cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of drift macroalgae and light attenuation on chlorophyll fluorescence and sediment sulfides in the seagrass Thalassia testudinum

Abstract We examined fluorescence parameters, chlorophyll indices, and sediment sulfides in the leaves of the subtropical seagrass Thalassia testudinum in relation to shading by drift macroalgae and artificial light reduction in a shallow meadow near Port Aransas, Texas, USA. Experiments conducted during a 5-week period in autumn 2003 included three cages in 0.7 m water depths covered with neutral density screening to achieve four light treatments: a control at full insolation ( I o ) and at 10%, 33%, and 50% I o . Seagrasses in six remaining cages were covered with a 50% cover of drift macroalgae similar to that observed in situ. Effective quantum yield ( Y ), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and minimal fluorescence ( F o ) at the apex and base portions of six leaves were measured under the four different light regimes and under the drift algal treatment once a week for four weeks. Values of fluorescence quantum yield in older distal segments were lower than in proximal younger segments in all treatments, likely reflecting differences in tissue age. Y decreased at the leaf apex in both the light reduction and drift macroalgae treatments following the first week of the study. At the end of two weeks Y had also decreased at the leaf base and continued to decrease in both leaf areas over the course of the experiment in all treatments relative to the control. Shading by drift algae and artificial light reduction also induced increases in NPQ. The increase was highest at the 10% I o treatment. F o values were stable beneath the drift macroalgae treatment but increased in plants subjected to artificial light reduction. Leaf chlorophyll (chl) a content, measured in each treatment at the end of the study, ranged from 4 to 5.2 mg chl g dry weight − 1 . Chl a increased at 50% and 33% I o , showed no change in the drift macroalgal treatment, but decreased significantly at 10% I o . Chl a : b ratios at 10% I o (1.3) were also significantly lower than all other treatments (range 1.9 to 2.2), including the control. The changes in pigment concentrations under various regimes of light reduction suggest various degrees of photoacclimation relative to controls and plants shaded by macroalgae. Coincident with the changes in Y and NPQ, sediment porewater sulfide concentrations increased in drift macroalgal and artificial light reduction treatments, and were inversely correlated to light. Highest sulfide values were measured in the 10% I o treatment but were significantly different at each experimental light level. These preliminary results suggest that chlorophyll fluorescence is a useful and non-destructive indicator of seagrass condition that has potential as a monitoring tool for management of an important but threatened coastal resource.
Personalized 3D-aided 2D facial landmark localization

Facial landmark detection in images obtained under varying acquisition conditions is a challenging problem. In this paper, we present a personalized landmark localization method that leverages information available from 2D/3D gallery data. To realize a robust correspondence between gallery and probe key points, we present several innovative solutions, including: (i) a hierarchical DAISY descriptor that encodes larger contextual information, (ii) a Data-Driven Sample Consensus (DDSAC) algorithm that leverages the image information to reduce the number of required iterations for robust transform estimation, and (iii) a 2D/3D gallery pre-processing step to build personalized landmark metadata (i.e., local descriptors and a 3D landmark model). We validate our approach on the Multi-PIE and UHDB14 databases, and by comparing our results with those obtained using two existing methods.
Psychophysical measurement of contrast sensitivity in the behaving mouse

To understand how activity in mammalian neural circuits controls behavior, the mouse is a promising model system due to the convergence of genetic, optical, and physiological methods. The ability to control and quantify behavior precisely is also essential for these studies. We developed an operant visual detection paradigm to make visual psychophysical measurements: head-fixed mice make responses by pressing a lever. We designed this task to permit neurophysiological studies of behavior in cerebral cortex, where activity is variable from trial to trial and neurons encode many types of information simultaneously. To study neural responses in the face of this complexity, we trained mice to do a task where they perform hundreds of trials daily and perceptual thresholds can be measured. We used this task to measure both visual acuity and the minimum detectable contrast in behaving mice. We found that the mouse contrast response function is similar in shape to other species. They can detect low-contrast stimuli, with a peak contrast threshold of 2%, equivalent to ∼15° eccentric in human vision. Mouse acuity is modest, with an upper limit near 0.5 cycles/°, consistent with prior data.
Engineering of replica voting protocols for energy-efficiency in data delivery

This paper describes the engineering of replica voting protocols for energy-efficiency in data delivery. The protocols employ 2-phase voting among replica processes to move a correct data from the external environment to the end-user(s) in a secure real-time application setting. The replicas may be wireless computation nodes deployed in a power-constrained environment. The cross-layer optimization techniques is employed to reduce the amount of network message exchanges and device processing cycles expended for data delivery to the user. This optimization can in turn reduce the battery energy consumption of wireless devices that participate in the voting protocol. Cross-layer design of a replica-based voting protocol is considered for deployment over IEEE- 802.11 networks. Furthermore, though the paper focused on replica voting as the application, the optimization techniques are useful in other application domains.
END-PLATE POTENTIALS IN EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN RATS*

