cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moving to suburbia: ontogenetic and evolutionary consequences of life on predator‐free islands

Aim Many species find themselves isolated from the predators with which they evolved. This situation commonly occurs with island biota, and is similar to moving from the dangerous inner-city to the suburbs. Economic thinking tells us that we should expect costly antipredator behaviour to be lost if it is no longer beneficial. The loss of antipredator behaviour has important consequences for those seeking to translocate or reintroduce individuals from predator-free islands back to the predator-rich mainland, but we have neither a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of loss nor information on the time course of relaxed selection. Some antipredator behaviours are experience-dependent: experience with predators is required for their proper performance. In these cases, antipredator behaviour is lost after only a single generation of isolation, but it should be able to be regained following exposure to predators. Other behaviours may be more ‘hard-wired’. The evolutionary loss of antipredator behaviour may occur over as few as several generations, but behaviours may also persist for many thousands of years of predator-free living. Location Australia and New Zealand. Methods I discuss the results of a series of studies designed to document the mechanisms and time course of relaxed selection for antipredator behaviour in macropodid marsupials. Controlled studies of visual, acoustic and olfactory predator recognition, as well as field studies of antipredator vigilance focused on several species of kangaroos and wallabies. Results Visual predator recognition may be retained following 9500 years of relaxed selection, but olfactory and acoustic predator recognition may have to be learned. Insular populations allow humans to approach closer before fleeing than mainland animals. Insular species may retain ‘group size effects’ ‐ the ability to seek safety in numbers ‐ when they are exposed to any predators. Main conclusions I suggest that the presence of any predators may be an important factor in maintaining functional antipredator behaviour. Managers should pay particular attention as to the source and evolutionary history of their population when planning translocations or reintroductions.
Quantitative Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation Methods

Quantitative ultrasonic techniques for determining the serviceability of structural components are reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of forward and inverse elastic wave scattering theory as a fundamental foundation for predicting such engineering parameters as the probability of flaw detection and for developing improved techniques for flaw sizing. Ultrasonic measurement techniques for the determination of distributed failure-related properties such as residual stresses are discussed, and the status of the prediction of failure by the detection of acoustic emission precursors is reviewed.
The impact of blood pressure hemodynamics in acute ischemic stroke: a prospective cohort study.

To assess relationships between blood pressure hemodynamic measures and outcomes after acute ischemic stroke, including stroke severity, disability and death. The study cohort consisted of 189 patients who presented to our emergency department with ischemic stroke of less than 24 hours onset who had hemodynamic parameters recorded and available for review. Blood pressure (BP) was non-invasively measured at 5 minute intervals for the length of the patient's emergency department stay. Systolic BP (sBP) and diastolic BP (dBP) were measured for each patient and a differential (the maximum minus the minimum BP) calculated. Three outcomes were studied: stroke severity, disability at hospital discharge, and death at 90 days. Statistical tests used included Spearman correlations (for stroke severity), Wilcoxon test (for disability) and Cox models (for death). Larger differentials of either dBP (p = 0.003) or sBP (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with more severe strokes. A greater dBP (p = 0.019) or sBP (p = 0.036) differential was associated with a significantly worse functional outcome at hospital discharge. Those patients with larger differentials of either dBP (p = 0.008) or sBP (0.007) were also significantly more likely to be dead at 90 days, independently of the basal BP. A large differential in either systolic or diastolic blood pressure within 24 hours of symptom onset in acute ischemic stroke appears to be associated with more severe strokes, worse functional outcome and early death
A new mechanism for oblique wave resonance in the natural far wake

There has been some debate recently on whether the far-wake structure downstream of a cylinder is dependent on, or ‘connected’ with, the precise details of the near-wake structure. Indeed, it has previously been suggested that the far-wake scale and frequency are unconnected with those of the near wake. In the present paper, we demonstrate that both the far-wake scale and frequency are dependent on the near wake. Surprisingly, the characteristic that actually forges a ‘connection’ between the near and far wakes is the sensitivity to free-stream disturbances. It is these disturbances that are also responsible for the regular three-dimensional patterns that may be visualized. Observations of a regular ‘honeycomb’-like three-dimensional pattern in the far wake is found to be caused by an interaction between oblique shedding waves from upstream and large-scale two-dimensional waves, amplified from the free-stream disturbances. The symmetry and spanwise wavelength of Cimbala, Nagib & Roshko's (1988) three-dimensional pattern are precisely consistent with such wave interactions. In the presence of parallel shedding, the lack of a honeycomb pattern shows that such a three-dimensional pattern is clearly dependent on upstream oblique vortex shedding.With the deductions above as a starting point, we describe a new mechanism for the resonance of oblique waves, as follows. In the case of two-dimensional waves, corresponding to a very small spectral peak in the free stream (fT) interacting (quadratically) with the oblique shedding waves frequency (fK), it appears that the most amplified or resonant frequency in the far wake is a combination frequency fFW = (fK–fT), which corresponds physically with ‘oblique resonance waves’ at a large oblique angle. The large scatter in (fFW/fK) from previous studies is principally caused by the broad response of the far wake to a range of free-stream spectral peaks (fT). We present clear visualization of the oblique wave phenomenon, coupled with velocity measurements which demonstrate that the secondary oblique wave energy can far exceed the secondary two-dimensional wave energy by up to two orders of magnitude. Further experiments show that, in the absence of an influential free-stream spectral peak, the far wake does not resonate, but instead has a low-amplitude broad spectral response. The present phenomena are due to nonlinear instabilities in the far wake, and are not related to vortex pairing. There would appear to be distinct differences between this oblique wave resonance and the subharmonic resonances that have been previously studied in channel flow, boundary layers, mixing layers and airfoil wakes.
Surgical Pearl: Temporary suspension suture (Frost suture) to help prevent ectropion after infraorbital reconstruction.

