cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural control mechanisms within airways: disruption by respiratory syncytial virus.

Among the factors influencing airway function are neural control mechanisms, including adrenergic, cholinergic, nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory, and nonadrenergic noncholinergic excitatory pathways. Respiratory infections affect these pathways in ways that are not entirely clear. Objective: To determine acute and chronic effects of respiratory syncytial virus infection on airway neural control mechanisms. Study design: Acute effects were studied in cotton rats, which received human respiratory syncytial virus or uninfected cell culture medium intranasally at 5 weeks of age. Chronic effects were studied in ferrets, which received human respiratory syncytial virus or uninfected cell culture medium intranasally during the first 10 days of life. The responsiveness of tracheal smooth muscle segments was studied in vitro 4 days after infection of cotton rats and when ferrets were 4, 8, and 24 weeks of age. Results: Tracheal smooth muscle segments from cotton rats demonstrated significant increases in contractile responses to nerve stimulation (cholinergic responses). In the presence of neurokinin A, contractile responses increased (enhanced nonadrenergic noncholinergic excitatory response), and relaxation of airways by nerve stimulation (nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory response) was severely impaired. Airway epithelium was also disrupted. These alterations favor airway obstruction and a hyper-responsive state. Contractile responses to nerve stimulation were increased in 4- and 8-week-old ferrets infected with human respiratory syncytial virus compared with ferrets in a control group, a difference that resolved by 24 weeks. Nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory responses were absent in all 4-week-old ferrets and significantly decreased in 8-week-old ferrets infected with human respiratory syncytial virus. A significant difference persisted at 24 weeks of age. Conclusion: Human respiratory syncytial virus causes acute and chronic changes in neural control of airways in animal models. When infection occurs early in life, the alterations persist for long periods.
High-Pressure Effects on Viruses

This chapter starts with brief reviews of high-pressure processing with regard to its history, advantages for use as a food processing technology, and basic description of the processing parameters. It also surveys viral food safety along with the biochemistry and pathology of foodborne infectious viruses, most especially norovirus, hepatitis A, and Aichi virus. The chapter further delves into pressure inactivation kinetics of viruses and describes the effects of treatment temperatures and food composition found in the literature. Another highlighted subject is the potential use of viral vaccines produced by pressure treatment that first arose in 1956 with investigation of pressure inactivation of poliomyelitis virus with subsequent measurement of immunogenic potential.
A novel sensor network architecture

Wireless sensor devices are becoming an integral part of the human environment and their seamless integration has created a range of new Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) architectures. The Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is a key component of WSN's, as it critically affects important characteristics like lifetime of the network, throughput guarantees and cost effectiveness. In this thesis we attempt to design new MAC protocols for emerging WSN architectures and applications. A sensor network can be functionally described as a heterogeneous collection of devices that collect and exchange data. Based on this functional distinction we propose to classify the network into two tiers—(i) a class of resource constrained devices that collect data and (ii) a class a devices whose main function is to exchange and propagate the collected data through the network. First, we consider data collection using resource constrained nodes and study the problem of providing a guaranteed delivery probability and differentiated QoS to nodes that do not have the capability to receive any signals. We develop a new MAC protocol based on stochastic methods to solve this problem and show that we can achieve good performance for densely deployed networks. We also study extensions of the protocol that use multiple channels and rudimentary BPSK receivers to improve the system capacity. Secondly, we study data intensive networks in which the nodes require guaranteed QoS in terms of throughput and delay. Although there exist many protocols that meet these requirements, all of them require some form of centralized control. Specifically, we study the problem of high data rate communication in a completely distributed manner, with no form of centralized control. To solve this problem we develop a TDMA based protocol and algorithms that can provide distributed contention free channel access. Finally, we apply these MAC protocols to practical applications and study their performance in field deployments. This provides a significant insight into the performance, benefits and drawbacks of these protocols. We hope the lessons learnt will be a valuable input to the design of protocols for next generation networks.
Extreme superomniphobicity of multiwalled 8 nm TiO2 nanotubes

We report unprecedented superomniphobic characteristics of nanotube-structured TiO2 surface fabricated by electrochemical etching and hydrothermal synthesis process, with the wettability contact angles for water and oil both being ∼174° or higher. A tangled forest of ∼8-nm-diameter, multiwalled nanotubes of TiO2 was produced on the microtextured Ti surface, with the overall nanotube length controlled to 150 nm by adjusting the processing time. Wettability measurements indicate that the nanotube surface is extremely nonwettable to both water and oil. The contact angle of the 8 nm TiO2 nanotube surface after perfluorosilane coating is extremely high (178°) for water droplets indicating superhydrophobic properties. The contact angle for oil, measured using a glycerol droplet, is also very high, about 174°, indicating superoleophobic characteristics. These dual nonwetting properties, superomniphobic characteristics, are in sharp contrast to the as-made TiO2 nanotubes which exhibit superhydrophilic properties ...
Long-Lived π-Shape Platinum(II) Diimine Complexes Bearing 7-Benzothiazolylfluoren-2-yl Motif on the Bipyridine and Acetylide Ligands: Admixing π,π* and Charge-Transfer Configurations

