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and platelets interact to produce both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators during human disease. Because swine models of human disease are used, i...
Assessment of willingness to provide diabetes education and counseling in a dental school clinic.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern for the U.S. population because of its high prevalence and long-term health implications. The purpose of this study was to apply the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to assess dental faculty member and student willingness to provide diabetes education and counseling to patients in a dental school. A survey was administered to dental students (n=101 respondents) and faculty members (n=39 respondents), and summary scores for seven diabetic educational activities and TPB constructs were calculated and analyzed. Participants were most willing to refer a patient to a physician for treatment and provide basic information about diabetes and oral health, and they were least willing to provide basic information about diabetic medications. Importance, self-efficacy, and barriers constructs predicted willingness to perform diabetic educational or counseling activities. Our findings suggest that, when developing innovative approaches to expand diabetic education and counseling in our dental education environment, programs should demonstrate how diabetic counseling can improve patients’ health and should include diabetic management skills-building in the curriculum.
Are Tags Better Than Audio? The Effect of Joint Use of Tags and Audio Content Features for Artistic Style Clustering.

Social tags are receiving growing interests in information retrieval. In music information retrieval previous research has demonstrated that tags can assist in music classification and clustering. This paper studies the problem of combining tags and audio contents for artistic style clustering. After studying the effectiveness of using tags and audio contents separately for clustering, this paper proposes a novel language model that makes use of both data sources. Experiments with various methods for combining feature sets demonstrate that tag features are more useful than audio content features for style clustering and that the proposed model can marginally improve clustering performance by combing tags and audio contents.
Obstetric training in Emergency Medicine: a needs assessment.

Background : Identification and management of obstetric emergencies is essential in emergency medicine (EM), but exposure to pregnant patients during EM residency training is frequently limited. To date, there is little data describing effective ways to teach residents this material. Current guidelines require completion of 2 weeks of obstetrics or 10 vaginal deliveries, but it is unclear whether this instills competency. Methods : We created a 15-item survey evaluating resident confidence and knowledge related to obstetric emergencies. To assess confidence, we asked residents about their exposure and comfort level regarding obstetric emergencies and eight common presentations and procedures. We assessed knowledge via multiple-choice questions addressing common obstetric presentations, pelvic ultrasound image, and cardiotocography interpretation. The survey was distributed to residency programs utilizing the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) listserv. Results : The survey was completed by 212 residents, representing 55 of 204 (27%) programs belonging to CORD and 11.2% of 1,896 eligible residents. Fifty-six percent felt they had adequate exposure to obstetric emergencies. The overall comfort level was 2.99 (1–5 scale) and comfort levels of specific presentations and procedures ranged from 2.58 to 3.97; all increased moderately with postgraduate year (PGY) level. Mean overall percentage of items answered correctly on the multiple-choice questions was 58% with no statistical difference by PGY level. Performance on individual questions did not differ by PGY level. Conclusions : The identification and management of obstetric emergencies is the cornerstone of EM. We found preliminary evidence of a concerning lack of resident comfort regarding obstetric conditions and knowledge deficits on core obstetrics topics. EM residents may benefit from educational interventions to increase exposure to these topics. Keywords: Emergency Medicine; obstetrics; graduate medical education; curriculum development (Published: 28 June 2016) Citation: Med Educ Online 2016, 21: 28930 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/meo.v21.28930
The z Transform

This chapter discusses the z transform. The applicability of the z transform to discrete-time controls stems from its property of transforming linear difference equations into algebraic equations that can then be manipulated using the familiar laws of algebra. It thus often serves as a useful alternative to classical methods in both the formulation and solution of discrete linear models. It is the discrete counterpart of the Laplace transform used for linear differential equations. Essentially, every step in the procedure and every formula used have an analogous step or formula in Laplace transform theory. The z transform can be applied to transform functions of discrete time i into functions of the transform variable z .
Energy Aware Heuristic Scheduling of Variable Class Constraint Resources in Cloud Data Centres

