cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutualism fails when climate response differs between interacting species.

Successful species interactions require that both partners share a similar cue. For many species, spring warming acts as a shared signal to synchronize mutualist behaviors. Spring flowering plants and the ants that disperse their seeds respond to warming temperatures so that ants forage when plants drop seeds. However, where warm-adapted ants replace cold-adapted ants, changes in this timing might leave early seeds stranded without a disperser. We investigate plant seed dispersal south and north of a distinct boundary between warm- and cold-adapted ants to determine if changes in the ant species influence local plant dispersal. The warm-adapted ants forage much later than the coldadapted ants, and so we first assess natural populations of early and late blooming plants. We then transplant these plants south and north of the ant boundary to test whether distinct ant climate requirements disrupt the ant–plant mutualism. Whereas the early blooming plant’s inability to synchronize with the warm-adapted ant leaves its populations clumped and patchy and its seedlings clustered around the parents in natural populations, when transplanted into the range of the cold-adapted ant, effective seed dispersal recovers. In contrast, the mutualism persists for the later blooming plant regardless of location because it sets seed later in spring when both warm- and cold-adapted ant species forage, resulting in effective seed dispersal. These results indicate that the climate response of species interactions, not just the species themselves, is integral in understanding ecological responses to a changing climate. Data linking phenological synchrony and dispersal are rare, and these results suggest a viable mechanism by which a species’ range is limited more by biotic than abiotic interactions – despite the general assumption that biotic influences are buried within larger climate drivers. These results show that biotic partner can be as fundamental a niche requirement as abiotic resources.
Scaling Gross Primary Production (GPP) over boreal and deciduous forest landscapes in support of MODIS GPP product validation

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Radiometer (MODIS) is the primary instrument in the NASA Earth Observing System for monitoring the seasonality of global terrestrial vegetation. Estimates of 8-day mean daily gross primary production (GPP) at the 1 km spatial resolution are now operationally produced by the MODIS Land Science Team for the global terrestrial surface using a production efficiency approach. In this study, the 2001 MODIS GPP product was compared with scaled GPP estimates (25 km 2 ) based on ground measurements at two forested sites. The ground-based GPP scaling approach relied on a carbon cycle process model run in a spatially distributed mode. Land cover classification and maximum annual leaf area index, as derived from Landsat ETM+ imagery, were used in model initiation. The model was driven by daily meteorological observations from an eddy covariance flux tower situated at the center of each site. Model simulated GPPs were corroborated with daily GPP estimates from the flux tower. At the hardwood forest site, the MODIS GPP phenology started earlier than was indicated by the scaled GPP, and the summertime GPP from MODIS was generally lower than the scaled GPP values. The fall-off in production at the end of the growing season was similar to the validation data. At the boreal forest site, the GPP phenologies generally agreed because both responded to the strong signal associated with minimum temperature. The midsummer MODIS GPP there was generally higher than the ground-based GPP. The differences between the MODIS GPP products and the ground-based GPPs were driven by differences in the timing of FPAR and the magnitude of light use efficiency as well as by differences in other inputs to the MODIS GPP algorithm—daily incident PAR, minimum temperature, and vapor pressure deficit. Ground-based scaling of GPP has the potential to improve the parameterization of light use efficiency in satellite-based GPP monitoring algorithms.
An Economic History of Medicare Part C

Context: Twenty-five years ago, private insurance plans were introduced into the Medicare program with the stated dual aims of (1) giving beneficiaries a choice of health insurance plans beyond the fee-for-service Medicare program and (2) transferring to the Medicare program the efficiencies and cost savings achieved by managed care in the private sector. Methods: In this article we review the economic history of Medicare Part C, known today as Medicare Advantage, focusing on the impact of major changes in the program's structure and of plan payment methods on trends in the availability of private plans, plan enrollment, and Medicare spending. Additionally, we compare the experience of Medicare Advantage and of employer-sponsored health insurance with managed care over the same time period. Findings: Beneficiaries' access to private plans has been inconsistent over the program's history, with higher plan payments resulting in greater choice and enrollment and vice versa. But Medicare Advantage generally has cost more than the traditional Medicare program, an overpayment that has increased in recent years. Conclusions: Major changes in Medicare Advantage's payment rules are needed in order to simultaneously encourage the participation of private plans, the provision of high-quality care, and to save Medicare money.
Trends in heat-related mortality in the United States, 1975–2004

This study addresses the long-term trends in heat-related mortality across 29 US metropolitan areas from 1975 to 2004 to discern the spatial patterns and temporal trends in heat vulnerability. Mortality data have been standardized to account for population trends, and seasonal and interannual variability. On days when a city experienced an “oppressive” air mass, mean anomalous mortality was calculated, along with the likelihood that oppressive days led to a mortality response at least one standard deviation above the baseline value. Results show a general decline in heat-related mortality from the 1970s to 1990s, after which the decline seems to have abated. The likelihood of oppressive days leading to significant increases in mortality has shown less of a decline. The number of oppressive days has stayed the same or increased at most metropolitan areas. With US homes near saturation in terms of air-conditioning availability, an aging population is still significantly vulnerable to heat events.
Psychiatric assessment and treatment of pediatric pain.

