cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interspecific Differences in the Response of Female Birds to Song Repertoires

and Summary The functional significance of the wide variation between bird species in the sizes of individual song repertoires is not understood. We have studied the effects of song repertoires on females. Song triggers copulation solicitation display in female sparrows treated with estradiol. Song sparrow males (Melospiza melodia) have repertoires of about 10 song types, and female song sparrows display significantly more to presentations of large repertoires than to a single song type. By contrast, male field sparrows (Spizella pusilla) and white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) each have only one song type, and their females show no significant increment in responsiveness to repertoires of several song types over a single song type. Swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana) fall in between, with male repertoires of three song types. Female swamp sparrows behave in intermediate fashion, responding more to several song types than to one, but the response increment is less than in song sparrows. Thus species differences that males exhibit in song repertoires are paralleled by differences in female responsiveness to multiple song types, implicating variations in female reactivity in the evolution of song repertoires. Female song sparrows respond preferentially to repertoires programmed in eventual variety rather than immediate variety, while field sparrows and white-throated sparrows show no discrimination.
Oseltamivir Pharmacokinetics, Dosing, and Resistance Among Children Aged <2 Years With Influenza

Background. Children <2 years of age are at high risk of influenza-related mortality and morbidity. However, the appropriate dose of oseltamivir for children <2 years of age is unknown. Methods. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group evaluated oseltamivir in infants aged <2 years in an age–de-escalation, adaptive design with a targeted systemic exposure. Results. From 2006 to 2010, 87 subjects enrolled. An oseltamivir dose of 3.0 mg/kg produced drug exposures within the target range in subjects 0–8 months of age, although there was a greater degree of variability in infants <3 months of age. In subjects 9–11 months of age, a dose of 3.5 mg/kg produced drug exposures within the target range. Six of 10 subjects aged 12–23 months receiving the Food and Drug Administration–approved unit dose for this age group (ie, 30 mg) had oseltamivir carboxylate exposures below the target range. Virus from 3 subjects developed oseltamivir resistance during antiviral treatment. Conclusions. The appropriate twice-daily oral oseltamivir dose for infants ≤8 months of age is 3.0 mg/kg, while the dose for infants 9–11 months old is 3.5 mg/kg. Clinical Trials Registration. {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00391768","term_id":"NCT00391768"}}NCT00391768.
Using common subexpressions to optimize multiple queries

The problem of identifying common subexpressions and using them in the simultaneous optimization of multiple queries is dealt with. In particular, emphasis is placed on the strategy of selecting access plans for single queries and their integration into a global access plan that takes advantage of common tasks. A dynamic programming algorithm is presented for the selection of individual access plans such that the resulting global access plan is of minimum processing cost. The computational complexity of this algorithm represents a significant improvement over existing algorithms. >
Molecular phylogenetics and taxonomic reanalysis of the family Mithracidae MacLeay (Decapoda:Brachyura:Majoidea)

Mithracid crabs comprise a primarily subtidal reef- and rubble-dwelling group inhabiting both tropical and subtropical seas. Despite their relative ubiquity in many hard-substrate environments, there has been little consensus about their phylogenetic relationships or whether their group rank should be that of subfamily or family. We have used a combined molecular dataset of two nuclear (18S, H3) and three mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI) genes to build a preliminary molecular phylogeny of Majoidea in order to examine the membership of Mithracidae. We then built a second molecular phylogeny based on three mitochondrial genes to assess the internal composition of the family, and conducted comparative morphological examinations of genera and species that resolved in unexpected positions on the phylogram. Four genera are designated under new or resurrected names on the basis of molecular and morphological characters, while memberships of several other existing genera are modified. Following review of molecular and morphological characters, the genera Coelocerus, Cyclocoeloma, Cyphocarcinus, Leptopisa, Micippa, Picrocerodes, Stenocionops and Tiarinia are provisionally excluded from Mithracidae s.s., while Hemus and Pitho are included in it. A key to genera of Mithracidae is provided.
On the provenance of non-answers to queries over extracted data

In information extraction, uncertainty is ubiquitous. For this reason, it is useful to provide users querying extracted data with explanations for the answers they receive. Providing the provenance for tuples in a query result partially addresses this problem, in that provenance can explain why a tuple is in the result of a query. However, in some cases explaining why a tuple is not in the result may be just as helpful. In this work we focus on providing provenance-style explanations for non-answers and develop a mechanism for providing this new type of provenance. Our experience with an information extraction prototype suggests that our approach can provide effective provenance information that can help a user resolve their doubts over non-answers to a query.
Understanding how the V(D)J recombinase catalyzes transesterification: distinctions between DNA cleavage and transposition

