cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forward masking: Adaptation or integration?

The aim of this study was to attempt to distinguish between neural adaptation and persistence (or temporal integration) as possible explanations of forward masking. Thresholds were measured for a sinusoidal signal as a function of signal duration for conditions where the delay between the masker offset and the signal offset (the offset–offset interval) was fixed. The masker was a 200-ms broadband noise, presented at a spectrum level of 40 dB (re: 20 μPa), and the signal was a 4-kHz sinusoid, gated with 2-ms ramps. The offset–offset interval was fixed at various durations between 4 and 102 ms and signal thresholds were measured for a range of signal durations at each interval. A substantial decrease in thresholds was observed with increasing duration for signal durations up to about 20 ms. At short offset–offset intervals, the amount of temporal integration exceeded that normally found in quiet. The results were simulated using models of temporal integration (the temporal-window model) and adaptation. For both models, the inclusion of a peripheral nonlinearity, similar to that observed physiologically in studies of the basilar membrane, was essential in producing a good fit to the data. Both models were about equally successful in accounting for the present data. However, the temporal-window model provided a somewhat better account of similar data from a simultaneous-masking experiment, using the same parameters. This suggests that the linear, time-invariant properties of the temporal-window approach are appropriate for modeling forward masking. Overall the results confirm that forward masking can be described in terms of peripheral nonlinearity followed by linear temporal integration at higher levels in the auditory system. However, the difference in predictions between the adaptation and integration models is relatively small, meaning that influence of adaptation cannot be ruled out.
Phorbol ester-induced P-glycoprotein phosphorylation and functionality in the HTB-123 human breast cancer cell line.

Abstract The discordance between P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression and functionality [as measured by the efflux of doxorubicin (DOX)] was analyzed in a DOX-sensitive human breast cancer cell line (HTB-123) with high reactivity against four P-gp specific monoclonal antibodies (C219, MRK-16, UIC2, and 4E3). Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and Western blotting analyses confirmed the overexpression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp in this cell line. However, incubation of cells with efflux blockers, verapamil (VPL) or dipyridamole (DPD), did not enhance cellular (DOX) accumulation or cytotoxicity. Upon incubation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), HTB-123 cells retained less DOX than control cells and were sensitive to the efflux blockers verapamil or dipyridamole. These observations suggest that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced P-gp phosphorylation may be associated with induction of P-gp-mediated drug efflux in the HTB-123 cell line.
A multicenter evaluation of the ABCD2 score's accuracy for predicting early ischemic stroke in admitted patients with transient ischemic attack.

Study objective We evaluate, in admitted patients with transient ischemic attack, the accuracy of the ABCD 2 (age [A], blood pressure [B], clinical features [weakness/speech disturbance] [C], transient ischemic attack duration [D], and diabetes history [D]) score in predicting ischemic stroke within 7 days. Methods At 16 North Carolina hospitals, we enrolled a prospective, nonconsecutive sample of admitted patients with transient ischemic attack and with no stroke history, presenting within 24 hours of transient ischemic attack symptom onset. We conducted a medical record review to determine ischemic stroke outcomes within 7 days. According to a modified Rankin Scale Score, strokes were classified as disabling (>2) or nondisabling (≤2). Results During a 35-month period, we enrolled 1,667 patients, of whom 373 (23%) received a diagnosis of an ischemic stroke within 7 days. Eighteen percent (69/373) of all strokes were disabling. We were unable to calculate an ABCD 2 score in 613 patients (37%); however, our imputed analysis indicated this did not significantly alter results. The discriminatory power of the ABCD 2 score was modest for ischemic stroke in 7 days ( c statistic 0.59), and fair for disabling ischemic stroke within 7 days ( c statistic 0.71). Patients characterized as low risk according to ABCD 2 score (≤3) were at low risk for experiencing a disabling stroke within 7 days, with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04 to 0.64) with missing values excluded and 0.34 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.76) when missing values were imputed. Conclusion Our analysis suggests the best application of the ABCD 2 score may be to identify patients at low risk for an early disabling ischemic stroke. Further study of the ability to determine an ABCD 2 score in all patients is needed, along with validation in a large, consecutive population of patients with transient ischemic attack.
Defining the Close-Quarters Situation at Sea

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea contain several important terms which are open to different interpretations such as ‘safe speed’, ‘close-quarters situation’ and ‘risk of collision’. It is not possible to give exact definitions of these terms as some of the factors involved are difficult to quantify but there is little doubt that mariners would welcome some official guidance on their application. The following paper by Dr Hilgert proposes a method of defining ‘close-quarters situation’ in terms of the principal factors which apply. The method is of particular interest because it is actually used by the maritime administration of one government and has been submitted to the International Maritime Organization for consideration. The IMO Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation has taken note of the suggested approach and has invited comments. It is suggested in the paper that a simplified version of close-quarters situation could be determined in terms of the quantifiable parameters of speed, manoeuvrability and angle of approach. The method could be used to establish minimum values of a close-quarters situation but other factors would have to be taken into account such as the close presence of navigational hazards or other vessels, radar performance including the effect of errors and the desirability of keeping out of audible range of the fog signals of an approaching vessel. Despite some obvious limitations the method serves to indicate the least values which should be used and the paper contributes to a better understanding of this aspect of the avoidance of collision at sea.
Visual Grammars and Their Neural Nets

