cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influences of Age and Ovarian Follicular Reserve on Estrous Cycle Patterns, Ovulation, and Hormone Secretion in the Long-Evans Rat

This study examined the influences of aging and reduced ovarian follicular reserve on estrous cyclicity, estradiol (E(2)) production, and gonadotropin secretion. Young virgin and middle-aged (MA) retired breeder female rats were unilaterally ovariectomized (ULO) or sham operated (control). Unilateral ovariectomy of young rats reduced the ovarian follicular reserve by one-half, to a level similar to that found in MA controls. Unilateral ovariectomy of MA females reduced the follicular pool further, to one half of MA controls. The incidence of regular cyclicity was significantly lower in MA ULO females than in young controls, with intermediate cycle frequency in young ULO and MA controls. Among cyclic rats, the magnitude of the proestrous LH surge was highest in young controls, intermediate in young ULO rats and MA controls, and lowest in MA ULO females. Similarly, ovulation rates were highest in young controls, intermediate in young ULO rats and MA controls, and lowest in MA ULO females. While young ULO rats exhibited augmented secondary FSH surges on estrous morning, middle-aged ULO females displayed secondary FSH levels comparable to young controls. The effects of age and reduced follicle number on estrous cyclicity and gonadotropin secretion were not due to altered E(2) secretion, as preovulatory E(2) levels were similar among all groups. Thus, experimental reduction in the follicular reserve exerts acute effects on the preovulatory LH surge, ovulation rate, and estrous cyclicity in both young and MA rats. However, decreased follicle number increases FSH levels only in young rats, indicating aging-related alterations in the feedback regulation of FSH.
PhhB, a Pseudomonas aeruginosa Homolog of Mammalian Pterin 4a-Carbinolamine Dehydratase/DCoH, Does Not Regulate Expression of Phenylalanine Hydroxylase at the Transcriptional Level

Pterin 4a-carbinolamine dehydratase is bifunctional in mammals. In addition to playing a catalytic role in pterin recycling in the cytoplasm, it plays a regulatory role in the nucleus, where it acts as a dimerization-cofactor component (called DCoH) for the transcriptional activator HNF-1α. A thus far unique operon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains a gene encoding a homolog (PhhB) of the regulatory dehydratase, together with genes encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PhhA) and aromatic aminotransferase (PhhC). Using complementation of tyrosine auxotrophy in Escherichia coli as a functional test, we have found that the in vivo function of PhhA requires PhhB. Strikingly, mammalian DCoH was an effective substitute for PhhB, and either one was effective in trans. Surprisingly, the required presence of PhhB for complementation did not reflect a critical positive regulatory effect of phhB on phhA expression. Rather, in the absence of PhhB, PhhA was found to be extremely toxic in E. coli, probably due to the nonenzymatic formation of 7-biopterin or a similar derivative. However, bacterial PhhB does appear to exert modest regulatory effects in addition to having a catalytic function. PhhB enhances the level of PhhA two- to threefold, as was demonstrated by gene inactivation of phhB in P. aeruginosa and by comparison of the levels of expression of PhhA in the presence and absence of PhhB in Escherichia coli. Experiments using constructs having transcriptional and translational fusions with a lacZ reporter indicated that PhhB activates PhhA at the posttranscriptional level. Regulation of PhhA and PhhB is semicoordinate; both PhhA and PhhB are induced coordinately in the presence of either l-tyrosine or l-phenylalanine, but PhhB exhibits a significant basal level of activity that is lacking for PhhA. Immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatography showed that PhhA and PhhB form a protein-protein complex.
Nitric oxide participates in the cerebrovasodilation elicited from cerebellar fastigial nucleus.

The endothelium-derived relaxing factor, probably NO, is a potent vasodilator that mediates the vasodilating action of acetylcholine (ACh). We studied whether NO participates in the cholinergic cerebrovasodilation elicited by stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN). Rats were anesthetized with halothane and ventilated. FN or pontine reticular formation (PRF) were stimulated through microelectrodes. Hypertension was prevented by spinal cord transection with arterial pressure maintained by intravenous phenylephrine. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was continuously monitored through a cranial window over the sensory cortex by a laser-Doppler probe. The window was superfused with Ringer solution (pH 7.3-7.4; 37 degrees C). During Ringer superfusion FN stimulation (100 microA; 50 Hz) increased CBF by 90 +/- 7% (n = 27; P 0.05). Similarly, superfusion with the NO-synthase inhibitor nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) attenuated the CBF increase elicited by FN stimulation (-67 +/- 3%; n = 14; P 0.05; n = 9). The CBF increases elicited by FN stimulation were not affected by the inactive isomer of nitroarginine, D-NA (P > 0.05; n = 7).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Expanding the Toolbox for Developing Skills in Audiology Students: Using the Ida Tools in Precepting

