cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Membership Has Its Privileges: Conventional Arms and Influence within the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entails high costs for non-nuclear countries and yet boasts near-complete worldwide membership. While nuclear weapons states are subject only to a nonspecific commitment to negotiate nuclear disarmament over time, non-nuclear members must relinquish their right to what is arguably the most powerful means to guarantee their security available. For most states, such institutionalized inequality is hardly a bargain. Why, then, have so many countries joined the NPT and done so relatively quickly? We argue that NPT leaders may have helped to reduce the costs of signing the NPT by providing alternative means of protecting members’ security – namely, enhanced access to conventional arms. In this paper, we ask whether NPT leaders offer informal inducements in the form of increased conventional arms transfers to NPT signatories as a valuable security side payment for regime membership. To explore this possibility, we conduct a statistical analysis of major conventional weapons transfers from the United States and Soviet Union/Russia from 1970 to 2001, as well as from the United Kingdom, France, and (West) Germany. We show that informal inducements have provided a “signing bonus” to states that join the NPT. Conditional, extra-treaty benefits to members can indeed play an important role in recruiting new signatories and help to broaden regime membership. These findings, in turn, suggest lessons for bolstering the NPT, frequently described as a “regime in crisis,” although we argue difficult tradeoffs may be necessary.
Potassium channels as therapeutic targets for autoimmune disorders.

In human T-lymphocytes, the voltage-gated Kv1.3 channel and the Ca(2+)-activated IKCa1 channel play an important role in Ca2+ signaling, activation, adhesion and migration and have, therefore, long been regarded as attractive targets for immunotherapy. Here, we review the pharmacology of the two channels, their expression pattern in naive and memory T-cells and their functional roles during T-cell activation, and explain the rationale for the use of Kv1.3 blockers for the therapy of T-cell mediated autoimmune diseases.
Multiple Objective Linear Programming: An Economist’s Perspective

This paper discusses the MOLP problem as a generalization of the linear activity analysis model of Koopmans. In this model each objective function measures the quantity of some good or service which is traded in a market; the constraints in the problem arise from non-traded goods and services. The economic concepts of feasible, technically efficient and economically efficient transformations are introduced. The relationships between market prices for traded goods and services and the shadow prices of non-traded goods is described. The economic content of the MOLP model of production is summarized by four mappings.
Computer Supported Co-operative Product Development Using a Process-Based Approach

The paper describes a computer supported product development system using a process-based approach. The process-based model was implemented on a small cluster of microcomputers using a multi-user database and tested in a graduate class on Product Development. The results suggest that the process-based model can be successfully applied to a wide range of functional activities and different levels of detail.
Embryology and Anatomy

Deglutition, the act of swallowing, is a complex process that involves coordinated movements within the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. A normal swallow prepares and transfers food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach with the coordination of more than 30 muscles (Shaw and Martino, Otolaryngol Clin North Am 46:937–56, 2013). There are four distinct phases of swallowing: oral preparatory, oral transport, pharyngeal, and esophageal. These swallowing phases are coordinated by six cranial nerves and three peripheral nerves. Understanding the normal anatomy and physiology of swallowing is pertinent to successfully diagnosing and treating swallowing dysfunctions. The anatomy and embryology of the swallowing process are reviewed.
Using Icons to Communicate Privacy Characteristics of Adaptive Assistive Technologies

Adaptive assistive technologies can support the accessibility needs of people with changing abilities by monitoring and adapting to their performance over time. Despite their benefits, these systems can pose privacy threats to users whose data is collected. This issue is amplified by the ambiguity on how user performance data, which might reveal sensitive health data, is used by these applications and whether similar to medical data it is protected from unauthorized sharing with third-parties. In interviews with older adults who experience pointing difficulties, we found that participants felt a lack of agency over their collected pointing data and desired clear communication mechanisms to keep them informed about the privacy characteristics of adaptive assistive systems. Based on this input, we present an icon set, that can be used in online application stores or with the licensing agreements of adaptive systems, to visually communicate privacy characteristics to users.
Estrogen receptor alpha is required in GABAergic, but not glutamatergic, neurons to masculinize behavior