Energy consumption management in cloud data centres is a very challenging research issue at present and the growth in cloud data centres have only compounded this challenge. In this paper, we focus on minimizing energy consumption of datacentres assuming the placement of VMs in physical servers as a bin packing problem having variable class constraints. We propose two algorithms, namely an energy-aware heuristic VM placement algorithm and an energy aware live Migration algorithm with variable resource class constraints intact for current resources' status. This paper presents some simulations carried out to investigate the efficacy of the proposed algorithms and the results obtained demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme.
Moving Beyond Univariate Post-Hoc Testing in Exercise Science: A Primer on Descriptive Discriminate Analysis

There has been a recent call to improve data reporting in kinesiology journals, including the appropriate use of univariate and multivariate analysis techniques. For example, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with univariate post hocs and a Bonferroni correction is frequently used to investigate group differences on multiple dependent variables. However, this univariate approach decreases power, increases the risk for Type 1 error, and contradicts the rationale for conducting multivariate tests in the first place. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide a user-friendly primer on conducting descriptive discriminant analysis (DDA), which is a post-hoc strategy to MANOVA that takes into account the complex relationships among multiple dependent variables. Method: A real-world example using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences syntax and data from 1,095 middle school students on their body composition and body image are provided to explain and interpret the results from DDA. Re...
Exposure to silicon carbide and cancer risk: a systematic review.

Purpose To conduct a systematic review of epidemiologic studies on risk of cancer from exposure to silicon carbide (SiC).
Soft Tissue Engineering

There is a recognized need to reconstruct and restore complex craniomaxillofacial soft tissues. The objective of this article is to focus on the role that tissue engineering/regenerative medicine can play in addressing various barriers (vascularity, tissue bulk, volitional control, and esthetics) and impediments (timing, regional applicability/dissemination, and regulation by the US Food and Drug Administration) to optimal tissue reconstruction of complex soft tissue structures. We will use the lips as an example to illustrate our points.
Hippocampal encoding of interoceptive context during fear conditioning

Rodent models of auditory fear conditioning are often used to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating fear- and anxiety-related behaviors. Conditioning and extinction memories are influenced by contextual cues, and the reinstatement of conditioned fear occurs when the conditioning stimulus is presented in a context different from the extinction context. Although it has been proposed that internal state is a feature of context that could influence extinction, contributions of interoception to conditioning have not been experimentally addressed. Here we use ethanol (EtOH) to show that interoceptive cues are encoded through the hippocampus by mechanisms that involve increased phosphorylation of GluR1 on serine 845, and biophysical alterations in neuronal membranes that facilitate stabilization of surface-located calcium-permeable n-2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAR) into membrane microdomains. Conflicting interoceptive cues during extinction and fear relapse testing resulted in a failure to consolidate extinction that was reversed by the administration of AMPAR antagonists immediately following the retrieval cue.
Activity-specific pathways among duration of organized activity involvement, social support, and adolescent well-being: Findings from a nationally representative sample.

Using data from N = 10,148 American youth (Mage = 15.18) who participated in the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement, we tested whether duration of involvement in specific organized activities was associated with different sources of social support, and whether these links explained the health-related benefits affiliated with participation. Duration of involvement in certain activities was differentially associated with support from peers, teachers, and other adults, and many of these links partially mediated associations between involvement and well-being. Specifically, greater duration of sports involvement was indirectly associated with higher self-esteem and greater physical activity through greater adult support. Greater duration of club involvement was indirectly associated with greater physical activity through higher adult support and greater duration of music involvement was indirectly associated with lower substance use and greater self-esteem through greater teacher support. Prolonged engagement in specific activities may cultivate certain types of supportive relationships, which may promote adolescent well-being.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Quaternary Stereocenters via Metal Enolates

The strategy of using chiral metal enolate intermediates in a diverse variety of asymmetric transformations has allowed the generation of quaternary stereocenter-bearing products that are otherwise difficult to access. Many classic transformations including aldol, Mannich, conjugate addition, alkylation, and pericyclic-type reactions, as well as allylic alkylation and α-arylation/alkenylation, have been adapted to proceed through chiral metal enolate intermediates, allowing the asymmetric synthesis of many complex products in both an intermolecular and intramolecular manner. These transformations have proven useful in the synthesis of natural products and may also be applied to the synthesis of novel pharmaceuticals and other compounds of interest in the future. This review includes work done up to and including the year 2014.
Provoking Factors for Aggravation of Congenital Vascular Malformation

