cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sheinwoodian (uppermost Lower Silurian) Radiolaria from the Cape Phillips Formation, Nunavut, Canada

Radiolarians from the C. perneri-M. opimus graptolite Zone (Sheinwoodian; Wenlock) are described from a section in the Cape Phillips Formation, Nunavut, Canada, with a focus on the spherical radiolarian component (Archaeospicularia, Entactinaria, and Spumellaria). Three new genera, Involutentactinia, Perforentactinia, and Franklinia are described and the genera Labyrinthospahera, Gyrosphaera, and Haplotaeniatum are emended. Ten new species are described: Involutentactinia eccentra n. sp., containing two varieties; Involutentactinia eccentra n. sp. sensu strictu , and I. eccentra cupressa n. var.; Magnentactinia ostentata n. sp., Perforentactinia excepta n. sp., Plussatispila aethra n. sp., Franklinia tricae n. sp., F. dipulvisphaera , n. sp., Haplotaeniatum vertigospongum , n. sp., Gyrosphaera cavea n. sp., Labyrinthosphaera lancia , n. sp., and Labyrinthosphaera ? lenzi n. sp. Haplotaenitaumiids and entactiniids are dominant and respectively, comprise as much as 35% and 20% percent of the fauna in some samples. Secuicollactines represent a small but persistent component. Inaniguttids, formerly thought to be a dominant portion of upper Sheinwoodian faunas, are represented by only one inaniguttid species, P. aethra , which makes up between 0.5 to 18% of the fauna. This first detailed glimpse at the upper Shein-woodian revises the ranges of two biostratigraphically important taxa: the first appearance of Inanihella tarangulica group taxa occurs above the C. perneri-M. opimus Zone and the last appearance of Haplotaeniatum is within the C. perneri-M. opimus Zone. Revisions to the existing radiolarian biozonation of Noble and Aitchison are proposed; the Long-spined inaniguttid 2 zone now extends through the C. perneri –M. opimus Zone encompassing this fauna, and the base of the Long-spined inaniguttid 3 Zone is redefined and moved to the base of the Homerian.
Drugs as Reinforcers: Experimental Addiction

(1968). Drugs as Reinforcers: Experimental Addiction. International Journal of the Addictions: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 199-206.
The Screening Hypothesis and the Returns to Schooling in Argentina

We conduct four tests of screening in education. We apply our methodology to labor market data from Argentina, using two points in time, a period during which the returns to schooling in Argentina increased. There do not appear to be significant increases associated with years of schooling that would represent the attainment of a primary or secondary certificate. The only signal that there might be screening occurs at 17 years of schooling which could be argued represents the attainment of a tertiary education degree. However, 15 years of schooling also represents a significant threshold in 2002. The returns to schooling are higher in the private sector. Much of the increase in the returns to schooling overall is due to the increase in the returns to tertiary education. The returns to complete university are higher in the private sector. This provides no evidence of screening since the private sector seeks to maximize profits and recognizes the higher productivity of the more educated. Overall, there is little evidence of screening driving the returns to schooling.
Variations of CT-Based Trunk Muscle Attenuation by Age, Sex, and Specific Muscle

aried by specific muscle (p < .001), was lower in older adults (p < .001), and was gener ally lower in women than in men (p < .001), although not in all muscles. Age-related differences in muscle attenuation varied with specific muscle (p < .001), with the largest age differences occurring in the paraspinal and abdominal muscles. Conclusions. T runk muscle attenuation is lower in older adults than in younger adults in both women and men, but such age-related differences vary widely between muscle groups. The reasons that some muscles exhibit larger age-related differences in fat content than others should be further explored to better understand age-related changes in functional capacity and postural stability.
(Small) Business Activity and State Economic Growth: Does Size Matter?

Bruce D., Deskins J. A., Hill B. C. and Rork J. C. (Small) business activity and state economic growth: does size matter?, Regional Studies. Using a 1988–2002 panel of US state-level data, the impact of small and large business activity on gross state product (GSP), state personal income (SPI), and total state employment was examined. Business activity measures include annual counts of firms, establishments, and employees, the dollar value of payroll expenses, and annual births and deaths of establishments. The paper accounts for the simultaneity of business activity and overall growth, other determinants of economic growth, and spatial influences of small business activity. It is found that overall economic growth is faster when the net birth rate of new small firm establishments is positive. Bruce D., Deskins J. A., Hill B. C. et Rork J. C. Activite des (petites) entreprises et croissance economique de l'Etat: l'importance de la taille, Regional Studies. S'appuyant sur une serie de donnees au niveau des...
Locomotor adaptation on a split-belt treadmill can improve walking symmetry post-stroke

