cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Personal video manager: managing and mining home video collections

Home video collections constitute an important source of content to be experienced within the digital entertainment context. To make such content easy to access and reuse, various video analysis technologies have been researched and developed to extract video assets for management tasks, including video shot/scene detection, keyframe extraction, and video skimming/summarization. However, one less addressed issue is to investigate how useful those assets are in helping consumers managing their video collections and the usage pattern of the assets. In this paper, we present Personal Video Manager, both as a home video management system and an explorative research platform to enable a systematic analysis and understanding of consumers' demand on video assets and video processing technologies. For understanding consumer's interest, PVM adopts database management technologies to model and archive how consumers identify video assets and utilize them for management tasks. The PVM mining engine performs data mining on such archived data to mine useful knowledge of consumer's preference on video assets and behavior on utilizing the assets. As revealed in the experiment, consumer's interaction embeds rich information to be leveraged in developing more effective video analysis technologies.
Thermal-Aware 3D IC Placement Via Transformation

3D IC technologies can help to improve circuit performance and lower power consumption by reducing wirelength. Also, 3D IC technology can be used to realize heterogeneous system-on-chip design, by integrating different modules together with less interference with each other. In this paper, we propose a novel thermal-aware 3D cell placement approach, named T3Place, based on transforming a 2D placement with good wirelength to a 3D placement, with the objectives of half-perimeter wirelength, through-the-silicon (TS) via number and temperature. T3Place is composed of two steps, transformation from a 2D placement to a 3D placement and the refinement of the resulting 3D placement. We proposed and compared several different transformation techniques, including local stacking transformation (LST), folding-2, folding-4 and window-based stacking/folding transformation, and concluded that (i) LST can generate 3D placements with the least wirelength, (ii) the folding-based transformations result in 3D placements with the fewest TS vias, and (iii) the window-based stacking/folding transformations provide good TS via number and wirelength tradeoffs. For example, with four device layers, LST can reduce the wirelength by over 2times compared to the initial 2D placement, while window-based stacking/folding can provide over 10times variation in terms of the TS via number, thus adaptive to different manufacturing ability for TS via density. Moreover, we proposed a novel relaxed conflict-net (RCN) graph-based layer assignment method to further refine the 3D placements. Compared to LST results, thermal-aware RCN graph-based layer assignment algorithm (r = 10%) can further reduce the maximum on-chip temperature by 37%, with only 6% TS via number increase and 8% wirelength increase.
Novel therapeutic options in the inflammatory bowel disease world.

Abstract Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease have encouraged the development of many new therapies targeted at specific and non-specific mediators of the inflammatory bowel disease inflammatory pathway. The role of these therapies, including novel anti-tumour necrosis factor-α agents, anti-adhesion molecules, recombinant cytokines, myeloid growth factors, helminths, and probiotics, in the management of paediatric onset inflammatory bowel disease is promising and warrants further investigation.
Persistent orbital degeneracy in carbon nanotubes

The quantum-mechanical orbitals in carbon nanotube quantum dots are doubly degenerate over a large number of states. We argue that this experimental observation indicates that electrons are reflected without mode mixing at the nanotube-metal contacts. Two electrons occupying a pair of degenerate orbitals (``shell'') are found to form a triplet state starting from zero magnetic field. Finally, we observe unexpected low-energy excitations at complete filling of a four-electron shell.
Is hypotension a reliable indicator of blood loss from traumatic injury in children

Abstract Background: Traditional surgical teaching stresses that hypotension is an indicator of loss of circulating blood volume. The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate hypotensive injured children for evidence of a hemorrhagic insult. Methods: Over a 2-year period, data were collected prospectively from children injured via a blunt mechanism. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded in the field and on arrival to the emergency department. Results In all, 194 injured children were identified as hypotensive. Only 82 (42%) had identifiable injuries to account for significant volume loss. Children 0 to 5 years old had a 61% incidence of isolated head injury (46 of 76) and only a 34% incidence of hemorrhagic insult (26 of 76). Children 6 to 12 years old had a 31% incidence of isolated head injury (22 of 72) and a 52% incidence of hemorrhagic insult (38 of 72). Finally, patients more than 12 years old had a 33% incidence of isolated head injury (15 of 46) and a 39% incidence of hemorrhagic insult (18 of 46). Conclusions: Hypotension should not be viewed only as a potential marker of loss of circulating volume, but also as a possible indicator of head injury in young trauma victims.
Finasteride: Middle-Age Cure-All for Alopecia and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