An ectropion is a complication that can arise from reconstruction in the infraorbital region (Fig 1). Often, this complication occurs despite proper positioning of the lower lid at the time of closure. Edema and bleeding postoperatively can cause the lower lid to pull away from the globe. Fibrosis and subsequent contracture in this position can lead to an ectropion. To help prevent this we have incorporated the use of a temporary suspension suture, known in oculoplastics as a Frost suture, 1 for selected closures in the infraorbital area. After an appropriate closure has been executed (Fig 2), a 4-0 nylon suture is passed through the tarsus or just inferior to it. Both ends of the suture are then attached to the skin above the eyebrow (Fig 3). This serves as a sling as the tension of the suture is directed in a manner that most closely approximates the normal anatomic location of the lower lid. The suture may be attached either by sewing it to the skin or by use of adhesive strips. When passing the suture through the lower lid margin, the surgeon should avoid placing the lower end of the suture through the puncta or canaliculus. Likewise, the surgeon should be aware of the supratrochlear or supraorbital neurovascular bundle if sewing the upper end of the suture. Adhesive strips may be preferable because they allow the tension to be easily adjusted, if necessary, in the postoperative period. One should use large strips and a liquid adhesive when attaching the suture by this method. The suture remains in place for approximately 3 days, depending on the clinical appearance and the amount
Missing Data in Clinical Studies: Issues and Methods

Missing data are a prevailing problem in any type of data analyses. A participant variable is considered missing if the value of the variable (outcome or covariate) for the participant is not observed. In this article, various issues in analyzing studies with missing data are discussed. Particularly, we focus on missing response and/or covariate data for studies with discrete, continuous, or time-to-event end points in which generalized linear models, models for longitudinal data such as generalized linear mixed effects models, or Cox regression models are used. We discuss various classifications of missing data that may arise in a study and demonstrate in several situations that the commonly used method of throwing out all participants with any missing data may lead to incorrect results and conclusions. The methods described are applied to data from an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group phase II clinical trial of liver cancer and a phase III clinical trial of advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. Although the main area of application discussed here is cancer, the issues and methods we discuss apply to any type of study.
Risk assessment of lingual plate perforation in posterior mandibular region: a virtual implant placement study using cone-beam computed tomography.

Background: Lingual plate perforation at the time of implant placement in posterior mandible is a potential surgical complication, and presence of a lingual concavity is considered a risk factor. Little is known about the spatial relationship between implant and lingual plate. The role of lingual concavity in the risk of lingual perforation has not yet been fully studied. This computer-simulated study investigates the incidence of lingual plate perforation in edentulous mandibular first molar region and the risk of perforation in the area of lingual concavity.Methods: One hundred and three qualified cone-beam computed tomography scans were selected from the database. Implants of various dimensions were virtually placed into the area using computer software. The distance between implant tip and lingual plate was measured using a digital caliper. Incidence of lingual plate perforation and proximity of the implant tip to lingual plate were measured for three types of cross-sectional mandibular morphology.Res...
Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on associative and spatial memory of sham-irradiated and 56Fe-irradiated C57BL/6J male mice.