TOPIC The clinical nurse specialist's role as part of a multidisciplinary pain team in assessing and treating children with pain, and children with co-morbid pain and a psychiatric diagnosis. PURPOSE To help nurse clinicians use relatively new assessment and treatment strategies in the arena of children's pain, gain a better understanding of pain's co-morbidity with psychiatric problems, and understand the nurse's important role in working with children with pain. SOURCES Published literature: Pain assessment, theories of pain, psychiatric assessment, pain and psychiatric co-morbidity, treatment modalities for pain. A case study of a teenage girl with chronic pain and a psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS Nursing interventions in pediatric pain assessment and treatment play a vital role in the child's and adolescent's physical and emotional rehabilitation from pain and psychiatric symptoms.
The Moderating Effects of Cultural Identity on International Negotiation Outcomes: Extending the Milliken and Martins Framework

We extend a theoretical framework that proposes how observable and non-observable attributes of diversity affect outcomes for individuals, groups, and organizations, and the mediating processes (i.e., affective, cognitive, symbolic, and communications) through which diversity affects these outcomes. We consider this framework within the context of culture and international negotiation by applying it within this context, proposing that observable and non-observable attributes of ethnic culture activate these mediating processes. Furthermore, we argue that the extent to which negotiators identify with their respective ethnic culture moderates the effects of these mediating processes on the negotiators' ability to achieve a successful negotiation outcome.
Efficiency of switched-inductor dc-dc converter ICs across process technologies

Battery-powered electronics rely on integration and power efficiency for size and operational life. Switched-inductor converters play a critical role in this because most portable systems depend on dc-dc converters to supply power efficiently. Understanding the collective impact of shrinking dimensions on total power losses in a switching converter is therefore important when selecting a process technology for the power-supply chip, because the optimal choice results in longer battery life. This paper analyzes and validates the effects of finer CMOS technologies (which feature shorter minimum channel lengths L MIN , higher oxide capacitance, and lower breakdown voltages) on the efficiency performance of switched-inductor dc-dc converters in continuous- and discontinuous-conduction modes (CCM and DCM). Simulation results show that conduction and gate-drive losses in switches rise with L MIN 1.5 and bias and bandwidth-critical quiescent losses with L MIN and L MIN 3, respectively. In other words, because parasitic components and gate-drive voltages rise with L MIN , efficiency drops with coarser technologies: E.g., the efficiencies of optimized 0.18-, 0.35-, and 0.5-µm buck converters peaked at 93%, 89%, and 79%.
Elections with Platform and Valence Competition

Abstract We study a game in which candidates first choose platforms and then invest in costly valences (e.g., engage in campaign spending). The marginal return to valence depends on platform polarization—the closer platforms are, the more valence affects the election outcome. Consequently, candidates without policy preferences choose divergent platforms to soften valence competition. Moreover, exogenous increases in incentives for valence accumulation lead to both increased valence and increased polarization—the latter because candidates seek to avoid the costs of extra valence. As a result, the increase in valence is smaller than it would have been with exogenous platforms. Finally, the model highlights the overlooked substantive importance of common modeling assumptions. Changing the source of uncertainty in our model from noise around the median voter's ideal point to a shock to one candidate's valence (as is common in the literature) leads to complete platform convergence for all parameter values.
Taking Time to Integrate Temporal Research

Research on time in organizations spans disciplines and introduces a wide range of concepts. Here we set out to find an underlying structure to clarify the current state of temporal research. Our examination yields three categories of variables: conceptions of time, mapping activities to time, and actors relating to time. We elaborate intricacies within each category, interrelationships among categories, and assumptions made in each category about the others. We then use the framework to compare existing studies and generate propositions to develop the notion of temporal fit.
Understanding respect: learning from patients

Background: The importance of respecting patients and participants in clinical research is widely recognised. However, what it means to respect persons beyond recognising them as autonomous is unclear, and little is known about what patients find to be respectful. Objective: To understand patients’ conceptions of respect and what it means to be respected by medical providers. Design: Qualitative study from an academic cardiology clinic, using semistructured interviews with 18 survivors of sudden cardiac death. Results: Patients believed that respecting persons incorporates the following major elements: empathy, care, autonomy, provision of information, recognition of individuality, dignity and attention to needs. Conclusions: Making patients feel respected, or valued as a person, is a multi-faceted task that involves more than recognising autonomy. While patients’ views of respect do not determine what respect means, these patients expressed important intuitions that may be of substantial conceptual relevance.
Blocking Effects and Analytic/synthetic Alternations