There has been a transition from supervision to precepting in audiology education. As more audiologists serve as preceptors, the need for both formal education in precepting and tools available to enhance the preceptor-student relationship is critical. Aspects of clinical precepting and methods of facilitating the development of clinical skills are described. Tools developed by the Ida Institute, designed to focus on collaborative learning and facilitating change, can be used effectively and efficiently in the precepting process. Rationale for using specific Ida tools and their application are discussed, as a starting place in considering the unlimited application of Ida tools as resources for preceptors.
Seasonal occurrence of migrant whimbrels and bristle-thighed curlews on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska

Migrant Whimbrels (Numeniusphaeopus) and Bristle-thighed Curlews (N. tahitiensis) were recorded during five summers along coastal tundra of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska. From June to September, 1975-1979, 358 flocks totalling 1,265 curlews were observed; an additional 54 flocks were identified by vocalization alone. Among the 359 flocks identified to species, 52% were of Whimbrels, 47% were of Bristle-thighed Curlews, and 1% were of both species. flocks as large as 48 Whimbrels and 33 Bristle-thighed Curlews were recorded, but 87% of the flocks contained five or fewer birds. During 2 years with early springs a few Whimbrels and Bristle-thighed Curlews were recorded on the delta in early June; these may have been late spring migrants, oversummering nonbreeders, or very early failed breeders. Whimbrel numbers peaked twice each summer, first in middle to late July and again in late August. These peaks probably consisted mainly of late failed breeders and of successful breeders with juveniles, respectively. The patterns of occurrence of Bristle-thighed Curlews were more complex, with up to three peaks in abundance each season, probably consisting of the following populational subclasses: (1) early failed breeders from late June to mid-July, (2) late failed breeders in late July, and (3) successful breeders and juveniles in early August. Most Bristle-thighed Curlews were gone by mid-August and Whimbrels, by early September. For both species the earliest juveniles were seen in late July in flocks with adults. The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is conservatively estimated to support several thousands of both Whimbrels and Bristle-thighed Curlews. This area is considered to be particularly important for Bristle-thighed Curlews because it is the primary of only two known areas used during migration between their nesting grounds in Alaska and the first known stop on their wintering grounds in the Hawaiian Island chain, a transoceanic distance of 3,800 km. Whimbrels are more ubiquitous in their distribution and use of habitats, and their migration strategy may provide more flexibility in choice of timing and routes.
Analysis of Clear and Dark Amber Repletes of the Honey Ant, Myrmecocystus mexicanus hortideorum

Repletes of the honey ant vary in color from clear to a very dark amber, but the clear and light amber ones are few (ca. 4%) in number. An analysis of crop fluid from dark amber and clear repletes demonstrated that the dark nectar contained more dissolved solids and that they were mainly glucose and fructose. In the more dilute clear sample, sucrose made up the bulk of the solids and there were only traces of glucose and fructose. Clear repletes may function primarily as water-storage vesicles, an adaptation well-suited to their semi-arid habitat.
The Gulf Looks East

The United States must now confront a new and emerging dynamic as most Gulf Cooperation Council countries have begun to increasingly diversify their political, economic, and security partnerships to include China. For Gulf Arab monarchies, the choice of security or economic partner is made more complicated by increased domestic and regional instability stemming in part from Iraq, Syria, and Iran. Understanding the shifting economic and political alliances is vitally important for understanding the future of regional security and politics. This article examines Gulf Arab national security—particularly through the case of Saudi Arabia—and how the Gulf monarchies have increasingly bolstered their economic and political partnerships with China in recent years due in part to widespread anti- U.S. sentiment and the threat of domestic upheaval. It looks specifically at how Gulf national security can be shaped by internal versus external threats and what this means for the future of regional security.
Investigation on Awareness of Tuberculosis Control and Treatment Knowledge among Rural Residents and Middle School Students in Zhenghe County of Fujian Province

[Objective]To understand the awareness of tuberculosis (TB) control and treatment knowledge among rural residents and middle school students in Zhenghe County of Fujian Province,and provide evidence for carrying out health education and control measures.[Methods]The face to face inquiry questionnaire survey was performed on the rural residents in plain and mountainous areas of Zhenghe County,as well as 9th grade students with random selection.[Results]Totally 584 residents were investigated,the total awareness of TB control and treatment knowledge was 55.8%,among which that of residents in plain area was 60.2%,and 51.8% of mountain residents.The awareness of 9th grade students was 72.5%,which was significantly higher than that of rural residents,and plain residents were superior to mountain residents.[Conclusion]The awareness of single item of knowledge differs significantly between rural residents,therefore,the proper health education mode should be adopted to achieve the goal of having the awareness of TB control and treatment knowledge among rural residents reaching 80% in a short period.
The Inhibition of DNA(Cytosine-5)Methylases by 5-Azacytidine: The Effect of Azacytosine-Containing DNA

