cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytical Modeling of Soil Solution Monitoring by Diffusion in Porous Cups

There is increasing interest toward in situ solution monitoring of soil chemicals for agricultural, industrial, and ecological purposes. Rather than extracting soil solution, a series of laboratory experiments was conducted to evaluate a diffusion equilibration technique, providing for real time in situ soil solution nitrate concentration via UV absorption spectroscopy. Experiments allowed for diffusion of nitrate from an outside reservoir into a porous cup. The experimental data were compared with model predictions using three different analytical solutions: (i) an exact solution (EX model) assuming radial symmetry that includes a porous cup with a porous wall and a finite size outside reservoir, (ii) an approximate solution (RC model) that assumes an infinitely large supply reservoir with a porous cup wall that does not influence ion diffusion, and (iii) and a model based on an electric circuit analog (ECA model). The results indicate that the ECA solution provides the best match overall to the experimental data.
Cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake does not alter exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether cognitive awareness of carbohydrate beverage consumption affects exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, independent of actual carbohydrate intake. INTRODUCTION: Carbohydrate supplementation during aerobic exercise generally protects against the immunosuppressive effects of exercise. It is not currently known whether carbohydrate consumption or simply the knowledge of carbohydrate consumption also has that effect. METHODS: Endurance trained male and female (N = 10) athletes were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on either a correct or incorrect cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake. In the incorrect group, the subjects were informed that they were receiving the carbohydrate beverage but actually received the placebo beverage. Participants completed a 60-min ride on a cycle ergometer at 80% VO2peak under carbohydrate and placebo supplemented conditions. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after exercise and were used to determine the plasma glucose concentration, lymphocyte count, and extent of lymphocyte apoptosis. Cognitive awareness, either correct or incorrect, did not have an effect on any of the measured variables. RESULTS: Carbohydrate supplementation during exercise did not have an effect on lymphocyte count or apoptotic index. Independent of drink type, exercise resulted in significant lymphocytosis and lymphocyte apoptosis (apoptotic index at rest = 6.3 ± 3% and apoptotic index following exercise = 11.6 ± 3%, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Neither carbohydrate nor placebo supplementation altered the typical lymphocyte apoptotic response following exercise. While carbohydrate supplementation generally has an immune-boosting effect during exercise, it appears that this influence does not extend to the mechanisms that govern exercise-induced lymphocyte cell death.
Arginyl residue modification of the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase protein.

Reaction of rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles with the arginyl residue reagent 2,3-butanedione results in the inactivation of the Ca+2-dependent ATPase activity. At pH 6.9, 25°, with 10 mM butanedione the pseudo-first order rate constant is 0.075 min−1. The kinetics approach zero order at 100 mM butanedione, suggesting that reversible binding of the reagent precedes the inactivation reaction. The presence of Mg-ATP strongly protects against inactivation. Similar but less effective protection is displayed by Mg-ADP and Ca-ATP, while Ca-acetyl phosphate or Mg+2 plus AMP or tripolyphosphate are ineffective. Measurement of the binding of [14C] ATP indicates that butanedione modification results in the complete loss of affinity for the substrate. These results suggest that one or more arginyl residues play a role in the substrate-active site interaction.
Defense Allomones of the Nudibranch Phyllidia varicosa Lamarck 1801

The defensive secretion of the nudibranch Phyllidia varicosa consists of two isocyanosesquiterpenes: the previously described 9-isocyanopupukeanane (1), and its 2-isomer (4), for which we report the structure and properties. The mixture originates with a sponge, Hymeniacidon sp., where it is produced in varying proportions. CD. measurements and X-ray diffraction data establish the absolute configuration of the two metabolites.
Competitive Anti-Hebbian Learning of Invariants

Although the detection of invariant structure in a given set of input patterns is vital to many recognition tasks, connectionist learning rules tend to focus on directions of high variance (principal components). The prediction paradigm is often used to reconcile this dichotomy; here we suggest a more direct approach to invariant learning based on an anti-Hebbian learning rule. An unsupervised two-layer network implementing this method in a competitive setting learns to extract coherent depth information from random-dot stereograms.
Performance evaluation of lead acid batteries for use with solar panels

This paper discusses the preliminary results of a long term evaluation of the charging of sealed lead acid batteries with unregulated solar panels. The US Coast Guard (USCG) uses unregulated solar panels to recharge batteries that power night navigational aids. The USCG is examining the benefit of replacing the current maintenance free lead acid batteries with sealed batteries. The test will determine the useful life and failure mode of batteries exposed to unprotected outdoor environments. Preliminary results of the test found that the batteries were being exposed to charge voltages of between 12.5 and 16.0 volts, which are well outside the designed charging voltages for sealed lead acid batteries of 13.5 to 14.2 volts. Charging at these voltages (both overcharging and undercharging) accelerates the decay of sealed lead acid battery positive plates and greatly reduces the expected service life. Preliminary results of fielded batteries found that the maintenance free batteries lasted approximately 60% longer then sealed lead acid batteries. >
On the response of large-amplitude internal waves to upstream disturbances

