cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expert Systems in Entomology: Three Approaches to Problem Solving

Potential uses and impact of the application of expert systems technology to the fields of entomology and agriculture are explored. The most common type of expert system, the rule-based system, is described in some detail. The representation of information in the form of rules as well as the interpretation of rules by the system are explained. Based on this general description of expert systems, three types of application are discussed: diagnostic systems, simulation delivery systems, and large-scale systems that act as integrators of different types of knowledge (e.g., expert opinion, objective information, and simulation models). An example of a diagnostic expert system, SYSTEX, for insect identification in the genus Signiphora Ashmead, and an example integrated system, the FLEX system for cotton production in Texas, are described. It is concluded that expert systems will likely have a profound impact on the agricultural sciences, both as a means to dispense scarce expertise and as integrators of knowledge.
Prostaglandin Extraction and Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans is emerging as a powerful animal model to study the biology of lipids1-9. Prostaglandins are an important class of eicosanoids, which are lipid signals derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)10-14. These signalling molecules are difficult to study because of their low abundance and reactive nature. The characteristic feature of prostaglandins is a cyclopentane ring structure located within the fatty acid backbone. In mammals, prostaglandins can be formed through cyclooxygenase enzyme-dependent and -independent pathways10,15. C. elegans synthesizes a wide array of prostaglandins independent of cyclooxygenases6,16,17. A large class of F-series prostaglandins has been identified, but the study of eicosanoids is at an early stage with ample room for new discoveries. Here we describe a procedure for extracting and analyzing prostaglandins and other eicosanoids. Charged lipids are extracted from mass worm cultures using a liquid-liquid extraction technique and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). The inclusion of deuterated analogs of prostaglandins, such as PGF2 α-d4 as an internal standard is recommended for quantitative analysis. Multiple reaction monitoring or MRM can be used to quantify and compare specific prostaglandin types between wild-type and mutant animals. Collision-induced decomposition or MS/MS can be used to obtain information on important structural features. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) survey scans of a selected mass range, such as m/z 315-360 can be used to evaluate global changes in prostaglandin levels. We provide examples of all three analyses. These methods will provide researchers with a toolset for discovering novel eicosanoids and delineating their metabolic pathways.
The effects of form class on the free recall of contiguous items

Noun (N) and verb (V) items were exposed contiguously as pairs during the input phases of a free-recall task, with the list containing equal numbers of N-N, V-V, N-V, and V-N pairs. Recall of N items was superior to recall of V items for homogeneous pairs (N-N and V-V), but not for heterogeneous pairs (N-V and V-N). The results supported the hypothesis that recall of items in homogeneous pairs is mediated by associative habits, whereas recall of items in heterogeneous pairs is mediated by grammatical habits.
Evaluation of photoelastic multimode optical fiber sensors and practical issues for industrial applications

In this paper a detailed error analysis for photoelastic fiber sensors is presented. The errors introduced by the photoelastic sensing element, the quarter-wave-plate, the polarization beam splitter, the optical source and the signal processing system have been evaluated quantitatively. Practical issues for photoelastic fiber sensors applications are also discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Beyond Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How: Preparing Students to Generate Questions in the Age of Common Core Standards.

Using a case study design, our research explored question generation as a reading comprehension strategy, focusing on the types of questions 4th- and 5th-grade students posed before, during, and after reading narrative text. The authors aimed to determine whether their participants are ready to pose the higher-level questions expected of them by the U.S. Common Core State Standards (2010). The results indicated that students asked mainly memory-based and convergent thinking questions, with far fewer divergent thinking and evaluative thinking questions. Instructional implications for classroom teachers include teacher modeling and demonstration of how to ask divergent and evaluative thinking questions through explicit instruction, mentorship, and more teacher use of language related to deeper thinking comprehension questions. These findings are explained in connection to the Common Core State Standards.
Perceptions of Economic and Behavioral Differences Between Blacks and Whites: Racial Attitudes of White Americans and Status Generalization:

A telephone survey of Michigan residents provided statistics about the economic con ditions and undesirable behavior of white Americans and asked respondents to esti mate the corresponding statistics for blacks. Data from white respondents showed that the greater the perceived racial difference (PRD) in rates of undesirable behavior, the more blacks were seen as not trying to better themselves and the less blacks were viewed as experiencing discrimination. The greater the PRD in economic status, especially con trolling for education, the more respondents saw racial discrimination as continuing. Controlling for the PRD in Undesirable Behavior, however, the PRD in economic sta tus had little effect on the belief that blacks do not make effort. Implications of these results for status generalization processes are discussed. Because respondents underes timated all racial differences, accurate knowledge of racial statistics might increase both the belief that discrimination continues and the belief that blacks fail to make an effort.
Non Performing Loans, Prospective Bailouts, and Japan's Slowdown