I exhibit a systematic way to derive neural nets for vision problems. It involves formulating a vision problem as Bayesian inference or decision on a comprehensive model of the visual domain given by a probabilistic grammar.
Failed Economic Take-Offs and Terrorism in Pakistan: Conceptualizing a Proper Role for U.S. Assistance

What are the causes of terrorism? Of the various theories put forth, the analysis below suggests that failed economic take-offs, in addition to the usual factors suggested, are an important element. This finding has a number of implications for Pakistan’s economic reform programs. In addition, foreign aid programs to the country will have to be modified if their effectiveness in reducing the attractiveness of terrorism is to be increased.
Scarcity, Income Advantage, and Mobility: More Evidence on the Functional Theory of Stratification*

Two testable propositions suggested in the Davis and Moore functional theory of stratification are examined: the effect of scarcity on rewards and the effect of higher rewards on mobility. Data on ...
Incidence, risk factors, and pathogenesis of second malignancies in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Most Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma patients will survive their diagnosis. High dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, and radiation therapy have all been implicated as risk factors to secondary cancer development. Herein, we will review the molecular biology, examine the epidemiologic findings, discuss the impact of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and focus on the special populations of pediatrics and high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation with regard to secondary cancer development.
Science education journal/periodical reading patterns of senior level undergraduate education students at the university of Oklahoma, 1973-1982

This study analyzed 103 articles from journals/periodicals related to science education submitted to the author over a period often years. This study sought to determine which journals/ periodicals were most popular, as indicated by frequency of reportings. It, secondarily, attempted to verify or refute the paucity of research data currently available related to journal/ periodical reading patterns on the part of teachers, specifically those in secondary schools. Finally, it attempted to study reading patterns within specific secondary school teaching areas, about which this author was unable to find any research. The findings indicated that there were several popular science education-related journals/periodicals. American Biology Teacher, the Journal of Research in Science Teaching and Science Education were the top three journals/ periodicals reported. Most of the findings of earlier research were confirmed.
Ontology Matters: The Relational Materiality of Nature and Agro-Food Studies

This paper examines the question of ontological choice in agro-food studies, and emphasizes that such choices are consequential, determining analytical points of entry, arenas of theory and praxis, and normative positioning. These questions are explored by examining the privileged place of the labour process in the development of agro-food studies and, as a more specific illustration, in analyses of agro-biotechnology. It is suggested that the modernist ontological priorities embedded in the unreconstructed conceptualization of the labour process not only have been ignored but also have found an unexamined place in post-structuralist agrarian political economy. The discussion closes by reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of actor-network theory as an alternative avenue of critical engagement with the ‘new’ bio-politics of agro-food networks.
Correlating infarct size and patient prognosis: are cardiac biomarkers truly insufficient?

I read the recent article by Lonborg et al .,1 on the prognostic value of late gadolinium enhancement-cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, with great interest. Recently, a single troponin measurement at either 722 or 96 h3 post-infarction provided an accurate estimate of infarct size and the prognostic impact of this has also been demonstrated.4–5 As myocyte necrosis culminates in the formation of scar tissue, it is unsurprising that there is also a relationship between magnitude of troponin release and scar burden assessed by LGE-CMR.6 LGE-CMR allows visualization …
Evaluation of bridge component design and construction techniques: A look at integral abutment bridge precast approach slabs and post grouted drilled shafts

The bump at the end of the bridge and the high cost of deep embedded drilled shafts have long been recognized by many bridge owners. This research aims to mediate the bump at the end of the bridge and to validate the use of post grouting to increase drilled shaft capacity. Performance monitoring and full scale test programs were used to evaluate these technical issues. The bump at the end of the bridge is typically due to settlement of the approach soils and cracking of the approach pavements. The settlement and cracking in integral abutment bridges are typically dealt with by connecting the approach slab to the integral abutment bridge. Two integral abutment bridges with integrally connected precast approach slabs were evaluated using long-term monitoring systems to study their structural performance and determine the range of forces that should be considered when designing such approach slabs. This study has identified design and construction considerations for integrally connected precast approach slabs. The approach slab study revealed the source and magnitude of forces to be considered in the design and construction of approach slabs integrally connected to integral abutment bridges. Consideration of these forces in the design and construction of such approach slabs could potentially lead to reduced maintenance costs associated with the bump at the end of the bridge. The required deep embedment length of drilled shafts is due to the inability to fully mobilize the end bearing resistance of the shaft before reaching service displacement criteria. Post grouting of drilled shafts can be used to effectively increase the end bearing capacity within service displacement limits, often times allowing the drilled shaft to be shortened without sacrificing capacity. Through a load test program and long-term performance monitoring of production shafts, the increase in capacity and performance of post grouted drilled shafts were investigated. This study has identified design and construction considerations for post grouted drilled shafts. The post grouted drilled shaft study verified the use of post grouting as a technique for increasing the end bearing resistance of drilled shafts and also identified design and construction considerations for post grouted drilled shafts. Increasing the end bearing resistance of drilled shafts through the use of post grouting can
An Appraisal of Some Shortest-Path Algorithms