DNA extracted from Escherichia coli grown in the presence of 5-azacytidine (azaC-DNA) inhibits the DNA(cytosine-5)methyltransferase extracted from E. coli K12 cells without affecting the DNA(adenine-N6)methyltransferase present in these same cells. The inhibition is time-dependent and the rate of inhibition can be decreased by addition of substrate DNA. The inhibitory capacity of the DNA is destroyed by incubation with pancreatic deoxyribonuclease or micrococcal nuclease; however, the inhibited enzyme cannot be reactivated by treatment with these enzymes. The cytosine methylases methylate only double-stranded DNA. Similarly, the inhibitory DNA loses activity if it is heat-denatured, and regains activity upon reannealing. The DNA will also inhibit the EcoRII and HpaII modification methylases which also synthesize 5-methylcytosine in DNA. Digestion of the inhibitory DNA with the respective restriction endonuclease destroys, in part, the inhibitory activity of the DNA for the respective methylase. Base analysis indicated that 5-azacytidine replaced 8.4% of the cytosine in the azaC-DNA. These results suggest that DNA containing 5-azacytidine irreversibly inhibits DNA(cytosine-5)methylases.
Early Hypospadias Repair

AbstractAn objective of a hypospadias repair is to provide a penis that is normal in function and appearance. Another equally important objective is to avoid psychological injury while doing so. Our preliminary experience suggests that this is best achieved by performing the repair as early as possible, which can be done when the patient is about 1 year old without technical disadvantages.
Use of Addictive Medications and Drugs in Athletics

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the historical perspective of drug use among athletes, elaborates on the reasons athletes use substances, and describes in detail both specific performance-enhancing and recreational drugs. Since the advent of competitive sports, athletes have tried to gain an advantage over their competitors. One such advantage included the use of performance-enhancing drugs to allow athletes to extend their skills beyond their natural capabilities. In modern times, when the use of such exogenous substances has been made illegal, many athletes often make headline news on either the confession of or the determination of using performance-enhancing drugs through laboratory testing, which can cause professional disgrace. The financial incentives for taking performance-enhancing drugs are significant and enticing. Beside the conspicuous nature of an increasing salary, the benefits of performance-enhancing drugs also spill over into the psychological realm. The competitive nature inherent in sports can influence individual peak performance, more commonly referred to as “being in the flow.” Athletes possess a perceived benefit of increased alertness, awareness, responsiveness, and overall ability to function under the influence of ergogenic substances like cocaine, caffeine, ephedra, and amphetamines. The motivation by athletes for alcohol consumption includes social interaction, coping, and performance categories, which differs by sport. Despite the high rates of alcohol abuse by athletes and higher rates of binge drinking in athletes, alcohol largely adversely impacts athletic performance by decreasing aerobic performance, causing higher rates of injuries, dehydration, mood instability, and sensory motor system dysfunction.
Vestibular nucleus neurons respond to hindlimb movement in the conscious cat

Vestibular nucleus neurons receive convergent vestibular and hindlimb somatosensory inputs in conscious cats. Since somatosensory hindlimb inputs modulate the firing of neurons at the first stage o...
Multimodal Video Description

Real-world web videos often contain cues to supplement visual information for generating natural language descriptions. In this paper we propose a sequence-to-sequence model which explores such auxiliary information. In particular, audio and the topic of the video are used in addition to the visual information in a multimodal framework to generate coherent descriptions of videos "in the wild". In contrast to current encoder-decoder based models which exploit visual information only during the encoding stage, our model fuses multiple sources of information judiciously, showing improvement over using the different modalities separately. We based our multimodal video description network on the state-of-the-art sequence to sequence video to text (S2VT) model and extended it to take advantage of multiple modalities. Extensive experiments on the challenging MSR-VTT dataset are carried out to show the superior performance of the proposed approach on natural videos found in the web.
Hedging the interest rate risk of Bradys: the case of Argentinian fixed and floating-rate bonds

While there is significant interest in investing in Brady bonds, the source of attraction is often the exposure to sovereign risk (and its yield compensation), while the exposure to US interest rate risk is a ‘necessary evil’. This paper addresses the problem of determining the interest rate sensitivity of Brady debt. We show that the most relevant state variables in determining the duration of a Brady bond are US interest rates and the bond’s strip spread. Motivated by the difficulty of using structural models to price and hedge Brady debt, we provide a model-free approach to estimating the hedge ratio. Using our approach to hedge the Argentinian Par and Discount Brady bonds, we find that only a small fraction (15% or so) of the total risk is hedgeable, but our hedged portfolio exhibits little covariation with US interest rates.
Exemplary Content, Curricula, and Criteria for Assessment in Art Education

What is exemplary content in art education? What counts as knowledge in the visual arts? What do exemplary curricula in art education look like? What are the essential qualities of an exemplary art...
The “Indifferent Hypothesis” Redux: The Dilemmas of Pierre Duhem