Human locomotion must be flexible in order to meet varied environmental demands. Alterations to the gait pattern occur on different time scales, ranging from fast, reactive adjustments to slower, more persistent adaptations. A recent study in humans demonstrated that the cerebellum plays a key role in slower walking adaptations in interlimb coordination during split-belt treadmill walking, but not fast reactive changes. It is not known whether cerebral structures are also important in these processes, though some studies of cats have suggested that they are not. We used a split-belt treadmill walking task to test whether cerebral damage from stroke impairs either type of flexibility. Thirteen individuals who had sustained a single stroke more than 6 months prior to the study (four females) and 13 age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects were recruited to participate in the study. Results showed that stroke involving cerebral structures did not impair either reactive or adaptive abilities and did not disrupt storage of new interlimb relationships (i.e. after-effects). This suggests that cerebellar interactions with brainstem, rather than cerebral structures, comprise the critical circuit for this type of interlimb control. Furthermore, the after-effects from a 15-min adaptation session could temporarily induce symmetry in subjects who demonstrated baseline asymmetry of spatiotemporal gait parameters. In order to re-establish symmetric walking, the choice of which leg is on the fast belt during split-belt walking must be based on the subject's initial asymmetry. These findings demonstrate that cerebral stroke survivors are indeed able to adapt interlimb coordination. This raises the possibility that asymmetric walking patterns post-stroke could be remediated utilizing the split-belt treadmill as a long-term rehabilitation strategy.
P-Cadherin Promotes Ovarian Cancer Dissemination Through Tumor Cell Aggregation and Tumor–Peritoneum Interactions

More than 60% of patients who are diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) present with extensive peritoneal carcinomatosis. EOC cells typically disseminate by shedding into the peritoneal fluid in which they survive as multicellular aggregates and then implant onto peritoneal surfaces. However, the mechanism that facilitates aggregation and implantation of EOC cells is poorly understood. The cell adhesion molecule P-cadherin has been reported to be induced during early progression of EOC and to promote tumor cell migration. In this study, P-cadherin not only promoted migration of EOC cells, but also facilitated the assembly of floating EOC cells into multicellular aggregates and inhibited anoikis in vitro. Furthermore, inhibiting P-cadherin by short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) or a neutralizing antibody prevented EOC cells from attaching to peritoneal mesothelial cells in vitro. In mouse intraperitoneal xenograft models of EOC, inhibition of P-cadherin decreased the aggregation and survival of floating tumor cells in ascites and reduced the number of tumor implants on peritoneal surfaces. These findings indicate that P-cadherin promotes intraperitoneal dissemination of EOC by facilitating tumor cell aggregation and tumor–peritoneum interactions in addition to promoting tumor cell migration. Implications: Inhibiting P-cadherin blocks multiple key steps of EOC progression and has therapeutic potential. Mol Cancer Res; 12(4); 504–13. ©2014 AACR.
Bit-serial bidirectional A/D/A conversion

A fault-tolerant VLSI architecture implementing a bi-directional bit-serial A/D/A (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog) converter is presented. Both functions of algorithmic D/A conversion and successive approximation A/D conversion are combined into a single device, converting bits in the order from most to least significant. The MSB-first order allows for robust implementation, relatively insensitive to component mismatches, offsets and nonlinearities. Also, since the A/D conversion makes use of the intermediate D/A conversion results, matched monotonic characteristics are obtained in both directions of conversion. The final D/A result is available at the end of A/D conversion, and can be used directly in applications calling for analog quantization. More general use of the A/D/A converter allows for bi-directional read/write digital access to local analog information in VLSI. The cell supports dense integration of low-power data conversion units along with digital processors or sensory circuitry in a standard CMOS process. Experimental results from a prototype VLSI implementation are included. Including control logic, the A/D/A cell measures 216 /spl mu/m/spl times/315 /spl mu/m in a 2 /spl mu/m CMOS process, and achieves 8-bit untrimmed monotonicity at 200 /spl mu/W power consumption for a 20 /spl mu/sec conversion cycle.
Assessment of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors for interaction with proteins involved in the immune response to infection

The CETP inhibitor, torcetrapib, was prematurely terminated from phase 3 clinical trials due to an increase in cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality. Because nearly half of the latter deaths involved patients with infection, we have tested torcetrapib and other CETPIs to see if they interfere with lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) or bactericidal/permeability increasing protein (BPI). No effect of these potent CETPIs on LPS binding to either protein was detected. Purified CETP itself bound weakly to LPS with a Kd ≥ 25 uM compared with 0.8 and 0.5 nM for LBP and BPI, respectively, and this binding was not blocked by torcetrapib. In whole blood, LPS induced tumor necrosis factor-α normally in the presence of torcetrapib. Furthermore, LPS had no effect on CETP activity. We conclude that the sepsis-related mortality of the ILLUMINATE trial was unlikely due to a direct effect of torcetrapib on LBP or BPI function, nor to inhibition of an interaction of CETP with LPS. Instead, we speculate that the negative outcome seen for patients with infections might be related to the changes in plasma lipoprotein composition and metabolism, or alternatively to the known off-target effects of torcetrapib, such as aldosterone elevation, which may have aggravated the effects of sepsis.
Experimental studies of a consecutive—competitive reaction in steady state and forced periodic CSTRs