The Rag1 and Rag2 proteins initiate V(D)J recombination by introducing site-specific DNA double-strand breaks. Cleavage occurs by nicking one DNA strand, followed by a one-step transesterification reaction that forms a DNA hairpin structure. A similar reaction allows Rag transposition, in which the 3′-OH groups produced by Rag cleavage are joined to target DNA. The Rag1 active site DDE triad clearly plays a catalytic role in both cleavage and transposition, but no other residues in Rag1 responsible for transesterification have been identified. Furthermore, although Rag2 is essential for both cleavage and transposition, the nature of its involvement is unknown. Here, we identify basic amino acids in the catalytic core of Rag1 specifically important for transesterification. We also show that some Rag1 mutants with severe defects in hairpin formation nonetheless catalyze substantial levels of transposition. Lastly, we show that a catalytically defective Rag2 mutant is impaired in target capture and displays a novel form of coding flank sensitivity. These findings provide the first identification of components of Rag1 that are specifically required for transesterification and suggest an unexpected role for Rag2 in DNA cleavage and transposition.
Enhanced DME Carrier Phase: Concepts, Implementation, and Flight-test Results

This paper presents the principle, execution, and analysis of a flight-test methodology to assess the performance potential of future enhanced Distance Measuring Equipment (eDME) concepts, by using current legacy DME transponder equipment and Radio Frequency (RF) data recordings of both the transmitted and received DME signals. First, the collected DME flight test data is analyzed for received DME signal level, noise performance, and legacy half-amplitude ranging performance. Second, the concept of DME carrier-phase is introduced. The measured DME carrier phase tracking performance is compared with theoretical limits. Finally, several applications of DME carrier phase are discussed, implemented, and analyzed. Carrier-smoothed pulse range significantly reduces the noise and multipath of the measured ranges, pulse minus carrier characterizes the multipath on the pulse-ranging, and ultra-precise velocity, obtained from successive changes in DME carrier phase, significantly improves the performance of, for example, collision avoidance algorithms and integrated DME-inertial systems. Copyright © 2013 Institute of Navigation.
Artificial texturing: An aid to surface visualization

Texture is an important surface characteristic which provides a great deal of information about the nature of a surface, and several computationally complex algorithms have been implemented to replicate realistic textures in computer shaded images. Perceptual psychologists have recognized the importance of surface texture as a cue to space perception, and have attempted to delineate which factors provide primary shape information. A rendering algorithm is presented which uses these factors to produce a texture specifically designed to aid visualization. Since the texture is not attempting to replicate an actual texture pattern, it is called “artificial” texturing. This algorithm avoids the computational limitations of other methods because this “artificial” approach does not require complex mappings from a defined texture space to the transformed image to be rendered. A simple filtering method is presented to avoid unacceptable aliasing.
Management Policy in Franchising Operations: A Preliminary Study

During the past few decades franchising has emerged as one of the fastest growing methods doing business in the world . This article investigates the concept of climate in Franchising ores and how that relates to the stores' per formance. Work context, participation and orkgrou p were identified as important climate factors influencing store per formance: Pro­ r management .of the work climate should e.nhance Franchise store per formance.
Association between New Jersey's Graduated Driver Licensing decal provision and crash rates of young drivers with learners' permits.

New Jersey (NJ) implemented the first-in-the-US Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) decal provision in May 2010 for young drivers with learner9s permits or intermediate licenses. Previous analyses found an association between the provision and crash reduction among intermediate drivers. The aim of this study is to examine the association between NJ’s provision and GDL citation and crash rates among drivers aged
Energy dissipation via acoustic emission in ductile crack initiation

This article presents a modeling approach to estimate the energy release due to ductile crack initiation in conjunction to the energy dissipation associated with the formation and propagation of transient stress waves typically referred to as acoustic emission. To achieve this goal, a ductile fracture problem is investigated computationally using the finite element method based on a compact tension geometry under Mode I loading conditions. To quantify the energy dissipation associated with acoustic emission, a crack increment is produced given a pre-determined notch size in a 3D cohesive-based extended finite element model. The computational modeling methodology consists of defining a damage initiation state from static simulations and linking such state to a dynamic formulation used to evaluate wave propagation and related energy redistribution effects. The model relies on a custom traction separation law constructed using full field deformation measurements obtained experimentally using the digital image correlation method. The amount of energy release due to the investigated first crack increment is evaluated through three different approaches both for verification purposes and to produce an estimate of the portion of the energy that radiates away from the crack source in the form of transient waves. The results presented herein propose an upper bound for the energy dissipation associated to acoustic emission, which could assist the interpretation and implementation of relevant nondestructive evaluation methods and the further enrichment of the understanding of effects associated with fracture.
2002 State Insurance Tax Developments Reviewed

