cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
External incubation alters the composition of squamate eggshells.

Abstract 1. 1. Eggshells of the skink, Eumeces fasciatus , and of the rough green snake, Opheodrys vernalis , contain 28–40% of total shell mass as calcium at oviposition. After incubation, both calcium concentration and content were reduced 17–41%. 2. 2. Protein accounted for 33–65% of shell mass in Eumeces and Opheodrys eggshells at oviposition. Reductions in protein concentration and content from 22–86% following incubation were observed. 3. 3. Comparing amino acid compositions of eggshells collected following oviposition with those collected from the same clutch after hatching reveals similarities among all eggshells except those of Eumeces from Michigan which lack desmosine and isodesmosine. 4. 4. Concentrations of desmosines in eggshells from Missouri and Michigan Eumeces appeared to decrease following incubation by 49.7% and 12.2%, respectively. 5. 5. Although neither the mechanisms involved in apparent losses of calcium and protein, nor the fate of the mobilized materials are known, possible pathways for mobilization of eggshell constituents are outlined and their pertinence to the physiology of squamate eggs and the evolution of viviparity in reptiles is suggested.
Proofing of Photolithographic DNA Synthesis with 3‘,5‘-Dimethoxybenzoinyloxycarbonyl-Protected Deoxynucleoside Phosphoramidites

We have evaluated in a microchip format the photochemical solid-phase phosphoramidite DNA synthesis method we previously developed. A set of nucleoside building blocks with “easy-off” base protecting groups was prepared bearing photolabile 5‘-O-dimethoxybenzoincarbonate (DMBOC) groups. Photolysis rates and cycle yields for these DMBOC-protected nucleotides covalently attached to planar, derivatized glass surfaces were determined by fluorescence imaging-based methods earlier developed by McGall et al. and described in detail elsewhere. Data were obtained for both 280/310 and 365/400 nm irradiation in a range of solvents. Deprotection of the DMBOC occurs fastest in a nonpolar medium or without solvent. The coupling efficiency of these amidites in the synthesis of homopolymers was determined to be in the range 80−97%, with purines generally showing lower efficiency than pyrimidines. These DMBOC-protected monomers were used to prepare a 4 × 4 array of 16 decanucleotides of the sequence 5‘-AAXTAXCTAC−chip, whe...
Theoretical study of atomic phases of metallic hydrogen.

Several structures are considered as candidates for the predicted high-pressure (above 400 GPa) atomic phase of metallic hydrogen. Results for the cubic phases are found to agree well with previous calculations. Two particularly interesting structures are the primitive hexagonal (ph) and rhombohedral (9R), which are found to be particularly stable and may be good candidates for the structure of atomic metallic hydrogen.
Systematic Review: Mealtime Behavior Measures Used in Pediatric Chronic Illness Populations

Objective This systematic review evaluates the utility and psychometric properties of pediatric mealtime assessments (direct observation and parent-report measures) using evidence-based criteria developed by the Division 54 Evidence-Based Assessment Task Force. Method Measures of mealtime behavior used in at least one chronic illness pediatric population were eligible for inclusion. A total of 23 assessment measures were reviewed (16 parent-/self-report; 7 direct observation). Results 3 parent-report and 4 direct observation measures were classified as well-established, 3 met criteria for approaching well-established, and 13 were categorized as promising. Measures have been primarily used in children with feeding disorders, cystic fibrosis, and autism spectrum disorders. Conclusions Overall, the literature of pediatric mealtime assessment tools shows a strong evidence base for many direct observation methods and subjective parent-report measures. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses are available for some measures; recommendations for future validation research and measure development across pediatric populations are discussed.
Preemptive Fund-raising and Challenger Profile in Senate Elections

Since 1980 the amount of money raised by incumbent senators during the first four years of their terms has increased dramatically. A widely held belief is that having a large campaign account well before the election scares the strongest potential challengers from making the race. Findings presented here show that almost every senator now engages in extensive early money raising, but that those senators who have the biggest number of potentially strong opponents back home are the most active in this regard. Large sums of early money do not, however, produce weaker challengers. Instead, the strength of the challenger is usually dictated by the size of the pool of strong candidates; where the number is large, one of the better candidates will make the race. Early money raising does not threaten the competitiveness of Senate elections.
Atomistic simulation of lipid and DiI dynamics in membrane bilayers under tension

