cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Error Quantification Using Performance Shaping Factors in the SPAR-H Method

This paper describes a cognitively based human reliability analysis (HRA) quantification technique for estimating the human error probabilities (HEPs) associated with operator and crew actions at nuclear power plants. The method described here, Standardized Plant Analysis Risk-Human Reliability Analysis (SPAR-H) method, was developed to aid in characterizing and quantifying human performance at nuclear power plants. The intent was to develop a defensible method that would consider all factors that may influence performance. In the SPAR-H approach, calculation of HEP rates is especially straightforward, starting with pre-defined nominal error rates for cognitive vs. action-oriented tasks, and incorporating performance shaping factor multipliers upon those nominal error rates.
Assay and characterization of late gene regulators of bacteriophages φ82 and λ

Abstract We report an assay for the late gene regulatory proteins of λ and φ82 (pQλ and pQ82), based on the ability of each regulator to elicit synthesis of the late gene product, endolysin, from an appropriate DNA template. In the coupled transcription-translation system, each late gene regulator specifically directs the synthesis of its own endolysin, but fails to direct synthesis of the nonhomologous endolysin. pQλ activity is observed in extracts of both an induced λ lysogen and a bacterium harboring a plasmid containing the λ Q gene. pQ82 activity is observed in extracts of induced wild-type lysogens, but is absent in extracts of induced lysogens of phage bearing amber mutations in the φ82 Q gene. pQ82 acts at a site which is within the (QSR)82 substitution in λ(QSR)82 phage. pQ82 is a 27,000 Mr polypeptide that we have purified about 500-fold from an induced lysogen. We discuss evidence suggesting that the active form of pQ82 is either a multimer of more than four 27,000 Mr subunits, or a complex of the 27,000 Mr polypeptide and host polypeptides.
High Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in Children Admitted to a General Pediatric Inpatient Unit

Objective: Evaluate a) the prevalence of developmental disabilities (DD) in children admitted to a general pediatrics inpatient unit, and b) the number of children admitted to the unit with previously undiagnosed developmental disability. Methods: Prevalence was evaluated through retrospective record review. Subjects: One hundred ninety children older than five months of age admitted to a general pediatric unit. Results: Of 190 children admitted, 155 (81.6%) had adequate developmental screening documented in the record. Forty-nine (25.7% of total, 31.6% of screened) had a developmental disability, 22 (12.1% of total, 14.8% of screened) had a previously unrecognized disability. Sample prevalence of DD was: cerebral palsy (6.8%), developmental delay or mental retardation (8.4%), language delay (4.6%), learning disability (8.2%), and hearing loss (1.5%). New diagnoses included: three children with probable mental retardation (MR), nine with learning disability (may include mild MR), seven with language delay, three with abnormal motor skills (fine and/or gross motor), one each of: neurofibromatosis type I, hearing loss, cerebral palsy, dysphagia. Some children had more than one new diagnosis. Conclusion: The prevalence of disabilities in a general pediatrics inpatient unit is much higher than the prevalence in the community. Because almost half of the disabilities were previously unrecognized, acute hospitalization is an excellent opportunity to conduct developmental screening.
Prediction of Segregation to Alloy Surfaces from Bulk Phase Diagrams

Current theories of surface segregation are based on either the difference in the sizes or the heats of sublimation of the alloy components. We show that neither of these theories gives adequate agreement with experiment. A simple rule, based on the melting curve of the alloy, gives good agreement with all available experimental data.
CuproCleav-1, a first generation photocage for Cu+.

By utilizing thioether ligands, CuproCleav-1 stabilizes Cu+ complexes in aqueous solution and releases the guest metal ion upon photolysis of the nitrobenzyl group. The photocage has an apparent Kd of 54 pM for Cu+, and metal ion release has been demonstrated using the fluorescent sensor CS1.
Cyclic GMP Signaling Is Involved in the Luteinizing Hormone-Dependent Meiotic Maturation of Mouse Oocytes

It is well established that cAMP signaling is an important regulator of the oocyte meiotic cell cycle. Conversely, the function of cGMP during oocyte maturation is less clear. Herein, we evaluated the expression of cGMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in the somatic and germ cell compartments of the mouse ovarian follicle and demonstrate that PDE5 is preferentially expressed in somatic cells. Cyclic GMP is a potent inhibitor of cAMP hydrolysis from oocyte extracts, with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 97 nM. Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulation of cultured preovulatory follicles results in a marked decrease in cGMP content, and a nadir is reached in 1.5 h; similarly, oocyte cGMP levels decrease after gonadotropin stimulation in vivo. The LH-dependent decrease in cGMP requires activation of the epidermal growth factor network. Treatment of follicles with a PDE5 inhibitor increases cGMP in the follicle well above unstimulated levels. Although LH causes a decrease in cGMP in follicles preincubated with PDE5 inhibitors, the levels of this nucleotide remain above unstimulated levels. Under these conditions of elevated cGMP, LH stimulation does not cause oocyte maturation after 5 h of incubation. Microinjection of a cGMP-specific PDE into oocytes causes meiotic maturation of wild-type oocytes, suggesting that an intraoocyte pool of cGMP is involved in the maintenance of meiotic arrest. This effect is absent in PDE3A-deficient oocytes. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that cGMP and cAMP signaling cooperate in maintaining meiotic arrest via regulation of PDE3A and that a decrease in cGMP in the somatic compartment is one of the signals contributing to meiotic maturation.
Consideration of chip circuit damage on DCS-FBGA packages