Large-amplitude internal solitary waves generate shear flows that intensify from the wings of the waves to their maxima. Upstream perturbations of the hydrostatic equilibrium in the form of wave packets along the path of wave propagation are expected to trigger shear instability and ultimately generate Kelvin–Helmholtz roll-ups. In contrast, as shown here with accurate simulations of incompressible stratified Euler equations, large internal waves can act as suppressors of perturbations. The precise understanding of the mechanisms leading to different outcomes, including whether instability is excited, is the focus of this work. Under the action of shear flows, small-amplitude wave packets undergo stretching and filamentation, which lead to significant absorption of perturbation energy into the background shear. It is found that this typical behaviour is present in the self-induced shear by internal waves, regardless of whether the shear is stable or unstable, and can leave a quieter state in the wave’s wake for a wide range of perturbation parameters. In the unstable case, even once perturbations are selected to excite the instability, our results show that this absorption can act to reduce growth in the strong-shear region, effectively making roll-up development observable only downstream of the wave crest. Our approach is both analytical and numerical; a model valid for relatively thin pycnoclines and suitable for local spectral analysis is devised and used. Energy diagnostics on the simulations are implemented to validate the numerics and illustrate the energy exchanges between background wave flow and its shear. A link between the absorption mechanism and the clustering of local eigenvalues along the wave is proposed. This promotes an energetic coupling among neutral modes stronger than what may be expected to occur in slowly varying flows, and gives rise to multi-modal transient dynamics of the kind often referred to as non-normality effects. For those cases in which the wave-induced shear meets the conditions for local instability, it is found that the growth of disturbances is selective with respect to the sign of the mode excited upstream. Elements of this phenomenon are interpreted by asymptotic analysis for spatial growth in time-independent slowly varying media.
Silica, Vitreous Silica

Vitreous silica is a high temperature, single-component glass commercially available in a wide range of purities. It has superior chemical resistance, low thermal expansion, and excellent optical transmission from the uv to the near-ir. Thermal history and trace contamination can have significant effects on a number of properties, ranging from electrical conductivity to absorption characteristics. Vitreous silica is the material of choice for a variety of commercial and scientific applications, including tubing and containers for chemical processing, uv-optical elements, envelope material of mercury vapor lamps, and windows for space vehicles. Vitreous silica's high viscosity, even at its melting point, precludes the use of traditional glass-forming techniques. Manufacture usually involves specialized methods, such as flame hydrolysis or high temperature sintering in helium or vacuum. Keywords: Silicon dioxide; Vitreous silica; Amorphous silica; Structure; Glass properties; Radiation effects; Chemical analysis; High temperature; Pyrometry; Insulation; Optical applications; Fibers; Lighting; Electronics; Space
Triptolide, a constituent of immunosuppressive Chinese herbal medicine, is a potent suppressor of dendritic-cell maturation and trafficking

Triptolide (TPT) is a chemically defined, potent immunosuppressive compound isolated from an anti-inflammatory Chinese herbal medicine. TPT has been reported to inhibit autoimmunity, allograft rejection, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and its efficacy was previously attributed to the suppression of T cells. Since dendritic cells (DCs) play a major role in the initiation of T-cell–mediated immunity, we studied the effects of TPT on the phenotype, function, and migration of human monocyte–derived DCs. TPT treatment, over a pharmacologic concentration range, inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced phenotypic changes, characteristic of mature DCs and the production of interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70). Consequently, the allostimulatory functions of DCs were impaired by TPT treatment. Furthermore, the calcium mobilization and chemotactic responses of LPS-stimulated DCs to secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC)/CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) were significantly lower in TPT-treated than untreated DCs, in association with lower chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and higher CCR5 expression. Egress of Langerhans cells (LCs) from explanted mouse skin in response to macrophage inflammatory protein-3β (MIP-3β)/CCL19 was arrested by TPT. In vivo administration of TPT markedly inhibited hapten (fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC])–stimulated migration of mouse skin LCs to the draining lymph nodes. These data provide new insight into the mechanism of action of TPT and indicate that the inhibition of maturation and trafficking of DCs by TPT contributes to its immunosuppressive effects.
Sip1, a novel RS domain-containing protein essential for pre-mRNA splicing.