Membrane tension modulates cellular processes by initiating changes in the dynamics of its molecular constituents. To quantify the precise relationship between tension, structural properties of the membrane, and the dynamics of lipids and a lipophilic reporter dye, we performed atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of DiI-labeled dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayers under physiological lateral tensions ranging from −2.6 mN m−1 to 15.9 mN m−1. Simulations showed that the bilayer thickness decreased linearly with tension consistent with volume-incompressibility, and this thinning was facilitated by a significant increase in acyl chain interdigitation at the bilayer midplane and spreading of the acyl chains. Tension caused a significant drop in the bilayer's peak electrostatic potential, which correlated with the strong reordering of water and lipid dipoles. For the low tension regime, the DPPC lateral diffusion coefficient increased with increasing tension in accordance with free-area theory. For larger tensions, free area theory broke down due to tension-induced changes in molecular shape and friction. Simulated DiI rotational and lateral diffusion coefficients were lower than those of DPPC but increased with tension in a manner similar to DPPC. Direct correlation of membrane order and viscosity near the DiI chromophore, which was just under the DPPC headgroup, indicated that measured DiI fluorescence lifetime, which is reported to decrease with decreasing lipid order, is likely to be a good reporter of tension-induced decreases in lipid headgroup viscosity. Together, these results offer new molecular-level insights into membrane tension-related mechanotransduction and into the utility of DiI in characterizing tension-induced changes in lipid packing.
Modular norbornene derivatives for the preparation of well-defined amphiphilic polymers: Study of the lipid membrane disruption activities

Novel 2,3-disubstituted-7-alkylidene norborn-2-ene derivatives (1−4) were prepared through Diels−Alder cycloaddition of fulvene derivatives and appropriate dienophiles. The ring-opening metathesis polymerization of this type of modular monomer was studied using a molybdenum alkylidene catalyst (7) and three different ruthenium carbene catalysts (8−10). Through the choice of monomer and catalyst it was possible to obtain polymers with a range of molecular weights and narrow polydispersities (1.08−1.20). The resulting polymers were quantitatively transformed to water-soluble amphiphilic polymers through simple chemical modifications. By changing the monomer structure, it was possible to tune the balance of hydrophobicity and ionic nature of the final polymer. The interaction of these polymers with phospholipid membranes was studied using large unilamellar vesicles that entrap a fluorescent dye. To probe the effect of polymer molecular weight, ionic nature, and hydrophobic character on membrane disruption ac...
Low-Frequency Component Electric Microfield Distributions in Plasmas

Low-frequency component electric microfield distributions in a plasma are calculated at both a neutral and a charged point. It is shown that this calculation allows for the inclusion of all correlations to a high degree of accuracy. The theory is compared with the Holtsmark and Baranger-Mozer theories. A detailed analysis of all approximations is included, together with a Monte Carlo study. Numerical results are shown both graphically and in tabulated form.
Assessing Commonality and Differentiation for Packaging Family Planning With Application to Medication Labels

Development of product families involves an interplay of common and differentiating features to address market segments. Considerable research has been conducted by the engineering community to support the development of product families from a product characteristic viewpoint. However, differences in consumable products are not often easily identified so they rely more heavily on the packaging to differentiate to market segments. Metrics, indices and representations have been formulated to support considerations of commonality and differentiation of engineered products. This paper describes the potential for similar approaches to benefit the features of packaging, particularly medication packaging. The potential benefit of such approaches reach beyond marketing and sales. There is a considerable opportunity for improving dispensing of medications because packaging confusion has been recognized as a serious problem, where misidentification can be lethal. With tens of thousands of drug varieties and growing, a packaging metric is necessary. This paper presents a proposed metric along with three supporting case studies.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The use of compliance and constraint for improved robotic material removal processes

In this paper, a method for accurate positioning using compliance and constraint is applied to material removal processes. Accurate force guidance is achieved through the use of an end-effector mounted jig in conjunction with the proper design of the compliance of the manipulator and the material removal tool. The compliance of the manipulator is designed so that: 1) an initial unique relative position/orientation of the jig with respect to the workpart edge is attained despite manipulator positioning error; and 2) the unique relative position initially established is maintained while moving along the workpart edge. Also, the stiffness of the material removal tool is regulated to ensure that forces associated with material removal do not degrade the accuracy of jig-assisted force guided manipulator positioning. This work has application in material removal processes in which accurate positioning with respect to an edge is important, e.g., robotic deburring and aircraft panel drilling. Conditions on the manipulator compliance also have application in robotic assembly. >
A review of magnetic sensors

Eleven of the most common technologies used for magnetic field sensing are described and compared. These are the search coil, flux-gate, optically pumped, nuclear precession, SQUID, Hall-effect, magnetoresistive, magnetodiode, magnetotransistor, fiber optic, and magnetooptic technologies. The use of these sensors in relation to working with or around the Earth's magnetic field is addressed. Three classes of applications and a specific application from each are examined: low-sensitivity (noncontact switching), medium-sensitivity (magnetic anomaly detection and magnetic compassing), and high-sensitivity (brain-function mapping). >
Characterization of an Unintentional Wi-Fi Interference Device - the Residential Microwave Oven