Abstract Cranial irradiation with 56Fe, a form of space radiation, causes hippocampus-dependent cognitive changes. 56Fe irradiation also increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which may contribute to these changes. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on cognition following sham-irradiation and irradiation. Male mice were irradiated (brain only) with 56Fe (3 Gy) or sham-irradiated at 6–9 months of age. Half of the mice remained fed a regular chow and the other half of the mice were fed a caloric-matched diet containing ALA starting two-weeks prior to irradiation and throughout cognitive testing. Following cognitive testing, levels of 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), a marker of oxidative protein stress, and levels of microtubule-associated protein (MAP-2), a dendritic protein important for cognition, were assessed using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. ALA prevented radiation-induced impairments in spatial memory retention in the hippocampal and cortical dependent water maze probe trials following reversal learning. However, in sham-irradiated mice, ALA treatment impaired cortical-dependent novel object recognition and amygdala-dependent cued fear conditioning. There was a trend towards lower 3NT levels in irradiated mice receiving a diet containing ALA than irradiated mice receiving a regular diet. In the hippocampal dentate gyrus of mice on regular diet, irradiated mice had higher levels of MAP-2 immunoreactivity than sham-irradiated mice. Thus, ALA might have differential effects on the brain under normal physiological conditions and those involving environmental challenges such as cranial irradiation.
Path planning and execution monitoring for a planetary rover

A path planner and an execution monitoring planner that will enable the rover to navigate to its various destinations safely and correctly while detecting and avoiding hazards are described. An overview of the complete architecture is given. Implementation and testbeds are described. The robot can detect unforeseen obstacles and take appropriate action. This includes having the rover back away from the hazard and mark the area as untraversable in the rover's internal map. The experiments have consisted of paths roughly 20 m in length. The architecture works with a large variety of rover configurations with different kinematic constraints. >
A perturbation analysis of parametric resonance and periodic control in spatially distributed systems

We consider a class of spatially distributed systems with spatially periodic coefficients that enter the system as perturbation. We then analyze the stability properties of the system for various frequencies of the perturbation. We show that, up to first order in the perturbation amplitude, parametric resonance can only occur at the isolated frequency equal to twice the frequency of the marginally-stable mode of the unperturbed system. Finally, we derive explicit expressions for the perturbation expansion of the marginally-stable mode, for all frequencies of the perturbation, and show how strict stability can be achieved for an appropriate choice of the perturbation.
Improvements in a Calorimeter for High-Power CW Lasers

Measurement certainty with the BB series of electrically calibrated calorimeters for high-energy lasers has been enhanced by the addition of monitors for energy backscattered from the meter and for energy missing the entrance aperture (overspill). The performance and design features of the recently constructed BB2 meter are compared with the previously described BB1 meter. Direct intercomparison shows the agreement between meters to be 1 percent.
Identification of human hemoglobins.

Practical physical and chemical procedures available for the identification of hemoglobins have been discussed. These include electrophoresis, chromatography, alkali denaturation, and ferrohemoglobin solubility. The conditions essential for satisfactory electrophoretic separations have been considered and two procedures for paper electrophoresis at p H 6.5, 7.8, and 8.6 using apparatus for compressed paper strips and for freely suspended horizontal strips are presented. A method for the determination of ferrohemoglobin solubility also has been described.
Use of polynuclear metal clusters in protein crystallography

Abstract Application of polynuclear metal clusters for phasing X-ray crystal structures of macromolecules is discussed. Their strong isomorphous and anomalous scattering signal is particularly useful for phasing structures of large macromolecules and complexes, especially at low resolution. The popularity of the metal clusters in macromolecular crystallography is expected to grow in the future. To cite this article: Z. Dauter. C. R. Chimie 8 (2005) .
Towards self-caring mapreduce: Proactively reducing fault-induced execution-time penalties

Self-Caring IT systems are those that can proactively avoid system failures rather than reactively handle failures after they have occurred. In this paper, we are interested in failures in which a MapReduce job is unable to execute within an SLA-based completion time. The existing fault tolerance capability provided by Map Reduce frameworks is simple and the penalty associated with handling failures could potentially lead to excessive job execution times. Our goal in this paper is to bring out the severity of this penalty for different job characteristics and configurable framework parameters. We first quantitatively evaluate the penalty in execution time associated with node failures in the open-source MapReduce framework, Hadoop using the MRPerf simulator. This increase in execution time is particularly expensive in pay-as-you-go cloud infrastructures where users are charged by resource usage duration. Our solution minimizes job-completion-time SLA violations by augmenting the existing fault-tolerance capability of the MapReduce framework using a dynamic resource scaling approach. This resource scaling approach leverages the elastic properties of a cloud, in order to mitigate execution time penalties and hence proactively avoids a potential job failure. Using our proposed approach for various job and framework parameters, we show that performance penalties can be decreased by up to 78% in the case of single-node failures and by up to 100% in the case of 4-node failures at minimal additional cost.
Cobalt Ferrite in YSZ for Use as Reactive Material in Solar Thermochemical Water and Carbon Dioxide Splitting, Part I: Material Characterization

The synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of different weight loadings of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) in 8 mol.% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) via the co-precipitation method are reported. Prepared powders were calcined at 1350°C for 36 h and 1450°C for 4 h in air. These powders were then formed into a porous structure using sacrificial pore formation via oxidation of co-mixed graphite powder. These formed structures obtained were then characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction, high-temperature x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis was performed on the most promising of the structures before being subjected to 50 thermal reduction-CO2 oxidation (redox) cycles using TGA. Together, these results indicate that CoFe2O4-8YSZ can provide a lower reduction temperature, maintain syngas production performance from cycle to cycle, and enhance utilization of the reactive material within the inert support in comparison to iron oxide only structures.
Authentic and group learning technology using computer networks and intelligent tutors

