cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Widespread hybridization among native and invasive species of Operophtera moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in Europe and North America

In North America the invasive winter moth (Operopthera brumata) has caused defoliation in forest and fruit crop systems in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Oregon, and in the northeastern United States (the “Northeast”). In the Northeast, it was previously shown that hybridization is occurring with a native congener, Bruce spanworm (O. bruceata)—a species that has a broad distribution across much of North America. Whether hybridization among winter moth and Bruce spanworm populations has occurred in all of regions where winter moth established is unknown. One factor that might influence hybridization between these two species is the presence of reproductive manipulating endosymbionts, such a Wolbachia. To determine the geographic extent of hybridization among populations of these two species, we classified 1400 field-collected moths from Europe and North America as either being winter moth, Bruce spanworm, or hybrids using 10–12 polymorphic microsatellite loci. We then screened each individual for the presence of Wolbachia by PCR amplification of the wsp gene fragment. For all hybrids, we determined their maternal species-lineage by PCR amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial locus cytochrome oxidase I. We find that winter moth x Bruce spanworm hybrid individuals appear to be present in all regions of North America that winter moth has invaded, and that hybrids are of both winter moth and Bruce spanworm maternal-origins. In addition, we find Wolbachia infected individuals from all species in North America, and that winter moth individuals in North America have a much lower infection rate (11.5%) than individuals in Europe (55.1%).
Asymmetric price transmission analysis in the Czech pork market.

The paper examines the characteristics of farm, processor and consumers (retail) price relationship within the Czech pork market. Last years the farm prices of pork meat are volatile comparing to processors and consumers prices. In these conditions the analysis of the character of price transmission becomes an actual issue. The paper employs the pre-cointegration, cointegration approach and the coefficients of price transmission elasticity for testing asymmetry in the transmission of farm pork price changes to changes in the processor and retail price. In this analysis monthly farm, processor and retail prices of pork and pork products encompassing the January 2006 to September 2017 were used. Empirical results of applicated approaches suggest that in the short-run, the processor’s and consumer’s price responds differently to the increase and decrease of farm price and processor’s price, accordingly. Moreover, the evidence of different speed of price long-run adjustment was proved. The results proved the existence of price transmission asymmetry, and besides, this fact is pronounced more significant in the second stage of agri-food chain, i.e. in the processor-retailer relationship.
Pedagogia das imagens na educação infantil: mini-histórias e a documentação pedagógica

The present study characterized research-training was carried out with children and educators in a municipal school of Early Childhood Education, in Novo Hamburgo/RS. Through arguments, the cooperative character of this work sought to clarify how the construction of knowledge in Early Childhood Education is developed and potentialized in practices narrated by images and texts in the communicative game of mini-stories. When discussing mini-stories as a space for the construction of a Pedagogy of cultural images to the appropriation of meaning of the different languages produced in children's interactions, we conclude that the records make visible the intercommunications and the formative links for creation of knowledge of children and for the preparation of educational documentation. The mini-stories carry marks of different actions performatized by images, supporting relationships in the circle of participants, materializing ways of acting in the world self-understanding of children.
Nicholas of Cusa: The Catholic Concordance

Now available in paperback, this is the first English translation of the most important work of political thought of the fifteenth century. The Catholic Concordance is the first major treatise to argue for consent through representative councils as a major prerequisite for legitimate law and government, and is the most learned and original work associated with the conciliar movement in the late medieval church. Cusa's arguments influenced such thinkers as Luther, Bruno and Locke, and Professor Sigmund's introduction places his work in its full historical and philosophical context. The volume contains all the standard series features including a chronology, note on sources and bibliography, and as one of the earliest formulations of the view that political legitimacy rests on consent, The Catholic Concordance will be of interest to a wide range of scholars and students of the history of European ideas.
Pre-Clinical Investigation of Keratose as an Excipient of Drug Coated Balloons.

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs), which deliver anti-proliferative drugs with the aid of excipients, have emerged as a new endovascular therapy for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. In this study, we evaluated the use of keratose (KOS) as a novel DCB-coating excipient to deliver and retain paclitaxel. Methods: A custom coating method was developed to deposit KOS and paclitaxel on uncoated angioplasty balloons. The retention of the KOS-paclitaxel coating, in comparison to a commercially available DCB, was evaluated using a novel vascular-motion simulating ex vivo flow model at 1 h and 3 days. Additionally, the locoregional biological response of the KOS-paclitaxel coating was evaluated in a rabbit ilio-femoral injury model at 14 days. Results: The KOS coating exhibited greater retention of the paclitaxel at 3 days under pulsatile conditions with vascular motion as compared to the commercially available DCB (14.89 ± 4.12 ng/mg vs. 0.60 ± 0.26 ng/mg, p = 0.018). Histological analysis of the KOS–paclitaxel-treated arteries demonstrated a significant reduction in neointimal thickness as compared to the uncoated balloons, KOS-only balloon and paclitaxel-only balloon. Conclusions: The ability to enhance drug delivery and retention in targeted arterial segments can ultimately improve clinical peripheral endovascular outcomes.
LGBT youth in foster care and the critical advocacy role of Public Health Nurses.