Congenital vascular malformations, which represent developmental abnormalities of vascular or development, may affect capillaries, veins, arteries, lymphatics, or any combination of these vascular channels. Characteristically, these lesions “grow in parallel with the growth of the patient.” However, there are certain scenarios in which the vascular malformation can be “aggravated,” generating unwanted symptoms and potential complications. Inciting factors include time, trauma, hormonal changes (puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy), infection, thromboses, and surgical intervention. Unwanted associated symptoms include thromboses, bleeding, inflammation, increased size of lesions, functional impairment, tissue hypertrophy, hypertrophic nodules, pathologic fracture, and other morbidities.
Intraoperative parathormone spikes during parathyroidectomy may be associated with multiglandular disease

Abstract Background The importance of intraoperative parathormone “spikes” during parathyroidectomy remains unclear. This study compared patients with and without intraoperative parathormone spikes during parathyroidectomy using the criterion of a > 50% parathormone and determined the effect of intraoperative parathormone spikes on operative outcome. Methods We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 683 patients who underwent parathyroidectomy guided by intraoperative parathormone monitoring. An intraoperative parathormone “spike value” was calculated by subtracting the preincision intraoperative parathormone value from the pre-excision intraoperative parathormone value (SV = PE − PI). An intraoperative parathormone spike was defined as having a positive spike value ≥9 pg/mL (≥10th percentile of all spike values). Results Of 683 patients, 224 (33%) had intraoperative parathormone spikes and a greater rate of multiglandular disease (8% vs. 3%, P Conclusions Although the presence of intraoperative parathormone spikes may increase suspicion for multiglandular disease, the ability of intraoperative parathormone monitoring to predict operative success after parathyroidectomy is not affected by spikes.
Structural Diversity from Anion Order in Heteroanionic Materials

Heteroanionic materials leverage the advantages offered by two different anions coordinating the same or different cations to realize unanticipated or enhanced electronic, optical, and magnetic responses. Beyond chemical variations offered by the anions, the ability to control the anion order present within a single transition metal polyhedron via anion-sublattice engineering offers a potentially transformative strategy in tuning material properties. The set of design rules for realizing and controlling anion order, however, are incomplete, which is due in part to the limited anion-ordered diversity in known structures. This aspect makes formulating such principles from experiment alone challenging. Here, we demonstrate how computational methods at multiple levels of theory are effective at investigating the anion site order dependencies in heteroanionic materials, HAMs, and enable the construction of crystal-chemistry principles. Our approach relies on a database of anion ordered structure variants in wh...
DISXPERT: a social security disability screening expert system

This case study paper reports on the development and implementation of DISXPERT, a rule-based expert system tool for referral of social security disability recipients to vocational rehabilitation services. The growing use of paraprofessionals as caseworkers responsible for assessment in the social services area provides fertile domain areas for new and innovative application of expert systems technology. The main function of DISXPERT is to provide support to paraprofessional caseworkers in reaching unbiased and consistent assessment decisions regarding referral of clients to vocational rehabilitation services. The results after three years of use demonstrate that paraprofessionals using DISXPERT can make assessments in less time and with a level of accuracy superior to the vocational rehabilitation domain professionals using manual methods. This case study paper discusses the problem domain, the design and development of the system, uses of AI technology, payoffs, and deployment and maintenance of the system.
Aggregation and Uncertainties in Deliberated Evaluation

Performance evaluation is often encountered by designers, planners and other decision makers. Deliberated evaluation is a systematic evaluation method consists of 1)deliberating a complex evaluation task into aspects, 2)aggregating an overall evaluation from its aspects’ evaluations, and 3)materializing an aspect evaluation as a function of objectively measurable physical variables. This method leads to a mapping, as a model of evaluation processes, from objective measures of an evaluated object to its subjectively assessed performance measure. The main purpose of this method is “objectification” that means the evaluation conducted by one evaluator being fully understandable and reproducible by others.
Suppression of T Lymphocyte Subpopulations by THC