Masculinization of the altricial rodent brain is driven by estrogen signaling during a perinatal critical period. Genetic deletion of estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1/ERα) results in altered hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis signaling and a dramatic reduction of male sexual and territorial behaviors. However, the role of ERα in masculinizing distinct classes of neurons remains unexplored. We deleted ERα in excitatory or inhibitory neurons using either a Vglut2 or Vgat driver and assessed male behaviors. We find that Vglut2-Cre;Esr1lox/lox mutant males lack ERα in the ventrolateral region of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHvl) and posterior ventral portion of the medial amygdala (MePV). These mutants recapitulate the increased serum testosterone levels seen with constitutive ERα deletion, but have none of the behavioral deficits. In contrast, Vgat-Cre;Esr1lox/lox males with substantial ERα deletion in inhibitory neurons, including those of the principal nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNSTpr), posterior dorsal MeA (MePD), and medial preoptic area (MPOA) have normal testosterone levels, but display alterations in mating and territorial behaviors. These mutants also show dysmasculinized expression of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor beta (Esr2). Our results demonstrate that ERα masculinizes GABAergic neurons that gate the display of male-typical behaviors.
Laser Metal Deposition of Al-7050/Al50Mg50 Gradient Material

Laser metal-deposited Al 7050 alloy exhibits reduced Mg and Zn content compared to parent composition due to substantial evaporation. This paper presents a technique to investigate various Al 7xxx alloy compositions in a single coupon. In this investigation, a gradient sample of Al 7050/Al50Mg50 was fabricated layer-by-layer by the gradual addition of Al50Mg50 alloy with the Al 7050 powder. A correlation was developed between Mg content in powder feed and the resulting gradient deposit. Microscopy investigation revealed that there were no major defects in gradient sample such as porosity or lack of fusion. Formation of strengthening precipitates primarily Al3Mg2 and MgZn2 was escalated with the gradual addition of Mg from bottom to the top layer of the Al 7050/Al50Mg50 gradient material. The EDS investigation showed that with the addition of more Mg, respective loss increases in the subsequent layer as compared to a loss of Mg in the previous layer. Microhardness gradually increased from 94 to 154 HV corresponding to Mg content of 2.8 to 23 wt pct in the first and last layer, respectively. This technique is very useful to develop new alloys by studying various compositions in one sample saving time and effort.
Power Sharing Based Algorithm for Sizing Components in Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles

This paper presents an algorithm for sizing components in fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles through separation of load power demand into high, low, and intermediate frequency components. The approach considers a combination of hybridization with fuel cell units, battery packs and super capacitors. A unique and exhaustive search is performed through iterative loops based on response times of energy sources, battery pack power limits, and DC-DC converter voltage conversion ratios. The approach also considers non-idealities such as battery hysteresis and battery and super capacitor resistive losses. Simulation and design results are presented for a high performance vehicle based on an aggressive drive cycle. The results show an approximately 41 % improvement in weight using a fuel cell and super capacitor hybrid combination and a 26 % improvement using fuel cell, battery and super capacitor hybrid combination over battery only or other hybrid combinations.
Analysis on Comprehensive Analysis and Management of Renewable Energy Data

The hierarchical model design of "area-plant-equipment" is adopted to make a panoramic model for the renewable energy data, and the dynamic synchronization and operation data collection mechanism of the renewable energy basic data is constructed in this paper. Based on the quasi-real-time system open software platform and WebGIS development platform of the third district of the smart grid dispatching and control system platform, a comprehensive analysis and management technology of renewable energy data supported system is developed. This system is able to realize comprehensive analysis management and visual display of important data such as basic data management, operational data analysis, and daily work reports for renewable energy generation. It is proved that this technology can provide technical means for further deepening dispatch management of renewable energy and promoting renewable energy accommodation, and improve the work efficiency and level of daily renewable energy power generation operation management.
Acute on chronic liver failure

Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) describes a clinical syndrome characterized by (1) a patient with chronic liver disease that develops a (2) new or worsening hepatic decompensation with (3) marked dysfunction of other extrahepatic organs and (4) an increased short-term mortality. The physiologic changes in the liver and extrahepatic organs arise from sterile and non-sterile systemic inflammation and are compounded by a relatively immunocompromised state that exists in patients with chronic liver disease. Worldwide, infection is the most common etiology of ACLF. In Asia, hepatitis B flare or reactivation is the second most common, whereas alcohol and variceal hemorrhage are more common in Europe and North America. The management of ACLF should begin with hemodynamic and respiratory stabilization and a thorough infectious work-up with consideration of empiric antibiotics, in addition to management of other organ dysfunction(s). By definition, ACLF carries a high short-term mortality which is worsened by the number and degree of other extrahepatic organ dysfunctions. Many of these patients, though initially too sick to undergo transplantation, may improve to a point where they are considered transplant candidates with acceptable post-transplant outcomes. When improvement is not seen over several days, palliative care consultation should be considered.
Influence of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and tissue N and P concentration in Salvia greggii.