Two π-shape platinum(II) diimine complexes (1 and 2) bearing 7-benzothiazolylfluoren-2-yl motif on the bipyridine and acetylide ligands were synthesized, and their photophysics and reverse saturable absorption were investigated systematically. Both complexes exhibit low-energy, broad, and weak 1MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer)/1LLCT (ligand-to-ligand charge transfer) transitions and intense high-energy bipyridine ligand or acetylide ligand localized 1π,π* transitions mixed with some 1MLCT/1LLCT/1ILCT (intraligand charge transfer) characters in their UV–vis absorption spectra. The emission of 1 and 2 includes a weak fluorescence band and a broad, structureless phosphorescence band emanating from the 3MLCT/3LLCT/3π,π* states for 1 and predominantly from 3π,π* state for 2. Insertion of C≡C bond between the bipyridine and fluorene components induces pronounced red-shifts of the absorption and emission bands because of the extended π-conjugation in the bipyridine ligand. Because of the admixture of the 3...
Trends in the prescription of radiographs for comprehensive care patients in U.S. and Canadian dental schools.

Results of this 1992 survey are compared to results from 1977 and 1987 surveys to establish long-term trends in radiographic prescribing practices for dentulous adult comprehensive care patients in U.S. and Canadian dental schools. The major trends include a decline in prescribing both an intraoral full-mouth series and panoramic radiograph (46 percent to 19 percent to 9 percent of schools from 1977 to 1987 to 1992, respectively). These changes were complemented by an increase in prescribing a full-mouth series only (32 percent to 48 percent to 57 percent, respectively), and an increase in the use of selection criteria (2 percent to 19 percent to 26 percent, respectively). Between 1987 and 1992 there was little change in the preferred examination for the edentulous adult patient, and small changes in the preferred examination for the child patient.
Corneal ulceration in South East Asia. II: A strategy for the prevention of fungal keratitis at the village level in Burma

Aim: To prove that topical antifungal and antibiotic prophylaxis distributed by grass roots village health workers (VHWs) in Burma is an effective public health intervention for the prevention of post-traumatic microbial keratitis in a population where the majority of ulcers are fungal. Methods: Three villages in Bago District with a combined population of 16 987 were selected for the study. This defined population was followed prospectively for 12 months by 15 VHWs who were trained to identify post-traumatic corneal abrasions with fluorescein dye and a blue torch and to administer 1%chloramphenicol and 1%clotrimazole ointment three times a day for 3 days to the eyes of individuals who fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Results: During the 12 month period 273 individuals reported to VHWs with an ocular injury and 126 were found to have a corneal abrasion. All 126 were treated with 1%chloramphenicol and 1%clotrimazole ointment three times a day for 3 days, and all healed without sequelae. Conclusions: Both fungal and bacterial ulcers that occur following traumatic corneal abrasions can be effectively prevented in a village setting by using relatively simple measures that local volunteer public health workers can easily be taught to employ.
Design and Application of Wide Area Monitoring System of Transmission Lines Based on SAR and GIS

To be able to monitor the transmission lines in large-scale and wide angle,this article designs a wide area transmission lines monitoring system that depends on high-resolution synthetic aperture radar(SAR)and geographic information system(GIS).The monitoring system is based on remote monitoring of transmission line towers,transmission corridor terrain,fires and other illegal buildings and wide area radar image.Taking three-dimensional GIS as platform,the system achieves the function of monitoring information display,storage,analysis,early warning,disaster assessment and decision-making.Application results show that although the system has shortages,the wide-area monitoring effect and application have a wide prospect.
Endorectal Ultrasound in Rectal Carcinoma

The appropriate treatment of rectal carcinoma requires accurate staging of the initial tumor (Kim and Wong 2000). Small tumors confined to the rectal wall may be amenable to treatment by local transanal excision (TAE) (Orkin et al. 1995; Senegore et al. 1988), which has a lesser morbidity and mortality than a low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection. In a study of TAE in 334 patients, 236 adenomas, 98 carcinomas, (1996) had a complication rate of 5.5% and 8.0%, respectively, and an overall mortality rate of 0.3%. Large tumors and those that have invaded through the wall or into the anal sphincter, with or without local metastatic lymphadenopathy, will require a low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection. Some cases may require preoperative treatment with chemotherapy and or radiation therapy (Bernini et al. 1996; Kim and Wong 2000). The patients’ overall prognosis is provided by the pathological staging of the postoperative tumor specimen using the Astler-Coller modification of the Dukes’ staging system or the TNM system (Table 10.1) (Astler and Coller 1954; Spiessel et al. 1982).
Cognitive stage differences in types of speaker uncertainty markers.

