cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxicity of Neem Applied Alone and in Combinations with Bacillus thuringiensis to Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The toxicity of neem (Neemix, 0.25% azadirachtin [AI]) and combinations of neem and Bacillus thuringiensis was examined on 2nd instar of the B. thuringiensis susceptible (Bt-S) and resistant (Bt-R) strains of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). Using a potato leaf-dipping method, the LC50 values of neem determined 2 d posttreatment to larvae of the Bt-S and Bt-R were 2.07 and 6.56 mg (AI)/liter, respectively. The LC50 values in both strains decreased significantly with increased exposure time. Cross-resistance between these toxins was not evident with a resistance ratio ranging from 1.3–3.2. Combinations of sublethal concentrations of neem (0.45 or 0.25 mg [AI]/liter) with a sublethal concentration of B. thuringiensis (0.74 mg [AI]/liter) to larvae of the Bt-S yielded an additive effect in larval mortality. In contrast, combinations of neem (0.78 or 0.43 mg [AI]/liter) and B. thuringiensis (319.8 mg [AI]/liter) resulted in a synergistic effect to larvae of the Bt-R strain. Sublethal concentrations of neem or B. thuringiensis applied separately or in combinations decreased the mean larval weight and retarded the larval growth of both strains. Our results suggest that neem is a potential insect growth regulator on larvae of the Bt-S and Bt-R and a possible B. thuringiensis resistance breaking compound. Field trials to determine the performance of neem in combination with B. thuringiensis on field populations of Colorado potato beetle are warranted.
From Clinic to School: Translating a Collaborative School-Home Behavioral Intervention for ADHD

In an attempt to address the gaps in evidence-based school services for ADHD, we adapted a research-supported clinic-based behavioral intervention for ADHD for delivery by school-based mental health professionals within an urban public school district. We applied a collaborative iterative development process in which we trained existing school-based mental health professionals, supervised their implementation of the intervention in successive schools, and collected data regarding fidelity, feasibility, and acceptability. These data were used to further refine and develop our intervention and training methods for subsequent iterations. Results provide preliminary evidence supporting the positive impact of this methodology on treatment development. Significant pre- to post-treatment improvement in ADHD symptoms, problem behaviors, social skills, and organizational skills support the effectiveness of this adapted treatment in improving student outcomes. These findings illustrate the utility of a collaborative model for translating empirically based clinic services for children to educational settings.
A preliminary study of factors influencing perception of articulatory rate in Parkinson disease.

This investigation was a preliminary study of factors influencing perception of articulatory rate in idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD). Nine men with mild to moderate idiopathic PD and 9 healthy me...
Discriminability of stimuli in matching to sample

Steady-state accuracy on matching to sample was studied in the pigeon. In Phases 1 and 3 of the experiment, geometric forms were used as stimuli. In Phase 2, the stimuli were colors. In each phase of the experiment, four comparison stimuli were used. Matching accuracy was substantially higher in the color matching phase than in either form matching phase. This result shows that steady-state differences in accuracy exist, under some conditions, between form matching and color matching. This finding extends the theory that differences between form and color matching exist in acquisition.
Orphanin FQ stimulates prolactin and growth hormone release in male and female rats.

Intracerebroventricular administration of Orphanin FQ (5.5, 55 or 550 pmol) caused a dose-related increase in prolactin secretion in both male and female rats and stimulated GH secretion in males. The magnitude of the prolactin secretory response was greater in females than in males. These effects of OFQ on prolactin and growth hormone release are the same as the stimulatory effects of the endogenous opioid peptides.
Using finite strain 3D‐material models in beam and shell elements

In this paper an interface is derived between arbitrary three‐dimensional material laws and finite elements which include special stress conditions. The mechanical models of beams and shells are usually based upon zero‐stress conditions. This requires a material law respecting the stress condition for each finite element formulation. Complicated materials, e.g. finite strain models are often described in the 3D‐continuum. Considering the zero‐stress condition requires a reformulation of these material laws, which is often complicated. The subject of this paper is to incorporate physically non‐linear 3D‐material laws in beam and shell elements. To this effect a local algorithm will be developed to condense an arbitrary 3D‐material law with respect to the zero‐stress condition. The algorithm satisfies the stress condition at each integration point on the element level.
Superior oblique adjustable suture surgery. A rabbit model.

