cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic inconsistency of capital forbearance: Long-run vs. short-run effects of too-big-to-fail policymaking

This paper begins by reviewing the costs and benefits that fully informed creditors would consider in deciding whether to recapitalize or liquidate an insolvent corporation. It goes on to identify the additional concerns and conflicts of interest that incompletely informed taxpayers face when short-horizoned government regulators manage the insolvency of giant banks. Regulatory decisions may exhibit dynamic inconsistency because opportunistic forbearance offers personal and bureaucratic rewards and officials who confront bank insolvency in a timely way are threatened with substantial reputational and career penalties. However, the model also indicates that dynamically inconsistent capital forbearance could emerge because current taxpayers believe they can shift the costs of resolving bank insolvencies to future taxpayers. During the last 20 years, concepts taken from the fields of corporate finance and efficient contracting have thrown new light on issues of bank regulation. Corporate-finance theory portrays regulation as a multiparty chain of asymmetrically informed principal-agent relationships (e.g., Kane, 1999). Optimal-contracting theory emphasizes the desirability of minimizing the coordination costs that these multiparty chains of agency contracts generate (Jensen and Meckling, 1975). Applying these ideas to the case of a monopoly regulator faithfully maximizing social welfare in a stationary economy, theorists have established a series of related economic rationales for bailing out rather than wiping out the stockholders of large insolvent banks in troubled times. This paper shows that examining private creditors’ technology of insolvency
The Influence of Managerial Accounts on Employees’ Reactions to Negative Feedback:

Despite the prevalent assumption that feedback consistently improves performance, recent scholars have suggested that at times negative feedback can have an unfavorable effect on employees’ attitudes and behaviors. This study proposes that such detrimental effects can be minimized through the use of managerial accounts. The results indicated that the type of account can influence employees’ reactions. Concessions, excuses, and justifications reduced employees’ anger and increased perceived interpersonal fairness; concessions also increased intentions to change behavior. Refusals, in contrast, did not influence employees’ reactions. The influence of excuses was augmented when used in conjunction with concessions but attenuated when combined with refusals. These findings suggest that organizations could benefit from training managers to understand the impact of accounts in the negative feedback context.
Munc18c Function Is Required for Insulin-Stimulated Plasma Membrane Fusion of GLUT4 and Insulin-Responsive Amino Peptidase Storage Vesicles

To examine the functional role of the interaction between Munc18c and syntaxin 4 in the regulation of GLUT4 translocation in 3T3L1 adipocytes, we assessed the effects of introducing three different peptide fragments (20 to 24 amino acids) of Munc18c from evolutionarily conserved regions of the Sec1 protein family predicted to be solvent exposed. One peptide, termed 18c/pep3, inhibited the binding of full-length Munc18c to syntaxin 4, whereas expression of the other two peptides had no effect. In parallel, microinjection of 18c/pep3 but not a control peptide inhibited the insulin-stimulated translocation of endogenous GLUT4 and insulin-responsive amino peptidase (IRAP) to the plasma membrane. In addition, expression of 18c/pep3 prevented the insulin-stimulated fusion of endogenous and enhanced green fluorescent protein epitope-tagged GLUT4- and IRAP-containing vesicles into the plasma membrane, as assessed by intact cell immunofluorescence. However, unlike the pattern of inhibition seen with full-length Munc18c expression, cells expressing 18c/pep3 displayed discrete clusters of GLUT4 abd IRAP storage vesicles at the cell surface which were not contiguous with the plasma membrane. Together, these data suggest that the interaction between Munc18c and syntaxin 4 is required for the integration of GLUT4 and IRAP storage vesicles into the plasma membrane but is not necessary for the insulin-stimulated trafficking to and association with the cell surface.
The correlation between 18O/16O ratios of meteoric water and surface temperature: its use in investigating terrestrial climate change over geologic time

Abstract Correlations between mean annual temperature (MAT) and the weighted average oxygen isotope composition of yearly precipitation (δ18Opt) are well-known, but the utility of modern relations to make reliable estimates of temperature change over geological time is uncertain. This question has been addressed by using seasonal subsets of the global data base of temperature and isotopic measurements to represent two different climate modes. A comparison of middle- to high-latitude δ18Opt/temperature relations for each climate mode reveals (1) a significant offset between them, and (2) a difference in the strength of their correlations. The offset in relations is due to differences in temperature and water vapor budget in the tropics, and can lead to serious underestimates of temperature change. Differences in the strength of correlations arise from the influence of climate mode-specific, non-temperature factors on δ18Opt. The overall result is that no single relation can be used in all cases to make unambiguous temperature estimates using a temporal record of δ18Opt values. One way to overcome these problems is to reconstruct δ18Opt/temperature relations for the time periods being investigated. If an appropriate proxy for δ18Opt is available, it may also be possible to estimate temperature without relying on δ18Opt/temperature relations. A promising alternative to these options is to use records of δ18Opt to test predictions of global climate models, an approach that may allow a reliable and more complete reconstruction to be made of climate change over geologic time.
A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of ELA-Max (4% liposomal lidocaine) as compared with eutectic mixture of local anesthetics cream for pain reduction of venipuncture in children.