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is considered the major psychoactive component of marijuana. It is widely acknowledged that THC can depress various parameters of the immune response. These parameters include lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage spreading, and antibody production (1–3). Studies have suggested that THC has different magnitudes of effect depending on the lymphoid organ analyzed (2) as well as the age of the animal (4). Different lymphoid organs of adult mice as well as identical organs from mice of various ages have unique proportions of lymphoid cell subpopulations. This study examines the effect of THC on lymphoid cell subpopulations using the lymphoblastogenic assay (LBT) as well as analysis of cell subpopulations by the fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS).
Mechanical properties of alkaline earth-doped lanthanum gallate

Lanthanum gallate doped with alkaline earths was prepared from combustion-synthesized powders. Mechanical properties of the doped gallates were evaluated as a function of composition and temperature. The indentation fracture toughness of Sr-substituted gallates was significantly better than the Ca- and Ba-substituted materials, but the toughness of all the doped gallates was significantly lower than yttria-stabilized zirconia, a typical electrolyte material. Small improvements in room temperature toughness and strength were measured in (La0.9Sr0.1)xGa0.8Mg0.2O3−δ, (“LSGM-1020”) samples with significant A-site cation non-stoichiometry (x = 0.9). The flexural strength of stoichiometric LSGM-1020 decreased from ≈150 MPa at room temperature, to ≈100 MPa at higher temperatures (600–1000°C). The notched-beam fracture toughness of LSGM-1020 decreased from ≈2.0–2.2 MPa√m at room temperature, to ≈1.0 MPa√m at 600°C. The decrease in mechanical properties over this temperature range was correlated to changes in crystal structure that have been identified by neutron diffraction. These crystallographic changes were also accompanied by significant changes in the thermal expansion behavior and elastic modulus. For off-stoichiometric LSGM-1020 with A/B cation stoichiometry of 0.90, strength and toughness also decreased with temperature, but the retained toughness (≈1.5 MPa√m) at elevated temperatures was higher than the toughness of the stoichiometric LSGM material.
Opportunity for female choice in the wild is frequently curtailed by low male trait variation in Hyla versicolor

To understand the efficacy of female choice in driving the evolution of male displays, we need to not only characterize preferences but examine the opportunity for the expression of such preferences. Mate assessment by females should be constrained if the relative attractiveness of multiple displays is perceived as equal because trait differences between them are indistinguishable. This is expected to result in apparently arbitrary mate choice, and knowledge about the frequency of such mating patterns is crucial in predicting the strength of sexual selection. Here, we examine discrimination abilities of female Hyla versicolor in the context of actual male-male chorus variation. We found that roughly half of mating encounters in the wild do not provide the call variation required for the expression of female preferences (non-arbitrary choice). Interestingly, the trait for which female H. versicolor shows the strongest preference during playback trials (call duration) is not the trait whose difference will most often be detectable to females in the wild (call rate). Furthermore, we document individual variation in discrimination ability, with some females being able to discriminate multiple traits, while others only focus on one trait. This suggests that the relatively high estimate of arbitrary mating is not only due to females struggling to discriminate natural local variation overall but due to an abundance of individuals with limited discrimination abilities that require encounters with males that differ in the specific trait they will discriminate. Lastly, small trait differences between males do not arise from nearest neighbors plastically altering their calls to be more similar. These findings provide insights on the frequently observed mismatch between laboratory phonotaxis and actual mating success in the wild. How and why animals choose a mate are complicated questions. For many species (like the gray treefrog), we have good descriptions of the male advertisement and the female preferences. However, much less is known about the actual expression of such preferences in the wild, which rests on the opportunity for females to encounter perceptible variation among males. We determined the minimum acoustic differences necessary for females to detect a “more attractive” call and compared those abilities to male-male variation in the chorus. We predict that a female will encounter sufficiently disparate calls only half of the time, with all other choice events appearing to be arbitrary decisions (both calls sound equally attractive). This abundance of arbitrary mating is driven not only by low variation among males but also by wide disparity in discrimination abilities of females. These findings may explain why we often observe unexpectedly unpredictable mating patterns in other taxa.
One Professor's Perspective: Preparing Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments at a Distance.