The authors review significant state insurance tax developments of 2002. They see increased state interest in raising revenues and rethinking incentives.
Conduction Current and Space Charge Characteristics of SiO_2/XLPE Nanocomposites With Nanoparticle Surface Modification

In order to study the influence of nanoparticle surface modification on conduction current and space charge characteristics of nano silica/cross-linked polyethylene(SiO2/XLPE) nanocomposites, we tested some XLPE nanocomposites mixed with unmodified SiO2 nanoparticles and those modified by TC9 titanate coupling agent, respectively. It is found that the non-polar organic functional groups of TC9 coupling agent will substitute hydroxyls on the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles, which reduces the interaction effect between hydroxyls and enhances the compatibility between nanoparticles and XLPE matrix. As a result, the TC9 coupling agent improves the SiO2 nanoparticle dispersion with the nanoparticle diameter ranging from tens to a hundred of nanometers. Meanwhile, it is found that the nanoparticle surface modification increases the relative permittivity and dielectric loss, decreases the conduction current, and suppresses the space charge injection. On the contrary, UN-SiO2/XLPE nanocomposites even have worse conduction current and space charge characteristics compared with XLPE. The introduction of TC9-SiO2 nanoparticles into XLPE increases the interface area between the nanoparticle and XLPE matrix due to a better dispersion of SiO2 nanoparticles, which produces more deep traps to capture injected space charge. The immobile homocharges near the electrodes decrease the local electrical field, forming permanent charge layers, and increase the charge injection barrier height, which further suppresses the space charge injection.
Stabilization of weak ferromagnetism by strong magnetic response to epitaxial strain in multiferroic BiFeO3.

Multiferroic BiFeO3 exhibits excellent magnetoelectric coupling critical for magnetic information processing with minimal power consumption. However, the degenerate nature of the easy spin axis in the (111) plane presents roadblocks for real world applications. Here, we explore the stabilization and switchability of the weak ferromagnetic moments under applied epitaxial strain using a combination of first-principles calculations and group-theoretic analyses. We demonstrate that the antiferromagnetic moment vector can be stabilized along unique crystallographic directions ([110] and [–110]) under compressive and tensile strains. A direct coupling between the anisotropic antiferrodistortive rotations and the Dzyaloshinskii-Moria interactions drives the stabilization of the weak ferromagnetism. Furthermore, energetically competing C- and G-type magnetic orderings are observed at high compressive strains, suggesting that it may be possible to switch the weak ferromagnetism “on” and “off” under the application of strain. These findings emphasize the importance of strain and antiferrodistortive rotations as routes to enhancing induced weak ferromagnetism in multiferroic oxides.
Behavioral Effects of Amphetamine in Brain Damaged Animals: Problems in the Search for Sites of Action

Many investigators have studied brain lesion-induced changes in sensitivity to the behavioral effects of amphetamine (i.e., dl-amphetamine, d-amphetamine, methamphetamine) in animals. The majority of these studies have been concerned with determining a site or sites of action of amphetamine. It has usually been assumed (though not necessarily correctly) that damage to a site of action will decrease or abolish an effect of the drug. Although such an approach is seemingly straightforward, there have been a large number of contradictory reports, with “decreases”, “no effects”, and “increases” in sensitivity to amphetamine sometimes reported to follow lesions in the same brain region. Based on methodological considerations, an attempt will be made in this review to resolve some of this confusion. In addition, evidence that amphetamine enhances an intrinsic asymmetry in nigro-striatal function will be discussed. This action, it will be proposed, may be responsible for normal variations among animals in drug sensitivity before as well as after lesions.
Neurological Management of Von Hippel-Lindau Disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease is a genetic condition due to mutation of the Von Hippel-Lindau gene, which leads to an increased risk in the development of hemangioblastomas of the brain and spinal cord. The pathophysiology of disease and its clinical manifestations, as they pertain to the general neurol
Data-driven learning of symbolic constraints for a log-linear model in a phonological setting.