Aims and objectives The purpose of this study was to describe the role of public health nurses working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children in foster care in the San Francisco Bay Area. Background LGBT youth are disproportionately represented in foster care and experience poor health and education outcomes. Foster care public health nurses (FCPHN) are in a unique position to address disparities with timely and appropriate referrals and advocate for policy changes. Design An online survey was developed to describe FCPHN responsibilities in case managing LGBT children. Method In all, 39 FCPHNs completed the survey. Results Most FCPHN did not know the number of LGBT youth in their caseload and reported that there was no systematic method of collecting this data. Few FCPHN had received training in LGBT health issues. Conclusion This study confirms reports from other studies regarding lack of systematic data collection to deliver appropriate services to LGBT youth. It reports FCPHN lack of training as well as their assessment of the most important needs of this population. Relevance to clinical practice FCPHNs are in a unique position to advocate by promoting gender inclusive forms in child welfare agencies and addressing disparities in access to care.
Second Language Acquisition of Temporal Meanings Without Tense Morphology: The Case of zai and le in Mandarin Chinese

This study replicates Slabakova’s (2015) research by conducting temporal interpretation choice test, the goal is to examine whether learners of Chinese could interpret temporal meanings without tense morphology. The aspectual morphemes zai and le are chosen as case study, and three revised hypotheses are proposed based on form-meaning mapping approach (DeKeyser, 2005). Forty bilingual native speakers, 40 CHN 201 learners, and 40 CHN 301 learners with English as their native language took this test. The test results indicate that the data of native speakers of Chinese can basically support the first two hypotheses, but cannot support the third one. Similarly, the data from all the learners can support the first two hypotheses but cannot support the third one. The match between learners’ and native speakers’ performances on the test is also discussed.
COVID-19 screening strategies that permit the safe re-opening of college campuses

IMPORTANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic poses an existential threat to many US residential colleges: either they open their doors to students in September or they risk serious financial consequences. OBJECTIVE: To define SARS-CoV-2 screening performance standards that would permit the safe return of students to campus for the Fall 2020 semester. DESIGN: Decision and cost-effectiveness analysis linked to a compartmental epidemic model to evaluate campus screening using tests of varying frequency (daily-weekly), sensitivity (70%-99%), specificity (98%-99.7%), and cost ($10-$50/test). Reproductive numbers Rt = {1.5, 2.5, 3.5} defined three epidemic scenarios, with additional infections imported via exogenous shocks. We generally adhered to US government guidance for parameterization data. PARTICIPANTS: A hypothetical cohort of 5000 college-age, uninfected students. Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): Cumulative tests, infections, and costs;daily isolation dormitory census;incremental cost-effectiveness;and budget impact. All measured over an 80-day, abbreviated semester. RESULTS: With Rt = 2.5, daily screening with a 70% sensitive, 98% specific test produces 85 cumulative student infections and isolation dormitory daily census averaging 108 (88% false positives). Screening every 2 (7) days nets 135 (3662) cumulative infections and daily isolation census 66 (252) with 73% (4%) false positives. Across all scenarios, test frequency exerts more influence on outcomes than test sensitivity. Cost-effectiveness analysis selects screening every {2, 1, 7} days with a 70% sensitive test as the preferred strategy for Rt = {2.5, 3.5, 1.5}, implying a screening cost of {$470, $920, $120} per student per semester. Conclusions & Relevance: Rapid, inexpensive and frequently conducted screening (even if only 70% sensitive) would be cost-effective and produce a modest number of COVID-19 infections. While the optimal screening frequency hinges on the success of behavioral interventions to reduce the base severity of transmission (Rt), this could permit the safe return of student to campus.
CsrA-Mediated Translational Activation of ymdA Expression in Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT The sequence-specific RNA-binding protein CsrA is the central component of the conserved global regulatory Csr system. In Escherichia coli, CsrA regulates many cellular processes, including biofilm formation, motility, carbon metabolism, iron homeostasis, and stress responses. Such regulation often involves translational repression by CsrA binding to an mRNA target, thereby inhibiting ribosome binding. While CsrA also extensively activates gene expression, no detailed mechanism for CsrA-mediated translational activation has been demonstrated. An integrated transcriptomic study identified ymdA as having the strongest CsrA-mediated activation across the E. coli transcriptome. Here, we determined that CsrA activates ymdA expression posttranscriptionally. Gel mobility shift, footprint, toeprint, and in vitro coupled transcription-translation assays identified two CsrA binding sites in the leader region of the ymdA transcript that are critical for translational activation. Reporter fusion assays confirmed that CsrA activates ymdA expression at the posttranscriptional level in vivo. Furthermore, loss of binding at either of the two CsrA binding sites abolished CsrA-dependent activation. mRNA half-life studies revealed that CsrA also contributes to stabilization of ymdA mRNA. RNA structure prediction revealed an RNA hairpin upstream of the ymdA start codon that sequesters the Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence, which would inhibit ribosome binding. This hairpin also contains one of the two critical CsrA binding sites, with the other site located just upstream. Our results demonstrate that bound CsrA destabilizes the SD-sequestering hairpin such that the ribosome can bind and initiate translation. Since YmdA represses biofilm formation, CsrA-mediated activation of ymdA expression may repress biofilm formation under certain conditions. IMPORTANCE The Csr system of E. coli controls gene expression and physiology on a global scale. CsrA protein, the central component of this system, represses translation initiation of numerous genes by binding to target transcripts, thereby competing with ribosome binding. Variations of this mechanism are so common that CsrA is sometimes called a translational repressor. Although CsrA-mediated activation mechanisms have been elucidated in which bound CsrA inhibits RNA degradation, no translation activation mechanism has been defined. Here, we demonstrate that CsrA binding to two sites in the 5′ untranslated leader of ymdA mRNA activates translation by destabilizing a structure that otherwise prevents ribosome binding. The extensive role of CsrA in activating gene expression suggests the common occurrence of similar activation mechanisms.
Measuring the right factors: A review of variables and models for thermal comfort and indoor air quality

