cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating and testing bioconcentration factors

Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) are commonly calculated to represent the equilibrium concentration of a substance in an organism relative to environmental concentrations of the same substance. The BCF is derived from parameters estimated in uptake and elimination experiments and is presented as a single value without error estimates or confidence intervals. However, it is desirable to know the variability/precision of the BCF estimate and to statistically compare BCFs among experimental conditions. In this study, the calculation of standard errors and confidence intervals for BCFs is presented. In addition, a statistical method for formally comparing the BCFs derived under two or more experimental conditions is discussed. These methods are illustrated using data from a study of DDT-exposed Hyalella azteca and Diporeia spp.
008 Cross – Talk between Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes in 3‐d Fibrin Clots. In Vitro Studies

Fibrin Sealant products such as TisseelR have been used over the last 25 years to reach hemostasis during surgery or to seal tissues. Moreover, there were many studies on the use of fibrin sealant in cell and bioactive substance delivery. Our In Vitro and In Vivo studies, over the last 2 years, have focused on the use of fibrin sealant to deliver human fibroblasts or keratinocytes to overcome the healing deficiency in chronic wounds. We have shown that some fibrin formulations supported a high fibroblast proliferation and other fibrin formulations supported a high proliferation of human keratinocytes. In this study, we examined the use of fibrin sealant in the co-delivery of both human – derived keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The study report examined the cell proliferation of these two cell types in various formulations of fibrin sealant. Fibroblasts and keratinocytes were mixed with various dilutions of the Sealer Protein solution and added to culture plates before adding the Thrombin solution to form fibrin clots containing both cell types. We found that a low to medium sealer protein concentration (1–34 mG/mL) and a very low thrombin concentration (1 U/mL) in the final fibrin clots provided for an optimal cell proliferation for both cell types within these fibrin clots. This profile of proliferation was different from that seen when keratinocytes alone or fibroblasts alone were incorporated in the fibrin clots. Morphologically, it was difficult to determine the cell type from examining cell morphology, thus, it was difficult to determine the cell distribution. In conclusion, we found that various modified formulations of fibrin sealant may be chosen when co- delivering fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Moreover, there seems to be a positive feedback between keratinocytes and fibroblasts when they were co – introduced in the fibrin clots. This feedback could be carried by growth factors. Future studies will determine his signaling process.
Rules-Based Object Clustering: A Data Structure for Symbolic VLSI Synthesis and Analysis

Object clustering is a data structure expressly binding analysis to support the incremental symbolic synthesis of high performance VLSI devices. Utilization of abstraction allows technology independent and technology dependent design entities to be represented as symbolic objects. This data structure supports a hierarchical representation of a VLSI device that equally applies to top-down or bottom-up synthesis. Processing concurrency is exploited in an interactive design environment centered around commercially available CAD work stations. As the designer is interactively composing the symbolic representation of circuit topology to implement a specific function, a rules-based algorithm performs the integration of the new object into the existing object clustering data structure. Neighboring relationships between objects are determined by hierarchical object-pair intersection and underlie the algorithms performing electrical and physical design rule checking, node topology extraction for circuit analysis, logic simulation, and testability analysis, and mask geometries generation. Object clustering is a robust data structure ideally suited to symbolically represent VLSI device designs, while facilitating analytical exploration and incremental synthesis.
Calibration of unsaturation patterns in long-chain ketone compositions for palaeotemperature assessment

A series of long-chain (C37, C38, C39), primarily di- and tri-unsaturated methyl and ethyl ketones, first identified in sediments from Walvis Ridge off West Africa and from the Black Sea1, has been found in marine sediments throughout the world2. The marine coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi and members of the class Prymnesiophyceae are now the recognized sources of these compounds3,4. Experiments with laboratory cultures of algae showed the degree of unsaturation in the ketone series biosynthesized depends on growth temperature2,5, a physiological response observed for classical membrane lipids6. Brassell and co-workers2,7 thus proposed that systematic fluctuations in the unsaturation of these alkenones noted down-core in sediments from the Kane Gap region of the north-east tropical Atlantic Ocean and correlated with glacial-interglacial cycles provide an organic geochemical measure of past sea-surface water temperatures. Using laboratory cultures of E. huxleyi, we have calibrated changes in the unsaturation pattern of the long-chain ketone series versus growth temperature. The calibration curve is linear and accurately predicts unsaturation patterns observed in natural particulate materials collected from oceanic waters of known temperature. We present evidence supporting the proposed palaeotemperature hypothesis2,7 and suggesting absolute 'sea-surface temperatures' for a given oceanic location can be estimated from an analysis of long-chain ketone compositions preserved in glacial and interglacial horizons of deep-sea sediment cores.
Orthogonally invariant sequences as Gaussian scale mixtures: an alternate proof

