cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conflict in Whispers and Analyst Forecasts: Which One Should Be Your Guide?

This study examines the market reaction to conflicts that arise when analyst forecast errors are positive (negative) and whisper forecast errors are negative (positive). Results from a subsample, which represents firms with actual EPS that meet/beat the analyst forecast but not whisper, and regression analysis provide evidence that the market reaction to whispers is stronger than the market reaction to analysts. Compared to a portfolio that relies solely on either the analyst forecasts or whispers, a portfolio strategy that uses both information, as well as using whispers when the two conflict, results in higher abnormal returns.
Gender and Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization: A Comparison of American and Chinese College Students:

Previous research has shown that violence in romantic relationships is a serious social and public health problem throughout the world among young adults. College students, as a vulnerable group, e...
The Sleeping Dog Stirs: New Signs of Life in Efforts to End Corruption in International Business:

For many years, international firms and executives treated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) as the proverbial sleeping dog, best left alone. The FCPA was perceived as an overreaching and na...
Phase I study of PD-L1 inhibition with avelumab and laser interstitial thermal therapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

TPS2074Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) the most frequent malignant brain tumor in the adult has a dismal prognosis and limited treatment options. Current advances have highlighted how tumors and spe...
Biocatalysis in ionic liquids for lignin valorization: Opportunities and recent developments

Lignin holds tremendous potential as a renewable feedstock for upgrading to a number of high-value chemicals and products that are derived from the petroleum industry at present. Since lignin makes up a significant fraction of lignocellulosic biomass, co-utilization of lignin in addition to cellulose and hemicelluloses is vital to the economic viability of cellulosic biorefineries. The recalcitrant nature of lignin, originated from the molecule's compositional and structural heterogeneity, however, poses great challenges toward effective and selective lignin depolymerization and valorization. Ionic liquid (IL) is a powerful solvent that has demonstrated high efficiency in fractionating lignocellulosic biomass into sugar streams and a lignin stream of reduced molecular weight. Compared to thermochemical methods, biological lignin deconstruction takes place at mild temperature and pressure while product selectivity can be potentially improved via the specificity of biocatalysts (lignin degrading enzymes, LDEs). This review focuses on a lignin valorization strategy by harnessing the biomass fractionating capabilities of ILs and the substrate and product selectivity of LDEs. Recent advances in elucidating enzyme-IL interactions as well as strategies for improving enzyme activity in IL are discussed, with specific emphases on biocompatible ILs, thermostable and IL-tolerant enzymes, enzyme immobilization, and surface charge engineering. Also reviewed is the protein engineering toolsets (directed evolution and rational design) to improve the biocatalysts' activity, stability and product selectivity in IL systems. The alliance between IL and LDEs offers a great opportunity for developing a biocatalytic route for lignin valorization.
Derivatives on the downstream side of a moving, curved shock

Novel relations are developed for the tangential and normal derivatives of the pressure, density, and velocity components just downstream of a regular point on a curved shock wave. The perfect gas flow is three dimensional with a nonuniform freestream and the flow may be unsteady. The analysis starts with data in a fixed, laboratory-frame Cartesian coordinate system. By means of an orthogonal transformation, a coordinate system is introduced via a solid-body translation and two solid-body rotations. This Cartesian system is shock based and limits the analysis to a selected shock point at a given instant of time when the flow is unsteady. The analysis is a local one in that Taylor series expansions are utilized for the configuration of the shock and the upstream gradients of the velocity, pressure, and density. The coefficients in the last three expansions must satisfy Euler equation constraints. These expansions are performed in both Cartesian systems, with occasional preference given to the laboratory-frame expansions where there are known data. The derivatives are in terms of a third coordinate system that is shock based and utilizes the flow plane at the selected shock point. Exact, explicit results are provided for the tangential and normal derivatives in as simple a form as possible. In the Taylor series expansion version for the tangential derivatives, the relative importance of various factors can be assessed. These are the upstream velocity, pressure, and density gradients, curvatures, and shock-shape terms not associated with curvatures. A different type of discussion is provided for the more involved normal derivatives.
Fahrenheit 451 and the Education System

We use this book as a launching pad to comment on the sad state of modern education. We are particularly critical of public schools, but even ostensibly private ones come under our microscope. Bradbury’s book deprecates book burning. Our modern educational establishments have not yet taken up that practice, but by banning statues, precluding certain speakers from campus, biasing the professoriate in one direction, engaging in cultural Marxism, this may not lie all too far into the future.
The Sources of Public Support for A Violent Extremist Group: The Case of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan

This paper explores Pakistani public support for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT,also known as Jamaat ul Dawa, or JuD), which is one of the most competent and lethal Pakistan — based and — backed militant groups operating in India and elsewhere in South Asia. Contrary to common perceptions that Islamist militant groups are inherently revolutionary, this study, using data from a country-wide survey of 7, 653 Pakistanis carried out in 2013, argues form a social psychology perspective that the sense of significance that a violent extremist group may bestow on its in-group members is the essential factor in conditioning sympathy and support for that group. We posit that the LeT, a Salafi group based in Punjab, is most likely to be supported by Salafis and Punjabis as these are the societal groups most likely to believe that the LeT accords them significance. By analyzing data from a novel dataset derived from a nationally-representative survey of Pakistanis, we find strong support for these contentions.
Cross-regional coupling

Abstract The ring current is tightly coupled with the surrounding plasma populations from the ionosphere, plasmasphere, to the radiation belts. Magnetic depression produced by the ring current alters the drift paths of radiation belt electrons and can cause significant electron flux dropout. The development of pitch-angle anisotropy in ring current ions and electrons provides favorable conditions for various wave growths, which in turn cause radiation belt diffusive loss and/or energization. Gradients in the ring current particle pressure produce field aligned currents flowing into and out from the ionosphere. These currents alter the ionospheric electric potential distributions and modify plasma convection in both the ionosphere and magnetosphere. The electron component of the ring current only has a minor contribution to the total pressure; however, its precipitation loss will enhance the ionospheric conductivity and thus change the electric potential distribution. The ring current modulation of electric field in the ionosphere can result in features such as shielding, over-shielding and sub-auroral polarization streams. In this chapter, we describe major coupling processes of the ring current in the inner magnetosphere and the ionosphere. The basic theory of the interactions is outlined. We also demonstrate that important particle and field signatures in the magnetosphere and ionosphere can be explained by the ring current cross-regional coupling.
Realistic and Relevant Role-Players for Experiential Learning

Providing experiential training in complex tasks on an any-time anywhere basis—whether for individual or team tasks—often requires simulating interaction with non-player characters (NPCs): co-workers, superiors, subordinates, opponents, subjects, stakeholders, consultants, tutors, peers etc.
Evidence-based policymaking and the wicked problem of SDG 5 Gender Equality

Evidence-based policymaking (EBP) contends that policy decisions are successful when informed by evidence. However, where policy problems are “wicked” (systemic, ambiguous, complex, and conflictual), politics trumps evidence and solutions are never first best or permanent. Applying an EBP approach to solving wicked problems (WPs) therefore appears to be a daunting, impossible task. Despite the difficulties, we contend that blending insights from the EBP and WP literatures can provide actionable and practical policy advice to governments and MNEs for dealing with the WPs of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We support our thesis with a case study applying EBP to the WP of SDG 5 Gender Equality. We compare the statistical evidence from gender inequality indexes to SDG 5’s targets and indicators. We provide five insights from the EBP and WP literatures into why and how good evidence is necessary but not sufficient for progress on SDG 5. Building on these insights, we recommend that governments adopt an EBP approach employing public–private partnerships to address SDG 5. We also recommend that MNE executives use our new SDG Materiality Matrix, designed on EBP principles, to build SDG 5 into their global corporate social responsibility strategies.
Tracking leukemic T-cell transcriptional dynamics in vivo with a blood-based reporter assay

Transcriptional dynamics of cancer cells govern cell fate decisions and are therapeutically actionable drug targets. In this study, we engineered a circulating cancer cell line that secretes a luciferase reporter to capture constitutive and circadian clock-driven transcription dynamics over the course of a day. Engineered human leukemic T cells (Jurkat) were observed to rhythmically secrete luciferase in a continuous flow cell culture system. When transplanted in vivo, engineered leukemic cells caused circadian plasma luciferase activity and had expected pathological signs of leukemic disease. This technique is rapid and noninvasive, requiring only a few microliters of media or blood, and can aid in investigating relationships between in vivo cancer cell signaling and behavior, such as diet or sleep.
Estimation of endogenously sampled time series: The case of commodity price speculation in the steel market

Abstract We consider the problem of estimating a Markov process that is endogenously sampled. We observe a discrete-time Markov process { p t } at a set of random times { t 1 , … , t n } that depend on the outcome of a probabilistic sampling rule that depends on the state of the process and other observed covariates x t . We focus on a particular example where p t is the daily wholesale price of a standardized steel product. The endogenous sampling problem arises from the fact that we only observe p t on the days the firm purchases steel. We show how to solve this problem under two different assumptions about firm behavior: (1) optimality: the timing of steel purchases is governed by an optimal purchasing strategy that maximizes expected discounted profits, and (2) potential suboptimality: we allow the firm to use any randomized, Markovian purchasing strategy. In the latter case, the estimation problem becomes semi-parametric and we use the method of sieves to estimate a flexible parametric approximation to the firm’s purchasing behavior that best fits the data without imposing optimality. We show how estimation of this model becomes tractable under either of these assumptions using the method of simulated moments (MSM). We simulate realizations of wholesale steel prices and sample them in the same way as they are sampled in the actual data, i.e. only on days where purchases occur. We use the MSM estimator to estimate a truncated lognormal AR(1) model of the wholesale price processes for particular types of steel plate and test and reject the assumption that the firm is behaving optimally.
Automated Distributed Element Model Generation for Neural Interface Co-Design