Abstract The indoor environment directly affects health and comfort as humans spend most of the day indoors. However, improperly controlled ventilation systems can expend unnecessary energy and increase health risks, while improved thermal and air quality can often result in higher energy consumption. One way to approach this dilemma is by understanding the effectiveness of the variables influencing indoor air quality (IAQ) related health and comfort. The objective of this paper is to highlight evidence and variables from empirical and deterministic models, which are combined in analytical models that current machine learning techniques often overlook. This paper reviews the analytical models and identifies the corresponding input variables, discussing their application in models based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) and reinforcement learning (RL). ANN and RL models have accurately described non-linear systems with uncertain dynamics and provided predictive and adaptive control strategies. The first part of this study focuses on the most common thermal comfort models and their variables, mainly related to steady-state and adaptive models. The second part reviews typical models of determining indoor air pollutants and their relationship with ventilation requirements and health effects. Forty-five works closely related to the field are summarized in multiple tables. The last part identifies the factors needed to predict thermal comfort and IAQ.
Flexible multilayered MXene/thermoplastic polyurethane films with excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal conductivity, and management performances

The prosperous development of smart wearable electronic devices has caused extensive demand for flexible composite films with integrated electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal management performances. However, it is still a challenge to prepare flexible composite films with desirable properties. Herein, the flexible multilayered MXene/thermoplastic polyurethane films were prepared via a simple layer-by-layer spraying technique. The multilayered films with 28.6 wt% MXene and 52-µm thickness exhibit high electrical conductivity of 1600 S/m, excellent EMI shielding effectiveness of 50.7 dB in the X-band, and outstanding specific shielding effectiveness of 7276 dB.cm2 g−1. Meanwhile, a high in-plane thermal conductivity of 6.31 W/(m.k) and low cross-plane thermal conductivity of 0.42 W/(m.k) were obtained. Besides, the obtained films exhibit excellent Joule heating performance (113 °C) with low voltage (5 V), fast response time (< 10 s), excellent heating stability, and efficient de-icing as well as potential thermal stealth performance. The multilayered MXene/TPU films were prepared by layer-by-layer spraying and exhibited excellent EMI shielding, thermal conductivity, and management performances.
Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) participants with Parkinson’s disease have better quality of life and lower burden of non-motor symptoms than non-participants (1210)