The relationship between cognitive stage and three types of linguistic markers used to convey speaker uncertainty was assessed. Cognitive stage was assessed on the basis of explanations given by 56...
SU-G-BRC-16: Theory and Clinical Implications of the Constant Dosimetric Leaf Gap (DLG) Approximation

Purpose: Commercial dose calculation algorithms incorporate a single DLG value for a given beam energy that is applied across an entire treatment field. However, the physical processes associated with beam generation and dose delivery suggest that the DLG is not constant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the variation of DLG among all leaf pairs, to quantify how this variation impacts delivered dose, and to establish a novel method to correct dose distributions calculated using the approximation of constant DLG. Methods: A 2D diode array was used to measure the DLG for all 60 leaf pairs at several points along each leaf pair travel direction. This approach was validated by comparison to DLG values measured at select points using a 0.6 cc ion chamber with the standard formalism. In-house software was developed to enable incorporation of position dependent DLG values into dose distribution optimization and calculation. The accuracy of beam delivery of both the corrected and uncorrected treatment plans was studied through gamma pass rate evaluation. A comparison of DVH statistics in corrected and uncorrected treatment plans was made. Results: The outer 20 MLC leaf pairs (1.0 cm width) have DLG values that are 0.32 mm (mean) to 0.65 mm (maximum) lower than the central leaf-pair. VMAT plans using a large number of 1 cm wide leaves were more accurately delivered (gamma pass rate increased by 5%) and dose coverage was higher (D100 increased by 3%) when the 2D DLG was modeled. Conclusion: Using a constant DLG value for a given beam energy will result in dose optimization, dose calculation and treatment delivery inaccuracies that become significant for treatment plans with high modulation complexity scores delivered with 1 cm wide leaves.
Attributional and Relational Models of Metaphor

Two general models have played a central role in the conventional discussion of metaphor (Bortfeld and McGlone, 2001). Comparison or attribute transference models emphasize the transfer of properties or attributes associated with the vehicle on to the topic. For example in ‘Our love has been a roller coaster ride’, properties such as ‘exciting’ or ‘having ups and downs’ are transferred on to the relationship. When an adolescent is called a ‘beanpole’, the property of being physically tall and very thin is transferred from a garden object on to a person; in ‘north face of a mountain’ the properties of location (near the top of a physical entity), topography (relatively flat, but with bumps, hollows and other identifiable features) and orientation (vertical or nearly vertical, and toward the speaker) are transferred from a person to a mountain.
Pyrolysis/Gas Chromatography: Application in the Study of Biomass Pyrolysis

The analytical chemistry technique of pyrolysis/gas chromatography has been applied to the study of biomass pyrolysis. Very small samples of biomass feedstocks were pyrolyzed in a controlled, reproducible manner with the products flowing immediately, in series, to a gas Chromatograph. This enabled rapid determination of pyrolysis gas composition and yields. A study was done in which off-the-shelf equipment was used to investigate the effects of temperature on the pyrolysis of Euphorbia Lathyris. The results of these experiments have demonstrated the utility of the technique in regard to simulation of gasification performance of various feedstocks in large scale, continuous reactors as a transition from prediction by equilibrium modeling.
“Foreign Locals”: Transnationalism, Expatriates, and Surfer Identity in Costa Rica:

Surfer identity construction has been linked to a number of factors, including a strong attachment to place. Surfers have always been a mobile population, and the search for waves in new places is a central aspect of the sport. The movement of surfers has led to the development of transnational communities in surf destinations. This ethnographic study examined the ways in which expatriates in Costa Rica construct their identities as local surfers. Many expatriates considered themselves local surfers as a result of the time they had lived and surfed in Pavones and their knowledge of the wave. Many Ticos did not think of expatriates as local surfers. Some expatriates’ assertions of local identity and resultant aggression were sources of frustration for Ticos, tourists, and other expatriates.
Denosumab Therapy for Giant Cell Tumor of Bone Pulmonary Metastasis

Case. A 68-year-old female was diagnosed with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) metastatic to her lungs. The patient was treated with IV denosumab for the course of 4.5 years for these metastases. The metastatic tumor burden decreased significantly after only 3 months of therapy. The size of the metastases has been stable for over 4 years. Conclusion. Denosumab therapy has promise in the treatment of GCTB, including pulmonary metastasis. However, the long-term role of denosumab for pulmonary metastases is yet to be determined.
A statistical analysis of trends in research on the Raman effect