Rats inoculated once with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and adjuvants had two episodes of weakness, the first being acute and transient, starting on day 8, and remitting in a few days, the second, chronic, progressive, and appearing after day 20. In the acute phase, the compound action potential and twitch evoked in weak forelimb muscles by maximal nerve stimulus were greatly reduced. Nerve action potentials were normal, however, and the muscle responded to direct electrical stimulation. Using intracellular microelectrodes, miniature end-plate potentials were difficult to find and often were low in amplitude. Many fibers were functionally denervated; no action potential or end-plate potential was evoked by nerve stimulus, although the muscle fiber responded to direct stimulation. In fibers with EEPs the number of acetylcholine quanta released by nerve impulse, the store of quanta readily available for release and the mobilization rate were low. The diaphragm was similarly, but less severely affected. Recovery from the acute phase occurred in a few days with restoration of the response of forelimb muscle to nerve stimulus, even though MEPP amplitude remained low. In the chronic phase, in both forelimb muscle and diaphragm, MEPP were more easily found, but in all rats MEPP amplitude was below normal whether or not there was weakness or a decrement in the EMG. The number of quanta released by nerve stimulus, the store, and the mobilization rate of quanta were normal in all animals. The titer of antibodies ot syngeneic acetylcholine receptor was elevated in all chronic phase animals. The chronic phase is like myasthenia gravis, but rats with MEPP amplitudes as low as those in patients with MG frequently were not weak, because the number of ACh quanta released per nerve impulse is greater in the rat than in man.
Trends in braille and large-print production in the United States: 2000-2004

This study investigated practices in the production and distribution of braille and large-print textbooks, highlighting changes in production and delivery systems from 2000 to 2004. The findings indicate that fewer states use production models for the statewide acquisition and distribution of special materials and that there is a greater reliance on materials from the American Printing House for the Blind and a greater use of publishers' electronic files for production.
New optical switching fabric architecture incorporating load balanced parallel rapidly switching all-optical variable delay buffer arrays

We propose a novel optical switching fabric architecture employing load-balanced parallel all-optical variable delay buffer arrays and demonstrate more than an order of magnitude performance enhancement in terms of packet loss rate, delay and jitter.
A Test of the Relative Pricing Effects of Dividends and Earnings: Evidence from Simultaneous Announcements in Japan

We study the pricing effects of dividend and earnings announcements by taking advantage of the unique setting in Japan where managers simultaneously announce the current year's dividends and earnings as well as forecasts of next year's dividends and earnings. Defining surprises as deviations from analysts' forecasts, we find that share price reactions are significantly affected by earnings surprises, especially management forecasts of next year's earnings. The information content of dividends is marginal and is restricted to announcements of next year's dividends. Consistent with Modigliani and Miller's dividend irrelevance proposition, current dividend surprises have no material impact on stock prices in Japan.
A Mathematical Model for the Determination of Step Coverage

Step coverage of metal stripes over high angle steps on integrated circuit wafers is-necessary to produce reliable multi-level metal interconnect circuits. In order to determine the optimum deposition geometry for obtaining good step coverage a mathematical model has been developed which applies to all deposition geometries using straight line deposition. The model has been programmed to give a profile of the metal across steps or troughs. It takes into account the oblique incidence shadowing and gives the thickness uniformity across the wafer holder. Assumptions include a sticking coefficient of unity, pressure in the molecular flow range, and negligible mobility of depositing atoms on the surface of the substrate. Various evaporation and sputtering systems using point sources (filaments) and small area sources (boats) have been evaluated using the model. Step angles from 60° to 90° with various orientations on the substrate have been theoretically investigated. Profiles were plotted from the computer data for 90° steps and will be presented and compared with some actual cross sections representative of the assumed conditions for applicability of the model. The major problem areas defined by this work are self-shadowing at the edge of steps due to the oblique incidence necessary to obtain good step coverage and the necessity for the use of rather complex planetary motion type systems in order to obtain good step coverage.
At the crossroads of SUMO and NF-κB

Background: Recognition of pathogens by immune receptors leads to activation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes. Signals are communicated to enhance expression of target molecules such as cytokines and adhesion molecules, depending on activation of various inducible transcription factors, among which the family NF-κB transcription factors plays an evolutionarily conserved and critical role. Classical activation of NF-κB involves phosphorylation, polyubiquitination and subsequent degradation of the inhibitor molecules of NF-κB, referred to as IκB. Modification of IκBα, one of the mammalian IκB isoforms, with the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) results its protection from degradation. Presentation of the hypothesis: SUMO-IκBα localizes in the nucleus. The nuclear SUMO-IκBα pool may be dynamic. SUMO-IκBα functions as synergy control factor. Testing the hypothesis: Immunoprecipitation from cellular fractions, 35 S methionine pulsechase, and FRET assays should reveal the localization of SUMO-IκBα and the dynamics of the pool. Expression of SUMOylation defective IκBα in an IκBα -/- background should yield insights into the function of SUMO-IκBα. Implication of the hypothesis: IκBα contains the required SUMOylation motif but IκBβ does not. The suggested study would provide evidence whether or not IκBα and IκBβ can substitute each other. In addition, the suggested assays would reveal a possible redundancy in controlling transcriptional activity of NF-κB.
Heat Sterilization of Liquid Eggs After Stabilization Treatment with Various Proteinases