In 1892, the young but already eminent physical chemist Pierre Duhem published a 64-page monograph on chemical theory. The essay comprised his first extended statement on atomic-molecular ideas in chemistry, and contained a frontal attack on the chemical atomic theory of his day. Little attention to date has been devoted to Duhem’s attitude toward the kind of chemical-atomist/structuralist “wet” chemistry that characterized most of the work of most European academic chemists during the second half of the nineteenth century. An analysis of the 1892 essay thus provides opportunity for a fresh perspective on an understanding of Duhem’s philosophy of science. We show, inter alia, that he closely followed the work and ideas of the principal champion of atomist-structural chemistry in France, Adolphe Wurtz, while also strongly condemning the work of the leader of the anti-atomist camp in France, Marcellin Berthelot; both circumstances carry powerful ironies considering Duhem’s standpoint. We seek an understanding of these ironies and dilemmas not just in scientific and philosophical but also in biographical considerations—particularly the role of religion in Duhem’s thought. This essay is part of a special issue entitled THE BONDS OF HISTORY edited by Anita Guerrini.
Children's orthodontic utilization in the United States: Socioeconomic and surveillance considerations

Introduction There has been no epidemiologic study of malocclusion prevalence and treatment need in the United States since the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1988 to 1991. In this descriptive study, the authors sought to estimate orthodontic treatment prevalence by examining a nationally representative survey to assess current pediatric dental and orthodontic utilization. Methods The 2009 and 2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys were used to categorize and compare all types of pediatric dental and orthodontic procedures in children and adolescents up to 20 years old. Descriptive variables included dental insurance, poverty level, and racial/ethnic background. Results Visits for orthodontic procedures constituted the third largest treatment category (14.5%) and were greatest among the uninsured and higher income populations. Children with public insurance had the fewest orthodontic visits (9.4%). Racial/ethnic disparities were most pronounced among orthodontic visits, with black and Hispanic children receiving the fewest orthodontic procedures (8.89% and 10.56%, respectively). Conclusions Orthodontic treatment prevalence data suggest that significant disparities exist in orthodontic utilization based on race/ethnicity, poverty level, and insurance status. To establish the burden of malocclusion, describe populations in greatest need of interventions, and craft appropriate programs and policies, an active orthodontic surveillance system is essential.
Hemiparasites can transmit indirect effects from their host plants to herbivores

Parasitic plants can serve as critical intermediaries between their hosts and other organisms; however these relationships are not well understood. To investigate the relative importance of plant traits in such interactions, we studied the role of the root hemiparasite, Castilleja levisecta (Orobanchaceae), as a mediator of interactions between the host plants it parasitizes and the lepidopteran herbivore Euphydryas editha (Nymphalidae), whose caterpillars feed on Castilleja and sequester iridoid glycosides from it. We tested whether the hemiparasite's size, leaf N concentration, and iridoid glycoside concentrations were influenced by the identity of its host plant, and then whether these traits influenced outcomes for the herbivore. We found that the hemiparasite's size and leaf N depended on the host it parasitized, and these traits in turn affected outcomes for E. editha. Specifically, Euphydryas editha survival increased with hemiparasite size and caterpillar mass increased with leaf N; caterpillars with greater mass were more likely to survive during diapause. We also found preliminary evidence that host identity influenced iridoid glycoside sequestration by the herbivore. Mean iridoid glycoside concentrations in caterpillars ranged from 1-12% depending on the host being parasitized by Castilleja. This study demonstrates that root parasitism can result in strong indirect effects on higher trophic levels, influencing organisms' survival, growth, and chemical interactions.
The ultraviolet laser transitions in I2 and Br2

Abstract Vibrational analyses are given for the ultraviolet laser transitions in I2 (≈3400 A) and Br2 (≈2900 A). Both systems are attributed to the 1432, 2g3Π → 2431, 2u 3Π transition. This designation contradicts all previously published analyses and represents the first identification of the predicted 2u 3Π valence state in these molecules.
Diffuse optical monitoring of peripheral tissues during uncontrolled internal hemorrhage in a porcine model

Reliable, continuous and noninvasive blood flow and hemoglobin monitoring in trauma patients remains a critical, but generally unachieved goal. Two optical sensing methods - diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) – are used to monitor and detect internal hemorrhage. Specifically, we investigate if cutaneous perfusion measurements acquired using DCS and DRS in peripheral (thighs and ear-lobe) tissues could detect severe hemorrhagic shock in a porcine model. Four animals underwent high-grade hepato-portal injury in a closed abdomen, to induce uncontrolled hemorrhage and were subsequently allowed to bleed for 10 minutes before fluid resuscitation. DRS and DCS measurements of cutaneous blood flow were acquired using fiber optical probes placed on the thigh and earlobe of the animals and were obtained repeatedly starting from 1 to 5 minutes pre-injury, up to several minutes post shock. Clear changes were observed in measured optical spectra across all animals at both sites. DCS-derived cutaneous blood flow decreased sharply during hemorrhage, while DRS-derived vascular saturation and hemoglobin paralleled cardiac output. All derived optical parameters had the steepest changes during the rapid initial hemorrhage unambiguously. This suggests that a combined DCS and DRS based device might provide an easy-to-use, non-invasive, internal-hemorrhage detection system that can be used across a wide array of clinical settings.
Precocious Puberty, Central (Male)