To the Editor: I laud the editorial decision of including the well-written and informative article relating to androgenetic alopecia in men, which was published in the October 2005 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. In my opinion, many busy clinicians toiling to prevent or treat life-threatening maladies, such as malignancy or cardiovascular disease, sometimes fail to realize the psychological impact of disorders considered “cosmetic.” The authors pointed out several studies showing the negative self-perception and societal perception of those with hair loss. When discussing potential treatment with finasteride, the authors refer to the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT). Although, as they correctly point out, the dose used in the trial, 5 mg, is higher than the dose used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, the authors state that there was a near 25% reduction in the prevalence of prostate cancer relative to placebo during the 7-year follow-up period. However, they fail to mention that prostate cancer with Gleason scores of 7, 8, 9, or 10 was 22% more common in the finasteride group. Neither these authors, nor the authors of the review article on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, also published in the October issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, mention this potentially worrisome finding. As a middle-aged physician worried about his own hair loss and future nocturia as well as similar problems in what seems to be the majority of my male patients, I grapple with management decisions based on this finding.
Intercomparison of210Pb measurements at GEOSECS station 500 in the northeast Pacific

Abstract During reoccupation of the GEOSECS-I test station in May, 1979, more than eighty 30-liter Niskin samples were collected in profile, many as replicates, for210Pb intercomparison measurements by the WHOI, SIO and Yale groups. In addition to the inter-laboratory comparisons, the SIO group also carried out extensive experiments to test the effect of sample scavenging method. Pb equilibration time (storage effect), and filtration process on the measured210Pb results. The intercomparison measurements indicate that there is a general agreement between the various sets of data. The sample set which allows a direct comparison at the same depth was available in most cases only between two of the three groups. The direct paired comparison shows that (1) the WHOI data are systematically 3% lower than the SIO data; (2) there are no systematic differences observed between the SIO and Yale data although the scatter is rather large; (3) the Yale data are systematically higher than the WHOI data by about 8%. The SIO experiments show that (1) the two scavenging methods employed (Fe(OH)3 and Co-APDC co-precipitation) yield identical210Pb results; (2) variation of Pb carrier equilibration time or of storage time has no discernible effect; (3) the filtration apparatus and procedure employed at this station do not result in210Pb loss or contamination. The210Pb profile structure and absolute concentration measured earlier at the same location (GOGO-II test station and GEOSECS station 347) agree with those of station 500 within 10%. The present profile shows a minimum210Pb concentration around 500 m depth, marking the penetration depth of the flux of excess210Pb from the atmosphere. There is a mild mid-depth maximum around 2500–3000 m. The210Pb/226Ra activity ratio decreases monotonically from about 1 at the210Pb minimum to about 0.5 near the bottom. The particulate210Pb profile shows a systematic increase from the subsurface water to the bottom water by a factor of 5. This feature has been observed in many GEOSECS particulate210Pb profiles.
The association between the regular use of preventive labour induction and improved term birth outcomes: findings of a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background Despite a lack of high-quality evidence, the use of ‘non-indicated’ term labour induction is increasingly restricted throughout the world. Objectives To assess published associations between the regular use of modelled risk-based ‘non-indicated’ term labour induction (hereinafter ‘preventive induction’) and rates of common adverse birth outcomes. Search strategy MEDLINE and PUBMED databases were searched electronically. Selection criteria Studies were identified that compared term birth outcomes following either the current standard approach with its emphasis on the expectant management of intermediate-level risk or the regular use of preventive induction. Data collection and analysis Four studies from four unique databases were identified. A meta-analysis was performed using STATA IC12. Main results Pregnancies exposed to the regular use of preventive induction (n = 1153), as compared with pregnancies receiving the current standard approach (n = 1865), experienced a lower caesarean delivery rate (5.7% versus 14.4%; relative risk 0.39, 95% CI 0.31–0.50; I2 P = 0.21), a lower neonatal intensive care unit admission rate (2.9% versus 6.5%; relative risk 0.45, 95% CI 0.31–0.65; I2 P = 0.57), and a lower weighted adverse outcome index score (2.8 versus 6.1). Conclusions The regular use of preventive induction, as compared with the current standard approach, was associated with a more favourable pattern of birth outcomes. Other recently published meta-analyses have also determined that certain types of ‘non-indicated’ labour induction are beneficial. Accordingly, the current broad restrictions on ‘non-indicated’ labour induction should be reconsidered. Adequately powered multi-site randomised clinical trials are needed to definitively study the risks and benefits of modelled risk-based ‘non-indicated’ (i.e. ‘preventive’) term labour induction.
Self-excitation of olfactory bulb neurones

The concept that neurotransmitter released from a neurone may feed back and influence the excitability of the same neurone has been suggested by a variety of evidence. Anatomical studies have shown that axon collaterals can arborize among the dendrites of the parent neurone1–7, suggesting a direct feedback via axon collaterals. In addition, the dendritic release of dopamine from substantia nigra neurones has suggested that dopamine may exert a direct feedback inhibition of these neurones8,9. Little electrophysiological evidence is available, however, to indicate that such a mechanism does exist. Based on intracellular recordings, Park et al.10 have proposed a direct inhibitory feedback in the neostriatum, but a presynaptic mechanism was not entirely excluded. We have now found that blockade of synaptic inhibition of relay neurones in the olfactory bulb unmasks long-lasting depolarizing potentials which can trigger repetitive discharges. These depolarizing potentials result from direct feedback of dendritically released excitatory transmitter onto the same and neighbouring relay neurones. Such a process might contribute to epileptogenic neuronal discharge.
The Long and Short of siRNAs