Abstract THE preservation of eggs in the liquid form presents several economic as well as quality advantages over the methods of preserving eggs in the shell. The problem of preserving liquid eggs is only partly solved by freezing after stabilization with sugars. The method consists in adding prior to freezing a syrup of 32% sugars (dextrose, maltose and dextrin) usually to an amount of 10 parts syrup to 65 parts whole eggs and 25 parts yolk. This treatment which protects the yolk from hardening at freezing temperatures has no significant effect on the coagulation temperature of the egg and therefore does not produce a product susceptible to heat sterilization without coagulation. Because of the sweet taste of the product, this process also limits the use of liquid eggs to bakery purposes only. Sterilization of frozen liquid eggs would extend their use in the European market, in England more particularly, where the …
Stationary, high bootstrap fraction plasmas in DIII-D without inductive current control

We have initiated an experimental programme to address some of the questions associated with the operation of a tokamak with high bootstrap current fraction under high performance conditions, without assistance from a transformer. In these discharges, stationary (or slowly improving) conditions are maintained for up to 3.7 s at βN ≈ βp approaching 3.3. The achievable current and pressure are limited by a relaxation oscillation, involving growth and collapse of an internal transport barrier at ρ ≥ 0.6. The pressure gradually increases and the current profile broadens throughout the discharge. Eventually the plasma reaches a more stable, high confinement (H89P ~ 3) state. Characteristically these plasmas have 65–85% bootstrap current, 15–30% neutral-beam-driven current and 0–10% driven by electron cyclotron frequency electromagnetic waves.
The use of 13 C n.m.r. (c.m.r.) spectroscopy in biosynthetic studies of - lactam antibiotics. I. The incorporation of (1- 13 C)- and (2- 13 C) sodium acetate, and DL-(1- 13 C)- and DL-(2- 13 C) valine into cephalosporin C.

The unique chemical and biological properties of β-lactam antibiotics and, in particular, the importance of penicillins and cephalosporins in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections have stimulated investigations in various laboratories concerned with elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways leading to the formation of these antibiotics. Most of the present knowledge of some of these processes has been obtained from tracer studies involving 14C labelled precursors (Abraham & Newton 1967). The recent advances in the instrumentation required for recording 13C n.m.r.(c.m.r.) spectra, as well as commercial availability of simple 13C enriched compounds suitable for the synthesis of appropriate precursors, prompted us to examine the usefulness of c.m.r. spectroscopy in biosynthetic studies of cephalosporin C (Neuss, Nash, Lemke & Grutzner 1971).
Use of high-performance liquid chromatography in the analysis of retinyl and 3,4-didehydroretinyl compounds in tissue extracts of bullfrog tadpoles and goldfish.

Abstract HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) was used to analyse retinyl and 3,4-didehydroretinyl compounds in tissue extracts from goldfish and bullfrog tadpoles. Using silica columns (packed with 10-μm μ Porasil or 5-μm Ultrasphere particles) eluted with n-hexane (containing a small amount of dioxane or diethyl ether), the authentic all- trans retinyl and 3,4-didehydroretinyl palmitates, retinal and 3,4-didehydroretinal, retinol and 3,4-didehydroretinol were completely separated. Liver and eye extracts of the goldfish and bullfrog tadpoles had mainly esterified all- trans retinol and all- trans 3,4-didehydroretinol. In the liver, these vitamin A were conjugated to a number of fatty acids whereas in the eye, principally one fatty acid was used. Moreover, the relative proportions of all- trans retinol and all- trans 3,4-didehydroretinol (obtained by analysing the saponified esters) were significantly different between some of these body compartments.
Simultaneous Estimation of Microphysical Parameters and Atmospheric State with Simulated Radar Data and Ensemble Square Root Kalman Filter. Part I: Sensitivity Analysis and Parameter Identifiability

Abstract The possibility of estimating fundamental parameters common in single-moment ice microphysics schemes using radar observations is investigated for a model-simulated supercell storm by examining parameter sensitivity and identifiability. These parameters include the intercept parameters for rain, snow, and hail/graupel, and the bulk densities of snow and hail/graupel. These parameters are closely involved in the definition of drop/particle size distributions of microphysical species but often assume highly uncertain specified values. The sensitivity of model forecast within data assimilation cycles to the parameter values, and the issue of solution uniqueness of the estimation problem, are examined. The ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) is employed for model state estimation. Sensitivity experiments show that the errors in the microphysical parameters have a larger impact on model microphysical fields than on wind fields; radar reflectivity observations are therefore preferred over those of radi...
Augmenting forced convection heat transfer coupled with an aerodynamic surface and a synthetic jet

