cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrient enrichment alters dynamics in experimental plant populations

Controlling weed populations requires an understanding of their underlying population dynamics which can be achieved through a combination of model development and long-term studies. In this paper, we develop models based on long-term data from experimental populations of the weedy annual plant Cardamine pensylvanica. Four replicate populations of C. pensylvanica were grown in growth chambers under three different nutrient levels but with all other environmental conditions held constant. We analyze the resulting time series using generalized additive models and perform stability analyses using Lyapunov exponents. Further, we test whether the proposed mechanism, delayed density dependence caused by maternal effects, is operating in our system by experimentally manipulating maternal density and assessing the resulting offspring quality. Our results show that that increasing the frequency of nutrients causes plant population dynamics to shift from stable to damped 2-point oscillations to longer cycles. This shift in population dynamics is due to a shift at high nutrients from populations being regulated by first order density feedbacks to being regulated by both first order and second order density feedbacks. A consequence of these first order and second order feedbacks was an increase in cycle lengths as demonstrated by the presence of complex eigenvalues. A short-term experiment confirmed that when grown under high nutrients, the density of maternal plants strongly affected offspring size, providing a mechanism whereby these second order density feedbacks could operate. Our results demonstrate that increasing nutrient frequency results in a qualitative shift in dynamics from stable to longer cycles.
Large igneous provinces: A planetary perspective

Large igneous provinces (LIPs) are common on the Moon, Mars and Venus, and their presence, characteristics, and geologic and temporal settings offer a potentially important perspective for interpreting LIPs on Earth. On the Moon, shallow magma reservoirs and large shield volcanoes are unknown. The relatively low-density, thick anorthositic crust creates a density trap for rising basaltic magmas which are thought to collect in reservoirs at the base of the crust; reservoir overpressurization causes dikes to propagate to the surface. Dikes sufficiently large to reach the surface are likely to result in large-volume, high-effusion-rate eruptions; single eruptive phases are predicted theoretically and observed in the maria to be several hundred to over 10 3 km 3 . On Mars, massive shield volcanoes have formed on the stable lithosphere over hot spots lasting over a billion years; shield heights are up to 25 km above the adjacent plains. Volumes of single edifices are of the order of 1.5 x 10 6 km 3 , comparable to the total volumes of many basalt provinces on Earth. The impact cratering record on Venus suggests that Venus underwent rapid and massive planet-wide volcanic resurfacing about 300 m.y. ago, an event possibly related to the overturn of a depleted mantle layer resulting from the vertical accretion of a basaltic crust. This hypothesized event could be the equivalent of a planet-wide LIP and underlines the possibility of episodic and catastrophic LIPs throughout planetary history, resembling mantle overturn events proposed for Earth. The planetary record, in concert with the detailed examination of examples on Earth, can be of use in developing and testing models for the emplacement of LIPs, and may help to distinguish plate tectonic influences from those linked to deeper interior (mantle and core) processes.
Fringe modulation skewing effect in white-light vertical scanning interferometry

An interference fringe modulation skewing effect in white-light vertical scanning interferometry that can produce a batwings artifact in a step height measurement is described. The skewing occurs at a position on or close to the edge of a step in the sample under measurement when the step height is less than the coherence length of the light source used. A diffraction model is used to explain the effect.
Optimal cylindrical handle diameter for grip force tasks

Abstract This study tested maximum grip force on cylindrical aluminum handles to evaluate the relationships between handle diameter (25–50 mm diameter handles), perceived comfort, finger and phalange force distribution, and electromyographic efficiency of finger flexor and extensor muscle activity. A force glove system containing 16 thin profile force sensors was developed to measure finger and phalangeal forces on the cylindrical handles. Participants ( n = 24 ) rated the mid-sized handles (30, 35 and 40 mm) as the most comfortable for maximum grip force exertions. Using a polynomial regression the handle diameter that maximized subjective comfort was calculated as a function of the user's hand length. This optimal handle diameter was 19.7% of the user's hand length. Total finger force capability was inversely related with handle diameter. Electromyographic amplitude of the primary flexor and extensor was unaffected by handle diameter, so the efficiency of the muscle electrical activity followed the same relationship with handle diameter as total finger force. Individual finger and phalange force distributions were examined to evaluate their relationship with perceived comfort. A non-uniform finger/phalange force distribution, in which finger force was proportional to finger muscle capabilities, exhibited a stronger correlation with subjective ratings of comfort than a uniform finger/phalange force distribution. Relevance to industry Results obtained in this study will provide guidelines to hand-tool designers and manufacturers for maximizing handle comfort based on the user's hand size.
A novel learning model for intelligent agents