Abstract The delay in the government bailout of the financial sector played a key role in Japan's slowdown during the 1990s and early 2000s. This argument is articulated in a general equilibrium model in which the government provides deposit insurance to the financial sector. The existence of non-performing loans, combined with a delay in the bailout, leads to a persistent decline in economic activity. Consistent with Japan's experience, the decline in output is caused not only by a fall in investment, but also by a decline in labor and total factor productivity.
β-Endorphin Stimulates Plasma Renin and Aldosterone Release in Normal Human Subjects*

To determine the effect of β-endorphin on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, human synthetic β3-endorphin (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 µg⁄kg-min) was infused iv in normal subjects. Each dose was administered for 30 min, and a control infusion of 5‰ dextrose and water was given on another day. Ten subjects were studied recumbent and in balance while ingesting a 10-meq Na+ diet. Plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA), and plasma cortisol (F) were measured basally and every 30 min for 210 min. The increments in PRA and PA above basal significantly (P < 0.05) increased (3.1 ± 1.2 ng⁄ml-h and 12.2 ± 5.3 ng⁄dl, respectively; P < 0.05) at the end of the β-endorphin infusion. β-Endorphin also significantly (P < 0.01) suppressed F levels. Since in the low salt study, β-endorphin suppressed F release while stimulating renin secretion, an additional five subjects were pretreated with dexamethasone (0.5 mg every 6 h) and were studied in balance while ingesting a 200-meq Na+ diet to suppress the renin-angio...
Cardiac‐Specific Disruption of Bin1 in Mice Enables a Model of Stress‐ and Age‐Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Non-compensated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) leading to death from heart failure is rising rapidly in developed countries due to aging demographics, and there is a need for informative preclinical models to guide the development of effective therapeutic strategies to prevent or delay disease onset. In this study, we describe a novel model of heart failure based on cardiac-specific deletion of the prototypical mammalian BAR adapter-encoding gene Bin1, a modifier of age-associated disease. Bin1 deletion during embryonic development causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and neonatal lethality, but there is little information on how Bin1 affects cardiac function in adult animals. Here we report that cardiomyocyte-specific loss of Bin1 causes age-associated dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) beginning by 8-10 months of age. Echocardiographic analysis showed that Bin1 loss caused a 45% reduction in ejection fraction during aging. Younger animals rapidly developed DCM if cardiac pressure overload was created by transverse aortic constriction. Heterozygotes exhibited an intermediate phenotype indicating Bin1 is haplo-insufficient to sustain normal heart function. Bin1 loss increased left ventricle (LV) volume and diameter during aging, but it did not alter LV volume or diameter in hearts from heterozygous mice nor did it affect LV mass. Bin1 loss increased interstitial fibrosis and mislocalization of the voltage-dependent calcium channel Cav 1.2, and the lipid raft scaffold protein caveolin-3, which normally complexes with Bin1 and Cav 1.2 in cardiomyocyte membranes. Our findings show how cardiac deficiency in Bin1 function causes age- and stress-associated heart failure, and they establish a new preclinical model of this terminal cardiac disease.
An ab initio study of phosphorothioate and phosphorodithioate interactions with sodium cation

Abstract The geometries and interaction energies of the sodium-bound nucleic acid backbone analogs Na[( i PrO)( i BuO)PO 2 ], Na[( i PrO)( i BuO)POS( R )], and Na[( i PrO)( i BuO)PS 2 ] have been calculated. The interaction energies are less favorable with increasing sulfur substitution and the destabilizing effect is larger for the second sulfur substitution than it is for the first substitution. The less favorable interaction energies of the phosphorothioate and phosphorodithioate analogs suggest that nucleic acids containing such substitutions should have a lower population of bound cations. This is consistent with widening of the minor groove in B-DNA duplexes containing stereo-regular ( R )-phosphorothioate or phosphorodithioate substitutions and increased affinity of sulfur-modified oligonucleotides for proteins.
A Study of General Education Astronomy Students’ Understandings of Cosmology. Part V. The Effects of a New Suite of Cosmology Lecture-Tutorials on Students’ Conceptual Knowledge

This is the final paper in a five-paper series describing our national study of the teaching and learning of cosmology in general education astronomy college-level courses. A significant portion of this work was dedicated to the development of five new Lecture-Tutorials that focus on addressing the conceptual and reasoning difficulties that our research shows students have with frequently taught cosmology topics, such as the expansion of the universe, the Big Bang, and dark matter. We conducted a systematic investigation of the implementation of these new Lecture-Tutorials and resulting learning gains in order to test the efficacy of these new Lecture-Tutorials. Our investigation included classroom observations, results from pre–post testing using four conceptual cosmology surveys, and comparisons between classes in terms of the class time spent on cosmology topics and other instructional strategies used to teach cosmology. We used this combination of qualitative and quantitative research results to evalu...
On the convergence rate of quasi lumpable markov chains