Previous studies have shown that protein-protein interactions among splicing factors may play an important role in pre-mRNA splicing. We report here identification and functional characterization of a new splicing factor, Sip1 (SC35-interacting protein 1). Sip1 was initially identified by virtue of its interaction with SC35, a splicing factor of the SR family. Sip1 interacts with not only several SR proteins but also with U1-70K and U2AF65, proteins associated with 5′ and 3′ splice sites, respectively. The predicted Sip1 sequence contains an arginine-serine-rich (RS) domain but does not have any known RNA-binding motifs, indicating that it is not a member of the SR family. Sip1 also contains a region with weak sequence similarity to the Drosophila splicing regulator suppressor of white apricot (SWAP). An essential role for Sip1 in pre-mRNA splicing was suggested by the observation that anti-Sip1 antibodies depleted splicing activity from HeLa nuclear extract. Purified recombinant Sip1 protein, but not other RS domain-containing proteins such as SC35, ASF/SF2, and U2AF65, restored the splicing activity of the Sip1-immunodepleted extract. Addition of U2AF65 protein further enhanced the splicing reconstitution by the Sip1 protein. Deficiency in the formation of both A and B splicing complexes in the Sip1-depleted nuclear extract indicates an important role of Sip1 in spliceosome assembly. Together, these results demonstrate that Sip1 is a novel RS domain-containing protein required for pre-mRNA splicing and that the functional role of Sip1 in splicing is distinct from those of known RS domain-containing splicing factors.
Intellectual property rights and innovation in developing countries

This paper studies intellectual property rights (IPRs) and innovation in developing countries. A model is developed to illustrate the trade-off between imitating foreign technologies and encouraging domestic innovation in a developing country’s choice of IPRs. It is shown that innovations in a developing country increase in its IPRs, and a country’s IPRs can depend on its level of development non-monotonically, first decreasing and then increasing. Empirical analysis, with a panel of data for 64 developing countries, confirms both the positive impact of IPRs on innovations in developing countries and the presence of a U-shaped relationship between IPRs and economic development.
Frequent Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Localization of β-Catenin without Exon 3 Mutations in Malignant Melanoma

β-Catenin has a critical role in E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, and it also functions as a downstream signaling molecule in the wnt pathway. Mutations in the putative glycogen synthase kinase 3β phosphorylation sites near the β-catenin amino terminus have been found in some cancers and cancer cell lines. The mutations render β-catenin resistant to regulation by a complex containing the glycogen synthase kinase 3β, adenomatous polyposis coli, and axin proteins. As a result, β-catenin accumulates in the cytosol and nucleus and activates T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancing factor transcription factors. Previously, 6 of 27 melanoma cell lines were found to have β-catenin exon 3 mutations affecting the N-terminal phosphorylation sites (Rubinfeld B, Robbins P, Elgamil M, Albert I, Porfiri E, Polakis P: Stabilization of beta-catenin by genetic defects in melanoma cell lines. Science 1997, 275:1790–1792). To assess the role of β-catenin defects in primary melanomas, we undertook immunohistochemical and DNA sequencing studies in 65 melanoma specimens. Nuclear and/or cytoplasmic localization of β-catenin, a potential indicator of wnt pathway activation, was seen focally within roughly one third of the tumors, though a clonal somatic mutation in β-catenin was found in only one case (codon 45 Ser→Pro). Our findings demonstrate that β-catenin mutations are rare in primary melanoma, in contrast to the situation in melanoma cell lines. Nonetheless, activation of β-catenin, as indicated by its nuclear and/or cytoplasmic localization, appears to be frequent in melanoma, and in some cases, it may reflect focal and transient activation of the wnt pathway within the tumor.
Rotor design optimization of synchronous reluctance machine

It is demonstrated that the rotor design of synchronous reluctance machines can be optimized in terms of a key geometric parameter, i.e., the ratio of the rotor insulation width to the rotor iron width so as to obtain maximum torque production. The equation which gives the maximum motor power factor in terms of the saliency ratio has been derived and it is shown that the power factor of 0.8 is a realizable value with the optimal rotor design. An experimental motor has been fabricated and the results of measurements of the motor parameters prove the validity of the rotor design optimization. >
Sets, Maps, Multisets, and MultiMaps