The objective of this study is to synthesize a learning model capable of successful and effective operation in hard-to-model environments. Here, we are presenting a structurally simple and functionally flexible model. The model follows the learning patterns experienced by humans. The novelty of the adaptive model lies on the knowledge base and the learning strategy. The knowledge base is allowed to grow for as long as the agent lives. Learning is brought about by the interaction between two qualitatively different activities, leaving long-term and short-term marks on the behavior of the agent. The agent reaches conclusions using approximate reasoning. The focus of the model, the agent, starts life with a blank knowledge base, and learns as it lives. Classifiers are used to represent individual experiences. We demonstrate functionality of the model through a case study.
Efficacy of multiple ring and coil electrode radiofrequency ablation catheters for the creation of long linear lesions in the atria

Abstract Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that may potentially be treated by creating long linear lesions in the atria to create lines of electrical conduction block. While this has been performed with success with open-heart surgery, it has been proposed that a less invasive catheter-based approach could achieve similar success. Radiofrequency energy catheter ablation was performed in vivo with two novel electrode catheters. Each was an expanding loop design: one with 3 mm ring electrodes; and one with 12.5 mm coil electrodes. Power delivery was controlled automatically with temperature (70°C target) feedback from thermistors embedded in each electrode. A total of 39 lines of ablation were created in the atria of 11 normal dogs. The coil electrodes were more effective in creating lesions than the ring electrodes with a similar prevalence of transmurality (89% vs. 85%) but a higher prevalence of continuous transmurality (35% vs. 5%). Sequential electrode energy delivery was better than simultaneous multipolar delivery due to varying efficiencies of tissue heating. Inadequate heating was observed in 47% of simultaneous versus 1% of sequential multipolar deliveries, and excessive heating in 6% versus 1% of cases, respectively. It is feasible to create linear atrial lesions with an expanding loop electrode catheter. Catheters with coil electrodes are more effective than those with ring electrodes. In order to avoid coagulum formation and inefficient heating, sequential electrode energy delivery is preferable to multipolar delivery.
Fetal Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Is Prevalent and Occult

The feline model of human acquired immune deficiency syndrome, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), was used to model maternal-to-fetal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV1) transmission. Fetuses were collected from cats infected with clade A FIVPetaluma (FIV-APet) and clade C FIVPaddyGammer (FIV-C-Pgmr). Virus was detected by DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a quantitative RNA assay that used substitutional PCR. FIV in tissue sections was assayed by DNA and RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Viral DNA was detected in 67% and 92% of fetuses with FIV-A-Pet and FIV-C-Pgmr, respectively. A discordance was observed between placental and fetal FIV-A-Pet localization. FIV sequestration in fetal tissues was common without detectable virus in blood (occult infection). Viral RNA was not detected in amniotic fluid or fetal plasma. In situ assays demonstrated FIV DNA but neither RNA nor antigens in placentas and fetuses. If motherto-offspring FIV infection reflects vertical HIV-1 transmission, fetal virus exposure is common and may be occult at term.
Effect of monomer structure on the gelation of a class of metallo-supramolecular polymers

Gelation of metallo-supramolecular polymers prepared from three ditopic ligand monomers, 1, 2 and 3, derived, respectively, from tetra-, penta-, and hexaethylene glycols, in the presence of the transition metal ion ZnII, as well as the properties of the resulting gels, are investigated and compared. It is found that these slight changes in the core length of the monomer lead to substantial variations in the gel characteristics, which can be attributed to solubility differences between the corresponding metallo-supramolecular polymers. Observations of gelation kinetics indicate 3:Zn has the slowest and 1:Zn the fastest rate. Rheological measurements of the gelation kinetics of 1:Zn indicate unusual behavior in that the modulus exhibits a distinct maximum at a gel time of around 15–30 min. The origin of this phenomenon is suggested to be the transient formation of a metastable colloidal structure which occurs on account of the fast phase separation kinetics of 1:Zn and subsequent particle densificationvia redistribution of solvent. Under equivalent conditions of solvent quality and polymer concentration, the shear modulus of 2:Zn gels is substantially higher than that of 1:Zn and 3:Zn. It appears that the lower modulus of 1:Zn is a consequence of its lower solubility, which results in smaller, more dense colloidal particles and hence a lower particle volume fraction. On the other hand, 3:Zn gels also have a lower modulus than 2:Zn on account of their higher solubility, resulting in a larger sol fraction under the equivalent conditions.
State Welfare Reform and Political Partisanship, 1992–1996

Eighty-six requests to the federal government for waivers to existing welfare law, made by forty-three states between 1992 and 1996, are examined and grouped into twenty distinct types. The political party of the governor in the requesting state is used as the independent variable. Hypotheses are formulated based on received notions of the major parties' orientation toward welfare programs, alleging that Democrats would be more likely than Republicans to maintain or expand existing benefits or to offer new benefits, while Republicans would be more likely than Democrats to reduce their states' responsibilities toward the poor, to impose new behavioral requirements on recipients, and to seek waivers that might result in increased competition for low-end jobs. The last of these hypotheses proves to be the most robust, while others are rejected entirely. It is concluded that statehouse Democrats may be abandoning the working poor, but their Republican counterparts are sedulously serving the needs of their business constituency.
Patent Foramen Ovale in Cryptogenic Stroke Incidental or Pathogenic

