cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A revision of "pediomyid" marsupials from the Late Cretaceous of North America

“Pediomyids” are a diverse group of small− to medium−sized marsupials which comprise a significant portion of many Late Cretaceous North American mammalian faunas. Known almost exclusively from isolated teeth and jaw fragments, “pediomyids” exhibit far more diversity than any other contemporaneous group of North American mammals. This has led some to suggest that the family “Pediomyidae” is an artificial, polyphyletic assemblage composed of multiple lin− eages that independently acquired various traditionally−recognized “pediomyid” molar characters, such as a reduction of the anterior stylar shelf, reduction of the stylocone and a labial shift in the attachment of the cristid obliqua. The present study seeks to elucidate the interrelationships of “pediomyid” marsupials and test the monophyly of the group using cladistic methodology, including a broad sampling of Late Cretaceous North American taxa and a comprehensive set of qualitative molar characters. Results suggest that the family “Pediomyidae” and the genus “Pediomys” are both poly− phyletic and are in need of systematic revision. Iqualadelphis lactea (Aquilan) appears to be unrelated to the “pediomyid” radiation, and rests as a stem taxon near the base of the cladogram. The large Aquilan Aquiladelphis nests in a trichotomy with a strictly−defined “Pediomyidae” and the enigmatic Lancian taxon Glasbius, suggesting the possibility of a distant relationship (above the familial level). Three clades are recognized within the “Pediomyidae”: a restricted Pediomys, Leptalestes gen. nov. (containing the three smallest species), and Protolambda (containing the remaining three larger spe− cies). Results suggest that “Pediomys” exiguus is a stem taxon lacking a close relationship to Pediomyidae sensu stricto, and is removed to permit recognition of the family as monophyletic. The results carry implications for the role “pediomyids” might have played in the initial North American marsupial radiation sometime prior to the Campanian, and the pattern of molar evolution throughout major Late Cretaceous lineages.
Enduring memory impairment in monkeys after ischemic damage to the hippocampus

Patient RB became amnesic following an episode of global ischemia that resulted in a bilateral lesion of the CA1 field of the hippocampus. This finding suggested that damage restricted to the hippocampus is sufficient to produce clinically significant memory impairment. To evaluate further the effect of ischemic brain damage on memory, we have developed an animal model of cerebral ischemia in the monkey. Monkeys were subjected to 15 min of reversible ischemia, using a noninvasive technique involving carotid occlusion and pharmacologically induced hypotension. These monkeys sustained significant loss of pyramidal cells in the CA1 and CA2 fields of the hippocampus, as well as loss of somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in the hilar region of the dentate gyrus. Cell loss occurred bilaterally throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the hippocampus but was greater in the caudal portion. Except for patchy loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells, significant damage was not detected in areas outside the hippocampus, including adjacent cortical regions, that is, entorhinal, perirhinal, and parahippocampal cortex, and other regions that have been implicated in memory function. On behavioral tests, the ischemic monkeys exhibited significant and enduring memory impairment. On the delayed nonmatching to sample task, the ischemic monkeys were as impaired as monkeys with lesions of the hippocampal formation and adjacent parahippocampal cortex (the H+ lesion). On two other memory tasks, the ischemic monkeys were less impaired than monkeys with the H+ lesion. In neuropathological evaluations, it has always been difficult to rule out the possibility that significant areas of neuronal dysfunction have gone undetected. The finding that ischemic lesions produced overall less memory impairment than H+ lesions indicates that the ischemic monkeys (and by extension, patient RB) are unlikely to have widespread neuronal dysfunction affecting memory that was undetected by histological examination. These results provide additional evidence that the hippocampus is a focal site of pathological change in cerebral ischemia, and that damage limited to the hippocampus is sufficient to impair memory.
Free electron laser ablation of articular and fibro-cartilage at 2.79, 2.9, 6.1, and 6.45 microm: mass removal studies.

Background and Objective: The wavelength and tissuecomposition dependence of cartilage ablation was examined using selected mid-infrared laser wavelengths. Study Design/Materials and Methods: The mass removal produced by pulsed laser ablation of articular and fibro-cartilage (meniscus) were measured. The wavelengths examined were 2.79, 2.9, 6.1, and 6.45 mm and provided by a free electron laser (FEL) emitting 4 msecond macropulses consisting of 1–2 picoseconds duration micropulses delivered at 350 picosecond intervals. The measurement of tissue mass removal was conducted using a microbalance during laser ablation. Results: These studies demonstrated that for articular cartilage the highest mass removal was achieved at l ¼ 6.1 mm followed by, in order, l ¼ 2.79, 2.9, and 6.45 mm. In comparison, the maximum mass removal for fibro-cartilage was achieved using l ¼ 6.1 mm radiation with no statistically significant differences in mass removal provided by the other wavelengths. In evaluation of the comparative influence of each wavelength on tissue type, there was no difference in ablation efficiency between articular and fibro-cartilage at l ¼ 6.1 mm. However, the ablation efficiency of articular cartilage was higher than that of fibro-cartilage at both l ¼ 2.79 and 2.9 mm. By contrast, l ¼ 6.45mm radiation ablated fibro-cartilage more efficiently than articular cartilage at radiant exposures greater than 12 J/cm 2 . Conclusions: The mass removal of articular and fibrocartilage produced by FEL ablation at selected mid-IR wavelengths was measured as a function of incident radiant exposure. The ablation efficiency was found to depend on both wavelength and tissue type. The 6.1 mm wavelength was found to provide the highest ablation efficiency for both articular and fibro-cartilage. Lasers Surg. Med. 36:202–209, 2005. 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
REDISCOVERY AND REDESCRIPTION OF PLASMODIUM PIFANOI AND DESCRIPTION OF TWO ADDITIONAL PLASMODIUM PARASITES OF VENEZUELAN LIZARDS