Abstract Using a factorization of a standard Gaussian matrix, we show that a sequence of random variables, the finite sections of which are orthogonally invariant in distribution, must be a scale mixture of independent standard Gaussian variables.
ANALYSIS OF THE MULTIPLICITY PATTERNS OF A CSTR

Continuous changes in the residence time of a cooled continuously stirred tank reactor, in which a single, exothermic, first-order reaction occurs, may lead to one of six different multiplicity patterns. A simple technique is developed for the exact prediction of the multiplicity pattern existing for any set of parameter values and of the influence of changes in the parameter values on the transition from one pattern to another.
Elementary Divisor domains and Bézout domains

Abstract It is well known that an Elementary Divisor domain R is a Bezout domain, and it is a classical open question to determine whether the converse statement is false. In this article, we provide new chains of implications between R is an Elementary Divisor domain and R is Bezout defined by hyperplane conditions in the general linear group. Motivated by these new chains of implications, we construct, given any commutative ring R, new Bezout rings associated with R.
Green receives Bowen Award

Last December Harry Green was honored with the VGP Section's N. L. Bowen Award, which is bestowed for a single outstanding contribution to volcanology, geochemistry, or petrology made during the preceding 5 years. The award was presented by Raymond Jeanloz at the Fall Meeting in San Francisco.
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in an incident dialysis population

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's National Cholesterol Education Program 2001 Adult Treatment Panel III report defined the metabolic syndrome as having at least 3 of the following 5 criteria: abdominal obesity, elevated triglyceride levels, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, an elevated blood pressure, and an elevated fasting glucose. Evidence is accumulating to suggest that the metabolic syndrome predisposes to cardiovascular disease (CVD). End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients requiring dialysis have a substantially elevated risk of CVD morbidity and mortality. Dialysis patients' increased risk can be partially explained by traditional and nontraditional risk factors. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in dialysis patients is unknown. This retrospective, cross-sectional study of 202 incident dialysis patients examined the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome at the time of renal replacement therapy initiation. The study group was compared with all incident dialysis patients in 2002 on file with the U.S. Renal Data System. Females represented 39.1% of the study population. Blacks composed 34.7% of the study group. Diabetes was the etiology of ESKD in 44.6% of our patients. Surrogate criteria were used for the Adult Treatment Panel III risk factors of abdominal obesity and elevated fasting glucose levels. Overall, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 69.3% in our population and was especially prevalent among diabetic, female, and white ESKD patients. Study limitations included the use of surrogate markers for 2 criteria of the metabolic syndrome and dependence on the Medical Evidence Report (Form 2728) for baseline characteristics. In summary, the metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in incident dialysis patients.
Some characteristics of airfoil-jet interaction with Mach number nonuniformity

The image method is used to examine the upper-surface-blowing jet-airfoil interaction with Mach number nonuniformity. The formulation represents an extension of the classical incompressible results (Ting and Liu, 1969; Koning, 1963). Some characteristics of the interaction are discussed. The main assumptions are (1) inviscid linear theory, (2) two-dimensional jet, (3) no turbulent mixing, and (4) no airfoil thickness effect. A plane jet with Mach number M sub 2 is assumed to be imbedded in a freestream of Mach number M sub 1. A thin airfoil is placed at a distance h below the lower jet surface. For h = 0, this may represent an idealized configuration with an upper-surface blowing jet.
Performance monitoring of digital networks

The author examines the evolution of digital network performance monitoring capabilities from the early point-to-point single DSI circuits used internally by the operating telcos, through today's advanced ESF (Extended Superframe) techniques and projects, and ahead to the rapidly approaching FT1, DS3, ISDN, and SONET capabilities. It is pointed out that, although T1 circuits were initially installed with minimal performance monitoring capability, particularly for the end users, these are being upgraded to the current ANSI ESF, which does an adequate job. The future network standards of ISDN primary rate access (PRA) and of SONET will have even better performance monitoring capabilities. >
A mass/heat flow sensor combining shear mode resonators with thermoelectrics: principles and applications

We describe a new way to monitor chemical and biological processes occurring in thin films interacting with gases and liquids, using a mass/heat flow sensor. The thin films may be metals, polymers, paints or coatings, chemical samples, proteins, catalysts, or monolayers. Changes in mass and in coating stiffness as well as heat generated by chemical or biological process on or in the film are measured with high sensitivity. We call the technique "quartz/crystal microbalance/heat conduction calorimetry" (QCM/HCC).
Quantum Closures and Disclosures: Thinking-Together Postphenomenology and Quantum Brain Dynamics.