A number of interactions in grammar are referred to as showing blocking effects, typically defined as cases in which the existence of one form prevents the existence of a form that is otherwise expected to occur. Patterns of analytic/synthetic alternation, in which two-word and one-word forms alternate with each other, have been taken to be instances of blocking in this sense. An example is found in the formation of English comparatives and superlatives, where, for example, the synthetic form smarter appears to block the analytic form *more smart. Analytic forms are available in other cases (e.g. more intelligent), such that the interaction between the “one word” and “two word” forms is crucially at issue. This paper examines English comparative and superlative formation, concentrating on the question of how the morphophonology relates to syntax and semantics. A central point is that in the architecture of Distributed Morphology, these cases do not involve word/word or word/phrase competition-based blocking. Rather, blocking effects broadly construed are reduced to the effects of distinct mechanisms: (1) Vocabulary Insertion at a particular terminal node (morpheme), and (2) the operation of combinatory processes. The paper provides a detailed discussion of the latter type, showing that synthetic comparative/superlative forms are created post-syntactically by affixation under adjacency. Throughout the discussion, questions concerning the status of blocking effects in Distributed Morphology, and those found in analytic/synthetic alternations in particular, play a central role.
Individual differences in orexin‐I receptor modulation of motivation for the opioid remifentanil

Orexin-1 receptors (Ox1Rs) have been implicated in the motivation for drugs of abuse. Here, we utilized a within-session behavioral-economics threshold procedure to screen for individual differences in economic demand for the ultra-short-acting opioid remifentanil and to test whether antagonism of Ox1Rs reduces remifentanil demand. The behavioral-economics procedure revealed robust individual differences in free consumption of remifentanil (Q0 parameter; hedonic set point). Rats with low baseline Q0 (low takers) displayed high demand elasticity (α parameter; reduced responding as drug price increased indicating low motivation for drug), whereas subjects with a higher Q0 (high takers) exhibit low demand elasticity (low α) by continuing to self-administer remifentanil despite increased cost (reflecting higher motivation for drug). In a punished responding paradigm utilizing footshock, subjects that were classified as high takers at baseline withstood twice as much shock as low takers to continue self-administering remifentanil. Interestingly, Ox1R antagonism with SB-334867 reduced Q0 and increased α in low takers but not in high takers. Similarly, the Ox1R antagonist attenuated cue-induced, but not drug-induced, reinstatement of remifentanil seeking in low takers but had no significant effect on reinstatement of drug seeking in high takers. Together, these data reveal a novel role of orexins in demand for remifentanil: Ox1Rs modulate demand in low takers but not in individuals that exhibit addictive-like behaviors (high takers). Finally, the behavioral assays in this study can serve as a novel laboratory model for studying individual differences in opioid use disorders.
Imaging | Radiology, overview

Forensic radiology is the discipline that applies medical imaging to solution of legal problems, primarily the identification of unknown human remains and documentation of human injury. Radiographers must obtain postmortem images that are the best possible quality and as identical to standard clinical image studies as possible. Radiologists should join the team seeking to investigate death and to provide evidence-based court testimony through imaging. The dominant imaging methods, conventional radiography and multidetector computed tomography, are employed daily and are highly integrated into death investigation and documentation of the cause of death.
Radioreceptorassay of Luteinizing Hormone-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Urine: Detection of the Luteinizing Hormone Surge and Pregnancy *

A radioreceptorassay of luteinizing hormone (LH)-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), using plasma membranes of bovine corpora lutea, has been extended to the detection of the midcycle LH peak and subsequent pregnancy in morning and 24-hour urine samples on days 10 to 12 following ovulatiobjects as determined by radioreceptorassay and radioimmunoassay were 45 ng and 20 ng/ml of urine, respectively; in 24-hour urine samples, mean levels of 39 ng and 17 ng of LH/ml, respectively, were found. A sustained rise in hCG was detected by the radioreceptorassay from 10 to 12 days after conception, and by day 15 the hCG levels were in the range of the midcycle LH range; this finding was confirmed by the radioimmunoassay of hCG.
In the Journal of the National Medical Association 100 years ago: salutatory.