A recent work identifies a distinct class of siRNAs derived from transgenes and endogenous retroelements in plants (Hamilton et al., 2002). This class has slower electrophoretic mobility than previously characterized siRNAs and may play an important role in transgene-induced systemic silencing and in methylation of endogenous retroelement DNA.
The Origins of the Matrilineal Principle in Rabbinic Law

According to rabbinic law, from the second century to the present, the offspring of a gentile mother and a Jewish father is a gentile, while the offspring of a Jewish mother and a gentile father is a Jew (albeit, according to the Mishnah, a mamzer, a Jew of impaired status). Each of these two rulings has its own history, as I shall show below, but it is convenient to group them together under the general heading of the “matrilineal principle.” Anthropologists and sociologists use the term matrilineal to describe societies in which kinship is determined through the females and not the males. Such societies once existed in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and can still be found in parts of Africa, India, and Polynesia. Although rabbinic society and family law have not yet been studied in the light of modern anthropological and sociological theories, it seems clear that the kinship patterns which characterize matrilineal societies are thoroughly foreign to rabbinic society. With only a few exceptions, rabbinic family law is patrilineal. Status, kinship, and succession are determined through the father. (“The family of the father is considered family, the family of the mother is not considered family,” B. Bava Batra 109b.) Why, then, did the rabbis adopt a matrilineal principle for the determination of the status of the offspring of mixed marriages?
Biochemical mapping of noradrenergic nerves arising from the rat locus coeruleus.

Abstract Norepinephrine (NE) concentration was measured in discrete brain regions of the rat following unilateral electrolytic lesions of the locus coeruleus, to determine the distribution of its noradrenergic neurons. Discrete brain nuclei and subdivisions were dissected from frozen sections, and norepinephrine was measured by a sensitive radio-isotopic assay. A significant reduction by 29–63% of control values in norepinephrine content was observed ipsilateral to the lesion in the following areas: all portions of the cerebral cortex examined (entorhinal, hippocampal, cingulate, parietal, and occipital areas), anterior half of the cerebellar cortex, hypothalamic periventricular and paraventricular nuclei, anterior ventral thalamic nucleus, ventral thalamic nucleus, and habenula. It appears that these regions receive unilateral innervation by axons from the locus coeruleus. In 3 regions (the medial geniculate body, inferior colliculus, and posterior half of the cerebellum), NE was reduced bilaterally in a pattern suggesting bilateral innervation from the locus coeruleus. Since no reduction in NE concentration occurred in the medial preoptic nucleus, nucleus interstitialis stria terminalis (ventralis), dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, or medial forebrain bundle, axons from noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus do not appear to innervate these regions. The biochemical mapping of noradrenergic nerves from the locus coeruleus is discussed in relation to distribution studies based on the histofluorescence method.
Effect of a single 1200 Mg dose of Mucinex® on mucociliary and cough clearance during an acute respiratory tract infection

Abstract Background Observational studies suggest that orally administered guaifenesin (GGE) may thin lower respiratory tract secretions but none have examined its effects on mucociliary and cough clearance (MCC/CC) during a respiratory tract infection (RTI). The current study was a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in non-smoking adults who suffered from an acute upper RTI. Methods We assessed the effects of a single dose of Mucinex ® 1200 mg (2 × 600 mg extended release tablets) (ER GGE) on 1) MCC/CC by assessing the rate of removal from the lung of inhaled radioactive tracer particles (Tc99m-sulfur colloid), 2) sputum dynamic rheology by stress/strain creep transformation over the linear part of the curve, 3) sessile drop interfacial tension by the deNouy ring technique, and 4) subjective symptom measures. MCC was measured during the morning (period 1) and compared to that in the afternoon 4 h later (period 2) immediately following either drug (n = 19) or placebo (n = 19). For both period 1 and 2 subjects performed 60 voluntary coughs from 60 to 90 min after inhalation of radio-labeled aerosol for a measure of CC. Sputum properties were measured from subjects who expectorated sputum during the cough period post treatment (n = 8–12 for each cohort). Results We found no effect of ER GGE on MCC or CC compared to placebo. MCC through 60 min for period 1 vs. 2 = 8.3 vs. 11.8% (placebo) and = 9.7 vs. 11.1% (drug) (NS) and CC for period 1 vs. 2 was 9.9 vs. 9.1% (placebo) and 10.8 vs. 5.6% (drug) (NS). There was no significant difference in sputum biophysical properties after administration of drug or placebo. Conclusions There was no significant effect of a single dose of ER GGE on MCC/CC or on sputum biophysical properties compared to placebo in this population of adult patients with an acute RTI. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01114581
Identification of Specific Neurological Disorders Using Double Discrimination Scales Derived from the Standardized Luria Neuropsychological Battery