Laminate type FBGA package is one of the advanced solutions of economic chip scale package, effective for applications that require low profile and small area as cellular phones or hand held products. IBM stared to use an advanced package, DCS (Dual Chip Stacked)-FBGA, to obtain higher communication rate between dual semiconductor chips into one package, which were originally placed on different packages on wider space cards. During the development stage two subjects were concerned as, damage on the bottom-chip circuits under the top-chip placement region, and the reliability impacts. The top and bottom chip size combination in DCS-FBGA has a large difference ratio comparing to memory chips stack type packages, which is applied widely in the industry. Assessment studies on different CTE materials, chip thickness, construction, attachment methods, and reliability performances were analyzed. The result was validated by experiments to monitor the contact resistance discrepancy on the chip. To minimize these impacts, we confirmed the correlation between chip attach technique and mechanical reliability. This paper contains details of the phenomenon, solutions and effectiveness.
Examining the psychological mechanisms of psilocybin-assisted smoking cessation treatment: A pilot study

dose ranging trial ofmodafinil inmethamphetamine (MA) dependence. Methods: Eighteen MA dependent outpatients received modafinil (100, 400, or 600mg per day) for four weeks. Subjects receivedweeklyMotivational Interviewing andwere assessed twice per week. The first subject was randomly assigned to 100mg per day. Subsequent subjects were assigned to different dose groups using Eff Tox, a Bayesian dose finding computer program. Dose assignment was based on the results of prior subjects with respect to efficacy (defined as two or more MA-negative urine samples) and toxicity (defined as any adverse effect requiring discontinuation of modafinil). Results: Two subjects were assigned to the 100mg dose condition, 2 to the 400mg condition, and 14 to the 600mg condition. The next subject would have been assigned to the 600mg condition. Conclusions: Subsequent trials ofmodafinil forMAdependence should utilize a 600mgdose ofmodafinil. Bayesian dose finding is a novel, rational method for selecting doses to be used in outpatient trials. Financial support: Supported by NIH R01 DA23567.
Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) superfamily: genomics and annotation.

Aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) are phase I metabolising enzymes that catalyse the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H)-dependent reduction of carbonyl groups to yield primary and secondary alcohols on a wide range of substrates, including aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes and ketones, ketoprostaglan-dins, ketosteroids and xenobiotics. In so doing they functionalise the carbonyl group for conjugation (phase II enzyme reactions). Although functionally diverse, AKRs form a protein superfamily based on their high sequence identity and common protein fold, the (α/(β)8-barrel structure. Well over 150 AKR enzymes, from diverse organisms, have been annotated so far and given systematic names according to a nomenclature that is based on multiple protein sequence alignment and degree of identity. Annotation of non-vertebrate AKRs at the National Center for Biotechnology Information or Vertebrate Genome Annotation (vega) database does not often include the systematic nomenclature name, so the most comprehensive overview of all annotated AKRs is found on the AKR website (http://www.med.upenn.edu/akr/). This site also hosts links to more detailed and specialised information (eg on crystal structures, gene expression and single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]). The protein-based AKR nomenclature allows unambiguous identification of a given enzyme but does not reflect the wealth of genomic and transcriptomic variation that exists in the various databases. In this context, identification of putative new AKRs and their distinction from pseudogenes are challenging. This review provides a short summary of the characteristic features of AKR biochemistry and structure that have been reviewed in great detail elsewhere, and focuses mainly on nomenclature and database entries of human AKRs that so far have not been subject to systematic annotation. Recent developments in the annotation of SNP and transcript variance in AKRs are also summarised.
Severe infusion reactions to brentuximab vedotin in two patients with Hodgkin lymphoma previously treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Brentuximab vendotin is a monoclonal antibody approved in August 2011 for use in patients with Hodgkin disease and a rare systemic lymphoma known as anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Brentuximab is approved in patients with Hodgkin disease who have failed autologous transplantation or after failure of at least two prior multi-agent chemotherapy regimens but has not been studied following allogeneic transplantation. Four patients with relapsed Hodgkin disease have been treated at our institution with at least two doses of brentuximab vendotin. Two patients have experienced significant infusion reactions on multiple occasions, and two patients have tolerated the infusions well. During phase 2 trials, there were no reports of Grade 3 or 4 infusion-related reactions. Both patients with reactions had relapsed following allogeneic stem cell transplants, while neither of the patients who tolerated the infusions had undergone transplantation. We report our experience with brentuximab vendotin-treated patients at our institution, focusing on the two post-allogeneic patients who experienced multiple significant infusion reactions. This report evaluates possible mechanisms behind their reactions, including previous allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a likely precipitating factor.
Lower Bounds for the Distribution of Suprema of Brownian Increments and Brownian Motion Normalized by the Corresponding Modulus Functions