This article describes the components of the courses and gives examples of activities that one professor used in a program to prepare teachers of children with visual impairments using a combinatio...
Implementation of Targeted Point of Care HIV Testing in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

HIV infection rates are increasing among adolescents. Despite guidelines recommending annual HIV screening among sexually active adolescents, 3.6% of adolescents tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STI) in a pediatric emergency department (PED) were screened for HIV. The aim was to increase HIV screening to 90%. Methods Interventions were designed to address 4 key drivers thought to be critical in reliably offering HIV testing. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of adolescents offered HIV testing among those being tested for common STIs. Statistical process control charts were used to measure performance over time and differentiate common versus special cause variation. Results We instituted point of care (POC) HIV testing in the PED in January 2012. The proportion of STI tested patients offered HIV testing was increased to >87% and sustained this performance. Implementation of a clinical decision support tool had the highest impact. The majority offered testing agreed, and the most common reason for refusal was a recent negative test. We identified eleven HIV positive patients over 5 years. Eight were newly diagnosed, and 3 had prior positive tests but were not connected to care. All 11 were successfully connected to providers with HIV care expertise. Conclusions POC HIV testing is feasible, acceptable, and sustainable in a PED setting. The implementation of targeted HIV POC testing in the PED increased the number of HIV tests being offered, the number of high-risk patients being screened, and the number diagnosed and connected to care.
Programmed cell death along the midline axis patterns ipsilaterality in gastrulation

Bilateral symmetry is the predominant body plan in the animal kingdom. Cells on the left and right sides remain compartmentalized on their ipsilateral side throughout life, but with occasional variation, as evidenced by gynandromorphs and human disorders. How this evolutionarily conserved body plan is programmed remains a fundamental yet unanswered question. Here, we show that germ-layer patterning in avian gastrulation is ipsilateral despite cells undergoing highly invasive mesenchymal transformation and cell migration. Contralateral invasion is suppressed by extracellular matrix (ECM) and programmed cell death (PCD) along the embryonic midline. Ipsilateral gastrulation was lost by midline ECM and PCD inhibition but restored with exogenously induced PCD. Our data support ipsilaterality as an integral component of bilaterality and highlight a positive functional role of PCD in development.
Iron-electrocoagulation as a disinfection byproduct control strategy for drinking water treatment

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) result from reactions between oxidizing disinfectants, e.g., free chlorine, and DBP precursors such as natural organic matter (NOM). Electrocoagulation (EC) has potential as an effective DBP precursor removal strategy for decentralized water treatment and small drinking water utilities as it features similar removal trends compared to conventional coagulation, without alkalinity consumption, while also generating coagulant in situ by anodic dissolution of iron electrodes. However, studies assessing DBP formation in drinking water following EC treatment are lacking. This research evaluated EC as a DBP precursor removal strategy by quantifying reductions in total trihalomethane (TTHM) formation potential as a function of electrolysis time (2.5–17.5 min), pH (6–9.1), and the type of NOM treated (5–9.1 mg-C per L spiked as humic acid, fulvic acid, or NOM, or initially present in the Milwaukee River). Using doses of approximately 35 mg-Fe per L, EC performed similarly to conventional coagulation when the water matrices were at the same pH. As pH decreased, shorter EC electrolysis times were needed to decrease TTHM formation potential to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum contaminant level for TTHMs. EC decreased the mean specific TTHM formation potential (μg-TTHM per mg-C) of every NOM source, thereby demonstrating that the residual NOM following EC treatment formed less DBPs per unit carbon compared to the influent water.
Cancer Bereavement and Depression Symptoms in Older Spouses: The Possible Modifying Role of the Circadian Rest-Activity Rhythm.