Plasmodium pifanoi Scorza and Dagert B., known only from the type host, Ameiva ameiva, is redescribed from Kentropyx calcarata collected in Territorio Amazonas, Venezuela. Schizonts, 6.2 × 4.5 (4–8 × 3–6), produce on average 11.9 (7–16) merozoites. Gametocytes average 12.4 × 6.0 (8–16 × 4–10), with length × width (LW) 72.9 (52–112) and L/W 2.18 (1.1–3.3), and always contain 1–5 prominent vacuoles. Macrogametocytes in active infection are longer than microgametocytes, with greater LW, but gametocytes in chronic infection are not sexually dimorphic in dimension and are slightly smaller. Two additional malarial parasites are described from K. calcarata. Plasmodium lepidoptiformis has small schizonts, 4.6 × 3.2 (3–6 × 2.5–3), that produce 5.1 (4–8) merozoites and commonly resemble a butterfly in appearance. Gametocytes are elongate, 9.0 × 4.3 (7–10 × 3–6), with LW 38.3 (24–51) and L/W 2.2 (1.3–3.3), and sexually dimorphic, with macrogametocytes longer than microgametocytes, with greater LW. Plasmodium minasen...
Superoxide production by mitochondria of insulin-sensitive tissues: mechanistic differences and effect of early diabetes

Abstract Obesity and mild hyperglycemia are characteristic of early or “prediabetes.” The associated increase in fatty acid flux is posited to enhance substrate delivery to mitochondria, leading to enhanced superoxide production that results in mitochondrial dysfunction and progressive worsening of the hyperglycemic state. We quantified superoxide production by gastrocnemius muscle, heart, and liver mitochondria in a rodent model that mimics the pathophysiology of prediabetes by administering low-dose streptozotocin to rats fed high fat (HF). Superoxide was rigorously determined indirectly as H 2 O 2 largely released from the matrix and by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy that directly detects superoxide released externally. Both HF and low-dose streptozotocin mildly increased glycemia ( P
Immunohistochemical Expression of E-cadherin Does Not Distinguish Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma From Other Canine Round Cell Tumors

Immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin (ECAD) has been used to distinguish canine cutaneous histiocytoma from other leukocytic neoplasms ("round cell tumors"). To determine the specificity of this test, 5 types of canine cutaneous round cell tumors were evaluated for immunohistochemical expression of ECAD. Tumors of all 5 types had variable cytoplasmic, plasma membrane, and/or paranuclear ECAD expression: All 13 cutaneous histiocytomas were ECAD+; all but 1 of 14 mast cell tumors expressed ECAD; 10 of 12 epitheliotropic lymphomas reacted with E-cadherin antibody; of 72 plasmacytomas, 54 were ECAD+; and 5 of 5 histiocytic sarcomas were positive. Conclusions based on these results include the following: First, immunoreactivity for ECAD is not limited to leukocytes of cutaneous histiocytoma; second, antibody to ECAD also labels neoplastic cells in most mast cell tumors, plasmacytomas, cutaneous histiocytic sarcomas, and epitheliotropic lymphomas; third, although most histiocytomas have membranous ECAD expression, the immunoreactivity varies among round cell tumors and is frequently concurrent in different cellular compartments; fourth, the distinctively paranuclear ECAD expression pattern in epitheliotropic lymphomas might distinguish them from other round cell tumors; and, fifth, ECAD should be used with other markers (eg, MUM1 for plasmacytomas, KIT for mast cell tumors, CD3 and CD79a for lymphomas) to distinguish among canine round cell tumors.
First Descriptions for Larval Stages of Eurysphindus (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Sphindidae)

The first description for the larval stage of Eurysphindus LeConte is provided based on the North American species Eurysphindus hirtus LeConte and Eurysphindus comatulus McHugh. Diagnoses are given to distinguish the larvae of these species. New host data for the genus suggest greater specificity for breeding than for adult feeding. Eurysphindus species may prefer to breed in some foliicolous myxomycetes. Eurysphindus hirtus larvae use modified setae to hold slime mold sporangia over the dorsum in an apparent cloaking behavior.
Control in Computationally Constrained Environments