In Chapter 2 and in 3 through 7, we studied container mechanisms in which there was a direct linear, or sequential, structure. Elements had a physical order. When we sort them we make their logical order conform in some way with the physical order. STL sorted containers are quite different. These containers are always kept logically sorted, so that if we write them out the values are reported in increasing order according to some rule. When we insert into a sorted container, it is placed somewhere internally consistent with that logical order. As we shall see, however, there is no necessary physical relationship between the logical position and its physical location. In fact, many different physical arrangements can be equivalent to the same logical one, since the physical structure is not sequential.
Predicting Aneurysmal Rupture Rates: Are Smaller Aneurysms Really Less Apt To Bleed and Does Morphology Matter? (S46.006)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether high-risk morphology occurs more frequently in ruptured intracranial aneurysms (RIA) under 7mm. BACKGROUND: An estimated 2%-5% of the general population has an intracranial aneurysm (IA) and the effects of rupture are devastating. Data from the International Study of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms (ISUIA) represented a low risk of rupture (0.05%/year) of aneurysms under 10 mm. The majority of RIAs treated in our center have been under 7mm, which forces one to question how best to counsel a patient with an incidentally found IA under 10mm. Aneurysmal 3D morphology is thought to be a useful predictor for risk of rupture. DESIGN/METHODS: 202 RIAs from 202 consecutive patients during 2004-2012 were evaluated by two independent neuroradiologists retrospectively using CTA for size and morphology. We used the ISUIA criteria to define size and morphology. We presumed types 1,2 and 3,4 represented low-risk and high-risk morphology, respectively. Inter-rater reliability was of concern; thus, a second evaluation with the examiners was carried out to reach consensus. Chi square analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between RIA morphology and size (under 7mm and above 7mm). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate morphology as an independent predictor of size of RIA while controlling for other factors. RESULTS: RIAs under 7mm in diameter represented 53% of the 202 aneurysms evaluated. Of the RIAs under 7mm, 71% had low-risk morphology vs. 45.3% for the above 7mm group. (P CONCLUSIONS: Low-risk aneurysm morphology is found more frequently with smaller RIAs (under 7mm in diameter). Future research should include both patients with a ruptured IA and those with an unruptured IA to determine if size and morphology is related to the outcome for an aneurysm. Disclosure: Dr. Schwieterman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Terry has nothing to disclose. Dr. Markert has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ludwig has nothing to disclose.
Trade Secrecy in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory

Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" is well-known as a dark fantasy in which five children win a visit to a whimsical candy company. Less conspicuous is the legal issue of trade secrecy driving the novel’s plot. Secrecy is not indigenous to fictional representations of the candy industry, but is widespread throughout its real-world confectionary counterparts of today and yesteryear. An investigation of the need for secrecy in this commercial sphere raises fundamental questions about the role of legal protection for misappropriations of secrets when actual secrecy seems to be paramount and about the relationship between trade secrecy and patent law.
Fast Rise of "Neptune-Size" Planets ($4-8 R_{\rm Earth}$) from $P\sim10$ to $\sim250$ days -- Statistics of Kepler Planet Candidates Up to $\sim 0.75 {\rm AU}$

We infer the period ($P$) and size ($R_p$) distribution of Kepler transiting planet candidates with $R_p\ge 1 R_{\rm Earth}$ and $P 10$ days, the planet frequency d$N_p$/d$\log$P for "Neptune-size" planets ($R_p = 4-8 R_{\rm Earth}$) increases with period as $\propto P^{0.7\pm0.1}$. In contrast, d$N_p$/d$\log$P for "super-Earth-size" ($2-4 R_{\rm Earth}$) as well as "Earth-size" ($1-2 R_{\rm Earth}$) planets are consistent with a nearly flat distribution as a function of period ($\propto P^{0.11\pm0.05}$ and $\propto P^{-0.10\pm0.12}$, respectively), and the normalizations are remarkably similar (within a factor of $\sim 1.5$ at $50 $ days). Planet size distribution evolves with period, and generally the relative fractions for big planets ($\sim 3-10 R_{\rm Earth}$) increase with period. The shape of the distribution function is not sensitive to changes in selection criteria of the sample. The implied nearly flat or rising planet frequency at long period appears to be in tension with the sharp decline at $\sim 100$ days in planet frequency for low mass planets (planet mass $m_p < 30 M_{\rm Earth}$) recently suggested by HARPS survey. Within $250$ days, the cumulative frequencies for Earth-size and super-Earth-size planets are remarkably similar ($\sim 28 %$ and $25%$), while Neptune-size and Jupiter-size planets are $\sim 7%$, and $\sim 3%$, respectively. A major potential uncertainty arises from the unphysical impact parameter distribution of the candidates.
Avian Chemical Repellency: A Structure-Activity Approach and Implications

Until recently, the discovery of avian sensory repellents has been empirical (Mason, Adams and Clark 1989). However, recent studies in our laboratory have shown that many avian repellents have similar perceptual and structural properties (Mason et al. 1989; Mason Clark and Shah 1991; Clark and Shah 1991; Clark, Shah and Mason 1991; Shah, Clark and Mason 1991). For example, methyl anthranilate, which has a grapy odor, is repellent to birds (Kare and Pick, 1960). Ortho-aminoacetophenone has an odor and structure similar to that of methyl anthranilate, differing only in the substitution of a ketone for an ester group (Mason et al. 1991). Behavioral tests of this aminoacetophenone isomer showed that it is at least an order of magnitude more repellent to birds than methyl anthranilate (Clark and Shah 1991). These similarities in structure and function prompted us to undertake a series of studies to elucidate a predictive model of chemical structure-activity (Clark and Shah 1991; Clark et al 1991; Shah et al. 1991). As a consequence of these studies we hypothesize a model where the following structural features appear to be important: (1) A phenyl ring with an electron donating or a basic group is central to repellency; (2) An electron withdrawing group in resonance with a basic group decreases the repellency (as well as the toxicity) of a substance. These effects are pronounced when the groups are ortho to one another; (3) The presence of an acidic group decreases repellency; (4) The presence of an H-bonded ring or a covalently bonded fused ring that possesses the required features (e.g., electron donating and withdrawing groups ortho to each other) can enhance repellency, but is not essential; (5) Steric hinderance can overpower the features described above, and can weaken the effectiveness of potentially aversive substances.
Scaffold Proteins Regulating Extracellular Regulated Kinase Function in Cardiac Hypertrophy and Disease

The mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)-extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway is a central downstream signaling pathway that is activated in cardiac muscle cells during mechanical and agonist-mediated hypertrophy. Studies in genetic mouse models deficient in ERK-associated MAPK components pathway have further reinforced a direct role for this pathway in stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy and disease. However, more recent studies have highlighted that these signaling pathways may exert their regulatory functions in a more compartmentalized manner in cardiac muscle. Emerging data has uncovered specific MAPK scaffolding proteins that tether MAPK/ERK signaling specifically at the sarcomere and plasma membrane in cardiac muscle and show that deficiencies in these scaffolding proteins alter ERK activity and phosphorylation, which are then critical in altering the cardiac myocyte response to stress-induced hypertrophy and disease progression. In this review, we provide insights on ERK-associated scaffolding proteins regulating cardiac myofilament function and their impact on cardiac hypertrophy and disease.
Being a Man about it: The Marginalization of Men in Grief

American men tend to be marginalized in grief and loss. The commonly held view of effective grieving does a disservice to those mourners who engage in a more closed style of grieving. Conventional-...
WebRTC and Related Technologies in Mobile Internet

This paper describes an improved design for WebRTC technology. With this design, WebRTC communication at client side, server side, and between these two sides is improved. HTML5 WebSocket, media negotiation and synthesis, network address translator(NAT)/firewall traversal, Session Initiation Protocol(SIP) signaling interaction, and P2P communication security are used in this improved design. These solve problems such as cross-browse running, over-reliance on the client-side processing, and bandwidth problems. With this design, they can be made more scalable.
A Case of Unexplained Cerebral Sinus Thrombosis in a 22-Year-Old Obese Caucasian Woman

Herein, we present the case of a 22-year old obese Caucasian woman female with no acquired thrombophilic risk factors who was diagnosed with extensive cerebral sinus thrombosis. A detailed thrombophilia workup demonstrated persistently elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) activity levels, with an elevated PAI-1 antigen concentration and homozygosity for the PAI-1 4G allele (4G/4G genotype). The patient was treated with indefinite warfarin anticoagulation medication due to the unprovoked nature of her thrombotic event. Disturbances in the fibrinolytic system, in particular PAI-1, have been related to an increased risk of arterial and venous thrombosis. In this article, we discuss the pathophysiology of hypofibrinolysis associated with elevated PAI-1 levels and the PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism.
Sleep Apnea and Obstructive Airway Disease in Older Men: Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the association between obstructive airway disease (OAD) and sleep apnea in older men. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study of 853 community-dwelling older men (mean age 80.7 ± 4.1 years [range 73 to 90]) across 6 centers in the United States from the Outcomes of Sleep Disorders in Older Men Study. Sleep was objectively measured using full in-home polysomnography and lung function was objectively measured using spirometry. The association of OAD (pre-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.7 and FEV1 < 80% predicted) and sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15 events/hour) was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS OAD and sleep apnea were identified in 111 (13.0%) and 247 (29.0%) men, respectively. In univariate analysis, participants with OAD had a lower AHI (mean ± SD; 8.7 ± 11.7 vs. 12.7 ± 13.8, P = 0.0009) and a lower prevalence of sleep apnea (14.4 vs. 31.1%, P = 0.0003) compared to participants without OAD. OAD remained independently associated with a lower odds of sleep apnea (odds ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.55, P = 0.0001) after adjustment for demographics, body composition, smoking, and potential mediators (arousal index, time spent in rapid eye movement sleep). Individuals with OAD and sleep apnea (n = 16) had an increased arousal index and lower oxygen saturation level as compared to individuals with OAD alone (P values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Obstructive airway disease was associated with a lower prevalence of sleep apnea in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly men, and unexplained by differences in adiposity or sleep architecture. Although uncommon in this cohort, coexisting sleep apnea and OAD was associated with increased sleep fragmentation and nocturnal oxygen desaturation compared to OAD alone.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) ADOPTION AMONG FARMERS IN CENTRAL AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

The adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) among farmers in Central Agro-ecological Zone of Delta State, Nigeria was as sessed. Specifically the objectives were to ascertain the level of adoption of IPM and determin e the frequency of extension contact with farmers. Three hundred and twenty farmers were selected and interviewed with the use of structured interview schedule. The findings revealed that 15.6 3% of the farmers adopted the technology and extension contact was not encouraging. Result of t he profit model analysis showed that marital statuses, household size, involvement of every hous ehold member in were the significant demographic factors influencing the use of the inno vation. This is therefore the need to embark on aggressive campaign for the utilization and popular ization of the technology among farmers. Extension agents should select contact farmers from among those that are married, willing to involve all household members indecision making middle aged for rapid technology adoption and diffusion.
Logistic Regression Diagnostics: Understanding How Well a Model Predicts Outcomes.