Objective A double-randomized, blinded crossover trial was performed to assess the efficacy of ELA-Max (4% liposomal lidocaine) as compared with eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) for pain relief during pediatric venipuncture procedures. Safety was assessed by evaluation for topical or systemic effects and measurement of serum lidocaine concentrations. Methods A total of 120 children who were scheduled for repeat venipuncture for non-study-related reasons at 2 sites participated in the study. Patients were doubly randomized to treatment regimen (study medication application time of either 30 or 60 minutes) and to the order of application of the topical anesthetics for each venipuncture. The primary outcome measures were the child's rating of pain immediately after the venipuncture procedures using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) tool and the parent's and blinded research observer's Observed Behavioral Distress scores. Results Both ELA-Max and EMLA seemed to alleviate venipuncture pain. There was no clinically or statistically significant difference in the patient VAS scores within the 30-minute or 60-minute treatment groups, and there was no clinical or statistical difference in VAS scores between the 30-minute ELA-Max treatment without occlusion and the 60-minute EMLA treatment with occlusion. There were no clinically or statistically significant differences between treatment with ELA-Max and EMLA in parental or blinded researcher Observed Behavioral Distress scores, the most frequent response at any observation time being "no distress." Conclusion This study demonstrates that a 30-minute application of ELA-Max without occlusion is as safe and as effective for ameliorating pain associated with venipuncture as a 60-minute application of the prescription product EMLA requiring occlusion.
Rapid algal culture diagnostics for open ponds using multispectral image analysis.

This paper presents a multispectral image analysis approach for probing the spectral backscattered irradiance from algal cultures. It was demonstrated how this spectral information can be used to measure algal biomass concentration, detect invasive species, and monitor culture health in real time. To accomplish this, a conventional RGB camera was used as a three band photodetector for imaging cultures of the green alga Chlorella sp. and the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis. A novel oating reference platform was placed in the culture, which enhanced the sensitivity of image color intensity to biomass concentration. Correlations were generated between the RGB color vector of culture images and the biomass concentrations for monocultures of each strain. These correlations predicted the biomass concentrations of independently prepared cultures with average errors of 22% and 14%, respectively. Moreover, the dierence in spectral signatures between the two
A broad-band microstrip-to-waveguide transition using quasi-Yagi antenna

A novel microstrip-to-waveguide transition utilizing a coplanar-strip Yagi-like antenna is presented. The compact and single-layered quasi-Yagi antenna fabricated on high dielectric-constant substrate has end-fire radiation patterns. This monolithic-microwave integrated-circuit (MMIC)-compatible antenna is inserted in the E-plane of the rectangular waveguide to launch the TE/sub 10/ dominant mode. With this new scheme of excitation, compact design and low-cost fabrication is achieved without requiring multilayered substrate or backshort hermetic sealing. This transition, in addition, achieves very broad bandwidth and relatively low insertion loss. The transition's broad-band characteristics are analyzed, and optimization guidelines for individual components of the transition are discussed in detail. A tolerance study proves that the transition is robust in mechanical alignment. The X-band transition with alumina substrate demonstrates 35% bandwidth with return loss better than -12- and -0.3-dB insertion loss at the center frequency. This transition should find wide applications due to its high compatibility with microwave-integrated-circuit/MMIC technology and very low fabrication cost.
Equatorial Pacific 13°C Water Eddies in the Eastern Subtropical South Pacific Ocean

Abstract Argo float profile data are used to analyze warm, salty, weakly stratified, subthermocline eddies of tropical origin in the eastern subtropical South Pacific Ocean. These eddies contain anomalous signatures of the equatorial Pacific “13°C Water” that is carried poleward within the Peru–Chile Undercurrent (PCU) as it flows along the west coast of South America. From their source along the Chilean coast between ∼29° and 39°S, the eddies spread westward and slightly northward, likely at least partly advected by the subtropical gyre. The eddy water properties contrast strongly with the colder, fresher, more strongly stratified waters of subantarctic origin being carried northward then westward by the gyre. Near the eddy source, about 6% of Argo profiles sample eddies that are above selected thresholds for both salinity and potential vorticity anomalies relative to maps of the mean distributions of these properties on and around the core isopycnal for the eddies. The proportion of such profiles dimini...
A Music-Based Mechatronic System for Teaching Modeling and Control