Objectives This study examines the associations of cancer death and aspects of the 24-h circadian rest-activity rhythm (RAR) on depression symptoms in older spouses. Methods Participants included 46 adults aged 60-94 years (M = 73 years) who experienced the death of a spouse. We tested a multivariate model using cancer death (vs. non-cancer death) and RAR variables as correlates of depression symptoms while controlling for age, sex, physical illness burden, and preparedness for death. We also present a case example to describe the behavioral activity patterns of a participant bereaved by cancer. Results Cancer death was associated with elevated levels of depression symptoms. However, the timing of the RAR moderated this association. Cancer bereavement was associated with depression symptoms when participants "settled-down" after 11:00 PM. The case example illustrates how intrusive thoughts about death quality impacts a widower's drive to stay busy with daily activities. Conclusions Settling down earlier in the evening is important for older spouses bereaved by cancer, in terms of fewer symptoms of depression. Clinical implications Objectively specifying the activity patterns of older spouses bereaved by cancer is a promising avenue for interventions that aim to reduce depression symptoms.
"The whole wall fell apart, and I felt free for the first time": Men's perceptions of helpful responses during discussion of child sexual abuse.

Abstract Background There is a growing awareness of the prevalence and consequences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) for boys. Disclosure experiences often impact long-term functioning following CSA. Current understanding around disclosure has evolved from a singular act of telling to a broader, reciprocal process that can include discussion. However, there is limited empirical evidence about what constitutes a helpful response from others during the discussion of CSA for men. Objective This study examines the characteristics of a helpful response during the discussion of CSA among a large sample of men with histories of CSA. Participants and setting Participants included 487 men ranging in age from 19 to 84 years (mean = 50.1) who completed an anonymous, one-time online survey as part of a larger project on men’s health and well-being. Participants were recruited through research announcements on web sites and discussion boards of national organizations that support adult survivors of CSA. Methods Narrative data from an open-ended prompt were analyzed using qualitative content and inductive thematic analyses over eleven months. Results The analysis yielded five superordinate themes on men’s perceptions of helpful responses from others during discussions of CSA: (1) experience; (2) personal characteristics; (3) specific actions; (4) therapeutic interventions; and (5) insights. Conclusions Clinicians and health care professionals should convey an awareness of CSA for boys, reach out to men dealing with difficulties tied to early trauma, and implement helpful response strategies in discussions of CSA. Family members, friends, and colleagues within men’s social networks can also support recovery with helpful response strategies.
Overkill and the North American archaeological record—not guilty by association? A comment on Wolfe and Broughton (2020)

Abstract The “associational critique” holds that there are too few archaeological kill/scavenging sites to support the hypothesis that human hunting caused the late Pleistocene extinction of 38 genera of primarily large mammals. Wolfe and Broughton (2020) assessed this critique on both theoretical and empirical grounds and found it wanting, with a focus on the arguments presented in Grayson and Meltzer (2015). We welcome their evaluation, including their effort to improve on our prior analyses. However, we are unconvinced by their assertion that hunters will always pursue large ungulates on encounter. We also reject their conclusion there is no systematic difference in the abundance of extant and extinct taxa in terminal Pleistocene archaeological contexts since they made two errors that undermine their analysis. First, they confounded calibrated and uncalibrated radiocarbon years. Second, they failed to note the parameters of the Cannon and Meltzer (2004) study on which their tally of archaeological kill/scavenging sites of extant taxa is based. With these mistakes corrected, the results confirm what we showed previously: extant large mammals occur in kill/scavenging sites far more often than extinct forms. This result also supports our previous suggestion that the now-extinct fauna had either already disappeared or was much reduced in abundance by the time people arrived on the landscape.
Nonreciprocal Tunable Low-Loss Bandpass Filters With Ultra-Wideband Isolation Based on Magnetostatic Surface Wave

A new type of nonreciprocal C -band magnetic tunable bandpass filter (BPF) with ultra-wideband (UWB) isolation is presented. The BPF was designed with a 45° rotated yttrium iron garnet (YIG) slab loaded on an inverted-L-shaped microstrip transducer pair. With external in-plane magnetic fields from 1.1 to 1.9 kOe, the central frequency of the filter was tuned from 5.2 to 7.5 GHz, with an insertion loss of 1.6-3 dB and an UWB isolation of more than 20 dB, which was attributed to the nonreciprocity characteristics of the magnetostatic surface wave. In addition, the measured result demonstrated power-handling capabilities of over 30 dBm under room temperature. The proposed prototype with dual functionality of a tunable BPF and an UWB isolator will have many applications in RF front-end and other microwave circuits.