Quantum Closures and Disclosures thinks together two seemingly irreconcilable discourses: An application of quantum field theory to brain functioning, called quantum brain dynamics, and the continental postphenomenological tradition, especially the work of Martin Heidegger and Jacques Derrida. Underlying both developments is a new ontology of nonCartesian dual modes whose rich provenance is their "between." World is disclosed in the lumen naturale of dual modes belonging-together in their between; all presencing is a function of a "~conjugate" form of match in the between. This surprising rapprochement between a powerful tradition within continental philosophy and the 20th-century quantum revolution in science is fruitfully applied to crucial issues in philosophy, brain science, mathematics and psychiatry.
Use and Abuse of Reusable Learning Objects

The term Learning Object, first popularized by Wayne Hodgins in 1994 when he named the CedMA working group "Learning Architectures, APIs and Learning Objects", has become the Holy Grail of content creation and aggregation in the computer-mediated learning field. The terms Learning Objects (LOs) and Reusable Learning Objects are frequently employed in uncritical ways, thereby reducing them to mere slogans. The serious lack of conceptual clarity and reflection is evident in the multitude of definitions and uses of LOs. The objectives of this paper are to assess current definitions of the term Learning Object, to articulate the foundational principles for developing a concept of LOs, and to provide a methodology and broad set of guidelines for creating LOs.
Response to Klütsch and Crapon de Caprona

This article is a response to Klutsch and Crapon de Caprona See correspondence article http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/119 and our original research article http:// www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7007/8/16. Background The origin of domestic dogs has been a source of controversy for the past two decades [1-4]. In our recent study [5], we provided evidence for an event that likely occurred early in the history of domestic dogs. We found that the Middle East is the geographic origin of all small domestic dogs. However, Klutsch and Crapon de Caprona question the conclusion from our study [5], on the basis of concerns about sample size, sampling locations, nucleotide diversity estimates and ascertainment biased single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. The authors argue that these issues preclude iden
Comparison of inhibition of reverse transcriptase and antileukemic activities exhibited by protoberberine and benzophenanthridine alkaloids and structure-activity relationships

Abstract Protoberberine and benzophenanthridine alkaloids were screened for their inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity of RNA tumor viruses in the presence of poly rA. oligo dT, poly dA. oligo dT, poly rC. oligo dG, activated calf thymus DNA and 70S RNA template primers. The comparison of inhibition of reverse transcriptase and antileukemic activities revealed that most of the protoberberine and benzophenanthridine alkaloids tested compared well with their reported antileukemic activities. In general, it was observed that the higher T/C % value resulted in a stronger inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity. The inhibition of nucleic acid polymerases from calf thymus and bacteria and structure-activity relationships are also presented. The alkaloids with the benzophenanthridine ring system were found to display potent inhibition of reverse transcriptase and antileukemic activities.
Introduction to the Special Section: Psychological Outcomes of Pediatric Conditions That Affect the Central Nervous System

Large numbers of children and adolescents have conditions that affect the CNS and disrupt normal brain development due to genetic and environmental factors (e.g., fetal alcohol syndrome), trauma, or chronic illness (Yeates, Ris, Taylor, & Pennington, 2010). Such problems have multifaceted effects on the child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and on family functioning. Pediatric psychologists provide assessment and interventions to children and adolescents with these conditions and their families and conduct research that characterizes the impact of these problems. Such research provides important data that describe the impact of various neurological conditions, including the role of risk and protective factors on psychological outcomes. These data are critical in targeting interventions to reduce the risk for a wide range of problematic psychological outcomes. Despite the importance of such research for enhancing the psychological outcomes of children and adolescents with conditions that involve the CNS, this work has been underrepresented in published work in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology. This special section was invited to address this need. Taken together, the contributions to this special section have advanced scientific knowledge concerning the psychological outcomes of children and adolescents with conditions that involve the CNS. The purpose of this introduction is to summarize key points and consider the implications for future research.
Toward a Reconciliation of the Bayesian and Frequentist Approaches to Point Estimation

Abstract The Bayesian and frequentist approaches to point estimation are reviewed. The status of the debate regarding the use of one approach over the other is discussed, and its inconclusive character is noted. A criterion for comparing Bayesian and frequentist estimators within a given experimental framework is proposed. The competition between a Bayesian and a frequentist is viewed as a contest with the following components: a random observable, a true prior distribution unknown to both statisticians, an operational prior used by the Bayesian, a fixed frequentist rule used by the frequentist, and a fixed loss criterion. This competition is studied in the context of exponential families, conjugate priors, and squared error loss. The class of operational priors that yield Bayes estimators superior to the “best” frequentist estimator is characterized. The implications of the existence of a threshold separating the space of operational priors into good and bad priors are explored, and their relevance in ar...
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE "SITUATED"