There have been outlined in this presentation, the trends, during a tenyear period, in interest in the Raman effect as a function of time and geographical distribution. The interest in particular types of organic and inorganic compounds has been evaluated, and the reasons for preferential treatment of certain classes and compounds have been discussed briefly.
The Americanist Imagination and Real Imaginary Place in Czech Bluegrass Songs

AbstractDuring their long history of Americanism, Czechs have inscribed “real imaginary” elements of Americana on their environment, laying a foundation for the current interest in bluegrass music. Czech articulations of this imagined “Amerika” in translated, newly created, and recontextualized songs reveal a playful ambiguity. Czechs have cultivated bluegrass through a sense of place that contains traces of Americanness, blurring the boundaries between what is American and what is Czech. With humor and hard work, Czech bluegrassers shape a sense of place through their performance of songs in which U.S. music becomes part of the European landscape.
The symbolic nature of visual imagery

The issue is whether human visual imagery can be represented by symbolic structures and processes. Protocols of the task of imagining a path in space were analyzed using a production system interpreter. A detailed simulation of the subject's behavior within the confines of a symbolic short-term memory (STM) demonstrates that symbol structures are sufficient to explain imaging behavior. The experience of programming with productions and a homogeneous STM has brought out the importance of a control language when using an unstructured rule system.
Transition Metal Complexes of Caged Phosphite Esters

The unusual donor abilities of caged phosphites {Ia} and {III} have been the subject of recent investigations in these laboratories. The low steric requirements and high dipole moments of {Ia} and {II} are undoubtedly significant Open image in new window factors in the formation of several transition metal ion complexes exhibiting maximum coordination numbers with {Ia} (1, 2) and in the formation of stable adducts of {Ia} and {II} with Lewis acids such as the BH3 and B3H7 groups (34). measure of the ligand field strength of {Ia} was obtained from the U V spectrum of the colorless [Co{Ia}6]3+ ion which indicated that Dq is 3320 cm-1; a value very close to that for Dq in the [Co(CN)6]3- ion which is 3350 cm-1 (2).
The Assumption of the Dragon: Ruskin’s Mythic Vision

Ruskin’s Evangelical upbringing, immersion in Romantic art and literature, artistic training, study of mythology, love of nature, and interest in science combined to produce a rich and complex perception of the natural world. As a result, Ruskin’s ideas about nature reflect the “interwoven temper” (35: 56) of his mind. He could look at mountains as both poet and geologist; embrace the power of myth and the evidence of physical law; employ the vocabulary of emblematic tradition and that of contemporary science. For Ruskin, nature was never simply a subject of study, a sanctuary, or scenic prospect, but rather an essential element of human life; man was not merely in the landscape, but of it, intimately connected to the earth in “the circles of vitality” (16: 378). Rejecting the fragmentation of modern life, Ruskin stood for synthesis against separation, intent on the ways in which all things “bind and blend themselves together” (35: 561). Ruskin decried the effects upon nature of industry, short-sighted development, and public apathy. For him, the darkening skies and damaged earth signaled a fundamental spiritual and cultural imbalance. His conflation of material and moral disintegration was not simply an expression of despair, madness, or reactionary conservatism, but was connected by “all manner of strange intellectual chords and nerves with the pathos and history of this old English country of ours; and on the other side, with the history of the European mind from earliest mythology down to modern rationalism and ir-rationalism” (35: 533). Ruskin’s richly allusive, associative, symbolic writing expresses a sense of the death of an entire way of life and vision of the world. It is an exercise in mythmaking, an intricate layering of story, image, association, and experience meant to reveal the moral significance of material phenomena.
Propositional Structure and Propositional Implication

In this chapter we deepen our characterization of propositions and study the basic structures of propositional implication. Here is, then, a short, but slightly unconventional (because more philosophical), introduction to standard two-valued logic. We need this introduction, not only for completeness, given that propositions are contents of practical reasoning, but primarily because the implicational structure of propositions is the paradigm of implicational structure. This is part of the ontological primacy of the contents of contemplative thinking. We make use of most of this chapter in the following ones.
Similar patterns of cortical activity in females and males during item memory.