We propose a non-parametric Bayesian model for learning and weighting symbolically-defined constraints to populate a log-linear model. The model jointly infers a vector of binary constraint values for each candidate output and likely definitions for these constraints, combining observations of the output classes with a (potentially infinite) grammar over potential constraint definitions. We present results on a small morphophonological system, English regular plurals, as a test case. The inferred constraints, based on a grammar of articulatory features, perform as well as theoretically-defined constraints on both observed and novel forms of English regular plurals. The learned constraint values and definitions also closely resemble standard constraints defined within phonological theory.
Detection of Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device -Associated Acquired Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) Abnormality by An Automated Immunoturbidimetric VWF Activity Assay

Abstract 2273 Background: Continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) recipients have high tendency of post-surgical gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We previously described the loss of high molecular weight VWF multimers (HMWM), due to either an accelerated clearance or enhanced cleavage of the HMWM, in most CF-LVAD recipients (Ann Thorac Surg. 90:1263–9). However, besides the tedious plasma VWF multimer analysis, neither VWF ristocetin cofactor nor collagen binding activity assay provides sufficient sensitivity for detecting such an acquired VWF abnormality (AVWA). In this study, we examined a new automated latex particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric VWF activity assay (VWF:Lx) for its ability of detecting CF-LVAD-AVWA. We also analyzed the VWF pro-peptide (VWF:pp) to explored the potential mechanism of CF-LVAD-AVWA. Design: As part of an on-going prospective multicenter study, pre- and post-CF-LVAD implantation (7, 30 days and 5–7 months) blood samples were collected from 15 LVAD recipients (median age 52 years; 10 male and 5 female; 2008∼2009). Plasma VWF antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF:Lx activity, VWF:pp/Ag ratios were measured; and plasma VWF multimer analyses were performed on all available plasma samples. Standard statistical analyses were employed. Result: Loss of VWF HMWM was observed in 3 patients prior to CF-LVAD implantation and virtually all patients after surgery. VWF:Ag, VWF:Lx or VWF:pp/Ag ratios of the pre- and post-implantation samples were not significantly different (P> 0.1). However, VWF:Lx/Ag ratios of the post-implantation samples were significantly decreased (P Conclusions: VWF:Lx/Ag ratio has excellent sensitivity and specificity in detecting CF-LVAD-AVWA, and its impact on predicting post-surgical bleeding tendency in CF-LVAD recipients is being investigated. The distinct CF-LVAD-AVWA is most likely caused by enhanced cleavage, rather than clearance, of the HMWM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Joint Bandwidth and Power Allocation for Energy Efficiency Optimization over Heterogeneous LTE#x002F;WiFi Multi-Homing Networks

We propose an energy-efficient joint bandwidth and power allocation scheme for heterogeneous Long Term Evolution (LTE) and WiFi multi-homing networks, where multi- mode user terminals can transmit their traffic data by employing both LTE base station and WiFi access point. Considering the different scenarios of terminals, we divide the mobile users of interest into two groups based on their locations, i.e., single-homed users and multi-homed users. To improve the energy efficiency (EE) performance of networks, we formulate the optimization problem, which maximizes system EE with the constrained bandwidth, battery capacity and the required quality of service. To overcome the difficulties stemming from solving non-linear fractional programming, we use the Dinkelbach's parametric approach to convert the original optimization problem into a convex one. Furthermore, by applying the Lagrange duality principle, we obtain the optimal solutions for both bandwidth and power allocations. The simulation results finally validate our derived theoretical analyses and evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed energy- efficient joint allocation algorithm.
Of lemurs and louse flies: The biogeochemical and biotic effects of forest disturbance on Propithecus edwardsi and its obligate ectoparasite Allobosca crassipes in Ranomafana National Park, southeastern Madagascar.

From alleles to ecosystems and landscapes, anthropogenic activity continues to affect the environment, with particularly adverse effects on biodiversity hotspots such as Madagascar. Selective logging has been proposed as a “win-win” conservation strategy, yet its effects on different components of biodiversity are still not fully understood. Here we examine biotic factors (i.e., dietary differences) that may be driving differences in biogeochemical stocks between disturbed and undisturbed forests. We present the stable nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) isotope composition of hair from the lemur Propithecus edwardsi and of whole bodies of its obligate ectoparasite, the louse-fly Allobosca crassipes, from sites in Ranomafana National Park (RNP) that are comparable except for the history of logging and subsequent forest regeneration. P. edwardsi and A. crassipes from the disturbed (i.e., heavily selectively logged) site are lower in 15N and 13C relative to P. edwardsi and A. crassipes from sites that were minimally selectively logged or not commercially logged at all. There is a ∼3‰ decrease in 15N between disturbed and undisturbed sites that corresponds to a difference of nearly a full trophic level. Flowers from Bakerella clavata, a staple food source for P. edwardsi in disturbed habitats and a fallback food for P. edwardsi in primary forests, were also analyzed isotopically. B. clavata is δ15N-depleted in both disturbed and undisturbed sites. Data from longitudinal behavioral surveys of P. edwardsi in RNP and other forests in eastern Madagascar point to significant differences in consumption patterns of B. clavata, with P. edwardsi in disturbed forests consuming almost twice as much of this plant. Depletion of 15N in animal tissues is a complex issue, but likely the result of the interaction of physiological and ecological factors. Anthropogenic disturbance in RNP from selective logging has had both biotic and biogeochemical effects that are observable trophically.
The effectiveness of clawback adoptions in mitigating over-investments – Does board governance play a role?