A set of archetypal computer-simulated room or SIMPLEs (Simulation Implementations of Multifacted Peripatetic Learning Environments) have been developed. It is shown that the technology and software required to implement the SIMPLE paradigm exists today in a large number of governmental, business, industrial, and educational settings. SIMPLEs rely primarily on readily available, easily maintained, commercial software that runs as replaceable modules on a variety of platforms. Archetypes that run on both PCs and MacIntoshes have already been developed. >
The effects of base dopant diffusion on DC and RF characteristics of InGaAs/InAlAs heterojunction bipolar transistors

The effects of base p-dopant diffusion at junction interfaces of InGaAs/InAlAs HBTs with thin base thicknesses and high base dopings are reported. It is shown that HBTs with compositionally graded emitter-based (E-B) junctions are very tolerant to base dopant outdiffusion into the E-B graded region. The RF performance is nearly unaffected by the diffusion, and the DC current gain and E-B junction breakdown voltages are improved with finite Be diffusion into the E-B graded region. >
Measuring Generalized Risk Orientation with a Single Survey Item

Conceptually, risk-orientation is an individual’s general affective response to facing risky or uncertain situations, independent of context or framing. This concept has broad applicability within the context political science because it directly affects judgments of economic and political risks, as well as moderates the influence of perceived risks on opinions about issues and candidates. However, measures of risk orientation are rarely included in political science survey instruments. We argue that generalized risk orientation can be adequately measured with a single survey question. Although multiple item indices are more reliable, space constraints often limit scholars from using long batteries of items. We offer validity and reliability analysis of one single-item measure that performs well in several different settings.
Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Repeat Coronary Revascularization

For decades, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has been used routinely and safely for patients undergoing conventional redo on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (redo-CABG) surgery. The efficacy and safety of redo-CABG have been well documented across a large spectrum of surgeons and patient populations with mortality rates approaching those of primary CABGs (Ann Thorac Surg 80:1719–27, 2005). In many respects, redo-CABG remains the gold standard for repeated coronary revascularization. However, the obligatory aortic manipulation, global myocardial ischemia requiring myocardial protection in advanced coronary disease, and systemic inflammatory response associated with CPB are avoided during redo off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (redo-OPCAB). To avoid the morbidity attributable to CPB, there has been a resurgence of interest in the application of OPCAB techniques to repeat coronary revascularization.
The I1-imidazoline-binding site is a functional receptor mediating vasodepression via the ventral medulla

I1-imidazoline-binding sites fulfill all essential criteria for identification as receptors, including specificity of binding, association with physiological functions, appropriate anatomic and cel...
Geometric optimization

An algorithm is presented which describes an application independent method for reducing the number of polygonal primitives required to faithfully represent an object. Reducing polygon count without a corresponding reduction in object detail is important for: achieving interactive frame rates in scientific visualization, reducing mass storage requirements, and facilitating the transmission of large, multi-timestep geometric data sets. This paper shows how coplanar and nearly coplanar polygons can be merged into larger complex polygons and re-triangulated into fewer simple polygons than originally required. The notable contributions of this paper are: (1) a method for quickly grouping polygons into nearly coplanar sets, (2) a fast approach for merging coplanar polygon sets and, (3) a simple, robust triangulation method for polygons created by 1 and 2. The central idea of the algorithm is the notion of treating polygonal data as a collection of segments and removing redundant segments to quickly form polygon hulls which represent the merged coplanar sets. >
Effects of hot water extraction pretreatment on physicochemical changes of Douglas fir

Abstract Hot water extraction (HWE) is an autocatalytic pretreatment that can be effectively integrated into most of the conversion technologies for extracting hemicelluloses from woody biomass. The objective of this study was to understand the influence of pretreatment factors on removal of hemicelluloses from Douglas fir chips. Compositional change in biomass was analyzed with ion chromatography and further confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Highest hemicellulose extraction yield (HEY) was estimated to be 67.44% at the optimum reaction time (79 min) and temperature (180 °C) by using response surface methodology (RSM). Experimental results show that the HEY increased from 19.29 to 70.81% depending on the reaction time (30–120 min) and the temperature (140–180 °C). Effects of the severity factor (SF) on the mass removal and compositional changes were also evaluated. Hygroscopicity and thermal stability of wood were improved after HWE pretreatment. Colorimetric analysis showed that temperature has a greater influence on color of the wood chips during HWE pretreatment than dwell time. HWE pretreatment shows great potential for extracting hemicelluloses and altering physicochemical properties of wood in an integrated biorefinery for diversification of product portfolio.
Towards visualization of simulated occupants and their interactions with buildings at multiple time scales