This paper treats five discrete shortest-path problems: 1 determining the shortest path between two specified nodes of a network; 2 determining the shortest paths between all pairs of nodes of a network; 3 determining the second, third, etc., shortest path; 4 determining the fastest path through a network with travel times depending on the departure time; and 5 finding the shortest path between specified endpoints that passes through specified intermediate nodes. Existing good algorithms are identified while some others are modified to yield efficient procedures. Also, certain misrepresentations and errors in the literature are demonstrated.
Evidence that Cryptosporidium parvum Populations Are Panmictic and Unstructured in the Upper Midwest of the United States

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, an infectious diarrheal disease primarily affecting humans and neonatal ruminants. Understanding the transmission dynamics of C. parvum, particularly the specific contributions of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission, is critical to the control of this pathogen. This study used a population genetics approach to better understand the transmission of C. parvum in the Upper Midwest United States. A total of 254 C. parvum isolates from cases of human cryptosporidiosis in Minnesota and Wisconsin and diarrheic calves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota were genotyped at eight polymorphic loci. Isolates with a complete profile from all eight loci (n = 212) were used to derive a multilocus genotype (MLT), which was used in population genetic analyses. Among the 94 MLTs identified, 60 were represented by a single isolate. Approximately 20% of isolates belonged to MLT 2, a group that included both human and cattle isolates. Population analyses revealed a predominantly panmictic population with no apparent geographic or host substructuring.
On the effect and control of self-similar network traffic: a simulation perspective

This paper presents a discussion of simulation-related issues arising in the study of self-similar network traffic with respect to its effect and control. Selfsimilar traffic has been shown to be an ubiquitous phenomenon arising in diverse networking contexts with potentially adverse effects on network performance. In many instances, an experimental or empirical approach needs to be taken to effectively evaluate the performance impact of sophisticated control algorithms acting at various layers in the protocol stack under self-similar traffic conditions. Simulating or experimentally implementing such environments is nontrivial due to the fact that, in general, the characteristics of the observed traffic is itself influenced by the actions of the control algorithms under study. To what degree self-similarity manifests itself in network traffic may depend on the properties of the protocols employed, and trace-based simulations that rely on traffic measurements to drive simulations fail to capture this dynamic aspect. We discuss an approach to evaluating control protocols under self-similar traffic conditions based on a simple, robust application-level causal mechanism of traffic self-similarity which is grounded in both empirical UNIX file system research and analytic traffic models involving certain renewal processes. We present a high-level discussion concentrating on simulation-related issues, with specific research results summarized or pointed to in the references.
Screening plateletpheresis donors for HLA antibodies on two high-throughput platforms and correlation with recipient outcome.

Background To determine the prevalence and impact of transfusing plasma containing leukocyte antibodies, we compared two high-throughput HLA antibody screening assays, and prospectively examined the medical records of all platelet recipients to detect subtle manifestations of TRALI and other transfusion reactions.
Thus Conscience: Synderesis and the Destructuring of Conscience in Reformation England

Shakespeare regularly puts conscience on stage, exemplifying a tendency in early modern England to present the faculty as a dynamic experience unfolding in real time. Shakespeare has a theological counterpart in William Perkins, who theorizes conscience as an inward process of self-reflection, and as an important but deeply inchoate faculty. This essay shows how this self-reflective conscience emerges in theology through a process of destructuring. Beginning with the highly structured conceptions of the scholastics, particularly Aquinas, it moves to the innovations of Luther, and then Perkins. Tracing the disappearance of the scholastic notion of synderesis, it reveals a Protestant conscience shaped by an ongoing impetus to turn away from structure, toward more imperfect forms.
Toxic oxygen products alter calcium homeostasis in an asthma model