Some devices not used for data communications radiate in the 2.4 GHz Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) band, thus causing unintentional interference that degrades the performance of IEEE 802.11 wireless systems. An analytical model for radio emissions from one of the most common unintentional interferers, the residential microwave oven, is developed from laboratory measurements. Simulation of the analytical model results in a power spectral density and spectrogram that are in good agreement with experimental data. An interference mitigation technique is proposed for the microwave oven emission.
Gapping the Relevance Bridge: Fashions Meet Fundamentals in Management Research

The much lamented ‘relevance gap’ is as much a product of practitioners wedded to gurus and fads as it is of academics wedded to abstractions and fundamentals. The gap persists because practitioners forget that ‘the’ real world is actually ‘a’ world that is idiosyncratic, egocentric and unique to each person complaining about relevance. Greater attention to the conceptual underpinnings of fads and egocentric perception suggest the existence of more fundamental barriers to effectiveness such as ceilings on improvement, weak situations, ambiguous signals, non-obvious adaptive forms and preoccupation with vision. Joint practitioner-academic effort devoted to questions of how events come to be seen as ‘real’ could re-bridge a gap whose nature has been misidentified.
High power 14 GHz SSPA for SATCOM applications

Describes the development of a 14.0-GHz, 30-W FET combiner/amplifier intended as a replacement for 50-W TWTA (traveling-wave-tube amplifier) used in communication-satellite uplink transmitter applications. The output stage of the amplifier consists of four 8-W power FETs that are combined using a 3D combining circuit known as the spatial field power combiner. The entire amplifier is a self-contained unit with its own heat sink and high velocity blower and a regulatory/sequencing circuitry for FET biasing. The amplifier results presented here show a P/sub sat/=30 W-min, P/sub 1dB/=25 W, an AM/PM conversion=2 degrees /dB max, a noise figure of 4 dB, and a typical two-tone IM/sub 3/=25 dBc with single carrier backed off 6 dB from saturation. >
Modelling and analysis of the sugar cataract development process using stochastic hybrid systems

Modelling and analysis of biochemical systems such as sugar cataract development (SCD) are critical because they can provide new insights into systems, which cannot be easily tested with experiments; however, they are challenging problems due to the highly coupled chemical reactions that are involved. The authors present a stochastic hybrid system (SHS) framework for modelling biochemical systems and demonstrate the approach for the SCD process. A novel feature of the framework is that it allows modelling the effect of drug treatment on the system dynamics. The authors validate the three sugar cataract models by comparing trajectories computed by two simulation algorithms. Further, the authors present a probabilistic verification method for computing the probability of sugar cataract formation for different chemical concentrations using safety and reachability analysis methods for SHSs. The verification method employs dynamic programming based on a discretisation of the state space and therefore suffers from the curse of dimensionality. To analyse the SCD process, a parallel dynamic programming implementation that can handle large, realistic systems was developed. Although scalability is a limiting factor, this work demonstrates that the proposed method is feasible for realistic biochemical systems.
The use of Stokes’s formula in the adjustment of surveys

The use ofStokes’s formula to adjust Survey data in present circumstances is definitely undesirable, unless general agreement is first obtained on the distribution of gravity to be adopted as a basis for the computation; the difficulties arising from the use of the completeStokes formula would be greatly reduced by omission of the terms inP2,P3,P4 (zonal harmonics).
Packet-based simulation for optical wireless communication

This paper presents packet-based simulation tools for free-space-optical (FSO) wireless communication. We implement the well-known propagation models for free-space-optical communication as a set of modules in NS-2. Our focus is on accurately simulating line-of-sight (LOS) requirement for two communicating antennas, the drop in the received power with respect to separation between antennas, and error behavior. In our simulation modules, we consider numerous factors affecting the performance of optical wireless communication such as visibility in the medium, divergence angles of transmitters, field of view of photo-detectors, and surface areas of transceiver devices.
Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus: model-based analysis of the effects of electrode capacitance on the volume of activation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has rapidly emerged as an effective clinical treatment for movement disorders. However, our understanding of the neural effects of DBS is limited, and significant opportunities exist to optimize electrode design to enhance therapeutic effectiveness. To address these issues, we have developed computational tools to predict the neural response to stimulation. For decades the electrostatic approximation has been applied in neural stimulation modeling, treating the electrode as a perfect current source and the neural tissue as a purely conductive medium. However, clinical DBS electrodes are voltage controlled, utilize an asymmetrical biphasic stimulus waveform, and are surrounded by a 3D anisotropic, inhomogeneous tissue medium. To more accurately model DBS in the human, we have developed finite element models (FEM) of the electrode and tissue medium that incorporate a Fourier FEM solver to determine the potential distribution in the tissue in time and space simultaneously. The field data is then coupled to multi-compartment neuron models to predict neural activation. Our results show that electrostatic models overestimate the volume of activation (VOA) by -30% compared to voltage-controlled stimulation for typical therapeutic stimulation parameter settings. The error is directly related to the electrode capacitance and the stimulation pulse width. These results illustrate the need for detailed models of neural stimulation to accurately predict the effects of DBS
Cervical myelomeningocele—follow-up of five patients