Background and Purpose— Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is significantly associated with cryptogenic stroke (CS). However, even in patients with CS, a PFO can be an incidental finding. We sought to estimate the probability that a PFO in a patient with CS is incidental. Methods— A systematic search identified 23 case-control studies examining the prevalence of PFO in patients with CS versus control subjects with stroke of known cause. Using simple assumptions and Bayes’ theorem, we calculated the probability a PFO is incidental in patients with CS. Random effects meta-analyses estimated the odds ratio (OR) of a PFO in CS versus control subjects in different age populations, with or without atrial septal aneurysms, and were used to summarize across studies the probability that a PFO in CS is incidental. Results— The summary OR (95% CIs) for PFO in CS versus control subjects was 2.9 (CI, 2.1 to 4.0). The corresponding ORs for young and old patients ( 1.0 to 3.7), respectively. The corresponding probabilities that a PFO in patients with CS is incidental were 33% (28% to 39%) in age-inclusive studies, 20% (16% to 25%) in younger patients, and 48% (34% to 66%) in older patients. These probabilities were much lower when an atrial septal aneurysm was present. Conclusions— In patients with otherwise CS, approximately one third of discovered PFOs are likely to be incidental and hence not benefit from closure. This probability is sensitive to patient characteristics such as age and the presence of an atrial septal aneurysm, suggesting the importance of patient selection in therapeutic decision-making.
Physiological Race Characterization of Phytophthora capsici Isolates from Several Host Plant Species in Brazil Using New Mexico Recombinant Inbred Lines of Capsicum annuum at Two Inoculum Levels

Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, is one of the most destructive diseases worldwide that affects Capsicum pepper. Attempts to provide universally resistant cultivars has been unsuccessful, which may be the result of the use of different resistance sources, pathotypes, or races ofP.capsici isolates and screening techniques. The screening method used at Embrapa Vegetables in Brazil to detect resistance to P. capsici in Capsicum was compared with the screening method used at New Mexico State University. Both screening methods produced similar and consistent results when a range of P. capsici isolates were used. It was concluded that either method can successfully differentiate resistant and susceptible individuals. In addition, 20 P. capsici isolates from Brazil were characterized for virulence using a subset of 26 New Mexico recombinant inbred lines of pepper (Capsicum annuum). Within the P. capsici populations from Brazil, eight new physiological races for the root rot disease syndrome were identified. A total of nine isolates were pathogenic only on the susceptible control, 'Camelot'. The ability to identify physiological races of P. capsici occurring in Brazil allows for a better understanding about race-specific resistance leading to improved approaches in breeding for durable resistant cultivars.
Health benefits of interventions to reduce greenhouse gases.

804 www.thelancet.com Vol 375 March 6, 2010 In our calculations, we made explicit assumptions to make clear the basis of comparisons and to simplify the pre sentation of results. Some assumptions may lead to over estimation of health benefits, others to underestimation. Although our numbers do not show the time course of health effects, to indicate the magnitude of health benefit that will eventually occur does not seem an extreme assumption.
Empirical Analysis of Effects of Wait Time and Rain Intensity on Driver Left-Turn Gap Acceptance Behavior

Anempirical study was conducted to quantify the impact of several variables on driver left-turn gap acceptance behavior. These variables included gap duration, the driver's wait time in search of an appropriate acceptable gap, the time traveled by a driver to clear a conflict point, and the rain intensity. Gap acceptance data for a permissive left-turn maneuver at a signalized intersection were collected over a 2-month period. Logistic regression models calibrated to the data reveal that the acceptable gap duration decreases as a function of the driver's wait time and increases as the rain intensity increases. The study then demonstrates how the critical gap is influenced by a number of parameters, including the wait time and rain intensity, and also demonstrates how rain intensity affects the permissive left-turn saturation flow rate. It is anticipated that these findings can be used to develop weather-specific traffic signal timings that account for changes in traffic stream saturation flow rates due to...
The Hsp70 and Hsp40 Chaperones Influence Microtubule Stability in Chlamydomonas