The Levy–Ciesielski construction of Brownian motion is used to determine non-asymptotic estimates for the maximal deviation of increments of a Brownian motion process \((W_{t})_{t\in \left[ 0,T\right] }\) normalized by the global modulus function, for all positive \(\varepsilon \) and \(\delta \). Additionally, uniform results over \(\delta \) are obtained. Using the same method, non-asymptotic estimates for the distribution function for the standard Brownian motion normalized by its local modulus of continuity are obtained. Similar results for the truncated Brownian motion are provided and play a crucial role in establishing the results for the standard Brownian motion case.
Some Results Relevant to Statistical Closures for Compressible Turbulence

For weakly compressible turbulent fluctuations there exists a small parameter, the square of the fluctuating Mach number, that allows an investigation using a perturbative treatment. The consequences of such a perturbative analysis in three different subject areas are described: 1) initial conditions in direct numerical simulations, 2) an explanation for the oscillations seen in the compressible pressure in the direct numerical simulations of homogeneous shear, and 3) for turbulence closures accounting for the compressibility of velocity fluctuations. Initial conditions consistent with small turbulent Mach number asymptotics are constructed. The importance of consistent initial conditions in the direct numerical simulation of compressible turbulence is dramatically illustrated: spurious oscillations associated with inconsistent initial conditions are avoided, and the fluctuating dilatational field is some two orders of magnitude smaller for a compressible isotropic turbulence. For the isotropic decay it is shown that the choice of initial conditions can change the scaling law for the compressible dissipation. A two-time expansion of the Navier-Stokes equations is used to distinguish compressible acoustic and compressible advective modes. A simple conceptual model for weakly compressible turbulence --- a forced linear oscillator --- is described. It is shown that the evolution equations for the compressible portions of turbulence can be understood as a forced wave equation with refraction. Acoustic modes of the flow can be amplified by refraction and are able to manifest themselves in large fluctuations of the compressible pressure.
The role of the mesenchyme in mouse neural fold elevation. I. Patterns of mesenchymal cell distribution and proliferation in embryos developing in vitro.

Using the computer-assisted method of smoothed spatial averaging, spatial and temporal patterns of cell distribution and mitotic activity were analyzed in the cranial mesenchyme underlying the mesencephalic neural folds of mouse embryos maintained in roller tube culture. Total cell density increased in central and medial mesenchymal regions after 12 hr in culture, decreased after 18 hr, and showed a further decrease after 2 hr when the neural folds of the embryos had elevated, converged, and were fusing or fused. Mitotic activity, as measured by the ratio of 3H-thymidine-labeled cells to unlabeled cells, was highest in the central mesenchyme at all culture times. Embryos were also cultured in the presence of diazo-oxo-norleucine (DON), which inhibits glycosaminoglycan and glycoprotein synthesis. After 24 hr in culture, neural folds of DON-treated embryos had failed to elevate. Total cell density increased in central and medial regions of the mesenchyme of DON-treated folds at 12 hr but showed no significant decrease in these regions with further culture. Mitotic activity was highest in the central mesenchyme of these treated embryos. These results suggest that cell distribution patterns observed in the cranial mesenchyme during neural fold elevation in normal cultured embryos are not produced by regional differences in mitotic activity. Rather, we propose that cell distribution patterns in the central and medial regions of the mesenchyme result from expansion of a glycosaminoglycan-rich extracellular matrix that disperses cells from these regions and decreases their density. In DON-treated embryos, in which expansion of the mesenchyme is prohibited by the decreased glycosaminoglycan and glycoprotein content of the extracellular matrix, mitotic activity apparently determines these patterns.
In situ damage classification for composite laminates using Gaussian discriminant analysis

An investigation was performed to develop a damage classification method to characterize sensor data from built-in piezoelectric actuators on laminated composites in terms of matrix micro-cracking and delamination. Traditional signal processing techniques (time-domain analysis and short-time Fourier transform) combined with Gaussian discriminant analysis were proposed to characterize damage in composite plates in this study. Composite coupons of different layup configurations with surfaced mounted arrays of piezoelectric actuators and sensors were subjected to cyclic loading to induce matrix micro-cracking and delamination. Sensor data as well as X-ray images were acquired through the coupon’s life. These experimental data were used to train a classifier as well as test the performance and robustness of the learned model. Classification performance was measured via 75–25 holdout and leave-one-sample-out cross-validation. Results show that the proposed method has a misclassification rate of 21%, with high ...
A new method for estimating the pose of objects for material handling