Only a few series of patients with cervical myelomenigocele (cMMC) and cervical meningocele (cMC) have been published. Interventions as well as the neurologic, orthopaedic, urologic and intellectual outcomes were analysed in this retrospective description of five patients with cMMC and cMC diagnosed in the period 1984-1999. Four patients suffered from cMMC, one from cMC. The average duration of follow-up was 9.5 years. None of the patients had periconceptual prevention with folic acid. Three had a Chiari II malformation and two a hydrocephalus. Tethering of the cervical cord was demonstrated in three patients at follow-up. All children achieved an independent ambulatory function and urinary continence. Incomplete sensorimotor hemiparesis was present in two children, and a mild unilateral arm paresis in one. Two of five patients had age appropriate cognitive functions. Three patients with mild mental retardation or behavioural problems had to be placed in special classes. The outcome of patients with cMMC is favourable regarding to the neurologic, orthopaedic and urologic problems compared with lower neural tube defects. However, the burden of repeated examinations and therapies is considerable and induces high costs, therefore prevention with periconceptual folic acid is a crucial issue also in cMMC. Spinal cord dysfunction has to be considered in growing children due to persistent tethering or re-tethering, therefore regular neurologic and urodynamic investigations are of particular importance.
DCOS: cache embedded switch architecture for distributed shared memory multiprocessor SoCs

Shared memory is a common inter-processor communication paradigm for on-chip multiprocessor SoC (MPSoC) platforms. The latency overhead of switch-based interconnection networks plays a critical role in shared memory MPSoC designs. In this paper, we propose a directory-cache embedded switch architecture with distributed shared cache and distributed shared memory. It is able to reduce the number of home node cache accesses, which results in a reduction in the inter-cache transfer time and the total execution time. Simulation results verify that the proposed methodology can improve performance substantially over a design in which directory caches are not embedded in the switches.
CT and image processing non-invasive indicators of sickle cell secondary pulmonary hypertension

This retrospective study investigates the potential of image analysis to quantify for the presence and extent of pulmonary hypertension secondary to sickle cell disease (SCD). A combination of fast marching and geodesic active contours level sets were employed to segment the pulmonary artery from smoothed CT-Angiography images from 16 SCD patients and 16 matching controls. An algorithm based on fast marching methods was used to compute the centerline of the segmented arteries to measure automatically the diameters of the pulmonary trunk and first branches of the pulmonary arteries. Results show that the pulmonary trunk and arterial branches are significantly larger in diameter in SCD patients as compared to controls (p-values of 0.002 for trunk and 0.0003 for branches). For validation, the results were compared with manually measured values and did not demonstrate significant difference (mean p-values 0.71). CT with image processing shows great potential as a surrogate indicator of pulmonary hemodynamics or response to therapy, which could be an important tool for drug discovery and noninvasive clinical surveillance.
Feature article: are neurons lost from the primate cerebral cortex during normal aging?

The concept that cortical neurons are lost with age and that this is the basis for cognitive decline is so embedded in our culture that when someone elderly is a little forgetful it is often said that ‘He/she is losing his/her neurons’. The prime difficulty in determining if neurons are lost from the cerebral hemispheres during normal aging is that it is not possible to count neurons in the brain of the same individual at two different points in time. Consequently, the question of whether neurons are lost with age can only be answered by comparing the brains of older individuals with those of younger individuals, who have been raised in a different environment with a better diet and better health care. What effect this may have on neuronal numbers is not clear. For example, Haug (1985) points out that the increase in height due to secular acceleration, that is from generation to generation, amounts to ~1 mm per year, and data generated by Haug (1985) indicates that as body weight increases, so does brain weight; consequently, ‘brain weight of one generation is proportionally higher than that of the preceding generation as measured in youth’. On the other hand, Pakkenberg and Gundersen (1997) conclude that sex and age are the main determinants of the overall number of neurons in the neocortex, and that body size does not affect neuron number. Such secular trends need to be considered when comparing the brains of young and old humans to determine if there is a neuron loss with age. Yet when comparisons are made in humans, as well as in laboratory animals that have a much shorter life span in a more controlled environment, we conclude that on the basis of the existing data there is no strong evidence to support the concept that significant numbers of neurons are lost from the cerebral cortex during normal aging. Instead, it appears that cortical neurons are largely preserved. The idea that there is a significant loss of neurons during normal aging of the human cortex was put forward by Brody (1955, 1970), who examined the effects of aging of the cortices of subjects between 18 and 95 years of age. He concluded on the basis of cell counts that there is a progressive reduction in neuronal density with age, amounting to 50% in the superior frontal and superior temporal gyri, and between 20 and 30% in the precentral gyrus and visual cortex, although he detected no significant loss of neurons from the inferior temporal gyrus and the postcentral gyrus. This result received a great deal of publicity, and stimulated a number of other studies carried out in the 1970s and 1980s in which similar decreases in neuronal
Dietary Fish Oil Suppresses Experimental Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy in Mice