Experimental studies of diethyl adipate saponification in a CSTR show that forced cycling of feed composition produces significant yield increases in intermediate product relative to the optimal steady state operation, while forced temperature cycling has much less effect. Related experiments provide useful transient heat transfer data for this system. Reaction kinetics have been determined in water and in a 50% (v/v) isopropanol solvent. Des etudes experimentales de la saponification de l'adipate diethylique faites dans un reacteur continu agite, ont indique qu'un cyclage force de la composition de l'alimentation produisait des augmentations importantes du rendement en produit intermediaire par rapport au fonctionnement optimal en regime stable; par ailleurs, un cyclage force de la temperature n'exercait qu'un effet bien moindre. Des experiences connexes ont fourni des resultats utiles sur le transfert transitoire de chaleur dans le cas de ce systeme. On a determine la cinetique de la reaction dans l'eau et dans un solvant comportant 50% en volume d'isopropanol.
PERCEPTUAL SUPPRESSION REVEALED BY ADAPTIVE MULTI-SCALE ENTROPY ANALYSIS OF LOCAL FIELD POTENTIAL IN MONKEY VISUAL CORTEX

Generalized flash suppression (GFS), in which a salient visual stimulus can be rendered invisible despite continuous retinal input, provides a rare opportunity to directly study the neural mechanism of visual perception. Previous work based on linear methods, such as spectral analysis, on local field potential (LFP) during GFS has shown that the LFP power at distinctive frequency bands are differentially modulated by perceptual suppression. Yet, the linear method alone may be insufficient for the full assessment of neural dynamic due to the fundamentally nonlinear nature of neural signals. In this study, we set forth to analyze the LFP data collected from multiple visual areas in V1, V2 and V4 of macaque monkeys while performing the GFS task using a nonlinear method — adaptive multi-scale entropy (AME) — to reveal the neural dynamic of perceptual suppression. In addition, we propose a new cross-entropy measure at multiple scales, namely adaptive multi-scale cross-entropy (AMCE), to assess the nonlinear functional connectivity between two cortical areas. We show that: (1) multi-scale entropy exhibits percept-related changes in all three areas, with higher entropy observed during perceptual suppression; (2) the magnitude of the perception-related entropy changes increases systematically over successive hierarchical stages (i.e. from lower areas V1 to V2, up to higher area V4); and (3) cross-entropy between any two cortical areas reveals higher degree of asynchrony or dissimilarity during perceptual suppression, indicating a decreased functional connectivity between cortical areas. These results, taken together, suggest that perceptual suppression is related to a reduced functional connectivity and increased uncertainty of neural responses, and the modulation of perceptual suppression is more effective at higher visual cortical areas. AME is demonstrated to be a useful technique in revealing the underlying dynamic of nonlinear/nonstationary neural signal.
Model checking XML manipulating software

The use of XML as the de facto data exchange standard has allowed integration of heterogeneous web based software systems regardless of implementation platforms and programming languages. On the other hand, the rich tree-structured data representation, and the expressive XML query languages (such as XPath) make formal specification and verification of software systems that manipulate XML data a challenge. In this paper, we present our initial efforts in automated verification of XML data manipulation operations using the SPIN model checker. We present algorithms for translating (bounded) XML data and XPath expressions to Promela, the input language of SPIN. The techniques presented in this paper constitute the basis of our Web Service Analysis Tool (WSAT) which verifies LTL properties of composite web services.
Sense and Nonsense about Generalizing to a Language Population.

Certain researchers have been advocating the use of special research designs so as to be able to apply tests of statistical significance when attempting to generalize beyond the particular language samples used in an experiment. It makes a great deal of sense to attempt to design research so as to be able to generalize beyond the particular reading passages used in an experiment but the suggestion that tests of statistical significance are a necessary part of making valid generalizations is nonsense. The nonsensical aspects of the “generalizing to a language population” position are discussed in detail and illustrated by reference to a particular reading research study. An important, but usually unnoticed, form of replication is also discussed.
The Pipeline Still Leaks and More Than You Think: A Status Report on Gender Diversity in Biomedical Engineering

While the percentage of women in biomedical engineering is higher than in many other technical fields, it is far from being in proportion to the US population. The decrease in the proportion of women and underrepresented minorities in biomedical engineering from the bachelors to the masters to the doctoral levels is evidence of a still leaky pipeline in our discipline. In addition, the percentage of women faculty members at the assistant, associate and full professor levels remain disappointingly low even after years of improved recruitment of women into biomedical engineering at the undergraduate level. Worse, the percentage of women graduating with undergraduate degrees in biomedical engineering has been decreasing nationwide for the most recent three year span for which national data are available. Increasing diversity in biomedical engineering is predicted to have significant research and educational benefits. The barriers to women’s success in biomedical engineering and strategies for overcoming these obstacles—and fixing the leaks in the pipeline—are reviewed.
Experimental Constraints on Gluino Masses and Supersymmetric Theories