Central precocious puberty refers to the activation of gonadal hormone secretion that is mediated by the pituitary gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone and occurs at an age traditionally defined as less than 9 years in boys.
ENHANCEMENT OF CROP TOLERANCE TO HERBICIDES WITH CHEMICAL SAFENERS

Successful safeners (also known as antidotes) protect grass crops from herbicide injury without reducing weed control. Safeners are applied either to the crop seed prior to planting (“seed safeners”) or to the soil together with the herbicide in a single formulation package. Commercialised safeners are chemically diverse and include dichloroacetamide, oxime ether, thiazole carboxylate, dichlormethyldioxolan, and phenylpyrimidine derivatives. These safeners protect large-seeded grass crops against injury caused by soil-active herbicides such as the carbamo-thioates and chloroacetanilides. Safeners protect plants by acting either as “bio-regulators” influencing the amount of a given herbicide that reaches its target site in an active form or as “antagonists” of herbicidal effects at a common site of action.
Having Spoken of Teaching

In order to rule the nation, you had best have able men, Naoshige said. Whereupon his son asked, Do you mean I have to pray to Buddha and the gods for the appearance of these men? The father replied, After all you pray to God for things beyond human power and endeavor. It is within our power to get talented people to appear.
Land Suitability Analysis for Emergency Medical Services Posts along State Highways: A Case Study of California

The quicker the response time of emergency medical services (EMS) to road crashes the higher the likelihood of survival. For example, the California Strategic Highway Safety Plan highlights the nee...
To be of one mind?: integrating an LGB orientation with evangelical beliefs

While there are many identities that individuals associate themselves with, none may be more powerful than sexual orientation and religious beliefs. Previous scholarship has described how lesbian, ...
Starting Out with Alfred Kazin

After the great success of Alfred Kazin's memoir A Walker in the City in 1951, its long-awaited sequel, Starting Out in the Thirties (1965), has been relatively neglected. Though not much longer than a novella, it is nevertheless rich in the kind of portraiture that makes his autobiographical writing so memorable. In doing so it paints an exceptional portrait of the whole decade and makes a strong political case against ideological abstraction and expedience as opposed to the values of personal empathy and moral urgency--the very qualities the book exemplifies.
Assessment of dietary patterns, physical activity and obesity from a national survey: Rural-urban health disparities in older adults.

Background Obesity is a critical public health issue, affecting over one-third of all Americans, and is an underlying cause of numerous health issues across the lifespan. For older adults, obesity is linked to premature declines in physical and mental health and cognitive functioning. The occurrence of obesity and related health behaviors and chronic diseases are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Furthermore, rural areas of the United States have a higher proportion of older adults than urban areas. Few studies, to date, have explored rural-urban differences in the relationships between dietary patterns and obesity among older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess rural-urban differences in obesity rates in older adults, and the potential for the associations between obesity and physical activity and dietary patterns to vary by rural-urban status. Methods Data were abstracted from respondents aged 65 and above from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database linked to Census-based county-level information on rural-urban status and socioeconomic status. Generalized linear models were utilized to assess rural-urban disparities in obesity, and the potential for associations between obesity and known risk factors (fruit consumption, green vegetable consumption and physical activity) to vary by rural-urban status, accounting for complex sampling and confounders. Results Obesity rates were highest and fruit consumption was lowest in the most rural areas. However, for older adults in the most urban areas, there was a significant negative association between obesity and fruit and green vegetable consumption. This association was not observed in more rural older adults. Conclusion These findings underscore the need to take into account place-based factors such as rural-urban status, when designing and implementing policies and interventions designed to reduce obesity through risk factor mitigation in older adults. To reduce rural-urban disparities in older adults, all policies, programs, and interventions should address the unique barriers and needs specific to rural and urban older adults.
Advances in III-V semiconductor infrared absorbers and detectors

Abstract Advances in bulk III-V semiconductor material such as InGaAsSb and metamorphic InAsSb, as well as in a variety of type-II superlattices such as InGaAs/GaAsSb, InAs/GaSb, and InAs/InAsSb, have provided continuously adjustable cutoff wavelength coverage from the short to the very long wavelength infrared. We perform basic theoretical analysis to provide comparisons of different infrared materials. We also briefly report experimental results on a mid-wavelength InAs/InAsSb type-II superlattice unipolar barrier infrared detector and a focal plane array with significantly higher operating temperature than InSb.
QTL Mapping of Charcoal Rot Resistance in PI 567562A Soybean Accession