Our main result is a new bound on the rate at which the agg- regated state distribution approaches its limit in quasi-lumpable Markov chains. We also demonstrate that in certain cases this can lead to a significantly accelerated way of estimating the measure of subsets in Markov chains with very large state space
Biofilms: Survival Mechanisms of Clinically Relevant Microorganisms

Though biofilms were first described by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, the theory describing the biofilm process was not developed until 1978. We now understand that biofilms are universal, occurring in aquatic and industrial water systems as well as a large number of environments and medical devices relevant for public health. Using tools such as the scanning electron microscope and, more recently, the confocal laser scanning microscope, biofilm researchers now understand that biofilms are not unstructured, homogeneous deposits of cells and accumulated slime, but complex communities of surface-associated cells enclosed in a polymer matrix containing open water channels. Further studies have shown that the biofilm phenotype can be described in terms of the genes expressed by biofilm-associated cells. Microorganisms growing in a biofilm are highly resistant to antimicrobial agents by one or more mechanisms. Biofilm-associated microorganisms have been shown to be associated with several human diseases, such as native valve endocarditis and cystic fibrosis, and to colonize a wide variety of medical devices. Though epidemiologic evidence points to biofilms as a source of several infectious diseases, the exact mechanisms by which biofilm-associated microorganisms elicit disease are poorly understood. Detachment of cells or cell aggregates, production of endotoxin, increased resistance to the host immune system, and provision of a niche for the generation of resistant organisms are all biofilm processes which could initiate the disease process. Effective strategies to prevent or control biofilms on medical devices must take into consideration the unique and tenacious nature of biofilms. Current intervention strategies are designed to prevent initial device colonization, minimize microbial cell attachment to the device, penetrate the biofilm matrix and kill the associated cells, or remove the device from the patient. In the future, treatments may be based on inhibition of genes involved in cell attachment and biofilm formation.
Iterative channel estimation and multiuser detection in multipath CDMA channels

This paper analyzes the iterative channel estimation and multiuser detection in multipath fading coded CDMA channels. The maximum likelihood criterion is used for channel estimation while the interference is cancelled with direct interference cancellation. The channel decoder output is fed back to enhance the performance of the channel estimator and interference canceller. The asymptotic system performance is analyzed, and conditions for convergence and uniqueness of fixed point are given.
Genomic Islands of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Contribute to Virulence

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain CFT073 contains 13 large genomic islands ranging in size from 32 kb to 123 kb. Eleven of these genomic islands were individually deleted from the genome, and nine isogenic mutants were tested for their ability to colonize the CBA/J mouse model of ascending urinary tract infection. Three genomic island mutants (ΔPAI-aspV, ΔPAI-metV, and ΔPAI-asnT) were significantly outcompeted by wild-type CFT073 in the bladders and/or kidneys following transurethral cochallenge (P ≤ 0.0139). The PAI-metV mutant also showed significant attenuation in the ability to independently colonize the kidneys (P = 0.0011). Specific genes within these islands contributed to the observed phenotype, including a previously uncharacterized iron acquisition cluster, fbpABCD (c0294 to c0297 [c0294-97]), autotransporter, picU (c0350), and RTX family exoprotein, tosA (c0363) in the PAI-aspV island. The double deletion mutant with deletions in both copies of the fbp iron acquisition operon (Δc0294-97 Δc2518-15) was significantly outcompeted by wild-type CFT073 in cochallenge. Strains with mutations in a type VI secretion system within the PAI-metV island did not show attenuation. The attenuation of the PAI-metV island was localized to genes c3405-10, encoding a putative phosphotransferase transport system, which is common to UPEC and avian pathogenic E. coli strains but absent from E. coli K-12. We have shown that, in addition to encoding virulence genes, genomic islands contribute to the overall fitness of UPEC strain CFT073 in vivo.
JOINT PRODUCT COST ALLOCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COST-PLUS PRICING DETERMINATIONS WITH NON-UNIFORM MARKUPS

Companies that use cost-based pricing sometimes manufacture products that involve joint cost allocation. A problem with this is that, while product prices are a function of the full cost, joint cost allocation methods using net realizable values depend on the product prices. This paper demonstrates that when all costs and production quantities are known or can be budgeted, it is possible to simultaneously determine unique product prices (having non-uniform markup rates) and cost allocations using the net realizable value method.
CO2lonialism and the “Unintended Consequences” of Commoditizing Climate Change: Geographies of Hope Amid a Sea of Oil Palms in the Northwest Ecuadorian Pacific Region