In this paper, we present a novel algorithm for implementing linear time invariant controllers in computationally constrained environments. The algorithm transforms a linear time invariant controller into a periodically time varying system, which is shown to be implemented in a computationally efficient manner. This is achieved by first decomposing the controller into a dual rate system. A scheduling policy is then adopted that interlaces the computation associated with the two systems. The interlaced dual rate implementation of the controller algorithm significantly reduces the computational overhead at each time step. A theoretical framework is developed to analyze the effect of this model of computation on the closed-loop stability performance. The paper concludes with an example based on a flight control algorithm designed for the Boeing 737-100 transport system research vehicle (TSRV) linear longitudinal motion model.
Comparison of a greedy selection operator to tournament selection and a hill climber

A new deterministic greedy genetic algorithm selection operator with very high selection pressure, dubbed the “Jugate Adaptive Method” is examined. Its performance and behavior are compared to those of a canonical genetic algorithm with tournament selection, and a random-restarting next-ascent stochastic hill-climber. All three algorithms are tuned using parameter sweeps to optimize their success rates on five combinatorial optimization problems, tuning each algorithm for each problem independently. Results were negative in that the new method was outperformed in nearly all experiments. Experimental data show the hill climber to be the clear winner in four of five test problems.
Estimation of indices of health service readiness with a principal component analysis of the Tanzania Service Provision Assessment Survey

Service Provision Assessment (SPA) surveys have been conducted to gauge primary health care and family planning clinical readiness throughout East and South Asia as well as sub-Saharan Africa. Intended to provide useful descriptive information on health system functioning to supplement the Demographic and Health Survey data, each SPA produces a plethora of discrete indicators that are so numerous as to be impossible to analyze in conjunction with population and health survey data or to rate the relative readiness of individual health facilities. Moreover, sequential SPA surveys have yet to be analyzed in ways that provide systematic evidence that service readiness is improving or deteriorating over time. This paper presents an illustrative analysis of the 2006 Tanzania SPA with the goal of demonstrating a practical solution to SPA data utilization challenges using a subset of variables selected to represent the six building blocks of health system strength identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a focus on system readiness to provide service. Principal Components Analytical (PCA) models extract indices representing common variance of readiness indicators. Possible uses of results include the application of PCA loadings to checklist data, either for the comparison of current circumstances in a locality with a national standard, for the ranking of the relative strength of operation of clinics, or for the estimation of trends in clinic service quality improvement or deterioration over time. Among hospitals and health centers in Tanzania, indices representing two components explain 32 % of the common variance of 141 SPA indicators. For dispensaries, a single principal component explains 26 % of the common variance of 86 SPA indicators. For hospitals/HCs, the principal component is characterized by preventive measures and indicators of basic primary health care capabilities. For dispensaries, the principal component is characterized by very basic newborn care as well as preparedness for delivery. PCA of complex facility survey data generates composite scale coefficients that can be used to reduce indicators to indices for application in comparative analyses of clinical readiness, or for multi-level analysis of the impact of clinical capability on health outcomes or on survival.
Viability, abortion, and the difference between a fetus and an infant.

The use of viability in establishing the upper time limit for abortion on demand raises a question as to the nature of this criterion. As a purely biological criterion, it fails to account for the difference in obligation to the infant vis-a-vis the nonviable fetus or the difference between the mother-fetus and the mother-child relationship. A social understanding of viability is proposed in order to account for these differences and to show that the traditional role of the physician as the guardian of human personal life is not eroded through the practice of abortion on demand.
Mary and the Millennium: Woman, Son, and Fullness of Time

Au cours d'un pelerinage en Terre Sainte, l'A. a rencontre Joseph Beltritti, patriarche latin de Jerusalem, qui les a renseignes sur son projet: Marie et le millenaire. En 1986, le patriarche a inaugure un projet diocesain de quinze ans en rapport avec la Vierge Marie. Il le nomme le grand avenement de Marie. Le projet en lui-meme est tres simple: citant les papes Pie XII et Paul VI sur le rosaire comme priere d'Evangile, le patriarche Beltritti propose que les quinze mysteres servent de guide pour les quinze annees qui menent a la celebration des deux mille ans de la naissance du Christ
Rethinking the Hispanic Paradox: The Mortality Experience of Mexican Immigrants in Traditional Gateways and New Destinations

Previous research suggests that favorable health outcomes among Mexican immigrants reflect high levels of social support in enclave communities with high co-ethnic density. This study examines the mortality outcomes of Mexican immigrants in the United States in traditional gateways versus new and minor destinations. Mexican immigrants in new and minor destinations have a significant survival advantage over those in traditional gateways, reflecting less established communities in new destinations. This finding casts doubt on the protective effects of enclaves, since non-traditional destinations have less established immigrant communities. Future research should reevaluate the relationship between community ethnic composition, social support, and immigrant health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Relationships between the parasitic isopods Stegias clibanarii Richardson, 1904 and Bopyrissa wolffi Markham, 1978 (Bopyridae) and the intertidal hermit crab Clibanarius tricolor (Gibbes, 1850) (Anomura) in Bermuda