The ability to accurately estimate the pose of an arbitrary object using a single gray-scale image of the object even when the object is obscured by dirt, snow, or some object is investigated. A robust method is presented called the Pi4 method, which estimates the object pose from a single gray-scale image of a striped pattern on the object. This Pi4 method produces pose estimates which are insensitive to partial losses of the target pattern. The image processing and resulting pose estimates of a highly visible target pattern with computer added destructive obscuration are described. The experimental results demonstrate that the Pi4 method does not need the entire line to calculate line position. The asymmetric shape of the Pi4 pattern stripes prevents the method from failing. In general, random obscuration will not result in complete loss of a line, and as long as the line is not completely lost, the line fitting provides a very accurate estimate of the line's location. >
Effect of recombinant platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase on two models of experimental acute pancreatitis ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Background & Aims: Recent reports suggest that platelet-activating factor (PAF) plays a role in pancreatitis and pancreatitis-associated lung injury. In this study, the effects on these processes of termination of PAF action by recombinant PAF–acetylhydrolase (rPAF-AH) were investigated. Methods: Rats were given rPAF-AH and then infused with a supramaximally stimulating dose of cerulein to induce mild pancreatitis. Opossums underwent biliopancreatic duct ligation to induce severe pancreatitis, and rPAF-AH administration was begun 2 days later. Results: In mild, secretagogue-induced pancreatitis, rPAF-AH given before the cerulein reduced hyperamylasemia, acinar cell vacuolization, and pancreatic inflammation but did not alter pancreatic edema or pulmonary microvascular permeability. In severe, biliopancreatic duct ligation–induced pancreatitis, rPAF-AH delayed and reduced the extent of inflammation and acinar cell injury/necrosis and completely prevented lung injury even though the rPAF-AH administration was begun after the onset of pancreatitis. Conclusions: PAF plays an important role in the regulation of pancreatic injury but not pancreatic edema or increased pulmonary microvascular permeability in mild, secretagogue-induced pancreatitis. PAF plays a critical role in the regulation of progression of pancreatic injury and mediation of pancreatitis-associated lung injury in severe biliary pancreatitis. Amelioration of pancreatitis and prevention of pancreatitis-associated lung injury can be achieved with rPAF-AH even if treatment is begun after pancreatitis is established. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;115:1238-1247
Comparison of Surface Sampling Methods for Virus Recovery from Fomites

The role of fomites in infectious disease transmission relative to other exposure routes is difficult to discern due, in part, to the lack of information on the level and distribution of virus contamination on surfaces. Comparisons of studies intending to fill this gap are difficult because multiple different sampling methods are employed and authors rarely report their method's lower limit of detection. In the present study, we compare a subset of sampling methods identified from a literature review to demonstrate that sampling method significantly influences study outcomes. We then compare a subset of methods identified from the review to determine the most efficient methods for recovering virus from surfaces in a laboratory trial using MS2 bacteriophage as a model virus. Recoveries of infective MS2 and MS2 RNA are determined using both a plaque assay and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, respectively. We conclude that the method that most effectively recovers virus from nonporous fomites uses polyester-tipped swabs prewetted in either one-quarter-strength Ringer's solution or saline solution. This method recovers a median fraction for infective MS2 of 0.40 and for MS2 RNA of 0.07. Use of the proposed method for virus recovery in future fomite sampling studies would provide opportunities to compare findings across multiple studies.
A simplified laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: the scroll technique.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has steadily gained recognition as an alternative to the open approach. However, the procedure can be technically challenging. The authors present their simple scroll technique for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. A total of 174 patients underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using the scroll technique. The technique entails fixation of the rolled mesh to the anterior abdominal wall before it is unfolded. Patient characteristics, operative time, and complications were analyzed and compared with pooled data from the available literature on laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. The mean operative time was comparable with that reported by others (mean, 102 vs. 100 min). The hospital stay was shorter (mean, 1.8 vs. 2.4 h). During a mean follow-up period of 28 months, the recurrence rate was lower than that reported by others (1.7% vs. 4.3%). There were no mortalities and no cases of inadvertent bowel injury. The authors’ scroll technique for laparoscopic repair is simple, feasible, and reproducible, with a short learning curve and a low recurrence rate.
A high-performance network architecture for a PA-RISC workstation