Abstract We extend the analyses of Fayet, and Fayet and Farrar, of experimental searches for gluinos, the supersymmetric partners of gluons. Because of their large production cross sections, present data appears to exclude gluino masses below 3.5−6 GeV/c2 and may be more restrictive. Lifetime considerations give an upper limit on scalar quark masses and on the scale of supersymmetry breaking, and experiments sensitive to missing energy will provide interesting limits on the latter. Since gluinos remain very light in many models, they will either be detected soon or many supersymmetric theories will be excluded.
Affirmative Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Counselor Education and Religious Beliefs: How Do We Bridge the Gap?

The position held by the American Counseling Association, reflecting acceptance, affirmation, and nondiscrimination of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, has created conflicts for some trainees who hold conservative religious beliefs about sexual orientation. This article explores the counseling profession's evolution regarding LGB-affirmative counseling and examines the potential conflict this evolution can create for counselor educators who are training students with conservative religious viewpoints about sexual orientation. Recommendations for counselor educators to manage this dilemma are offered.
Review: In older patients with AF or acute VTE, some DOACs reduce thrombotic events and major bleeding

Source Citation Sharma M, Cornelius VR, Patel JP, Davies JG, Molokhia M. Efficacy and harms of direct oral anticoagulants in the elderly for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and secondary p...
Stresses Due to Thermal Gradients in Rector Shieldings

The stresses due to a sudden rise in surface temperature on one side of a fixed ended arch with a rectangular cross-section are evaluated, taking into account the temperature variation in the interior of the arch. The results are extended to the case of a surface temperature which first increases linearly and then remains constant, by means of a Duhamel integral to the case of an arbitrary temperature applied to the surface of the structure.
Leverage Ratio Comparisons: Basel III International Leverage Ratio and the U.S Leverage Ratio, Tier One Capital and Leverage Ratios

In its aims to address concerns raised by the Basel Committee’s June 2013 consultative paper, namely concerns that the Consultative Paper’s definition of exposure was “too expansive”, that is, “the leverage ratio’s denominator was too large”, changes have been made to the June 2013 paper, as evidenced by the more recent January 2014 update and the April 2014 Final Standard for measuring and controlling large exposures. These changes introduce a more simplistic, consistent approach to the measurement of exposures through incorporating the use of credit conversion factors (CCFs). However, the use of Credit Conversion Factors (CCFs), as finalised by the January 2014 Final Standard, has been considered inappropriate since it applies risk weighting factors to a non risk based leverage framework and furthermore, the reduction of exposures (through CCFs) to as little as 10%, may, as argued by several commentators, result in the under capitalisation of banks. As well as drawing comparisons and contrasts between the Basel Committee's June 2013 consultative paper, its successor - the January 2014 Standard, and the U.S July 2013 and subsequent revisions, this presentation considers the primary reasons for the introduction of the Supplementary Leverage Ratios in the U.S, as well as the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio. It highlights concerns presented through the Basel Committee's January 2014 standard and reasons why U.S regulators may be unlikely to reduce the ESLR’s buffer of 2%.
The Social Life of Content: How Negative Motivations to Interact with Content-Focused Pursuits Can Lead to Positive Feelings in Social Media

Research supports the idea that when people use social media to interact with others, they are more likely to feel more related to others. But can using social media for more content-focused, less people-focused, pursuits lead to the same positive outcome of relatedness? We show that positive versus negative motivations (why people use social media) moderate how feelings of connection are experienced through the pursuit of people versus content goals (what people use social media for). Five studies demonstrate that relatedness can arise not only, as expected, from the pursuit of positively motivated people goals, but also, unexpectedly, from the pursuit of negatively motivated content goals. The latter effect occurs because negatively motivated content goals cognitively tune consumers to focus on others as opposed to themselves, thereby boosting the experience of relatedness, compared to positively motivated content goals. These results illuminate the circumstances under which online interactions can lead to feeling close and connected to others, and have important implications for research and practice.
Adherent neutrophils activate endothelial myosin light chain kinase: role in transendothelial migration

Increased vascular endothelial cell (EC) permeability and neutrophilic leukocyte (PMN) diapedesis through paracellular gaps are cardinal features of acute inflammation. Activation of the EC contrac...
The Use of Uniform Honeybee Colonies to Evaluate Supplementary Test Rations for the Stimulation of Brood Rearing

SummaryColonies made up of 1·4 kg worker bees and a queen of known age were used to evaluate 4 protein rations and sugar syrup for stimulation of brood rearing; 100 of the 120 colonies had queens of known genetic constitution. A significant difference existed between the brood production on colonies fed one of the protein rations (3 forms of Wheast and 1 of mixed proteins) and colonies not so supplied. The most effective ration for stimulating brood rearing was Wheast in pellet form. Colonies with a queen of unknown genetic constitution, not bred or selected for high egg production, produced a similar amount of brood to colonies with a queen of known genetic constitution and reportedly bred for high egg production.
Public hospitals in financial distress: Is privatization a strategic choice?