Abstract More than 4,500 Clibanarius tricolor from Whalebone Bay, Bermuda were examined for bopyrid isopods from October 1973 to December 1974. Two of the four known isopod species infesting C. tricolor, Stegias clibanarii and Bopyrissa wolffi, were found in Bermuda. Shells of Batillaria minima, the most abundant intertidal snail, were utilized by 96.7% of all C. Tricolor. At least 18 other species of gastropod shells were also inhabited. There was no significant difference in the carapace shield length of male and female crabs from Whalebone Bay, and there was a skewed male-female ratio of 0.226. Shield length was positively correlated with shield width of males and females and with wet body weight in males. C. tricolor reproduces from May to November with a distinct decline from December to April; the number of embryos per brood was positively correlated with shield length (1.25 to 1.57 mm) and 140 was the maximum number per brood. The abdominally located S. clibanarii was recovered from 3.71% of 4503 c...
MORPHOLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION IN WING VENATION AMONG BROODS OF 13- AND 17-YEAR PERIODICAL CICADAS

It has traditionally been assumed that no morphological differences exist between the 13and 17-year life cycle forms of the periodical cicadas. Thus, differences among year-classes (broods) within a single species and life cycle would not be expected. In the first published description of the two life cycle forms, Walsh and Riley (1868) wrote, "there are absolutely no perceptible specific differences between the 17-year and the 13-year broods, other than in the time of maturing." The possibility of differentiation among broods, within a life cycle was never mentioned. Walsh (1870) asserted that, "it has been impossible for me, on the closest examination of very numerous specimens to detect any specific differences between the two forms." Riley (1869) commented that, "Mr. Walsh informs me that Charles Darwin, Asa Gray and Dr. Hooker all agree in the belief that the 17-year and 13-year forms ought not to be ranked as distinct species, unless other differences besides the period of development could be discovered. " Although later authors (Alexander and Moore, 1962) did not completely reject the possibility of differentiation among the broods, Lloyd and Dybas (1966) noted that, "no one has yet succeeded in demonstrating statistically significant differences between either broods or life cycles in any of the three species but modern methods of numerical taxonomy (Sokal and Sneath, 1963) have never been applied to this problem." In this paper I demonstrate that 13and 17-year periodical cicada broods
Wholesale electricity market design with increasing levels of renewable generation: Revenue sufficiency and long-term reliability

Abstract This paper discusses challenges that relate to assessing and properly incentivizing the resources necessary to ensure a reliable electricity system with growing penetrations of variable generation (VG). The output of VG (primarily wind and solar generation) varies over time and cannot be predicted precisely. Therefore, the energy from VG is not always guaranteed to be available at times when it is most needed. This means that its contribution towards resource adequacy can be significantly less than the contribution from traditional resources. Variable renewable resources also have near-zero variable costs, and with production-based subsidies they may even have negative offer costs. Because variable costs drive the spot price of energy, this can lead to reduced prices, sales, and therefore revenue for all resources within the energy market. The characteristics of VG can also result in increased price volatility as well as the need for more flexibility in the resource fleet in order to maintain system reliability. We explore both traditional and evolving electricity market designs in the United States that aim to ensure resource adequacy and sufficient revenues to recover costs when those resources are needed for long-term reliability. We also investigate how reliability needs may be evolving and discuss how VG may affect future electricity market designs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY OF SEXUAL AND APOMICTIC ANTENNARIA: DO APOMICTS HAVE GENERAL-PURPOSE GENOTYPES?

The fact that apomictic taxa typically occupy a wider range of environments than their sexual relatives has generated the hypothesis that apomicts are more likely to possess "general-purpose genotypes," i.e., genotypes whose performance is relatively insensitive to changes in environmental conditions. This hypothesis was tested by cloning sexual and apomictic females of Antennaria parvifolia (Asteraceae) and growing each genotype in six growth-chamber environments varying in temperature and moisture levels. A joint regression analysis revealed that the survival of apomictic genotypes was significantly less sensitive to environmental conditions than that of sexual genotypes but demonstrated no differences with regard to flowering or biomass. However, the coefficient of variation in biomass across the six environments was significantly lower for apomicts than for sexuals, and the geometric mean of survival over the six environments was significantly higher for apomicts. Apomicts significantly exceeded sexuals in mean survival, mean flower-head production, and mean biomass. These results support the hypothesis that apomictic genotypes are more "general-purpose" than sexuals, and increase the difficulty of explaining the persistence of sexual reproduction in A. parvifolia.
Study on epidemiological characteristics of cluster A rotavirus from stool specimens of patients with acute diarrhea