With current low-cost high-performance workstations, application-to-application throughput is limited more by host memory bandwidth than by the cost of protocol processing. Conventional network architectures are inefficient in their use of this memory bandwidth, because data is copied several times between the application and the network. As network speeds increase further, network architectures must be developed that reduce the demands on host memory bandwidth. The authors discuss the design of a single-copy network architecture, where data is copied directly between the application buffer and the network interface. Protocol processing is performed by the host, and transport layer buffering is provided on the network interface. They describe a prototype implementation for the HP Apollo Series 700 workstation family that consists of an FDDI network interface and a modified 4.3BSD TCP/IP protocol stack, and report some early results that demonstrate twice the throughput of a conventional network architecture and significantly lower latency. >
Disclosure: a concept analysis

saiki l.s. & lobo m.l. (2011) Disclosure: a concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing67(12), 2713–2722. Abstract Aim. This article is a report of a concept analysis of disclosure. Background. Disclosure of health concerns is often delayed or incomplete, resulting in a lack of appropriate care or inability to avoid complications. Disclosure is a poorly understood phenomenon in nursing, however, an understanding of the concept is critical to providing effective nursing care. Data Sources. Literature from the humanities, social sciences, business, law, nursing and allied health fields in five search engines was reviewed for insight into a patient’s decision to disclose health information to a healthcare provider. Review Methods. Wilson’s method of concept analysis guided this study into the meaning of disclosure from the point of view of a patient seeking healthcare. Inclusive years of search ranged from 1991 to 2010. Results. Disclosure is defined as the act of seeking care by revealing personally significant information that exposes the bearer to the risk of rejection or negative judgment. Attributes of disclosure are identified as: holding significant health-related information, assistance needed to cope, tolerance for unpredictable result, divulgence and expectation of serious response. Consequences of disclosure include resolution, reassurance or assistance gained, but may also include suffering rejection or negative repercussions. Conclusion. Implications for nursing practice are explored and include focused questioning, providing for safety concerns, acknowledging significance and sensitivity of disclosed information and acting on the disclosure.
The Coase Theorem and Player Movement in Major League Baseball

The Coase theorem suggests that under certain conditions, the distribution of player talent should be similar before and after free agency. Previous attempts to test the theory's applicability to m...
Books on sensory science are reviewed

1. Environmental Statistics: Methods and Applications, by Vic Barnett, 2005, Blackwell Publishing Professional, 2121 State Avenue, Ames, IA 50014, USA, ISBN: 0 8138 1112 0, pp. 175+xi, $99.95. 2. S...
Pyrolysis of polyacetylene

Thermal degradation of polyacetylene has been studied by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (PGC–MS). The most abundant product is benzene, but significant quantities of other products are also produced. In decreasing order of yield, these are methane, ethylene, propylene, ethane, butadiene, toluene, and xylenes. A simple mechanism capable of accounting for most of the observed products is random chain scission followed by electron–proton exchanges and in some cases ring closure. The total material balance between proton-rich and proton-depleted products is within 10%.
The pure rotational spectrum of CoO(X4Δi): Identifying the high-spin components

Abstract New measurements of the pure rotational spectrum of the CoO radical in its X 4 Δ i state ( v = 0 and v = 1) have been conducted using millimeter-wave direct absorption techniques. CoO was created by the reaction of cobalt vapor and N 2 O. Spectra arising from the Ω = 3/2 and 1/2 spin levels, both which exhibit Λ-doubling, have been recorded, as well as from the Ω = 7/2 and 5/2 ladders, which have been studied in the past. Rotational, fine structure, Λ-doubling and hyperfine parameters for the v = 0 and v = 1 states have been established from a global analysis of all four spin components. The data suggest a near-by 4 Σ state.
Regional Differences in the Distribution of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Cells between Rapidly Growing and Growth-Restricted Prepubertal Female Sheep

Growth retardation induced by dietary restriction in the lamb results in a low GnRH pulse frequency, and thus, puberty is delayed. In our experimental model, in which ovariectomized lambs are maintained at weaning weight (approximately 20 kg BW), hypothalamic GnRH is present and releasable, suggesting that central mechanisms limit the release of GnRH during chronic growth restriction. Our study compared the number and distribution of GnRH-containing neurons in growth-restricted (n = 5) and rapidly growing (n = 5) ovariectomized prepubertal female lambs at 24 weeks of age (normal age of puberty is about 30 weeks). Immunoreactive cells were labeled using LR-1 antiserum (R. Benoit) and an avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase procedure. GnRH neurons were localized in 60-micron coronal sections from the level of the diagonal band of Broca to the mammillary bodies. The estimated total number of GnRH neurons in the growth-restricted and rapidly growing lambs was similar (3364.8 +/- 513.8 vs. 3151.2 +/- 279.8, respectively). In addition, the percent distributions of GnRH neurons in the diagonal band of Broca, the anterior hypothalamus, the lateral hypothalamus, and the posterior hypothalamus were not different. A trend (P = 0.07) toward a smaller percent distribution in the preoptic area was noted in growth-restricted lambs (30.6 +/- 3.6) compared to rapidly growing lambs (44.0 +/- 5.2). By contrast, the percent distribution of GnRH neurons in the medial basal hypothalamus was significantly greater in the growth-restricted lambs compared with the rapidly growing lambs (17.7 +/- 2.2 vs. 6.7 +/- 1.4, respectively; P < 0.005). It is of interest that the percent distribution of GnRH-containing neurons in the medial basal hypothalamus of the hypogonadotropic growth-restricted lamb is similar to that observed in the fetal lamb, whereas the eugonadotropic rapidly growing lamb is more similar to the adult female. In this context, decreased GnRH secretion and delayed puberty during diet-induced growth restriction may arise from alterations in the GnRH neurosecretory system.
Predictors of Abusive Supervision: Supervisor Perceptions of Deep-Level Dissimilarity, Relationship Conflict, and Subordinate Performance