Reduction of greenhouse gases as prescribed by the Kyoto Protocol encourages substituting fossil fuels with biofuels. Ecuador's engagement with such climate change policy frameworks and subsequent biofuel production plans have led to drastic landscape transformation. Since the implementation of the first large-scale oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantation in the Canton of San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas province in 1998, palm monoculture has replaced 22, 242 ha of Ecuador's coastal Choco rainforest. The recent and rapid expansion of oil palm plantations has serious and detrimental socio-ecological repercussions for the local Afro-Ecuadorian and indigenous communities. This article highlights both the agro-ecological and cultural practices and the inter-ethnic networks through which these communities construct and sustain “geographies of hope” amid landscapes characterized by fallen forests, poisoned rivers, social conflicts, and a sea of oil palms. Drawing on the theoretical linkages between climate change, colon...
Height loss in older women: Risk of hip fracture and mortality independent of vertebral fractures

We examined if height loss in older women predicts risk of hip fractures, other nonspine fractures, and mortality, and whether this risk is independent of both vertebral fractures (VFx) and bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Among 3124 women age 65 and older in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, we assessed the association with measured height change between year 0 (1986-1988) and year 15 (2002-2004) and subsequent risk of radiologically confirmed hip fractures, other nonspine fractures, and mortality assessed via death certificates. Follow-up occurred every 4 months for fractures and vital status (>95% contacts complete). Cox proportional hazards models assessed risk of hip fracture, nonspine fracture, and mortality over a mean of 5 years after height change was assessed (ie, after final height measurement). After adjustment for VFx, BMD, and other potential covariates, height loss >5 cm was associated with a marked increased risk of hip fracture [hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06, 2.12], nonspine fracture (HR 1.48; 95% CI 1.20, 1.83), and mortality (1.45; 95% CI 1.21, 1.73). Although primary analyses were a subset of 3124 survivors healthy enough to return for a year 15 height measurement, a sensitivity analysis in the entire cohort (n = 9677) using initial height in earlier adulthood [self-reported height at age 25 (-40 years) to measured height age >65 years (Year 0)] demonstrated consistent results. Height loss >5 cm (2″) in older women was associated with a nearly 50% increased risk of hip fracture, nonspine fracture, and mortality-independent of incident VFx and BMD.
AMINO ACID SEQUENCE OF A TRYPTIC PEPTIDE OF HUMAN THYROGLOBULIN REACTIVE WITH SERA OF PATIENTS WITH THYROID DISEASES

Autoantibodies to human thyroglobulin (hTg) are found in the sera of many patients with thyroid diseases. To localize epitopes recognized by these autoantibodies, hTg was incubated with tryspin for 4 hours at 37°C under non-reducing conditions, releasing peptides from hTg in their natural conformation. These peptides were then analyzed by western immunoblot using either autoantibodies from patients with autoimmune thyroiditis or murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) produced against hTg. The autoantibodies reacted primarily with two low molecular weight peptides with apparent molecular weights (MWap) of 15 and 20 kDa. The pattern of tryptic peptides recognized by these autoantibodies resembled that of one of the mAbs (137C1), as shown by immunoblots in either one or two dimensional SDS-PAGE. To characterize these peptides further, they were separated by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The column separated the 4-hour tryptic digest of hTg into multiple peptide peaks. Further analysis by SDS-P...
Aiming high for the U.S. health system: a context for health reform.

Policy officials often assert that the U.S. has the best health care system in the world, but a recent scorecard on U.S. health system performance finds that the U.S. achieves a score of only 65 out of a possible 100 points on key indicators of performance in five key domains: healthy lives, access, quality, equity, and efficiency, where 100 represents the best achieved performance in other countries or within the U.S. The U.S. should aim higher by adopting a set of policies that will extend affordable health insurance to all; align financial incentives for health care providers to enhance value and achieve savings; organize the health care system around the patient to ensure that care is accessible and coordinated; meet and raise benchmarks for high-quality, efficient care; and ensure accountable national leadership and public-private collaboration. The incoming president and Congress should aspire to have the best health system in the world — not just assert it — and can do so by learning from examples of excellence within the U.S. and abroad.
Rapid method for determining concentric cylinder radiation view factors

eNCENTRIC cylinders are among the more common mfigurations encountered in radiation heat transfer analyses, being descriptive of assemblies ranging from infrared telescopes to tube furnaces. In performing thermal analyses on such structures with finite-element computer programs, it is often necessary to break the shell and tube into various concentric ring elements and compute radiation view factors between these elements. Figure 1 depicts a collection of concentric cylindrical geometries. In general, the tube-shell view factors of Fig. 1 can be determined using available computer programs which numerically integrate over the areas involved. However, these programs are cumbersome; thereby limiting their casual usage. A recent paper by Reid and Tehnant * numerically analyzed configuration IV in Fig. 1 for the special case where L=Y. The more general case, along with the other configurations in Fig. 1, is not in the open literature, although the equal-length case is given in Ref. 2. The novelty of the method presented in this Note lies in the utilization of the cylinder-disk view factor Fj.2 of Figs. 2 and 3. By combining various cylinder-disk view factors, for any of the structures in Fig. 1 F';_5 can be determined in closed form where it is the diffuse view factor from the outer curved surface of the inner tube to the outer cylinder. The view factors from the ends of the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder in configurations II, III, and IV are not considered since they can be determined using disk-disk relations as can the shell-shell view factors. Of course, F3.j can be readily computed from Fj_3 using reciprocity.
Cerebral morphology and dopamine D2/D3 receptor distribution in humans: a combined [18F]fallypride and voxel-based morphometry study.