Objective:To analyze the infectious status and epidemiological characteristics of acute viral diarrhea caused by cluster A human rotavirus.Methods:A total of 239 stoo1 specimens from suspected cases with acute virus diarrhea were collected in Hangzhou.IDEIATM kits of Lanzhou institute for biological products were used for antigen detection of human rotavirus.The nucleic acid identifications of the rotavirus were determined by RT-PCR,and the positive samples of HRV nucleic acid were analyzed for genotypes by nested-PCR.Results:Among 239 detected stoo1 specimens,rotavirus antigen positive was 44 cases(18.4%).Rotavirus nucleic acid positive was 55 cases(23.0%),the serotypes were G3(15 cases,27.3%),G1(9 cases,16.4%),G2(7 cases,12.7%),G9(1 case,1.8%),G2+G3(1 case,1.8%) and unidentified ones(22 cases,40%).Conclusion:Cluster A rotavirus remained the most important pathogen causing diarrhea among infants and sporadic epidemic case with acute diarrhea among adults.The epidemic season and serotype of group A rotavirus in adults are all just the same as those in infant and children.G3 was the most prevalent serotype,at the same time,there are many serotypes popular.The non-typeable specimens accounted for larger proportion,need further research.
A Cross-cultural Investigation of Children's Imagery

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on whether reported images of urban children and those of children raised in traditional village communities reflect cultural differences. Humans of all ages are hard at work creating order, frequently of a temporary kind, out of their complex, and often contradictory, environments. Children's activities are particularly noteworthy in this regard as they are more overt and thus open to observation than those of adults. Piaget's views differ as to the role of language as a representational process. Sixty-two children, ranging in age from 5 to 14 years, were tested using word association and imagery tasks. A content analysis suggests a qualitative difference between the images of children and those of adults. Children tend to view spaces from the inside, showing a personal involvement lacking in adult images.
Nitric Oxide Signaling in Vascular Cells is Regulated through CD47 by Thrombospondin-1

Publisher Summary Nitric oxide (NO) is a bioactive gas produced through the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). It is a diatomic signaling molecule that diffuses rapidly through tissues and cells. NO targets metabolic pathways in vascular cells that stimulate neovascularization, wound healing, blood flow, and cytoprotection. Previously, degradation of downstream effectors and sequestration of NO were the only known means to modulate physiologic NO signaling. Studies of the angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) led to discovery of a major physiological pathway mediated by its receptor CD47 that limits NO/cGMP signaling in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells and platelets. This pathway tonically limits the ability of NO to increase perfusion of healthy tissue. Following injury, TSP1 initially plays an important role to limit bleeding through its effects on platelet activation and vasoconstriction, but these activities of TSP1 become a liability in the context of ischemia, reperfusion injury, or aging. Agents that block TSP1-CD47 signaling are cytoprotective under these conditions and improve both the acute maintenance of blood flow and long-term tissue survival. TSP1 also has anti-angiogenic activity that limits neovascularization of tumors. Tumors frequently exhibit a loss of TSP1 expression, and its reexpression inhibits tumor angiogenesis.
“Ni de aquí, ni de allá”: Garífuna Subjectivities and the Politics of Diasporic Belonging

Lopez Oro analyzes two census campaigns—one in New York City and one in Honduras—geared toward Garifuna populations in order to interrogate larger questions about how Garifuna populations are included, or not, within dominant discourses of Honduran multiculturalism and US Latinidad. He argues that Garifuna are a quintessentially diasporic population who disrupt common assumptions about what it means to be Honduran, Latino, and/or Black in the Americas.
Forecast Model Activities for North Dakota Cloud Modification Project

An overview of regional forecast simulations in support of North Dakota Cloud Modification Project (NDCMP) operations is presented. Simulations are run twice daily during the summer season by University of North Dakota. Object-based verification of observed and simulated radar reflectivity is conducted during the off-season. Verification of seasonal performance allows modifications to forecast simulations focused on improving operations for the North Dakota region. NDCMP simulated forecasts are found to biased towards too many convective objects and convection that is too intense and too large. Case studies showed that a change in microphysical scheme and adjustments to cloud droplet concentration lessened the biases.
Evidence for the Paleoethnobotany of the Neanderthal: A Review of the Literature.

Our perception of our closest human relatives, the Neanderthals, has evolved in the last few decades from brutish ape-men to intelligent archaic human peoples. Our understanding and appreciation of their cultural sophistication has only recently extended to their diet. Only within the last few years, with new techniques and a shift in focus, have we begun to truly investigate and understand the role of plants in their diet and culture. The more we learn about Neanderthals, the more we realize that biological and cultural distinctions between them and us were relatively small. Given that we coexisted and likely interacted with them for thousands of years, the more we learn about them, the better we may understand our own past. In that light, we review the current evidence, derived from such sources as plant remains (e.g., starch, pollen, phytoliths, and seeds) in soil and dental calculus, dental and tool wear, coprolites, and genetics, for Neanderthal’s nutritional, medicinal, and ritual use of plants, which includes 61 different taxa from 26 different plant families found at 17 different archaeological sites. Further, we updated and standardized botanical nomenclature from many sources published over many decades to provide a more stable foundation for future work.
Stochastic Response Surface Using the Enhanced Dimension-Reduction (eDR) Method for Reliability-Based Robust Design Optimization