Audio-based tools can enhance the learning experience in introductory modeling and control classes at the undergraduate (sophomore) level in the mechanical engineering curriculum. An example audio-based learning tool that we propose is the “FlexSynth,” a servo-actuated flexural rocker arm that sways to an electronically generated music. We have built and tested the FlexSynth as part of a project under the MIT advanced graduate subject 2.737 Mechatronics class offered in Fall 2007. The angular range of the rocking motion of the flexural arm in the FlexSynth is mapped to a set of musical notes. While the flexural rocker swayed to the generated ‘command’ music, its motion is also converted into an equivalent ‘response’ music. Two speakers are used, one to play the commanded music and the other to play the response music. The performance of control algorithms (such as proportional or proportional-integral control) can be discerned from the command and response music, and compared for better musical quality. The appeal of an electromechanical system, driven by music and controlled to see the ‘dancing’ flexural rocker, makes the overall system an interesting show-and-tell for young kids or the public at large, getting them excited about science and engineering automation. Advanced control issues such as filtering of flexural damping modes of the rocker can also be addressed with this system implementation. Advanced students in the controls area can study the design tradeoffs between robustness and speed in following the command music. While the usual debugging tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and dynamic signal analyzers allow for hands-on learning about the performance of a control system, an audio-based unit such as the FlexSynth can be a valuable addition to the innovative teaching tool kit.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Quadratic Irrationals and Continued Fractions

Quadratic irrationals with purely periodic continued fractions \(\overline {\left[ {{b_0},{b_1}, \ldots ,{b_{k - 1}}} \right],} \) where b 0, …, b k-1, or b 1, …, b k-1 is a palindrome are studied. For each d the number of such irrationals having discriminant d is determined and the relation between these two types is given.
Optimizing use of distillers grains in finishing diets containing steam-flaked corn.

Two hundred ninety-nine crossbred yearling steers (363 +/- 15 kg initial BW) were fed for an average of 114 d in a finishing study comparing 7 diets in which steam-flaked corn was used as the principal energy source. Forty-nine pens were used in this study with 7 BW blocks, 7 pens per treatment, and 5 to 7 steers per pen. A control diet with no distillers grains with solubles (DGS) was compared with 6 diets containing 15% DGS (DM basis). The diets contained wet sorghum DGS with 0 or 6% alfalfa hay, dried sorghum DGS with 0 or 6% alfalfa hay, wet corn DGS with 6% alfalfa hay, or dried corn DGS with 6% alfalfa hay. Apparent total tract digestibilities were calculated by total collection of fecal material from the concrete-surfaced pens over a 72-h period. Dry matter intake, ADG, G:F, and carcass characteristics were similar (P > or = 0.18) for steers fed finishing diets with or without 15% DGS. However, apparent total tract digestibilities of DM and OM were 2.8% less (P or = 0.09) for steers fed finishing diets containing sorghum or corn DGS. Dry matter intake, ADG, G:F, apparent total tract digestibility, and carcass characteristics also were not different (P > or = 0.10) for steers fed finishing diets containing wet or dried DGS. Steers fed sorghum DGS with 6% hay consumed more DM (P 0.78). Sorghum DGS diets containing alfalfa hay were 4% less (P = 0.01) digestible than sorghum DGS diets containing no hay. Carcasses of steers fed sorghum DGS diets without hay were lighter, leaner, and had decreased USDA yield grades (P = 0.01) compared with steers fed sorghum DGS diets containing hay. Feeding moderate levels (i.e., 15%, DM basis) of DGS resulted in growth performance and carcass characteristics similar to those of cattle fed no DGS. In addition, sorghum- and corn-based DGS had similar feeding values, and wet (approximately 31% DM) and dried (approximately 91% DM) DGS also had similar feeding values. Complete removal of alfalfa hay in diets containing DGS improved diet digestibility but reduced growth performance and carcass finish.
Endovascular Reperfusion and Cooling in Cerebral Acute Ischemia (ReCCLAIM I)