The relationship between cerebral morphology and the expression of dopamine receptors has not been extensively studied in humans. Elucidation of such relationships may have important methodological implications for clinical studies of dopamine receptor ligand binding differences between control and patient groups. The association between cerebral morphology and dopamine receptor distribution was examined in 45 healthy subjects who completed T1-weighted structural MRI and PET scanning with the D2/D3 ligand [18F]fallypride. Optimized voxel-based morphometry was used to create grey matter volume and density images. Grey matter volume and density images were correlated with binding potential (BPND) images on a voxel-by-voxel basis using the Biological Parametric Mapping toolbox. Associations between cerebral morphology and BPND were also examined for selected regions-of-interest (ROIs) after spatial normalization. Voxel-wise analyses indicated that grey matter volume and density positively correlated with BPND throughout the midbrain, including the substantia nigra. Positive correlations were observed in medial cortical areas, including anterior cingulate and medial prefrontal cortex, and circumscribed regions of the temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes. ROI analyses revealed significant positive correlations between BPND and cerebral morphology in the caudate, thalamus, and amygdala. Few negative correlations between morphology and BPND were observed. Overall, grey matter density appeared more strongly correlated with BPND than grey matter volume. Cerebral morphology, particularly grey matter density, correlates with [18F]fallypride BPND in a regionally specific manner. Clinical studies comparing dopamine receptor availability between clinical and control groups may benefit by accounting for potential differences in cerebral morphology that exist even after spatial normalization.
Gibson Peak Pluton: A Discordant Composite Intrusion in the Southeastern Trinity Alps, Northern California

Gibson Peak pluton is the most discordant of several dominantly granitic intrusions in the Trinity Alps of northern California. It formed during Nevadan (Late Jurassic) deformation by emplacement of at least five discrete rock units that define a successively more silicic series, ranging from hypersthene gabbro to trondhjemitic tonalite. Contact features suggest that several units were incompletely crystalline when intruded by succeeding phases. Deformation of wall rocks, mainly partly serpentinized peridotite, indicates forceful intrusion, despite remarkable discordance of the pluton to regional structures. The discordance probably was controlled by regional extension fracturing during late stages of Nevadan deformation. Chemical compositions, computed from average modes of the intrusive units, are characterized by high Fe2O3-FeO and Na2O-K2O ratios. Plots of normative feldspar define a trend of trondhjemitic differentiation that diverges markedly from typical calc-alkaline trends. Contact metamorphism to mineral assemblages of pyroxene hornfels facies has been largely obscured by later low-grade hydration reactions, resulting in a net increase in serpentinization of most country-rock peridotite within the contact aureole.
Genome-scale metabolic reconstructions and theoretical investigation of methane conversion in Methylomicrobium buryatense strain 5G(B1)

Methane-utilizing bacteria (methanotrophs) are capable of growth on methane and are attractive systems for bio-catalysis. However, the application of natural methanotrophic strains to large-scale production of value-added chemicals/biofuels requires a number of physiological and genetic alterations. An accurate metabolic model coupled with flux balance analysis can provide a solid interpretative framework for experimental data analyses and integration. A stoichiometric flux balance model of Methylomicrobium buryatense strain 5G(B1) was constructed and used for evaluating metabolic engineering strategies for biofuels and chemical production with a methanotrophic bacterium as the catalytic platform. The initial metabolic reconstruction was based on whole-genome predictions. Each metabolic step was manually verified, gapfilled, and modified in accordance with genome-wide expression data. The final model incorporates a total of 841 reactions (in 167 metabolic pathways). Of these, up to 400 reactions were recruited to produce 118 intracellular metabolites. The flux balance simulations suggest that only the transfer of electrons from methanol oxidation to methane oxidation steps can support measured growth and methane/oxygen consumption parameters, while the scenario employing NADH as a possible source of electrons for particulate methane monooxygenase cannot. Direct coupling between methane oxidation and methanol oxidation accounts for most of the membrane-associated methane monooxygenase activity. However the best fit to experimental results is achieved only after assuming that the efficiency of direct coupling depends on growth conditions and additional NADH input (about 0.1–0.2 mol of incremental NADH per one mol of methane oxidized). The additional input is proposed to cover loss of electrons through inefficiency and to sustain methane oxidation at perturbations or support uphill electron transfer. Finally, the model was used for testing the carbon conversion efficiency of different pathways for C1-utilization, including different variants of the ribulose monophosphate pathway and the serine cycle. We demonstrate that the metabolic model can provide an effective tool for predicting metabolic parameters for different nutrients and genetic perturbations, and as such, should be valuable for metabolic engineering of the central metabolism of M. buryatense strains.
GAME-BASED DESIGN: A GAME THEORETIC EXTENSION TO DECISION-BASED DESIGN