Mutations at the APM1 and APM2 loci in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii confer resistance to phosphorothioamidate and dinitroaniline herbicides. Genetic interactions between apm1 and apm2 mutations suggest an interaction between the gene products. We identified the APM1 and APM2 genes using a map-based cloning strategy. Genomic DNA fragments containing only the DNJ1 gene encoding a type I Hsp40 protein rescue apm1 mutant phenotypes, conferring sensitivity to the herbicides and rescuing a temperature-sensitive growth defect. Lesions at five apm1 alleles include missense mutations and nucleotide insertions and deletions that result in altered proteins or very low levels of gene expression. The HSP70A gene, encoding a cytosolic Hsp70 protein known to interact with Hsp40 proteins, maps near the APM2 locus. Missense mutations found in three apm2 alleles predict altered Hsp70 proteins. Genomic fragments containing the HSP70A gene rescue apm2 mutant phenotypes. The results suggest that a client of the Hsp70–Hsp40 chaperone complex may function to increase microtubule dynamics in Chlamydomonas cells. Failure of the chaperone system to recognize or fold the client protein(s) results in increased microtubule stability and resistance to the microtubule-destabilizing effect of the herbicides. The lack of redundancy of genes encoding cytosolic Hsp70 and Hsp40 type I proteins in Chlamydomonas makes it a uniquely valuable system for genetic analysis of the function of the Hsp70 chaperone complex.
Catching Up, Forging Ahead, and Falling Behind

A widely entertained hypothesis holds that, in comparisons among countries, productivity growth rates tend to vary inversely with productivity levels. A century of experience in a group of presently industrialized countries supports this hypothesis and the convergence of productivity levels it implies. The rate of convergence, however, varied from period to period and showed marked strength only during the first quarter-century following World War II. The general process of convergence was also accompanied by dramatic shifts in countries' productivity rankings. The paper extends the simple catch-up hypothesis to rationalize the fluctuating strength of the process and explores the connections between convergence itself and the relative success of early leaders and latecomers.
Spatio-Temporal Patterns in the Depredation of Waterfowl Nests and Simulated Nests in the Prairie Pothole Region, USA

Abstract Nest depredation is the leading cause of waterfowl nest failures in much of the Prairie Pothole Region, USA. In 2006 and 2007, spatial and temporal patterns of nest depredation were evaluated on 248 waterfowl nests and 88 simulated waterfowl nests in North Dakota, USA. The hypothesis that predators are able to locate adjacent nests using an area-restricted search once they find the first nest and that ducks will space their nests apart to reduce this from happening was tested. However, no evidence was found to support either part of this hypothesis or that density-dependent depredation was occurring. This lack of support, along with no relationship between nest density and nest success, indicate that density-dependent depredation may not have been a problem in our study area. Artificial nests were used to test the hypothesis that meteorological conditions impact nest depredation rates. Artificial nests were more likely to be depredated when either temperature or dew point was high. It was hypothe...
Theoretical Exploration of Barrel-Shaped Drops on Cactus Spines

To survive an arid environment, desert cacti are capable of harvesting water from fog by transporting condensed water drops using their spines. Cactus spines have a conical shape. In this work, on the basis of the difference of liquid pressure, a new theoretical model has been developed for a barrel-shaped liquid drop on a conical wire. This model is further simplified to interpret the effects of contact angles, conical angle, surface microgrooves, and gravity on the drop movement along a cactus spine.
Decaying Invertebrate Carcasses Increase Growth of Aedes triseriatus (Diptera: Culicidae) When Leaf Litter Resources Are Limiting

Treeholes are detritus-based communities, and resource quantity and quality play a large role in structuring such communities. The primary resource is leaf litter, but decaying invertebrates also are a resource to treehole inhabitants. These communities are subject to a variety of disturbances, which may affect resources or cause widespread mortality. When dead inhabitants decay, they provide a potentially high-quality resource to survivors or subsequent colonists. We predicted that variation in decaying larvae (0, 7.3, and 29.2 mg/liter) and leaf litter (1, 5, and 10 g/liter) would influence the performance of populations of Aedes triseriatus (Say), the eastern treehole mosquito. We tested this prediction in field mesocosms, which were subjected to a freezing event causing widespread mortality of the scirtid beetle Helodes pulchella Guerin. We then added a cohort of first instar mosquitoes to mesocosms, and we monitored their development from March until June 2005. At the highest leaf litter level, survival, adult mass, and time to complete development were unaffected by decaying scirtids, and they were different from treatments with lower levels of leaf litter. In treatments with 1 and 5 g/liter leaf litter and decaying scirtids, mosquito survival and adult mass were higher than in treatments with 1 and 5 g/liter leaf litter and no decaying scirtids. At 5 g/liter leaf litter, a higher mass of dead scirtids was required to significantly increase adult mass. Faster decay of carcasses and release of limiting nutrients likely spur growth of microorganisms, upon which mosquitoes feed. Invertebrate populations in high-disturbance communities may be subject to high mortality, and mosquitoes hatching after the disturbance will benefit, but only when other resources are limiting.
Electromigration Performance of Fine-Pitch Copper Pillar Interconnections