As the reliability analysis and design methodology has been advanced, its implementation becomes more complicated to improve computational efficiency and stability. Furthermore, most reliability analysis methods in RBDO require gradient (or sensitivity) information [1]. Therefore, this paper attempts to develop a stochastic response surface method. The method makes it possible to perform sensitivity-free RBDO using any deterministic optimizer. Recently, the dimension reduction (DR) method has been proposed [2]. Although the DR method is known to be an accurate and efficient method for the uncertainty quantification (UQ) of system responses, it may produce a relatively large error for the second-order or higher moments of nonlinear responses. Thus, this paper first proposes the enhanced dimension-reduction (eDR) method [3] by incorporating two alternative integration schemes and one-dimensional response approximations. Both moment based quadrature rule and an adaptive Simpson integration rule are alternatively used for numerical integration. The stepwise moving least squares (SMLS) method is proposed for response approximation. The SMLS is based on a moving least squares (MLS) method. Secondly, the paper proposes a stochastic response surface method. The stochastic response surface is built using the SMLS method with the results of the eDR method at sampled designs. In aid of the stochastic response surface method, RBDO or robust design optimization can be performed with commercial (deterministic) optimization softwares (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Matlab, etc.). In this paper, some examples are used to demonstrate the eDR method and further the stochastic response surface method for RBDO.
Assistive technology outcomes in post-secondary students with disabilities: the influence of diagnosis, gender, and class-level

AbstractThis study investigated how outcomes of assistive technology (AT) services for college students with disabilities are influenced by diagnosis, gender and class-level (e.g., Freshman). Students’ pre- and post-intervention ratings of their performance and satisfaction of common academic tasks (using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, COPM) were analyzed, as well as students’ responses on a survey about AT service provision, use, and preferences. Data from 455 students revealed “learning disability” to be the most prevalent diagnosis (38%), similar numbers of females and males served, and Freshmen (23.1%) as the largest class-level seeking AT services. For COPM data, each two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (grouping variable = diagnosis) revealed that pre-post change scores significantly improved for the entire sample, and that students with a mood disorder experienced the greatest changes compared to other diagnoses. COPM scores significantly and similarly improved for females and male...
Comparison of Rating Scales in the Development of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Children with Eye Disorders

ABSTRACTBackground: A rating scale is a critical component of patient-reported outcome instrument design, but the optimal rating scale format for pediatric use has not been investigated. We compared rating scale performance when administering potential questionnaire items to children with eye disorders and their parents. Methods: Three commonly used rating scales were evaluated: frequency (never, sometimes, often, always), severity (not at all, a little, some, a lot), and difficulty (not difficult, a little difficult, difficult, very difficult). Ten patient-derived items were formatted for each rating scale, and rating scale testing order was randomized. Both child and parent were asked to comment on any problems with, or a preference for, a particular scale. Any confusion about options or inability to answer was recorded. Results: Twenty-one children, aged 5-17 years, with strabismus, amblyopia, or refractive error were recruited, each with one of their parents. Of the first 10 children, 4 (40%) had prob...
Redefining Relations Between Creators and Audiences in the Digital Age: The Social Production and Consumption of Chinese Internet Literature

This article examines the ways in which the traditional relationship between authors and their audiences is being challenged and redefined in the context of Chinese Internet literature. We look at the evolution of the reader–writer dynamic in line with the development of online literary spaces in China, analyze the crucial role of social media as both curator and mediator, and trace the development of participatory cultures and commercial dynamics in these literary communities. This analysis illustrates how the relationship between authors and audiences—traditionally indirect and distant—has become, in online spaces, more direct, informal, and bidirectional while maintaining a significant commercial ethos. We argue that both the production and the consumption of Chinese Internet literature are quintessentially social activities, as online spaces open up new possibilities for communication and collaboration, both between authors and readers and among readers themselves.
Neural crest and cancer: Divergent travelers on similar paths

Neural crest cells are multipotent progenitors that dynamically interpret diverse microenvironments to migrate significant distances as a loosely associated collective and contribute to many tissues in the developing vertebrate embryo. Uncovering details of neural crest migration has helped to inform a general understanding of collective cell migration, including that which occurs during cancer metastasis. Here, we discuss several commonalities and differences of neural crest and cancer cell migration and behavior. First, we focus on some of the molecular pathways required for the initial specification and potency of neural crest cells and the roles of many of these pathways in cancer progression. We also describe epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which plays a critical role in initiating both neural crest migration and cancer metastasis. Finally, we evaluate studies that demonstrate myriad forms of cell-cell and cell-environment communication during neural crest and cancer collective migration to highlight the remarkable similarities in their molecular and cell biological regulation.
A SNP-based high-density linkage map of zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and its use for the identification of QTL associated with winter hardiness