Forced convection heat transfer is limited with the fan flow rate or pressure drop. Therefore, it is necessary to develop novel cooling technologies that can enhance forced convection. A new heat sink design is proposed for electronics cooling applications. The objective of this study was to develop a new heat sink design, which increases heat transfer properties while containing the pressure drop. Twodimensional CFD analysis was used to optimize the shape of the heat sink. Enhancing the heat transfer characteristics also increased the pressure drop and hence the fan power. It is observed that lower heat sink surface temperatures are highly non-linear and produce significantly larger pressure drops. A new aerodynamic heat sink shape is proposed by integrating aerodynamic flow characteristics and fan performance curves. The results show that a good compromise for higher heat transfer properties while marginally increasing the pressure drop is possible. However, we believe that further optimization of this technology will enable lower thermal resistance at the same pressure drop compared to baseline forced convection in the same flow rate.
An Analysis of Super Typhoon Tip (October 1979)

Abstract Super Typhoon Tip was an eventful tropical cyclone which developed in the western North Pacific in early, October 1979. Besides establishing the world's record for the lowest minimum sea level pressure ever measured in a tropical cyclone, Tip also possessed the largest surface, circulation pattern ever observed for a tropical cyclone. The development cycle of Super Typhoon Tip from a weak disturbance to a mature typhoon to an extratropical system is discussed in view of the record breaking performance of this typhoon.
The prevalence and aeromedical certification considerations of contact lens use by civilian pilots.

Federal Aviation Regulations permit the routine use of contact lenses by civilian pilots to satisfy the distant visual acuity requirements for obtaining medical certificates. Specific information identifying the prevalence of contact lenses in the civil airman population is required to guide future medical certification decisions, policy changes, and education safety programs to aviation personnel. A descriptive, retrospective epidemiologic study was performed of active airmen by 5-year intervals for a 20-year period (1967-1987) using FAA data-bases and publications. The percentage of airmen who use contact lenses quadrupled during the study period. When stratified by class of medical certificate and age, the prevalence rates for airmen with first-class medical certificates and older airmen showed the largest increases. A summary is provided of aeromedical certification factors that an optometrist and/or ophthalmologist should consider while fitting an airman with contact lenses. The increasing use of contact lenses indicates a need for ongoing review of adverse changes and safety consequences for pilots. Key words: vision; contact lens; epidemiology; medical certification. Language: en
Colored Faith: Vietnamese American Catholics Struggle for Equality within Their Multicultural Church

The article provides a sociological study of Vietnamese American Catholic communities in Orange County, California. It traces the history of the challenges the Vietnamese American community has faced in gaining representation and influence within the Diocese of Orange County. The research here examines the structural and cultural hurdles Vietnamese American Catholics encountered in trying to build their own parish within a multicultural church community.
INTERACTING PHENOTYPES AND THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS: I. DIRECT AND INDIRECT GENETIC EFFECTS OF SOCIAL INTERACTIONS.

Interacting phenotypes are traits whose expression is affected by interactions with conspecifics. Commonly- studied interacting phenotypes include aggression, courtship, and communication. More extreme examples of inter- acting phenotypes-traits that exist exclusively as a product of interactions-include social dominance, intraspecific competitive ability, and mating systems. We adopt a quantitative genetic approach to assess genetic influences on interacting phenotypes. We partition genetic and environmental effects so that traits in conspecifics that influence the expression of interacting phenotypes are a component of the environment. When the trait having the effect is heritable, the environmental influence arising from the interaction has a genetic basis and can be incorporated as an indirect genetic effect. However, because it has a genetic basis, this environmental component can evolve. Therefore, to consider the evolution of interacting phenotypes we simultaneously consider changes in the direct genetic contributions to a trait (as a standard quantitative genetic approach would evaluate) as well as changes in the environmental (indirect genetic) contribution to the phenotype. We then explore the ramifications of this model of inheritance on the evolution of interacting phenotypes. The relative rate of evolution in interacting phenotypes can be quite different from that predicted by a standard quantitative genetic analysis. Phenotypic evolution is greatly enhanced or inhibited depending on the nature of the direct and indirect genetic effects. Further, unlike most models of phenotypic evolution, a lack of variation in direct genetic effects does not preclude evolution if there is genetic variance in the indirect genetic contributions. The available empirical evidence regarding the evolution of behavior expressed in interactions, although limited, supports the predictions of our model.
Reproductive Behavior of the Papaya Fruit Fly, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker (Diptera: Tephritidae)