In this paper we consider an approach to design in which the decisions made by one designer have a strategic aspect in that they affect the decision made by other designers. The approach taken is inclusion of the mathematics of game theory into a model we call Game-Based Design. Game-Based Design builds on the already established mathematics of utility theory in Decision-Based Design. The models within Game-Based Design are based on the interaction of the designers: (1) whether or not they share math models and information and (2) how they cooperate with one another. In this paper we show four math models for designs involving (1) two designers that are restricted in their communication, (2) three or more designers that are restricted in their communication, (3) two designers with unrestricted communication, and (4) three or more designers with a combination of unrestricted and restricted communication. The design of a universal electric motor product family is used to show the mathematics of three designers with restricted communication and three designers with a combination of restricted and unrestricted communication. The three designers are a configuration design, a power designer, and a product family designer each with their own objectives.
Intravitreal Bevacizumab Versus Ranibizumab for Treatment of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Findings from a Cochrane Systematic Review

Topic To summarize the relative effects of bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, Inc, South San Francisco, CA) and ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, Inc.), using findings from a Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group systematic review. Clinical Relevance Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD) is the most common cause of uncorrectable vision loss among the elderly in developed countries. Bevacizumab and ranibizumab are the most frequently used anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents injected intravitreally to treat NVAMD. Methods For this systematic review, we included only randomized controlled trials in which the 2 anti-VEGF agents had been compared directly. The primary outcome was 1-year gain in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≥15 letters. We followed Cochrane methods for trial selection, data extraction, and data analyses. Relative effects of bevacizumab versus ranibizumab are presented as estimated risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We identified 6 eligible randomized controlled trials with 2809 participants. The proportion of eyes that gained ≥15 letters of BCVA by 1 year was similar for the 2 agents when the same regimens were compared (RR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.73–1.11). The mean change in BCVA from baseline also was similar (MD, −0.5 letter; 95% CI, −1.6 to +0.6). Other BCVA and quality of life outcomes were similar for the 2 agents. One-year treatment cost with ranibizumab was 5.1 and 25.5 times the cost for bevacizumab in the 2 largest trials. Ocular adverse events were uncommon ( Conclusions We found no important difference in effectiveness or safety between bevacizumab and ranibizumab for NVAMD treatment, but there was a large cost difference.
Optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance

The primary concern of traditional Byzantine fault tolerance is to ensure strong replica consistency by executing incoming requests sequentially according to a total order. Speculative execution at both clients and server replicas has been proposed as a way of reducing the end-to-end latency. In this article, we introduce optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance. Optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance aims to achieve higher throughput and lower end-to-end latency by using a weaker replica consistency model. Instead of ensuring strong safety as in traditional Byzantine fault tolerance, nonfaulty replicas are brought to a consistent state periodically and on-demand in optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance. Not all applications are suitable for optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance. We identify three types of applications, namely, realtime collaborative editing, event stream processing, and services constructed with conflict-free replicated data types, as good candidates for applying optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance. Furthermore, we provide a design guideline on how to achieve eventual consistency and how to recover from conflicts at different replicas. In optimistic Byzantine fault tolerance, a replica executes a request immediately without first establishing a total order of the message, and Byzantine agreement is used only to establish a common state synchronization point and the set of individual states needed to resolve conflicts. The recovery mechanism ensures both replica consistency and the validity of the system by identifying and removing the operations introduced by faulty clients and server replicas.
Acute Lobular Nephronia

AbstractAcute lobular nephronia is an unusual form of localized renal infection, which has a characteristic computerized tomographic and ultrasonographic appearance, and should be distinguished from abscess or other renal masses. Treatment is nonoperative, consisting of intensive antibiotic therapy.
Molecular Approaches to Epidemiologic Evaluation of Viruses as Risk Factors for Patients Who Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

One approach to understanding the chronic fatigue syndrome might be to carry out prospective studies of fatigue that occurs following infection with viral diseases of known etiology, such as influenza, hepatitis, and infectious mononucleosis. Among the viral parameters that should be evaluated are virus burden, variation of virus strain, sites of viral replication, and the state of the viral life cycle (e.g., latent or replicative). Immunologic studies should focus on the humoral and cellular responses to defined viral gene products to identify subtle, individual variations in immune recognition of specific viral subcomponents.
USING DNA KNOTS TO ASSAY VIRAL GENOME PACKING