Situated action is a new approach to artificial intelligence that has thus far functioned without any explicit underlying theoretical foundation. As a result, many researchers in artificial intelligence have misunderstood the goals and claims of situated action. In order to rectify this situation, we provide an explicit formulation of the theoretical foundations of situated action.
When There Is No Welfare: The Income Packaging Strategies of Mothers Without Earnings or Cash Assistance Following an Economic Downturn

The 1996 welfare reform law sought to reformulate single mothers’ income package, replacing cash welfare checks with paychecks. However, many single mothers have not been able to do that and have neither earnings nor cash assistance. Among a sample of single mothers in Los Angeles and southeast Michigan, we find that when single mothers lose jobs and do not receive cash assistance, they package income from a variety of sources (such as other public assistance programs and informal child support), find others in their social networks to pay their bills, or move in with others. However, their income packaging strategies are fraught with challenges. Benefits from certain public programs are difficult to secure; financial assistance from friends and family members can quickly vanish, particularly if a partner is deported or jailed; and doubling up with others often leads to living in crowded and unsafe conditions.
Myoelectric correlates of colonic motor complexes and contractile activity

This report describes the myoelectric correlates of colonic motor complexes and contractile activity. A set of four bipolar electrode/strain-gauge pairs was surgically implanted on the colon of each of the five dogs used in this study. Each recording site showed a cyclic occurrence of bursts of contractions called contractile states. The colonic muscle contracted mainly at two frequencies during a contractile state, long-duration contractions at 0.5-2 cycles/min and short-duration contractions at 4-6 cycles/min. The long-duration contractions at 0.5-2 cycles/min were associated with bursts of contractile electrical complex (electrical oscillations at 25-40 cycles/min) and continuous electrical response activity on a 1:1:1 basis. The short-duration contractions at 4-6 cycles/min were associated with bursts of discrete electrical response activity on a 1:1 basis. Those episodes of contractile electrical complex, continuous electrical response activity, and discrete electrical response activity that migrated orad or aborad over at least half the length of the colon were called colonic migrating myoelectric complexes. All other patterns of occurrence of these episodes were called colonic non-migrating myoelectric complexes. A total of 184 colonic migrating myoelectric complexes were recorded during a total recording period of 148 h: 173 migrated caudad and 11 orad. The mean period of colonic migrating myoelectric complexes was 52.7 +/- 6.5 (SE) min. We conclude that the characteristics of colonic migrating myoelectric complexes are strikingly different from those of migrating myoelectric complexes in the small intestine.
Will a Five-Minute Discussion Change Your Mind? A Countrywide Experiment on Voter Choice in France

This paper provides the first estimate of the effect of door-to-door canvassing on actual electoral outcomes, via a countrywide experiment embedded in Francois Hollande's campaign in the 2012 French presidential election. While existing experiments randomized door-to-door visits at the individual level, the scale of this campaign (five million doors knocked) enabled randomization by precinct, the level at which vote shares are recorded administratively. Visits did not affect turnout, but increased Hollande's vote share in the first round and accounted for one-fourth of his victory margin in the second. Visits' impact persisted in later elections, suggesting a lasting persuasion effect.
Local and nonlocal material models, spatial randomness, and impact loading

In many material systems, both man-made and natural, we have an incomplete knowledge of geometric or material properties, which leads to uncertainty in predicting their performance under dynamic loading. Given the uncertainty and a high degree of spatial variability in properties of geological formations subjected to impact, a stochastic theory of continuum mechanics would be useful for modeling dynamic response of such systems. In this paper, we examine spatial randomness in local and nonlocal material-mechanics models. We begin with classical linear elasticity. Then, we consider nonlocal elasticity and, finally, peridynamic theory. We discuss a formulation of stochastic peridynamic theory and illustrate this formulation with examples of impact loading of geological materials with uncorrelated versus correlated properties, sampled in a Monte Carlo sense. We examine wave propagation and damage to the material. The most salient feature is the absence of spallation, referred to as disorder toughness, which, in fact, generalizes similar results from earlier quasi-static damage mechanics.
Cryopreservation of hamster oocytes: effects of vitrification or freezing on human sperm penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes *

Three experiments were conducted for evaluation of the efficacy of conventional freezing or vitrification of hamster oocytes for use in a human sperm penetration assay (hSPA). In experiment 1, oocytes were cryopreserved and evaluated for survival on the basis of morphologic criteria. Survival of vitrified oocytes and that of frozen oocytes were not different, whereas all cryopreserved groups had lower survival than noncryopreserved controls. In experiment 2, oocytes were conventionally frozen or vitrified and evaluated in an hSPA. Vitrified oocytes had a lower frequency of sperm penetration than frozen oocytes, and all cryopreserved groups had lower penetration rates than untreated controls. In experiment 3, oocytes were exposed to the cryoprotectant used to vitrify (VS1) or freeze (DMSO) but not cooled prior to evaluation in an hSPA. Exposure to DMSO but not VSI reduced hSPA values. It is concluded from these experiments that (1) while all cryopreserved oocytes do not survive, at current stages of development conventionally frozen ooaytes perform better than vitrified oocytes in the hSPA and (2) losses associated with conventional freezing procedures may be related to cryoprotectant exposure, whereas vitrification losses are more probably due to events associated with rapid cooling and/or rapid warming of the oocytes.
Effects of Tepa on Reproduction of Codling Moths

Topical applications of 15 µg of tepa per moth induced a high degree of sterility in male and female codling moths, Carpocapsa pomonella (L.). The egg hatch was 1% when treated males were mated with untreated females, and 2.4% when treated females were mated with untreated males. Treatment of males had slight effect on vigor. Codling moth eggs, larvae, and pupae were injured or killed by substerilizing doses of tepa.
An Elytral Aberration in the Alfalfa Weevil, Hypera postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

On May 14, 1965, 2 specimens of Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) showing similar elytral aberrations were collected by the senior author near Nichols, Tioga Co., N. Y. The right elytron of each of these specimens, pictured in Fig. 1, was whitish, completely devoid of setae and scales, and was substantially softer than normal. Both individuals appeared normal, behaviorally and morphologically, in all other respects.
PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF COPEPOD ORDERS

Ten orders of the subclass Copepoda were cladistically analyzed using 21 morphological characters. Platycopioida is the sister taxon of the Calanoida and this gymnoplean clade is the sister group of the podoplean clade, which consists of eight orders. Misophrioida is, in turn, the sister taxon of the clade that contains the rest of the podoplean orders. Interestingly, the four orders (Poecilostomatoida, Siphonostomatoida, Monstrilloida, and Cyclopoida) containing species symbiotic with aquatic animals are monophyletic. Harpacticoida, Mormonilloida, and Gelyelloida are monophyletic in a fully resolved cladogram. Comparisons were made between this newly reconstructed scheme of copepod phylogeny and the previously proposed schemes. A cladistic analysis of the copepod orders was first conducted by Geoffrey A. Boxshall and presented in 1984 at the Second International Conference on Copepoda held in Ottawa, Canada. This original scheme of copepod phylogeny was reconstructed with 12 morphological characters. Later, Boxshall added 7 more characters to his analysis and the scheme constructed anew was
Lévy-driven non-Gaussian Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes for degradation-based reliability analysis

ABSTRACTWe use Levy subordinators and non-Gaussian Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes to model the evolution of degradation with random jumps. The superiority of our models stems from the flexibility of such processes in the modeling of stylized features of degradation data series such as jumps, linearity/nonlinearity, symmetry/asymmetry, and light/heavy tails. Based on corresponding Fokker–Planck equations, we derive explicit results for the reliability function and lifetime moments in terms of Laplace transforms, represented by Levy measures. Numerical experiments are used to demonstrate that our general models perform well and are applicable for analyzing a large number of degradation phenomena. More important, they provide us with a new methodology to deal with multi-degradation processes under dynamicenvironments.
13-(N,N-Di­methyl­amino)­micheliolide 0.08-hydrate

The title compound, C17H27NO3·0.08H2O {sytematic name: (3R,3aS,9R,9aS,9bS)-3-[(di­methyl­amino)­meth­yl]-9-hy­droxy-6,9-dimethyl-3,3a,4,5,7,8,9,9a-octa­hydro­azuleno[4,5-b]furan-2(9bH)-one 0.08-hydrate}, exhibits intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonding to form a ring of graph-set motif S(6). As well as this intra­molecular hydrogen bond with the lactone-ring O atom, the hy­droxy H atom forms an O—H⋯O hydrogen bond to the low-occupancy partial water mol­ecule [occupancy = 0.078 (2)]. The water mol­ecule is correlated with disorder of the N(CH3)2 group [major–minor occupancy factors are 0.922 (2):0.078 (2)]. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the trans-fused seven-membered ring and the lactone ring is 4.42 (9)°.
Fast mapping and morphing for genus-zero meshes with cross spherical parameterization