Abstract The adoption of clawbacks purports to mitigate harmful behavior to firms' operation induced by incentive-based executive compensation contracts. While strong corporate governance is necessary to maximize the utility of clawback provisions, the current clawback literature does not sufficiently consider the impact of board governance on the effectiveness of clawback adoptions in improving corporate conduct (Addy, Chu, & Yoder, 2014). In this study, we examine the effect of board governance on the relation between firm-initiated clawback adoptions and firms' propensity to over-invest. We first show that the presence of clawback provisions is significantly associated with a decreased level of corporate over-investments. More importantly, we find that the decrease in over-investments for clawback adopters is materially diluted in the presence of a weak board governance structure. Overall, our findings suggest that strong board governance is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of clawback provisions in mitigating over-investments.
A conceptual hybrid process flowsheet for platinum group metals (PGMs) recovery from a chromite-rich Cu-Ni PGM bearing ore in oxidized mineralization through a single-stage leach and adsorption onto ion exchange resin

Abstract The availability of oxidized PGM ore deposits, at or near the earth's surface, present lucrative prospects for future PGM production owing to the large resource estimates, the relatively high PGM grades and they can be mined through relatively lower-cost open-pit mining processes. However, these oxidized PGM ores are currently not mined or treated due to insufficient recoveries using established metallurgical techniques. The complex mineralogy and polymodal distribution of PGM in the oxidized ores pose a number of challenges to the metallurgist from a mineral liberation and extraction perspective. A conceptual route to the integrated processing of a Ni-Cu-PGM bearing chromite ore in oxidized mineralization for the recovery of base and precious metals is presented based upon earlier work of the authors and recent research on metal recovery from solution. This paper presents laboratory batch-scale results of simultaneous adsorption of Pd(II) and Pt(IV) onto commercially available weak-base anion exchange resin, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose, from hydrochloric acid solutions. Effects of various variables such as equilibration time, thiocyanate and tin chloride concentrations were studied. Without any prior scrubbing step to remove co-extracted impurities, the uptake of Pd(II) and Pt(IV) was successfully accomplished with recoveries approximating 100% within 15 min. The presence of Fe(III) and other non-ferrous metal accompanying ions didn't show any marked tendency to adsorb. Among the adsorption parameters, thiocyanate concentration had the most significant effect on the process. The dual role of Sn(II) i.e. labilizing agent and PGM collector at a time, was simply overridden, overshadowed by the DEAE high selectivity for PGMs. Thiourea proved to be a better stripping reagent for bulk elution of combined Pd(II) and Pt(IV). A conceptual flowsheet is disclosed for hydrometallurgical pilot scale testing, economic evaluation and assessment of potential environmental impacts.
Equal Protection Exceptionalism

Equal protection doctrine addressed to immigrants' rights is thoroughly exceptional. It is an amalgam of super-deference, suspect class treatment, and even intermediate scrutiny, depending upon whether immigrants are present in the United States lawfully or not, and whether a state or federal classification is at issue. No other area of equal protection law modulates equal protection scrutiny in this way, producing unparalleled complexity and tension within the doctrine--and ultimately undermining equality. It is time to rethink the doctrine.
Fractal-based description

This paper addresses the problems of (1) representing natural shapes such as mountains, trees and clouds, and (2) computing such a description from image data. In order to solve these problems we must be able to relate natural surfaces to their images; this requires a good model of natural surface shapes. Fractal functions are good a choice for modeling natural surfaces because (1) many physical processes produce a fractal surface shape, (2) fractals are widely used as a graphics tool for generating natural-looking shapes, and (3) a survey of natural imagery has shown that the 3-D fractal surface model, transformed by the image formation process, furnishes an accurate description of both textured and shaded image regions. This characterization of image regions has been shown to be stable over transformations of scale and linear transforms of intensity. Much work has been accomplished that is relevant to computing 3-D information from the image data, and the computation of a 3-D fractal-based representation from actual image data has been demonstrated using an image of a mountain. This example shows the potential of a fractal-based representation for efficiently computing good 3-D representations of natural shapes, including such seemingly-difficult cases as mountains, clumps of leaves and clouds.
Ropes, Strings, Threads, Fibers, and Molecules

Matter can have many forms and properties. Properties are often exaggerated in systems that are highly asymmetric. Fibers are unique in this respect because they exhibit the maximum asymmetric configuration that solid matter can attain. Despite the gross uniformity of a fiber the average bulk properties must vary across the diameter of the fiber, because the surface and interior must exhibit grossly different structural, chemical, and physical properties. This is true whether the fibers are crystalline or amorphous, natural or synthetic, inorganic or organic, spun or grown from melts or solutions.
The Center for Plant Conservation: Twenty Years of Recovering America’s Vanishing Flora