Editor's Comments: As part of our 100th anniversary commerative events, Dr Todd Savitt has written an editorial about the early attempts at establishing a black medical journal culminating in the launching of the Journal of the National Medical Association (JNMA) and the first editor's justification for the necessity of the journal and his "Creed of Success to the evolution of Negro Medical Journalism." Throughout its first 100 years, there have been multiple publications in JNMA justifying both the need for blacks to publish their best work in the journal for the education and professional development of the membership and to bring to bear the full resources of the entire black community (physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, attorneys, ministers, and businessmen) to combat the issues of segregation and separate-but-equal politics of the day. Dr Charles V. Roman's salutatory (Box) in this inaugural issue of JNMA illustrates his immense knowledge of history and literature and his gift of literary expression in calling to arms the membership of the National Medical Association in support of this new journal. This entire section was reproduced verbatim from the original issue, including punctuation and syntax.
The musculature of Draculiciteria tessalata (Chaetonotida, Paucitubulatina) : implications for the evolution of dorsoventral muscles in Gastrotricha

The muscular system of the marine interstitial gastrotrich Draculiciteria tessalata (Chaetonotida, Paucitubulatina) was analyzed with fluorescent phalloidin. Muscles in circular, longitudinal, helicoidal and dorsoventral orientations were found. Circular muscles were present as discreet rings on the pharynx only. Five pairs of longitudinal muscles were found in dorsal, lateral and ventral positions. One of the two pairs of lateral muscles is newly described for the species. Helicoidal muscles, external to the circular muscles and some longitudinal bands, spiraled around the pharynx and anterior portion of the intestine. Two pairs of segmentally-arranged dorsoventral muscles were also present. Lateral dorsoventral muscles extended from the base of the pharynx to the anterior part of the caudal furca. Medial dorsoventral muscles extended from the pharyngeal-intestinal junction into each ramus of the caudal furca. A hypothesis on the evolution of dorsoventral muscles in D. tessalata is proposed which includes a splitting of circular muscles into separate somatic and splanchnic components with a further displacement of both muscle sets into a dorsoventral orientation.
News Flash! Work Psychology Discovers Workers!

Bergman and Jean (2016) have contributed an important essay to the continuing self-reflection and maturation of the field of industrial–organizational (I-O) psychology—or as it is known in much of the world outside the United States, work psychology. 1 They clearly and adequately document that the field has relatively neglected to study the world of (largely lower-level) workers who are not managers, executives, professionals, or students and that this has affected adversely the validity of our science and the relevance of our professional practice in a number of not-so-intuitively obvious ways. But as critical as those observations are, I believe the most important aspect of their piece has to do with the inferences they offer as to why our published literature is so skewed. They suggest six potential, not mutually exclusive, explanations, including the possibility of personal biases among I-O psychologists. However, before focusing on those explanations, it should be informative to place the Bergman/Jean thesis in context. There is a growing, recent body of critical evidence and/or commentary concerning this and similar issues—although less consideration generally has been given to their likely causes.
A dual-process approach to the role of mother’s implicit and explicit attitudes toward their child in parenting models.

Extending dual process frameworks of cognition to a novel domain, the present study examined how mothers' explicit and implicit attitudes about her child may operate in models of parenting. To assess implicit attitudes, two separate studies were conducted using the same child-focused Go/No-go Association Task (GNAT-Child). In Study 1, model analyses revealed that maternal implicit attitudes about her child were associated with maternal sensitive/responsive caregiving behaviors concurrently and predicted changes in caregiving over time In Study 2, challenging child behaviors were uniquely linked to maternal implicit and explicit attitudes. In turn, maternal implicit attitudes were associated with observational assessments of maternal sensitivity. Results underscore the potential for a dual-process approach to inform models of parenting and child behavior.
Effect of Tryptophan on Livers of Pregnant and Lactating Rats and Their Fetuses and Pups

AbstractThe effect of the administration of L-tryptophan on hepatic polyribosomes and protein synthesis in pregnant rats and their fetuses and in lactating rats and their pups was investigated. Pregnant rats tube-fed tryptophan 1 hr before killing revealed increased hepatic protein synthesis but essentially unmodified polyribosomal aggregation of maternal livers while no changes were observed in fetal livers in comparison to controls (water-treated). Lactating rats tube-fed tryptophan 1 hr before killing revealed increased polyribosomal aggregation and protein synthesis of the livers in comparison to controls. Pups of these mothers that received tryptophan intraperitoneally 1 hr before killing did not reveal a significant change in the hepatic polyribosomes or protein synthesis.
Ab Initio Multiple Spawning Method for Intersystem Crossing Dynamics: Spin-Forbidden Transitions between 3B1 and 1A1 States of GeH2