The moral exclusion literature identifies three previously unexamined predictors of abusive supervision: supervisor perceptions of deep-level dissimilarity, relationship conflict, and subordinate performance. Invoking theory and research on workplace diversity, relationship conflict, and victim precipitation, we model the three predictors as associated with abusive supervision. Path-analytic tests using data collected from supervisor-subordinate dyads at two time points suggest that supervisor perceptions of relationship conflict and subordinate performance mediate the relationship between perceived deep-level dissimilarity and abusive supervision and that relationship conflict mediates that between perceived deep-level dissimilarity and abusive supervision when supervisors perceive subordinates as having low performance. Estimates suggest that more than 13 percent of working people in the United States become targets of abusive supervision, or nonphysical hostility perpetrated by employees’ immediate superiors (Schat, Frone, & Kelloway, 2006). Examples of behaviors that fall within the abusive supervision content domain include undermining, public denigration, and explosive outbursts (Tepper, 2007). Sustained exposure to abusive supervision is associated with serious negative outcomes for victims and employers, including psychological distress (Tepper, 2000), problem drinking (Bamberger & Bacharach, 2006), and aggression directed against a
Patterns of shoot architecture in locally adapted populations are linked to intraspecific differences in gene regulation.

Summary •Shoot architecture, including the number and location of branches, is a crucial aspect of plant function, morphological diversification, life history evolution and crop domestication. •Genes controlling shoot architecture are well characterized in, and largely conserved across, model flowering plant species. The role of these genes in the evolution of morphological diversity in natural populations, however, has not been explored. •We identify axillary meristem outgrowth as a primary driver of divergent branch number and life histories in two locally adapted populations of the monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus. •Furthermore, we show that MORE AXILLARY GROWTH (MAX) gene expression strongly correlates with natural variation in branch outgrowth in this species, linking modification of the MAX-dependent pathway to the evolutionary diversification of shoot architecture.
The parameterized complexity of database queries

This paper gives a short introduction into parameterized complexity theory, aimed towards database theorists interested in this area. The main results presented here classify the evaluation of first-order queries and conjunctive queries as hard parameterized problems.
Endocrine Mediation of Vertebrate Male Alternative Reproductive Tactics: The Next Generation of Studies

In many species of animals, males may achieve reproductive success via one of several alternative reproductive tactics. Over the past decade or so, there has been a concerted effort to investigate endocrine mechanisms that underlie such discrete behavioral (and often morphological) variation. In vertebrates, the first generation of studies focused on potential organizational or activational effects of steroid hormones (Moore, 1991; Moore et al., 1998). Some of these studies have made it clear that, in addition to circulating hormone levels, one must also consider other aspects of the endocrine system, including hormone receptors, binding globulins and potential interactions among endocrine axes. In this paper, I review recent work on endocrine mechanisms and suggest possibilities for future investigation. I highlight how individual variation in sensitivity to environmental conditions, particularly with respect to various stressors, may account for the existence of alternative male reproductive phenotypes. Along these lines, I briefly explain the logic behind our work with male phenotypes of longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) that is aimed at determining the tissue-specific distribution and activity of two enzymes that are common to androgen and glucocorticoid metabolism. A major goal of our work is to examine the potential role of steroidogenic enzymes in the transduction of environmental information to influence the expression of alternative male reproductive phenotypes.
A Review of Livestock Predation by Large Carnivores in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan

With a rich biodiversity due to its location at the juncture of two biogeographical realms, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is renowned for its unique concept of ‘Gross National Happiness’ (GNH) as an economic development policy and indicator of social well-being. Nature conservation is a key pillar of GNH, manifested through a comprehensive protected area system under natural forest cover connected by biological corridors. Bhutan’s forests harbour 39 carnivore species including IUCN red-listed species like the tiger Panthera tigris; snow leopard Panthera uncia; clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa; common leopard Panthera pardus; and dhole Cuon alpinus. With rural people and their subsistence economy integrated into the conservation landscape, livestock predation is an inherent issue especially in northern regions where several predation hotspots are recognised. Tigers, snow leopards, leopards and dhole prey on livestock, largely due to untended free grazing in forests, inadequate penning at night, and lowered natural prey densities from competition with livestock. To offset rural economic loss in excess of USD100,000 per year due to livestock predation, a compensation scheme was trialled between 2003 and 2005. Initially successful, it lapsed due to unsustainable funding, delays between reporting and payment, excessive bureaucracy, and great distances travelled to report livestock attacks. Despite large predators like the tiger and leopard being culturally revered amidst a Buddhist population respecting the sanctity of life, there is growing resentment to livestock predators and a reported increase in retaliatory killing. Improved animal husbandry practices need to be encouraged to alleviate the socio-economic impact of livestock predation and ensure adequate protection for predators. These include greater vigilance during grazing, proper penning and tethering of livestock, switching to more secure and productive stall-fed cattle, and avoidance of grazing in predation hotspots. Authorities in turn must zone protected areas by imposing grazing restrictions on known predator hotspots. Future compensation schemes must impose stricter conditions on compensation, where claims must be supported by evidence of effective husbandry practices. Community-based insurance schemes being trialled across Bhutan may prove effective and sustainable in the long term. Unless the socio-economic impacts of livestock predation are addressed and alleviated, the cultural and religious fabric that binds people and nature conservation in Bhutan is in serious jeopardy.
Finite-depth capillary-gravity dromions.

It is known that the governing equations for the evolution of the envelope of weakly nonlinear capillary-gravity wave packets, the so-called Davey-Stewartson equation, admit dromion solutions in the limit of shallow water and strong surface tension, i.e., when $kh\ensuremath{\ll}1$ and the Bond number (Bo) $\ensuremath{\equiv}T/\ensuremath{\rho}g{h}^{2}g1/3$ (where $T$ is the surface tension coefficient and $h$ the water depth). Here we show that capillary-gravity dromions exist beyond this limit for a broad range of finite water depths, i.e., for $kh\ensuremath{\geqslant}O(1)$, as well as for subcritical Bond numbers, i.e., for $\mathrm{Bo}l1/3$.
Elucidation of a Raft-Partitioning Motif in Transmembrane Proteins

Eukaryotic plasma membranes (PMs) are believed to possess lateral lipid domains termed lipid rafts, which form functional platforms for membrane sorting and cell signalling. The function of these domains depends on their selective recruitment of specific membrane proteins. However the underlying structural features governing protein partition into lipid rafts remain unknown. In live cells, the nanoscopic size and subsecond lifetime of rafts presents great difficulty for measuring their properties and composition. Intact PMs isolated as Giant Plasma Membrane Vesicles (GPMVs) phase separate into two microscopic, stable lipid domains, with one of these domains possessing greater lipid order, lower diffusivity and enriching for canonical raft components. This microscopic raft phase separation thus presents an optimal system for measuring protein partitioning between coexisting membrane domains. Using GPMVs, we demonstrate that a protein's transmembrane domain (TMD) is a central determinant of raft affinity. A major factor governing raft partition was the length of the TMD, with longer TMDs preferring the thicker raft domains. Further, by systematic mutation of the TMD of LAT (Linker for activation of T-cells), we were able to determine amino acid sequences which are necessary and sufficient for raft partitioning and which highly resemble the α-helix oligomerization motif GxxxG. This resemblance suggested that TMD oligomerization is the structural basis for the discovered raft-partitioning motif. We confirmed this hypothesis by measure sequence-dependent TMD oligomerization by fluorescence lifetime microscopy (FLIM) combined with Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Finally, we demonstrate the biological significance of our observations by showing that raft partitioning determines sorting between organellar membranes. For the entire panel of TMD-variants, we observed a strong quantitative relationship between raft association and sorting to the plasma membrane, with non-raft mutants being sorted into the lysosomes for degradation.
Passive cellular transfer of the tuberculin type of hypersensitivity.