Nearly 25% of the United States’ 20,000 native plants are species of conservation concern, and 5% are listed or have been qualified for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). U.S. plants are seriously underserved in biological diversity conservation efforts, in spite of their fundamental ecological role and significant economic value. Plants comprise about half of the species listed under the ESA, but receive only about 5% of all federal funding for recovery and restoration. Current habitat-based preserve planning approaches may also fail to capture important plant biodiversity. A review of current approaches and potential modification to incorporate both fine scale and coarse scale species may be needed to protect national plant biodiversity resources. The Center for Plant Conservation coordinates a network of botanical institutions across the United States providing local, community-based recovery and stewardship of imperiled plant populations. These approaches are effective and efficient in providing the sort of small-scale efforts often needed to restore and maintain this biodiversity, and do so cost-effectively.
Hannay Angle in Classical Mechanics and its Gauge-Invariant Generalization

The geometrical angle in classical mechanics discovered by Hannay is gauge dependent. It is generalized here to be invariant under gauge transformations, and can be applied to nonadiabatic and noncyclic cases. As an example, the time-dependent generalized harmonic oscillator is considered. When the distinction between the Hamiltonian and the energy is made, the generalized Hannay angle is equal to zero.
The Psychology of Disproportionality: Minority Placement in Context

Racial disparities in special and gifted education cannot be understood independently of a broad legacy of racial inequity woven into American public education. The results of a qualitative study illustrate the context within which minority disproportionality occurs. School respondents agreed with the NRC panel's conclusion that poverty makes an important contribution to disproportionality; yet the data suggest that the effect of poverty is by no means linear. Respondents identified a number of contextual factors contributing to racial disparities in special education placement, including high-stakes testing. In particular, we were struck by the difficulty some respondents exhibited in discussing issues of race. To ensure implementation of the panel's recommendations, it becomes highly important to address broader socio-political issues, especially denial of the existence of racial disparities in the schools.
Does the distinction between gross and value‐added exports matter? An empirical investigation of export elasticities

This study uses bilateral U.S. export data from the OECD’s Trade in Value‐Added database to estimate and compare elasticities for three distinct export measures: conventional measures of gross exports, domestic value added in gross exports, and value‐added exports. It finds little evidence of significant differences in the income elasticities across the three export measures or in the price elasticities of gross exports and domestic value added in gross exports. However it finds a significantly higher price elasticity for value‐added exports, suggesting that conventional price elasticity estimates may underestimate the impact of a real dollar depreciation on U.S. exports of value added.
Tidal choking in an anthropologically modified salt marsh estuary: Improving circulation through constriction removal

Abstract Healthy salt marshes are known to provide protection from extreme events, such as storm surge. However, such systems are vulnerable to sea level rise, anthropological modifications that alter circulation, and decreasing sediment supply. Here, circulation in an anthropologically modified salt marsh, the Milford Neck Conservation Area, near Milford, DE, USA, is examined during typical and extreme event conditions. Two month-long deployments were used to assess the tidal circulation within the system and develop, calibrate, and validate to within 10% a numerical hydrodynamic model (CMS, Coastal Modeling System). Areas of tidal choking (rapid loss of tidal energy) are identified as contributing to poor circulation within large upland areas. Modeling results for existing tidal conditions and a 20-year storm surge event show that by removing constrictions and improving circulation, large ponded areas can become intertidal, which would allow for marsh re-colonization and reduction in open water areas.
Quality matters: Evoking subjective norms and coping appraisals by system design to increase security intentions

Abstract The efficacy of direct messages such as threats, warnings, reminders, and training for influencing information security intentions is well established. Despite the pervasiveness of these approaches, users' poor adherence to security best practices remains a significant problem. Thus, it is critical that new approaches for improving security intentions are explored. System quality is known to play an important role in many aspects of information systems interactions, however, its effect on security intentions has not been established. In this paper, we develop and test a theoretical model that extends protection motivation theory and the theory of planned behavior to describe how system quality evokes positive social norms, lowers threat appraisal, and increases coping appraisal to influence intentions of secure behavior. The hypotheses were tested using a laboratory experiment. The results suggest that system quality positively influences social norms and coping appraisals to enhance security intentions. Threat appraisals, however, were unaffected. These findings illustrate how system quality can influence users' security intentions and perceptions of the efficacy of their actions without using direct messaging to warn, train, or reassure them. This technique gives researchers and developers new tools that can influence users to engage in desired behaviors.
The use of static external fixation for chronic instability of the elbow