The miniaturization trend in electronic packaging continues to drive smaller and smaller chip-to-substrate interconnections with no reduction in IC operating temperature or device power in sight. These two factors (current density and temperature) make the electromigration lifetime of chip-to-package interconnections a critical consideration in package design. Of particular interest these days are the “fine pitch copper pillar” structures due to their very small size (30um dia or less). This paper presents interconnection lifetime and metallurgical data on the same which demonstrates the extreme robustness of these joints due largely to their reaching a fully reacted state in which no free solder exists in the conduction path thus providing electromigration performance like that of the base copper and intermetallic compounds. Joint resistance trends observed during stress testing are also discussed.
Reduction of Nanowire Agglomeration via an Intermediate Membrane in Nanowires Preparation for Nanosensors Application

Nanowires are widely used as sensing components for lab-on-a-chip devices. One major problem in utilizing pre-grown nanowires in lab-on-a-chip applications is the agglomeration of nanowires during their preparation process. The common methods to reduce the agglomeration of nanowires include stirring, sonication and using of surfactants. However, these methods break the long nanowires and are not efficient to produce enough single nanowires. This paper shows a new method to improve the deposition process of individual nanowires. An intermediate membrane was used for the deposition of the nanowires after their preparation process. The membrane helps to filter the nanowire agglomerates and to deposit separated individual nanowires over a silicon surface underneath. The study also shows that the number of single nanowires is increased by increasing the tilt angle of the membrane. The method also helps achieving single long nanowires.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Card-Check Laws and Public-Sector Union Membership in the States

We examine the impact of state card-check legislation on public-sector union membership. Based on an empirical analysis of data from 2000 to 2009, a time during which eight states enacted card-check legislation for public employees, we find significantly higher levels of public-sector union membership for states that passed card-check legislation in years after the laws were enacted relative to states that did not pass such laws. Moreover, average public-sector union membership increased for the states that passed card-check legislation after the laws were passed relative to their precard-check law union-membership levels.
A Concise Set of Core Recommendations to Improve the Dependability of Psychological Research

Numerous recommendations for improving the dependability of research findings in psychological science have emerged in recent years. Unfortunately, this glut of recommendations proves problematic f...
Regulation of the human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase promoter by the ETS transcription factor.

Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) cells accumulate elevated steady-state levels of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) mRNA and protein. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying PARP upregulation, we cloned and analysed the 5′-flanking region of the PARP gene from EWS cells. Nucleotide sequence analysis demonstrated no variations in the PARP promoter region in EWS cells. The PARP promoter encompasses multiple binding motifs for the ETS transcription factor. We have also observed that there is a coordinated up-regulation of the expression of both PARP and ETS1, relative to cells of other human tumor types expressing lower levels of PARP. Transient co-expression of ETS1 in EWS cells resulted in a strong enhancement of PARP-promoter activity. The participation of ETS in the regulation of PARP gene expression was further demonstrated in EWS cells stably transfected with Ets1 antisense cDNA constructs. Antisense-mediated down-regulation of endogenous ETS1 resulted in the inhibition of PARP expression in EWS cells, and sensitized these cells to ionizing radiation. These data provide support for ETS regulation of PARP expression levels, and implicate ETS transcription factors in the radiation response of EWS cells.
Protein/Polymer Hybrid Biomimetic Valves

Membrane channel and pore proteins represent a versatile class of molecules that offer opportunities to serve as engineered nano-valves. We are inserting OmpF, a voltage-gatable pore protein, into planar membranes for applications in microfluidics and sensing. To emulate and improve upon natural membranes, we have selected triblock copolymers containing UV cross-linkable end groups. We are developing a microfabricated version of a conventional black lipid membrane/copolymer characterization apparatus which will enable us to rapidly analyze composite membrane properties as a function of area and applied electrical bias. We show that only slight deviations of conventional planar lipid membrane formation procedures with triblock copolymers are sufficient for polymer monolayer membrane formation. We report the results of the preliminary tests on polymer membrane formation and stability as well as the construction of the microfabricated device.
Large trees losing out to drought

Large trees deliver many benefits to forest ecosystems, including the provision of habitats for other species and the storage of carbon. A synthesis of tree growth and mortality data from around the globe now suggests that under drought large trees are dying in higher numbers than smaller trees.
Biogenesis as an evolutionary process

The earliest fossil stromatolites present evidence of a complex ecosystem of photosynthetic organisms. Because the origin of present life can be dated within a few hundred million years prior to these fossils, their complexity poses a problem. A heuristic model outlines the first radiation leading to the universal ancestor.
Acute myeloid leukemia: 2016 Update on risk-stratification and management