After anaphylactic or synthetic leukotriene C4 contractions in guinea pig trachealis muscle, an accelerated initial rate and greater total myorelaxation are induced in these muscle preparations when they are immersed in calcium-free medium, O(Ca++)E. Inhibition of the late phase of anaphylaxis (ANA) by FPL 55712 (10(-5) mol/L) eliminated the post-ANA O(Ca++)E-augmented myorelaxation, suggesting a causal role for SRS-A products. Hypoxia or superoxide dismutase/catalase pretreatment also abolished the post-ANA or leukotriene C4 O(Ca++)E-augmented myorelaxation. The data support the hypothesis that toxic oxygen products generated with SRS-A and/or LTC4 induce an alteration in Ca++ homeostasis in airway smooth muscle. In this model of allergic asthma, airway smooth muscle alteration after ANA may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and/or airway hypersensitivity associated with allergic asthma.
The phenomenon of conglomerate crystallization of organic compounds. Part 4. The structures of 2,2′-biphenyldisulfide (I) and 2,2′-biphenyldisulfide monoxide (II)†

A racemic solution of 2,2′-biphenyldisulfide (I), C12H8S2, produces conglomerate crystals of (I) belonging in space group P3221 (no. 154) with lattice constants: a = 7.38 (3) A, b = 7.38 (3), c = 16.20 (2) A; V = 766.6 A3 and d(calc; M.W. = 216.32, z = 3) = 1.406 g-cm−3, d(meas) = 1.47 g-cm−3. A total of 1150 data were collected over the range of 4° ≤ 2θ ≤ 60° using film data (Weissenberg); of these, 448 [independent and with I ≥ 3σ(I)] were used in the structural analysis. Refinement converged to final residuals of 0.080 and 0.082 for R(F) and RW(F), respectively. The molecule is located at the twofold axis of the space group. A solution of 2,2′-biphenyldisulfide mono-oxide (II), C12H8S2O, produces centrosymmetric crystals of II belonging in space group P21/c with lattice constants: a = 9.947 (1) A, b = 7.162 (2), c = 15.420 (3) A, and β = 107.56 (1)°; V = 107.56 (1) A3 and d(calc; M.W. = 232.31, Z = 4) = 1.473 g-cm−3. A total of 2114 data were collected over the range of 4° ≤ 2θ ≤ 50°; of these, 1089 [independent and with I ≥ 2.5σ(I)] were used in the structural analysis. Data were corrected for absorption (μ = 4.539 cm−1), and the relative transmission coefficients ranged from 0.9198 to 0.9998. Refinement converged to final residuals of 0.0313 and 0.0300 for R(F) and Rw(F), respectively. For I, the central six-membered ring C4S2 contains a helical C2S2 fragment whose conformational chirality is defined by a torsional angle of 59.98°. The benzene rings are the expected, planar hexagons characteristic of aryl rings. By comparison with I, the torsional angle of the C2S2 fragment of the mono-oxide is diminished (52.9°) by the introduction of the S=O fragment. We believe alteration of molecules (such as functionalization) causing large changes in torsional angles of helical fragments of molecules may play a role in the selection of their crystallization mode; however, it is not the only factor dictating that choice, which is also affected by steric hindrance to the formation of short intermolecular contacts leading, in the solid state, to the formation of homochiral, infinite helical strings, as we shall demonstrate in the text. This study clearly shows the influence of those contacts on the formation of the strings. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 9:65–74, 1998
A Gene, ALCA, Affecting the Life Cycle Form Expressed in PHYSARUM POLYCEPHALUM.

The usual sequence of forms in the Physarum polycephalum life cycle is plasmodium-spore-amoeba-plasmodium. So-called “amoebaless life cycle” or alc mutants of this Myxomycete undergo a simplified plasmodium-spore-plasmodium life cycle. We have analyzed three independently isolated alc mutants and found in each case that the failure of the spores to give rise to amoebae is due to a recessive Mendelian allele. The three mutations are tightly linked to one another and belong to a single complementation group, A (2) tend to transform directly into plasmodia, circumventing the sexual fusion of amoebae that usually accompanies plasmodium formation; and (3) form plasmodia by the sexual mechanism less efficiently than wild-type amoebae. The various effects of an aZc mutation seem to derive from mutation of a single gene, since reversion for one effect is always accompanied by reversion for the other effects. Moreover, a mutation, aptAl, that blocks direct plasmodium formation by aZcA amoebae, also increases their growth rate to near normal. The manner of plasmodium formation in aZcA strains differs significantly from that in another class of mutants, the gad mutants. Unlike gad amoebae, alcA amoebae need not reach a critical density in order to differentiate directly into plasmodia and do not respond to the extracellular inducer of differentiation. In addition, &A differentiation is not prevented by a mutation, npjAl, that blocks direct differentiation by most gad amoebae.
A projection-based optimization framework for abstractions with application to the unstructured mesh domain