During field observations of papaya fruit flies, Toxotrypana curvicauda Gerstaecker, on papaya plants, most activity occurred in late afternoon and evening and was concentrated on or near fruit. Males mounted ovipositing or probing females in attempts to mate. Flies in a field cage generally mated when at least 6 days old. Oviposition occurred in all sizes of fruit available, as well as blossom buds, with multiple ovipositions in all fruit under both field and cage conditions. Males puffed the pleural areas of the abdomen during much of the day, possibly releasing pheromone.
Introduction to the Atlas

Armed with the information from the last two chapters on perimetric technique and interpretation, the reader is presented now with a selection of 120 cases gathered over 12 years. This section is meant not only as a demonstration but also as an exercise, a chance to hone interpretative skills. Each case is presented on two pages.
Reliability of Highly Stable Amorphous-Silicon Thin-Film Transistors Under Low Gate-Field Stress—Part II: Optimization of Fabrication Conditions and Gate Voltage Dependence

Part I of this paper introduced a two-stage model for reliability characterization and lifetime prediction of amorphous-silicon thin-film transistors (a-Si TFTs) under low gate-field stress that includes both charge trapping in the silicon nitride (SiNx) gate dielectric and defect generation in the a-Si channel. In part II, the model is used to experimentally reduce the drain current instability under room temperature operation of a-Si TFTs under a prolonged gate bias of 5 V. Deposition conditions for the SiNx gate insulator and the a-Si channel layer were varied, and TFTs were fabricated with all reactive-ion-etch steps, or with all wet-etch steps. The stability of the a-Si channel also depends on the deposition conditions for the underlying SiNx gate insulator, and TFTs made with wet etching are more stable than TFTs made with reactive ion etching. Combining the various improvements raised the extrapolated 50% lifetime of the drain current of back-channel-passivated dry-etched TFTs under continuous operation in saturation at 20 °C with $V_{\mathrm{GS}}=\text{5}\ \text{V}$ from $\text{3}\times \text{10}^{4}\ \text{s}$ (9.2 h) to $\text{4}\times \text{10}^{7}\ \text{s}$ (1.4 years). We also extend the model, so that parameters from the degradation at one gate voltage can be used to estimate the degradation at other low gate voltages.
Democracy and infant mortality within India: from whether to why

How does democratic politics affect infant mortality? The bulk of existing research has debated whether democracies have lower levels of infant mortality than non-democracies. Yet, infant mortality varies as much within countries as it does between countries, suggesting that the political processes affecting infant mortality operate at the subnational level. To shed new light on the debate, this paper examines how three core democratic attributes affect infant mortality within a single democracy: India. I argue that higher levels of political representation, citizens’ participation, and electoral competition provide political incentives for elected representatives to reduce infant mortality. The theory is tested on a times-series data set from 15 major Indian states between 1980 and 2011. Overall, the results demonstrate the significance of democratic politics, particularly political representation, in influencing infant mortality.
Signing on for dirty work: Taking stock of a public psychiatry project from the inside:

As applied anthropologists used to working at arm's length from public psychiatry, we step out of the daily grind to take stock of the challenges of taking on ethnography entrained-harnessed to the implementation of a new program. These include the loss of critical distance, the struggles to negotiate locally viable forms of authority and relevance, the necessity of sustaining a Janus-faced relation with principal players, the urgency of seeing time-sensitive information converted into corrective feedback, and the undeniable attraction of being part of "committed work" with game-changing potential. In so doing, we rework the terms of witnessing and revive an old alternative: that documentary dirty work be reclaimed as a variant of public anthropology, one that transforms the work of application from mere afterthought to integral part of the original inquiry.
Observation on the ultrastructure morphology of HeLa cells treated with ethanol: Statistical analysis

It is estimated that 5.9% of all human deaths are attributable to alcohol consumption and that the harmful use of ethanol ranks among the top five risk factors for causing disease, disability, and death worldwide. Ethanol is known to disrupt phospholipid packing and promote membrane hemifusion at lipid bilayers. With the exception of mitochondria involved in hormone synthesis, the sterol content of mitochondrial membranes is low. As membranes that are low in cholesterol have increased membrane fluidity and are the most easily disordered by ethanol, we hypothesize that mitochondria are sensitive targets for ethanol damage. HeLa cells were exposed to 50 mM ethanol and the direct effects of ethanol on cellular ultrastructure were examined utilizing transmission electron microscopy. Our ultramicroscopic analysis revealed that cells exposed to ethanol harbor fewer incidence of apoptotic morphology; however, significant alterations to mitochondria and to nuclei occurred. We observed statistical increases in the amount of irregular cells and cells with multiple nuclei, nuclei harboring indentations, and nuclei with multiple nucleolus-like bodies. Indeed, our analysis revealed that mitochondrial damage is the most extensive type of cellular damage. Rupturing of cristae was the most prominent damage followed by mitochondrial swelling. Ethanol exposure also resulted in increased amounts of mitochondrial rupturing, organelles with linked membranes, and mitochondria localizing to indentations of nuclear membranes. We theorize that these alterations could contribute to cellular defects in oxidative phosphorylation and, by extension, the inability to generate regular levels of cellular adenosine triphosphate.
A Systematic Review of the Quantity and Quality of Empirical Research Published in Four Pastoral Counseling Journals: 1975–1984