Evidence suggest that even patients aged 70 or above benefit from specific AML therapy. The fundamental decision in AML then becomes whether to recommend standard or investigational treatment. This decision must rest on the likely outcome of standard treatment. Hence we review factors that predict treatment related mortality and resistance to therapy, the latter the principal cause of failure even in patients aged 70 or above. We emphasize the limitations of prediction of resistance based only on pre- treatment factors and stress the need to incorporate post-treatment factors, for example indicators of minimal residual disease. We review various newer therapeutic options and considerations that underlie the decision to recommend allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. Am. J. Hematol. 91:825-846, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coos, booms, and hoots: The evolution of closed-mouth vocal behavior in birds

Most birds vocalize with an open beak, but vocalization with a closed beak into an inflating cavity occurs in territorial or courtship displays in disparate species throughout birds. Closed-mouth vocalizations generate resonance conditions that favor low-frequency sounds. By contrast, open-mouth vocalizations cover a wider frequency range. Here we describe closed-mouth vocalizations of birds from functional and morphological perspectives and assess the distribution of closed-mouth vocalizations in birds and related outgroups. Ancestral-state optimizations of body size and vocal behavior indicate that closed-mouth vocalizations are unlikely to be ancestral in birds and have evolved independently at least 16 times within Aves, predominantly in large-bodied lineages. Closed-mouth vocalizations are rare in the small-bodied passerines. In light of these results and body size trends in nonavian dinosaurs, we suggest that the capacity for closed-mouth vocalization was present in at least some extinct nonavian dinosaurs. As in birds, this behavior may have been limited to sexually selected vocal displays, and hence would have co-occurred with open-mouthed vocalizations.
Locke's originality

HOW DESCARTES'S PROJECT DIFFERED John Locke, after distinguishing sharply between knowledge, on the one hand, and belief (opinion, assent) on the other, proceeded to offer a general ethic for the governance of our belief. “Reason must be our last judge and guide in everything,” he said (IV,xix,14). Or more illuminatingly: Assent, “if it be regulated, as is our duty, cannot be afforded to anything, but upon good reason … For he governs his assent right, and places it as he should, who in any case or matter whatsoever, believes or disbelieves, according as reason directs him” (IV,xvii,24). We have seen that it is to all and only matters of maximal “concernment” that these ringing affirmations were meant to apply. That there is a general ethic of belief, and that in this ethic Reason has a central role – once these convictions had been clearly formulated and persuasively propounded by Locke, they became prominent in the mentality of modernity. In that mentality, Locke's view as to the content of that ethic, and the proper role of Reason therein, became classic: For any proposition of maximal “concernment” which is not intuitively or demonstratively known to be true, Reason is to determine the probability of the proposition on satisfactory evidence, and we are to place a level of confidence in the proposition proportioned to what Reason tells us is that probability.
Molecular Approaches to Novel Vaccines for the Control of Clostridial Toxemias and Infections

Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the application of vaccines to prevent the toxaemias and associated disease induced by three major species of pathogenic clostridia: Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum, and Clostridium perfringens. The tetanus vaccine has proved so successful in the industrialized world in eliminating tetanus that the World Health Organization (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunizations has focused on the prevention of neonatal tetanus as a world-wide goal. The current tetanus toxoid is a formaldehyde-inactivated preparation of partially purified toxin using aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. Modification of the composition, scheduling, dosage, or adjuvant of this toxoid continues in a search to improve the vaccine. The neutralization titer of sera, quantified using a mouse lethality assay, is used as a measure of the immune response in man. The relationship between antitoxin titer and protection against botulinum intoxication has been examined in animals. Different strains of C. perfringens are assigned to one of five biotypes (A-E) depending on the spectrum of toxins produced. Clostridium perfringens type A is the most important causative agent of gas gangrene in man.
Epilogue: ASD Treatment Implementation—Parameters and Considerations

The research evidence supporting behaviorally based interventions for the treatment of young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder has grown exponentially over the last several decades. All four of the presented models summarized share a strong foundation in behavioral theory, with variations in specific facets of service delivery that set each model apart, which are described. Despite the existence of these well-supported behavioral models, widespread acceptance of such approaches as the preferred choice of treatment has been challenging for various reasons and in some ways remains a “best kept secret.” Healthcare professionals and front-line service providers should help guide families to appropriate resources. Additionally, there is the need for greater awareness of the gap between the needs of individuals with ASD and current structures to support such needs (i.e., insurance coverage, state and federal regulation, licensing and credentialing, and fidelity of intervention delivery). There are a variety of social and practical challenges that have thus far limited the dissemination of highly effective behavioral treatments; however, such barriers need not prohibit the advancement of the field if there is coordinated effort of all stakeholders involved in the care and support of young children with ASD.
Cerebellar MR Spectroscopy in Williams Syndrome

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study brain biochemistry in 14 patients (age, 8-37 years) with Williams syndrome (WS) compared to 48 controls at the MRC Biochemical and Clinical Magnetic Resonance Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Cortical stimulation parameters for functional mapping.