The Standardized Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery has been validated in a number of studies and has shown its effectiveness in making basic neuropsychological discriminations. A major advantage of this battery, compared to other test batteries, is its structure. The test consists of 269 separate items, each of which is designed to measure a different neuropsychological skill. As a result, these items can be combined in a number of ways to form scales aimed at specific neurological processes. It is the purpose of the present study to investigate whether or not the Luria Battery can be successful in discriminating specific neurological disorders by the development of what is termed “double discrimination scales.” Using this process, two scales are established to diagnose any given neurological process. The first represents items in which the patients with a specific disorder do worse than a general neurological control group while the second scale represents items in which the patients with a neuro...
A French connection.

From the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio. Disclosures: Author has nothing to disclose with regard to commercial support. Received for publication Oct 22, 2014; accepted for publication Oct 22, 2014 Address for reprints: Sudish C. Murthy, MD, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Foundation/Desk J4-1, Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44195 (E-mail: murthys1@ccf.org). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2015;149:83-4 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2015 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2014.10.098
Unusual phonological patterns and their underlying representations: a case study.

An unusual phonological pattern exhibited by a child aged 2;9 is described. The pattern involved the production of word-final strident continuants in words whose adult forms contain these features in initial, rather than final position (e.g. [ops] for soap). The data are interpreted as compatible with models of child phonology that permit direct mapping of features to final position.
On the synthesis of controllers for a non-overshooting step response

In this paper, we show how a two-parameter compensator can always be designed for any Linear Time Invariant (LTI) plant, that does not have a zero at the origin, to render its step response non-overshooting.
Ordered low-temperature dolomite mediated by carboxyl-group density of microbial cell walls

Abundant in the ancient rock record, early dolomite remains scarce in modern systems at low temperatures (50C), even those systems supersaturated with respect to dolomite. This scarcity is attributed to kinetic inhibition including complexation of Mg2+ by water and sulfate, carbonate activity, and Mg:Ca ratio. Recent investigations point to a function for microbial metabolisms and surfaces, in which disordered phases are formed. Here, we report the precipitation of primary ordered dolomite at 30C, facilitated solely by the cell walls of two nonmetabolizing archaea from saline solutions with an Mg:Ca ratio of 1:1, 5:1, and 10:1, and slightly saturated with respect to dolomite. Control experiments using bacteria and functionalized microspheres did not precipitate dolomite. Archaeal cell wall functional groups were approximately one order of magnitude higher than the bacteria and spheres used in this study. From these results, we propose a mechanistic model in which carboxyl groups associated with cell wall biomass and exopolymeric substances dehydrate Mg ions, further promoting carbonation and leading to dolomite nucleation. These data explain reports of low-temperature dolomite formation associated with numerous microbial metabolic guilds, including bacteria and archaea, and those reported in association with exopolymeric substances or cell wall surfaces, and identify a key and widespread mechanism in the formation of disordered dolomite and ordered primary phases of dolomite at low temperature. Importantly, the functionalized dead and nonmetabolizing biomass is the key in low-temperature dolomite precipitation, not active microbial metabolism. These observations may lead to new predictive models for the distribution of dolomite.
Positive and Negative Regulation of a SNARE Protein by Control of Intracellular Localization

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the developmentally regulated Soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein Spo20p mediates the fusion of vesicles with the prospore membrane, which is required for the formation of spores. Spo20p is subject to both positive and negative regulation by separate sequences in its aminoterminal domain. We report that the positive activity is conferred by a short, amphipathic helix that is sufficient to confer plasma membrane or prospore membrane localization to green fluorescent protein. In vitro, this helix binds to acidic phospholipids, and mutations that reduce or eliminate phospholipid binding in vitro inactivate Spo20p in vivo. Genetic manipulation of phospholipid pools indicates that the likely in vivo ligand of this domain is phosphatidic acid. The inhibitory activity is a nuclear targeting signal, which confers nuclear localization in vegetative cells and in cells entering meiosis. However, as cells initiate spore formation, fusions containing the inhibitory domain exit the nucleus and localize to the nascent prospore membrane. Thus, the SNARE Spo20p is both positively and negatively regulated by control of its intracellular localization.
ACCEPTABILITY OF SELECTED MUSCLES FROM POOR CONDITION AND REALIMENTED CULL RANGE COWS