Charcoal rot of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], caused by the soilborne fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid., has ranked among the most important soybean diseases in the United States. Disease management is typically done in a multifaceted approach through crop rotation, tillage, irrigation, and seed treatments aimed at minimizing damage caused by the pathogen. Development of genetic resistance to charcoal rot appears to be the most efficient strategy to control the disease; however, there are no reports of genetic regions associated with resistance to the disease. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) governing resistance to charcoal rot in soybean using a biparental population of PI 567562A (resistant) × PI 567437 (susceptible). A total of 140 F₂–derived lines were genotyped with 5403 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers covering 20 chromosomes, of which 2283 were polymorphic. Resistance to charcoal rot was evaluated in the F₂:₃ lines using the cut-stem inoculation technique under greenhouse conditions. The QTL mapping analysis indicated one QTL on chromosome 15 explaining 29.4% of phenotypic variation, and two QTLs on chromosome 16 explaining 25.4 and 8.4% of phenotypic variation for resistance to M. phaseliona. To our knowledge, this is the first report of genomic regions harboring resistance to charcoal rot in soybean, and it may facilitate breeding and molecular engineering progress to combat charcoal rot disease in the future.
Microglia exit the CNS in spinal root avulsion

Microglia are central nervous system (CNS)-resident cells. Their ability to migrate outside of the CNS, however, is not understood. Using time-lapse imaging in an obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI) model, we show that microglia squeeze through the spinal boundary and emigrate to peripheral spinal roots. Although both macrophages and microglia respond, microglia are the debris-clearing cell. Once outside the CNS, microglia re-enter the spinal cord in an altered state. These peripheral nervous system (PNS)-experienced microglia can travel to distal CNS areas from the injury site, including the brain, with debris. This emigration is balanced by two mechanisms-induced emigration via N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) dependence and restriction via contact-dependent cellular repulsion with macrophages. These discoveries open the possibility that microglia can migrate outside of their textbook-defined regions in disease states.
Acoustic Emissions as a Non-invasive Biomarker of the Structural Health of the Knee

The longitudinal assessment of joint health is a long-standing issue in the management of musculoskeletal injuries. The acoustic emissions (AEs) produced by joint articulation could serve as a biomarker for joint health assessment, but their use has been limited by a lack of mechanistic understanding of their creation. In this paper, we investigate that mechanism using an injury model in human lower-limb cadavers, and relate AEs to joint kinematics. Using our custom joint sound recording system, we recorded the AEs from nine cadaver legs in four stages: at baseline, after a sham surgery, after a meniscus tear, and post-meniscectomy. We compare the resulting AEs using their b-values. We then compare joint anatomy/kinematics to the AEs using the X-ray reconstruction of moving morphology (XROMM) technique. After the meniscus tear the number and amplitude of the AE peaks greatly increased from baseline and sham (b-value = 1.33 ± 0.15; p < 0.05). The XROMM analysis showed a close correlation between the minimal inter-joint distances (0.251 ± 0.082 cm during extension, 0.265 ± .003 during flexion, at 145°) and a large increase in the AEs. This work provides key insight into the nature of joint AEs, and details a novel technique and analysis for recording and interpreting these biosignals.
Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Water-Soluble Carbohydrate Concentrations of Repeatedly Defoliated Red and White Clovers in Central Kentucky.

Abstract Nonstructural carbohydrates of pasture plants, comprising water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) and starch, may contribute to excessive consumption of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates by grazing horses. Seasonal and diurnal variation in WSCs were studied in red (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clovers (Trifolium repens L.) subjected to a typical management regime of rotationally grazed horse pastures. Two red and two white clover cultivars from monoculture plots were harvested after 4 weeks of growth from April to October of 2015, in the morning and afternoon of each harvest date. Water-soluble carbohydrates were quantified for each harvest, and starch was quantified for two harvests. Mean monthly WSC concentrations ranged from 80 to 99 mg/g (freeze-dried weight basis), whereas mean starch concentrations were 31 and 40 mg/g. In September, white clover had 14% more WSCs than red clover (P
Academic Libraries As Hubs For Deliberative Democracy

Colleges and universities often overlook academic libraries as venues for deliberative democracy. As agencies that span boundaries across traditional structural and political barriers, libraries are ideal hubs for practicing democracy on campus. They can offer safe spaces for dialogue, engaging programs about real issues in American democracy, and opportunities for students to learn civic literacy skills essential to a self-governing society. By repositioning themselves to advance the civic mission of higher education, academic librarians are poised to become essential partners and catalysts for preparing the next generation to participate in a flourishing 21st century democracy.
The use and limitations of null-model-based hypothesis testing