• Adjustable suture techniques have played a limited role in superior oblique muscle surgery. In this study, one of two different adjustable suture techniques was performed on the superior oblique muscle of 12 rabbit eyes. One day after surgery, each muscle was advanced using the adjustable suture and was permanently secured to the eye. No significant difference was noted in the amount of force (P=.4603) necessary to advance the muscle with either of the procedures. Postmortem examinations performed several weeks after both procedures demonstrated that the superior oblique muscle was firmly attached to the globe in the same position where it was left following the adjustment. Adjustable suture techniques may be useful alternatives to traditional superior oblique muscle surgery.
Photoproducts and Metabolites of a Common Insect Growth Regulator Produce Developmental Deformities in Xenopus

In the past decade, numerous sights across North America have been found which contain abnormal levels of deformed amphibians. This deformation was not limited to species, geography, or climate and spanned a wide range of phenotypes. This report begins to explain these findings by examining the effects of pesticide degradation in early amphibian development through directly exposing Xenopus laevis embryos to trace levels of synthetically prepared degradates. This method specifically determines the risk posed by each individual chemical resulting from the natural fate of the host pesticide. Through this approach, we find that while the common insect growth regulator, S-methoprene, poses minimal developmental determent, products of its reaction with sunlight, water, and microorganisms dramatically interfere with normal amphibian development. The addition of 1 μL/L of several of S-methoprene's degradates to the environment of developing embryos resulted in juveniles with deformation similar to that found nat...
A Methodology for File Relationship Discovery

This paper addresses the problem of discovering temporal and contextual relationships across document, data, and software categories of electronic records. We designed a methodology to discover unknown relationships by conducting file system and file content analyses. The work also investigates automation of metadata extraction from engineering drawings and storage requirements for metadata extraction. The methodology has been applied to extracting information from a test collection of electronic records about the NAVY ship (TWR 841) archived by the US National Archive (NARA). This test collection represents a problem of unknown relationships among files that include 784 2D image drawings and 22 CAD models.
Mild hypothermia inhibits inflammation after experimental stroke and brain inflammation.

Background and Purpose—We previously showed that mild hypothermia protects against experimental stroke, even when cooling was delayed by 2 hours. Protection may be due in part to inhibiting inflammation. To clarify, we examined leukocyte infiltration, microglial activation, and adhesion molecule expression in models of stroke and pure brain inflammation. Methods—Rats underwent 2-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO; n36) or intravenous injection with 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n22). Temperature was lowered to 33°C for 2 hours or kept at 37°C. In MCAO, cooling was applied intraischemically or on reperfusion (delayed). In the LPS model, cooling began after injection. One and 3 days later, brains were assessed for neutrophils, monocytes/microglia, major histocompatibility complex class II antigen, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Results—One day after MCAO, both intraischemic and delayed hypothermia decreased ICAM-1 (51% and 60%, respectively, versus normothermia; P0.001), monocytes (63% and 57%; P0.01), and microglia (55% and 53%; P0.001). Similar decreases were seen at 3 days for ICAM-1 (91% and 93%; P0.001), monocytes (62% and 54%; P0.01), and microglia (55% and 53%; P0.001). In the LPS model, ED-1–positive cells were not observed in the brain, but hypothermia decreased ICAM-1 (26%; P0.05), OX6 (56%; P0.01), and microglia (47%; P0.01) at 1 day. Conclusions—Mild hypothermia decreases inflammatory responses in both brain inflammation and stroke, implicating a direct anti-inflammatory effect of cooling. This suggests that hypothermia can attenuate factors contributing to delayed ischemic injury. (Stroke. 2003;34:2495-2501.)
Treatment of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: implications for future therapeutic strategies

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common cause of congenital infection in the developed world, occurring in ∼1% of all liveborns. Symptomatic disease occurs in 10% of all congenitally infected infants, resulting in a spectrum of clinical manifestations that include microcephaly, chorioretinitis, hepatosplenomegaly and sensorineural hearing loss, among others. Even those children who are asymptomatic at birth have a risk of hearing loss, with ∼8% experiencing this sequela. Overall, congenital CMV infection accounts for one-third of all cases of sensorineural hearing loss. The economic burden of disease exceeds $2 billion annually in the USA. Therefore, this infection has been the target for antiviral therapy. Studies performed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group (CASG) have evaluated ganciclovir for the treatment of symptomatic congenital CMV infection with central nervous system involvement. In a randomized, controlled clinical trial of ganciclovir treatment (6 mg/kg iv every 12 h for 6 weeks) brainstem-evoked responses were utilized as the primary endpoint and demonstrated stabilization of hearing both at 6 months and >1 year. Treatment was associated with neutropenia in over 60% of treated patients. Since ganciclovir must be given intravenously, studies with its prodrug, valganciclovir, have been performed to assess pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Currently, a clinical trial of 6 weeks versus 6 months of valganciclovir is being performed by the CASG. Notably, only intravenous ganciclovir and orally administered valganciclovir have been used to treat congenital CMV infection. Hopefully, other drugs such as maribavir will be available for evaluation in this population.
Copper ion removal by almond shell carbons and commercial carbons: batch and column studies