While most building simulation tools model occupancy using simple 24-hour profiles, researchers are applying machine learning and other advanced modeling approaches to simulate individual occupants and their interactions with buildings. For building designers to fully benefit from these increasingly advanced occupant models, visualizations must ultimately reveal subtle yet informative patterns contained in the simulation results. As a step in this direction, we focus on 3D animation and the challenges that arise when multiple time scales are involved. Specifically, we explore the use of stylized computer animation to clarify occupant movement, the use of cueing to draw attention to key events, and an original clock widget to consolidate time-related information.
Bicarbonate secretion modulates ammonium absorption in rat distal colon in vivo.

Although the mammalian colon is thought to absorb large quantities of total ammonia, principally in the form of NH3, quantitative support for this hypothesis is lacking. In rat distal colon, we observed that NH3 was approximately 400 times more permeant than NH+4. In addition, colonic HCO-3 secretion influenced total ammonia (NH3 plus NH+4) absorption; that is, alteration of HCO-3 secretion caused a parallel change in total ammonia absorption. Perfusion with total ammonia also caused net HCO-3 secretion to switch to net absorption, and, in the setting of preexisting HCO-3 absorption, perfusate containing total ammonia enhanced HCO-3 absorption. These events suggest that colonic HCO-3 secretion titrates luminal NH+4 to NH3, permitting NH3 to diffuse from the lumen, while HCO-3 is titrated to carbon dioxide and also diffuses from the lumen. In support of titration of NH+4 and HCO-3, the magnitude of induced HCO-3 absorption approximated total ammonia absorption. This titration relationship suggests that, in...
"Finding" the "missing" solar ultraviolet opacity.

New opacities have been computed for model stellar atmospheres and envelopes using a large grant of Cray computer time at the San Diago supercomputer Center. The opacities include 58 10 6 atomic and diatomic molecular lines
Red-light running traffic violations: A novel time-based method for determining a fine structure

Abstract In 2016, the monetary fine for a red-light running (RLR) traffic violation varies widely in the U.S., with a fine of $50 in North Carolina and as much as $490 in California. Currently, a scientific method for determining the monetary fine based on the safety impacts associated with such violations does not exist, thereby causing disparities in fine structures. This study develops a novel fine structure for RLR traffic violations based upon the estimated economic impact of potential crashes by RLR violations and estimated delays caused by providing all-red intervals to prevent potential conflicts. A physical model is developed to determine the crash probability at a discrete time after the traffic signal turns red. The Highway Capacity Software is also employed to estimate additional delay incurred by road users. Considering that the use of red-light cameras is increasing in the nation, while it is often criticized as a revenue instrument, policymakers need to develop an objective fine structure that closely reflects the risk a RLR vehicle poses to other drivers.
Abstract 60: Cardiac-specific Deletion of HuR Reduces Pathological Hypertrophy and Ventricular Remodeling Following Transverse Aortic Constriction

The RNA binding protein HuR (Human antigen R) interacts with specific AU-rich domains in target mRNAs and is highly expressed in many cell types, including cardiomyocytes. However, the role of HuR in cardiac physiology is largely unknown. Our results show that HuR undergoes cytoplasmic translocation, indicative of its activation, in hypertrophic mouse cardiac myocytes at 8 weeks post-transverse aortic constriction (TAC). To determine the role of HuR in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, we have created a novel mouse model of cardiac myocyte-specific deletion of HuR. While cardiac-specific HuR deletion mice do not show an overt basal phenotype, they have preserved ejection fraction and reduced ventricular remodeling (hypertrophy and chamber dilation) compared to wild-type littermates at 8 weeks following TAC. Furthermore, HuR activation in the hypertrophic heart is strongly co-localized with regions of fibrosis. To this end, we show that HuR knockdown reduced hypertrophy and pro-fibrotic TGF-β gene expression in a phenylephrine treated neonatal rat ventricular myocyte (NRVM) model of hypertrophy. Thus, our results suggest that HuR activation in cardiac myocytes promotes pathogical hypertrophy and initiation of cardiac fibrosis via myocyte expression of TGF-β. These findings are significant as we have identified HuR as a novel mediator of pathological hypertrophy and suggest a pro-fibrotic role as a potential mechanism for this effect.
Congenital giant aneurysm of the right atrial appendage: Fetal diagnosis and treatment

Abstract Giant aneurysm of the right atrial appendage is an exceedingly rare congenital abnormality. Only eight previous cases of right atrial appendage aneurysm (RAAA) present in neonates could be identified in the literature to date. The etiology and natural history of this condition remains poorly understood. Here we present the case of a giant RAAA diagnosed in utero at 20 weeks gestation and which enlarged steadily until birth. The condition was corrected surgically by aneurysmectomy at three weeks of age.
Words to Sleep On: Naps Facilitate Verb Generalization in Habitually and Nonhabitually Napping Preschoolers.