Dynamics at intersystem crossings are fundamental to many processes in chemistry, physics, and biology. The ab initio multiple spawning (AIMS) method was originally developed to describe internal conversion dynamics at conical intersections where derivative coupling is responsible for nonadiabatic transitions between electronic states with the same spin multiplicity. Here, the applicability of the AIMS method is extended to intersystem crossing dynamics in which transitions between electronic states with different spin multiplicities are mediated by relativistic spin–orbit coupling. In the direct AIMS dynamics, the nuclear wave function is expanded in the basis of frozen multidimensional Gaussians propagating on the coupled electronic potential energy surfaces calculated on the fly. The AIMS method for intersystem crossing is used to describe the nonadiabatic transitions between the 3B1 and 1A1 states of GeH2. The potential energies and gradients were obtained at the CASSCF(6,6)/6-31G(d) level of theory. ...
Dearomatized Alkylidene Dihydropyridines as Substrates for Mizoroki–Heck Cyclizations

4-Substituted pyridines linked to iodoarene groups with alkyl amide tethers can be converted to the corresponding alkylidene dihydropyridines by treatment with ethyl chloroformate and Et3N. Subsequent exposure to Pd-catalyzed Mizoroki–Heck reaction conditions results in efficient intramolecular cyclization at the exocyclic alkene to afford isoindolinone and oxindole derivatives. Asymmetric construction of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles and isoindolinones has also been achieved. This work demonstrates the ability to utilize reactive pyridine anhydrobases in metal-catalyzed transformations and provides the basis for design of new approaches to important heterocyclic ring systems.
EXCITON TRANSPORT IN SiO2

ABSTRACT Positive charge accumulates at the Si-SiO 2 interface in MOS structures when illuminated by VUV photons under conditions where neither holes nor photons can reach the interface. The transport of energy from the metal side of the oxide (where the photons are absorbed) to the Si-SiO 2 interface is attributed to diffusion of neutral excitons. The reduction of the effect by ion implantation is consistent with this picture. Models are discussed for excitons which might diffuse across a 1000-2000 a oxide. In addition, the field dependence of photoconductivity suggests that the SiO 2 band gap is ~ 9.3 eV.
Psychometric Investigation of Patients with Delusional Misidentification Syndromes

The term “syndrome of doubles” usually refers to the delusional negation of identity of familiar persons originally described by Capgras and Reboul — Lachaux (1923). This rare phenomenon has been explained on the basis of various pathogenetic frameworks summarized by Enoch et al (1967). Since the syndrome is characterized by a separation of the normally intergrated functions of perception and recognition, organic factors might be responsible for or might contribute to the pathogenesis of the syndrome. This possibility has been backed mainly by clinical observations (Gluckman, 1968; Weston and Whitlock, 1971; Nilsson and Perris, 1971; Mac Callum, 1973; Hay et al 1974; Hayman and Abrams, 1977) as well as by a study concerning 11 patients studied clinically and by EEG, echo-encephalographic, air-encephalographic and psychological methods (Christodoulou, 1977).
On the Use of Utility Theory in Engineering Design

Multiattribute utility theory has a long history of application in engineering and systems design. These applications rely almost exclusively on two types of utility functions: the additive and multiplicative forms. The foundations of utility theory, however, do not place restrictions on the functional form of the utility function, meaning that many methods of representing preferences remain unexplored in systems design. This paper reviews the literature on applications of utility theory in design to bring light to potential new directions for research and to clarify a few subtle misapplications of utility theory. These misuses include the failure to distinguish between direct and indirect value attributes, the use of probability as an attribute, treating costs from different sources differently, and restricting the functional form of utility. This paper introduces a value-based approach that is based on the creation of a deterministic value function for design and the assignment of a 1-D utility function over the value measure. We use a conceptual and numeric example to illustrate the greater flexibility of this approach. We also present the concept of utility transversality in engineering design. We show that several criticisms of utility theory that have appeared in the engineering design literature are actually criticisms of these artificial limitations and that these limitations are overcome by the value-based approach.
3D electro-thermal modeling of ggNMOS ESD protection structure

This work presents a simple-to-implement, 3D electro-thermal model for circuit-level SPICE simulation of grounded-gate NMOS (ggNMOS), with application for ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection circuit design verification. A new ESD discharging fitting resistor (R/sub on/) is employed to improve ESD electrical modeling in the high-current region and a new 3D thermal resistor parameter (R/sub th/) is proposed to model the electro-thermal characteristics of ggNMOS. The extraction method for the new parameters, R/sub on/ and R/sub th/, is discussed. Finally, simulation results are presented and compared with experimental data.
Comprehensive Mapping of Transposon Insertions in Human Hematopoietic Neoplasias.