Studies were conducted at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Dallas to determine nitrogen and phosphorus requirements of Salvia greggii Gray. (autumn sage), a resource-efficient landscape p...
EXPANDING SOCIAL TIES AS A GOAL IN LATER LIFE: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS

Older adults often winnow their social ties to focus on emotionally rewarding ties (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). Some older adults, however, have small social networks that preclude much winnowing or aversive social ties from which disengagement is difficult. These individuals might be motivated to expand, rather than contract, their social ties. The current study sought to extend knowledge regarding potential links between social network characteristics and older adults’ interest, effort, and success in creating new social ties. We expected that small social networks and negative social ties might motivate interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties but that positive social ties might foster success in efforts to form new ties. In-person interviews were conducted with participants (N = 351, Mean age = 74.16) in a larger study of older adults’ social networks and well-being. The interviews assessed participants’ social networks, as well as their interest, effort, and success in making new social ties. Participants’ social network composition, rather than size, was associated with greater motivation to establish new social ties. Negative social ties were associated with greater interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties. Positive social ties were related to greater success (due, in part, to their support provision) and, unexpectedly, were also related to greater interest and effort directed toward forming new ties. Older adults sometimes seek to expand, rather than contract, their social ties, and characteristics of their social networks appear to play a role in fueling and influencing the success of such efforts.
Automated Training and Braille Reading

The braille reading behavior of fifteen experimental and fifteen control subjects was compared as a function of training by the experimental subjects on an automated self-learning device and contro...
Mechanistic Models of PLC/PKC Signaling Implicate Phosphatidic Acid as a Key Amplifier of Chemotactic Gradient Sensing

Chemotaxis of fibroblasts and other mesenchymal cells is critical for embryonic development and wound healing. Fibroblast chemotaxis directed by a gradient of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) requires signaling through the phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Diacylglycerol (DAG), the lipid product of PLC that activates conventional PKCs, is focally enriched at the up-gradient leading edge of fibroblasts responding to a shallow gradient of PDGF, signifying polarization. To explain the underlying mechanisms, we formulated reaction-diffusion models including as many as three putative feedback loops based on known biochemistry. These include the previously analyzed mechanism of substrate-buffering by myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) and two newly considered feedback loops involving the lipid, phosphatidic acid (PA). DAG kinases and phospholipase D, the enzymes that produce PA, are identified as key regulators in the models. Paradoxically, increasing DAG kinase activity can enhance the robustness of DAG/active PKC polarization with respect to chemoattractant concentration while decreasing their whole-cell levels. Finally, in simulations of wound invasion, efficient collective migration is achieved with thresholds for chemotaxis matching those of polarization in the reaction-diffusion models. This multi-scale modeling framework offers testable predictions to guide further study of signal transduction and cell behavior that affect mesenchymal chemotaxis.
Global sea level reconstruction for 1900–2015 reveals regional variability in ocean dynamics and an unprecedented long weakening in the Gulf Stream flow since the 1990s

Abstract. A new monthly global sea level reconstruction for 1900–2015 was analyzed and compared with various observations to examine regional variability and trends in the ocean dynamics of the western North Atlantic Ocean and the US East Coast. Proxies of the Gulf Stream (GS) strength in the Mid-Atlantic Bight (GS-MAB) and in the South Atlantic Bight (GS-SAB) were derived from sea level differences across the GS. While decadal oscillations dominate the 116-year record, the analysis showed an unprecedented long period of weakening in the GS flow since the late 1990s. The only other period of long weakening in the record was during the 1960s–1970s, and red noise experiments showed that is very unlikely that those just occurred by chance. Ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) was used to separate oscillations at different timescales, showing that the low-frequency variability of the GS is connected to the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO) and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The recent weakening of the reconstructed GS-MAB was mostly influenced by weakening of the upper mid-ocean transport component of AMOC as observed by the RAPID measurements for 2005–2015. Comparison between the reconstructed sea level near the coast and tide gauge data for 1927–2015 showed that the reconstruction underestimated observed coastal sea level variability for timescales less than ∼5 years, but lower-frequency variability of coastal sea level was captured very well in both amplitude and phase by the reconstruction. Comparison between the GS-SAB proxy and the observed Florida Current transport for 1982–2015 also showed significant correlations for oscillations with periods longer than ∼5 years. The study demonstrated that despite the coarse horizontal resolution of the global reconstruction (1 ∘ × 1 ∘ ), long-term variations in regional dynamics can be captured quite well, thus making the data useful for studies of long-term variability in other regions as well.
Mechanisms driving acentric chromosome transmission

The kinetochore-microtubule association is a core, conserved event that drives chromosome transmission during mitosis. Failure to establish this association on even a single chromosome results in aneuploidy leading to cell death or the development of cancer. However, although many chromosomes lacking centromeres, termed acentrics, fail to segregate, studies in a number of systems reveal robust alternative mechanisms that can drive segregation and successful poleward transport of acentrics. In contrast to the canonical mechanism that relies on end-on microtubule attachments to kinetochores, mechanisms of acentric transmission largely fall into three categories: direct attachments to other chromosomes, kinetochore-independent lateral attachments to microtubules, and long-range tether-based attachments. Here, we review these "non-canonical" methods of acentric chromosome transmission. Just as the discovery and exploration of cell cycle checkpoints provided insight into both the origins of cancer and new therapies, identifying mechanisms and structures specifically involved in acentric segregation may have a significant impact on basic and applied cancer research.
Competing Visions for the Future of Health Policy.