Computational scientists often must choose between the greater programming productivity of high-level abstractions, such as matrices and mesh entities, and the greater execution efficiency of low-level constructs. Performance is degraded when abstraction indirection introduces overhead and hinders compiler analysis. This can be overcome by targeting the semantics, rather than the implementation, of abstractions. Raising operators specified by a domain expert project an application from an implementation space to an abstraction space, where optimizations leverage domain semantics to complement conservative analyses. Raising operators define a domain-specific intermediate representation, which optimizations target for improved portability. Following optimization, transformed code is reified as a concrete implementation via lowering operators. We have developed a framework to implement this optimization strategy, which we use to introduce two domain-specific unstructured mesh optimizations. The first uses an inspector/executor approach to avoid costly traversals over a static mesh by memoizing the relatively few references required for mathematical computations. The executor phase accesses stored entities without incurring the indirections. The second optimization lowers object-based mesh access and iteration to a low-level implementation, which uses integer-based access and iteration.
Diffuse electrical injury: a study of 89 subjects reporting long-term symptomatology that is remote to the theoretical current pathway

Historically, tissue damage from electrical contact was thought to arise from resistive heating of tissues along the current pathway. The modern view has accepted that tissue damage can result from cellular rupture (electroporation) induced by the presence of an electric field. There remain electrical injuries that defy explanation by either theory. In rare electrical contacts, diffuse symptomatology arises that is neither proportionate to the electrical contact nor does it occur along the theoretical linear pathway of the current from entry point to exit point. Disproportionate, remote electrical injury is most notable when the contact voltage is low (120 and 240 V). Symptoms occur, absent diagnostic evidence, that defy explanation as organic injury. A Web-based interactive survey was used to locate and query individuals suffering from rarely occurring responses to electrical contact. The results of the study suggest that there is a common symptomatology that is neither linked to voltage nor loss of consciousness at the time of contact.
Feasibility analysis of black-box processes using an adaptive sampling Kriging-based method

Abstract This paper presents a new approach for performing feasibility analysis over a multivariate factor space when the explicit form of a process model is lacking or when its evaluation is expensive. Specifically, two issues are addressed: feasibility evaluation of black-box processes using Kriging and development of an adaptive sampling strategy in order to minimize sampling cost, while maintaining feasibility space accuracy. Kriging is chosen as the interpolating technique for constructing a response surface of the feasibility function as a function of the uncertain parameters when a set of input–output data are available. The adaptive sampling strategy identifies critical regions and directs the search towards feasibility boundaries or where the Kriging prediction uncertainty is high. The average Kriging prediction error and cross-validation methods are used to validate the robustness of the produced model of the initial experimental design which is found to highly affect the final predicted feasible region.
Parasitoids in the Management of Sirex noctilio : Looking Back and Looking Ahead

The control of the woodwasp Sirex noctilio can be visualized as a three-legged stool. Silvicultural practices to reduce tree competition and stress and biological control using the nematode Deladenus siricidicola are two important legs. The third, and equally important, component of a total control program for this pest is the use of parasitoid wasps. Parasitoids were the first form of control used against S. noctilio in the Southern Hemisphere and remain important, especially as a constant repressor at low population levels. However, there is significant variation in the effect and application of the various parasitoid wasps in different regions. There is evidently scope for renewed efforts to better understand and optimize the use of parasitoids to achieve stable, long lasting population repression of invasive S. noctilio populations.
Distribution and Regional Patterns of Californian Grasslands

In this chapter I discuss several different components of distribution. First, the presumed original location and extent of grasslands in California will be compared with those of today’s grasslands. Secondly, the pattern of grassland distribution will be described — patch size and relative positioning. Third, the distribution of species (both plant and animal) within the grassland ecosystem will be reviewed.
Brain Death in Children Task Force Guidelines

Several organizations simultaneously began to address the issue of brain death guidelines in children. A Task Force was thus formed, with representatives from various societies and organizations (Table I). The Task Force met in Chicago (November 1985), New Orleans (April 1986), and Boston (October 1986), and was called Task Force on Brain Death in Childhood. A conference call in November 1986 finalized the document. Between these discussions, feedback was requested by the parent organizations and other interested parties. Thus, a consensus was sought.
Where Bad Teeth Come from: A Study in How Cultures Exert Causal Force

This study tests hypotheses about the origins of bad teeth and good teeth. In the process, we show how cultures exert ‘causal force’ and produce what, following the lead of the dental professionals and dental patients who served as our research participants, we call ‘bad teeth. We conducted a mixed method ethnography that integrated narratives from one set of diverse research participants (n=39) with structured interviews from a different set of diverse participants (n=288). We assessed cultural agreements with principal components analysis and used correspondence analysis to clarify significant forms of intracultural variation. The population studied shares a single cultural understanding organized around the assumption that oral health constitutes a cosmetic not a disease category. Quality of life standards, however, varied with work cultures and oral health prevention behaviors reflected cultural norms that bear on appearance. This variation produces an apparent paradox, that the use of oral health services increases with access but may decrease with objective need. Improved oral health may require social marketing that stresses both the socially enhancing objective of healthy teeth and gums and that bad teeth add significantly to the risk of heart disease.
Paleocoastal marine fishing on the Pacific Coast of the Americas: perspectives from Daisy Cave, California.