Abstract 1103 Poster Board I-125 Our genomes are replete with mobile DNAs, many of which are retrotransposons that have accumulated over time by “copy-and-paste” mechanisms involving reverse transcription of RNA intermediates. Subsets of human transposable elements have been recently active or remain active today, resulting in many insertional polymorphisms in modern populations. In vitro studies in human tumor cell lines have unequivocally shown that expressed retrotransposons can generate new insertions and potentiate large scale genomic rearrangements. Though normally transposon sequences are highly methylated and thus stably suppressed in somatic cells, loss of methylation has been described in some malignant states, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma (MM), and ‘blast crisis’ phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This has led to speculation that derepressed transposons contribute to clonal evolution of these pathologies, though experimental evidence for this has been lacking due to an inability to detect new genomic insertions. In collaboration with Jef Boeke9s laboratory, I have developed an array-based transposon insertion profiling method (TIP-chip) for mapping mobile retrotransposons in the human genome. Early application of this technology in leukemia patients and leukemia cell lines shows numerous novel insertions of L1 LINEs, AluYb SINEs, and HERV-K transposons, including several insertions in genes known to be involved in leukemogenesis. We expect the technology will add a new dimension to our understanding of the human genome, including genetic predispositions to cancer development, and will enable tests of the hypothesis that insertional mutagenesis by endogenous transposons is a driving force in hematopoietic malignancies. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Regional Variations in Shear Strength and Density of the Human Thoracic Vertebral Endplate and Trabecular Bone

Background Previous studies investigated the overall mechanical strength of the vertebral body; however, limited information is available on the biomechanical properties of different regions within the vertebral endplate and cancellous bone. In addition, the correlation between mechanical strength and various density measurements has not been studied yet. Methods Thoracic (T10) vertebrae were harvested from fifteen human cadaveric spines (average age: 77 years old). Twelve cylindrical cores of 7.2 mm (diameter) by 3.2 mm (height) were prepared from each vertebral body. Shear was produced using a stainless steel tubular blade and measured with a load cell from a mechanical testing machine. Optical and bulk densities were calculated before mechanical testing. Apparent, material, and ash densities were measured after testing. Results Material density and shear strength increased from anterior to lateral regions of both endplate and cancellous bone. Endplate shear strength was significantly lower in the anterior (0.52 ± 0.08 MPa) than in the lateral region (2.72 ± 0.59 MPa) (p=0.017). Trabecular bone maximum load carrying capacity was 5 times higher in the lateral (12 ± 2.74 N) (p=0.09) and 4.5 times higher in the central (10 ± 2.24 N) (p=0.2) than in the anterior (2 ± 0.60 N) regions. Mechanical strength positively correlated with ash density, and even moreso with material density. Conclusion Shear strength was the lowest at the anterior region and highest at the lateral region for both endplate and cancellous bone. Material density had the best correlation with mechanical strength. Newer spinal implants could optimize the loading in the lateral aspects of both endplate and cancellous bone to reduce the likelihood of screw loosening and the subsidence of disc replacement devices. This study was reviewed by the SUNY Downstate Medical Center IRB Committee; IRB#: 533603-2.
Lived Data: Tinkering With Bodies, Code, and Care Work

Human–computer interaction research on personal informatics in health care has focused on systems that aim to support patient empowerment and enable better health outcomes with data monitoring and ...
Effects of Trap Color and Bait Type on Collection of Coleoptera in Pyramid Traps in Commercial Nurseries

Pyramid-shaped traps were evaluated in Georgia for capturing potentially harmful coleopterans in ornamental plant nurseries. Beetle response to two colors and four bait types was compared. Four spe...
Plagues and people: engineering player participation and prevention in a virtual epidemic

In this paper, we report on the study of a new virtual epidemic called the Dragon Swooping Cough, a newly designed virus unleashed on the youth virtual world of Whyville.net in two stages during December 2015 and April 2016. Our overall goal in this study was to design experiential learning of infectious disease in a safe but epidemiologically and educationally sound way. The virtual virus targeted personal, social, and economic aspects of online life in Whyville in order to mirror real-world viruses and to trigger player emotions. Our analysis of pre/post surveys and online behavior log files for survey (N = 747) and non-survey (N = 3348) participants revealed that the virtual epidemic promoted participation, primarily through engagement in prevention against the virtual virus, that increased in the second outbreak. Furthermore, emotional engagement played an intriguing role in both behavioral and information-seeking behaviors. In the discussion we address what we learned about opportunities and challenges in designing a virtual epidemic for educational engagement.
Clinical Significance of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation Reperfusion