We present a scripted distributed element modeling framework to enable process-portable co-design of neural recording and stimulation circuits and other applications that require co-design with an electrode-electrolyte interface. Using distributed elements enables designers to simulate the spatial voltage and current profiles in tissue to determine key parameters such as stimulator voltage headroom, stimulation artifact, and charge-balance. Designers specify 2D or 3D physical parameters of the electrode configuration in MATLAB, which in turn generates a netlist in Cadence Virtuoso for simulation with circuitry. Using this framework, we show that time-domain artifact cancellation techniques outperform frequency-domain techniques for concurrent neural recording and stimulation.
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas: recommendations for Standardized Imaging and Reporting from the Society of Abdominal Radiology IPMN disease focused panel

There have been many publications detailing imaging features of malignant transformation of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN), management and recommendations for imaging follow-up of diagnosed or presumed IPMN. However, there is no consensus on several practical aspects of imaging IPMN that could serve as a clinical guide for radiologists and enable future data mining for research. These aspects include how to measure IPMN, define reporting terminology, standardize reporting and unify guidelines for surveillance. The Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) created multiple Disease-Focused Panels (DFP) comprised multidisciplinary panel members who focus on a particular disease, with the goal to develop ways for radiologists to improve patient care, education, and research. DFP members met to identify the current controversies and limitations of imaging pancreatic IPMN. This paper aims to provide a practical review of the key imaging characteristics of IPMN for trainees and practicing radiologists, to guide uniformity of performance and interpretation of surveillance imaging studies, and to improve communication with clinicians by providing a lexicon and reporting template based on the experience of the SAR-DFP panel members.
Effects of unilateral tDCS over left prefrontal cortex on emotion regulation in depression: Evidence from concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common mood disorder and a primary cause of disability worldwide. MDD symptomatology entails disturbances in emotion regulation, namely one's ability to modify the intensity and duration of emotional reactions towards affective events. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a promising treatment for MDD. Yet, positive tDCS outcomes vary across studies, while the precise effects of the procedure for cortical excitability in MDD during emotion regulation remain largely unexplored. Here, we leveraged functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-compatible tDCS technology to examine the functional consequences of a unilateral anodal tDCS montage at 1.5 mA over left PFC (area F3; with the reference electrode over an extracephalic location) for brain activity during an emotion-regulation task in MDD patients and age-matched healthy control subjects. Our results revealed down-regulation of negative emotions in the right amygdala and visual cortex of healthy controls but not MDD patients prior to stimulation, the degree of which correlated with the magnitude of the participants' reappraisal scores. TDCS did not elicit significant changes in neural activation patterns for either group. These findings contribute to the literature on the pathophysiology of MDD by showing that a key disturbance in the disorder entails the ineffective down-regulation of activity not only within the amygdala, but also within visual cortical areas in response to negative information. Further, these results suggest that relative to bifrontal tDCS montages, unilateral stimulation of moderate intensity over left PFC may not be sufficient to elicit therapeutic effects for MDD.
Camus’s Absurd and the Argument against Suicide

There are striking differences between Camus’s early and late philosophical essays, but Camus often claimed that his works were part of one consistent project. This paper argues that, although Camus had a significant change in his views on the consequences of the absurd, throughout his life he also had a common concern with the relation of the absurd to morality. Showing this requires us to clarify what Camus meant by the “absurd,” and identify at least three different uses of the term by Camus: lacking a purpose; lacking an explanation; and a tension between purpose and purposelessness. Clarifying the meaning of “absurd” allows one to show that Camus’s late argument against suicide, often dismissed as inadequate, is valid. This also illustrates the consistency of his concerns over time.
Silk-elastinlike copolymers enhance bioaccumulation of semisynthetic glycosaminoglycan ethers for prevention of radiation induced proctitis.