Phosphoric acid-activated/oxidized, and steam-activated and steam-activated/oxidized almond shell granular activated carbons (GACs) were investigated for their utility in removing copper ion (Cu2+) from solution in both batch and column applications compared to commercially available GACs. Adsorption isotherms were developed and found to best fit the Freundlich model. Experimental and commercial carbons were packed into columns and exposed to two different empty bed contact times using a solution of 3 mM CuCl2 buffered at pH 4.8. The most effective GACs for removal of copper ions in batch mode were the phosphoric acid-activated/oxidized and steam-activated/oxidized experimental carbons. The most effective carbon in column mode appeared to be the phosphoric acid-activated/oxidized sample. A column packed with this carbon showed higher breakthrough volumes and greater estimated hours of operation than other experimental carbons and commercial carbons evaluated. This carbon could function as an effective met...
The Curry Spice Curcumin Reduces Oxidative Damage and Amyloid Pathology in an Alzheimer Transgenic Mouse

Inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is characterized by increased cytokines and activated microglia. Epidemiological studies suggest reduced AD risk associates with long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Whereas chronic ibuprofen suppressed inflammation and plaque-related pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic APPSw mouse model (Tg2576), excessive use of NSAIDs targeting cyclooxygenase I can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and renal toxicity. One alternative NSAID is curcumin, derived from the curry spice turmeric. Curcumin has an extensive history as a food additive and herbal medicine in India and is also a potent polyphenolic antioxidant. To evaluate whether it could affect Alzheimer-like pathology in the APPSw mice, we tested a low (160 ppm) and a high dose of dietary curcumin (5000 ppm) on inflammation, oxidative damage, and plaque pathology. Low and high doses of curcumin significantly lowered oxidized proteins and interleukin-1β, a proinflammatory cytokine elevated in the brains of these mice. With low-dose but not high-dose curcumin treatment, the astrocytic marker GFAP was reduced, and insoluble β-amyloid (Aβ), soluble Aβ, and plaque burden were significantly decreased by 43–50%. However, levels of amyloid precursor (APP) in the membrane fraction were not reduced. Microgliosis was also suppressed in neuronal layers but not adjacent to plaques. In view of its efficacy and apparent low toxicity, this Indian spice component shows promise for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Quantitative detection of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus by competitive polymerase chain reaction

A competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for detection and quantification of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus DNA in infected plant tissues. An internal standard DNA template that served as a control for all PCR tests was generated by amplification of Arabidopsis genomic DNA under low annealing temperatures with primers specific for C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. The 450-bp product amplified from the internal standard DNA template was distinct from the 250-bp product characteristic of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus. The ratio of the PCR products amplified in the presence of a constant amount of internal standard DNA template increased linearly and competitively with increased amounts of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus DNA. Cell numbers estimated by immunofluorescence antibody staining (IFAS) were consistent with PCR product ratios obtained from cell cultures and inoculated potato plantlets. Compared to IFAS, competitive PCR was about 10-fold more sensitive and detected as few as 100 cells. Competitive PCR should greatly reduce misdiagnosis from false negatives and provide a quantitative approach for estimating pathogen population sizes in samples.
URANIUM OXIDE COLORS AND CRYSTALS IN LOW TEMPERATURE GLAZE COMBINATIONS1

A study has been made of the color and crystallization of some uranium, lead, sodium, and boron glazes fired in a pure oxidizing atmosphere, both alone and with the addition of certain inorganic compounds. The colors obtainable are yellow, orange, red, green, brown, and black. By using only uranium oxide and red lead it is possible to produce any shade from light yellow to dark orange or red. About 10% of yellow uranium oxide is required to produce the deepest shade of orange. A study has been made of the crystals found in these glazes and the effect on them of adding clay and certain other compounds, and of increasing the time of firing. It is shown that the volatilization of lead is a very great factor in the preparation of crystalline structures.
New Medicaid Enrollees In Oregon Report Health Care Successes And Challenges

Medicaid expansions will soon cover millions of new enrollees, but insurance alone may not ensure that they receive high-quality care. This study examines health care interactions and the health perceptions of an Oregon cohort three years after they gained Medicaid coverage. During in-depth qualitative interviews, 120 enrollees reported a wide range of interactions with the health care system. Forty percent of the new enrollees sought care infrequently because they were confused about coverage, faced access barriers, had bad interactions with providers, or felt that care was unnecessary. For the 60 percent who had multiple health care interactions, continuity and ease of the provider-patient relationship were critical to improved health. Some newly insured Medicaid enrollees recounted rapid improvements in health. However, most reported that gains came after months or years of working closely and systematically with a provider. Our findings suggest that improving communication with beneficiaries and incre...
Collision rates, flows, and temperatures in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract In previous publications, we have presented a nonrelativistic model for nuclear dynamics in which the one-body density matrix is evolved in time in a mean-field theory and where two-body collisions are calculated by a relaxation-time method. To further investigate this model, the rate of two-nucleon collisions in nuclei is calculated for collisions between nuclei at laboratory energies from 30–84 MeV/ A . Nucleon-nucleon collisions are found to be enhanced in regions where nucleons collide with the nuclear wall and hot spots are formed. There appears to be a focusing by the mean field. Nuclear densities, mass currents, temperatures and Wigner functions are shown, in particular, as they relate to nucleon-nucleon collisions. Other topics discussed and illustrated by calculations are promptly emitted particles (Fermi jets) and linear momentum transfer.
Toward Exception-Handling Best Practices and Patterns