Objective: To compare demographics, self-reported symptom burden, Quality of Life (QoL), and Exercise Self-Efficacy (ESE) between RSB participants and non-participants. Background: RSB is a non-contact boxing program for individuals with PD. The 90-minute group classes focus on agility, balance, and speed training. There are 43,500 participants at 871 RSB sites. Design/Methods: A 20 minute, 61-question anonymous survey on SurveyMonkey®, which included the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) and the Self Efficacy for Exercise (SEE) Scale, was completed by adults with PD who have heard of RSB. The survey was distributed via e-mail and social media by RSB Inc. and the Parkinson Foundation from 7/2018 to 2/2019. Difference in demographics and assessment outcomes between participants and non-participants were analyzed using chi-squared test or fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Wilcoxon test for continuous variables. Results: Of 2,054 individuals enrolled in the survey, 1,709 were eligible for analysis. 1,333 were current participators, 166 previously participated, and 210 never participated in RSB. RSB participants were 64–74 years old, 59% male, and 96% Caucasian. Compared to non-participants, a higher percentage of participants were retired (76 vs 65%, p Conclusions: This is the largest analysis of RSB use in PD, and demonstrates that RSB participants have improvement in non-motor symptoms of PD, and compared to non-participants have significantly better QoL and ESE. Disclosure: Dr. Larson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Yeh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rafferty has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bega has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Speaker: Teva Pharmaceuticals, Acorda Therapeutics, Neurocrine Biosciences, Adamas Pharmaceuticals Consulting: Biogen Pharmaceuticals, Amgen Pharmaceuticals, Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Inc, GE Healthcare, Gerson Lehrman Group, Guidepoint, L.E.K. C. Dr. Bega has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Editor: Annals of Clinical & Translational Neurology.
Observations of the Impact of MM-Cm Scale Lamination on the Migration and Trapping of CO 2 in Reservoir Rocks

Small scale (mm-cm scale) capillary heterogeneity can result in capillary induced flows and trapping. This can have significant impact on the migration of the injected CO2. In this research, we have measured and characterized the impact of small scale lamination on multiphase-flow parameters and residual trapping of CO2 by combining experimental, numerical, and analytical methods. Experimental CO2/water core-flood tests were performed at reservoir conditions on a laminated reservoir rock core. A medical X-ray CT scanner was used for visualization. Effective drainage and imbibition relative permeability, effective drainage capillary pressure, and residually trapped CO2 were measured. The experimental results were used to obtain a model of the rock core using the method described in. The layers of the rock core are tilted and truncated at the inlet, outlet, and radial outer boundary of the core. To correct for this, the layers were shifted, such that the layers became parallel to the flow direction and extended in the lateral direction. The model of the rock core was used to simulate the drainage core-flood test for a range of flow-rates and flow-rate dependent effective relative permeability and capillary pressure were derived. In addition, simplified analytical models were used to obtain these drainage parameters, as well as capillary limit imbibition effective relative permeability and capillary pressure. The results indicate that simplified analytical models can give a good approximation of these effective multi-phase flow parameters. Furthermore, they show that to correctly derive effective multi-phase flow parameters for layered systems, the geology of the system has to be taken into account. Experimental measurements on rock cores with artificially truncated layers can lead to the incorrect inclusion of the impact small scale heterogeneity.
Alveolar Backing in 3-Year-Old Children With and Without Repaired Cleft Palate: Preliminary Findings Related to Cleft Type and History of Otitis Media

Objective The purpose of this preliminary study was to determine if cleft type and/or history of otitis media with effusion (OM) contribute to backing of /t/ and/or /s/ in young children with and w...
Seven years of development as building a foundation for the journal’s leadership in promoting STEM education internationally

The International Journal of STEM Education went through seven publication cycle years from August 2014 to July 2021. The journal’s performance has consistently reflected the rapid development in STEM education research internationally. In this editorial, I share the journal’s performance since August 2020 and discuss possible future developments.
The involvement of monoaminergic mechanisms in a chemically induced hyperkinetic syndrome in the rat.

ABSTRACT A permanent hyperkinetic syndrome, characterized by excitation, choreiform head and neck movement and circling, which had led to it being called collectively the “ECC-Syndrome” is induced in rats by 7-day i.p. administration of purified β-β′-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN). Findings from regional neurochemical studies (measurement of DA, NE, 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and aromatic aminotransferases) and, particularly, responses to various neuropsychopharmacologic agents, closely resemble those observed in human dyskinesias. For these reasons, it is felt that the IDPN-induced syndrome may be a very useful model specifically for Huntington's Chorea and further investigations would greatly aid in the design of more efficient methods for control of this dreadful disease and its consequences.
Patterns and Processes in the Time-Space Scales of Plankton Distributions

It is evident that organisms have aggregated, patchy distributions of abundance on a wide variety of space and time scales. This can easily be seen in the terrestrial and littoral environments. It has been more difficult to observe in the pelagic realm simply because we cannot see into the ocean. Thus we must depend upon sampling to gain an impression of the space-time scales of pattern in this habitat. Despite the difficulties, enough sampling of the right sort has now been done so that we can make some very general statements about the nature of pattern in the ocean, particularly with regard to pattern in the distribution and abundance of planktonic organisms. All the evidence indicates that plankton is patchy on a broad spectrum of scales. Because this aggregated spatial pattern is such a general phenomenon, there is little question of its ecological and evolutionary importance. Further, because we assume our samples represent a larger universe, patchiness strongly affects our efforts to obtain estimates of the abundance of organisms and our ability to detect significant spatial and temporal changes in abundance. It is therefore of great importance that we understand its nature, causes, and effects.
Hydrodynamic Simulations of the Lyman Alpha Forest in a Theory of Gravitational Collapse