Abstract Radiation-induced proctitis (RIP) is a debilitating adverse event that occurs commonly during lower abdominal radiotherapy. The lack of prophylactic treatment strategies leads to diminished patient quality of life, disruption of radiotherapy schedules, and limitation of radiotherapy efficacy due to dose-limiting toxicities. Semisynthetic glycosaminoglycan ethers (SAGE) demonstrate protective effects from RIP. However, low residence time in the rectal tissue limits their utility. We investigated controlled delivery of GM-0111, a SAGE analogue with demonstrated efficacy against RIP, using a series of temperature-responsive polymers to compare how distinct phase change behaviors, mechanical properties and release kinetics influence rectal bioaccumulation. Poly(lactic acid)-co-(glycolic acid)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic acid)-co-(glycolic acid) copolymers underwent macroscopic phase separation, expelling >50% of drug during gelation. Poloxamer compositions released GM-0111 cargo within 1 h, while silk-elastinlike copolymers (SELPs) enabled controlled release over a period of 12 h. Bioaccumulation was evaluated using fluorescence imaging and confocal microscopy. SELP-415K, a SELP analogue with 4 silk units, 15 elastin units, and one elastin unit with lysine residues in the monomer repeats, resulted in the highest rectal bioaccumulation. SELP-415K GM-0111 compositions were then used to provide localized protection from radiation induced tissue damage in a murine model of RIP. Rectal delivery of SAGE using SELP-415K significantly reduced behavioral pain responses, and reduced animal mass loss compared to irradiated controls or treatment with traditional delivery approaches. Histological scoring showed RIP injury was ameliorated for animals treated with GM-0111 delivered by SELP-415K. The enhanced bioaccumulation provided by thermoresponsive SELPs via a liquid to semisolid transition improved rectal delivery of GM-0111 to mice and radioprotection in a RIP model.
Effects of polymerization of casein and sources of lysine on amino acid bioavailability among calves fed liquid-based diets.

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of AA between polymerized and less polymerized or unpolymerized sources of AA. In the first experiment, 6 bull calves (53.8 ± 0.6 kg of body weight) were bottle-fed milk replacer that contained 0, 60, or 120 additional grams of AA from casein or acid hydrolyzed casein every 12 h. Plasma essential AA increased linearly with increasing intake of casein from either source. Branched-chain amino acids accounted for 74% of increases in essential AA, regardless of source of AA. Concentrations of nonessential AA increased linearly with increased intake of AA from acid hydrolyzed casein but only tended to increase in response to casein. Also, the rate of increase in total plasma AA concentration in response to acid hydrolyzed casein (4.3 µM increase per g of supplemental AA) tended to be 145% greater than casein (3.0 µM per g of supplemental AA). In a separate experiment, 6 additional bull calves (52.1 ± 0.9 kg of body weight) were bottle-fed milk replacer that contained 0, 4.8, or 9.6 additional grams of Lys from e-polylysine or Lys-HCl each 12 h to measure Lys bioavailability between a polymerized and unpolymerized source of Lys. Plasma Lys concentrations increased linearly in response to greater Lys intake from Lys-HCl (slope = 13.51 µM/g Lys,), but plasma Lys concentrations did not change in response to increased intake of Lys from e-polylysine. Plasma concentrations of Thr, Met, Glu, and Gln decreased linearly with increasing e-polylysine intake, whereas concentrations of His, Val, Leu, and Ile increased linearly with increasing e-polylysine intake. Data from these experiments suggest that the form of AA provided to calves should be considered when formulating diets to meet AA requirements.
A Delphes card for the EIC yellow-report detector

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) Yellow Report specified parameters for the general-purpose detector that can deliver the scientific goals delineated by the EIC White Paper and NAS report. These parameters dictate the tracking momentum resolution, secondary-vertex resolutions, calorimeter energy resolutions, as well as $\pi/K/p$ ID. We have incorporated these parameters into a configuration card for Delphes, which is a widely used "C++ framework, for performing a fast multipurpose detector response simulation". We include both the 1.5 T and 3.0 T scenarios. We also show the expected performance for high-level quantities such as jets, missing transverse energy, charm tagging, and others. These parametrizations can be easily updated with more refined Geant4 studies, which provides an efficient way to perform simulations to benchmark a variety of observables using state-of-the art event generators such as Pythia8.
A model of rapid homeostatic plasticity accounts for hidden, long-lasting changes in a neuronal circuit after exposure to high potassium

Neural circuits must both function reliably and flexibly adapt to changes in their environment. We studied how both biological neurons and computational models respond to high potassium concentrations. Pyloric neurons of the crab stomatogastric ganglion (STG) initially become quiescent, then recover spiking activity in high potassium saline. The neurons retain this adaptation and recover more rapidly in subsequent high potassium applications, even after hours in control saline. We constructed a novel activity-dependent computational model that qualitatively captures these results. In this model, regulation of conductances is gated on and off depending on how far the neuron is from its target activity. This allows the model neuron to retain a trace of past perturbations even after it returns to its target activity in control conditions. Thus, perturbation, followed by recovery of normal activity, can hide cryptic changes in neuronal properties that are only revealed by subsequent perturbations.
Is a Flight into Virtuality Already Underway?: A Consideration of Changing Lifeways in the Early Twenty-First Century

This working paper takes up recent data regarding the reported withdrawal of individuals from the job market and the "dating/marriage market" in light of arguments by observers like Edward Castronova and Jane McGonigal that the emergence of "virtual" worlds (i.e. video gaming and other such entertainment) will be an increasingly powerful competitor with offline reality and its obligations for people's time and attention. It tentatively suggests that those for whom offline life is least satisfying (those who can expect to do least well in the aforementioned markets) are, where able, making the choice those observers discussed, and considers the possibility that the tendency was become more common in the coming years.
Animal-assisted interventions in historical perspective