Competing Visions for the Future of Health Policy Beyond Covid-19, two other health policy issues are poised to feature prominently in the 2020 U.S. elections: what role government should play in e...
Receipt of Timely Primary Care Services Following Post-Acute Skilled Nursing Facility Care

Abstract Objectives Our study examined the proportion of skilled nursing facility (SNF) post-acute care residents who did not receive timely primary care provider (PCP) services following discharge, factors associated with lack of timely PCP services, and factors associated with perfect 30-day home time among those who did not receive timely PCP services. Design Longitudinal cohort study; data sources included Medicare claims and other administrative databases. Setting and Participants 25,357 fee-for-service New York State Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older admitted to SNFs for post-acute care in 2014 and then discharged to the community. Methods Our outcomes were a timely PCP visit (within 7 days of SNF discharge) and perfect 30-day home time, and we examined their association with patient, SNF, and county factors. Results Among SNF discharges, 60.6% had a timely PCP visit. In multivariate regression analyses, female sex, nonwhite race, Medicare only status, less functional impairment and medical comorbidity, a surgical hospitalization, fewer hospital days, more SNF days, absence of home health services, for-profit SNF status, higher SNF star rating, lower ratio of registered nurse/total nursing hours, and rural counties were associated with lower odds of a timely PCP visit following SNF discharge. Among those without a timely PCP visit, female sex, less cognitive and functional impairment, less medical comorbidity, a surgical hospitalization, fewer hospital days, receipt of home health services, and higher SNF star rating were associated with increased odds of perfect 30-day home time following SNF discharge. Conclusions and Implications That 4 in 10 post-acute care SNF patients did not have a timely PCP visit post-SNF discharge, with racial minority and rural county status associated with decreased odds of a timely PCP visit, is concerning. Examination of whether the timing and type of outpatient visit may have varying effects on different post-acute care subpopulations would build on this work.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome after Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Abstract Background Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected more than 89 million people worldwide. As the pandemic rages on, more complications of the disease are being recognized, including stroke, cardiovascular disease, thromboembolic events, encephalopathy, seizures, and more. Peripheral nervous system involvement, particularly Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), is of special interest, given the increasing reports of cases related to COVID-19. Because of the potentially delayed onset of symptoms of polyradiculoneuropathy and weakness after the traditional COVID-19 symptoms, it is vitally important for emergency physicians to be vigilant and to consider GBS as part of their differential diagnosis. GBS usually occurs after an infectious insult, and a variety of culprit pathogens have been identified in the literature. Case Report We describe the case of a 35-year-old man who developed GBS after being diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. The patient displayed classic symptoms of neuropathy, areflexia, and lower extremity weakness. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation demonstrated albuminocytologic dissociation seen in GBS, although anti-ganglioside autoantibodies were negative. These antibodies are often negative and do not exclude the diagnosis. The patient responded clinically to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and was discharged home. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? This case report contributes further evidence that COVID-19 joins other organisms as causes of GBS. Emergency physicians are the first point of contact for many patients. Increased awareness of this complication of COVID-19 will lead to higher detection. Prompt recognition could lead to speedier and more complete neurologic recovery of affected patients.
Adaptive behavior and different thermal experiences of real people: A Bayesian neural network approach to thermal preference prediction and classification

Abstract Various observed and unquantifiable factors affect the thermal comfort of occupants in indoor environments and can lead to high uncertainty in the prediction and classification of their thermal preferences. The behavioral adaptation of occupants, by operating window systems for example, changes their thermal experience and expectations and therefore contributes to even higher prediction uncertainty. In this study, we applied a Bayesian neural network (BNN) algorithm to build a predictive model for occupant thermal preference using the ASHRAE Global Thermal Comfort Database II. The Bayesian method allows us to synthesize prior knowledge and available measurements into a unified modeling framework. It also offers a way to express and quantify uncertainty. Here we have performed a systematic study to test the efficiency and robustness of different BNN model configurations. The results show that the BNN model outperforms conventional thermal comfort models such as Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and adaptive comfort model. The BNN model tends to produce more confident “prefer cooler” predictions with high possibility and low uncertainty. In contrast, the BNN model produces less certain predictions for “prefer no change” and “prefer warmer” across all occupants. Our findings suggest that linking occupants’ subjective evaluation measures and window opening/closing behavior to thermal comfort modeling effectively improves predictive performance.
Explaining Buyout Industry Returns: New Evidence

Traditional equity factors such as the leveraged equity risk premium, the small-cap premium, and the value premium have had high historical returns on average, as has the buyout fund industry in aggregate. Previous research has argued that these factors explain the excess performance of private equity over public equity. However, time series regression analysis reveals that these factors explain surprisingly little variation in buyout performance. In contrast, I find that other factors such as the credit premium and dynamic sector selection are more effective at explaining variation in performance of the buyout industry over time.
Biopsychosocial Predictors of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among First-Generation Black African Immigrants.