Abstract Purpose There is significant variation in how patients respond to cortical electrical stimulation. It has been hypothesized that individual demographic and pathologic factors, such as age, sex, disease duration, and MRI findings, may explain this discrepancy. The purpose of our study is to identify specific patient characteristics and their effect on cortical stimulation, and discover the extent of variation in behavioral responses that exists among patients with epilepsy. Method We retrospectively analyzed data from 92 patients with medically intractable epilepsy who had extra-operative cortical electrical stimulation. Mapping records were evaluated and information gathered about demographic data, as well as the thresholds of stimulation for motor, sensory, speech, and other responses; typical seizure behavior; and the induction of afterdischarges. Results Ninety-two patient cortical stimulation mapping reports were analyzed. The average of the minimum thresholds for motor response was 4.15mA±2.67. The average of the minimum thresholds for sensory response was 3.50mA±2.15. The average of the minimum thresholds for speech response was 4.48mA±2.42. The average of the minimum thresholds for afterdischarge was 4.33mA±2.37. Most striking were the degree of variability and wide range of thresholds seen between patients and within the different regions of the same patient. Conclusion Wide ranges of thresholds exist for the different responses between patients and within different regions of the same patient. With multivariate analysis in these series, no clinical or demographic factors predicted physiological response or afterdischarge threshold levels.
Abstract 1515: Inhibition of the IKK/NF-κB pathway impairs glioma stem cell function

Glioma, the most frequently occurring primary brain tumor, has a median survival of less than 15 months, despite multimodal treatment combining surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. It has been suggested that the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) within these tumors are responsible for resistance to treatment and high probability of recurrence. As a result, there is increasing interest in specifically targeting CSCs with new therapies to improve treatment of this disease. NF-κB has been implicated in numerous forms of cancer, as its target genes regulate hallmarks of cancer such as cell proliferation, survival, and invasion. Both glioma cell lines and tumor samples show high levels of phosphorylated p65, a marker of NF-κB activation. When comparing populations from tumor explants, NF-κB is preferentially activated in the CSC subset. We are examining the effects of IKK/NF-κB inhibition on both heterogeneous glioma explants and purified (CD133+) CSCs from these explants. Inhibition of NF-κB through either genetic or pharmacological means abrogates neurosphere formation, an in vitro measure of stem cell function. Additionally, real-time PCR analysis indicates that inhibition of NF-κB leads to a decrease in target genes implicated in glioma CSC biology, such as A20 and IL-6. Through gene expression analysis, we have identified a set of NF-κB-dependent genes that potentially contribute to the CSC phenotype, including invasion. We are using ex vivo brain slices and in vivo xenograft models to examine our findings in a pre-clinical setting. Our studies indicate a significant role for the NF-κB pathway in the biology of glioma CSCs, with possible parallels in CSCs of other tumor types. Citation Format: Amanda L. Rinkenbaugh, Patricia C. Cogswell, Albert S. Baldwin. Inhibition of the IKK/NF-κB pathway impairs glioma stem cell function. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1515. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1515
Fractional anisotropy derived from the diffusion tensor distribution function boosts power to detect Alzheimer's disease deficits.

Purpose In diffusion MRI (dMRI), fractional anisotropy derived from the single-tensor model (FADTI) is the most widely used metric to characterize white matter (WM) microarchitecture, despite known limitations in regions with crossing fibers. Due to time constraints when scanning patients in clinical settings, high angular resolution diffusion imaging acquisition protocols, often used to overcome these limitations, are still rare in clinical population studies. However, the tensor distribution function (TDF) may be used to model multiple underlying fibers by representing the diffusion profile as a probabilistic mixture of tensors. Methods We compared the ability of standard FADTI and TDF-derived FA (FATDF), calculated from a range of dMRI angular resolutions (41, 30, 15, and 7 gradient directions), to profile WM deficits in 251 individuals from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative and to detect associations with 1) Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, 2) Clinical Dementia Rating scores, and 3) average hippocampal volume. Results Across angular resolutions and statistical tests, FATDF showed larger effect sizes than FADTI, particularly in regions preferentially affected by Alzheimer's disease, and was less susceptible to crossing fiber anomalies. Conclusion The TDF “corrected” form of FA may be a more sensitive and accurate alternative to the commonly used FADTI, even in clinical quality dMRI data. Magn Reson Med 78:2322–2333, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Akt3 kinase suppresses pinocytosis of low-density lipoprotein by macrophages via a novel WNK/SGK1/Cdc42 protein pathway.