Publisher Summary This chapter attempts to provide a brief historical account of the various ways in which animals and companion animals are perceived as contributing to human mental and physical health. Animist belief systems are characteristic of all hunting and foraging societies, and among these societies, offended animal spirits are often viewed as the most common source of malignant spiritual influences. Although animist belief systems are particularly characteristic of hunting and foraging peoples, they have also persisted in a variety of forms in many pastoral nomadic and agricultural societies where they often coexist, through a process of synchretic fusion, with more recently imposed religious creeds and practices. The purpose of dwelling on the particular example of contemporary Amerindian belief in soul animals is that it illustrates the remarkable tenacity of animistic/shamanistic ideas and practices in Central America, despite the coercive influence of nearly five centuries of imported Roman Catholicism. Similarly, in Europe and around the Mediterranean basin, it appears that vestiges of comparable belief systems survived in a number of local and regional healing cults, at least until the early modern period. The positive therapeutic value of animal companionship continues to receive little recognition in mainstream medical literature, and, as a field of research, it is grossly under-supported by government funding agencies.
Propositional Quantification and Quotation Contexts

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses propositional quantification and quotation contexts. The purpose of the indices emerges in the description of the languages, but roughly indices on propositional variables are used to restrict the substitution range of the variable, while indices on terms are used (in the second two languages) to restrict possible assignments of the denotation. The chapter also discusses hierarchies and semantics.
Continuing needs for food consumption data for public health policy.

There are five broad categories of food-related public health problems in the U.S. for which survey data on food consumption are needed. These relate to reproduction, growth and development, chronic disease, food safety, food insecurity and problems specific to the elderly. The collection and analysis of food consumption data has become increasingly difficult for three major reasons. First, broad societal trends (e.g., ethnicity and use of food away from home) and changes in the food production, processing and marketing sectors have complicated the task. Second, the traditional concerns of monitoring (tracking population means and prevalences) are no longer the only objectives; there is a growing demand for data on habitual intake of individuals and variability in habitual intakes (e.g., to estimate the frequency of acute exposures). Third, data are required at several levels of aggregation (e.g., nutrients, food categories, commodities and name-brand foods) and a high frequency of non-consumption at lower levels of aggregation places high demands on sample size. It is suggested that the current large national surveys be supplemented with special purpose surveys that meet individual agency needs, and that principles and methods of state and local monitoring be further developed and implemented.
Undecidable Problems About CFLs

In this lecture we show that a very simple problem about CFLs is undecidable, namely the problem of deciding whether a given CFG generates all strings.
An integrated method of obtaining absolute ocean velocity from a profiling free vehicle

An instrument system to determine earth-referenced ocean velocity profiles with high vertical resolution from a free vehicle is being developed. Three sensor systems are employed to complete the task of obtaining high quality velocity data from this vehicle.
Evolution of the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets

It is pointed out that, even though the atmospheres of the earth, Venus, and Mars have distinctly different climates, it appears likely that all three planets were created under similar conditions; the planets are different only in terms of mass and incident solar radiation. This paper considers some of the difficulties in assessing the nature of the primordial climates and in extrapolating these climates to the present day. In particular, questions concerning clouds, water, and CO2 on the earth and on Mars are addressed.
Outdoor recreation net benefits of rail-trails.

Net economic values were estimated with the individual travel cost method for user samples from three rail-trails in geographically diverse regions of the U.S. Estimates of rail-trail demands were ...
Engineering design using decision analysis

This paper relates the top-down, iterative design process of systems engineering to key elements of decision analysis to show how decision analysis concepts can be used to enhance decision making by systems engineers. We begin by reviewing the systems engineering process: requirements, operational concept, system boundaries, and functional, physical and operational architectures. We then discuss requirements as objectives and constraints. Next, we introduce the decision analysis concepts of fundamental objectives and the fundamental objectives hierarchy. These ideas are related to the traditional concepts of measures of effectiveness (MOEs) and measures of performance (MOPs). We then describe influence diagrams and show how the choice of operational architectures and the associated requirements allocation can be addressed with influence diagrams. We discuss how the fundamental objectives and objectives hierarchy change as the iterative design process proceeds to greater and greater detail. >
Characterization of a macroporous polyvinyl alcohol scaffold for the repair of focal articular cartilage defects.