Compares the quantity and quality of research in pastoral counseling journals to that found in similar journals in psychiatry, geriatrics, and nursing. Concludes from the data that pastoral counseling research is less likely to state hypotheses, to use control groups, to state a sampling method, to report a response rate, to evaluate at more than a simple point in time, or to discuss limitations of the findings. Infers that, given these factors, pastoral counseling has failed to develop adequately as a behavioral science. Critical responses follow the article.
Utilizing CT with Maximum Intensity Projection Reconstruction Bypassing CTA Improves Time to Groin Puncture in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke Thrombectomy.

Background and Purpose: Prior to thrombectomy for proximal anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke, recent trials have utilized CT angiography (CTA) for vascular imaging immediately following noncontrast CT (NCCT) for decision-making, but thin-section NCCT with automated maximum intensity projection (MIP) reconstruction also has high accuracy in demonstrating the site of an occluding thrombus. We hypothesized that performing thin-section NCCT with MIP alone prior to thrombectomy improves the time to groin puncture (GP) compared to performing CTA after NCCT. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of anterior circulation LVO thrombectomy at our tertiary care academic medical center. All stroke patients evaluated with thin-section NCCT (0.625 mm) with automated MIP reconstructions alone and those who had additional CTA were included. We excluded transfer patients, in-hospital strokes, posterior circulation strokes, and patients that were evaluated with stroke imaging other than NCCT or CTA prior to thrombectomy. The study groups were compared for duration from NCCT to GP and total stroke imaging duration. Results: From March 2008 through August 2015, 34 thrombectomy patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria - 13 in the NCCT and 20 in the NCCT+CTA group. The total stroke imaging duration was shorter in the NCCT group than in the NCCT+CTA group (2 min [1-6] vs. 28 min [23-65]; p p = 0.030). Conclusion: Avoiding advanced imaging for patients with anterior circulation LVO in whom thin-section NCCT with MIPs reveals a hyperdense sign significantly shortens the imaging-to-GP time.
Modeling Human Natural Killer Cell Development in the Era of Innate Lymphoid Cells.

Decades after the discovery of natural killer (NK) cells, their developmental pathways in mice and humans have not yet been completely deciphered. Accumulating evidence indicates that NK cells can develop in multiple tissues throughout the body. Moreover, detailed and comprehensive models of NK cell development were proposed soon after the turn of the century. However, with the recent identification and characterization of other subtypes of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which show some overlapping functional and phenotypic features with NK cell developmental intermediates, the distinct stages through which human NK cells develop from early hematopoietic progenitor cells remain unclear. Thus, there is need to reassess and refine older models of NK cell development in the context of new data and in the era of ILCs. Our group has focused on elucidating the developmental pathway of human NK cells in secondary lymphoid tissues (SLTs), including tonsils and lymph nodes. Here we provide an update of recent progress that has been made with regard to human NK cell development in SLTs, and we discuss these new findings in the context of contemporary models of ILC development.
3D nano-architected metallic glass: Size effect suppresses catastrophic failure

We investigate the mechanical behavior of 3D periodically architected metallic glass nanolattices, constructed from hollow beams of sputtered Zr-Ni-Al metallic glass. Nanolattices composed of beams with different wall thicknesses are fabricated by varying the sputter deposition time, resulting in nanolattices with median wall thicknesses of ∼88 nm, ∼57 nm, ∼38 nm, ∼30 nm, ∼20 nm, and ∼10 nm. Uniaxial compression experiments conducted inside a scanning electron microscope reveal a transition from brittle, catastrophic failure in thicker-walled nanolattices (median wall thicknesses of ∼88 and ∼57 nm) to deformable, gradual, layer-by-layer collapse in thinner-walled nanolattices (median wall thicknesses of ∼38 nm and less). As the nanolattice wall thickness is varied, large differences in deformability are manifested through the severity of strain bursts, nanolattice recovery after compression, and in-situ images obtained during compression experiments. We explain the brittle-to-deformable transition that occurs as the nanolattice wall thickness decreases in terms of the “smaller is more deformable” material size effect that arises in nano-sized metallic glasses. This work demonstrates that the nano-induced failure-suppression size effect that emerges in small-scale metallic glasses can be proliferated to larger-scale materials by the virtue of architecting.
Meaningfulness, Formal Similarity and Subjective Organization