An exception condition occurs when an object or component, for some reason, can't fulfil a responsibility. Poor exception-handling implementations can thwart even the best design. It's high time we recognize exception handling's importance to an implementation's overall quality. Agreeing on a reasonable exception-handling style for your application and following a consistent set of exception-handling practices is crucial to implementing software that's easy to comprehend, evolve, and refactor. The longer you avoid exceptions, the harder it is to wedge cleanly designed exception-handling code into working software. To demystify exception-handling design, we must write about - and more widely disseminate - proven techniques, guidelines, and patterns
Assessing geoaccuracy of structure from motion point clouds from long-range image collections

Automatically extracted and accurate scene structure generated from airborne platforms is a goal of many applications in the photogrammetry, remote sensing, and computer vision fields. This structure has traditionally been extracted automatically through the structure-from-motion (SfM) workflows. Although this process is very powerful, the analysis of error in accuracy can prove difficult. Our work presents a method of analyzing the georegistration error from SfM derived point clouds that have been transformed to a fixed Earth-based coordinate system. The error analysis is performed using synthetic airborne imagery which provides absolute truth for the ray-surface intersection of every pixel in every image. Three methods of georegistration are assessed; (1) using global positioning system (GPS) camera centers, (2) using pose information directly from on-board navigational instrumentation, and (3) using a recently developed method that utilizes the forward projection function and SfM-derived camera pose estimates. It was found that the georegistration derived from GPS camera centers and the direct use of pose information from on-board navigational instruments is very sensitive to noise from both the SfM process and instrumentation. The georegistration transform computed using the forward projection function and the derived pose estimates prove to be far more robust to these errors.
The 2-D Modulated Discrete Fourier Transform for 2-D fast convolution and digital filtering

Recently the Quadratic Modified Fermat Number Transform (QMFNT) based on Left-angle and Right-angle Circular Convolution (LCC and RCC) was extended to define a new Modified Discrete Fourier Transform (MDFT) that relies on a similar combination of RCC and LCC. It was shown that the MDFT enables overlap-add FFT block processing to be implemented without zero padding, resulting in reduced computational complexity and potentially reduced power requirements for nanoscale VLSI implementations. This paper extends the MDFT into two dimensions and analyzes how the 2-D extension manages two-dimensional wrap-around effects while implementing 2-D overlap-add block processing without zero padding.
Applications of computational intelligence for design and operations decisions in manufacturing

Over the past years, considerable advances have been made in computational intelligence. Literally hundreds of papers have been written on applying intelligent technologies and/or algorithms for va...
Effect of ArcA and FNR on the expression of genes related to the oxygen regulation and the glycolysis pathway in Escherichia coli under microaerobic growth conditions

Escherichia coli has several elaborate sensing mechanisms for response to the availability of oxygen and the presence of other electron acceptors. The adaptive responses are coordinated by a group of global regulators, which include the one-component Fnr protein, and the two-component Arc system. To quantitate the contribution of Arc and FNR dependent regulation under microaerobic conditions, the gene expression pattern of the fnr the arcA and arcB regulator genes, and the glycolysis related genes in a wild-type E. coli, an arcA mutant, an fnr mutant, and a double arcA, fnr mutant, in glucose limited cultures and different oxygen concentrations was studied in chemostat cultures at steady state using QRT-PCR. It was found that ArcA has a negative effect on fnr expression under microaerobic conditions. Moreover, the expression levels of the FNR regulated genes, yfiD and frdA, were higher in cultures of the arcA mutant strain compared to the wild-type. These imply that a higher level of the FNR regulator is in the activated form in cultures of the arcA mutant strain compared to the wild-type during the transition from aerobic to microanaerobic growth. The results also show that the highest expression level of aceE, pflB, and adhE were obtained in cultures of the arcA mutant strain under microaerobic growth while higher levels of ldhA expression were obtained in cultures of the arcA mutant strain and the arcA, fnr double mutant strain compared to the wild-type and the fnr mutant strain. While the highest expression of adhE and pflB in cultures of the arcA mutant strain can explain the previous report of high ethanol flux and flux through pyruvate formate lyase (PFL) in cultures of this strain, the higher level of ldhA expression was not sufficient to explain the trend in lactate fluxes. The results indicate that lower conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA is the main reason for high fluxes through lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in cultures of the arcA, fnr double mutant strain.
Analysis of mtDNA sequence variants in colorectal adenomatous polyps