In the March 8, 2016, issue of JAMA, Zemek et al1 used logistic regression to develop a clinical risk score for identifying which pediatric patients with concussion will experience prolonged postconcussion symptoms (PPCS). The authors prospectively recorded the initial values of 46 potential predictor variables, or risk factors—selected based on expert opinion and previous research—in a cohort of patients and then followed those patients to determine who developed the primary outcome of PPCS. In the first part of the study, the authors created a logistic regression model to estimate the probability of PPCS using a subset of the variables; in the second part of the study, a separate set of data was used to assess the validity of the model, with the degree of success quantified using regression model diagnostics. The rationale for using logistic regression to develop predictive models was summarized in an earlier JAMA Guide to Statistics and Methods article.2 In this article, we discuss how well a model performs once it is defined.
Shape memory zirconia foams through ice templating

Abstract Ceria doped zirconia has been shown to exhibit enhanced shape memory properties in small volume structures such as particles and micropillars. Here those properties are translated into macroscopic materials through the fabrication of zirconia foams by ice templating. Directional freezing is used to produce foams with micron-sized pores and struts that can locally take advantage of the shape memory effect due to their fine scale. The foams are subjected to thermal cycling and x-ray diffraction analysis to evaluate the martensitic transformation that underlies shape memory properties, and are found to survive the transformation through multiple cycles.
Single Donor-Derived Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudoaneurysms in Two Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Case Report of Dichotomous Allograft Outcomes

Infectious pseudoaneurysm (IPA) is a rare but devastating complication following renal transplantation that typically leads to graft loss and occasionally patient death. IPAs following kidney transplantation are most often mycotic in etiology, but have been sporadically reported to result from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. These IPAs occur at various anatomic sites, most commonly at the vascular anastomosis or iliac artery, and very rarely in the transplanted renal artery or hilum. Here we report the occurrence of single donor-derived P aeruginosa IPAs in two kidney transplant recipients with divergent allograft outcomes. Both recipients manifested Pseudomonas infections and early, hemodynamically relevant postoperative hemorrhage as a result of pseudoaneurysm rupture. One recipient required allograft nephrectomy during emergent operative exploration due to rupture of a pseudoaneurysm at the vascular anastomosis. Conversely, the other recipient's allograft was salvaged by endovascular stenting of a pseudoaneurysm unusually located in the main donor renal artery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a ruptured IPA occurring in the transplanted renal artery with successful allograft salvage via endovascular technique. In this report, we discuss details of the two cases, relevant literature, and possible clinical implications.
Debating the Woman Question in the French Third Republic, 1870–1920

Karen Offen offers a magisterial reconstruction and analysis of the debates around relations between women and men, how they are constructed, and how they should be organized, that raged in France and its French-speaking neighbors from 1870 to 1920. The 'woman question' encompassed subjects from maternity and childbirth, and the upbringing and education of girls to marriage practices and property law, the organization of households, the distribution of work inside and outside the household, intimate sexual relations, religious beliefs and moral concerns, government-sanctioned prostitution, economic and political citizenship, and the politics of population growth. The book shows how the expansion of economic opportunities for women and the drop in the birth rate further exacerbated the debates over their status, roles, and possibilities. With the onset of the First World War, these debates were temporarily placed on hold, but they would be revived by 1916 and gain momentum during France's post-war recovery.
Response to Comment on "γδ T Cells Are Required for the Induction of Sterile Immunity during Irradiated Sporozoite Vaccinations".

We welcome the comments from McKenna and Tsuji on our recent publication demonstrating a requirement for γδ T cells to induce sterile immunity during irradiated sporozoite vaccinations. In our studies, Malian adults who were resistant to Plasmodium falciparum infection after receiving the
Contracts as Investment Barriers in Unlicensed Spectrum

By not requiring expensive licenses, unlicensed spectrum lowers the barriers for firms to offer wireless services. However, incumbent firms may still try to erect other entry barriers. For example, recent work has highlighted how customer contracts may be used as one such barrier by penalizing customers for switching to a new entrant. However, this work did not account for another potential benefit of unlicensed spectrum, having access to this open resource may incentivize entrants to invest in new and potentially better technology. This paper studies the interaction of contracts and the incentives of firms to invest in developing new technology. We use a game theoretic model to study this and characterize the effect of contracts on economic welfare. The role of subsidies or taxes by a social planner is also considered.
Assembly of the reovirus genome.