Using hydrodynamic simulations, it was shown in Cen et al. that the existence of the Lyα forest is predicted in theories of hierarchical gravitational collapse, as a result of the collapse of photoionized gas in structures with the form of sheets, filaments and halos over a wide range of scales. Here, we present additional preliminary results that we are obtaining on this work.
Mask challenges in high-resolution lithography

This presentation will review the key aspects of advanced photomask manufacturing and highlight the major technical challenges facing the mask industry. The bulk of the discussion will focus on mask technology for optical (248nm - 193nm wavelength) lithography, seen industry wide as the front up approach for 250nm to 180nm wafer dimension processing. After briefly establishing the business environment in which advanced optical mask development is done, current and future mask specifications are presented, the basic chrome on glass mask process is reviewed, and the major technical challenges facing each process segment are discussed in the context of high resolution lithography requirements. The basic principles involved in the two most mask intensive resolution enhancement techniques, optical proximity correction and phase shifted masks (alternating as well as attenuated) are reviewed and their specific technology challenges presented. A brief discussion of mask challenges in proximity x-ray lithography, the only viable near in alternative to optical lithography for this resolution range, will close out this presentation. The material is targeted at the general VLSI manufacturing and development community, it is not intended as a training course for mask development engineers.
Dietary Saturated Fat Reduces Alcoholic Hepatotoxicity in Rats by Altering Fatty Acid Metabolism and Membrane Composition

Rats fed a saturated fat diet are protected from experimentally induced alcoholic liver disease, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain in dispute. We fed male Sprague-Dawley rats intragastrically by total enteral nutrition using diets with or without ethanol. In 1 control and 1 ethanol group, the dietary fat was corn oil at a level of 45% of total energy. In other groups, saturated fat [18:82 ratio of beef tallow:medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil] was substituted for corn oil at levels of 10, 20, and 30% of total energy, while keeping the total energy from fat at 45%. After 70 d, liver pathology, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), biochemical markers of oxidative stress, liver fatty acid composition, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression and activity and cytochrome P450 4A (CYP4A) expression were assessed. In rats fed the corn oil plus ethanol diet, hepatotoxicity was accompanied by oxidative stress. As dietary saturated fat content increased, all measures of hepatic pathology and oxidative stress were progressively reduced, including steatosis (P < 0.05). Thus, saturated fat protected rats from alcoholic liver disease in a dose-responsive fashion. Changes in dietary fat composition did not alter ethanol metabolism or CYP2E1 induction, but hepatic CYP4A levels increased markedly in rats fed the saturated fat diet. Dietary saturated fat also decreased liver triglyceride, PUFA, and total FFA concentrations (P < 0.05). Increases in dietary saturated fat increased liver membrane resistance to oxidative stress. In addition, reduced alcoholic steatosis was associated with reduced fatty acid synthesis in combination with increased CYP4A-catalyzed fatty acid oxidation and effects on lipid export. These findings may be important in the nutritional management and treatment of alcoholic liver disease.
Formation of yogurt microstructure and three-dimensional visualization as determined by confocal scanning laser microscopy

Abstract Confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to observe coagulum formation resulting from milk acidification. Reconstituted nonfat dry milk was steamed for 15min, inoculated with yogurt culture or mixed with glucono-δ-lactone, and incubated at 40°C on a warm microscope stage. The pH was monitored on the slide simultaneously with observation of gel microstructure development. Coagulum formation was observed as a continuous process; gelation of the milk was initiated at pH 5.35, as determined by casein micelle aggregation and the cessation of bacterial cell movement. As the pH continued to drop, nonreflective, casein-free spaces around encapsulated microorganisms increased, which was attributed to contraction of the casein network. Direct-acidified milk at pH 5.0 had a three-dimensional microstructure with more uniform sizes and distribution of nonreflective spaces than did cultured yogurt. At pH 4.4, the structural differences between the various acidified milk gels were less apparent. The pH gradient within the milk gel was observed using a fluorescent molecular probe that was sensitive to pH. Areas of relatively high pH corresponded to the light-reflecting areas of the gel, confirming their identity as casein.
Solar Outbursts at 8.5-mm. Wave-length

SUDDEN large increases in solar radio radiation, characterized by a rapid rise in intensity and a slower fall and usually associated with chromospheric flares, have been observed in the last few years by Hey1 and others at all frequencies at which solar radiation has been measured, except at the highest frequencies. We can now report the measurement of several outbursts at a frequency of 35,000 Mc./s., or 8.5-mm. wave-length.
The total synthesis of argiotoxins 636, 659 and 673

Practical syntheses of three polyamine spider toxins isolated from the venom of Argiope aurantia are described.
Visual In‐process Inspection