Abstract Anatomic and molecular sex differences exist in the brain, which suggests there may be functional differences. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) investigation aimed to identify the similarities and differences in brain activity between females and males during item memory. During encoding, abstract shapes were presented to the left or right of fixation. During retrieval, old and new shapes were presented at fixation and participants made “old-left”, “old-right”, or “new” judgments. Item memory was isolated by contrasting correct “old” responses to old items (with incorrect spatial memory responses; item memory hits) and “new” responses to old items (item memory misses). For both sexes, item memory produced activity in regions associated with visual long-term memory including the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and visual processing regions. A sex by accuracy interaction analysis within each sub-region of activity produced largely null results, supporting common patterns of brain activity. However, there was sex-specific (male > female) activity within default network regions, which suggests males may have been less engaged in the task, and there was evidence for greater activity for females than males in language processing cortex. The present findings indicate that females and males employ similar patterns of brain activity during item memory.
Complementing Course Contents Between IT/CS: A Case Study on Database Courses

Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science (CS) are two well regarded computing programs that produce hundreds of thousands of graduates in each year to meet the diverse needs in the IT industry. Despite being treated as two distinct disciplines, IT and CS do share commonalities as with other computing disciplines (e.g., CE, SE, and IS). In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis on the commonalities and differences between IT and CS along with their respective teaching methodologies, aiming to identify opportunities to complement these two computing disciplines so that they can benefit from each other's unique advantages to better train future computing professionals. A case study on the database courses from both IT and CS helps reveal deeper insights on both the common and different aspects of these two disciplines. These insights are then leveraged to reach important recommendations for future computing curriculum development.
Voxelotor Treatment Interferes with Quantitative and Qualitative Hemoglobin Variant Analysis in Multiple Sickle Cell Disease Genotypes

Objectives Voxelotor was recently approved for use in the United States as a treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) and has been shown to interfere with the quantitation of hemoglobin (Hb) S percentage. This study aimed to determine the effect of voxelotor on the quantitation of hemoglobin variant levels in patients with multiple SCD genotypes. Methods In vitro experiments were performed to assess the impact of voxelotor treatment on hemoglobin variant testing. Whole blood samples were incubated with voxelotor and then analyzed by routinely used quantitative and qualitative clinical laboratory methods (high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC], capillary zone electrophoresis [CZE], and acid and alkaline electrophoresis). Results Voxelotor modified the α-globin chain of multiple hemoglobins, including HbA, HbS, HbC, HbD-Punjab, HbE, HbA2, and HbF. These voxelotor-hemoglobin complexes prevented accurate quantitation of multiple hemoglobin species, including HbS, by HPLC and CZE. Conclusions Technical limitations in quantifying HbS percentage may preclude the use of HPLC or CZE for monitoring patients treated with voxelotor. Furthermore, it is unclear whether HbS-voxelotor complexes are clinically equivalent to HbS. Consensus guidelines for reporting hemoglobin variant percentages for patients taking voxelotor are needed, as these values are necessary for determining the number of RBC units to exchange in acute situations.
Minimum Wage/Living Wage

This chapter begins with a historical review of the federal minimum wage and data about minimum wage. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour and hasn’t been increased in 10 years. Twenty-nine states have a minimum wage higher than the federal one. An economic analysis of the minimum wage follows with a review of the empirical research.
Exploring Knowledge, Beliefs, and Attitudes about Teen Pregnancy among Latino Parents in Arkansas

Objectives Arkansas has the highest incidence of teen pregnancy in 15- to 19-year-olds in the United States, and Latinas remain one of the cultural groups that are most at risk of becoming adolescent mothers. Teen mothers and their children are more likely to face poor socioeconomic conditions and negative health sequelae that perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Tailored interventions meant for families, communities, and/or churches should address both abstinence and other types of contraception to educate young people how to stay healthy, prevent unwanted pregnancy, and empower them to make informed decisions. To develop effective educational interventions, it is essential to understand the current knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes toward teen pregnancy among Latino parents in Arkansas. Methods Adult Latino parents were surveyed at two clinical sites, one church and one school in Little Rock between January 16, 2019 and February 23, 2019. The survey instrument was conducted in Spanish and included questions on demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about teenage pregnancy. Response frequencies, percentages and descriptive statistics were calculated for the dataset. Results A total of 181 individuals completed the survey. Participants almost unanimously agreed with the statement that it is important to talk about sex with their children for their sexual health development. Nearly all respondents, 96.1%, believe that it is important to prevent teenage pregnancy. Most respondents agreed that they speak with their sons and daughters differently on the topic of sexual health. In our sample, only 17.8% of parents believed that abstinence-only education should be the primary focus of reproductive health education. "My family values" was most frequently cited as the predominant factor in shaping participants' beliefs about teen pregnancy, followed by a desire for their child to attend college or be economically stable before having a child. Conclusions Our findings indicate that based on attitudes toward sexual health, interventions should be tailored to certain groups based on children's sex and age and to parents who had children as teens themselves. Educational materials should emphasize the strengths of Latino culture, such as family values and desire for children to attain a college degree and economic stability before bearing children.
Persistence of Zika virus RNA in the epididymis of the male reproductive tract