Background The efficacy of hypothermia as a neuroprotectant has yet to be demonstrated in acute ischemic stroke. We conducted a phase I pilot study to assess the feasibility and safety of performing intravascular hypothermia after definitive intra-arterial reperfusion therapy (IAT). Methods ReCCLAIM (Reperfusion and Cooling in CerebralAcute Ischemia) is a prospective single-arm open-label clinical trial conducted between May and August 2012 at Grady Memorial Hospital. Twenty patients with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) 5–7 and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score > 13 were enrolled and treated with intravascular cooling immediately after IAT. The incidence of pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, cardiac arrhythmias and postoperative hemorrhages was documented for the entire length of stay. Secondary outcomes included blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown on gadolinium-enhanced MRIs and 90-day modified Rankin scores (mRS). Results The mean age, median NIHSS score and median final infarct volume were 59.7±14.6 years, 19 (IQR16–22) and 78 cm 3 (IQR 16–107), respectively. The average time to the target temperature (33°C) was 64±50 min. Intracranial hemorrhages were found in three patients, of which one was symptomatic. Evidence of BBB breakdown was observed on 3 of 14 MRIs (21%). Six patients died due to withdrawal of care, whereas six patients (30%) achieved mRS of 0–2 at 90 days. In a binary logistical regression model comparing ReCCLAIM patients with 68 historical controls at our institution, hypothermia was protective against intracerebral hemorrhages (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.56; p Conclusions Hypothermia can be safely performed after definitive IAT in patients with large pretreatment core infarcts. A phase II study randomizing patients to hypothermia or normothermia is needed to properly assess the efficacy of hypothermia as a neuroprotectant for reperfusion injury. Trial registration number NCT01585597.
Therapeutic Modulation of Cerebral Microhemorrhage in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Background and Purpose—The aging brain demonstrates frequent MRI and pathological evidence of cerebral microbleeds, which are often associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. To develop new therapeutic strategies for this disorder, we studied cerebral microhemorrhage in a well-characterized mouse model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Methods—Tg2576 mice were studied at ages ranging from 2 to 21 months. Spontaneous and induced microscopic bleeding was analyzed with and without a passive anti-amyloid immunization regimen and dietary supplementation of ischemic stroke prevention medication dipyridamole. Results—Areas of microhemorrhage were easily demonstrated and were significantly more prominent in the oldest mice and in animals treated with anti-amyloid immunotherapy. Dipyridamole supplementation in the diet generated plasma levels >790 ng/mL within the range seen clinically. Dipyridamole treatment did not worsen frequency and size of cerebral microscopic bleeding. Conclusions—The Tg2576 mouse is a usef...
Conflict and Fairness in Social Exchange

Inherent to all social exchange relations are elements of both cooperation and competition. We develop and test a theoretical model which proposes that the relative salience of the competitive, conflictual elements of exchange mediate and explain the negative effects of negotiated exchange, as compared with reciprocal exchange, on actors' evaluations of fairness. By creating inequality within rather than across transactions, and by making relations between one actor's gain and another's cost more transparent, negotiated exchanges alter the relational context of exchange to one of competition and conflict and heighten actors' sense of unfairness. Results of experimental tests show that (1) the salience of conflict increases and perceived fairness decreases as we make reciprocal exchanges more like negotiated exchanges on dimensions of conflict, (2) the salience of conflict mediates and explains the relation between the form of exchange and perceived fairness, (3) conflict affects fairness directly rather than through self-serving attributions, and (4) regardless of the relative conflict in reciprocal exchange, actors reciprocally exchange with unfair partners far more often than they negotiate agreements with them.
Geomorphologic controls on the age of particulate organic carbon from small mountainous and upland rivers

[1] To assess the role that erosion processes play in governing the character of particulate organic carbon (POC) discharged from small mountainous and upland rivers, a suite of watersheds from Oregon, California, and New Zealand was investigated. The rivers share similar geology, tectonic setting, and climate, but have sediment yields that range over 3 orders of magnitude. The 14C age of the POC loads is highly correlated with sediment yield. Carbon isotope mass balances reveal that the rivers carry bimodal mixtures of modern-plant- and ancient-rock-derived OC. At lower yields, modern plant OC dominates the material delivered to the river by sheetwash and shallow landsliding. With increasing yield, a progressively larger part of the POC is contributed directly from bedrock erosion via deep gully incision. Our results support the inference that active margin watersheds are important sources of aged POC to the ocean.
Fair profit allocation in supply chain optimization with transfer price and revenue sharing: MINLP model and algorithm for cellulosic biofuel supply chains

A mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation to simultaneously optimize operational decisions as well as profit allocation mechanisms in supply chain optimization, namely material transfer prices and revenue share policies among the supply chain participants is proposed. The case of cellulosic bioethanol supply chains is specifically considered and the game-theory Nash bargaining solution approach is employed to achieve fair allocation of profit among the collection facilities, biorefineries, and distribution centers. The structural advantages of certain supply chain participants can be taken into account by specifying different values of the negotiation-power indicators in the generalized Nash-type objective function. A solution strategy based on a logarithm transformation and a branch-and-refine algorithm for efficient global optimization of the resulting nonconvex MINLP problem is proposed. To demonstrate the application of the proposed framework, an illustrative example and a state-wide county-level case study on the optimization of a potential cellulosic bioethanol supply chain in Illinois are presented. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3211–3229, 2014
Quality of Transgenic Laboratory Strains of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Genetically modiÞed, mass reared insects present novel possibilities for the future of insect control. One concern about manipulation of insects is a possible loss of strain quality due to the introduction of a foreign gene of any sort into the insect genome. Eight transgenic strains of screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), were compared with the wild-type parental laboratory strain in laboratory culture. Measurements of average fertility, fecun- dity, larval productivity, and longevity were analyzed. Two transgenic strains had signiÞcantly lower larval productivity than controls, one of which was explained by a homozygous lethal insertion of the transgene. Another strain produced signiÞcantly fewer eggs than controls. Overall strain character- istics, including measurements from egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages, were compared. Transgenic colonies did not consistently show signiÞcantly lower individual or aggregate strain quality charac- teristics than the control parental colony; hence, the presence of the transgene used to produce the strains tested did not incur a discrete cost to the colonies of laboratory-reared C. hominivorax.
Asylum Discord: Disparities in Persecution Assessment -- Supplemental Tables