We introduce an efficient approach to establish surface correspondences between genus-zero triangle meshes and animate a morph between them. We employ the concept of mesh simplification and refinement to progressively parameterize meshes using a novel kernel sampling algorithm. Our two-step feature alignment method optimizes the distribution of vertices in a parametric domain. A new mesh is generated after merging mesh topologies, and it represents the shapes of all input meshes and their transitions in-between. Our approach merges topological structures rather than mapping surface properties. Complex meshes with tens of thousands of vertices can be parameterized and merged in a few minutes. The advantages of our approach are demonstrated through 3D morphing applications. Comparing to existing approaches, our solution advances in performance while maintaining high-quality parameterization and morphing. Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted HighlightsA fast mesh mapping approach parameterizes complex genus-zero meshes.Our approach merges topological structures rather than mapping surface properties.A curvature reduction criterion and a distortion measurement metric are developed.A global optimization adjusts the vertex distribution on spherical representations.A novel two-step feature alignment procedure aligns user-specified feature points.
Resampling of spatially correlated data with preferential sampling for the estimation of frequency distributions and semivariograms

Spatial data are commonly minimal and may have been collected in the process of confirming the profitability of a mining venture or investigating a contaminated site. In such situations, it is common to have measurements preferentially taken in the most critical areas (sweet spots, allegedly contaminated areas), thus conditionally biasing the sample. While preferential sampling makes good practical sense, its direct use leads to distorted sample moments and percentiles. Spatial clusters are a problem that has been identified in the past and solved with approaches ranging from ad hoc solutions to highly elaborate mathematical formulations, covering mostly the effect of clustering on the cumulative frequency distribution. The method proposed here is a form of resample, free of special assumptions, does not use weights to ponder the measurements, does not find solutions by successive approximation and provides variability in the results. The new method is illustrated with a synthetic dataset with an exponential semivariogram and purposely generated to follow a lognormal distribution. The lognormal distribution is both difficult to work with and typical of many attributes of practical interest. Testing of the new solution shows that sample subsets derived from resampled datasets can closely approximate the true probability distribution and the semivariogram, clearly outperforming the original preferentially sampled data.
An Exploratory, Comparative Perspective on the Dynamics of Conflict in American Professional Organizations:

Using an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective, this study explores the dynamics of conflict and its resolution in a group of American professional organizations. The analysis is performed on a convenience sample of 318 professionals. The context for the study covers seminal studies on organizational conflict in national and international settings. Issues explored include the prevalence and intensity of conflict; relationships among power, cliques, and conflict; the use of non-professional decision criteria in professional decisions and their implications for conflict; and conflict resolution styles. The results point out several new directions that may contribute toward the development of a more comprehensive social-psychological theory of organizational conflict.
Abstract 79: Interleukin-19 Reduces Leukocyte-Endothelial Cell Interactions

Introduction Vascular endothelial cells (EC) actively participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by increasing expression of cell adhesion molecules which tether and adhere to leukocytes. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that interleukin-19 (IL-19), an anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine, can decrease expression of EC adhesion molecules and subsequently decrease leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in vitro and in vivo. Methods and Results Cultured human coronary artery EC were pre-treated for various times with IL-19 (100 ng/ml) followed by stimulation with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; 10 ng/ml). IL-19 significantly reduced TNF-α-driven mRNA and protein abundance of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) (p<0.01). Surprisingly, IL-19 did not inhibit TNF-α-activation of the transcription factor NFκB. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 transcript stability was significantly reduced in IL-19-treated EC (p<0.05). IL-19 treatment inhibited cyt...
Streamflow alteration and habitat ramifications for a threatened fish species in the Central United States

In the Central United States, the Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) is listed as a threatened fish species by the State of Kansas. Survival of the darter is threatened by loss of habitat caused by changing streamflow conditions, in particular flow depletion. Future management of darter populations and habitats requires an understanding of streamflow conditions and how those conditions may have changed over time in response to natural and anthropogenic factors. In Kansas, streamflow alteration was assessed at 9 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in 6 priority basins with no pronounced long-term trends in precipitation. The assessment was based on a comparison of observed (O) and predicted expected (E) reference conditions for 29 flow metrics. The O/E results indicated a likely or possible diminished flow condition in 2 basins; the primary cause of which is groundwater-level declines resulting from groundwater pumping for irrigated agriculture. In these 2 basins, habitat characteristics adversely affected by flow depletion may include stream connectivity, pools, and water temperature. The other 4 basins were minimally affected, or unaffected, by flow depletion and therefore may provide the best opportunity for preservation of darter habitat. Through the O/E analysis, anthropogenic streamflow alteration was quantified and the results will enable better-informed decisions pertaining to the future management of darters in Kansas.
Linking Language and Cognition in Infancy