A nap soon after encoding leads to better learning in infancy. However, whether napping plays the same role in preschoolers' learning is unclear. In Experiment 1 (N = 39), 3-year-old habitual and nonhabitual nappers learned novel verbs before a nap or a period of wakefulness and received a generalization test examining word extension to novel actors after 24 hr. Only habitual and nonhabitual nappers who napped after learning generalized 24 hr later. In Experiment 2 (N = 40), children learned the same verbs but were tested within 2–3 min of training. Here, habitual and nonhabitual nappers retained the mappings but did not generalize. The results suggest that naps consolidate weak learning that habitual and nonhabitual nappers would otherwise forget over periods of wakefulness.
Coordination of the third step of protein splicing in two cyanobacterial inteins

The third step of protein splicing is cyclization of Asn coupled to peptide bond cleavage. In two related cyanobacterial inteins, this step is facilitated by Asn or Gln. For a Synechococcus sp. PCC7002 intein, the isolated third step of protein splicing is more efficient with its native Asn than with substitution to Gln. For a Trichodesmium erythraeum intein, its native Gln facilitates the third step as efficiently as with Asn. Despite these differences, the yield of splicing is not affected, suggesting that the third step is influenced by mechanism-linked conformational changes. A conserved catalytic His and the penultimate residue also play roles in promoting side-chain cyclization.
Monetary Valuation of Ecosystem Services: Unresolvable Problems with the Standard Economic Model

John Gowdy , Professor of Economics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York USA. John Gowdy’s current research includes ecosystem valuation, behavioral economics, and evolutionary economics. He was a member of the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) initiative and is currently working on the topic of human ultrasociality with an interdisciplinary group of social cientists and evolutionary biologists.
Methyl transferase activity in secondary leukemia.

During a typical course of treatment for Hodgkin’s disease or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with MOPP, individuals receive approximately 1400 mg/m2 of procarbazine over a period of 14 days (DeVita et al., 1970). Procarbazine is metabolized and one of its products is a methylating ion which produces O-alkylation products including O6-methylguanine (Wiestler et al., 1984). Most organisms have a protein which removes 06-methylguanine in a stoichiometric manner (Samson and Cairns, 1977; Pegg, 1983). In bacteria, this protein is adaptive so that exposure to methylating agents increases the amount of O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) over a hundred-fold in less than a cell generation (Lindahl and Sedgwick, 1988). It is still not clear whether the formation of protein responds adaptively to methylation damage in mammals. In rats there does seem to be a nonspecific response of AGT production to damage (Pegg, 1983). If there is such an effect in humans, the effect is not rapid. As with other repair processes, the AGT content of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from individuals varies (Waldstein et al., 1982; Sagher et al., 1988). If this variation were idiosyncratic and persisted, then individual response to procarbazine might be an etiologic factor in the development of secondary cancer.
Matching Estimators of Causal Effects

As the counterfactual model of causality has increased in popularity, sociologists have returned to matching as a research methodology. In this article, advances over the past two decades in matching estimators are explained, and the practical limitations of matching techniques are emphasized. The authors introduce matching methods by focusing first on ideal scenarios in which stratification and weighting procedures warrant causal inference. Then, they discuss how matching is often undertaken in practice, offering an overview of the most prominent data analysis routines. With four hypothetical examples, they demonstrate how the assumptions behind matching estimators often break down in practice. Even so, the authors argue that matching techniques can be used effectively to strengthen the prosecution of causal questions in sociology.
Perfusion alters free zinc levels in the rodent brain.

Abstract Background: Fixation of brain tissue is a common practice which allows preservation of tissue and aids in preventing structural and chemical abnormalities. However, fixation procedures may disrupt the levels of biometals such as zinc when compared to tissue that is fresh-frozen. Thus, we sought to determine if any differences in free-zinc levels exist between perfused and fresh-frozen tissue. Zinc is an essential biometal critical for cellular communication and memory and exists in both bound and free forms; the latter playing critical roles in synaptic communication. New method: C57BL/6 J mice were divided into two water types: those given lab water and those given water supplemented with 10 ppm zinc carbonate. Perfusion was carried out with 4% paraformaldehyde on half of the animals in each water group to assess the impact on levels of free Zn as measured through Zinpyr-1 fluorescence. Results: There were significant differences in Zn fluorescence values between Zn-supplemented and lab water groups as well as between perfused and fresh-frozen tissues in the dentate gyrus and CA3 regions of the hippocampus, regions critical in learning & memory. Comparison with existing methods: These results show that when determining a method for euthanasia, any future histological techniques involving assessment of metal content should first be considered. Conclusions: Researchers must be cautious with the way in which tissue is collected and treated since this can lead to misleading conclusions when linking changes in behavior and relative levels of trace metals.
Weight Loss Medications in the Treatment of Obesity and Hypertension