BACKGROUND As safety net providers, public hospitals operate in more challenging environments than private hospitals. Such environments put public hospitals at greater risk of financial distress, which may result in privatization and deterioration of the safety net. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate whether financial distress is associated with privatization among public hospitals. METHODOLOGY/APPROACH We used panel data merged from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, Medicare Cost Reports, Area Resource File, and Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Our study population consisted of all U.S. nonfederal acute care public hospitals in 1997 tracked through 2009, resulting in 6,426 hospital-year observations. The dependent variable "privatization" was defined as conversion from public status to either private not-for-profit or private for-profit status. The main independent variable, "financial distress," was based on the Altman Z-score methodology. Control variables included market and organizational factors. Two random-effects logistic regression models with state and year fixed-effects were constructed. The independent and control variables were lagged by 1 year and 2 years for Models 1 and 2, respectively. FINDINGS Public hospitals in financial distress had greater odds of being privatized than public hospitals not in financial distress: (OR = 4.53, p < .001) for Model 1 and (OR = 3.05, p = .001) for Model 2. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Privatization eases access to resources and may provide financial relief to government entities from the burden of continuously funding a hospital operating at a loss, which in turn may help keep the hospital open and preserve access to care for the community. Privatizing a financially distressed public hospital may be a better strategic alternative than closure. The Altman Z-score could be used as a managerial tool to monitor hospitals' financial condition and take corrective actions.
Gentamicin and CFTR

To the Editor: Wilschanski et al. (Oct. 9 issue)1 report that full-length cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein was expressed more effectively on the surface of nasal epithelial cells after gentamicin treatment than after placebo in patients with cystic fibrosis who had premature stop codons. Bedwell et al. observed that the expression of CFTR at the apical plasma membrane was restored after administration of the aminoglycoside antibiotic G-418 and that further mobilization of CFTR at this location was promoted by cyclic AMP (cAMP) stimulation.2 CFTR is normally recycled between the apical plasma membrane and an early endosomal compartment.3 The . . .
Analysis on surveillance of rare vaccine reaction following immunization in Haidian district of Beijing,2009-2013

Objective The aims of this study were to analyze the occurrence features of rare vaccine reaction following immunization in Haidian District during 2009- 2013 and to evaluate the implementation of adverse events following immunization( AEFI) surveillance system. Methods Case information was collected through the nation AEFI information management system during the period of 2009- 2013. The descriptive method was used in the study. Results 250 rare vaccine reaction cases were reported during period,and the incidence rate was 3. 16 per 100 000. Among the reported vaccines,the top 3 were MR( 27. 6%) 、Inf V-Sp-H1N1( 19. 6%) and MV( 9. 2%). And the 3 highest incidences were MR( 44. 14 per 100 000) 、PPCV7( 38. 37 per 100 000) and DTa P-IPV-Hib( 12. 02 per 100 000). In all rare vaccine reaction cases,the main diagnoses were anaphylactic rash,henoch-schonlein and acute anaphylaxis,which accounted for 91. 2%,2. 8% and 1. 4% respectively. Total99. 20% of cases recovered or got better. 58. 8% vaccine reactions occurred within 24 hour after vaccination. There was no obvious clustering in seasonal distribution. Conclusion The sensitivity of rare vaccine reaction surveillance system was high in Haidian District. The procedures of case investigation,causality assessment,identification and compensation of rare vaccine reaction were performed smoothly. The estimated incidence rate of serious vaccine reaction was not higher than expected.
Epidemiological analysis on vaccination age range for hand-foot and mouth disease

[Objective] To evaluate the range of vaccination age for hand-foot and mouth disease( HFMD). [Methods] HFMD data in 2010-2012 were obtained from Yinzhou District as the model for analysis of HFMD's age distribution characteristics,especially of severe and death cases. Logistic regression method was used to calculate the relative risk values of age groups from 0 to 11 months of age. [Results] In our investigation,95. 66% of cases were distributed between 0-5 years. Average incidence of HFMD for different age groups,0-4 years old was 44. 57 /1000,5 years old 9. 79 /1000,6 years old6. 84 /1000,and average incidence no more than 3 /1000 after 7 years of age. Average incidence for death and severe cases was 22 months of age. The risk of HEMD started to greatly increase with age from 0 to 11months old,and became much more dangerous after 10 months of age. [Conclusion] The initial vaccination age for HEMD should be between 6 to 10 months of age,the appropriate crowd for HFMD vaccination between 6 to 71 months of age,and vaccination is not of much significance for children after 71 months( 6years) of age.
USE TABERIA AUREA (BENTH. & HOOK.) IN URBAN AFFORESTATION OF THE SÃO JOSÉ DO SERIDÓ CITY