Fluid-phase pinocytosis of LDL by macrophages is regarded as a novel promising target to reduce macrophage cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions. The mechanisms of regulation of fluid-phase pinocytosis in macrophages and, specifically, the role of Akt kinases are poorly understood. We have found previously that increased lipoprotein uptake via the receptor-independent process in Akt3 kinase-deficient macrophages contributes to increased atherosclerosis in Akt3−/− mice. The mechanism by which Akt3 deficiency promotes lipoprotein uptake in macrophages is unknown. We now report that Akt3 constitutively suppresses macropinocytosis in macrophages through a novel WNK1/SGK1/Cdc42 pathway. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that the lack of Akt3 expression in murine and human macrophages results in increased expression of with-no-lysine kinase 1 (WNK1), which, in turn, leads to increased activity of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1). SGK1 promotes expression of the Rho family GTPase Cdc42, a positive regulator of actin assembly, cell polarization, and pinocytosis. Individual suppression of WNK1 expression, SGK1, or Cdc42 activity in Akt3-deficient macrophages rescued the phenotype. These results demonstrate that Akt3 is a specific negative regulator of macropinocytosis in macrophages.
Online Discourse of the Stressors of Parenting Children with Mental Health Disorders

Child mental illness impacts the entire family, and previous research has consistently found that parenting children with mental health disorders is psychologically distressing. The study’s purpose was to delineate the stressors for which parents request advice and the online interactions in which often isolated parents engage. We coded the content of 146 posts written by parents of 77 daughters and 69 sons ages 5 to 18 years with AD/HD, bipolar disorder, and depressive and anxiety disorders (M age = 10) on four publicly accessible internet forums. Most posters were mothers, most wrote to seek information or advice, and most received advice from other women. Parents posted on a wide range of parental concerns, most frequently the effects of children’s illness on themselves, specifically feelings of helplessness, their need for advice on their own coping, and the stress of child discipline. Parents frequently also expressed concern about child symptoms, especially poor academic performance, and had questions about efficacy, side effects of, and noncompliance with medication. Parents’ concerns did not differ by child diagnosis, gender, or age. However, parents of children with AD/HD only were significantly less likely to describe parent-child verbal or physical conflict than other forum parents. Future research should create empirically based recommendations for effective discipline and medication management that reflects parents’ concerns.
Self-Inflicted Drywall Screws in the Sagittal Sinus

A 30-year-old right-handed man with a history of schizophrenia presented with 2 self-inflicted drywall screws in the skull. The patient was sleepy but easily arousable; blood tests showed he had taken methamphetamines. Computed tomography and computed tomography angiography of the head showed the frontal screw abutted left of the superior sagittal sinus, and the posterior screw went through the superior sagittal sinus with no extravasation of contrast material at either site. Both screws were removed with exposure of the sagittal sinus using U-shaped craniectomies. There was no bleeding on the removal of the screws. It appears the posterior screw entered between the leaflets of the sagittal sinus dura mater. The patient had returned to work without any sequelae 1 month after injury.
Design of a Compact 16 T Common-Coil Dipole for Future Colliders

High magnetic field dipole magnets are the enabling technology for future colliders surpassing the energy reach of LHC. The effectiveness of the common-coil layout, featuring flat racetrack coils shared between the two magnetic apertures, is investigated here. Potential advantages include the use of flat cables and larger bending radius at the coil ends. However, the vertical arrangement of the two apertures is less efficient than the traditional case with the two apertures placed side by side, from both the magnetic and mechanical standpoint. In this study, we attempt to address these challenges and provide an attractive and compact common-coil design in the field and aperture range of interest. The design choices aim at achieving a limited number of turns and layers, good quench protection performance, and low operating voltage. Key performance parameters such as maximum field as a function of superconductor volume and overall magnet size, field quality, Lorentz forces acting on the coils, and quench protection in the accelerator will be discussed.
Oncolytic Viruses as Antigen-Agnostic Cancer Vaccines.

Selective destruction of neoplastic tissues by oncolytic viruses (OVs) leads to antigen-agnostic boosting of neoantigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, making OVs ideal companions for checkpoint blockade therapy. Here we discuss the mechanisms whereby OVs modulate both adjuvanticity and antigenicity of tumor cells. Suppression of antitumor immunity after OV therapy has not been observed, possibly because viral antigen expression diminishes as the antiviral response matures, thereby progressively honing the CTL response to tumor neoantigens. By combining direct in situ tumor destruction with the ability to boost antitumor immunity, OVs also have the potential to be powerful standalone cancer therapies.
Constraints Preserving Genetic Algorithm for Learning Fuzzy Measures with an Application to Ontology Matching

Both the fuzzy measure and integral have been widely studied for multi-source information fusion. A number of researchers have proposed optimization techniques to learn a fuzzy measure from training data. In part, this task is difficult as the fuzzy measure can have a large number of free parameters (2 N − 2 for N sources) and it has many (monotonicity) constraints. In this paper, a new genetic algorithm approach to constraint preserving optimization of the fuzzy measure is present for the task of learning and fusing different ontology matching results. Preliminary results are presented to show the stability of the leaning algorithm and its effectiveness compared to existing approaches.