Dietary fish oil (FO) supplementation reportedly retards the progression of renal disease in patients with immunoglobulin (Ig)A nephropathy (IgAN), the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. Using an experimental mouse model in which early immunopathological hallmarks of IgAN are induced by the mycotoxin vomitoxin (VT), the ameliorative effects of FO ingestion on this disease were evaluated in two studies. In Study 1, the capacity of VT to induce IgAN was evaluated in mice fed for 12 wk AIN-76A diets containing 50 g/kg corn oil (CO), 50 g/kg CO plus 9 mg/kg tert butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), or 5 g/kg CO plus 45 g/kg menhaden FO that contained 200 mg/kg TBHQ. Serum IgA, serum IgA immune complexes and kidney mesangial IgA deposition were greater in mice fed VT + CO compared with the CO control group, whereas all three variables were significantly attenuated in mice fed VT + FO. Although TBHQ also had attenuating effects, these were significantly less than those for the VT + FO group. In Study 2, the effects of feeding modified AIN 93G diets containing either 70 g/kg CO or 10 g/kg CO plus 60 g/kg FO for 20 wk on VT-induced IgAN were compared. Again, consumption of FO attenuated all three immunopathological variables. In addition, spleen cell cultures from the VT + FO group produced markedly less IgA than those cultures from mice fed VT + CO. Taken together, the results suggested that diets containing FO may impair early immunopathogenesis in VT-induced IgAN and that this was not totally dependent on the presence of the antioxidant TBHQ.
Wavelet-based Modification of Impulsive Sound Character and Application to Diesel Sound Quality

A wavelet-based technique for reducing the impulsive character of sound recordings is presented. The amount of impulsive content removed may be adjusted by varying a statistical threshold. The technique is validated for a diesel idle sound-quality application. The wavelet-based modification produces a substantial decrease in impulsive character as verified by an objective sound-quality metric for engine "ticking". Informal subjective assessment of the modified results found them to be realistic and free from artifacts. The procedure is expected to be useful for sound-quality simulation and target-setting for diesel powertrain noise and other automotive sounds containing both impulsive and non-impulsive content.
Maternal High Fat Diet-induced Il-12b Overexpression in Male Offspring rats is Associated with DNA Hypomethylation

Both developmental and postnatal exposure to a high-fat (HF) diet has been linked to the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by an in...
The Enthalpy of Reaction of Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane With Hydrochloric Acid.

The enthalpy of reaction of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane with 0.1 N HCl has been measured using an isoperibol solution calorimeter, employing a modified quartz thermometer and an automatic digital data acquisition system. The enthalpy value obtained at 298.15 K is 245.93 ± 0.26 J · g-1. Particular attention was given to possible sources of systematic error in the electrical calibrations.
Attosecond XUV Transient Absorption in Dense Systems: Interplay between Strong-field Effects and Resonant Pulse Propagation

We study attosecond XUV transient absorption in dense gases to investigate the interplay between resonant pulse propagation and laser induced phase shifts. We observe lineshape modifications due to laser-imposed phase and temporal reshaping of XUV
Prospects for U.S. Rice in Japanese Retail Markets Under COOL: A Sensory Experiment

ABSTRACTJapanese policies leave its retail market closed to U.S. rice. This study examined prospects of U.S. rice if these markets opened, with required country-of-origin labeling (COOL). Data were from auction experiments examining preferences for U.S. and Japanese rice under two scenarios (COOL with observation and COOL with tasting) using Japanese female primary shoppers. Two segments were identified: those open to U.S. rice at prices equal or above domestic, as likely due to tariffs, and those closed to U.S. rice at any price. About 7% of subjects were in the first segment, while nearly 26% fell in the latter. Tasting failed to generate large changes. Frequent COOL readers were especially closed even after tasting. Tasting did change the profile of open consumers, with demographics mattering less afterward. Under any policy change, U.S. rice would need a discounted price relative to domestic rice; even then, a substantial market segment appears closed.
Sanitation Surveillance Results of Articles for Public Use in Jingmen City during 2007-2010