Weight loss is strongly associated with improvement in blood pressure; however, the mechanism of weight loss can impact the magnitude and sustainability of blood pressure reduction. Five drugs—orlistat, lorcaserin, liraglutide, phentermine/topiramate, and naltrexone/bupropion—are currently approved for weight loss therapy in the USA. Naltrexone/bupropion results in an increase in in-office and ambulatory blood pressure compared to placebo. Other therapies are associated with modest lowering of blood pressure, and are generally well-tolerated; nonetheless, evidence is limited regarding their effect on blood pressure, particularly longitudinally, in individuals with hypertension. Although weight loss medications can be an effective adjunct to lifestyle modifications in individuals with obesity, there is limited evidence regarding their benefit with regard to blood pressure. Future studies evaluating the effectiveness of weight loss medications should include careful assessment of their short- and long-term impact on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.
Alexander Von Gontard, Buddhist Understanding of Childhood Spirituality: The Buddha’s Children

Alexander Von Gontard, Buddhist Understanding of Childhood Spirituality: The Buddha’s Children. London and Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017, 270 pp. (Pbk). ISBN: 978-1-78592-038-7, £18.99.
On the development of networking and information security degree programs in a four year university: poster session

Computer and network security has gained increasing popularity during the past two decades. As more and more business practices and governmental services became accessible on the Internet and Web, the threat and concerns of security have also grown. The recent development of IT areas such as social networks, cloud and mobile computing and services, has created more demand in qualified IT personnel in the area of computer and networking security.
Hydrostatic Actuation for Remote Operations in MR Environment

This article presents a novel design and experiment of a system of hydrostatic actuation, transmission network, and control as a research platform for investigating magnetic resonance image (MRI) based tracking and intervention of a moving target. Based on novel double-acting piston-cylinder type rolling diaphragm fluid actuators, the system comprises two remotely controlled modules, an instrument manipulation module and a target motion module. The instrument manipulation module controls an instrument to access a target and it features a fluid network of multiple actuators and several modes of the instrument intervention of a stationary or moving target. The target motion module generates emulated target motions, such as breathing profiles, in the interventions. It also serves as truth motion for developing and testing MRI scanning and tracking algorithms. An iterative learning control is employed to create precise target motion profiles without needing real-time feedback from an MR-safe/conditional sensor. Integrating the two modules, the system enables closed-loop actuated intervention study with real-time MRI.
Vaccines and IP Preparedness in the Coronavirus Outbreak

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed renewed light on the importance of research and development (R&D) on biopharmaceutical products needed to prevent or lessen the burden posed by outbreaks of infectious diseases. Among these, the need for new vaccines has become of paramount importance. While a race to develop different types of vaccines unfolds at unusual speed, there are still significant shortcomings in the ecosystem that leads to the production and dissemination of vaccines targeting infectious diseases like COVID-19.
Interactive visual aid adoption within pharmaceutical sales organizations

Abstract Pharmaceutical companies have invested heavily to equip their sales organizations with interactive visual aids (IVAs) running on tablet PCs designed to increase sales productivity and reduce risks associated with regulatory non-compliance. However, research indicates that the majority of sales representatives within these organizations do not use the new technology. In this study, sales representatives from a major US-based pharmaceutical company are surveyed to better understand factors impacting IVA adoption. Using diffusion of innovation as the theoretical lens, findings from this study make significant contributions to both theory and practice. Results of the study indicate that relative advantage and compatibility positively affect usage intention while voluntariness negatively affects usage intention. In addition, evidence is found to support that both image and behavioral evaluation, in the form of financial compensation, positively affects relative advantage while behavioral evaluation and monitoring negatively affects voluntariness.
Unruly digital subjects: Social entanglements, identity, and the politics of technological expertise

Abstract Recent scholarship in digital geographies has highlighted the possibilities for alternative visions of digital futures contesting the logics and everyday practices of contemporary technocapitalism. Barcelona has emerged as a key site for counter-hegemonic visions, driven by the progressive municipal government's rejection of the corporate smart city model and the emergence of a network of grassroots initiatives promoting “technological sovereignty” (TS). Yet, if and how these visions are able to produce new forms of subjectivity in relation to digital systems has remained an important open question. Critical scholars have highlighted how technocapitalist logics produce subjects as knowable and programmable through data profiles, as responsiblized digital citizens contributing data as a form of civic participation, and as stratified in gendered and racialized hierarchies of technological knowledge and agency. In contrast, this paper explores the production of unruly digital subjects in Barcelona through TS initiatives that work to re-embed the digital in the social, contest hierarchies of technological expertise, and promote forms of collective reflection and experimentation.
Fine mapping of the locus controlling self-incompatibility in European hazelnut