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical significance of reperfused pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (rPAVM) after embolization. This study is a retrospective review of all patients from a single HHT center who underwent pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) embolization between January 1, 2006 and December 30, 2007. Clinical history, imaging findings (including reperfusion), and symptoms seen in the setting of PAVMs were reviewed both at the time of embolization and during the subsequent follow-up through December 30, 2013. During the 2-year treatment period, 101 patients underwent PAVM embolization. During the initial embolization, 27 patients were found to have reperfusion of a previously embolized PAVM. During the follow-up period, none of these patients had recurrence of the rPAVM. Three patients who underwent an embolization procedure for the first time at the initial procedure were subsequently found to have rPAVM during the follow-up period. This resulted in a total of 30 patients with rPAVMs. Eighteen (60%) of the 30 patients were found to be symptomatic at the time of presentation with rPAVM. However, 14 had at least one other significant PAVM at the time of diagnosis of reperfusion. Only two symptomatic patients had only rPAVM, both with mild manifestations. Two patients were excluded from the study as their symptoms were attributed to other medical comorbidities. The majority of symptomatic patients with rPAVM had additional PAVMs that required embolization. Neither of the symptomatic patients with an isolated rPAVM had severe manifestations.
Effect of angular momentum alignment and strong magnetic fields on the formation of protostellar discs

Star forming molecular clouds are observed to be both highly magnetized and turbulent. Consequently the formation of protostellar disks is largely dependent on the complex interaction between gravity, magnetic fields, and turbulence. Studies of non-turbulent protostellar disk formation with realistic magnetic fields have shown that these fields are efficient in removing angular momentum from the forming disks, preventing their formation. However, once turbulence is included, disks can form in even highly magnetized clouds, although the precise mechanism remains uncertain. Here we present several high resolution simulations of turbulent, realistically magnetized, high-mass molecular clouds with both aligned and random turbulence to study the role that turbulence, misalignment, and magnetic fields have on the formation of protostellar disks. We find that when the turbulence is artificially aligned so that the angular momentum is parallel to the initial uniform field, no rotationally supported disks are formed, regardless of the initial turbulent energy. We conclude that turbulence and the associated misalignment between the angular momentum and the magnetic field are crucial in the formation of protostellar disks in the presence of realistic magnetic fields.
SQuID: Semantic Similarity-Aware Query Intent Discovery

Recent expansion of database technology demands a convenient framework for non-expert users to explore datasets. Several approaches exist to assist these non-expert users where they can express their query intent by providing example tuples for their intended query output. However, these approaches treat the structural similarity among the example tuples as the only factor specifying query intent and ignore the richer context present in the data. In this demo, we present SQuID, a system for Semantic similarity-aware Query Intent Discovery. SQuID takes a few example tuples from the user as input, through a simple interface, and consults the database to discover deeper associations among these examples. These data-driven associations reveal the semantic context of the provided examples, allowing SQuID to infer the user's intended query precisely and effectively. SQuID further explains its inference, by displaying the discovered semantic context to the user, who can then provide feedback and tune the result. We demonstrate how SQuID can capture even esoteric and complex semantic contexts, alleviating the need for constructing complex SQL queries, while not requiring the user to have any schema or query language knowledge.
An evaluation of proximal femur bone density in young, active patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty at one year postoperatively:

Background:Prior investigations have shown a decrease in periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcar following total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this investigation was to stu...
Restless Legs Syndrome / Willis Ekbom Disease in Bariatric Surgery Patients (P3.056)

Objective: To prospectively analyze presence and severity of restless legs syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Background: Nutritional deficiencies are common following bariatric surgery and are associated with multiple neurologic complications. Iron deficiency frequently occurs following bariatric surgery. In patients who underwent laparoscopic Rouxen-Y procedures, 51% became iron deficient, with 41% developing severe deficiency. RLS/WED occurs in 31–41% of patients with iron deficiency anemia. RLS/WED has not previously been systematically studied in the bariatric surgery population. Design/Methods: Consecutive adult patients scheduled for bariatric surgery for treatment of obesity between October 2014 and February 2016 were enrolled. Subjects completed validated questionnaires to assess presence and severity of RLS/WED (Cambridge-Hopkins Questionnaire 13 and International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS)). Results: In 101 total subjects, 79% were females. Mean body mass index was 45.65 (SD +/− 7.7). Baseline RLS/WED was present in 21% of patients with mean IRLS score of 15 (SD +/−9.0). Three months following surgery, an additional 17% of subjects who presented for followup had developed RLS/WED (8/47); at 6 months an additional 8.8% (3/34); and at 12 months an additional 27% (3/11) developed RLS/WED. Pre-surgical hemoglobin was below 12.0 g/dL in 8% (7/91). At baseline, 32% (32/101) of subjects were on a proton pump inhibitor and 39% (40/101) were on an antidepressant. Sleep studies were performed in 50% of patients (50/101) and 84% were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Of the 37 subjects who underwent in-lab polysomnography, mean periodic limb movement index was 20.47/h (SD +/− 34.5). Conclusions: Bariatric surgery patients may be at higher risk for RLS/WED than the general population. Long-term follow-up to identify new or worsening cases will be important, particularly given high risk of iron deficiency in this population. Routine screening for RLS/WED should be considered in bariatric surgery patients. Disclosure: Dr. Lipford has nothing to disclose. Dr. Williams has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lorentz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Collazo-Clavell has nothing to disclose. Dr. Park has nothing to disclose. Dr. Olson has nothing to disclose. Dr. St. Louis has received personal compensation for activities with Axovant, Inc. and Inspire, Inc. Dr. Silber has received royalty payments from UpToDate. Dr. Kellogg has nothing to disclose.
Metabolic and behavioral responses to acute and chronic morphine