[Objective]To understand the hygiene state of public places in Jingmen City,to evaluate the hygiene levels,and provide evidence for developing supervision plan. [Methods]According to the GB/T17220-1998 "Technical Rules for Health Monitoring in Public Places" and GB/T18204-2000 "Test Methods of Hygienic Standard in Public Places",articles for public use from 80 business units of 5 categories of public places were sampled and tested.The results were analyzed and evaluated according to WS/T 205-2001 "Health Standards in Public Places". [Results]A total of 5 360 public articles were tested in 4 years with the pass rate of 83.8%. [Conclusion]The disinfection quality of public articles has gradually increased in Jingmen City,but certain health problems exist in bars,hotels,beauty salons,which need corresponding measures for solution.
Characteristics of personal income tax of Belgium and its enlightenment on China

This paper introduces taxation system, taxation rate design, fee deduction, calculation method for income tax, estimated tax and so on of the personal income tax of Belgium. Based on the reasonable taxation methods of Belgium, this paper makes suggestions for completing China's personal income tax system such as changing present classified taxation system into comprehensive classified taxation system, reducing tax rate level, decreasing the highest marginal tax rate, considering the situation of the individual and family when fees are deducted, adjusting taxation income with the changing of inflation, accelerating credit system construction, completing personal income tax system.
Skeining the Threads

The title of this final chapter conveys the hope that, in the end, the contours of ancestral Maya economic forms might take the shape of an orderly coil of thread. The entangled mass of the preceding chapters – like the chaos left by a kitten's play with yarn – disentangled and rewound into a usable form. But recall that skeins are twisted and coiled like the double helix of DNA. The overall effect is one of organization but upon closer inspection there is much crisscrossing and doubling back of threads. The structure of a skein is recursive, redundant, and continually on the edge of disorganization should improper tension be applied – very much, in fact, like human society. Although structurally complex, a skein is but the starting point for projects to come. This sense of “skein” is what I mean to impart with the title of this chapter. To my mind, the previous nine chapters do not represent the final word but rather initial words regarding social and ritual practices of ancestral Maya economies. This study can be approached as a skein of thread ready to be utilized as warp or weft on a weaving loom. Much work has gone into its production but even more work will need to take place before narratives of ancestral Maya society achieve the texture and interlock of a finely woven fabric.
The miracle of face transplantation after 10 years.

INTRODUCTION At the 10th year anniversary of the first face transplantation, there are currently 36 patients worldwide, who are the recipients of faces coming from human donors. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Despite the initial debates and ethical concerns, face transplantation became a clinical reality with satisfactory functional outcomes. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY The areas of controversy still include the impact of lifelong immunosuppression on otherwise healthy patients as well as the selection process of face transplant candidates. GROWING POINTS Other concerns include financial support for this new generation of transplants as well as social reintegration and patients return to work after face transplantation. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Based on over 20 years of research experience in the field of vascularized composite allotransplantation, and clinical experience as a leading surgeon of the US first face transplantation, this review will summarize the well-known facts as well as unexpected outcomes and challenges of face transplantation.
Kicking ASSessment: Using Information Fluency Assessment to Expand Librarian Roles, Engage in High-Impact Practices, and Create Sustained Contact with Online Learners

ABSTRACTIowa Wesleyan University (IW) has historically struggled with both assessment and supporting online students. Newly-appointed librarians and an impending re-accreditation visit prompted an increase in involvement and presence with assessment. In an attempt to expand the library's influence on campus, librarians took on a nontraditional role in the institutional implementation of LiveText, an assessment software. Librarians at IW have played an active and integral role in not only the initial roll-out of this software, but also in training and continuing support for students and faculty. Because of its importance to institutional learning outcomes, information fluency (IF) is being recognized as a high-impact practice across disciplines, and based on the results of this case study, librarians will pursue the creation of a required online IF course for online learners.
Effects of Primo Rate and Application Volume on Selected Herbaceous and Woody Landscape Plants

Abstract Primo (cimectacarb) was applied to four herbaceous and six woody landscape plants at rates and in volumes recommended for turfgrass application. Phytotoxic symptoms, including bleaching or...
Robotic sensing and object recognition from thermal-mapped point clouds

Many of the civil structures are more than half way through or nearing their intended service life; frequently assessing and maintaining structural integrity is a top maintenance priority. Robotic inspection technologies using ground and aerial robots with 3D scanning and imaging capabilities have the potential to improve safety and efficiency of infrastructure management. To provide more valuable information to inspectors and agency decision makers, automatic environment sensing and semantic information extraction are fundamental issues in this field. This paper introduces an innovative method for generating thermal-mapped point clouds of a robot’s work environment and performing automatic object recognition with the aid of thermal data fused to 3D point clouds. The laser scanned point cloud and thermal data were collected using a custom-designed mobile robot. The multimodal data was combined with a data fusion process based on texture mapping. The automatic object recognition was performed by two processes: segmentation with thermal data and classification with scanned geometric features. The proposed method was validated with the scan data collected in an entire building floor. Experimental results show that the thermal integrated object recognition approach achieved better performance than a geometry only-based approach, with an average recognition accuracy of 93%, precision of 83%, and recall rate of 86% for objects in the tested environment including humans, display monitors and light fixtures.
Robust forecast aggregation: Fourier L2E regression