During the early days of molecular virology, the presumed monomolecular nature of their genomes was considered to be one of the primary virtues of viruses. However, in 1969, irrefutable evidence surfaced that reovirus genomes consist not of one, but of ten molecules of double-stranded (ds)RNA (Shatkin et al. 1968). Further, it quickly became apparent that this was not a case of a “headful” mechanism at work, such as appears to operate for influenza virus, where virus particles probably contain random 11-segment collections of the eight actual influenza genome segment species, so that roughly one in 25 virus particles contains at least one of each and is therefore infectious (Lamb and Choppin 1983; Enami et al. 1991). By contrast, the assembly of genome segments to form the reovirus genome is an extraordinarily efficient and precise process because the ratio of virus particles to infectious units in carefully handled reovirus preparations is essentially 1 (1.6 or less) (Spendlove et al. 1970; Larson et al. 1994).
BIOSYNTHESIS OF AMINO ACIDS

This chapter discusses the biosynthesis of amino acids. Many bacteria have the ability to grow with nitrate as the sole nitrogen source, which means that nitrate must be reduced to ammonia, an eight-electron change in oxidation state. The enzymes of nitrate assimilation are distinct from those involved in nitrate respiration and are differentiated operationally by the fact that enzymes of nitrate assimilation are pyridine nucleotide-linked while the enzymes of nitrate respiration are connected to the cytochrome system. The first step in nitrate assimilation is the reduction of nitrate to nitrite. The reduction of molecular nitrogen to ammonia is a process principally of microorganisms and occurs in bacteria of such widely diverse genera as Clostridium , Azotobacter , the symbiotic Rhizobium , and photosynthetic Rhodospirillum and Chromatium . Ammonia is the form of inorganic nitrogen most readily assimilated by bacteria able to grow with an inorganic nitrogen compound as the sole nitrogen source. The process has been studied in E. coli , and it seems likely that the route of ammonia fixation involves the reductive amination of glutamate by NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase and then dispersal of the amino group to other amino acids by transamination.
LEBESGUE INTEGRABLE FUNCTIONS

This chapter discusses Lebesgu integrable functions. Measurable functions play about the same role in Lebesgue integration that continuous functions play in Riemann integration. The chapter also discusses the sets of points in the domain of a function such that the image of these points lies between two numbers. It also illustrates Lebesgue integral of nonnegative measurable functions. It further discusses Lebesgue integrable functions and convergence properties that explain the proving three convergence theorems for Lebesgue integrals. To discuss convergence problems, the chapter presents an introduction of a norm in the linear space of integrable functions and presents a proof that the space is complete under this norm.
Pulsed-air vibration technique for testing high-performance turbomachinery blading

A pulsed-air vibration exciter for testing turbomachinery blading is described. This exciter has been used successfully in performing blade-vibration studies at frequencies up to 15,000 cps. Higher mode fatigue failures, both flexural and torsional, have been produced. Although capable of vibrating large blades, the exciter has been particularly useful in investigations of small blades having inherently high natural frequencies. The tester is capable of high-temperature operation.
Biology on sample size of more than one

All of biological research is done on a single sample: that of modern, terrestrial life. In the quest to engineer synthetic living systems, we seek to expand that sample size, enabling investigatio...
Surgery for Infections

thetic, is ultimately a fatal illness without therapy, reflecting the inability of innate defenses to importantly influence the course of the disease. Following the diagnosis, the therapy of this illness depends on identification of the organism, administration of bactericidal antibiotics and the use of timely cardiac surgical intervention in patients with complications such as heart failure from valvular destruction, annular abscess formation, uncontrolled sepsis and embolization. This chapter deals with one aspect of the therapy of infective endocarditis, namely the role of homograft valves in the reconstruction of the infected aortic root and will only deal with the pathology of the infected aortic root and surgical details that are of relevance to the insertion of homograft valves.
“School Shouldn’t Be Something You Have to Survive”: Queer Women’s Experiences with Microaggressions at a Canadian University

The authors used an interpretative phenomenological analysis of focus-group data provided by eight research participants to investigate microaggressions that target queer women at an urban Canadian...
Exposure to surgery with general anaesthesia during adult life is not associated with increased brain amyloid deposition in older adults.

Abstract Background Exposure to surgery with general anaesthesia (surgery/GA) is associated with cortical atrophy, but the aetiology remains unknown. Amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition is one of the hallmark pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined brain Aβ burden in study participants exposed to surgery/GA. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of residents of Olmsted County, MN, USA, in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging who were aged 70–97 yr and underwent measurement of (i) brain Aβ with Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography (PiB PET), (ii) brain glucose metabolism with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, and (iii) temporal cortical thickness with MRI. Separate analyses were performed with exposure to surgery/GA, defined as occurring after age 40 yr, and with exposure to surgery/GA, defined as occurring within 20 yr before neuroimaging. Imaging measurements were compared between participants who were exposed to surgery/GA vs not exposed. Results Of the 2563 participants, 585 had PET scans. Regardless of the definition used to quantify exposure, no significant associations were detected between exposure and either global PiB PET or FDG PET. In contrast, exposure to surgery/GA was associated with an increased likelihood of abnormal cortical thinning: odds ratio (OR)=1.98 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–3.31); P=0.010 in those exposed after age 40 yr, and OR=1.64 (95% CI: 1.05–2.55); P=0.029 in those exposed in the prior 20 yr. Conclusions Exposure to surgery/GA is not associated with increases in cortical amyloid deposition. This finding suggests that the modest cortical thinning associated with surgery/GA is not related to AD pathology, but rather is caused by other processes.
How to write a manuscript for peer review