Zika virus (ZIKV) can infect developing fetuses in utero and cause severe congenital defects. This in utero transmission can occurs following ZIKV infection during pregnancy via sexual transmission or mosquito bite. Infected men may shed ZIKV RNA in semen for over six months post symptom onset, indicating that ZIKV may persistently infect the male reproductive tract (MRT). However, the site of persistent infection in the MRT and whether ZIKV can recrudesce in the MRT is unknown. We hypothesized that if ZIKV establishes a persistent infection in the MRT, then immunosuppressant treatment should stimulate ZIKV replication. We tested this hypothesis in a wild-type mouse model of ZIKV sexual transmission. Male mice were infected with ZIKV and immunosuppressed when they no longer shed infectious virus in their ejaculates. After immunosuppression, ejaculates and MRT tissues were monitored for infectious virus and ZIKV RNA. Our results show that ZIKV recrudescence did not occur following immunosuppression, as we did not detect significant levels of infectious virus in ejaculates or MRT tissues following immunosuppression. We did detect ZIKV RNA in the epididymides of mice treated with the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide. Further analysis revealed that this ZIKV RNA was contained within the lumen of the epididymis. Our findings suggest that ZIKV persistently infects the epididymis within the male reproductive tract. This study provides insight into the mechanisms behind ZIKV sexual transmission, which may inform public health decisions regarding ZIKV risks. Importance: Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging mosquito-transmitted virus that typically causes mild and self-limiting febrile illness in humans; however, during the recent epidemic of ZIKV in the Americas, severe birth defects, such as microcephaly and club foot, were reported in infants born to ZIKV infected mothers. Additionally, sexual transmission has been identified as a secondary method of ZIKV transmission. Since ZIKV can be isolated from semen of infected men long after initial infection, it is imperative to understand the mechanism(s) of ZIKV infection of the male reproductive tract to prevent sexual transmission and ZIKV-associated birth defects. The significance of our research is in identifying a site of persistent ZIKV infection in the male reproductive tract and in assessing the likelihood that a persistently infected individual will begin shedding infectious virus in semen again. This information will enhance our understanding of ZIKV sexual transmission and inform health decisions regarding ZIKV risks.
No support for the hereditarian hypothesis of the Black-White achievement gap using polygenic scores and tests for divergent selection.

OBJECTIVES Debate about the cause of IQ score gaps between Black and White populations has persisted within genetics, anthropology, and psychology. Recently, authors claimed polygenic scores provide evidence that a significant portion of differences in cognitive performance between Black and White populations are caused by genetic differences due to natural selection, the "hereditarian hypothesis." This study aims to show conceptual and methodological flaws of past studies supporting the hereditarian hypothesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Polygenic scores for educational attainment were constructed for African and European samples of the 1000 Genomes Project. Evidence for selection was evaluated using an excess variance test. Education associated variants were further evaluated for signals of selection by testing for excess genetic differentiation (Fst ). Expected mean difference in IQ for populations was calculated under a neutral evolutionary scenario and contrasted to hereditarian claims. RESULTS Tests for selection using polygenic scores failed to find evidence of natural selection when the less biased within-family GWAS effect sizes were used. Tests for selection using Fst values did not find evidence of natural selection. Expected mean difference in IQ was substantially smaller than postulated by hereditarians, even under unrealistic assumptions that overestimate genetic contribution. CONCLUSION Given these results, hereditarian claims are not supported in the least. Cognitive performance does not appear to have been under diversifying selection in Europeans and Africans. In the absence of diversifying selection, the best case estimate for genetic contributions to group differences in cognitive performance is substantially smaller than hereditarians claim and is consistent with genetic differences contributing little to the Black-White gap.
Mechanical performance of sandwich composites with additively manufactured triply periodic minimal surface cellular structured core

Sandwich composite structures are comprised of a low-density core (commonly honeycomb) and facesheets. They are typically used in applications that require lightweight for efficient design, such as...
Undrained Stress Distribution by Numerical Methods

Stress distribution in incompressible or undrained soil is important to the engineer, but the usual finite difference and finite element methods break down for incompressible materials. A revised procedure is described in which the pore pressure is treated as another unknown. Specific application is made to linearly elastic materials; however, the technique can be used for other stress-strain relations. The paper shows the form of the procedure used for finite elements, and that used for a lumped parameter model equivalent to a finite difference method. Results for a sample problem illustrate the insensitivity of vertical stress to compressibility and show the larger effects on the other stress components. Comparison of undrained and drained analysis shows the motion of soil towards the load during consolidation.
Identification of a novel proline-directed serine/threonine protein kinase in rat pheochromocytoma.