2 experiments manipulated meaningfulness (M) and formal similarity (FS) in a multitrial free-recall task. Both accuracy and unidirectional and bidirectional subjective organization (SO) were measured. M facilitated both recall, and SO but had a greater effect on bidirectional than unidirectional SO. Low FS lists resulted in higher recall and SO scores than did high FS lists, probably because of greater item discriminability. The data were discussed in terms of current research on organizational processes.
Molecular Biology of Flexor Tendon Healing in Relation to Reduction of Tendon Adhesions

Tendon injuries are encountered after major and minor hand trauma. Despite meticulous repair technique, adhesion formation can occur, limiting recovery. Although a great deal of progress has been made toward understanding the mechanism of tendon healing and adhesions, clinically applicable solutions to prevent adhesions remain elusive. The goal of this paper is to review the most recent literature relating to the tendon healing and adhesion prevention.
Using semantic similarity metrics to uncover category and land cover change

Analysis of geographic data that uses a nominal measurement framework is problematic since it limits the possible analytic methods that can be applied. Land cover change analysis is an example of this where both the actual change analysis as well as classification changes over time can be problematic. This study illustrates the use of semantic similarity metrics on parameterized category definitions, and how these metrics can be used to assess land cover change over time as a degree of perceived change with respect to the original landscape state. It also illustrates how changes of the categories, the classification system, over time can be analyzed using semantic similarity measures.
Al Qaeda’s Post 9-11 Travails

Al Qaeda (AQ) has been characterized as resurgent by terrorist analysts in the post-9/11 era.1 The organization’s spread into different regions is viewed as evidence of the movement’s dynamism. Al ...
Inhibition of programmed necrosis limits infarct size through altered mitochondrial and immune responses in the aged female rat heart

Myocardial infarct size reduction by inhibition of programmed necrosis in aged female subjects suggests a dominant cell death pathway. Alterations in mitochondrial protein levels and acetylation un...
Optimal Operation of Queues

The early growth of queueing theory was motivated by the design of telephone and other service systems. As the literature expanded, much of its growth consisted of mathematical theory suggested by the literature itself rather than by congested service systems. This self-sustaining theoretical growth has been coupled recently with a renewed pragmatic motivation. The result has been an increase in the volume of prescriptive research in queueing theory. Most of these recent contributions begin by embellishing a standard queueing model with a cost structure. Although they go on to address the question of optimal design or of optimal operation, one might imagine that including a cost structure is merely hanging bells and jangles on a standard model. Although that conjecture may be valid, the analysis of normative queueing models often differs fundamentally from the derivation of properties of descriptive models and it provides new insights into how congestion should be managed.
Quantitative Nucleic Acid Histochemistry of the Yolk Sac Syncytium of Oviparous Teleosts: Implications for Hypotheses of Yolk Utilization

In the yolk-sac syncytium of the muskellunge embryo, Esox masquinongy ohioensis Kirtland, there are nuclei whose size and staining properties with basic dyes suggest that their chromatin content is greater than that of other embryonic nuclei (Bachop, 1965). This study is intended to test that supposition, using a histochemical test specific for one of the constituents of chromatin and using a microspectrophotometer to quantify the histochemical reaction in different nuclei relative to each other. The rationale of microphotometry is that insertion of the microscope in the optical train, and substitution of a dyed tissue on a slide for a dye solution in a cuvette, does not militate against using Beer’s law to deduce relative concentration of dye molecules from relative absorption of light (Pollister and Ornstein, 1959).
Overview of Results

Chapter 8 outlined 17 cases simulated using dSim. Both the traditional, fair-share scheduling algorithm and the Rawlsian Fair scheduling algorithm developed for our work were used in these simulations. Table 9.1 outlines the different classes of simulations and their purposes.
Lysophospholipid Receptor Agents

The lysophosphlipid agents are naturally occurring phospholipids. These compounds were originally discovered as intermediaries in lipid synthesis. They are now known to have a role as intracellular messengers and/or as extracellular signaling ligands. The agents include …
Radiation-induced modifications in copper oxide growth

Cu samples were irradiated with 10 MeV Au3+ ions at 200 °C to damage levels of 5, 10, and 15 displacements per atom (dpa) as an analogue to study long term self-irradiation effects of alpha-decay in Pu. Samples were then subject to accelerated aging at 350 °C for 1 h in air resulting in mixed oxide layer growth (Cu2O and CuO). Raman spectroscopy revealed that the CuO phase fraction was gradually decreased as the damage level increased. These findings indicate that accumulated damage from self-irradiation causes quantifiable modifications in metal oxidation that could serve as a novel forensic signature.
Prevalence of stunting and obesity in Ecuador: a systematic review.