Incompatibility in European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is sporophytic and under the control of a single locus on linkage group 5 between markers G05-510 and AU02-1350. In this study, two rounds of marker development and a population of 192 seedlings with known S-alleles that showed recombination between the flanking markers were used for fine mapping. Using the sequences of random amplified polymorphic DNA and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and bacterial artificial chromosome end sequences, 36 contigs from the genome sequence of “Jefferson” hazelnut were identified for pursuit. Di-nucleotide SSR markers in those contigs were developed, characterized, and mapped. This reduced the size to a region of 500 kb that contained the S-locus and 50 predicted genes, in which single-nucleotide polymorphism and additional SSR markers were developed. When the new markers were used in fine mapping, they fully exploited all recombination in the fine mapping population and reduced the region to 193.5 kb containing 18 genes. This 193.5-kb region most likely contains the S1 haplotype. A second region, 2 Mbp away from the first in the “Jefferson” genome (V3), is predicted to represent the S3 haplotype based on SSR marker allele sizes and the ratio of parental reads that align to them. Although they appear side-by-side in the “Jefferson” genome (V3), the mapped markers appear in both sequences in the same order. Gene annotations in the S1 and S3 haplotypes are highly similar and include five probable leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinases with homology to Arabidopsis thaliana genes At1g35710 and three probable receptor-like serine/threonine protein kinases with homology to At5g15080 (PIX7).
Molecular characteristics of the H9N2 avian influenza viruses in live poultry markets in Anhui Province, China, 2013 to 2018

Background and aims H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) has low-pathogenicity but causes respiratory symptoms and drop in egg production in chicken with long-term virus shedding, resulting in great economic losses due to high mortality related to secondary infection with other pathogens. In recent years, H9N2 viruses have been posing a threat to public health, causing human infection in China. Compared to studies on other AIV subtypes, there are relatively few studies on the pathogenic mechanism of the H9N2 virus in mammals. H9N2 subtype AIV has been circulating worldwide in many avian species and transmitting with high efficiency in poultry. It can provide internal genes for other subtypes to produce new viruses, causing a pandemic risk. It is important to carry out long-term surveillance and pathogenic characteristics of the H9N2 virus. In this study, we conducted environmental surveillance of live poultry markets in Anhui province from 2013 to 2018, and 33 representative environmental isolates were selected and studied systematically. Methods The genomic RNA of Anhui H9N2 isolates was subjected to RT-PCR amplification followed by sequencing analysis. Results Thirty-three strains were isolated from the embryonated eggs of specific-pathogen-free chickens. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that h9.4.2.5-like H9N2 viruses were predominant during 2013-2018 and acquired multiple specific amino acid mutations that may have increased their affinity for mammals and enhanced their infectivity and transmissibility. Additionally, six internal genes of H9N2 clustered together with the novel human-lethal reassortant viruses, such as the low-pathogenicity H7N9, H10N8, and Anhui H5N6 viruses, and even HPAI H7N9. Conclusion Because H9N2 viruses may be the donors of internal genes that lead to the generation of novel reassortant viruses with enhanced pathogenicity in Anhui province, continuous environmental surveillance of live poultry markets, a key source of reassorted H9N2 and other avian influenza viruses, is of great importance.
Genome-wide association study reveals an independent genetic basis of zinc and cadmium concentrations in fresh sweet corn kernels

Despite being one of the most consumed vegetables in the United States, the elemental profile of sweet corn (Zea mays L.) is limited in its dietary contributions. To address this through genetic improvement, a genome-wide association study was conducted for the concentrations of 15 elements in fresh kernels of a sweet corn association panel. In concordance with mapping results from mature maize kernels, we detected a probable pleiotropic association of zinc and iron concentrations with nicotianamine synthase5 (nas5), which purportedly encodes an enzyme involved in synthesis of the metal chelator nicotianamine. Additionally, a pervasive association signal was identified for cadmium concentration within a recombination suppressed region on chromosome 2. The likely causal gene underlying this signal was heavy metal ATPase 3 (hma3), whose counterpart in rice, OsHMA3, mediates vacuolar sequestration of cadmium and zinc in roots, whereby regulating zinc homeostasis and cadmium accumulation in grains. Consistent with transgenic studies in rice, we detected an association of hma3 with cadmium but not zinc accumulation in fresh kernels. This finding implies that selection for low cadmium will not affect zinc levels in fresh kernels. Although less resolved association signals were detected for boron, nickel, and calcium, all 15 elements were shown to have moderate predictive abilities via whole- genome prediction. Collectively, these results help improve our genomics-assisted breeding efforts centered on improving the elemental profile of fresh sweet corn kernels.