Baker Hughes INTEQ, a mid‐size manufacturing operation, has successfully developed and implemented an innovative, visual, in‐process inspection programme that can be used on any of the firm's highly technical products. This method of logical and systematic inspection creates a reliable, cost‐effective product geared towards today's fast‐paced manufacturing market, providing an alternative to expensive automated inspection equipment. This quality system monitors and records the assembly operation while allowing for continuous improvement to an already tight process control. The first step uses the flowchart method to teach assembly/inspection personnel a logical process of 100% inspection to replace random checking of the assembly. The next step introduces self‐inspection by systematically removing conventional inspection operations over a short period; the results are faster output, improved first time acceptance rates (less rework), and a higher quality product. For companies implementing visual in‐proce...
Who Are Pakistan's Militants and Their Families?

This article presents results of a survey of 141 Pakistani families of slain militants. This survey collected data about the militants and their households. While derived from a convenience sample, these data are unprecedented and offer a glimpse into the backgrounds of militants and the families who (mostly) supported their decision to join the jihad. Most militants served and died in Kashmir and seem to be “high quality” militants in that they, like their heads of household, are well educated and not predominantly coming from seminaries, as is often claimed. This analysis suggests that while the militants merit attention, so do the families that produce militants.
Cholesterol Granuloma of the Petrous Apex

The traditional approaches to symptomatic cholesterol granuloma (CG), the most common benign pathologic lesion of the petrous apex, have historically been transotic, including middle fossa, translabyrinthine, retrocochlear, or infra- or retrolabyrinthine approaches. These approaches were often fraught with risk to the vestibular or cochlear apparatus, the need for brain retraction, or lack of a natural drainage pathway after marsupialization of the granuloma. This article reviews the literature on the transnasal approach to petrous apex CGs, including medial, medial with carotid medialization, and transpterygoid approaches. Of the 19 reported CGs treated with endoscopic drainage, only one recurrence was noted.
Fission, Fusion, and the Simple View

In this essay, I defend three Simple Views concerning human beings. First, that the human embryo is, from the one-cell stage onwards, a single unitary organism. Second, that when an embryo twins, it ceases to exist and two new embryos come into existence. And third, that you and I are essentially human organisms. This cluster of views shows that it is not necessary to rely on co-location, or other obscure claims, in understanding human embryogenesis.
Associations between summertime ambient pollutants and respiratory morbidity in New York City: Comparison of results using ambient concentrations versus predicted exposures

Associations between summertime ambient pollutants and respiratory morbidity in New York City: Comparison of results using ambient concentrations versus predicted exposures
Tuning calcite morphology and growth acceleration by a rational design of highly stable protein-mimetics

In nature, proteins play a significant role in biomineral formation. One of the ultimate goals of bioinspired materials science is to develop highly stable synthetic molecules that mimic the function of these natural proteins by controlling crystal formation. Here, we demonstrate that both the morphology and the degree of acceleration or inhibition observed during growth of calcite in the presence of peptoids can be rationally tuned by balancing the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, with hydrophobic interactions playing the dominant role. While either strong electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions inhibit growth and reduces expression of the {104} faces, correlations between peptoid-crystal binding energies and observed changes in calcite growth indicate moderate electrostatic interactions allow peptoids to weakly adsorb while moderate hydrophobic interactions cause disruption of surface-adsorbed water layers, leading to growth acceleration with retained expression of the {104} faces. This study provides fundamental principles for designing peptoids as crystallization promoters, and offers a straightforward screening method based on macroscopic crystal morphology. Because peptoids are sequence-specific, highly stable, and easily synthesized, peptoid-enhanced crystallization offers a broad range of potential applications.
A new traveling-wave solution of Fisher's equation with density-dependent diffusivity

A new traveling-wave solution of Fisher's equation is found when the diffusivity is taken to be a smoothed step function of the dependent variable. The form of the solution and a necessary relationship between the traveling wave's speed and the diffusivity are predicted. This is done using flux continuity considerations in the limit when the diffusivity is piecewise constant. The predicted form is verified by numerical integration of the equation with a slightly smoothed step function diffusivity.
Sickle cell vaso-occlusion causes activation of iNKT cells that is decreased by the adenosine A2A receptor agonist regadenoson.

Adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) agonists reduce invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell activation and decrease inflammation in sickle cell disease (SCD) mice. We conducted a phase 1 trial of the A2AR agonist regadenoson in adults with SCD. The target dose was 1.44 μg/kg/h. iNKT cell activation was evaluated using antibodies targeting the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-κB (phospho-NF-κB p65), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and A2AR. Regadenoson was administered to 27 adults with SCD. We examined 21 patients at steady state and 6 during painful vaso-occlusive crises (pVOC). iNKT cell activation was also measured in 14 African-American controls. During pVOC, the fraction of iNKT cells demonstrating increased phospho-NF-κB p65 and A2AR expression was significantly higher compared with controls (P < .01) and steady-state patients (P < .05). IFN-γ expression was also significantly higher compared with controls (P = .02). After a 24-hour infusion of regadenoson during pVOC, phospho-NF-κB p65 activation in iNKT cells decreased compared to baseline by a median of 48% (P = .03) to levels similar to controls and steady-state SCD. No toxicities were identified. Infusional regadenoson administered to adults with SCD at 1.44 μg/kg/h during pVOC decreases activation of iNKT cells without toxicity. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01085201.
Does justice stand alone

A common feature of leading liberal-egalitarian political theories is the sharp priority they attribute to justice, and to distributive justice in particular. In this article, I argue that liberal egalitarians have yet to offer a persuasive argument for prioritizing justice, and distributive justice in particular, in this way. I focus on assessing arguments advanced in the seminal work of John Rawls and employ the pluralist liberalism of Isaiah Berlin to illustrate that Rawls’ arguments are not even persuasive for reasonable liberals like Berlin, let alone for non-liberals. The upshot of my argument is not that liberals should abandon the pursuit of greater equality of wealth and income, but only that such goals should still be balanced against the claims of other fundamental values, such as individual liberty and the common good (contrary to those who want to give sharp priority to distributive justice).
Asthmatics' responses to 6-Hr sulfur dioxide exposures on two successive days

ABSTRACT Asthmatic volunteers (N = 14) aged 18 to 33 yr with documented sensitivity to sulfur dioxide (SO2) were exposed in a chamber to 0.6 ppm SO2 for 6-hr periods on 2 successive days. Similar exposures to purified air, 1 wk later or earlier, served as controls. Subjects exercised heavily (target ventilation rate 50 L/min) for 5 min near the beginning of exposure (early exercise) and for an additional 5 min beginning after 5-hr of exposure (late exercise). At all other times, they rested. Body plethysmographic measurements and symptom questionnaires were administered pre-exposure, after each exercise period, and hourly during rest. Bronchoconstriction and lower respiratory symptoms were observed during or immediately following exercise—to a slight extent with clean air, and to a more marked extent with SO2. Bronchoconstriction and symptoms were modestly less severe on the second day of SO2 exposure than on the first day, but there were no meaningful differences in response between early and late exerci...
Biochemical characterization of the structural Zn2+ site in the Bacillus subtilis peroxide sensor PerR

Abstract In Bacillus subtilis most peroxide-inducible oxidative stress genes are regulated by a metal-dependent repressor, PerR. PerR is a dimeric, Zn2+-containing metalloprotein with a regulatory metal-binding site that binds Fe2+ (PerR:Zn,Fe) or Mn2+ (PerR: Zn,Mn). Reaction of PerR:Zn,Fe with low levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) leads to oxidation of two His residues thereby leading to derepression. When bound to Mn2+, the resulting PerR:Zn,Mn is much less sensitive to oxidative inactivation. Here we demonstrate that the structural Zn2+ is coordinated in a highly stable, intrasubunit Cys4:Zn2+ site. Oxidation of this Cys4:Zn2+ site by H2O2 leads to the formation of intrasubunit disulfide bonds. The rate of oxidation is too slow to account for induction of the peroxide stress response by micromolar levels of H2O2 but could contribute to induction under severe oxidative stress conditions. In vivo studies demonstrated that inactivation of PerR:Zn,Mn required 10 mm H2O2, a level at least 1000 times greater than that needed for inactivation of PerR:Zn,Fe. Surprisingly even under these severe oxidation conditions there was little if any detectable oxidation of cysteine residues in vivo: derepression was correlated with oxidation of the regulatory site. Because oxidation at this site required bound Fe2+ in vitro, we suggest that treatment of cells with 10 mm H2O2 released sufficient Fe2+ into the cytosol to effect a transition of PerR from the PerR:Zn,Mn form to the peroxide-sensitive PerR: Zn,Fe form. This model is supported by metal ion affinity measurements demonstrating that PerR bound Fe2+ with higher affinity than Mn2+.
Athletic Identity and Conformity to Masculine Norms Among College Football Players

Sport represent an influential institution of masculinity socialization that impacts the psychosocial development of many men in American society. In order to examine this dynamic, we investigated conformity to masculine norms among 523 college football players. Results indicated that participants’ conformity to traditional masculine norms was influenced by year in school, on-field position played, and athletic identity. Results of this interdisciplinary endeavor between the fields of sport psychology and the psychological study of men and masculinity can assist sport psychologists in designing interventions to help football players better understand messages of masculinity conveyed within the unique socialization context of football.
Highlighting and Its Relation to Distributed Study and Students' Metacognitive Beliefs.