Bacteriophages pack their double-stranded DNA genomes to near-crystalline density in viral capsids and achieve one of the highest levels of DNA condensation found in nature. Despite numerous studies some essential properties of the packaging geometry of the DNA inside the phage capsid are still unknown. Although viral DNA is linear double-stranded with sticky ends, the linear viral DNA quickly becomes cyclic when removed from the capsid, and for some viral DNA the observed knot probability is an astounding 95%. These observed DNA knots carry information about capsid packing geometry. This talk will discuss comparison of the observed viral knot spectrum with the simulated knot spectrum, concluding that the viral knot spectrum is non-random, writhe directed, and generated by local cholesteric interaction (juxtaposition at a small twist angle) between DNA strands
Control of Commercial Aircraft with Vertical Tail Loss

This study develops a method of aircraft controller design to accommodate the possible complete loss of a vertical tail on a commercial airliner. A representative aircraft configured with and without a vertical tail at landing and cruise conditions tests possible control schemes for flying qualities and saturation. A stability augmentation system using a linear quadratic regulator with implicit ideal-model following does stabilize flight without the tail as it normally can. Without mechanical modifications, differential elevator or differential thrust may be used to generate rolling or yawing moments; landing conditions without vertical tail are controllable with differential thrust and model-following. Cruise conditions are too unstable for model-following but may be empirically stabilized. Furthermore, this study further develops a robust proportional-integral roll-angle command augmentation system. Design methods to successfully control an aircraft that loses its vertical tail through differential thrust are presented.
Implacement injury of the rectum: an unusual case.

A case of impalement of the rectum by an automobile jack which emerged through the chest has been described. Liver, bowel, rectum and perineum were involved by trauma. The importance of extreme caution while extracting the impaling object at the time of abdominal exploration is stressed.
The Forms of Abuse and Neglect of Children with Disabilities

This chapter examines the forms of maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional, and psychological abuse, and neglect that prevail in the lives of children with disabilities. We analyze data from large data bases, including the U.S. DHHS and the available databased research in this area. We present our findings following an analysis of the newspaper coverage of the abuse and neglect of children with disabilities (ANCD) and illustrate these findings with stories about the children and adults represented by these numbers. We complete this chapter with a discussion of the implications of these findings for research and practice. We provide reflection and critical thinking exercises throughout the chapter.
Using environmental features to model highway crossing behavior of Canada lynx in the Southern Rocky Mountains

Carnivores are particularly sensitive to reductions in population connectivity caused by human disturbance and habitat fragmentation. Permeability of transportation corridors to carnivore movements is central to species conservation given the large spatial extent of transportation networks and the high mobility of many carnivore species. We investigated the degree to which two-lane highways were permeable to movements of resident Canada lynx in the Southern Rocky Mountains based on highway crossings (n = 593) documented with GPS telemetry. All lynx crossed highways when present in home ranges at an average rate of 0.6 crossings per day. Lynx mostly crossed highways during the night and early dawn when traffic volumes were low. Five of 13 lynx crossed highways less frequently than expected when compared to random expectation, but even these individuals crossed highways frequently in parts of their home range. We developed fine- and landscape-scale resource selection function (RSF) models with field and remotely sensed data, respectively. At the fine scale, lynx selected crossings with low distances to vegetative cover and higher tree basal area; we found no support that topography or road infrastructure affected lynx crossing. At the landscape scale, lynx crossed highways in areas with high forest canopy cover in drainages on primarily north-facing aspects. The predicted crossing probabilities generated from the landscape-scale RSF model across western Colorado, USA, were successful in identifying known lynx crossing sites as documented with independent snow-tracking and road-mortality data. We discuss effective mitigation based on model results.
Completing Crane's O'Ruddy: A New Note

(1990). Completing Crane's O'Ruddy: A New Note. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 174-178.
An FDA Perspective on the Regulatory Implications of Complex Signatures to Predict Response to Targeted Therapies

As technologies evolve, and diagnostics move from detection of single biomarkers toward complex signatures, an increase in the clinical use and regulatory submission of complex signatures is anticipated. However, to date, no complex signatures have been approved as companion diagnostics. In this article, we will describe the potential benefit of complex signatures and their unique regulatory challenges, including analytic performance validation, complex signature simulation, and clinical performance evaluation. We also will review the potential regulatory pathways for clearance, approval, or acceptance of complex signatures by the FDA. These regulatory pathways include regulations applicable to in vitro diagnostic devices, including companion diagnostic devices, the potential for labeling as a complementary diagnostic, and the biomarker qualification program. Clin Cancer Res; 23(6); 1368–72. ©2016 AACR.
CD26/Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV (DPPIV) Regulates p38 Phosphorylation and Topoisomerase II Alpha Expression in the B-Lymphoma Line Jiyoye, Associated with Enhanced In Vitro and In Vivo Sensitivity to Doxorubicin.