Human language, a signature of our species, derives its power from its links to human cognition. For centuries, scholars have been captivated by this link between language and cognition. In this article, we shift this focus. Adopting a developmental lens, we review recent evidence that sheds light on the origin and developmental unfolding of the link between language and cognition in the first year of life. This evidence, which reveals the joint contributions of infants' innate capacities and their sensitivity to experience, highlights how a precocious link between language and cognition advances infants beyond their initial perceptual and conceptual capacities. The evidence also identifies the conceptual advantages this link brings to human infants. By tracing the emergence of a language-cognition link in infancy, this article reveals a dynamic developmental cascade in infants' first year, with each developmental advance providing a foundation for subsequent advances.
The effect of bacteria and bioturbation by Clymenella torquata on oil removal from sediment

Clymenella torquata, a representative of conveyor-belt feeding tube worms, was studied in laboratory microcosms for its effect on the removal of No. 2 fuel oil from sediment. Possible enhancement of microbial degradation of the oil was considered as well. Concentrations of the aromatic fraction of the oil were measured by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. Clymenella reduced the oil concentration of the surrounding sediment by 20 to 50% (p<0.05) in 10 days. Concentrations of oil in the worm tubes were 25 to 32% (p<0.001) less than the surrounding sediment. Sediment bacteria cultured in oil supplemented artificial sea water could use the oil as their sole C source, but did not significantly degrade the aromatic fraction.
Working memory and discourse production in people with aphasia

Abstract This study explored the relationship between Working Memory (WM) and discourse production in people with aphasia, based on data from the AphasiaBank. The dataset comprised the children's story “Cinderella” and basic WM measures of span, collected from 45 participants (15 people with nonfluent Broca's aphasia, 15 people with anomic aphasia, 15 people with fluent Wernicke's aphasia). Discourse samples were coded for and analyzed in terms of content, micro- (words and sentences) and macro- (groups of sentences) linguistic components, known to demonstrate multi-level discourse ability. Comparisons were made among the different participant groups to identify differences and/or commonalities in performance. Results showed that WM, as measured by reduced word and sentential span, influences macrolinguistic narrative components and may be sensitive to aphasia type. Findings were interpreted in terms of a potential deficit to Baddeley's episodic buffer, affecting sequential and hierarchical narrative information processing.
Late-time instability in finite difference modeling of very-low-frequency propagation in the earth-ionosphere waveguide

Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling is used to simulate electromagnetic wave propagation for frequencies up to 500 kHz in the waveguide formed by the Earth and lower ionosphere. Methods to solve Maxwell's equations in the magnetized plasma of the lower ionosphere are investigated and compared for their accuracy and stability. In particular, two methods are compared for long distance propagation (2000 km or longer), assessing accuracy and stability; we denote these the Lee & Kalluri method and the Boris method. The methods are compared in the presence of an absorbing boundary condition (ABC) just above the lower ionosphere. We find that both methods show late-time instabilities for certain magnetic field configurations when the ABC is used. Overall the Boris method is modestly more stable than the Lee & Kalluri method, though the two show similar stability characteristics.
The association between systemic lupus erythematosus and dementia A meta-analysis

Abstract A growing body of evidence indicates that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, to date, no studies have been conducted to quantitatively summarize and evaluate the consistency of data. Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the relationship of SLE and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) with cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Methods: All relevant literature was retrieved from Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. The meta-analysis was performed using effect estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to calculate pooled risk estimates. The heterogeneity among studies was also examined. Results: The meta-analysis included 11 original studies involving a total of 81,668 patients with dementia and 407 patients with cognitive dysfunction. There were significant associations on fixed-effect models between SLE and dementia (3 studies; RR=1.50; 95% CI=1.37-1.64), SLE and cognitive dysfunction (4 studies; OR=2.97; 95% CI=1.72-5.15), and aPL and cognitive dysfunction (5 studies, OR=1.97; 95% CI=1.55-2.52). We also combined cognitive dysfunction and dementia outcomes as they both represented cognitive impairment. There were significant associations between aPL and cognitive impairment (6 studies; OR=2.03; 95% CI=1.62-2.55), and SLE and cognitive impairment (7 studies; OR=1.83; 95% CI=1.42-2.35). Moderate heterogeneity (I2=45.7%) was found in the association between SLE and cognitive impairment, low heterogeneity (I2=21.8%) in the association between SLE and dementia, and near zero heterogeneity for the other three main analyses. Conclusion: Both SLE and aPL are associated with cognitive impairment.
The effect of damping on the stability of gyroscopic pendulums