Focal cartilage defects reduce the ability of articular cartilage to resist mechanical loading and provide lubrication during joint motion. The limitations in current surgical treatments have motivated the use of biocompatible scaffolds as a future treatment option. Here we describe a second-generation, macroporous, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) scaffold with independently tunable morphological and mechanical properties. The compressive moduli of the PVA scaffold increased with increasing polymer concentration and applied compressive strain, with values in the range for human articular cartilage (HA >1000 kPa, EY >500 kPa). Scaffolds also possessed strain-dependent permeability and Poisson’s ratio. The interconnected macroporous network was found to facilitate chondrocyte seeding and proliferation through the scaffold over 1 week in culture. Overall, these promising characteristics demonstrate the potential of this macroporous scaffold for future studies in focal cartilage defect repair.
A fentanyl fatality involving midazolam.

Abstract A case is presented of a 35-year-old black African male anesthesiology resident, found dead in his apartment. At the scene a syringe, butterfly intravenous line and a bottle of Versed ® (Midazolam) were recovered. A comprehensive screen for common drugs of abuse and therapeutic agents failed to detect any drugs in blood and urine. The blood ethanol concentration was 0.06 g/dl. A GCMS SIM assay for midazolam was developed. A sub-therapeutic midazolam blood concentration of 7.5 ng/ml was detected and concentrations (ng/ml or ng/g) in bile, urine, and liver were 3.3, 7.5, and 96, respectively. The syringe fluid was then analyzed and found to contain only fentanyl, midazolam was absent. The blood fentanyl concentration was 4.9 ng/ml which is consistent with those reported in fentanyl fatalities. Fentanyl concentrations (ng/ml or ng/g) in bile, urine, and liver were 8.8, 5.0, and 5.9, respectively. The cause of death was ruled to be fentanyl intoxication and the manner of death undetermined.
Organizational Support of Career Development and Job Satisfaction: A Case Study of the Nevada Operations Office of the Department of Energy

As a result of widespread downsizing and an aging workforce in the federal government, career development and succession planning are rapidly becoming key strategic planning elements for effective ...
Maternal Corticosterone Further Reduces the Reproductive Function of Male Offspring Hatched from Eggs Laid by Quail Hens Selected for Exaggerated Adrenocortical Stress Responsiveness

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can depress the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. Male quail cloacal gland (CG) size and foam production shows androgen dependency, and males selected for exaggerated [high stress (HS)] rather than reduced [low stress (LS)] plasma corticosterone (B) stress response exhibit reduced CG and testes development. High stress hens also deposit more B into egg yolks than LS ones, and quail hens given B produce chicks that have a reduced growth rate and adults with heightened HPA responsiveness. Herein, we gave LS and HS hens no B [empty implants, control (CON)] or B-filled implants and assessed the reproductive performances of these hens and their male offspring. Mortality was similarly elevated in LS and HS B-treated hens, but only HS B-implanted hens showed reduced egg production. In male offspring, CG volume (CVOL), intensity of CG foam production (CFP), and the proportion of individuals that produced CG foam were measured from 4 to 11 wk of age. At 6 wk, BW, and at 15 wk, BW, testes weight (TWT), and TWT relative to BW were also determined. Hen treatments did not affect male chick CVOL at 4 wk, but CVOL differed thereafter as follows: LS CON > LS B = HS CON = HS B at 5 and 6 wk and LS CON > LS B > HS CON = HS B from 7 to 11 wk. By 8 wk, and thereafter, CFP differed as follows: LS CON > LS B > HS CON > HS B. Group differences in the proportion of individuals that produced CG foam generally supported CFP findings from 4 to 8 wk of age. Body weight did not differ by treatment at 6 wk of age. By 15 wk, TWT were similarly depressed in both HS groups. However, similarly higher 15-wk BW in the LS-CON and HS-B groups contributed to TWT relative to BW differences as follows: LS-B > LS-CON > HS-B; LS-CON = HS-CON; LS-B > HS-CON; and, HS-CON = HS-B. Both selection for exaggerated HPA responsiveness and maternal B treatment negatively affected the reproductive function of HS male offspring.
A conserved family of elav-like genes in vertebrates

Abstract A large family of genes encodes proteins with RNA recognition motifs that are presumed to bind RNA and to function in posttranscriptional regulation. Neural-specific members of this family include elav, a gene required for correct differentiation and maintenance of neurons in Drosophila melanogaster, and a related gene, HuD, which is expressed in human neuronal cells. I have identified genes related to elav and HuD in Xenopus laevis, zebrafish, and mouse that define a family of four closely related vertebrate elav-like genes (elrA, elrB, elrC, and elrD) in fish, frogs, and mammals. In addition to protein sequence conservation, a segment of the 3'-untranslated sequence of elrD is also conserved, implying a functional role in elrD expression. In adult frogs, elrC and elrD are exclusively expressed in the brain, whereas elrB is expressed in brain, testis, and ovary. During Xenopus development, elrC and elrD RNAs are detected by late gastrula and late neurula stages, respectively, whereas a nervous system-specific elrB RNA species is expressed by early tadpole stage. Additional elrB transcripts are detected in the ovary and early embryo, demonstrating a maternal supply of mRNA and possibly of protein. These expression patterns suggest a role for different elav-like genes in early development and neuronal differentiation. Surprisingly, elrA is expressed in all adult tissues tested and at all times during development. Thus, the widely expressed elrA is expected to have a related function in all cells.
Smoke opacity from certain woods and plastics