In Asylum Discord: Disparities in Persecution Assessments, I reviewed approximately 900 asylum cases issued by federal appellate courts from 1996 through 2013. From this data set, I analyzed whether courts consistently treat certain types of harm as persecutory. The results demonstrated divergences in most of the segmented categories, from a single instance of abuse and detention to prolonged psychological suffering. The data revealed that asylum applicants’ ability to avoid deportation may depend on the appellate court jurisdiction they happen to fall under or even the particular judges within a given circuit that happen to be assigned to their case. This Article Supplement contains the data I compiled and assessed to reach my findings, including judge-specific information.The paper "Asylum Discord: Disparities in Persecution Assessment" to which these Supplemental Tables apply is available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2612008
Evidence of a Catalytic Role of Heparin in Anticoagulation Reactions

The nature of heparin involvement in the inhibition of factor Xa or thrombin by their natural plasma inhibitor has not been completely elucidated. This report describes some of the properties of heparin that may be important in this inhibition reaction.
Mullā Ṣadrā and Eschatology: Evolution of Being

In many ways, the writings of Mullā Ṣadrā (d. 1640) mark a new horizon in the history of Islamic philosophy, and he is rightly credited with being the founder of a highly influential intellectual p...
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and hemodynamic instability: Can emergent PCI be life saving? Report of two cases and literature review

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. It occurs predominantly among younger females and typically in the absence of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. It is associated with peripartum period, connective tissue disorders, vasculitides, and extreme exertion. Presentations vary greatly, and this condition can be fatal. Given its rarity, there are no guidelines for management of SCAD. We present the cases of two female patients, with no coronary artery disease risk factors or recent pregnancy, who were presented with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), respectively, secondary to SCAD. Both had excellent outcome after emergent percutaneous intervention. Our first patient was presented with NSTEMI with ongoing chest pain and dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG). Emergent left heart catheterization was significant for first obtuse marginal (OM1) dissection, confirmed by optical coherence tomography. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with two bare metal stents was performed with resolution of symptoms and ECG changes. The second patient is known to have syndrome, presented with STEMI and emergent coronary angiography showed left anterior descending dissection with intramural hematoma confirmed by intravascular ultrasound and treated with a drug-eluting stent with resolution of symptoms and ST changes. Her hospital course was complicated by post–myocardial infarction pericarditis that was improved with colchicine. Both the patients were observed in the coronary care unit for 24 hours. Both remained asymptomatic at 6-month follow-up. SCAD is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. In patients with early presentation, limited disease, and ongoing symptoms, emergent cardiac catheterization with percutaneous intervention has excellent outcome. More studies are needed to establish evidence-based management guidelines.
Patent Foramen Ovale Closure and Stroke

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is highly prevalent among the adult population and has been associated to cryptogenic strokes. The diagnosis of PFO is done through echocardiographic studies. Due to the high prevalence of PFO, the identification of “high risk” features such as atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) becomes extremely important in the management of these patients. Currently, the major controversy regarding the treatment and secondary prevention of patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO is based on the fact that most of the studies investigating medical and interventional based therapies, failed to include patients with “high risk” features.
Behcet's disease : An update

No diagnostic laboratory test or curative treatment yet exists for Behcet's disease. However, genetic studies have identified those most at risk, and newer molecular biologic investigations further elucidate the etiology and shed light on potential triggers. This article reviews current therapies.
Production Situation and Development Trend of the Hot-rolled Dual Phase Steel for Automobile Structure

The development situation of hot-rolled DP steel in "replacing cold rolled automobile sheet products by hot rolled one" and the application of hot-rolled DP steel in vehicle body structure and wheels were introduced.The chemical composition and properties of main DP steels produced at home and abroad were described.According to the performance requirements of high strength steel for automotive structural parts and process characteristics of compact production line,further improving production stability,structure property stability,strip shape and surface quality will become the key direction of research and development of low-cost hot-rolled DP steel for automobile manufacture.
Changes of Some Leaf Characteristics in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars Released from 1958 to 2005 in Jilin Province