The paper presents results of a survey developed by planting Craibeira (Tabebuia aurea), in urban areas, with the purpose of beautification, improvement of thermal comfort and increased biodiversity city in Sao Jose do Serido / RN. This is a biome found in xerophytic scrub with important socioeconomic and environmental properties. In 2008, the plants were brought from the field, aside from easy regeneration area with total height (TH) varying between 0.90 m and 1.30 m. On occasion, were placed in plastic containers and maintained at the production of seedlings of the municipality, until the permanent planting in March 2009. Altogether 135 seedlings were planted. The trees will contribute to relief urban aspect and climate, desertification and mitigate the capture of carbon dioxide. The evaluation conducted in May 2012 there was a variation in total height between 1.2 and 4.0 meters. All plants were alive. The plants grew faster, were already producing flowers and seeds.
Label-Free Differential Analysis of Murine Postsynaptic Densities

This chapter provides detailed methodology for the enrichment and label-free differential analysis of postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins. Methods discussed will include tissue homogenization, subcellular fractionation, protein digestion, and label-free differential analysis after liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. When combined, these protocols facilitate the identification of receptors and signal transducers that comprise the PSD and provide an optimized workflow for the differential analysis of PSD proteomes. This strategy supports a utility for coupling fractionation with proteomics analysis to enrich for low-abundant proteins in cellular localizations that would otherwise be lost in a global tissue context.
Uneven Development and the Changing Regime of Accumulation in West Bengal

The changing regime of capital accumulation at the national level has fostered significant transformation of the auto industry. In a liberalizing environment embourgeoisment has also led to increased production and consumption of consumer durables. These developments suggest uneven development, not only in terms of worsening pre-existing economic and social inequality (a theme taken up in the next chapter) but also regional differentiation. The assumption is that not all social groups or geographic regions are likely to experience similar rates of growth. Rather, in an expansionary environment the benefits of growth also accrue differentially among different groups. Not all firms are capable of making a successful transition to the new imperatives of capital accumulation.1 Older firms located in older industrial regions are likely to find it more difficult to adjust to the new mode of capitalist regulation involving not only less state protection but also the adoption of flexible systems of production. Moreover, institutional legacies, firm strategy, local industrial relations, and, in the case of multicultural, federated system in India, the particular role of provincial governments will have a cumulative bearing on industrial transformation. The long march to capitalism entails industrial restructuring, whereby lagging firms must either adjust to a new competitive environment or else become moribund. There must be also an accompanying ideological shift, whereby the regime is anticipated to change to accommodate the imperatives of a deregulated capitalist environment. In the event of failure to change, regional decline becomes imminent.
Predicting cyanobacterial abundance, microcystin, and geosmin in a eutrophic drinking-water reservoir using a 14-year dataset

ABSTRACTHarris TD, Graham JL. 2017. Predicting cyanobacterial abundance, microcystin, and geosmin in a eutrophic drinking-water reservoir using a 14-year dataset. Lake Reserve Manage. 33:32-48.Cyanobacterial blooms degrade water quality in drinking water supply reservoirs by producing toxic and taste-and-odor causing secondary metabolites, which ultimately cause public health concerns and lead to increased treatment costs for water utilities. There have been numerous attempts to create models that predict cyanobacteria and their secondary metabolites, most using linear models; however, linear models are limited by assumptions about the data and have had limited success as predictive tools. Thus, lake and reservoir managers need improved modeling techniques that can accurately predict large bloom events that have the highest impact on recreational activities and drinking-water treatment processes. In this study, we compared 12 unique linear and nonlinear regression modeling techniques to predict cyanobacte...
Mid-term stability of novel mica-based compressive seals for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract A novel mica-based compressive seal concept was examined at elevated temperatures under compressive stress to evaluate its stability. The “hybrid” mica compressive seals, composed of cleaved Muscovite mica and two compliant inter-layers, were reported earlier to have very low leak rates at 800 °C. In the present study, we examined the mid-term (∼350–700 h) stability of the mica-based compressive seals with three different inter-layers: a low melting borosilicate glass, a glass ceramic material, and a metallic material. The 800 °C leak test results showed excellent stability for the three different inter-layers in air at a compressive stress of 100 psi as the leak rates remained almost unchanged during the test. Microstructural characterization of the interfaces showed very limited interfacial reaction or glass penetration at the glass/8YSZ substrate interface. The results clearly demonstrate the applicability of the mica-based compressive seals for solid oxide fuel cells.
Thermal treatment effects on charge storage performance of graphene-based materials for supercapacitors.