Zoysia japonica Steud. (2n = 4× = 40) is a C4 turfgrass well-adapted for the warm-humid and transitional climatic zones of the USA. Its use is limited to warmer climates because of a relative lack of winter hardiness compared to C3 grasses. Molecular markers associated with this trait would be useful for effective selection of winter hardy germplasm before field testing. A pseudo-F2 mapping population of 175 individuals was developed from crosses between Z. japonica cultivars “Meyer” (freeze-tolerant) and “Victoria” (freeze-susceptible) and used to generate a high-density genetic map of 104 SSR markers and 2359 sequencing-derived SNP markers. The map covers 324 Mbp and 2520 cM as well as the 20 chromosomes for the zoysiagrass haploid genome. Phenotypic data on winter injury, establishment, and turf quality collected in North Carolina and Indiana in 2014–2016 were used in conjunction with this map to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with winter hardiness. Fifty-six QTL associated with winter injury, establishment, and turf quality were identified over six environments. Twelve of those were identified in two or more environments. Furthermore, seven regions of interest were identified on chromosomes 8, 11, and 13 where co-location of QTL for three or more traits occurred. Within these regions, analysis with NCBI basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) identified proteins related to cold and other abiotic stresses tolerance. These QTL and associated markers could be valuable in implementing marker-assisted selection for winter hardiness in zoysiagrass breeding programs.
Use of a novel technique to manage gastrointestinal leaks with endoluminal negative pressure: a single institution experience.

Perforations and anastomotic leaks of the gastrointestinal tract are severe complications, which carry high morbidity and mortality and management of these is a multi-disciplinary challenge. The use of endoluminal vacuum (EVAC) therapy has recently proven to be a useful technique to manage these complications. We report our institution’s experience with this novel technique in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. This is a retrospective review of an IRB approved registry of all EVAC therapy patients from July 2013 to December 2016. A total of 55 patients were examined and 49 patients were eligible for inclusion: 15 esophageal, 21 gastric, 3 small bowel, and 10 colorectal defects. The primary endpoint was closure rate of the GI tract defect with EVAC therapy. Fifteen (100%) esophageal defects closed with EVAC therapy. Mean duration of therapy was 27 days consisting of an average of 6 endosponge changes every 4.8 days. Eighteen (86%) gastric defects closed with EVAC therapy. Mean duration of therapy was 38 days with a mean of 9 endosponge changes every 5.3 days. Three (100%) small bowel defects closed with EVAC therapy. Mean duration of therapy was 13.7 days with a mean of 2.7 endosponge changes every 4.4 days. Six (60%) colorectal defects closed with EVAC therapy. Mean duration of therapy was 23.2 days, consisting of a mean of 6 endosponge changes every 4.0 days. There were two deaths, which were not directly related to EVAC therapy and occurred outside the measured 30-day mortality. Our experience demonstrates that EVAC therapy is feasible and effective for the management of gastrointestinal perforations/leaks throughout the GI tract and can be considered as a safe alternative to surgical intervention in select cases.
Discovering energy communities for microgrids on the power grid

Smart grid has integrated an increasing number of distributed energy resources to improve efficiency and flexibility of power generation and consumption as well as the resilience of the power grid. The energy consumers on the power grid (e.g., households) equipped with distributed energy resources can be considered as “microgrids” that both generate and consume electricity. To facilitate energy management, in this paper, we study the energy community discovery problems which identify multiple kinds of communities for the microgrids, such as homogeneous energy community (HEC), mixed energy community (MEC) and self-sufficient energy community (SEC). We present algorithms to discover such energy communities for microgrids, and finally experimentally validate the performance of the algorithms using real datasets.
Gangliosides and Proteins of Brain Synaptic Components

Eleven years ago, Howard and Burton (1) studied the regional distribution of gangliosides and acetylcholine in beef brain and showed that a parallel relationship existed for these two constituents. These results suggested a possible relationship between gangliosides and cholinergic function of the central nervous system. This relationship was further emphasized by the studies of Burton and his coworkers (2) who employed the method of subcellular fractionation of brain tissue devised by DeRobertis et al. (3) and by Whittaker et al. (4) to isolate the nerve terminal fraction of beef and rat brains. In these studies a parallel relationship was shown between the ganglioside content and the acetylcholine of the subcellular particles. Figure 1 presents the results of an experiment in which the nerve terminal fraction was isolated and placed on a continuous sucrose gradient. Following centrifugation in the ultra-centrifuge, fractions were collected from the tube and analyzed for gangliosides and for acetylcholine. As can be seen in Fig. 1, both of these constituents occurred in the same fraction, the nerve terminal fraction. Concurrently, similar studies were reported by Eichberg and coworkers (5) as well as by Seminario and his collaborators (6).
Relaxation Theory Part Two: Moving Atoms and Changing Notes

Let’s try a simple thought experiment. Imagine staring at a red light two feet in front of your face. The light stays red for a few seconds and then instantly changes to green (Fig. 5.1a). A few seconds later, it’s back to red.
Gaba and Depression

From a historical perspective, the amino acid neurotransmitters are recent candidates for consideration in theories of psychiatric illness. The biogenic amines, particularly norepinephrine and serotonin, have traditionally played a major role in theories regarding the biochemical basis of depression and of its treatment. This is readily explained by a general focus in neuroscience on biogenic amine neurochemistry and neuropharmacology during the formative decades of biological psychiatry. Also, it reflects the early observation that depletion of the biogenic amines with agents such as reserpine was often accompanied by the development of depressive symptoms. Similarly, the first-generation antidepressants were early reported to enhance biogenic amine activity through inhibition of monoamine oxidase or blockade of synaptic reuptake. Thus the catecholamine theory of depression was first published about 25 years ago.
Impact of metformin use in the outcomes of multiple myeloma patients post stem cell transplant.