Colorectal tumors mostly arise from sporadic adenomatous polyps. Polyps are defined as a mass of cells that protrudes into the lumen of the colon. Adenomatous polyps are benign neoplasms that, by definition display some characteristics of dysplasia. It has been shown that polyps were benign tumors which may undergo malignant transformation. Adenomatous polyps have been classified into three histologic types; tubular, tubulovillous, and villous with increasing malignant potential. The ability to differentially diagnose these colorectal adenomatous polyps is important for therapeutic intervention. To date, little efforts have been directed to identifying genetic changes involved in adenomatous polyps. This study was designed to examine the relevance of mitochondrial genome alterations in the three adenomatous polyps. Using high resolution restriction endonucleases and PCR-based sequencing, fifty-seven primary fresh frozen tissues of adenomatous polyps (37 tumors and 20 matched surrounding normal tissues) obtained from the southern regional Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) and Grady Memorial Hospital at Atlanta were screened with three mtDNA regional primer pairs that spanned 5.9 kbp. Results from our data analyses revealed the presence of forty-four variants in some of these mitochondrial genes that the primers spanned; COX I, II, III, ATP 6, 8, CYT b, ND 5, 6 and tRNAs. Based on the MITODAT database as a sequence reference, 25 of the 44 (57%) variants observed were unreported. Notably, a heteroplasmic variant C8515G/T in the MT-ATP 8 gene and a germline variant 8327delA in the tRNAlys was observed in all the tissue samples of the three adenomatous polyps in comparison to the referenced database sequence. A germline variant G9055A in the MT-ATP 6 gene had a frequency of 100% (17/17) in tubular and 57% (13/23) in villous adenomas; no corresponding variant was in tubulovillous adenomas. Furthermore, A9006G variant at MT-ATP 6 gene was observed at frequency of 57% (13/23) in villous adenomas only. Interestingly, variants A9006G and G9055A were absent in the villous tissue samples that were clinicopathological designated as "polyvillous adenomas". Our current data provide a basis for continued investigation of certain mtDNA variants as predictors of the three adenomatous polyps in a larger number of clinicopathological specimens.
Acute bacterial endocarditis secondary to prostatic abscess.

Prostatic abscess is a rare clinical entity since the development of effective antibiotic therapy and is primarily identified in patients who are immunocompromised, such as those with diabetes mellitus or HIV infection, or on chronic hemodialysis. Diagnosis may be delayed because symptoms and clinical findings are often nonspecific. We report a case of prostatic abscess with subsequent development of acute bacterial endocarditis.
Bead probes in practice

Bead probes, a technology for in-circuit test probing of high-speed and/or high-density printed circuit boards was introduced at the 2004 International Test Conference as stated in K. P. Parker (2004). Since then much experimentation has been done with bead probe technology, and a large, high-density board has been designed and produced that makes use of them. This paper discusses the learning from these efforts
Modularity, Schemas and Neurons: A Critique of Fodor

It is a standard notion that a complex system may be analyzed by being decomposed into a set of interacting subsystems. Such a decomposition succeeds insofar as we can understand the relation between the inputs and outputs of each individual subsystem, and insofar as the interactions between the subsystems can be explained via suitable connections between various of their inputs and outputs, without further analysis of variables internal to the subsystems. Suci a decomposition is structural to the extent that the subsystems can be mapped onto physical substructures of a physical structure embodying the overall system. In this section, I show that neuroscientists have long sought structural decompositions of the brain, and in some cases referred to the physical substructures as modules. Recently, Fodor has popularized the use of the term ‘module’ to denote a unit in a functional decomposition of a cognitive system, but a subsystem that meets constraints beyond those specified above. I shall argue that Fodor’s analysis of cognitive systems is flawed and that the restrictions he introduces are not useful. Consequently, I shall use the term ‘module’ as a synonym for the term ‘subsystem’ defined above.
Combined Simulation with Real-Time Force Feedback: A New Tool for Experimental Fluid Mechanics

Fluid-structure interaction experiments are very demanding, because they involve complex structural dynamics interacting with turbulent viscous flows. The development of a new experimental methodology, wherein direct flow measurements and visualization are conducted in real time and fed back to drive an on-line numerical simulation, has generated new capabilities for the field. Problems of ensuring closed loop stability with minimal phase corruption are addressed through two on-going experimental efforts: compliant bluff-body/viscous wake interaction employing an active-compliance control system, and pressure-feedback control of a fish-like laboratory robot, the RoboTuna.
Evaluating ConceptGrid: An Authoring System for Natural Language Responses.