Analysis of over 27,000 fish bones from strata at Daisy Cave dated between about 11,500 and 8500 cal B.P. suggests that early Channel Islanders fished relatively intensively in a variety of habitats using a number of distinct technologies, including boats and the earliest evidence for hook-and-line fishing on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. The abundance of fish remains and fishing-related artifacts supports dietary reconstructions that suggest fish provided more than 50 percent of the edible meat represented in faunal samples from the early Holocene site strata. The abundance and economic importance of fish at Daisy Cave, unprecedented among early sites along the Pacific Coast of North America, suggest that early maritime capabilities on the Channel Islands were both more advanced and more variable than previously believed. When combined with a survey of fish remains from several other early Pacific Coast sites, these data suggest that early New World peoples effectively used watercraft, captured a diverse array of fish, and exploited a variety of marine habitats and resources.
Tsunami Height, Oahu, Hawaii: Model and Nature

A 1:20,000 scale model was built of the island of Oahu and neighboring topography. The model was undistorted and rotatable so that an incoming tsunami from any direction could be easily incorporated by turning the 12' x 12' model to face the wave generator from the desired angle. The wave basin was 30' wide and 40' long; with a I-10 wave absorbing beach situated at the opposite end from the wave generator. The waves were modeled to a vertical scale of I:2000. The model was supplemented by a small-scale (1-247,500) model, also undistorted, in a transparent 6' x 12' ripple tank. This model represented the eight principal islands of the island chain and their surrounding topography. Nature data of runup height for four different tsunamis around Oahu show a strong tooal amplification effect, varying more with respect to fixed positions around the Island (prominent features, points, bays, reefs, etc.) rather than with respect to variations in deep sea direction. A less pronounced local effect was obtained in the model tests and direct point-to-point correlation of model and nature data was not very meaningful beyond a general trend agreement. The orientation effect was similar on the model as in prototype.
Monitoring of disinfection effect in hospitals of Nankai District of Tianjin in 2011

[Objective]To know the disinfection status in hospitals of Nankai District of Tianjin,provide a scientific basis for guidance of hospital disinfection,prevention and control of nosocomial infection.[Methods]The monitoring was conducted according to the Disinfection technical specifications(2002 edition),the Evaluating method and standard for the efficacy of disinfection and sterilization(GB 15981-1995) and the Hygienic standard for disinfection in hospitals(GB 15982-1995).[Results]There were a total of 699 samples,and 649 were qualified with the total qualified rate of 92.8%.The qualified rate of environment air in hospitals was 79.4%,which was significantly lower than that of other test items.The qualified rate of environment air in city hospital was significantly higher than that in District hospitals(χ2=7.52,P0.05).The qualified rate of object surface,hand hygiene of medical personnel,disinfectant solution in use and pressure steam sterilizer was 96.2%,91.8%,95.3% and 100%,respectively.[Conclusion]Hospitals should pay enough attention to disinfection,the relevant departments should strengthen the supervision and monitoring,in order to fundamentally improve the disinfection quality in hospitals and control the nosocomial infection.
Biology, Ecology, and Evolving Management of Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Sweet Corn in the United States.

The corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), is a polyphagous pest found throughout the United States, where it attacks many field and vegetable crops. Although H. zea has long been a traditional pest of sweet corn, its importance to this crop has increased dramatically over the past two decades. In this review, we summarize information critical for current and future management of H. zea in sweet corn production in the United States. First, we discuss the pest status of H. zea and its life history, including migration, infestation and larval development, diapause, overwintering, and abiotic factors that affect its biology. Next we describe monitoring methods, crop protection decision-making processes, chemical control options, and the use of genetic technologies for control of H. zea Alternative H. zea management options including biological control, cultural controls, host plant resistance, and pheromone disruption are also reviewed. The role of climate change and its effects on H. zea and its ecology are discussed, as well as the recent invasion of its relative, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), which is a major pest of corn in other parts of the world. To conclude, we suggest future research opportunities for H. zea and H. armigera management in sweet corn.
Synthesizing Runtime Enforcer of Safety Properties Under Burst Error

We propose a game-based method for synthesizing a runtime enforcer for a reactive system to ensure that a set of safety-critical properties always holds even if errors occur in the system due to design defect or environmental disturbance. The runtime enforcer does not modify the internals of the system or provide a redundant implementation; instead, it monitors the input and output of the system and corrects any erroneous output signal that may cause a safety violation. Our main contribution is a new algorithm for synthesizing a runtime enforcer that can respond to violations instantaneously and guarantee the safety of the system under burst error. This is in contrast to existing methods that either require significant delay before the enforcer can respond to violations or do not handle burst error. We have implemented our method in a synthesis tool and evaluated it on a set of temporal logic specifications. Our experiments show that the enforcer synthesized by our method can robustly handle a wide range of properties under burst error.
A Thin-Film Cryotron Suitable For Use as an Ultra-Low-Temperature Switch