Use of highlighting is a prevalent study strategy among students, but evidence regarding its benefit for learning is mixed. We examined highlighting in relation to distributed study and students’ attitudes about highlighting as a study strategy. Participants read a text passage twice while highlighting or not, with their readings either distributed or massed, and followed by a week-delayed test. An overall benefit of highlighting occurred, with highlighting being especially beneficial with massed readings of the passages. Importantly, highlighting did not impair knowledge of non-highlighted information. Interestingly, those students reporting that they did not think highlighting was beneficial or were unsure about its benefits actually benefitted more from highlighting than did students who were pro-highlighting. Overall, our results indicate that under some conditions, highlighting can be a beneficial study strategy for learning and argue for students being trained in how to optimize the potential benefits of their highlighting behavior.
Perspectives in supply chain risk management

Abstract To gain cost advantage and market share, many firms implemented various initiatives such as outsourced manufacturing and product variety. These initiatives are effective in a stable environment, but they could make a supply chain more vulnerable to various types of disruptions caused by uncertain economic cycles, consumer demands, and natural and man-made disasters. In this paper, we review various quantitative models for managing supply chain risks. We also relate various supply chain risk management (SCRM) strategies examined in the research literature with actual practices. The intent of this paper is three-fold. First, we develop a unified framework for classifying SCRM articles. Second, we hope this review can serve as a practical guide for some researchers to navigate through the sea of research articles in this important area. Third, by highlighting the gap between theory and practice, we hope to motivate researchers to develop new models for mitigating supply chain disruptions.
Using MRI to examine brain–behavior relationships in males with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.

ABSTRACT Objective The relationship between neuropsychological measures of inhibition and sustained attention and structural brain differences in the regions of the caudate and the frontal region was examined in males with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H). Method Ten males with ADD/H (aged 8-17) and 11 male controls (aged 9-18) participated in a neuropsychological evaluation and had a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Results As had been reported previously by these authors, the children with ADD/H were found to have reversed asymmetry of the head of the caudate, smaller volume of the left caudate head, and smaller volume of the white matter of the right frontal lobe. Children with ADD/H were found to score more poorly on measures of inhibition and sustained attention but not on measures of IQ, achievement, or motor speed. Comparison of neuropsychological measures and brain structure measures indicated a significant relationship between reversed caudate asymmetry and measures of inhibition and externalizing behavior; i.e., children with reversed caudate asymmetry performed more poorly on measures of inhibition regardless of group membership. Poorer performance on sustained attention tasks was related to smaller volume of the right-hemispheric white matter. Conclusions There is emerging evidence that compromised brain morphology of selected regions is related to behavioral measures of inhibition and attention.
A set of scales and charts for evaluating attraction-components

If a point-source exerts a force according to the inverse-square law, the component of that force at a selected station, taken in a selected direction, may be computed by a simple formula. If the source is distributed, the law of distribution must be known. In some cases of distributed sources the exact value may be found by integration. However, in many cases, the integrations may not be possible in simple form, but a sufficiently accurate value may be obtained by dividing the source into small elements and treating each as a point-source.
Strategic planning of seaport development in a global economy: Observations of an executive port director

Abstract Seaport management is central both to the Use of coastal resources and to the needs of a global economy. As the major point of commercial activity along the coast and as a source of pollution, harbors need to be administered strategically to provide the greatest benefit according to economic and environmental demands. To do this, port authorities must have the organizational capacities to appropriately perceive issues and analyze information about complex economic and environmental relationships. Moreover, factors of turbulent transition place increasing demands on ports to perceive, acquire, assimilate, and evaluate highly fragmented bits of information about new opportunities and potential constraints. This article is an annotated conversation that provides a practitioner's insight into the management of change along the coastal zone. To address the problem, we probe modern organization theory for new insight and attempt to apply concepts to practice.
Brain spectrin: A review

Abstract Red blood cell spectrin, along with actin and several other proteins, forms a skeletal meshwork on the cytoplasmic surface of the erythrocyte plasma membrane. This structure is thought to maintain red blood cell shape, membrane structural stability, and cellular elasticity, as well as controlling the lateral mobility of integral membrane proteins and the transbilayer movement of phospholipids. It is now clearly established that spectrin-related molecules are ubiquitous structural elements subjacent to the plasma membrane of mammalian and avian nonerythroid cells. In this review, we present the current knowledge concerning brain spectrin. Brain spectrin is an ~11S, ~1,000,000 molecular weight ( αβ ) 2 tetramer containing subunits of 240,000 (α) and 235,000 (β) molecular weight. It is present in the cortical cytoplasm of all neuronal cell bodies and processes, and to a lesser extent in glial cells. Its involvement in the actin-membrane interaction, as well as other proposed functions in the nervous system is discussed.