Using natural language as a way for students to interact with an ITS has many advantages. However, creating the intelligence with which the tutor evaluates a student’s natural language input is challenging. We describe a system, ConceptGrid, that allows non-programmers to create the instruction for checking natural language input. Three tutor authors used the system to develop answer templates for conceptual-based questions in statistics. Results indicate ConceptGrid is a viable system for non-programmers to use to allow students to use natural language to interact with a tutor.
Estimating the Responses of REIT Returns to Monetary Policy: A Time Varying Markov Regime Switch Model Approach

This paper presents a test of the responses of REIT returns to Federal Reserve policy shocks using a time varying Markov regime switching framework. Following Kuttner (2001) and Gurkaynak et al. (2005), I use high-frequency Federal funds futures data to extract monetary shocks. The model identifies two distinct regimes: high volatility-low return and low volatility-high return. Empirical evidence suggests that monetary action has a larger impact on REIT returns in bear markets. This result supports the credit channel view of monetary transmission.
Multiple tracer dilution estimates of D- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake by the heart.

Permeability-surface area products of the capillary wall, PSc, and the myocyte sarcolemma, PSpc, for D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose were estimated via the multiple indicator-dilution technique in isolated blood-perfused dog and Tyrode-perfused rabbit hearts. Aortic bolus injections contained 131I-albumin (intravascular reference), two of three glucoses: L-glucose (an extracellular reference solute), D-glucose, and 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Outflow dilution curves were sampled for 1-2.5 min without recirculation. The long duration sampling allowed accurate evaluation of PSpc by fitting the dilution curves with a multiregional axially distributed capillary-interstitial fluid-cell model accounting for the heterogeneity of regional flows (measured using microspheres and total heart sectioning). With average blood flow of 1.3 ml . g-1 . min-1, in the dog hearts the PSc for D-glucose was 0.72 +/- 0.17 ml . g-1 . min-1 (mean +/- SD; n = 11), and PSpc was 0.57 +/- 0.15 ml . g-1 . min-1. In the rabbit hearts with perfusate flow of 2.0 ml . g-1 . min-1 (n = 6), PSc was 1.2 +/- 0.1 and PSpc was 0.4 +/- 0.1 ml . g-1 . min-1. PSc for 2-deoxy-D-glucose was about 4% higher than for D-glucose and L-glucose in both preparations. Relative to L-glucose, there was no measurable transendothelial transport of either dextroglucose, indicating that transcapillary transport was by passive diffusion, presumably via the clefts between cells. The technique allows repeated measurements of D-glucose uptake at intervals of a few minutes; it may therefore be used to assess changes in transport rates occurring over intervals of several minutes.
A Modified Sine Wave Method for Calculating Degree Days

A FORTRAN program is described which uses maximum and minimum temperatures to compute heating and cooling degree days (between and below thresholds, respectively). The temperature cycle is assumed to be a sine wave in which the 1st and 2nd minimum are not necessarily the same. The method is compared With actual planimeter measurements from hygrothermograph charts from Alaska, Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. The data suggest that the bias incurred from the sine wave assumption is somewhat specific to geographical areas. No effect of day length was observed, but in Florida the sine wave method tended to overestimate degree days. A method of correcting for local bias using linear regression is described.
DEVELOPMENT OF HYDRAULIC AND SHOALING CHARACTERISTICS OF SAVANNAH HARBOR, GEORGIA, BY PROTOTYPE STUDIES AND HYDRAULIC MODEL

Maintenance of Savannah Harbor became progressively more critical as the deepening of the channels caused heavy shoaling concentrations in a highly industrialized section of the harbor where spoil disposal areas are limited. Studies were performed to evaluate the shoaling and develop means of reducing the high cost of maintaining 31 miles of deep-water navigation channels. A hydraulic model investigation substantiated the conclusions reached through analysis of prototype data, greatly expanded the knowledge of hydraulic conditions and shoaling processes, and developed an improvement plan which involved a tide gate to induce the deposit of sediment in an off-channel sediment basin.
P4.082 Understanding the Link Between Alcohol Use and STIs: Two Tests of Mediation

Background Alcohol use has been associated with STIs. This association is generally attributed to an impaired ability to appreciate future consequences, leading individuals to engage in unprotected sex after consuming alcohol. However, a second pathway through which alcohol use leads to STI is through an impaired ability to use a condom correctly. Problems related to using condoms reduce their efficacy and have been associated with incident STIs. This study investigates both unprotected sex and incorrect condom use as potential mediating pathways through which alcohol use might lead to STIs. Methods Participants (498 patients; 41% female; 69% African American) attending a publicly-funded STI clinic completed a computerised survey assessing global alcohol use (AUDIT-C), alcohol use before sex, incorrect condom use, episodes of unprotected sex, and recent STI history. Bootstrapped mediation analysis with 5000 resamples tested a multiple mediator model in which the number of episodes of unprotected sex and incorrect condom use mediated the relation between alcohol use and STI. Results Participants reported an average of 17 episodes of unprotected sex in the past 3 months; 17% reported being diagnosed with an STI in the past 3 months. Controlling for gender, inconsistent condom use mediated the relation between alcohol use before sex and STI (95% bootstrapped CI for the indirect effect = 0.002 to 0.056; p Conclusion Alcohol use before sex may increase risk for STIs due to an impaired ability to use condoms correctly, rather than through unprotected sex. Findings have implications for STI prevention because intoxication may impair effective use of condoms despite intentions to use them.
An approximate representation of hypercliques