In order to understand the changes of leaf characteristics associated with yield during the genetic improvement of rice,33 japonica rice cultivars released from 1958 to 2005 were planted under same field conditions.Some indexes related to leaf characterristics,such as leaf number,leaf area per plant,leaf area duration (LAD),length,width and area of top three leaves,chlorophyll content index (CCI) and specific leaf weight (SLW) of flag-leaf were measured at 10 days after heading.The results showed that the grain yield was increased from 7 756.6 kg ha-1 in 1958 to 12 807.3 kg ha-1 in 2005,with the increase of 65.11% in 47 years and an annual increase rate of 1.39% according to the calculation of regression equation.The increasing of grain yield was mainly attributed to the increase of leaf number,leaf area per plant and LAD with years of release.By studying on the top three leaves of plant,our results showed that the significant decrease of flag-leaf length resulted in the decline of flag-leaf area;the changes of top second leaf area was not obvious;as the increase in the length and width of top 3rd leaf,significantly increased was found in its area with years of release.Leaf number,leaf area per plant and LAD were all positive correlated with years of release significantly.CCI and SLW of flag-leaf were positively correlated with year of release and with yield significantly.Our results showed that the increase of plant leaf area and LAD were resulted from the increase of leaf number and the area of the top 3rd leaf.CCI and SLW of flag leaf were increased with years of release.We suggested that leaf number,leaf area per plant,LAD,and CCI as well as SLW of flag leaf at 10 d after heading could be as potential indices in the future high yield rice breeding.
In Situ Formation of TiC and TiB2 in the Fe3Al Matrix by MA-PDS Process

In situ intermetallic matrix composites were fabricated by MA (mechanical alloying)-PDS (pulse discharge sintering) process. Matrix was Fe-28at.%Al and in situ reinforcements were TiC and TiB2. Mechanical alloying was carried out using a vibratory mill. For the Fe-AI-Ti-C alloy system, milling time was systematically changed from 1 to 400 hours to observe the effect of milling parameter. For the Fe-Al-Ti-B system, volume fraction of reinforcements was systematically changed from 0 to 25 at.%. Mechanically alloyed powders were sintered in the plasma discharge sintering system. Fe3Al matrix and in situ reinforcements, that is, TiC and TiB2 particles were successfully synthesized during MA-PDS process.
Leveraging usage history to enhance database usability

More so than ever before, large datasets are being collected and analyzed throughout a variety of disciplines. Examples include social networking data, software logs, scientific data, web clickstreams, sensor network data, and more. As such, there are a wide range of users interacting with these large datasets, ranging from scientists, to data analysts, to sociologists, to market researchers. These users are experts in their domain and understand their data extensively, but are not database experts. Database systems are scalable and efficient, but are notoriously difficult to use. In this work, we aim to address this challenge, by leveraging usage history. From usage history, we can extract knowledge about the multitude of users' experiences with the database. Consequently, this knowledge allows us to build smarter systems that better cater to the users' needs. We address different aspects of the database usability problem and develop three complementary systems. First, we aim to ease the query formulation process. We build the SnipSuggest system, which is an autocompletion tool for SQL queries. It provides on-the-go, context-aware assistance in the query composition process. The second challenge we address is that of query debugging. Query debugging is a painful process in part because executing queries directly over a large database is slow while manually creating small test databases is burdensome to users. We present the second contribution of this dissertation: SIQ (Sample-based Interactive Querying). SIQ is a system for automatically selecting a 'good' small sample of the underlying input database to allow queries to execute in realtime, thus supporting interactive query debugging. Third, once a user has successfully constructed the right query, they must execute it. However, executing and understanding the performance of a query on a large-scale, parallel database system can be difficult even for experts. Our third contribution, PerfXplain, is a tool for explaining the performance of a MapReduce job running on a shared-nothing cluster. Namely, it aims to answer the question of why one job was slower than another. PerfXplain analyzes the MapReduce log files from past runs to better understand the correlation between different properties of pairs of job and their relative runtimes.
Stigma by Any Other Name

Objective:Some advocates argue that the word “stigma” is itself stigmatizing and contributes to further denigration of people with mental illness. This brief report presents results of a nationwide survey comparing terminology related to stigma in regard to mental illness.Methods:A total of 340 Amazon Mechanical Turk survey takers read variations of a vignette depicting an individual with schizophrenia and then completed a brief stigma measure. The vignette varied in a single sentence in which three different words—“stigma,” “prejudice,” and “reactions”—were used to describe coworkers’ possible attitudes toward the depicted individual.Results:Stigma ratings did not differ by vignette group. “Reactions” was viewed as significantly less disrespectful than both “stigma” and “prejudice” (p<.001).Conclusions:Further research is needed to support replacing the word “stigma” in public arenas. Current efforts to remove the word may unnecessarily distract advocates and policy makers from the primary mission of era...
Components of Intermediary Metabolism