During investigations of the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by protein phosphorylation, a novel protein kinase activity has been discovered in rat pheochromocytoma. Originally detected as a trace contaminant in preparations of highly purified TH, this novel kinase activity phosphorylated TH at serine 8 in the proline-rich amino-terminal region of the enzyme. This particular site is not phosphorylated by, nor is the amino acid sequence surrounding this site selective for, any of the classical (i.e. well characterized) protein kinases. In this report, we describe the identification, characterization, and partial purification of this novel protein kinase. By utilizing a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino-terminal region of TH, a selective assay for this protein kinase was developed. The kinase activity utilized ATP and magnesium, although GTP could also be utilized as a phosphate donor. The kinase activity was found to co-purify with TH activity through ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-cellulose chromatography and could be only partially resolved from TH by heparin-agarose affinity chromatography. Substantial kinase activity could be resolved from TH by phosphocellulose chromatography. The novel kinase migrates as a protein with a molecular mass of approximately 45 kDa on gel permeation chromatography as well as sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Studies of site specificity indicate that this Ser/Thr kinase activity appears to be directed by an adjacent (carboxyl-terminal) proline residue, exhibiting a minimal recognition sequence of -X-Ser/Thr-Pro-X-. In addition to TH, this proline-directed protein kinase will also phosphorylate synapsin I, histone H1, and glycogen synthase, suggesting that this kinase may have multiple substrates in vivo. Additional findings indicate that the activity of proline-directed protein kinase is increased transiently in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells following treatment with nerve growth factor. Distinctions between this novel kinase and other well characterized protein kinases can be made on the basis of phosphorylation site specificity, chromatographic behavior, and physical characteristics.
A mathematical formalism for the Kondo effect in Wess-Zumino-Witten branes

In the paper, we adapt our previous formalism for a mathematical treatment of branes to include processes, specifically the Kondo flow for Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) branes. In this framework, we give the precise mathematical definitions and formulate a mathematical conjecture relating WZW branes to nonequivariant twisted K theory in the case of the group SU(n). We also discuss regularization of the Kondo flow, thereby giving a first step toward proving our conjecture.
Early environmental effects of the terminal Cretaceous impact

The environmental aftereffects of the terminal Cretaceous impact are examined on the basis of the carbon and nitrogen geochemistry in the basal layer of the K-T boundary clay at Woodside Creek, New Zealand. It is shown that organic carbon and nitrogen at this level are enriched by 15 and 20 times Cretaceous values, respectively. Also, it is found that the N abundances and, to a lesser extent, the organic C abundances are closely correlated with the Ir abundances. The changes in carbon and nitrogen content through the basal layer are outlined, focusing on the possible environmental conditions which could have caused enrichment. In addition, consideration is given to the soot and pyrotoxin content. Possible scenarios for the K-T event and the importance of selective extinction are discussed.
Primal simplex network codes: State-of-the-art implementation technology

In recent years there have been several extremely successful specialization of the primal simplex method for solving network flow problems. Much of this success is due to the development of highly efficient computational techniques for implementing the primal simplex algorithm. We view these efficient techniques as a new body of knowledge which we call implementation technology. This exposition presents the state-of-the-art of implementation technology.
Trends in the management of headache.

The Authors’ Reply—We thank Dr. Solomon for his interest in our study assessing national trends in headache management and for raising important questions about the usefulness of lifestyle modification counseling. As noted, we found a decline in first-line recommended lifestyle modification counseling for headache over the past decade, contrary to prominent headache guidelines.1 For instance, guidelines from the American College of Physicians suggest that physicians encourage their patients to identify and avoid specific dietary, behavioral, and environmental triggers for migraine headache.2 While he is correct in pointing out that generic advice on improving diet and exercise habits may lack rigorous scientific evidence showing reduced headache frequency, the dietary and lifestyle counseling provided during a headache visit would likely be targeted towards specific factors that trigger headache. Moreover, we do not agree that “increased stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, sedentary lifestyle, and poor diet… have not been scientifically linked to increased migraine frequency.” In fact, evidence suggests the opposite: migraine headaches are frequently triggered by stress, sleep deprivation, or dietary choice, in addition to a wide array of lifestyle and environmental factors.3 Finally, as we discuss in our paper, our measure of counseling is not limited to diet and exercise counseling. Another important component of our variable includes mental health counseling and stress management therapy, which as Dr. Solomon notes has been shown in various forms to improve headache symptoms in systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials.4,5
Effective energy formulation for the random-impurity system