A hyperclique is an itemset containing items that are strongly correlated with each other, based on a user-specified threshold. Hypercliques (HC) have been successfully used in a number of applications, for example clustering and noise removal. Even though the HC collection has been shown to respond well to datasets with skewed support distribution and low support threshold, it may still grow very large for dense datasets and lower h-confidence threshold. Recently, we proposed a condensed representation of HC, the Non-Derivable Hypercliques (NDHC). NDHC was shown to have substantial advantages over HC, especially for dense datasets and lower h-confidence values. In this paper, we propose an approximation of the NDHC collection, called Approximate Non-Derivable Hypercliques (ANDHC). This collection is a subset of NDHC and is generated based on a user-input error. We present an efficient algorithm to mine all ANDHC sets, and an algorithm to approximately derive the HC collection from the ANDHC collection. Through experiments with several datasets and parameter combinations, the ANDHC collection is shown to have significant collection size reduction from NDHC even for small error values. It is also shown that based on ANDHC we can generate a good approximation of the entire HC collection. Finally, we experiment with applying our proposed collections to enhance clustering with encouraging results.
Evaluation of Intervention Effect of Accidental Injury Prevention among Primary and Secondary Schools in Hongqiao District of Tianjin City

[Objective]To understand the knowledge level of accidental injury prevention and the model requirements of health education about behavioral intervention,and provide related evidence and guidance for advocating scientific prevention and supplying emergency shelter against accidental injury.[Methods]Self-designed questionnaire was adopted to investigate 200 primary school students and 200 secondary school students for knowledge awareness and behavior compliance rate before and after accidental injury behavior intervention.[Results]After intervention,the awareness of accidental injury prevention knowledge among students raised by 21.8%,among which that of primary and secondary school students raised by 31.7% and 9.3% respectively;the behavior compliance rate increased by 22.9%,26.1% of primary school students,19.6% of secondary school students.[Conclusion]The knowledge level and behavioral model of scientific prevention of accidental injury among primary and secondary school students in Hongqiao District increased significantly after scientific and continuous intervention.The level of primary school students is higher than that of secondary school students suggests that the intervention should be carried out as soon as possible.Therefore,it is necessary to implement a wide range of health education for the purpose of student accident prevention.
Biogenic mixing induced by intermediate Reynolds number swimming in stratified fluids

We study fully resolved motion of interacting swimmers in density stratified fluids using an archetypal swimming model called “squirmer”. The intermediate Reynolds number regime is particularly important, because the vast majority of organisms in the aphotic ocean (i.e. regions that are 200 m beneath the sea surface) are small (mm-cm) and their motion is governed by the balance of inertial and viscous forces. Our study shows that the mixing efficiency and the diapycnal eddy diffusivity, a measure of vertical mass flux, within a suspension of squirmers increases with Reynolds number. The mixing efficiency is in the range of O(0.0001–0.04) when the swimming Reynolds number is in the range of O(0.1–100). The values of diapycnal eddy diffusivity and Cox number are two orders of magnitude larger for vertically swimming cells compared to horizontally swimming cells. For a suspension of squirmers in a decaying isotropic turbulence, we find that the diapycnal eddy diffusivity enhances due to the strong viscous dissipation generated by squirmers as well as the interaction of squirmers with the background turbulence.
Does Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) has a role in IT-enabled Innovation? – An Empirical Analysis

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models are gaining acceptance but their business value has largely been conceptual or anecdotal. In this paper, we empirically examine the role of SaaS in IT-enabled innovation of the firms and the role of organizational complementarities in augmenting the impact. We argue that SaaS can support IT-enabled innovation and that complementarities like learning from past sourcing experience, IT architectural flexibility and process management maturity reinforce the benefits. Using a large cross-sectional dataset of U.S. firms, we empirically establish an association between SaaS adoption and ITenabled innovation. We find that complementarities like organizational learning, IT architecture flexibility and process management maturity enhance the value further. This study is one of the first to our knowledge to empirically show the business value of SaaS in general and the potential for innovation related benefits in particular. It further highlights the role of organizational assets in value maximization.
MDCT of the Chest Wall

Muti-row-detector CT (MDCT) is the primary modality for evaluation of both congenital and acquired chest wall disorders. Imaging data from MDCT examinations provide anatomical detail and delineate relationships between adjacent structures. Three-dimensional reconstructions from the raw data can be used to enhance visualization of complex three-dimensional (3D) anatomy and for volumetric quantification to aid in surgical planning. This chapter illustrates the technical and practical considerations of utilizing MDCT in the evaluation of chest wall lesions, tumors, infections, and trauma and highlights MDCT advances in surgical planning, including 4D imaging and three-dimensional modeling and printing.
Ontology-based automatic setup of virtual sensors in building automation systems