8034Background: Multiple myeloma (MM), a monoclonal plasma cell disorder, is one of the most common hematologic malignancies in the US. In preclinical studies, metformin demonstrated plasma cells c...
SOME CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS ON THE CIRCULATING ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of the mechanism by which brain influences steroid and electrolyte metabolism. Using rhesus monkeys and cats, alterations are measured in serum levels of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) induced by lesion or by electrical stimulation at specific brain sites. The angiotensin-forming enzyme (AFE) is present in human brain in a membrane-bound subcellular structure. In a recent study described in the chapter, while AFE dispersed through several brain regions, slightly higher concentrations were found in the cerebellar cortex than in the other regions examined. ACE is localized in various concentrations at specific sites of human brain, the highest concentration by far occurring in the head of the caudate nucleus. The next highest concentration is found in the septal region. In these brain regions, specific activity is higher than in the lung. The central nervous system mechanism for the renin–angiotensin system is partly independent of—or different from—the peripheral system, and the central nervous system–renin–angiotensin system exerts a controlling influence over the peripheral renin–angiotensin system mechanism.
Contralateral Routing of Signal Yields Significant Speech in Noise Benefit for Unilateral Cochlear Implant Recipients

Background Bilateral cochlear implantation is the standard of care for individuals with moderate sloping-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who do not receive benefit from appropriately fit hearing aids. Because of financial, insurance, or medical reasons, some unilateral cochlear implant (CI) recipients are unable to obtain a second CI. Here, we evaluated the first clinically available solution for individuals who have been unilaterally implanted and who do not or cannot use technology (e.g., hearing aid or CI) on the non-implanted ear. Purpose We aimed to investigate how the addition of a contralateral routing of signal (CROS) device could provide objective and/or subjective benefit to adult CI recipients with moderate-to-profound hearing loss in the non-implanted ear. Research design Single-center prospective study using a within-subjects repeated-measures design. Study sample Participants included ten experienced unilateral CI recipients with severe-to-profound (n = 9) or moderate-to-profound (n = 1) sensorineural hearing loss in the non-implanted ear. At the time of study enrollment, participants did not use any technology on the non-implanted ear. No other exclusion criteria were used. Intervention Individuals were tested with and without a CROS device worn on the non-implanted ear. Data collection and analysis We obtained measures of speech understanding in quiet (50 and 65 dBA) and in noise (+5-dB signal-to-noise ratio with a 65-dBA speech signal) both with and without the CROS device in an acute listening condition. Subjective benefit was assessed via the Speech, Spatial and Qualities 12-item questionnaire before CROS fitting and after two weeks of continuous use. A mixed-model, repeated-measures analysis of variance was completed with three talker locations and three presentation levels included as within-subjects factors and the presence or absence of a CROS device as a between-subjects factor. Results There was an 11% improvement in speech understanding in noise with the addition of the CROS device when speech was located at 0° azimuth. Subjective benefit in the speech domain of the SSQ was also observed. Conclusions Use of CROS provided both subjective and objective speech recognition benefit for unilateral CI recipients who do not have access to bilateral cochlear implantation.
A comparative analysis of the EU GDPR to the US’s breach notifications

One component of the newly implemented European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a revision of a 1995 directive, is mandatory breach notification. The US has no such federal law. Th...
Contact hole shrink of 193nm NTD immersion resist

Miniaturization of lithographic feature sizes via shrink technologies is under development in order to extend 193nm immersion lithographic capabilities and achieve sub-20nm critical dimensions (CD) in integrated circuit manufacturing before extreme ultraviolet lithography comes online. It was found that precisely controlled polymers comprising a grafting unit and a shrink unit are capable of reducing pattern dimensions formed in negative tone development (NTD) photoresists. Fundamental studies were pursued regarding the type of grafting chemistry, the shrink monomer and polymer backbone choice, and differences between polymer architectures. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that shrink amount could be tuned by choice of monomer, polymer molecular weight, and choice of grafting unit. These studies permitted the development of several generations of grafting polymer platforms to meet a range of desired CD shrink targets from less than 10nm shrink to 30nm shrink on contact hole or line/space patterns. The shrink technology further exhibits improved process window compared to optical lithography at the same CD and low defectivity, highlighting the use of this technology in advanced semiconductor processing nodes.