Graphene materials were synthesized by reduction of exfoliated graphite oxide and then thermally treated in nitrogen to improve the surface area and their electrochemical performance as electrical double-layer capacitor electrodes. The structural and surface properties of the prepared reduced graphite oxide (RGO) were investigated using atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern analysis, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption studies. RGO forms a continuous network of crumpled sheets, which consist of large amounts of few-layer and single-layer graphenes. Electrochemical studies were conducted by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge measurements. The modified RGO materials showed enhanced electrochemical performance, with maximum specific capacitance of 96 F/g, energy density of 12.8 Wh/kg, and power density of 160 kW/kg. These results demonstrate that thermal treatment of RGO at selected conditions is a convenient...
Where Are the Women? An Analysis of Gender Mainstreaming in Introductory Political Science Textbooks

ABSTRACTTextbook content is a powerful indicator of what is and is not considered important in a given discipline. Textbooks shape both curriculum and students’ thinking about a subject. The extant literature indicates that gender is not well represented in American government textbooks, thus signaling to students that women and gender are not part of the mainstream in political science. I contribute to this literature by using quantitative and qualitative content analysis to examine gender mainstreaming in 10 introductory political science textbooks. I find that the quantity of gendered content is small, and the quality of that content varies considerably from text to text.
Good grief: notes on (re)animating Thomas Hoccleve in comics

This adaptation and analysis of ‘My Compleinte’ focuses less on Thomas Hoccleve’s metrical feet than on his physical ones. It reimagines – and redraws – Hoccleve as a comic book protagonist by condensing and adapting the fifteenth-century poem into a 14-page comic. The accompanying essay uses contemporary comics theory to think about the sensory aesthetics of Hoccleve’s anxiety, reads his feet and heart as key figures in the poem, and suggests parallels between scribal labor and comics drafting. The project was initially conceived as a creative experiment, an homage to the poem, and a teaching aid.
Automated turning and merging for autonomous vehicles using a Nonlinear Model Predictive Control approach

Accidents at intersections are highly related to the driver's mis-decision while performing turning and merging maneuvers. This paper proposes a merging/turning controller for an automated vehicle, called the ego vehicle, which avoids collisions with surrounding (target) vehicles. An optimization-based control problem is defined based on receding horizon control, that parameterizes the system trajectory with the control input and employs a nonlinear model on the ego vehicle dynamics. Most existing solutions focus on 1-D (longitudinal) motion for the vehicles. In this paper, the 2-D motion of the turning/merging vehicle is considered instead. The intersection is modeled under realistic traffic conditions, a probabilistic model is used to predict the trajectories of the target vehicles, and is integrated within a novel collision avoidance model. These models allow our controller to perform both line following when turning/merging, and collision avoidance, while simulations of several scenarios validate its performance.
Patient-identified impact of symptoms in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

Introduction: The effects of spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) on quality of life (QoL) are not well understood. This study describes symptoms from the patient's perspective, and the impact these symptoms have on QoL. Methods: We conducted open-ended interviews with 21 adult males with genetically confirmed SBMA. Using a qualitative framework technique, interviews were coded and analyzed to identify symptoms and resulting themes. Results: From these interviews, 729 quotations were extracted. We identified 200 SBMA-specific symptoms and 20 symptomatic themes. Weakness was mentioned by all interviewees. Symptoms within the domain of mental health and the specific themes of emotional issues and psychological impact were also frequently mentioned. Discussion: Numerous symptoms affect QoL for SBMA subjects. We identified previously unrecognized symptoms that are important to address in enhancing clinical care for patients with SBMA, and in developing tools to evaluate efficacy in future clinical trials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Effects of Spined Soldier Bug (Hemiptera Pentatomidae) Augmentation and Sticky Barrier Bands on Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) Density in Oak Canopies

The effects of sticky barrier bands, augmentative releases of the spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Say), and the deployment of P. maculiventris pheromone on gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), larval density in the canopy of oak trees were tested. Sticky barrier bands used alone reduced larval gypsy moth density by ≈35%. The release of 5,810 P. maculiventris nymphs per tree or the deployment of P. maculiventris pheromone to trees on which sticky barrier bands had been applied had no additional effect on gypsy moth larval density. None of the treatments affected the number of gypsy moth egg masses produced. Significantly more P. maculiventris adults were observed on trees with the pheromone, but higher numbers of nymphs were not subsequently observed on these trees. Counts of gypsy moths beneath burlap bands prior to gypsy moth pupation were about four times higher on unbanded than on banded trees, but counts of pupae beneath burlap bands did not differ between treatments.
Prediction of Future Chronic Opioid Use Among Hospitalized Patients