Summary1. In confirmation of Chase's studies, the tuberculin type of hypersensitivity has been transferred passively to normal, unsensitized guinea pigs by injection of the cells of peritoneal exudate, lymph nodes, spleen, and whole blood of tuberculin-sensitive guinea pigs. The passively conferred sensitivity lasted 4 or 5 days.2. The transfer of sensitivity by injection of whole blood taken with other observations suggests that the white cells of the circulating blood may participate more widely than previously believed in immunological phenomena.3. The positive results employing suspensions containing 95% of lymphocytes suggest that this cell type may be of great importance in the transfer of sensitivity.
Sustainable Recovery of New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward

New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward (L9W) was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and has been slow to recover. The L9W has less than one-quarter of its pre-Katrina population, compared to more than three-quarters for the rest of the city. The L9W has committed to recovering from Hurricane Katrina in a sustainable manner. In 2007, the Holy Cross Neighborhood Association established the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development (CSED), with the objective of encouraging sustainable economic development and stimulating civic engagement. Specifically, CSED has expressed a goal of creating a prosperous, sustainable community that is carbon-neutral by 2020 and climate-neutral by 2030. Faculty and students from Lafayette College have been working with CSED since 2009 to study the carbon impacts of L9W repopulation and economic development alternatives and identify the most cost-effective means of mitigating such impacts. The study estimated the current carbon footprint of the L9W and forecasted future footprints under alternative repopulation and development scenarios. Mitigation necessary to meet targets defined by CSED and the Obama administration was investigated, and mitigation costs were estimated. Potential mitigation measures included behavioral changes as well as development of new homes and neighborhoods according to sustainability guidelines; installation of solar photovoltaic panels; installation of solar hot water heaters; installation of insulation and new doors and windows; installation of high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems; and development of open spaces, among others.
Racial variation in prostate needle biopsy templates directed anterior to the peripheral zone.

Abstract Objectives African Americans (AA) have been reported to have both increased incidence and increased aggressiveness of prostate cancer (PCa) located anterior to the peripheral zone (APZ). We sought to evaluate the utility of prostate biopsies directed toward the APZ in a predominantly AA cohort. Methods and materials We reviewed all patients with PCa found on biopsy schema that included needle biopsies directed at both the peripheral zone (PZ) and APZ from 2010 to 2014. Self-identified race was recorded for all patients. To evaluate the reliability of APZ-directed prostate biopsies, we performed pathologic secondary review of 25 radical prostatectomy specimens. A series of the Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests were used to compare variables. Results We identified 398 men, of which 277 (70%) were AA. Compared with non-AA, AA had more National Comprehensive Cancer Network-defined intermediate or high-risk (50% vs. 39%, P = 0.25) PCa. Most patients had PCa limited to the PZ only (n = 190) or in both the PZ and APZ (n = 191). For 17 patients (4%), PCa was limited only to the APZ core(s), 14 (5%) AA vs. 3 (2%) non-AA (P = 0.24). Most of these 17 patients (n = 14, 82%) had Gleason 6 disease. Patients with PCa in both the PZ and APZ had higher serum prostate-specific antigen, prostate-specific antigen density, volume of disease, and increased grade and National Comprehensive Cancer Network category (all P Conclusions APZ-directed prostate biopsies are rarely the sole location of PCa and do not show a clear racial predilection. In those men with PCa identified in both regions, the APZ biopsy did not frequently change treatment recommendations. Biopsies directed at the APZ are not of greater benefit to AA than non-AA.
Survey on disinfection quality of endoscope in the medical institutions in Qingdao city,2007-2011

Objective To understand the current situation of endoscope disinfection and sterilization quality of the medical institutions in Qingdao city, and provide evidence for improvement of disinfection surveillance and nosocomial infection control management in the area. Methods The disinfection quality of 5 hospitals, including Grade II and Grade III hospitals, in Qingdao city from 2007 to 2011 was evaluated.Chi-square test was used to compare the qualified rates among different annum and different levels of hospitals.All statistical analysis were conducted by using SPSS 17.0 and Excel 2003 software program.Results The qualified rate of the 157 detected samples was 79.6%(125/157). The qualified rate of gastroscope and enteroscope was 80.6%(54/67) and 78.9%(71/90), respectively. No significant difference was found between them; The qualified rate of enteroscope had no significant differences between Grade III and II hospitals, whereas the rates of gastroscope was significantly different between Grade III and II hospitals(χ2=5.612, P =0.018). Conclusion There existed severe problems in endoscope disinfection in the medical institutions of Qingdao city, We should strengthen the disinfection supervision and monitoring and give some technical advices for medical institutions to improve the control ability of hospital-acquired infections.
Induction of Toxigenicity in Non-Toxigenic Strains of C. diphtheriae with Bacteriophages derived from Non-Toxigenic Strains.

SummaryIt has been established that certain bacteriophages derived from naturally occurring non-toxigenic strains of C. diphtheriae will induced toxigenicity in certain non-toxigenic strains of C. diphtheriae as readily as will phages derived from naturally-occurring toxigenic strains.
Role of cell displacement, cell division, and fragment size in pattern formation during embryonic retinal regeneration in Xenopus

Studies on the regenerating vertebrate retina provide, for the first time, a detailed view of how cells respond to removal of 2/3 of the eyebud, how their displacements, new juxtapositions, and extra mitotic activity correlate with stable changes in the retinotectal projection. They provide insight into how retinal ganglion cells encode "position", and how they use this information to form specific neural connectivity patterns.