Low-temperature superconducting circuits have become important for many scientific applications. However, there are presently no high current-capacity switches (∼1 mA) with low power dissipation for sub-Kelvin operation. One candidate for a sub-Kelvin switch is the cryotron, a device in which the superconductivity of a wire is suppressed with a magnetic field. Here, we demonstrate a cryotron switch suitable for sub-Kelvin temperatures. In the closed state, the maximum device current is about 900 μA. The device is switched to its open state with 2 mA of control current and has a leakage of approximately 500 nA. The transition between the closed and open states of the device is faster than 200 ns, where the measurement is limited by the speed of our measurement apparatus. We also discuss low-temperature applications for our cryotron such as a single-pole, double-throw switch.
Curriculum Bias in Published, Norm-Referenced Reading Tests: Demonstrable Effects.

The content validity of four reading achievement tests (PIAT, WRAT, CAT, MAT) was evaluated with respect to two grade levels of the Pathfinder Allyn and Bacon Reading Program. Content-Validity Stan...
Does emotional intelligence influence success during medical school admissions and program matriculation?: a systematic review.

Purpose It aimed at determining whether emotional intelligence is a predictor for success in a medical school program and whether the emotional intelligence construct correlated with other markers for admission into medical school. Methods Three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and ERIC) were searched up to and including July 2016, using relevant terms. Studies written in English were selected if they included emotional intelligence as a predictor for success in medical school, markers of success such as examination scores and grade point average and association with success defined through traditional medical school admission criteria and failures, and details about the sample. Data extraction included the study authors and year, population description, emotional intelligence I tool, outcome variables, and results. Associations between emotional intelligence scores and reported data were extracted and recorded. Results Six manuscripts were included. Overall, study quality was high. Four of the manuscripts examined emotional intelligence as a predictor for success while in medical school. Three of these four studies supported a weak positive relationship between emotional intelligence scores and success during matriculation. Two of manuscripts examined the relationship of emotional intelligence to medical school admissions. There were no significant relevant correlations between emotional intelligence and medical school admission selection. Conclusion Emotional intelligence was correlated with some, but not all, measures of success during medical school matriculation and none of the measures associated with medical school admissions. Variability in success measures across studies likely explains the variable findings.
Notes on the Fauna of the Chipola Formation -XXXIII Variations on a Theme - the Color Pattern in Smaragdia Chipolana (Gastropoda: Neritidae)

The small neritid gastropod originally named Neritina chipolana (Dall, 1892, p. 422, pl. 23, fig. 19) is a common element in the fauna of the Chipola Formation. Although confined to the Chipola Formation it is widespread there, occurring at almost every locality but most abundantly in the lower beds along Tenmile Creek.
Soil Organic Matter and Aerobic Respiration

The primary source of organic matter in nature is photosynthesis by green plants. In photosynthesis, energy of sunlight is captured by plant pigments and used as an energy source to reduce inorganic carbon of CO2 to organic carbon of simple sugars. Solar energy is transformed by photochemical reactions in plant cells to chemical energy of chemical compounds. Oxygen is released as a by-product. The summary reaction is $$ 6C{O_2} + 6{H_2}O\xrightarrow[{green\;plants}]{{light}}{C_6}{H_{{12}}}{O_2} $$ (5.1) Chemoautotrophic bacteria also reduce carbon dioxide to organic matter. For example, nitrifying bacteria use energy released in the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate and reduce CO2 to organic carbon of carbohydrate. On a global basis, the amount of organic matter synthesized by chemoautotrophy is very small in comparison with the quantity produced by photosynthesis.
Yes, More Decoherence: A Reply to Critics

Recently I published an article in this journal entitled “Less interpretation and more decoherence in quantum gravity and inflationary cosmology” (Crull in Found Phys 45(9):1019–1045, 2015). This article generated responses from three pairs of authors: Vassallo and Esfeld (Found Phys 45(12):1533–1536, 2015), Okon and Sudarsky (Found Phys 46(7):852–879, 2016) and Fortin and Lombardi (Found Phys, 2017). In what follows, I reply to the criticisms raised by these authors.
Abstract WP16: Acute Stroke Treatment and Hemorrhagic Complication in Infective Endocarditis

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is common in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Use of IV thrombolytic therapy (IV-tPA) has been reported and appears to carry greater risk of hemo...
Manufacture of primary mirror segments for the Giant Magellan Telescope