The Good Judgment Team led by psychologists P. Tetlock and B. Mellers of the University of Pennsylvania was the most successful of five research projects sponsored through 2015 by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity to develop improved group forecast aggregation algorithms. Each team had at least 10 algorithms under continuous development and evaluation over the 4-year project. The mean Brier score was used to rank the algorithms on approximately 130 questions concerning categorical geopolitical events each year. An algorithm would return aggregate probabilities for each question based on the probabilities provided per question by thousands of individuals, who had been recruited by the Good Judgment Team. This paper summarizes the theorized basis and implementation of one of the two most accurate algorithms at the conclusion of the Good Judgment Project. The algorithm incorporated a number of pre- and postprocessing steps, and relied upon a minimum distance robust regression method called L2E. The algorithm was just edged out by a variation of logistic regression, which has been described elsewhere. Work since the official conclusion of the project has led to an even smaller gap.
Effects of Weight Bearing and Non-Weight Bearing Sports on Bone Quality in Male Collegiate Athletes

Introduction Bone quality has been correlated with lifetime physical activity. The bone quality of male collegiate athletes was measured to investigate the effect of weight bearing load in sports on bone health.Â For the purpose of this study, soccer, football, and cross-country were considered weight bearing sports (WB), while cycling and swimming were non-weight bearing (NWB) sports. Â Methods Bone scans were completed with an Achilles InSight Ultrasonometer device (Figure 1). Male collegiate athletes (n=50); ten subjects from each sport received a calcaneal bone scan on both feet. All tests were performed in the fall sports season when subjects were in-season training for competition. Strength training regimens differed for each sport. The subjects had no history of musculoskeletal injuries within 12 months prior to the bone scans. This device provided three values used for analysis of bone health: Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA: dB/MHz), Speed of Sound (SOS: m/sec), and Stiffness Index (SI).Â Stiffness index is calculated from combining the BUA and SOS values. The BUA, SOS, and SI were compared between sport, weight bearing vs. non-weight bearing activities, and foot dominance using a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, with significance at p<0.05. Â Results Bone quality among weight bearing sports was significantly (p<0.01) greater than non-weight bearing sports based on the stiffness index (Figure 2a). There were significant differences (p<0.01) in SI values for dominate foot between cycling and all WB sports (soccer, football, cross-country), but swimming was only significantly different (p<0.01) from soccer (Figure 2b). These results could be attributed to increased impact load, multi-directional movement patterns and increased strength training in WB sports. Energy balance, nutrition, hormone mediated bone turnover and genetic factors may also contribute to these results. Â Conclusions Collegiate male athletes in weight bearing sports have greater bone quality than athletes in non-weight bearing sports. Health professionals and coaches should educate athletes on developing behavioral strategies to optimize bone health through proper diet and weight bearing exercise as a preventative measure.
Infratemporal Fossa Approach

The infratemporal fossa is a relatively simple area of anatomy located centrally among a number of adjacent complex and important anatomic regions. A variety of tumors can arise or invade this space by contiguous spread, including parotid cancers, nasopharyngeal cancers, sarcomas, neuromas, and meningiomas. Given the variety of tumor histologies and varied primary locations, a number of surgical approaches have been developed to excise these tumors. This chapter describes the transtemporal approach to the infratemporal fossa. The important anatomical landmarks are depicted and are the keys to success with this approach. The indications and preoperative assessment are explained. A major advantage of this approach is the wide exposure of the petrous carotid artery. This approach is best performed by a multidisciplinary team. Adjuvant radiotherapy is indicated for most patients. Chemotherapy has a role in either the pre- or postoperative setting.
Sport and Triad Risk Factors Influence Bone Mineral Density in Collegiate Athletes.