Abstract CD26 is a 110 kDa surface glycoprotein with diverse functional properties, including having a key role in normal T-cell biology, being a marker of aggressive disease for selected T-cell malignancies and being involved in the development of certain cancers. Its extracellular domain encodes a membrane-associated dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) activity capable of processing biological factors to alter their functional profiles. We have shown previously that expression of CD26 on the T cell line Jurkat is associated with increased topoisomerase II alpha level and in vitro sensitivity to topoisomerase II inhibitors (Aytac U et al. Cancer Res 61:7204, 2001; Aytac U et al. Br J Cancer 88:455, 2003; Sato K et al. Br J Cancer 89:1366, 2003). We now show that CD26 expression, particularly its DPPIV enzyme activity, on the B-lymphoma line Jiyoye results in increased topoisomerase II alpha level and in vitro sensitivity to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Examining the molecular mechanisms involved in CD26-associated signaling, our present findings also indicate that CD26/DPPIV expression on Jiyoye cells is associated with increased phosphorylation of p38 and its upstream regulators MKK3/6 and ASK1. Importantly, inhibition of p38 phosphorylation decreases topoisomerase II alpha expression, suggesting a role for p38 in the regulation of topoisomerase II alpha. Finally, studies using a SCID mouse xenograft model with CD26 Jiyoye transfectants show that CD26 expression is associated with enhanced survival following treatment with low doses of doxorubicin. In particular, treatment with low-dose doxorubicin of SCID mice injected with CD26-negative parental Jiyoye cells does not lead to a statistically significant survival advantage over those treated with saline. On the other hand, SCID mice injected with CD26 Jiyoye transfectants show significantly greater survival when treated with low-dose doxorubicin than with saline alone, indicating that CD26 presence renders tumor cells more sensitive to doxorubicin in an in vivo model. Our data thus characterize the biochemical linkage among CD26 and other key intracellular molecules, while demonstrating that CD26 may have a role in tumor sensitivity to antineoplastic agents targeting topoisomerase II alpha. In addition, our work suggests that CD26/DPPIV may be an appropriate target for therapy for selected hematological malignancies of both B- and T-cell lineages.
The Art of Interpretation: Rosenweig's Midrash and Heidegger's Hermeneutics

The shared trajectory and thought between the phenomenological hermeneutics of Martin Heidegger and midrashic analysis of Franz Rosenzweig is established with respect to the task of taking up existing “classical” texts such as “The Song of Songs” and “The Ister” as well with respect to the embodied conditions of understanding through language with a view to delineating the motivating factors and the structural guidelines that determine our interpretive activities; specifically, intentional structures that distinguish communicative acts from one another that either brings them into conflict or into fruitful and harmonious communities.
Alertometer: Detecting and Mitigating Driver Drowsiness and Fatigue Using an Integrated Human Factors and Computer Vision Approach

A significant number of highway crashes are attributable to driver drowsiness and fatigue. Drowsiness-related crashes can often cause more serious occupant injuries than crashes that are not related to driver drowsiness [291]. In order to better understand and curtail this problem, human factors researchers and engineers have studied the problem of driver drowsiness and fatigue in a variety of driving environments (for example, driving simulators). They have determined the behavioral characteristics associated with driver drowsiness and investigated the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies.
Confucianism and Non-human Animal Sacrifice

In this paper, I argue that the use of non-human animals in ritual sacrifices is not necessary for the Confucian tradition. I draw upon resources found within other religious traditions as well as Confucianism concerning carrying out even the most mundane, ordinary actions as expressions of reverence. I argue that this practice of manifesting deep reverence toward God (or deities and ancestors in the case of Confucianism) through simple actions, which I call everyday reverence, reveals a way for Confucians to maintain the deep reverence that is essential for Confucianism, while abandoning the use of non-human animal sacrifice.
T cell egress via the afferent lymph modulates the course of local tissue inflammation (CAM1P.149)

T cells recirculate through extralymphoid tissues by entering from the blood and egressing via the afferent lymph. While T cell migration into effector sites is key to inflammation, the influence of T cell egress in this process is not known. In a mouse model, antigen recognition at the effector site reduced the egress of antigen-specific pro-inflammatory Th1 cells. Transgenic expression of ‘tissue exit receptor’ CCR7 enhanced egress of antigen-sequestered Th1 cells from the inflamed site and ameliorated inflammation. In contrast, lack of CCR7 on Th1 cells diminished their tissue egress while enhancing inflammation. Lymph-borne Th1 and Th17 cells draining the inflamed skin of sheep chemotaxed to the CCR7 ligand CCL21, suggesting the CCR7-CCL21 axis as a physiological target in regulating inflammation. In conclusion, exit receptors can be targeted to modulate T cell dwell time and inflammation at effector sites, revealing T cell tissue egress via lymph as a novel parameter of the pathophysiology of inflammation.