Background Chronic elbow instability after trauma is a challenging problem. Clinical results of external elbow fixation in this setting are limited, with most studies focusing on hinged external fixation. A static fixator is an alternative for maintaining joint reduction. Advantages of a static frame include ease of application, decreased need for special instrumentation, and more secure maintenance of a concentrically reduced joint in the setting of bone or soft tissue instability. The primary limitation of static fixation is the potential for stiffness. Methods This retrospective review represents the largest reported cohort evaluating the use of static elbow external fixation for the treatment of chronic elbow instability. Twenty-seven cases treated by a single surgeon between 2004 and 2015 were identified. Results Twenty patients were available for a clinical evaluation, including radiographs and a physical examination at a mean follow-up of 5.8 years (range, 1.4-12.4 years). Of note, 19 of 20 were clinically obese or overweight. At final evaluation, range of motion averaged from 20° ± 13° of extension to 134° ± 9° of flexion. All patients had stable elbows, except 1 patient who had valgus and varus laxity on stress examination. Radiographs of this patient showed an incongruous joint. Eight patients required an additional operation after external fixator removal, 3 for infection and 5 for stiffness. Conclusions At almost 6 years of follow-up, static elbow external fixator resulted in a congruous joint with adequate functional and clinical outcomes in 95% of patients.
Frantz Fanon and the Politicization of the Third World as a Collective Subject

During the postwar conjuncture of the twentieth century, decolonization movements across the world made it possible to imagine collective politics anew. In this essay I center Frantz Fanon as an im...
Changes in Oral Health Behaviors Associated With a Nursing Intervention in Primary Care

Objective. To describe changes in oral health behaviors following implementation of a nursing intervention targeting children at risk for early childhood caries at an urban 2-site primary care practice. Methods. Nurses used a proprietary Nursing Caries Assessment Tool (N-CAT) to identify behaviors associated with early childhood caries risk, then provided brief focused dental education, fluoride varnish applications, and dental referrals to children without a dental home. We used generalized estimating equation logistic regression models, adjusted for age at visit, to analyze changes in oral health behaviors over time including the following: (1) tooth brushing frequency, (2) use of fluoride toothpaste, and (3) adult help with brushing among children younger than 5 years of age who had at least 2 N-CATs documented during well care visits between April 2013 and June 2015. We also evaluated dietary habits including going to bed with a bottle or sippy cup and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, as secondary study outcomes during the same time frame. Results. A total of 2097 children with a mean age of 15.8 (SD 7.6) months at the initial visit were included in the analysis; 51% were boys; 28% were black, 36% Hispanic/Latino, 5% white, 2% Asian, and 19% other; 75% were publicly insured. During the study period, significant (P < .05) improvements were noted across the 3 oral health behaviors studied among children younger than 18 months. Conclusion. Nursing interventions show promise for promoting preventive dental care in primary care settings and deserve further study.
The feline cutaneous and oral microbiota are influenced by breed and environment

Previous research revealed the feline skin bacterial microbiota to be site-specific and the fungal microbiota to be individual-specific. The effect of other factors, such as genotype and environment, have not yet been studied in cats, but have been shown to be potentially important in shaping the cutaneous microbiota of other animals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of these factors on the bacterial and fungal microbiota of feline skin and oral cavity. The influence of genotype was assessed through the analysis of different cat breeds, and the influence of environment through comparison of indoor and outdoor cats. DNA was extracted from skin and oral swabs, and bacterial and fungal next-generation sequencing were performed. Analysis of the skin microbiota of different cat breeds revealed significant differences in alpha diversity, with Sphynx and Bengal cats having the most diverse communities. Many taxa were found to be differentially abundant between cat breeds, including Veillonellaceae and Malassezia spp. Outdoor environment exposure had considerable influence on beta diversity, especially in the oral cavity, and resulted in numerous differentially abundant taxa. Our findings indicate that the oral bacterial microbiota and both fungal and bacterial microbiota of feline skin are influenced by breed, and to a lesser degree, environment.
Optical Nanosensors for in vivo Physiological Chloride Detection for Monitoring Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Personalized approaches for continuous monitoring of chloride levels are potentially valuable for evaluating the efficacy of new treatments of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis. In this report, we validated optode-based nanosensors for real-time chloride monitoring in the interstitial fluid of living animals. These nanosensors take advantage of a ratiometric sensing scheme which demonstrates reversible and selective chloride detection in the physiological range. We further investigate how skin pigmentation affects the sensor performance during in vivo fluorescence imaging. We successfully monitored endogenous chloride changes using nanosensors during pharmacological treatment in a cystic fibrosis mouse model. We believe this platform is a valuable tool for chloride detection which could assess the efficacy of new treatments for cystic fibrosis.
Sparse Learning-Based Approximate Dynamic Programming With Barrier Constraints