Carcasses from cull range cows 3–10 years of age were utilized in two separate trials to: (1) establish the influence of animal age on the quantity, composition and tenderness of eight muscles, and (2) to determine the effects of realimentation on the tenderness and overall desirability of four selected muscles. Neither animal age or side of carcass influenced (P < 0.05) muscle weight, marbling score or percent intramuscular fat for the Triceps brachii (TB), Supraspinatus (SP), Semimembranosus (SM), Semitendinosus (ST), Biceps femoris (BF), Longissimus (LD), Psoas major (PM) and Gluteus me-dius (GM). The LD was the only muscle observed to demonstrate a decrease (P < 0.05) in Warner-Bratzler (WB) shear tenderness for cows between 3 and 10 years of age. Over all age groups, the BF was the least tender (P < 0.05) muscle, while the GM, LD, PM and TB were most tender (P < 0.05) but not different (P gt; 0.05) from one another according to the WB shear. A 16-member sensory panel revealed that beef from realimented cows was not consistently more acceptable than beef from nonfed animals. Muscles from nonfed cows were, in most cases, judged to be acceptable. In two of four muscles studied. for realimented animals by the sensory panel, fed animals were more tender (P < 0.05) than nonfed animals. The tenderness of the SM muscle from realimented beef was greater (P < 0.05) when cooked at 135°C vs 107°C or 163°C.
Unruly Bodies: The Rhetorical Domestication of Twenty-First-Century Veterans of War

Veterans of wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with visually identifiable injuries possess “unruly” bodies that render the story of war in efficient, emotional terms. The injured veteran's explicit connection of war with injury motivates state and mainstream news discourse that domesticates veterans’ bodies, managing representations of injured veterans through three dominant strategies. First, dominant discourses invoke veterans’ bodies as metonymy of the nation-state at war—bodily well-being operates as a metonym for both the nation's health and for the condition of the war. Second, veterans are domesticated by strategic placement in contexts that regulate their range of movement, especially amputees, who are often framed as having already overcome any limitations imposed by their war injuries. Third, dominant visual discourse domesticates veterans’ bodies by ascribing a strategic telos to them, shifting the meaning of the injuries away from their origins in state policy and toward wholeness and “normalcy.” Re...
A low noise current-mode readout circuit for CMOS image sensing applications

A major obstacle in current-mode CMOS image sensors is the transconductance gain mismatch across pixels, which translates to Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN), degrading the image quality. In this paper, we propose a highly linear and compact current-mode readout circuit that eliminates this mismatch by performing the voltage to current conversion within a unity gain feedback loop. It is further proposed that by using the Active Column Sensor (ACS) architecture, only two transistors from the readout circuit are required to be present at the pixel site, while the rest of the circuitry resides common to an entire column. This setup saves a significant amount of real estate. The circuit is designed in TSMC 0.25 /spl mu/m process, and simulation results are presented.
Adaptive changes in enzyme activity and metabolic pathways in adipose tissue from meal-fed rats.

A number of metabolic factors and the activity of a number of enzymes were determined in meal-fed (animals fed a single daily 2 hr meal) and nibbling (ad libitum-fed) rats. The dependency of the observed adaptive changes on the ingestion of carbohydrate was studied by feeding diets high in carbohydrate or fat. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP-malic dehydrogenase were more active in adipose tissue from high carbohydrate meal-fed rats than in tissue from ad libitum-fed rats. The activity in adipose tissue of isocitric dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and NAD-malic dehydrogenase did not increase significantly in response to meal-feeding the high carbohydrate diet. No increase in lipogenesis or enzyme activity could be demonstrated in adipose tissue from rats meal-fed a high fat diet. Lipase activity of adipose tissue was increased by high carbohydrate meal-feeding and decreased by feeding a high fat diet. The in vitro uptake of palmitate-1-14C by adipose tissue was depressed by a high fat diet and enhanced in rats meal-fed a high carbohydrate diet. Diaphragm or slices of liver from high fat-fed rats oxidized palmitate-1-14C more rapidly than did tissue from ad libitumfed animals. Evidence is presented for the quantitative importance of citrate as a source of extramitochondrial acetyl CoA in adipose tissue of meal-eating and ad libitum-fed rats. The relationship of extramitochondrially formed citrate to the NAD-malic dehydrogenase–malic enzyme system in adipose tissue is discussed.
New goals in health technology Annual Oration 21st Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiologists

Abstract Although American medicine has made great advances in the past few decades, most of which are attributable to technological innovations and developments, there is a growing outcry today for the careful reassessment of biomedical technology. The general feeling—among the public, the Congress and the scientific community—is that a closer relationship must be forged between the output of clinical research and its utilization in the practice of medicine (i.e., technology transfer). This paper traces the genesis of the concept of consensus development—a process whereby recognized experts attempt to reach general agreement or accord as to the soundness and feasibility of new technological interventions. Particular emphasis is paid to the continuing series of consensus development conferences sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and to the NIH component responsible for catalyzing and coordinating such events, the Office for Medical Applications of Research (OMAR).
Plant–soil feedbacks provide an additional explanation for diversity–productivity relationships

Plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) have gained attention for their role in plant community dynamics, but their role in productivity has been overlooked. We developed and tested a biomass-specific, multi-species model to examine the role of PSFs in diversity–productivity relationships. The model predicts a negative relationship between PSFs and overyielding: plants with negative PSFs grow more in communities than in monoculture (i.e. overyield), and plants with positive PSFs grow less in communities than in monoculture (i.e. underyield). This effect is predicted to increase with diversity and saturate at low species richness because the proportion of ‘self-cultivated’ soils rapidly decreases as species are added to a community. Results in a set of glasshouse experiments supported model predictions. We found that PSFs measured in one experiment were negatively correlated with overyielding in three-species plant communities measured in a separate experiment. Furthermore, when parametrized with our experimental PSF data, our model successfully predicted species-level overyielding and underyielding. The model was less effective at predicting community-level overyielding and underyielding, although this appeared to reflect large differences between communities with or without nitrogen-fixing plants. Results provide conceptual and experimental support for the role of PSFs in diversity–productivity relationships.
Main effects and interactions of varying formulation protein, fiber, and moisture on feed manufacture and pellet quality

Abstract The majority of broiler feed is in pelleted form. Feeding pelleted diets results in improved BW gain and FE compared with feeding mash diets. However, improvements in performance are contingent on pellet quality. Past research has focused on methods to improve pellet quality without negatively affecting processing variables and performance. The objective of these studies was to evaluate the effects and interactions that occur when small inclusion amounts of fiber, protein, and moisture were formulated into corn- and soybean-based broiler diets. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, small inclusion amounts (5%) of fiber (in the form of cellulose) or protein (in the form of soy protein isolate) improved the pellet durability index and the modified pellet durability index compared with the control (P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, manufacturing variables were not negatively affected (P > 0.05). In experiment 2, small inclusion amounts of protein (2%), in the form of soybean meal, and moisture (2 and 4%), in the form of tap water, improved the pellet durability index and the modified pellet durability index (P ≤ 0.05). Small inclusion amounts of fiber, in the form of oat hulls, negatively affected pellet quality and manufacturing variables. Ingredient interactions were not observed for manufacturing variables or pellet quality. These results demonstrate that small inclusion amounts of supplemental fiber (cellulose), protein (soy protein isolate or soybean meal), and moisture (tap water) can be used to ameliorate poor pellet quality.
The effect of a school-wide inclusion training programme upon teachers’ attitudes about inclusion

This study compared survey responses of teachers from a reform-based programme focused on promoting inclusion-based classrooms, namely Project WINS (Winning Ideas Network for Schools) schools, with teachers from non-Project WINS schools with regard to their attitude about inclusion in the classroom. Surprisingly, the results of this study revealed no differences between the two groups of teachers on most facets of inclusion. The one significant difference found a greater preference for inclusion by non-Project WINS teachers with regard to classroom climate. The study also revealed a higher preference for inclusion for teachers with higher self-reported expertise in special education regardless of what group the teacher was surveyed from. Findings from this study indicate the need for further research and improvements in training methods for Project WINS and similar programmes that attempt to change teachers’ attitudes towards inclusion as an important first step in improving practice in inclusion-based classrooms. As the movement for more inclusion in schools increases, administrators, special educators and teachers are caught in the midst of the tide. Proponents of inclusion believe change is needed now, but those not in favour of such changes recommend not implementing inclusion without further research (Snyder, 1999). In addition, schools need assistance in developing and implementing policies and practices that will lead to an effective inclusion experience for all parties involved (Johnson, 2000). The primary purpose of this study was to further this research by examining attitudes related to inclusion of teachers participating in a programme implemented in middle schools with the explicit goal of fostering effective inclusion-based classrooms. Second, we tested the relationship between perceived expertise in special education and attitudes towards inclusion. Below we briefly describe some of the factors that research has shown to influence teachers’ level of acceptance of inclusion-based classrooms.
Quantitative food utilization and reproductive allocation by adult milkweed bugs, Oncopeltus fasciatus.

. Age-specific and lifetime dry mass budgets were estimated for mated and virgin adult milkweed bugs, Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas) Hemiptera: Lygaeidae), fed air-dried milkweed seeds (Asclepias syriacd) in the laboratory at LD 14:10 and 23°C. Relative consumption rate (RCR) of all bugs was high during the first 8 days posteclosion (teneral period) as their fresh weight, dry weight, and fat content increased. Thereafter, the physiological syndrome associated with reproduction in mated females was indicated by their higher RCR, earlier and greater rate of egg production, greater lifetime relative metabolic rate and higher net and gross production efficiencies than virgin females and males. Males tended to live longer than virgin and mated females, which had similar lifespans. Mated females weighing less at eclosion remained lighter in weight on the day of mean peak weight, but food consumption, egg production and lifespan were independent of body-weight over a 25% range. Input of nymphal reserves or male reproductive secretions to egg production is probably minor in comparison with the adult female's food budget. The high proportion of the food budget allocated to egg production by mated females of O.fasciatus is consistent with its migratory, colonizing lifestyle.
Step convergence analysis of nonlinear feedback hysteresis models