Few studies examine factors associated with mental health distress among immigrants from African countries. Using cross-sectional data from first-generation Black African immigrants across the United States (N = 180), this study examined biopsychosocial factors that influence depression and anxiety symptoms among African immigrants in the United States. Ordinary least squares regression was conducted to analyze the data. Approximately 22 percent of the sample reported depression and anxiety symptoms in the moderate to severe range. Results indicated that being male, substance use, discrimination, and loneliness were significantly associated with worse depression and anxiety symptoms. In addition, worries about safety and financial strain were associated with increased mental health distress. Loneliness also moderated the association between discrimination and depression and anxiety symptoms. Findings imply that relational interventions in direct practice settings may play a critical role in helping African immigrants ameliorate depression and anxiety symptoms. This study supports the use of the biopsychosocial approach in assessment and intervention of mental health symptoms as well as a systems approach when understanding the experiences of African immigrants.
Selection of heterosocial skills: II. Experimental validity

Kupke, Hobbs, and Cheney (Behavior Therapy, 1979, 10, 327–335) demonstrated the criterion-related validity of a conversational behavior, personal attention, as a heterosocial skill for males. The present study assessed the experimental validity of this behavior, i.e., the causal relationship between personal attention responses of males and ratings of interpersonal attraction by female peers. Within the context of a skills training program, groups of subjects were trained to increase the frequency of either personal attention or a second conversational behavior, minimal encourages, which had previously been shown to be uncorrelated with both personal attention and female attraction. A third group of subjects served as a no-treatment control. Training in personal attention produced higher ratings of female attraction relative to the other two treatment conditions. A sequential assessment strategy involving the establishment of both criterion-related and experimental validity thus supports the social relevance and importance of this conversational behavior.
A Computer-based Extension Delivery System: Progress and Outlook.: Systéme de vulgarisation reposant sur ordinateurs: progrès et perspectives

The development of pest management programs in extension has placed severe strains upon traditional information delivery systems. The implementation of new monitoring procedures and management strategies has emphasized the need for systems which allow rapid data summarization, interpretation and dissemination to the agricultural community. Thus, new extension information delivery systems have been developed which incorporate modern, high-speed communications technology. Such a system is operational in Michigan. The computer-based aspects of Michigan's system are referred to as PMEX, or the Pest Management Executive System. The objectives, development and structural components of PMEX have been described in the literature. This paper shall only briefly review these aspects to provide a basis for understanding the significance of recent changes. Any useful information delivery system must be designed with flexibility so as to incorporate changes demanded of it. As Michigan's pest management programs evolve from their crude beginnings, they demand more from and put more emphasis on such systems. Three progressive changes in the system are discussed: 1) a new interactive-feedback program providing interpreted reports from specialists to field personnel based on monitoring input; 2) expansion of the environmental monitoring capabilities and 3) a generalized phenology modeling program or PETE and its implementation in an action pest management program in tree fruit production. Finally, the future uses of the PMEX and related systems shall be explored, especially with reference to a holistic view of farm management. Le developpement des programmes de protection integree demande une amelioration des systemes de diffusion d'informations. La mise en ceuvre des nouveaux systemes de recensement et des strategies de management requiert le recours aux procedes permettant une analyse et une interpretation rapides des donnees qui doivent ensuite atteindre I'exploitant dans les meilleurs delais. Profitant du progres de la technologie moderne des communications ultra-rapides, I'Etat du Michigan a passe a un systeme d'information tres perfectionne. Ce systeme, appele PMEX, donc le but et les structures ont ete decrits (Pest Management Executive System) repose sur I'emploi d'ordinateurs. Le present article a pour objet de revoir I'essentiel du procede afin de faciliter la comprehension de la signification des changements qui sont intervenus. Tout systeme de diffusion d'informations doit etre conyavec suffisamment de souplesse afin qu'il soit possible d'y incorporer les modifications necessaires. Avec le developpement des programmes de management au Michigan, le recours a la telematique s'est intensifie et il est question dans le present article de trois
YIELD ENHANCEMENT OF THE PLASMA FOCUS I