In an effort to devise a satisfactory method to measure smoke production and obscuration, the authors modified a test chamber of a design used by the National Bureau of Standards and conducted a series of tests with certain woods and plastics. The work reported here is only the beginning of studies that will include additional materials and the effects of lower and higher oxygen atmospheres.
A practical and flexible flow analysis for higher-order languages

A flow analysis collects data-flow and control-flow information about programs. A compiler can use this information to enable optimizations. The analysis described in this article unifies and extends previous work on flow analysis for higher-order languages supporting assignment and control operators. The analysis is abstract interpretation based and is parameterized over two polyvariance operators and a projection operator. These operators are used to regulate the speed and accuracy of the analysis. An implementation of the analysis is incorporated into and used in a production Scheme compiler. The analysis can process any legal Scheme program without modification. Others have demonstrated that a 0CFA analysis can enables the optimizations, but a 0CFA analysis is O(n)3). An O(n) instantiation of our analysis successfully enables the optimization of closure representations and procedure calls. Experiments with the cheaper instantiation show that it is as effective as 0CFA for these optimizations.
Generating ‘As-Applied’ Pesticide Distribution Maps from a Self-Propelled Agricultural Sprayer Based on Nozzle Pressure Data

The application of pre-emergence, post-emergence, and burn-down herbicides (i.e., glyphosate) continues to increase as producers attempt to reduce both negative environmental impacts from tillage and input costs from labor, machinery and materials. The use of precision agriculture technologies such as automatic boom section control allows producers to reduce off-target application when applying herbicides. While automatic boom section control provides benefits, pressure differences across the spray boom resulting from boom section actuation can lead to off-rate application errors. Off-rate errors may also result from spray rate controller compensation for ground speed changes and velocity variation across the spray boom during turning movements. This project focuses on quantifying accumulated pesticide application for three fields located in Central Kentucky. GPS coordinates were collected along with nozzle pressure data (at 13 nozzle locations) at one second intervals as the sprayer traversed the study fields. The method previously developed by Luck et al. (2009) was used to calculate coverage areas for the control sections along the spray boom in MS Excel. Nozzle discharge flow rates were estimated from the nozzle pressure data (based on manufacturer calibration information) which was then incorporated into MS Excel to determine the rate of pesticide applied to the fields. Results indicate the majority of each field received application rates at or below the target rate. Only 34.2%, 33.9%, and 22.9% of Fields 1, 2, and 4, respectively, received application rates at the target rate +/- 10% during these post-emergence treatments. The goal of this project was develop distribution maps to better understand the effects of boom section control and turning movements on herbicide accumulation.
Endogenous CCK in the control of gastric emptying of glucose and maltose

Abstract Moran, T. H., D. G. Field, S. Knipp, T. S. Carrigan and G. J. Schwartz. Endogenous CCK in the control of gastric emptying of glucose and maltose. Peptides 18(4) 547–550, 1997.—A role for endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) in the control of gastric emptying of liquid glucose and maltose test meals in rhesus monkeys was assessed. Intragastric administration of a dose range (10–100 μ g/kg) of the CCK A receptor antagonist devazepide produced a dose dependent acceleration of the emptying of 100 ml 300 mOsm test meals of glucose and maltose but had no effect on the emptying of a hyperosmotic (750 mOsm) NaCl solution. At the 100 μ g/kg dose, the emptying of glucose and maltose meals were as rapid as the emptying of physiological NaCl. These data expand the demonstrated role of endogenous CCK in the slowing of gastric emptying of nutrients in rhesus monkeys to carbohydrates and suggest that previous negative results were due to the hyperosmotic nature of the glucose solutions.
Solving visibility problems on MCCs of smaller size

The paper presents mesh-connected computer (MCC) algorithms to solve the visibility problem for a set of disjoint simple objects such as line segments, circles, and simple polygons in the plane. Given a set of n such objects, the algorithms compute, on a n × n MCC, a view of these objects in O(n) time. Both parallel and perspective views are considered. Earlier published algorithms for computing the views are sequential and have O(n log n) time complexity. Consider the solutions to solve problems of size n on MCCs with p processors, where p < n. An analysis is presented of the time performance and the limitations imposed by the computational and communication requirements, and the trade-offs between the size of the MCC and the time complexity that can be achieved.
Uncertainty Modeling of Residual Stress Development in Polymeric Composites Manufactured With Resin Transfer Molding Process