Effective monitoring, fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) of building automation systems require a large number of datapoints. But the set of available sensors in a building is typically limited. Virtual sensors (VS) can be applied as cost saving alternative to real sensors. Implementing and setting up VS however can be a complex tasks that urgently needs to be automated. A novel approach for computer-aided, automatic setup of VS is presented. It is based on reusing generic, pre-implemented VS algorithms. Using OWL, the characteristics, requirements and configuration of the VS algorithms are specified in a machine-interpretable way. By that, the approach can match the specific characteristics and requirements of the VS algorithms in a formal evaluation process with the specific circumstances in the BAS, which are described in an ontology-based building information model (BIM). All applicable VS algorithms can be determined and subsequently configured to the individual characteristics of the BAS.
Potential rise in iron deficiency due to future anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions

Iron deficiency reduces capacity for physical activity, lowers IQ, and increases maternal and child mortality, impacting roughly a billion people worldwide. Recent studies have shown that certain highly consumed crops-C3 grains (e.g., wheat, rice, and barley), legumes, and maize-have lower iron concentrations of 4-10% when grown under increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations (550 ppm). We examined diets in 152 countries globally (95.5% of the population) to estimate the percentage of lost dietary iron resulting from anthropogenic CO2 emissions between now and 2050, specifically among vulnerable age-sex groups: children (1-5 years) and women of childbearing age (15-49 years), holding diets constant. We also cross-referenced these with the current prevalence of anemia to identify most at-risk countries. We found that 1.4 billion children aged 1-5 and women of childbearing age (59% of global total for these groups) live in high-risk countries, where the prevalence of anemia exceeds 20% and modeled loss in dietary iron would be in the most severe tertile (>3.8%). The countries with the highest anemia prevalence also derive their iron from the fewest number of foods, even after excluding countries consuming large amounts of unaccounted wild-harvest foods. The potential risk of increased iron deficiency adds greater incentive for mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions and highlights the need to address anticipated health impacts via improved health delivery systems, dietary behavioral changes, or agricultural innovation. Because these are effects on content rather than yield, it is unlikely that consumers will perceive this health threat and adapt to it without education.
Comparison of Abnormal Cholesterol in Children, Adolescent & Adults in the United States, 2011-2014: Review

The purpose of this paper is to compare the prevalence of abnormal cholesterol in children, adolescent and adults in the United States. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES) for 2011-2014 were obtained for the comparison. A t test statistical analysis was conducted at a significant level of p<0.05 to check for differences in the groups. The results of high total cholesterol and low high density lipoprotein (HDL) were compared in children, adolescent and adults according to race, sex and ethnicity. A total of 27.9% of men had low level of HDL cholesterol, 10% of women had low HDL,13.4% of children and adolescent had low level of HDL. Boys had low HDL (14.8%) while girls had 12%. The non-Hispanic black adults with elevated total high cholesterol was 8.6%, non-Hispanic white (12.5%), Hispanic adults (13.1%) while non-Hispanic black children and adolescent had elevated total high cholesterol, the non-Hispanic white and Hispanic adolescent and children had low total high cholesterol. The level of low HDL cholesterol was higher in children, adolescent and adult male population, the high total cholesterol was higher in the female children, adolescent and adults.
Design of very-high-frequency synchronous resonant DC-DC converter for variable load operation

Applying RF circuit design techniques to dc-dc power conversion has pushed the switching frequency of power converters using discrete components beyond 100 MHz. This paper proposes a simple solution to implement synchronous rectification for resonant dc-dc power converters operating in the Very-High-Frequency (VHF) range, by using a symmetric bandpass matching network between the inverter and rectifier. A bandpass matching network maintains a close-to-zero phase shift between the inverter and rectifier voltage, enabling the synchronous switch to be driven by the same clock signal as the inverter switch. Furthermore, this type of VHF converter is able to maintain a near-constant voltage conversion ratio over a wide load range. Experimental results of a 64 MHz 36 V-12 V converter are provided as proof of concept.
Oxidative stress induces an interactive decline in Wnt and Nrf2 signaling in degenerating retinal pigment epithelium

Abstract Aims: Cells have evolved a highly sophisticated web of cytoprotective systems to neutralize unwanted oxidative stress, but are challenged by unique modern day stresses such as cigarette smoking and ingestion of a high-fat diet (HFD). Age-related disease, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of blindness among the elderly in Western societies, develops in part, when oxidative stress overwhelms cytoprotective systems to injure tissue. Since most studies focus on the protection by a single protective system, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of more than one cytoprotective system against oxidative stress. Results: Wingless (Wnt) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), two fundamental signaling systems that are vital to cell survival, decline after mice are exposed to chronic cigarette smoke and HFD, two established AMD risk factors, in a bidirectional feedback loop through phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta. Decreased Wnt...