Abstract It is shown that the thermodynamic properties for a random impurity system may be expressed in terms of an “effective energy” which is a function of momentum alone. A perturbation expression for the effective energy is given, which requires a “regularization” (rule for going around singularities) process. The method of regularization is analyzed in detail, and it is shown that the effective energy levels can be made real by some special classes of regularization. The method can be extended to the case of disordered binary alloys, where all effective energies are obtained as solutions to a determinantal equation which assumes dual symmetry between the two constitutents. The density of states in such a system is easily obtained from the set of effective energies. In a sense, the result for binary alloys represents a generalization of the “coherent potential” often used, but is rigorously true.
Need to represent upper ocean turbulence in climate models

The ocean surface boundary layer—approximately the uppermost 100 meters of the ocean—is important in controlling the exchange of heat and gases between the atmosphere and the ocean, but, as Belcher et al. show, current climate models' parameterizations of mixing in the upper ocean are inadequate. In particular, most global climate models do not include representation of surface wave–driven Langmuir turbulence, which is an important driver of mixing and a control on the depth of the ocean surface boundary layer. Failing to include turbulence driven by surface waves causes models to inaccurately calculate the depth of this boundary layer and leads to bias of several degrees in sea surface temperature estimates. Including this turbulence could help improve the models. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2012GL052932, 2012)
State Strategy in Territorial Conflict: A Conceptual Analysis of China's Strategy in the South China Sea

This article critically analyses an intuitive and influential conceptual framework by which to understand state strategy in territorial conflicts. According to this framework, a state in a territorial dispute can pursue one of three general strategies: threaten or use force; offer territorial concessions; or delay. This article argues that it is problematic to regard these three candidate strategies as mutually exclusive. It is argued that not only can a strategy of escalation be compatible with one of delay, but many uses of force can be employed instrumentally in service of delaying. The framework, this article contends, does not so much capture “strategy” as it does certain aspects — or outcomes — of strategy, which while appropriate for certain analytical tasks is less so for others. The 2012 Scarborough Shoal incident is examined and China’s strategy during the event is scrutinized with a view towards assessing the strengths and weaknesses of applying the framework to an analysis of narrower scope. Lastly, it is argued that a framework for conceptualizing state strategy in territorial disputes should not be confined to three alternatives; it should be more broadly constructed, allowing for more nuance and taking seriously all the domains of statecraft.
Significance of sexual dimorphism of the anal fin of Polypteridae.

THE anal fin of the female of both Polypterus and Calamoichthys is narrow and pointed, whereas that of the male is wider and rounded, and can be erected into a cup-shaped organ. This diiference was described for P. bichir by Leydig1, who suggested that internal fertilization occurred, and subsequently Harrington2 stated that the anal fin of the male “is undoubtedly a copulatory organ”. Budgett3, noting sexual dimorphism of the anal fins of P. senegalus and P. bichir (= P. lapradei), wrote that “it remains to be seen to what use the male Polypterus puts this modified anal fin”, while he dismissed Leydig's suggestion that fertilization is internal. Traquair4 described sexual dimorphism of the anal fin for C. calabaricus but did not comment on the possible function of the anal fin of the male. Recent work by Arnoult5,6, who described the spawning behaviour of P. senegalus in aquaria, shows that the anal fin of the male undoubtedly forms a copulatory chamber. During spawning the male swims alongside the female with its anal fin folded up like a gutter towards the vent of the female, fertilizing the eggs as they are laid.
A case for more case study research in the implementation of information technology in less-developed countries4

While the potentially crucial role of information technology in the development of Third World countries has been widely prescribed, the evolving interaction between IT and the organization during the process of IT implementation and its implications for managers in these environments, has received little attention. This paper argues for more fieldwork to better analyze the dynamic interweaving between the new technology and the social/organizational setting in which it is being embedded.
Racial discrimination and health-promoting vs damaging behaviors among African-American adults.

Studies have found relationships between racial discrimination and increased health-damaging behaviors among African-Americans, but have not examined possible concomitant decreased health-promoting...
Atomic configurations in luminescent centres

When the activator ions in a phosphor have a charge different from that of any ions in the host lattice, it is generally agreed that charge compensation must take place. A new theory of luminescent centres is proposed in which the compensation of charge, by lattice vacancies or by activator ions, is localized in the vicinity of the activator ions. This theory is primarily applicable to ionic crystals, and specific configurations of lowest energy can be deduced. These configurations are described in detail for alkaline-earth oxide, uranate and fluoride phosphors. and the vibrations of these centres are discussed. A number of original phosphors of theoretical interest, including CaO. Bi, Li; CaO. U, Li; CaO. U, Sm; and the uranates, are described and spectra are shown. Finally, necessary modifications of the present theories of sensitized luminescence and multiple-band emission are considered.