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is an advanced process to manufacture high quality thermoset polymeric composites. The quality of the composite depends on the resin infusion stage and the cure stage during the RTM process. The resin curing is a complex exothermic process which involves resin mechanical property evolution, resin volume shrinkage, thermal expansion, heat transfer, and chemical reaction. Since the fibers and resin have many differences in their physical properties, the composite cure stage inevitably introduces the undesired residual stress to the composite parts. As the residual stress could sometimes generate local matrix failure or degrade the performance of the composite, it is important to model and minimize the residual stress. This paper presents a model to predict the residual stress development during the composite cure process. By slightly disturbing the manufacturing parameters such as the mold heating cycle and the cure kinetics of polymer, the variations of residual stress development during the RTM process can be modeled and compared. A parametric uncertainty study of the residual stress development in the polymeric composite manufactured with RTM will be performed and discussed.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Understanding the underlying metabolic abnormalities of polycystic ovary syndrome and their implications

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased rate of obesity, with a propensity toward abdominal deposition of body fat. Independent of obesity, at least half of affected women have insulin resistance. To understand the mechanisms of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome, it is necessary to understand normal insulin signaling. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have normal binding of insulin to its receptor but have decreased activation of events downstream of the receptor. This insulin resistance occurs mostly in the peripheral tissues (muscle and fat cells), and results in increased pancreatic insulin secretion to maintain normal glucose levels. Obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a relative defect in insulin secretion. At least 20% of obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome have glucose intolerance or diabetes, versus about 5% of the healthy age-matched population. Obesity and insulin resistance probably increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The metabolic features of polycystic ovary syndrome are important health risk factors and need to be considered seriously, even if the patient seeks treatment for other concerns.
Iron-responsive elements: regulatory RNA sequences that control mRNA levels and translation

The biosynthetic rates for both the transferrin receptor (TfR) and ferritin are regulated by iron. An iron-responsive element (IRE) in the 5' untranslated portion of the ferritin messenger RNA (mRNA) mediates iron-dependent control of its translation. In this report the 3' untranslated region of the mRNA for the human TfR was shown to be necessary and sufficient for iron-dependent control of mRNA levels. Deletion studies identified a 678-nucleotide fragment of the TfR complementary DNA that is critical for this iron regulation. Five potential stem-loops that resemble the ferritin IRE are contained within the region critical for TfR regulation. Each of two of the five TfR elements was independently inserted into the 5' untranslated region of an indicator gene transcript. In this location they conferred iron regulation of translation. Thus, an mRNA element has been implicated in the mediation of distinct regulatory phenomena dependent on the context of the element within the transcript.
Fecal DNA testing compared with conventional colorectal cancer screening methods: a decision analysis

Abstract Background & Aims: Fecal DNA testing is an emerging tool to detect colorectal cancer (CRC). Our aims were to estimate the clinical and economic consequences of fecal DNA testing vs. conventional CRC screening. Methods: Using a Markov model, we estimated CRC incidence, CRC mortality, and discounted cost/life-year gained for screening by fecal DNA testing (F-DNA), fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and/or sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy (COLO) in persons at average CRC risk from age 50 to 80 years. Results: Compared with no screening, F-DNA at a screening interval of 5 years decreased CRC incidence by 35% and CRC mortality by 54% and gained 4560 life-years per 100,000 persons at $47,700/life-year gained in the base case. However, F-DNA gained fewer life-years and was more costly than conventional screening. The average number of colonoscopies per person was 3.8 with COLO and 0.8 with F-DNA. In most 1-way sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulation iterations, F-DNA remained reasonably cost-effective compared with no screening, but COLO and FOBT dominated F-DNA. Assuming fecal DNA testing sensitivities of 65% for CRC and 40% for large polyp, and 95% specificity, a screening interval of 2 years and a test cost of $195 would be required to make F-DNA comparable with COLO. Conclusions: Fecal DNA testing every 5 years appears effective and cost-effective compared with no screening, but inferior to other strategies such as FOBT and COLO. Fecal DNA testing could decrease the national CRC burden if it could improve adherence with screening, particularly where the capacity to perform screening colonoscopy is limited.
Excited state dynamics in SO2. I. Bound state relaxation studied by time-resolved photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy

The excited state dynamics of isolated sulfur dioxide molecules have been investigated using the time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and time-resolved photoelectron-photoion coincidence techniques. Excited state wavepackets were prepared in the spectroscopically complex, electronically mixed (B)1B1/(A)1A2, Clements manifold following broadband excitation at a range of photon energies between 4.03 eV and 4.28 eV (308 nm and 290 nm, respectively). The resulting wavepacket dynamics were monitored using a multiphoton ionisation probe. The extensive literature associated with the Clements bands has been summarised and a detailed time domain description of the ultrafast relaxation pathways occurring from the optically bright (B)1B1 diabatic state is presented. Signatures of the oscillatory motion on the (B)1B1/(A)1A2 lower adiabatic surface responsible for the Clements band structure were observed. The recorded spectra also indicate that a component of the excited state wavepacket undergoes intersystem ...