In this article I give a critical evaluation of the use and limitations of null-model-based hypothesis testing as a research strategy in the biological sciences. According to this strategy, the null model based on a randomization procedure provides an appropriate null hypothesis stating that the existence of a pattern is the result of random processes or can be expected by chance alone, and proponents of other hypotheses should first try to reject this null hypothesis in order to demonstrate their own hypotheses. Using as an example the controversy over the use of null hypotheses and null models in species co-occurrence studies, I argue that null-model-based hypothesis testing fails to work as a proper analog to traditional statistical null-hypothesis testing as used in well-controlled experimental research, and that the random process hypothesis should not be privileged as a null hypothesis. Instead, the possible use of the null model resides in its role of providing a way to challenge scientists’ commonsense judgments about how a seemingly unusual pattern could have come to be. Despite this possible use, null-model-based hypothesis testing still carries certain limitations, and it should not be regarded as an obligation for biologists who are interested in explaining patterns in nature to first conduct such a test before pursuing their own hypotheses.
An empirical study of techno-stressors, literacy facilitation, burnout, and turnover intention as experienced by K-12 teachers

Abstract Drawing on literature from organizational stress, teacher stress, and technostress, and on the stressor-strain and P-E Fit theoretical lenses, this paper builds and empirically tests a model of technostress in the context of kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) education. Technostress is framed conceptually as a process that includes techno-stressors, strain, and outcomes, as well as mechanisms that can reduce the techno-stressors and strain variables. The model is tested empirically using survey data from 416 K-12 teachers employed in the United States. The effects of five techno-stressors—techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, techno-invasion, techno-overload, and techno-uncertainty—on strain in the form of burnout, and the impact of burnout on turnover intention, are investigated. The mitigating effect of literacy facilitation on the five techno-stressors and burnout is also tested. Results indicate that techno-insecurity, techno-invasion, and techno-overload significantly increase burnout, and literacy facilitation can mitigate the negative impact of techno-complexity, techno-insecurity, techno-invasion, techno-overload, and burnout. Burnout also has a significant positive effect on turnover intention.
How To Assess Whether Your District Attorney Is A Bona Fide Progressive Prosecutor

This article serves as a surgeon general’s warning that not all progressive prosecutors are alike and provides a “weighted constellation” framework that advocates can use to assess which district attorneys deserve the progressive name. Although the justice system’s structural landmines inhibit district attorneys’ efforts to substitute law-and-order policies with more forward-thinking approaches, local prosecutors still wield enormous power; they can reduce incarceration and more equitably enforce the law. Participants in local politics should elect and support district attorneys who effect authentically progressive policies. Because not all seemingly progressive district attorneys are in fact pursuing meaningful criminal justice reform, this article aims to help advocates separate the bona fide progressives from those in sheep’s clothing. Those keen to assess their district attorney can use this article’s proposed analytical framework, which accounts for the totality of each district attorney’s circumstances but draws clear lines between progressive and non-progressive prosecution practices. This article presents fourteen buckets of prosecutorial policies that further a more dignified and fair American justice system. Advocates should use these fourteen buckets to evaluate a district attorney and—depending on the history of the prosecutor’s office and the local justice system—assign weights to each of the metrics. Advocates should then examine the district attorney’s performance for each metric, including whether the prosecutor falls outside the metric’s outer bounds, the distance between the prosecutor’s policies and the theoretically most progressive iteration of the metric, and the prosecutor’s policies compared with their peers’ policies. To aid with the last analytical step, this article provides a comparative analysis of twenty-one prosecutors’ performance against a subset of seven of the metrics — the death penalty, bail reform, decarceration and the New Jim Crow, non-prosecution and diversion, wrongful convictions, police accountability, and prosecutorial accountability.
A randomized controlled trial of methylergonovine prophylaxis after dilation and evacuation abortion.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intramuscular methylergonovine maleate as prophylaxis against excessive bleeding when given after dilation and evacuation (D&E) at 20–24 weeks. Study design We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in patients without excessive bleeding requiring intervention after D&E completion. We administered study treatment within one minute of the end of the procedure. We primarily compared outcomes using a composite of indicators of excessive post-procedure blood loss (post-procedure measured blood loss exceeding 125 mL, uterine massage or compression for at least two minutes, administration of additional uterotonic medication, intrauterine balloon tamponade, uterine re-aspiration, blood transfusion, uterine artery embolization, hospital admission for bleeding, or major surgery). Secondary outcomes included individual indicator occurrences, satisfaction, and side effects. Results From March 3, 2015 to March 31, 2017, we randomized 284 participants (n = 140 methylergonovine, n = 144 placebo), five before we registered the trial with clinicaltrials.gov. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The composite outcome occurred in 78 (56%) methylergonovine and 75 (52%) placebo participants (p = 0.5). Methylergonovine recipients required more intrauterine balloon use (n = 20 [14%]) versus placebo (n = 10 [7%]), p = 0.04. We also observed a non-significant trend towards more uterotonic administration (n = 56 [40%] versus n = 43 [30%], p = 0.07) and hospital admissions for bleeding (n = 4 [3%] versus n = 0, p = 0.06) in the methylergonovine group compared to placebo. Conclusion We observed no improvement in the composite outcome for excessive bleeding with prophylactic post-procedure methylergonovine. In addition, individual excessive bleeding outcomes occurred more frequently in the methylergonovine group, potentially indicating harm with its prophylactic use after D&E. Implications When administered prophylactically immediately after dilation and evacuation abortion at 20–24 weeks, methylergonovine increases uterine bleeding. Given the lack of data for effectiveness as a prophylactic agent and our findings indicating harm, we do not recommend its use for post-operative prophylaxis.
A modified /spl mu/-weighted normalised frequency-domain LMS algorithm