Compounds (amino and imino acids) present in low concentration (often below the threshold levels of detection) are frequently overlooked and therefore rarely isolated and characterized. There are then probably hundreds of additional types of amino acids, elaborated by plants, that await identification; and it is equally probable that many, if not all, of the compounds so far characterized have a much wider distribution within the plant kingdom, albeit in lower concentration than is realized at present.
Effect of substrate storage conditions on the stability of “Smart” films used for mammalian cell applications

When poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM) is tethered to a surface, it can induce the spontaneous release of a sheet of mammalian cells. The release of cells is a result of the reversible phase transition the polymer undergoes at its lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Many techniques are used for the deposition of pNIPAM onto cell culture substrates. Previously, we compared two methods of deposition (plasma polymerization, and co-deposition with a sol-gel). We proved that although both were technically appropriate for obtaining thermoresponsive pNIPAM films, the surfaces that were co-deposited with a sol-gel caused some disruption in cell activity. The variation of cell behavior could be due to the delamination of pNIPAM films leaching toxic chemicals into solution. In this work, we assessed the stability of these pNIPAM films by manipulating the storage conditions and analyzing the surface chemistry using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurements over the amount of time required to obtain confluent cell sheets. From XPS, we demonstrated that ppNIPAM (plasma polymerized NIPAM) films remains stable across all storage conditions while sol-gel deposition show large deviations after 48 h of storage. Cell response of the deposited films was assessed by investigating the cytotoxicity and biocompatibility. The 37°C and high humidity storage affects sol-gel deposited films, inhibiting normal cell growth and proper thermoresponse of the film. Surface chemistry, thermoresponse and cell growth remained similar for all ppNIPAM surfaces, indicating these substrates are more appropriate for mammalian cell culture applications.
Does chronic physical activity level modify the airway inflammatory response to an acute bout of exercise in the postprandial period

Recent studies have confirmed that a single high-fat meal (HFM) leads to increased airway inflammation. However, exercise is a natural anti-inflammatory and may modify postprandial airway inflammat...
Motor noise is rich signal in autism research and pharmacological treatments

The human body is in constant motion, from every breath that we take, to every visibly purposeful action that we perform. Remaining completely still on command is a major achievement as involuntary fluctuations in our motions are difficult to keep under control. Here we examine the noise-to-signal ratio of micro-movements present in time-series of head motions extracted from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans in 1048 participants. These included individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and healthy-controls in shared data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange (ABIDE) and the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD-200) databases. We find excess noise and randomness in the ASD cases, suggesting an uncertain motor-feedback signal. A power-law emerged describing an orderly relation between the dispersion and shape of the probability distribution functions best describing the stochastic properties under consideration with respect to intelligence quotient (IQ-scores). In ASD, deleterious patterns of noise are consistently exacerbated with the presence of secondary (comorbid) neuropsychiatric diagnoses, lower verbal and performance intelligence, and autism severity. Importantly, such patterns in ASD are present whether or not the participant takes psychotropic medication. These data unambiguously establish specific noise-to-signal levels of head micro-movements as a biologically informed core feature of ASD.
Directions in hybrid intelligence: complementing AI systems with human intelligence

Hybrid intelligence systems combine machine and human intelligence to overcome the shortcomings of existing AI systems. This paper reviews recent research efforts towards developing hybrid systems focusing on reasoning methods for optimizing access to human intelligence and on gaining comprehensive understanding of humans as helpers of AI systems. It concludes by discussing short and long term research directions.
Echocardiographic correlates are associated with in-hospital mortality in trauma and burn patients.

Abstract Background The role of echocardiographic indices of preload and contractility in predicting outcomes is unknown. We report the association of end diastolic area (EDA) and fractional area of change (FAC) with mortality in a cohort of trauma and burn patients. Methods Data on 86 patients admitted to a tertiary care center between July 2013 and July 2015 were reviewed. The association between abnormal EDA and FAC and adverse clinical outcomes was tested using exact logistic regression analysis. Results 31 patients had abnormal EDA ( 2 ) and 13 had low FAC ( p = Conclusions Echocardiographic measurements can predict outcome in trauma and burn patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Osteoporosis in the Women's Health Initiative: Another Treatment Gap?