The Richard F. Caris Mirror Lab at the University of Arizona continues the production of 8.4 m lightweight honeycomb segments for the primary mirror of the Giant Magellan Telescope. GMT will have a center segment surrounded by six identical off-axis segments, plus an additional off-axis segment to allow continuous operation as segments are removed for coating. Production highlights of the last two years include the spin-casting of Segment 5, preliminary polishing of Segment 2, and completion of the rear surface processing for Segments 3 and 4. We completed a preliminary design of the significant modifications of the test systems required for Segment 4, the center segment. We finished an upgrade of the 8.4 m polishing machine; both the upgrade and experience gained with Segment 1 have contributed to much faster polishing convergence for Segment 2. Prior to polishing Segment 2, we verified the stability and accuracy of the measurement systems by re-measuring Segment 1, achieving good agreement among multiple independent tests as well as good agreement with the original acceptance tests of Segment 1.
RADIOASSAY OF INFANTS, ADULTS, LARGE AND SMALL ANIMALS BY LIQUID SCINTILLATION COUNTING

Abstract The design, shielding, performance and calibration of a system consisting of 7 liquid scintillation detectors which are, suitable for determining low level radiation such as body ( 40 K) in subjects has been constructed, studied, and will be described. The detectors are shielded in a walk-in steel room. Sand also was used in the construction of the room. For counting man and large animals, six tanks are arranged in pairs to form a half-cylinder. The six tanks may be moved in a vertical or horizontal direction. This arrangement allows for the determination of total potassium in a 40 to 1000 lb subject with counting times of 6 to 12 minutes. A man containing 130 g of K counted for 6 minutes may be recounted 10 times and on 10 different days with a mean coefficient of variation of ± 1.7%. To count infants and small animals, two tanks are arranged to face each other. The diameter is adjustable with a minimum of 7 in. diameter at the center. The diameter between the tanks may be increased for larger subjects. This arrangement allows for the determination of 10 to 12 grams of potassium contained in animals or infants with an accuracy of 4% at 1 standard deviation with a counting time of 15 minutes.
Silicate solution, cation properties, and mass transfer by aqueous fluid in the Earth's interior

Aqueous fluids in the Earth’s interior are multicomponent systems with silicate solubility and solution mechanisms strongly dependent on other dissolved components. Here, solution mechanisms that describe the interaction between dissolved silicate and other solutes were determined experimentally to 825 °C and above 1 GPa with in situ vibrational spectroscopy of aqueous fluid while these were at high temperature and pressure. The silicate content in Na-bearing, silicate-saturated aqueous fluid exceeds that in pure SiO2 at high temperature and pressure. Silicate species were of Q0 (isolated SiO4 tetrahedra) and Q1 (dimers, Si2O7) type. The temperature dependence of its equilibrium constant, K = XQ1/(XQo)2, yields enthalpies of 22 ± 12 and 51 ± 17 kJ/mol for the SiO2–H2O and Na-bearing fluids. In contrast, in Ca-bearing fluids, the solubility is more than an order of magnitude lower, and only Q0 species are present. The present data together with other published experimental information lead to the conclusion that the silicate solubility in aqueous fluids in equilibrium with mafic rocks such as amphibolite and peridotite is an order of magnitude lower than the solubility in fluids in equilibrium with felsic rocks such as andesite and rhyolite compositions (felsic gneiss) under similar temperature and pressure conditions. The silicate speciation also is more polymerized in the felsic systems. This difference is also why second critical end-points in the Earth are at lower temperature and pressure in felsic compared with mafic systems. Alkali-rich fluids formed by dehydration of felsic rocks also show enhanced high field strength element (HFSE) solubility because alkalis in such solution form oxy complexes with the HFSE cations. Fluids formed by dehydration of felsic rocks in the Earth’s interior are, therefore, more efficient transport agents of silicate materials than fluids formed by dehydration of mafic and ultramafic rocks, whether for major, minor, or trace elements.
Applying Transactional Memory for Concurrency-Bug Failure Recovery in Production Runs

Concurrency bugs widely exist and severely threaten system availability. Techniques that help recover from concurrency-bug failures during production runs are highly desired. This paper proposes BugTM, an approach that applies transactional memory techniques for concurrency-bug recovery in production runs. Requiring no knowledge about where are concurrency bugs, BugTM uses static analysis and code transformation to enable BugTM-transformed software to recover from a concurrency-bug failure by rolling back and re-executing the recent history of a failure thread. BugTM is instantiated as three schemes that have different trade-offs in performance and recovery capability: BugTM$_H$H uses existing hardware transactional memory (HTM) support, BugTM$_S$S leverages software transactional memory techniques, and BugTM$_{\mathrm{HS}}$ HS is a software-hardware hybrid design. BugTM greatly improves the recovery capability of state-of-the-art techniques with low run-time overhead and no changes to OS or hardware, while guarantees not to introduce new bugs.