In this paper we consider nonlinear feedback hysteresis models. Since hysteresis is defined as a nontrivial input-output map under quasi-DC inputs, the relationship between step convergence and the hysteresis map of the model is investigated. The class of models that exhibit hysteresis is determined and the shape of the hysteresis map is characterized. We focus on the deadzone nonlinearity, which has implications for backlash modeling. Numerical examples are presented to verify the analysis.
Rewritable storage channels with limited number of rewrite iterations

We consider storage channels that admit optional reading and rewriting of the content at a given cost. This is a general class of channels that models many nonvolatile memories. We present recent results on such rewritable channels with constraints on both the maximum and the average number of atomic rewrite iterations. We derive a general lower capacity bound for rewritable storage channels impaired by additive noise. For the special case of uniform noise, we present tight upper and lower capacity bounds and suggest some capacity-achieving coding techniques.
Mechanistic Investigations of Test Article–Induced Pancreatic Toxicity at the Endocrine–Exocrine Interface in the Rat:

Pancreatic toxicity commonly affects the endocrine or exocrine pancreas. However, it can also occur at the endocrine-exocrine interface (EEI), where the capillary network of the islet merges with the capillaries of the surrounding acinar tissue, that is, the insulo-acinar portal system. The goal of this article is to describe a novel, test article-induced pancreatic toxicity that originated at the EEI and to summarize investigations into the mechanistic basis of the injury. This injury was initially characterized by light microscopy in 7/14 day-toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley (Crl: CD®[SD]) rats with undisclosed test articles. Microvascular injury at the interface resulted in peri-islet serum exudation, fibrin deposition, hemorrhage, inflammation, and secondary degeneration/necrosis of surrounding exocrine tissue. More chronic injury presented as islet fibrosis and lobular atrophy. Direct cytotoxicity affecting the capillary endothelium at the EEI was confirmed ultrastructurally on day 4. Endothelial microparticle and blood flow studies further confirmed endothelial involvement. Similar lesions occurred less frequently in 2 other rat strains and not in the mouse, dog, or cynomolgus macaque. In summary, in vivo and investigative study data confirmed primary endothelial cytotoxicity in the pathogenesis of this lesion and suggested that the lesion may be rat/rat strain-specific and of uncertain relevance for human safety risk assessment.
The Imperiled Mardon Skipper Butterfly: An Initial Conservation Success

The mardon skipper (Polites mardon), is a rare butterfly found only in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. The conservation of this butterfly has been part of an unprecedented cooperative effort between the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, The Forest Service/Bureau of Land Management Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program, (ISSSSP) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State University, the Oregon Zoo, The Six Rivers National Forest, and the Center for Natural Lands Management.
Abstract T MP78: Use, Safety, and Outcomes of Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Nonagenarians

Background: Even though IV tPA is the most proven treatment for AIS, it has not been studied extensively in the oldest old population. We used data from Get With The Guidelines(GWTG) to determine the frequency of use, outcomes, and safety of IV tPA in AIS patients who are 90 and older. Methods: The population consisted of 39,759 patients from 1178 sites who were eligible for IV tPA. who received IV tPA within 3 hours of symptom onset from January 2009 April 2013. Of these, 3,407 patients were 90 years and older. The patients who had contraindications to IV tPA were excluded and advanced age alone was not considered a sufficient contraindication for this study. The primary outcomes of interest were: in hospital mortality, discharge disposition, independent ambulation at discharge, sICH and complications related to IV tPA.The differences in baseline these characteristics were compared using chi-square tests for categorical row variables and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests for continuous row variables.Factors associated with tPA use in older patients were assessed using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to account for within hospital correlations. Outcomes among patients receiving IV-tPA were also compared between old patients (90+) and the three younger age groups. Results: With 90 and above as the reference group, the odds ratio for mortality adjusted to patient characteristics was 0.90 (CI- 0.78, 1.04) in the age group of 80-89. However, the adjusted OR for age group of 65-79 was 0.68 (CI 0.5, 0.79) and for 18-64 was 0.48 (0.40, 0.58)As compared to 90 and above, the patients in age group of 80-89 had 2.25 times the odds to be discharged to home or rehab and this trend was more pronounced in the lower age groups (5.5 times for age 65-79 and 14.7 times for age 18-64). The rates of sICH were 6.8 % in age group 80-89 and 6.1 % amongst the 90 and older, which, however, was significantly lower in age groups less than 65 (2.9%) and 65-79 (5.1%). Conclusion: Advanced Age increases the likelihood of sICH but the rates of sICH were are still comparable to younger cohorts. The knowledge of high risk of mortality in this population may help real time bedside decision making while treating patients 90 and above.
The Xiangyang Market