ABSTRACT A model of the plasma focus for both high and low density mode operation is presented, and employed to develop a semiemperical scaling law that predicts the high density mode yield should scale as the bank energy E b 2.5 For optimum low density mode operation the focus becomes an ultrafast pulsed power source with a fraction f → ¼ of the bank energy converted into a small diameter high current electron burst and an oppositely directed ion burst.
Numerical Simulation of Tidal Dispersion Around a Coastal Headland

Tidal flows around headlands can exhibit strong spatial gradients in the Eulerian currents, resulting in complex Lagrangian trajectories and dispersion of the vertically integrated flow. This typically occurs when the horizontal length scale of the headland is comparable to or smaller than the tidal excursion. The effects of these headlands on dispersion are investigated using a depth-averaged hydrodynamic model combined with a particle tracking model. The dispersion of patches of fluid is found to vary by more than an order of magnitude, depending both on position and tidal phase at the time of release. This is due to the infrequent interaction of material with the strongly sheared flow at the tip of the headland, where flow separation occurs during times of maximum tidal flow. Spreading of these patches over many tidal cycles is not Gaussian, but rather shows a patchy, streaky structure.
A truly dynamic data structure for top-k queries on uncertain data

Top-k queries allow end-users to focus on the most important (top-k) (answers amongst those which satisfy the query. In traditional databases, a user defined score function assigns a score value to each tuple and a top-k query returns k tuples with the highest score. In uncertain database, top-k answer depends not only on the scores but also on the membership probabilities of tuples. Several top-k definitions covering different aspects of score-probability interplay have been proposed in recent past [20, 13, 6, 18]. Most of the existing work in this research field is focused on developing efficient algorithms for answering top-k queries on static uncertain data. Any change (insertion, deletion of a tuple or change in membership probability, score of a tuple) in underlying data forces re-computation of query answers. Such re-computations are not practical considering the dynamic nature of data in many applications. In this paper, we propose a truly dynamic data structure that uses ranking function PRFe(α) proposed by Li et al. [18] under the generally adopted model of x-relations [21]. PRFe can effectively approximate various other top-k definitions on uncertain data based on the value of parameter α. An x-relation consists of a number of x-tuples, where x-tuple is a set of mutually exclusive tuples (up to a constant number) called alternatives. Each x-tuple in a relation randomly instantiates into one tuple from its alternatives. For an uncertain relation with N tuples, our structure can answer top-k queries in O(k log N) time, handles an update in O(log N) time and takes O(N) space. Finally, we evaluate practical efficiency of our structure on both synthetic and real data.
Energy integrated farm system (EIFS).

ABSTRACT Rising energy and water costs represent a growing threat to the continued economic viability of this nation's farm system. Although agriculture, as a reporting economic sector, consumes only three to four percent of the total national energy budget, the concentrated nature of its use suggests the need for new and innovative technological approaches. This is particularly true for the crop producing farm systems in the Southwest where water and its delivery play major roles in production. In 1980 the U.S. Department of Energy launched a program to improve agricultural energy and water use efficiency through the development of an Energy Integrated Farm System (EIFS). The EIFS program is designed to assist the farming community in adopting new technologies on a financially sound basis. This nationwide program underscores the importance of a limited but focused governmental role in helping overcome the basic barriers to improving the survivability of our most important natural resource. This paper reports on the progress of this ongoing program.
Assessing the value of public library services: A review of the literature and meta‐analysis (project META)

This poster summarizes results of the IMLS funded University of South Carolina META project that explored the application of meta-analysis techniques to develop a robust model of public library economic value. Completed in 2014, the project approached this topic with two fundamental questions: (1) whether the reviewed public library valuation studies provide mounting evidence concerning the contributions that public libraries make to the economic prosperity of the communities they serve, and (2) what steps need to be taken in order to strengthen this assertion? The results of the analyses performed to answer these questions suggest that Americans typically receive five to six dollars for every dollar they spend on public library services. The results also lead to recommendations concerning strategies that could add strength to this assertion and provide a powerful new argument for the continuance of public library services: more detailed reporting practices, greater methodological consistency, and systematic consideration of intangible benefits.
The ontogeny of maternal responsiveness in female Rockland-Swiss albino mice

Abstract Twenty-two-day-old female Rockland-Swiss albino mice ignored 1-day-old young. As age increased there was a decrease in the percentage of animals that ignored pups. Pup-killing, exhibited by a significant number of 32- and 42-day olds, declined as age increased. Furthermore, the number of females exhibiting maternal behavior increased with advancing age. Olfactory bulb removal and testosterone propionate treatment, each of which elicit pup-killing in adult females, did not induce killing behavior in 22-day olds. Finally, ovariectomy performed on Day 18 reduced the number of animals that displayed maternal behavior on Day 62.
Antimalarial peroxides: advances in drug discovery and design