Writing a manuscript for peer review is an art for which little formal preparation is provided during the education of physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals. At the same time, publishing their work may be central to their career ambitions. This article provides an explanation of the purpose and expected content of the components of a peer review manuscript and advice regarding how to go about writing one. It aims to somewhat demystify the process of scientific writing and render it accessible to more members of the American Society for Apheresis.
The structure of livestock trade in West Africa

This paper uses network analysis to map and characterise live animal trade in West Africa. Building on a database of 42 251 animal movements collected by the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) from 2013-17, it describes the structure of regional livestock trade at the network, trade community and market levels. Despite yearly fluctuations in the volumes and spatial patterns of trade, the paper shows that regional livestock trade operates on well-established trade corridors as animals flow in specific directions. The study also confirms that livestock trade is structured around several national and cross-border groups of markets that exchange more animals than expected by chance. Close to two-thirds of all animals are shipped internationally, indicating that regional animal trade in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is remarkably cross-border. Finally, the paper finds that the hub markets that concentrate the most shipments also handle more animals and trade with more markets. Additionally, peripheral markets have more defined roles as primarily origins or destinations of animal shipments than markets in the core of the network. Of the nine key markets identified, three are close to borders, highlighting the importance of Nigeria as a livestock consumption destination for regional livestock production.
Polymerase γ efficiently replicates through many natural template barriers but stalls at the HSP1 quadruplex

Faithful replication of the mitochondrial genome is carried out by a set of key nuclear-encoded proteins. DNA polymerase γ is a core component of the mtDNA replisome and the only replicative DNA polymerase localized to mitochondria. The asynchronous mechanism of mtDNA replication predicts that the replication machinery encounters dsDNA and unique physical barriers such as structured genes, G-quadruplexes, and other obstacles. In vitro experiments here provide evidence that the polymerase γ heterotrimer is well-adapted to efficiently synthesize DNA, despite the presence of many naturally occurring roadblocks. However, we identified a specific G-quadruplex–forming sequence at the heavy-strand promoter (HSP1) that has the potential to cause significant stalling of mtDNA replication. Furthermore, this structured region of DNA corresponds to the break site for a large (3,895 bp) deletion observed in mitochondrial disease patients. The presence of this deletion in humans correlates with UV exposure, and we have found that efficiency of polymerase γ DNA synthesis is reduced after this quadruplex is exposed to UV in vitro.
Energy-Aware Design Methodology for Myocardial Infarction Detection on Low-Power Wearable Devices

Myocardial Infarction (MI) is a heart disease that damages the heart muscle and requires immediate treatment. Its silent and recurrent nature necessitates real-time continuous monitoring of patients. Nowadays, wearable devices are smart enough to perform on-device processing of heartbeat segments and report any irregularities in them. However, the small form factor of wearable devices imposes resource constraints and requires energy-efficient solutions to satisfy them. In this paper, we propose a design methodology to automate the design space exploration of neural network architectures for MI detection. This methodology incorporates Neural Architecture Search (NAS) using Multi-Objective Bayesian Optimization (MOBO) to render Pareto optimal architectural models. These models minimize both detection error and energy consumption on the target device. The design space is inspired by Binary Convolutional Neural Networks (BCNNs) suited for mobile health applications with limited resources. The models' performance is validated using the PTB diagnostic ECG database from PhysioNet. Moreover, energy-related measurements are directly obtained from the target device in a typical hardware-in-the-loop fashion. Finally, we benchmark our models against other related works. One model exceeds state-of-the-art accuracy on wearable devices (reaching 91.22%), whereas others trade off some accuracy to reduce their energy consumption (by a factor reaching 8.26x).
A Psychology of Religion via Thick Phenomenology in Thin Places

Prof. Ralph Hood’s career can be approached from many angles. One such perspective is that his work has consistently engaged in-depth interactions with people to understand the thick, rich, details...
Hippocampal cAMP regulates HCN channel function on two time scales with differential effects on animal behavior.

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide–gated (HCN) channels regulate neuronal excitability and represent a possible therapeutic target for major depressive disorder (MDD). These channels are...
Solving Egypt’s Economic Crisis: The Strategic Role of Chinese, Russian, and Egyptian Media Narratives

This study examined Chinese, Russian, and Egyptian news articles from December 2014 to December 2019 on 18 different native language news sites to determine how countries with close media-state rel...