This letter provides an approximate online adaptive solution to the infinite-horizon optimal control problem for control-affine continuous-time nonlinear systems while formalizing system safety using barrier certificates. The use of a barrier function transform provides safety certificates to formalize system behavior. Specifically, using a barrier function, the system is transformed to aid in developing a controller which maintains the system in a pre-defined constrained region. To aid in online learning of the value function, the state-space is segmented into a number of user-defined segments. Off-policy trajectories are selected in each segment, and sparse Bellman error extrapolation is performed within each respective segment to generate an optimal policy within each segment. A Lyapunov-like stability analysis is included which proves uniformly ultimately bounded regulation in the presence of the barrier function transform and discontinuities. Simulation results are provided for a two-state dynamical system to compare the performance of the developed method to existing methods.
Analytic activism: Digital listening and the new political strategy

This insightful book by David Karpf takes an honest and refreshing look at the capabilities and limitations of political mobilizing in the current digital age. It is perhaps unsurprising that schol...
Researching Crime After a Disaster: What We Can Learn From a Large Survey in New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina

In this article, I describe a large (N = 7,000) survey we conducted in greater New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. We encountered many challenges in conducting the survey and used a number of crea...
Graceful Transitions between Periodic Walking Gaits of Fully Actuated Bipedal Robots

We present a theoretical method for graceful transitions between distinct periodic orbits of a fully actuated walking robot. First, a family of hybrid periodic orbits depending smoothly on a parameter are generated via continuously varying constrained optimization. The family specifies a fiber bundle of periodic orbits, and a reference trajectory is designed based on the bundle connecting two periodic orbits. This reference trajectory is shown to have steps that are almost periodic and hence is defined to achieve graceful transitions between orbits. Next, an online Quadratic Program (QP) based feedback controller is used to track the reference trajectory subject to ground forcing constraints. The method is illustrated on a five degrees of freedom planar bipedal robot in simulation.
Problems, Problem Solving, and Strategy Games.

AFTER several years during which inter est in problem solving appeared to decline, many groups are once again viewing prob lem solving as an important part of teach ing mathematics. For example, in Detroit at the March 1976 meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 24 of 210 sessions were in some manner involved with problem solving. The practical use of mathematics should involve a continuous four-step process (fig. 1):
Accounting for Fleet Heterogeneity in Estimating the Impacts of Large-Scale Fishery Closures

AbstractTo date, the empirical literature on spatial closures has focused on specific fleets and/or areas, and relatively less attention has been paid to the evaluation of responses to large-scale ...
David Oliver: Deaths from hospital acquired covid are everyone's problem.

Last month the Guardian reported that, since March 2020, “Up to 8700 patients died after catching covid-19 in English hospitals.”1 The question is whether any of these cases could have been avoided and what we need to do better in future, rather than just seeking to apportion blame. The story was based on freedom of information requests sent to all 126 acute hospital trusts, with 81 replying. A total of 32 307 patients admitted with other conditions had contracted covid-19 while in hospital, and 8747 (27%) died within 28 days, showed figures supplied by the trusts themselves. In response to the Guardian ’s story, NHS England stated that the root cause was a rising infection rate in the community, adding that hospitals consistently outperformed other settings in preventing and controlling outbreaks. My immediate personal …
The Islamic State and the Return of the Caliphate

No Salafist Jihadi group in the history of that movement has been more “successfully” infamous than the sudden emergence of the ISIS or the Islamic. Though its initial iteration was conceived by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, probably while he was still in Afghanistan, his founding ideas have remained part of the main ideological structure of the group ever since. Showing a stubborn resilience that has provided for the ability to reconstruct itself often times from near total defeat, it remains a lingering threat as it once again attempts yet another recreation.
Zebrafish airinemes optimize their shape between ballistic and diffusive search

In addition to diffusive signals, cells in tissue also communicate via long, thin cellular protrusions, such as airinemes in zebrafish. Before establishing communication, cellular protrusions must find their target cell. Here we demonstrate that the shape of airinemes in zebrafish are consistent with a finite persistent random walk model. The probability of contacting the target cell is maximized for a balance between ballistic search (straight) and diffusive search (highly curved, random). We find that the curvature of airinemes in zebrafish, extracted from live cell microscopy, is approximately the same value as the optimum in the simple persistent random walk model. We also explore the ability of the target cell to infer direction of the airineme9s source, finding that there is a theoretical trade-off between search optimality and directional information. This provides a framework to characterize the shape, and performance objectives, of non-canonical cellular protrusions in general.