Xiangyang Market, located at the center of the shopping district in the trendy former French concession in Shanghai, is one of the city's prime shopping venues and a must-see tourist destination. Considered a shoppers' paradise by many foreign visitors, this open-air bazaar is known for the incredible deals on quality knockoffs of designer products. This case first describes the history that led to its development. It then gives an account of the shopping experience of a couple of American tourists, giving details of their discoveries and bargaining sessions in the market. It concludes with a description of the future of the market, highlighting the concerns about protection of intellectual property rights as well as competition from traditional retailers in Shanghai. The case can be used to teach the economics of markets under asymmetric information, bargaining and negotiation, and intellectual property rights. It can also be used in finance to teach market efficiency or in consumer marketing.
Hardware accelerated mesh colors

Texture mapping arbitrary polygonal meshes has been an important problem in computer graphics. In particular, when one-to-one mapping is desired, such that the same texture pattern is not repeated over a surface, seams are unavoidable. The process of hiding filtering artifacts due to these seams involves additional manual effort onto already labor intensive process of specifying texture coordinates. Furthermore, these seams also substantially limit the number of mipmap levels that can be used without visible filtering artifacts.
Crab Hemocyanin Function Changes During Development

The megalops and first instar juvenile stages of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, contain hemocyanin whose subunit composition differs from that of the adult crab (1). The larval and early post-larval hemocyanins resemble adult hemocyanin in molecular weight, appearance in electron micrographs and in copper content. However, adult 25S hemocyanin contains one subunit not seen in either mega-lops or juvenile hemocyanin; in addition, the relative amounts of the other subunits are not the same between adult and larval stages. The 16S larval hemocyanin also differs in subunit composition from that of the adult. Thus, the hemocyanin of C. magister undergoes an ontogenic change in structure as the crab develops from megalops to adult.
Dynamic Reconstruction

Dynamic reconstruction is a method for generating images or image sequences from data obtained using moving radiation detection systems. While coded apertures are used as examples of the underlying information collection modality, the dynamic reconstruction method itself is more widely applicable. Dynamic reconstruction provides for recovery of depth, and has sensitivity that drops off with the inverse of distance rather than the inverse square of distance. Examples of dynamic reconstructions of moving isotopic area sources are shown, as well as dynamic reconstructions of moving objects imaged using backscattered X-rays.
Heat Transfer of Nanofiber Coatings in Hypersonic Flow

An experiment was undertaken to study the effect of nanofiber coatings on heat transfer rates in hypersonic flow. A model with interchangeable inserts was designed and tested in the Ohio State University’s open jet Mach 6 wind tunnel. For this experiment the wind tunnel was operated at a stagnation temperature of 760°R and a stagnation pressure of 775 psi. The wind tunnel model was made from titanium and the inserts were made from Ti64 alloy to allow for the application of nanofiber coatings. Three conditions were used for comparison, the baseline test plates w ith no coating, a TiO2 spattered plates and a nanofi ber coated ins erts. The nanofiber coating was applied by the Material Science and Engineering group. The data has shown that this particular nanofiber coating has negligible effect on the heat transfer rates in comparison with both the uncoated alloy and the TiO 2 coatings.
Carbon monoxide produced by isolated arterioles attenuates pressure-induced vasoconstriction.

Studies were conducted on isolated rat gracilis muscle arterioles to examine the role of vascular heme oxygenase (HO)-derived carbon monoxide (CO) on myogenic constrictor responses to stepwise incr...
Suppression of Populations of Native Pink Bollworm in Field Cages by the Release of Irradiated Moths

Native populations of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) in 7.3×3.7×1.8-m field cages were suppressed by continuous releases of moths of a laboratory strain irradiated as adults with 10 krad. Cages receiving moths irradiated with 20 krad had populations not significantly different from those in control cages. The 1st generation of native moths increased 4–5 fold in all cages. In the 2nd generation, which developed in bolls, the control cages increased by a 36-fold rate vs. a 15-fold rate for cages receiving moths irradiated with either 10 or 20 krad. Results indicated that moths irradiated with 10 krad were more effective in suppressing native populations than moths irradiated with 20 krad.
Characterization of Polymer Light Emitting Diodes Fabricated by Ionically Self-Assembled Monolayer Technique

Ionically self-assembled monolayer (ISAM) films are a recently developed class of materials that allows detailed structural and thickness control at the sub-nanometer level combined with ease of manufacturing and low cost. The ISAM fabrication method simply involves the dipping of a charged substrate alternately into polycationic and polyanionic aqueous solutions at room temperatures. Importantly, the ISAM technique yields exceptionally homogeneous, large area films with excellent control of total film thickness. We describe detailed studies of ISAM light emitting diodes incorporating poly(para-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) as the light emitting polymer. The individual thickness of each monolayer and the interpenetration of adjacent layers can be precisely controlled through the parameters of the electrolyte solutions. The effects of the pH and ionic strength of the immersion solutions, the total film thickness, and the PPV thermal conversion parameters on the photoluminescence and electroluminescence yields have been systematically studied. The ISAM process also allows the advantage of depositing well-defined thicknesses of separate polymers at the indium tin oxide and the aluminum electrode interfaces.