There is a fascinating category of mechanical systems which exhibit the following paradoxical behavior: when modelled as systems without damping they possess stable equilibria or stable steady motions, but when small damping is introduced, those equilibria or steady motions become unstable. The paradox revolves around the fact that energy must be supplied to the growing unstable disturbances, but the damping forces are themselves consumers of energy and are thus incapable of directly supplying energy to the growing disturbances. The explanation of the paradox is that in these systems there are substantial energy sources which remain dormant until the damping forces are introduced. The damping forces act as imperfect transfer agents supplying energy from the previously dormant sources to the growing disturbances while dissipating some additional energy.
Variable Information and Capital Market Equilibria

Under the assumption of constant risk aversion and multivariate normally distributed returns for each investor (hybrid model) the expected value of information (EVI) is considered. Since the equilibrium share prices are changed by the information activity, the EVI depends on the group of informed investors. Taking profits by fluctuation in the stock-market into consideration leads to a modified definition for the EVI. For a wide class of information systems these values of information are determined explicitly.
Does Diversity Improve our Evaluation of State Legislatures?: Examining and Disentangling the Effects of Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Intersectionality on Approval

There has been a substantial increase in the number of minorities and minority women serving as elected officials in the United States in recent years. The rise in the number of representatives from groups which have been historically underrepresented have both practical and symbolic implications for our understanding of representation. Over the past couple of decades, the literature discussing women and minorities’ descriptive, substantive, and symbolic representation has grown substantially. Generally speaking, most scholars have sought to understand representation for a particular minority group, few however, have specifically compared elected officials across both gender and race/ethnicity (but see Fraga, Martinez-Ebers, Ramirez, and Lopez, 2006; Barrett, 1995). Additionally a number of scholarly works on the effects of descriptive representation in the United States have been limited to examining dyadic relationships where minority populations are represented by a co-ethnic (Banducci, Donovan, Karp, 2005; Gay, 2001, 2002), rather than examining how diversity in the aggregate may affect the public’s approval, trust or efficacy. In this project I ask does descriptive representation lead to symbolic representation in the aggregate? And who feels symbolically represented? Considering historical underrepresentation of ethnic minorities, and women, and especially minority women; diversity is a “symbol of the inclusiveness of the political system that sends signals to citizens that can generate positive feelings about elected government” (Schwindt Bayer, 2010). I test how diversity overall, and women, minorities and their intersections affect approval of state legislatures. I use state-level panel survey data asking respondents about their approval of state legislatures and examine this in conjunction with data of presence of minorities and women in the state legislatures. I find that rather than improving approval, diversity, and in particular women, decrease the overall approval of state legislatures.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Presenting as Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is the most common human prion disease presenting with subacute cognitive decline. Common MRI findings for CJD include the T2 prolongation signal of the putamen and head of caudate. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) is considered to be the most sensitive technique for the detection of CJD-related abnormalities, especially for cortical changes. We report the case of a 77-year-old female who presented with dizziness, visual hallucination, and a rapid decline in her mental state shortly after a right knee surgery. Brain MRI with contrast showed cortical and subcortical T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensities in bilateral posterior temporal lobes and the left occipital lobe without an associated enhancement, suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Workup including metabolic, infectious, and vasculitic panels were all within normal limits. A few days later, she developed persistent myoclonus, and a continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed multifocal epileptiform and generalized discharges, forming multifocal periodic discharges and generalized periodic discharges (GPDs). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was positive for 14-3-3 and elevated T-tau protein consistent with a diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). This is a rare case of CJD presenting with a brain MRI resembling PRES. CJD may have various features on MRI, and a high degree of suspicion is required to confirm the diagnosis.
Chapter 4 – Micromanipulation Techniques for Cloning

This chapter will focus primarily on the mechanics and practical details associated with nuclear transfer experiments. However, some of the differences between species as they pertain to technical considerations will be discussed. While structured mostly as an introduction and training guide for the novice, it is hoped that experienced investigators will find some useful information as well. Although the goals of most nuclear transfer experiments vary widely, in most cases the micromanipulation procedures remain constant and are merely a tool used to achieve these goals. Separate sections are devoted to the major topics of tool making, equipment, microscopy, manipulation media, enucleation, cell transfer, and fusion, with an additional section covering piezoelectric nuclear transfer. Consideration of species is given for the most commonly used laboratory and livestock models for experimental embryology. In addition, a section is included on technical improvements such as chemical enucleation and nuclear transfer without micromanipulators to present alternative methods aimed at simplification of some of the technically demanding procedures.