Opioids are commonly prescribed in the hospital; yet, little is known about which patients will progress to chronic opioid therapy (COT) following discharge. We defined COT as receipt of ≥ 90-day supply of opioids with < 30-day gap in supply over a 180-day period or receipt of ≥ 10 opioid prescriptions over 1 year. Predictive tools to identify hospitalized patients at risk for future chronic opioid use could have clinical utility to improve pain management strategies and patient education during hospitalization and discharge. The objective of this study was to identify a parsimonious statistical model for predicting future COT among hospitalized patients not on COT before hospitalization. Retrospective analysis electronic health record (EHR) data from 2008 to 2014 using logistic regression. Hospitalized patients at an urban, safety net hospital. Independent variables included medical and mental health diagnoses, substance and tobacco use disorder, chronic or acute pain, surgical intervention during hospitalization, past year receipt of opioid or non-opioid analgesics or benzodiazepines, opioid receipt at hospital discharge, milligrams of morphine equivalents prescribed per hospital day, and others. Model prediction performance was estimated using area under the receiver operator curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. A model with 13 covariates was chosen using stepwise logistic regression on a randomly down-sampled subset of the data. Sensitivity and specificity were optimized using the Youden’s index. This model predicted correctly COT in 79% of the patients and no COT correctly in 78% of the patients. Our model accessed EHR data to predict 79% of the future COT among hospitalized patients. Application of such a predictive model within the EHR could identify patients at high risk for future chronic opioid use to allow clinicians to provide early patient education about pain management strategies and, when able, to wean opioids prior to discharge while incorporating alternative therapies for pain into discharge planning.
College life is stressful today - Emerging stressors and depressive symptoms in college students.

Objective: The study identified important stressors associated with depressive symptoms in college students across the subgroups of gender and domestic/international status, and compared between-gr...
A multi-stage stochastic programming for lot-sizing and scheduling under demand uncertainty

Abstract A stochastic lot-sizing and scheduling problem with demand uncertainty is studied in this paper. Lot-sizing determines the batch size for each product and scheduling decides the sequence of production. A multi-stage stochastic programming model is developed to minimize overall system costs including production cost, setup cost, inventory cost and backlog cost. We aim to find the optimal production sequence and resource allocation decisions. Demand uncertainty is represented by scenario trees using moment matching technique. Scenario reduction is used to select scenarios with the best representation of original set. A case study based on a manufacturing company has been conducted to illustrate and verify the model. We compared the two-stage stochastic programming model to the multi-stage stochastic programming model. The major motivation to adopt multi-stage stochastic programming models is that it extends the two-stage stochastic programming models by allowing revised decision at each period based on the previous realizations of uncertainty as well as decisions. Stability test and weak out-of-sample test are applied to find an appropriate scenario sample size. By using the multi-stage stochastic programming model, we improved the quality of solution by 10–13%.
Regulatory Focus and Conspiratorial Perceptions: The Importance of Personal Control:

We examine when and why people subscribe to conspiratorial beliefs, suggesting that promotion focus reduces conspiratorial perceptions by activating a sense of personal control. Study 1 established that individuals primed with promotion focus are less likely to perceive conspiracies than those in a baseline condition. However, individuals primed with prevention focus and those in a baseline condition did not differ in their levels of conspiratorial beliefs. Study 2 demonstrated that soldiers higher in promotion focus were less likely to endorse conspiracy theories because of their heightened sense of control; this relationship did not emerge for soldiers higher in prevention focus. Study 3 found that conspiratorial beliefs increased when individuals primed with promotion focus recalled personal control loss, whereas those primed with prevention focus were unaffected by personal control loss. Using measures and manipulations of regulatory focus and personal control, we establish when and why promotion focus reduces conspiracy theories.
Microstructural Development in Pb-Sn Alloys Subjected to High-Gravity during Controlled Directional Solidification

Research conducted over the past three decades has suggested that solidification processing of metals and alloys in a centrifuge can lead to enhanced materials properties.1-11 With the potential of such processing demonstrated, there exists a need for quantitative data gathered under controlled solidification conditions. To this end, a centrifuge, dedicated to materials research, was constructed within the Materials Science and Engineering Department at Vanderbilt University. This has since been employed to investigate the effect of a high-gravity environment on microstructural development of Pb- 50 wt pct Sn alloys during controlled directional solidification.
Evaluation and management of elevated blood pressures in hospitalized children

Elevated blood pressures (BP) are common among hospitalized children and, if not recognized and treated promptly, can lead to potentially significant consequences. Even though we have normative BP data and well-developed guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hypertension (HTN) in the ambulatory setting, our understanding of elevated BPs and their relationship to HTN in hospitalized children is limited. Several issues have hampered our ability to diagnose and manage HTN in the inpatient setting including the common presence of physiologic conditions, which are associated with transient BP elevations (i.e., pain or anxiety), non-standard approaches to BP measurement, a lack of clarity regarding appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic thresholds, and marginal outcome data. The purpose of this review is to highlight the issues and challenges surrounding BP monitoring, assessment of elevated BPs, and the diagnosis of HTN in hospitalized children. Extrapolating from currently available clinical practice guidelines and utilizing the best data available, we aim to provide guidelines regarding evaluation and treatment of elevated BP in hospitalized children.