Cyclic peroxides such as the plant-derived 1,2,4-trioxane artemisinin and its derivatives are short-lived, rapidly-acting antimalarials that are now usually combined with standard long-lived, alkaloidal antimalarials; such artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) is the worldwide standard operating procedure for malaria chemotherapy. This review discusses antimalarial monomeric and dimeric derivatives of artemisinin, peroxides not derived from artemisinin, and finally hybrids containing one peroxide unit covalently linked to a non-peroxide unit. Emphasis is placed on the antimalarial effectiveness of these diverse cyclic peroxides and on the simplicity of their synthesis.
Engaging Undergraduates in Global Health Technology Innovation

It takes only 90 minutes to fly from Miami to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, but the cities are a world apart. A baby born in Port-au-Prince is nearly 10 times as likely to die before age 1 as an infant born in Miami. Life expectancy on the island is almost 20 years shorter than in the United States. That such disparities persist despite renewed public and private commitments to improve global health illustrates the need for a new generation of innovators who recognize the challenges and can design and deploy new health-care technologies that are both highly effective and affordable ( 1 ). In response, we and others have developed educational programs to engage globally minded healthcare innovators ( 2 ). Our approach is inspired by a Haitian saying that captures the essence of inquiry-based education: “You don't learn to swim in the library; you learn to swim in the river.”
Hair follicle mites (Acari: Demodicidae) from Australian Aborigines.

SUMMARY Demodex folliculorum and D. brevis have been found in taken from full-blood Australian Aborigines. The incidence of demodicid infestations was highest among males, 66%, in two groups of Aborigines but the mites were absent in a third group. No regular correlation was found between the clinical appearance of the skin and the presence of the mites. One interesting case is mentioned.
Veridicality and Utterance Understanding

Natural language understanding depends heavily on assessing veridicality -- whether the speaker intends to convey that events mentioned are actual, non-actual, or uncertain. However, this property is little used in relation and event extraction systems, and the work that has been done has generally assumed that it can be captured by lexical semantic properties. Here, we show that context and world knowledge play a significant role in shaping veridicality. We extend the Fact Bank corpus, which contains semantically driven veridicality annotations, with pragmatically informed ones. Our annotations are more complex than the lexical assumption predicts but systematic enough to be included in computational work on textual understanding. They also indicate that veridicality judgments are not always categorical, and should therefore be modeled as distributions. We build a classifier to automatically assign event veridicality distributions based on our new annotations. The classifier relies not only on lexical features like hedges or negations, but also structural features and approximations of world knowledge, thereby providing a nuanced picture of the diverse factors that shape veridicality.
Silicon L2,3 core absorption obtained at the buried Al/Si(111) interface.

Silicon ${\mathit{L}}_{2,3}$ absorption spectra are obtained by spatially resolved electron-energy-loss spectroscopy as a function of distance away from the buried Al/Si(111) interface. Within 0.6 nm, scattering below the bulk absorption threshold is observed, accompanied by changes in shape above the threshold. In silicon, where the core hole is well screened, these variations signify changes in the local density of states above and below the conduction-band edge on a scale of about 0.3 eV. The results are discussed within the framework of the metal-induced-gap-states model.
ANNOVAR: functional annotation of genetic variants from high-throughput sequencing data

High-throughput sequencing platforms are generating massive amounts of genetic variation data for diverse genomes, but it remains a challenge to pinpoint a small subset of functionally important variants. To fill these unmet needs, we developed the ANNOVAR tool to annotate single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertions/deletions, such as examining their functional consequence on genes, inferring cytogenetic bands, reporting functional importance scores, finding variants in conserved regions, or identifying variants reported in the 1000 Genomes Project and dbSNP. ANNOVAR can utilize annotation databases from the UCSC Genome Browser or any annotation data set conforming to Generic Feature Format version 3 (GFF3). We also illustrate a 'variants reduction' protocol on 4.7 million SNVs and indels from a human genome, including two causal mutations for Miller syndrome, a rare recessive disease. Through a stepwise procedure, we excluded variants that are unlikely to be causal, and identified 20 candidate genes including the causal gene. Using a desktop computer, ANNOVAR requires ∼4 min to perform gene-based annotation and ∼15 min to perform variants reduction on 4.7 million variants, making it practical to handle hundreds of human genomes in a day. ANNOVAR is freely available at http://www.openbioinformatics.org/annovar/.
Prion protein and its role in signal transduction.