The transversal adaptive filter using the least mean square (LMS) algorithm of Widrow and Ropf (1976) has been widely used mainly due to its relative ease of implementation. The major drawback of this time-domain LMS (TDLMS) algorithm is that as the eigenvalue spread of the input autocorrelation matrix increases, the convergence speed of the algorithm decreases. This led to the transform domain adaptive filters where the input signals are orthogonalized. Normalized frequency domain LMS algorithms (NFDLMS) are known to be faster than the time domain implementations. However, in some implementations with low signal to return noise ratio, NFDLMS algorithms can have stability problems. The stability problem can be solved by weighting the normalization gain /spl mu/. We perform computer simulations for the telephone echo channel and show that the modified /spl mu/-weighted NFDLMS algorithm is 8 times faster than the time-domain LMS (TDLMS) algorithm and more stable than the NFDLMS algorithm over a wide range of signal to noise ratios.
Genome architecture shapes evolutionary adaptation to DNA replication stress

Evolutionary adaptation to perturbations in DNA replication follows reproducible trajectories that lead to changes in three important aspects of genome maintenance: DNA replication, the DNA damage checkpoint, and sister chromatid cohesion. We asked how these trajectories depend on a population9s genome architecture by testing whether ploidy or the ability to perform homologous recombination influence the evolutionary fate of the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as it adapts to constitutive DNA replication stress, a condition that characterizes many cancer cells. In all three genome architectures, adaptation happens within 1000 generations at rates that are linearly correlated with the initial fitness defect of the ancestors. Which genes are mutated depends on the frequency at which mutations occur and the selective advantage they confer. The recombination-deficient strain amplifies adaptive chromosomal regions less often, whereas the selective advantage of loss-of-function mutations, such as those that inactivate the DNA damage checkpoint, is reduced in diploids because of the presence of a second, wild-type copy of the gene. Despite these differences, selection targets the same three functional modules in all three architectures, suggesting that genome architecture controls which genes are mutated but not which modules are modified.
Efficacy of Hypochlorite as a Disinfestant Against Fungal Pathogens in Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Production: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hypochlorite is often used as a disinfestant of fungal pathogens in a range of agricultural and horticultural settings. However, reports of its effectiveness are variable across studies and it is u...
Destigmatization and Its Imbalanced Effects in Labor Markets

Destigmatization is an understudied social process in which the negative outcomes for a previously stigmatized group improve. We theorize that during a period of destigmatization, the effects of st...
Utilization and Loss of Available Energy for Chemical Rockets in Atmospheric Flight

The physical basis and application of the fundamental relationship governing the balance and utilization of available energy for a chemical rocket operating within the atmosphere are described. The...
The Gas Molecule Theory: Dispersal and Management of White-Tailed Deer

While the notion is pervasive, that vertebrate populations behave like systems of gas molecules, we contend it is an inaccurate metaphor for how deer populations expand. The mechanism by which white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations spread to fill available habitat is hypothesized to be rapid, density-related dispersal. We have tested this hypothesis using data from seven radiotelemetry studies. No trend is evident between the proportion of marked individuals dispersing and population density in populations ranging from 1/km2 to 70/km2; the probability of a female dispersing is 2% to 5% Data from our own studies in the central Adirondack Mountains of New York, involving > 200 marked females, suggest an alternative metaphor. Analyses show that a population expands slowly as a series overlapping home ranges because female offspring remain near their dams for life.
Les nouveaux défis de la globalisation pour le droit comparé: baliser entre contre-courants (Globalization's New Challenges to Comparative Law: Finding a Path between Crosscurrents)

French Abstract: Cette contribution provient d’une intervention a la Cour de cassation au cours d’une conference sur le droit compare a l’heure de la globalisation. S’adressant surtout a un public europeen, elle touche a des questions telles le rapport des cours nationales, surtout americaines, avec le droit etranger, la discovery dans les affaires transnationales et le role des experts. Elle suggere que l’harmonie juridique interculturelle est a la fois une necessite et un des plus grands defis.English Abstract: This publication is based on remarks given at France’s Supreme Court of Private Law, its Court of Cassation, during a conference on the subject of comparative law and globalization, and is intended primarily for a European audience. It touches on issues such as domestic courts’ relation to foreign law, particularly in the United States, including questions concerning discovery and the role of experts, and issues of intercultural legal compatibility and communication.