1199 Objectives Rodents administered sub-chronic escalating doses of morphine exhibit decreases in relative glucose metabolism in the frontal cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum. These region-specific changes are consistent with human behaviors associated with drug use and addiction. The role of regional differences in brain metabolism between acute and chronic drug use to disease progression and treatment has not been fully considered, if at all. Using 18FDG and Micro Positron Emission Tomography (MicroPET), we show that morphine administered acutely in rodents has an opposite effect on brain metabolism compared to rodents undergoing chronic morphine exposure. Methods Two groups of adult male rats received serial FDG PET scan. Group 1 received a single dose of morphine (10mg/kg) 15min prior to FDG. Group 2 was treated with escalating doses of morphine for 14 days (10mg/kg to 42.5mg/kg). FDG scans occurred baseline and after 1, 7, and 21 days of withdrawal. Behavioral measures were obtained during and after morphine treatment. Results Acutely, morphine significantly increased FDG uptake in the striatum and decreased uptake in the frontal cortex and cerebellum (see Figure). Sub-chronic treatment resulted in persistent decreases in FDG uptake in both cortical (frontal, parietal, temporal cortices) and subcortical structures (deep cerebellar nuclei, striatum, thalamus). Behavioral measures of withdrawal severity correlated with regional changes in FDG uptake in these regions. Conclusions Acute morphine treatment causes regionally specific changes in FDG uptake that parallel the lasting decrements observed after sub-chronic treatment. Research Support Supported by DOD PR02620 and NIH R01-DA0252
NEURO.TV: Neuroscience Education on the Internet

NEURO.tv is a new educational project that seeks to bring advanced concepts in neuroscience to the general public. We film one-hour discussions with leading neuroscientists, philosophers, and psychologists who have had significant impact on our current understanding of brain function, and we publish these discussions on YouTube, iTunes, and other social media outlets. Here, we explain the motivations behind this new program.
The Political Economy of Agricultural Reform in Transition Countries

The dramatic transition from Communism to market economies across Asia and Europe started in the Chinese countryside in the 1970s. Since then, more than a billion people, many of them very poor, have been affected by radical reforms in agriculture. However, there are enormous differences in the reform strategies that countries have chosen. This paper presents a set of arguments to explain why countries have chosen different those reform policies.
Reliability of echocardiography in assessing cardiac output. A comparative study with a dye dilution technique.

Because of the potential benefits from a noninvasive technique in assessing cardiac output, we compared cardiac output estimates from left ventricular echocardiograms with results obtained simultaneously by a standard technique, dye dilution in 10 healthy normal volunteers. During rest, cardiac outputs by echocardiographic and dye dilution techniques were reproducible and not significantly different. Increases in cardiac output produced by intravenous infusion of isoproterenol (15 ng/kg/min for 4 min) were accurately estimated by echocardiography in subjects whose stroke volume increased less than 40%, but were significantly underestimated when stroke volume increased more than 40%. Decreased cardiac output produced by intravenous propranolol (0.2 mg/kg) was comparable by both methods. Although echocardiography accurately estimated mean cardiac output for the group it over- or underestimated cardiac output in individual subjects. We propose that echocardiography can reliably estimate cardiac output in groups at rest and when stroke volume changes less than 40%.
Sources of Information and Support for Breastfeeding: Alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Strategies

Abstract Background and Objectives: Research consistently supports health benefits of breastfeeding; however, rates in the United States remain below Healthy People 2020 goals. To increase breastfe...
Social cohesion, mutual efficacy, and informal social control:Enhancing the conceptualization of collective efficacy

Collective efficacy has been one of the most valuable and influential concepts in neighborhood research of the past 20 years. However, interventions designed to increase collective efficacy report ...
Topological methods for the resonant Q-curvature problem in arbitrary even dimension

Abstract This paper is devoted to the problem of existence of conformal metrics with prescribed Q -curvature on closed Riemannian manifolds of even dimension n ≥ 4 , when the kernel of the associated GJMS operator is trivial and the total integral of the corresponding Q -curvature is a positive integer multiple of the one of the n -dimensional round sphere. Indeed, exploiting the variational structure of the problem, we develop a full Morse theory and algebraic topological arguments for existence for this non-compact geometric variational problem of high order, extending the works Ahmedou and Ndiaye (2019) and Ndiaye (2015) to arbitrary even dimensions.