Objective: In low- and middle-income countries, undernutrition remains a major risk factor for child growth retardation. In addition, the emergence of obesity in recent years is adding another public health concern in that both stunting and obesity are associated with serious adverse health consequences. This review was designed to evaluate the prevalence of stunting and obesity in Ecuador. Design: Electronic databases were searched for articles published through February 2018 reporting the prevalence of stunting and/or obesity. Selected data were subjected to meta-analysis and pooled prevalence and their 95 percentiles (95 % CI) were calculated. Setting: Studies were identified in Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Database and Ibero-America databases. Participants: Population of Ecuador. Results: Twenty-three articles were selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study. The estimate of pooled prevalence of stunting was 23·2 % (95 % CI 23·3, 23·5) in preschoolers (age < 5 years), but was markedly higher in indigenous and rural communities. Pooled prevalence of obesity was 8·1 % (95 % CI 6·9, 9·3), 10·7 % (95 % CI 9·6, 11·7) and 10·5 % (95 % CI 9·2, 11·8) in preschoolers, school-age children (age: 5–11 years) and adolescent (age: 12–18 years), respectively. In adults (age ≥ 19 years), the rate of obesity was remarkably high as indicated by an overall estimate equal to 44·2 % (95 % CI 43·1, 45·4). Conclusions: This study underlines high levels of stunting among children and obesity among adults in Ecuador, both of which are not equally distributed among the population. The magnitude of this double burden emphasises the need for sustained and targeted interventions.
Novel mesothelin antibody-drug conjugates: current evidence and future role in the treatment of ovarian cancer

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy in the United States, and effective therapies for recurrent, advanced, and progressive disease are limited. Mesothelin is known ...
Strategic culture in the service of strategy: The founding paradigm of Colin S. Gray

The foundational work of Colin S. Gray in establishing unorthodox (for the social sciences) and eminently useful intellectual space for the concept of strategic culture is animated throughout by th...
Why You Should Try the Real Data for the Scene Text Recognition.

Recent works in the text recognition area have pushed forward the recognition results to the new horizons. But for a long time a lack of large human-labeled natural text recognition datasets has been forcing researchers to use synthetic data for training text recognition models. Even though synthetic datasets are very large (MJSynth and SynthTest, two most famous synthetic datasets, have several million images each), their diversity could be insufficient, compared to natural datasets like ICDAR and others. Fortunately, the recently released text-recognition annotation for OpenImages V5 dataset has comparable with synthetic dataset number of instances and more diverse examples. We have used this annotation with a Text Recognition head architecture from the Yet Another Mask Text Spotter and got comparable to the SOTA results. On some datasets we have even outperformed previous SOTA models. In this paper we also introduce a text recognition model. The model's code is available.
Labour Force Dynamics and the Obesity Gap in Female Unemployment in Finland

In this paper we analyse the obesity gap in female unemployment in Finland. A growing body of research has documented that women suffer from obesity penalties in the labour market, whereas men do not. In this paper, we focus on the link between obesity and female unemployment. Since the obesity gap in unemployment may be due to both worker and employer behaviour, our approach provides an interesting test case for analysing various hypotheses put forward to explain the obesity gap in labour market rewards. With data from the Finnish component of the European Community Household Panel, we start by decomposing the obesity gap in unemployment rates to transitions between labour market statuses. The results show that the difference in transitions from unemployment to employment is the most important component of the difference in unemployment rates. We further analyse this transition by performing event-history analyses of the transitions from unemployment to employment and by looking into the job search behaviour of obese versus non-obese women. The obesity gap in transitions from unemployment to employment remains after controlling for human capital and demographic features. Neither do obese women differ from their non-obese peers in job search behaviour. We conclude that employer discrimination is an important explanation of the obesity gap in female unemployment.
Diffusion Through a Porous Medium

The principal object of this chapter is the estimation of the effective diffusion coefficient D e of a solute in a gaseous or liquid mixture when the mixture is in the presence of a suspended solid phase. Bounds on D e are calculated for an isotropic suspension whose only known statistical property is the void fraction, these are rigorously shown to be the “best possible bounds” that can be obtained with such limited information. Improved upper bounds on D e are obtained when an explicit model pore structure is generated from randomly overlapping, solid spheres.
Occupy Santa Clara? Corporate Personhood Reconsidered

The Occupy Wall Street Movement and the controversial Supreme Court decision in Citizens United have combined to bring back to public debate an issue long considered non-controversial: whether private corporations are legal persons. This paper argues that a complete understanding of the debate requires analysis of four distinct approaches to the characterization of the corporate form, including a reassessment of the Supreme Court’s 19th century Santa Clara decision. Liberal and left analysis of the personhood issue has been stymied by the assumption that the debate had long been settled, as suggested in the classic article on the Santa Clara case by the critical legal studies (CLS) figure, legal historian Morton Horwitz. This paper suggests that Horwitz’s analysis, while valuable, has critical flaws including a failure to recognize the impact of law and economics thinking on this topic. Any attempt to reassess personhood must take into account the underlying nature of capitalism, which the paper suggests has been problematic for the CLS school.