ABSTRACTPurposeAthletes in weight-bearing sports may benefit from higher bone mineral density (BMD). However, some athletes are at risk for impaired BMD with female athlete triad (Triad). The purpose of this study is to understand the influence of sports participation and Triad on BMD. We hypothesiz
Research: A switch-router taxonomy

This paper describes a framework for the classification of switch-router integration schemes. Various definitions of integration are considered. Alternatives are discussed from the perspectives of architecture and product structure. Advantages and disadvantages of the various schemes are described and three alternatives of particular importance are identified.
Analysis of Tissue Diffusivity Using Mathematical Models

It has been suggested that there is considerable heterogeneity of diffusion within cells and that oxygen diffuses unevenly across tissue, with more rapid diffusion in intracellular channels of high oxygen solubility (Longmuir, 1980). These oxygen channels are thought to be membranous structures within the cell with high lipid content, such as mitochondria and the sarcoplasmic reticulum in striated muscle. There is evidence from comparative physiology that higher maximal oxygen uptake capacity in aerobic animals is achieved by greater mitochondrial content (Weibel et al., 1992). This, combined with the fact that endurance training preferentially increases the volume of subsarcolemmal mitochondria and lipid droplets (Hoppeler and Billeter, 1991), suggests that higher lipid content and nonuniform mitochondrial distribution play an important role in cellular oxygen transport.
Experimental Techniques and Identification of Nonlinear and Viscoelastic Properties of Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Identification of the vibrational behavior of polyurethanefoams used in automotive seats is described. The dynamic system consistsof a rigid block mounted on a 3″ cube of foam material, which serves asthe only flexible component. When constrained to undergo linearunidirectional motion, the dynamic system is modeled as a single degreeof freedom system, governed by an integro-differential equation. Inaddition to a relaxation kernel representing the linear viscoelasticbehavior of the foam, the model includes a polynomial type stiffness toaccount for the foam's strain-based nonlinearities. The relaxationkernel is assumed to be of an exponential type. Experimentalmethodologies for obtaining repeatable, accurate measurements of thesystem's response to an impulse and to single frequency harmonic baseexcitations are described. Analysis methods are then investigated forextracting the relevant linear, nonlinear, and viscoelastic parameters.Characterization of these foam properties as functions of compressionlevel is also presented.
SAMPLING GRANULAR FOODSTUFFS FOR AFLATOXIN (Note a.)

Methodology is described for the design and evaluation of testing programs to estimate aflatoxin concentrations in lots of granular foodstuffs. Use of operating characteristic curves and of the prior distribution of lot concentrations for comparing and evaluating processor and consumer risks related to testing programs are demonstrated. Operating characteristic curves, computed from a system of equations that accounts for errors in sampling, subsampling, and analysis are developed for the 1976 peanut aflatoxin testing program in the United States. Estimates are given of aflatoxin concentration in lots accepted and rejected by the testing program.
Toxicity of Structural Analogs of 1-methyl-4-Phenyl Pyridinium (MPP+) and Related Compounds on Dopaminergic Neurons in Culture

MPTP selectively destroys the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in primates and the mouse and produces a neuropathological lesion in the primate similar to that seen in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (Heikkila, 1984: Langston, 1985; Langston et al., 1983). These findings led to the speculation that environmental toxins may cause idopathic Parkinson’s disease. According to this hypothesis, exposure to a neurotoxin during a short period of time may reduce the number of dopaminergic neurons, so that an age-related slow degeneration of these cells will reduce, at an earlier time, the number of surviving cells to a level insufficient to support normal function. Alternatively, it is possible that long-term exposure to small quantities of a neurotoxin might produce similar effects as short-term exposure to high levels and gradually result in the appearance of clinical symptoms. At present, no chemical has been identified which could be responsible for causing idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. However, in the modern industrial society, humans are exposed to a vast number of xenobiotics, which are novel chemical structures and to which no defense mechanism has developed during evolution. The discovery of MPTP illustrates that a simple chemical which was used as intermediate in chemical syntheses can turn out to be a major neurotoxin. It is therefore important to study xenobiotics on a large scale for their potential neurotoxicity. We have developed culture systems to study the mechanism of action by which MPTP destroys dopaminergic neurons and to search for neurotoxins which, similar to MPTP, produce toxic effects on dopaminergic neurons. Culture systems offer the advantage that relatively large number of compounds can be tested and that their effects can be assessed in absence of interference by the blood brain barrier or metabolizing enzymes.
Fertilization-associated light-scattering changes in eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

Abstract Two major light-scattering changes have been detected in sea urchin egg suspensions in the first 4 min after insemination. The kinetics of the initial light-scattering (l.s.) change, a decrease occurring between 40 and 60 sec, are identical with those of cortical granule discharge. The second l.s. change, an increase between 1 and 4 min, appears to reflect structural changes in the fertilization membrane during hardening.
Treatment of Advanced and Recurrent Carcinoma

Progestins were the first drugs to be used in systemic therapy of endometrial cancer. After four decades of clinical trials, their role has been narrowed to a relatively small percentage of tumors that have metastasized but are well differentiated and rich in hormonal receptors. Nevertheless, with better selection of patients likely to benefit from hormonal therapy and the exploration of potential role after chemotherapy, one may look forward to new directions of interest.