Prion diseases are a class of fatal neurodegenerative disorders that can be sporadic, genetic or iatrogenic. They are characterized by the unique nature of their etiologic agent: prions (PrPSc). A prion is an infectious protein with the ability to convert the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrPC) into new prion molecules by acting as a template. Since Stanley B. Prusiner proposed the “protein-only” hypothesis for the first time, considerable effort has been put into defining the role played by PrPC in neurons. However, its physiological function remains unclear. This review summarizes the major findings that support the involvement of PrPC in signal transduction.
Preparation and Characterization of Macroporous Foams Derived from a Phenolic Resin

New macroporous carbons are prepared using phenolic resin foam as a carbon precursor. The synthesis scheme consisted of: (a) preparation of the phenolic resin foams, (b) carbonization of the phenolic resin foams. The synthesized phenolic resin foams were modificated by the hybrid SiO2 nanomaterials for the first. The obtained macroporous carbons with better air tightness have potential application in catalyst support. Moreover, the shape of the macroporous carbons could be controlled by simply adjusting the phenolic resin foams.
Hospital burden of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States, 2007

Abstract Background Unintentional, non–fire-related (UNFR) carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of poisoning in the United States, but the overall hospital burden is unknown. This study presents patient characteristics and the most recent comprehensive national estimates of UNFR CO–related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Methods Data from the 2007 Nationwide Inpatient and Emergency Department Sample of the Hospitalization Cost and Utilization Project were analyzed. The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists' CO poisoning case definition was used to classify confirmed, probable, and suspected cases. Results In 2007, more than 230 000 ED visits (772 visits/million) and more than 22 000 hospitalizations (75 stays/million) were related to UNFR CO poisoning. Of these, 21 304 ED visits (71 visits/million) and 2302 hospitalizations (8 stays/million) were confirmed cases of UNFR CO poisoning. Among the confirmed cases, the highest ED visit rates were among persons aged 0 to 17 years (76 visits/million) and 18 to 44 years (87 visits/million); the highest hospitalization rate was among persons aged 85 years or older (18 stays/million). Women visited EDs more frequently than men, but men were more likely to be hospitalized. Patients residing in a nonmetropolitan area and in the northeast and midwest regions of the country had higher ED visit and hospitalization rates. Carbon monoxide exposures occurred mostly (>60%) at home. The hospitalization cost for confirmed CO poisonings was more than $26 million. Conclusion Unintentional, non–fire-related CO poisonings pose significant economic and health burden; continuous monitoring and surveillance of CO poisoning are needed to guide prevention efforts. Public health programs should emphasize CO alarm use at home as the main prevention strategy.
Desk-top computer program for rapid dye-dilution curve calculation.

Abstract A simple program for a desk-top computer is presented which allows rapid calculation of cardiac output from a few direct measurements of the original curve. Semilogarithmic plotting of downslope is completely automatic. Theory behind the program and method of calculation are described. Comparison of the present and conventional manual methods reveals minimal difference between the two.
Dynamic response of aircraft autopilot systems to atmospheric disturbances

The dynamic response of aircraft autopilot systems to atmospheric disturbances was investigated by analyzing linearized models of aircraft dynamics and altitude-hold autopilots. Three transport category aircraft (Boeing 737-100, McDonald-Douglas DC 9-30, and Lockheed L-1011) were studied at three flight levels (FL290, FL330, and FL370). The models were analyzed to determine the extent to which pressure surface fluctuations, vertical gusts, and horizontal gusts cause dynamic altitude errors by coupling with the aircraft autopilot dynamics. The results of this analysis were examined in light of meteorological data on disturbance magnitudes and wavelengths collected from observations of mountain wave activity. This examination revealed that atmospheric conditions do exist that can cause aircraft to exhibit dynamic altitude errors in excess of 1000 ft. Pressure surface fluctuations were observed to be the dominant source of altitude errors in flights through extreme mountain wave activity. Based on the linear analysis, the maximum tolerable pressure surface fluctuation amplitude was determined as a function of wavelength for an allowable altitude error margin. The results of this analysis provide guidance for the determination of vertical separation standards in the presence of atmospheric disturbances.
Photocontrol of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in barley seedlings treated with pyridazinone inhibitors of chloroplast development☆

Abstract Seedlings imbibed for 48 hr in aqueous solutions of the pre-emergent herbicide Sandoz 6706, or its presumably active conversion product Norflurazon, grow into albino plants in white light. Neither herbicide has any effect on PAL in dark grown barley shoots. In white light, however, pretreatment with 100 μM herbicide causes an increase in barley shoot PAL of about 50% over that found in untreated plants. Barley root PAL is stimulated by 0.1 μM Sandoz 6706 but inhibited by higher concentrations. Mung bean primary leaves show dose responses similar to barley roots. The herbicides have no effect in continuous red light, yet blue light is as effective as white light in eliciting PAL responses. The results are discussed in relation to the subcellular distribution of PAL.