Abstract Background Osteoporotic fractures are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and cost. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) clinical trials data to assess osteoporosis treatment and identify participant characteristics associated with utilization of osteoporosis medication(s) after new diagnoses of osteoporosis or fracture. Information from visits prior to and immediately subsequent to the first fracture event or osteoporosis diagnosis were evaluated for medication use. A full logistic regression model was used to identify factors predictive of osteoporosis medication use after a fracture or a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Results The median length of follow-up from enrollment to the last WHI clinic visit for the study cohort was 13.9 years. Among the 13,990 women who reported new diagnoses of osteoporosis or fracture between enrollment and their final WHI visit, and also had medication data available, 21.6% reported taking an osteoporosis medication other than estrogen. Higher daily calcium intake, diagnosis of osteoporosis alone or both osteoporosis and fracture (compared with diagnosis of fracture alone), Asian or Pacific Islander race/ethnicity (compared with White/Caucasian), higher income, and hormone therapy use (past or present) were associated with significantly higher likelihood of osteoporosis pharmacotherapy. Women with Black/African American race/ethnicity (compared with White/Caucasian), body mass index ≥30 (compared with body mass index of 18.5-24.9), current tobacco use (compared with past use or lifetime nonusers), and history of arthritis were less likely to use osteoporosis treatment. Conclusion Despite well-established treatment guidelines in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or history of fractures, pharmacotherapy use was suboptimal in this study. Initiation of osteoporosis treatment after fragility fracture may represent an opportunity to improve later outcomes in these high-risk women. Specific attention needs to be paid to increasing treatment among women with fragility fractures, obesity, current tobacco use, history of arthritis, or of Black race/ethnicity.
The spleen is the primary site for Breg induction and is required for anti-TIM-1 mediated tolerance (TRAN2P.963)

IL-10+ B cells (Bregs) have potent regulatory activity and can transfer tolerance in auto/allo immune models. We showed that: TIM-1 (T1) is an inclusive Breg marker; T1+ B cells transfer allograft tolerance; and anti-T1 induces IL-10+ T1+ Bregs. However, little is known about where Bregs are induced or act in vivo. We found that most Bregs reside in the spleen (85%) vs LN (1%) or marrow (15%), and few are found in islet allografts. Anti-T1 increased Bregs in the spleen from 2% to 7% of B cells, but had no effect in LN (0.5%) or marrow (1%). In splenectomized (spl-X) mice, anti-T1 did not increase Bregs in LN or marrow. Apoptotic cells (ACs) can induce Bregs in vivo. ACs increased Bregs from 2% to 5% in spleen and from 0.5% to 2% in LN. However, after spl-X, ACs did not increase Bregs in LN. Hence, Bregs are induced in the spleen, but then may migrate. Next, we examined the importance of the spleen for Breg-mediated allograft survival (GS). Anti-T1 was unable to induce long-term GS in spl-X islet recipients vs. controls (MST 24d vs. 100d; p=0.002). To confirm that anti-T1 acts through Bregs, we used inducible hCD20ERT2-CreXIL-10fl/fl mice. In such “B cell-IL-10KO” mice, anti-T1 was unable to prolong GS compared to controls (MST 20d vs. >50d). Moreover, LTβR-KO mice (lack LNs) that received alloreactive T cells, exhibited longer islet GS (MST 18d) vs spl-X LTβR-KO recipients (MST 7d p=0.02). Thus, our data elucidate a vital role for the spleen in Breg induction and function.
Visualization of traffic congestion based on Floating Taxi Data

Floating Car Data (FCD) are rich data sources collected from GPS-equipped vehicles for analyzing and modelling traffic information and human mobility. Due to the large amount of these movement data, we need visual analysis methods that enable users to inspect traffic situations. This paper investigates two visualization techniques for FCD: (1) three-dimensional representations of both average speed and average density derived from Floating Car Data (FCD) based on road segments and (2) two-dimensional maps representing qualitative traffic congestion inferred from the average speed and density. We propose a selection circle visualization method showing average speeds and average densities within a selected area. This information is represented in a 3-D extrusion projected onto the two-dimensional street network map. A test FCD set from Shanghai is used to evaluate the visualization technique. We can compare the visualization results at different time windows and detect spatio-temporal changes of the traffic situation in Shanghai. This helps to understand the general movement patterns.
Overview of Mechanical Harvesting in Florida Citrus

Florida produces more citrus than all other states in the United States. In 1999, the total bearing area was estimated at 315,900 ha, and 245,000 ha were oranges (Anon, 2000). Recently, oranges averaged 77% of the total production and about 95% were processed. Orange production is projected to increase unless US weather, disease, labor, or economic forces act to depress production (Anon, 1993). Worldwide production and price competition in processed oranges are projected to decrease US grower returns, as free-trade conditions progress.Paper published with permission.Compilation Copyright © 2018 ASME
Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndromes and Cervical Sympathectomy

The thoracic outlet is a unique anatomic region dominated by the first rib, the anterior and middle scalene muscles, and their associated neurovascular structures. Within this relatively confined space, the subclavian artery, subclavian vein, and nerve roots of the brachial plexus are all potentially subject to extrinsic compression. Whereas vascular lesions associated with thoracic outlet compression give rise to easily recognized syndromes, such as effort thrombosis of the subclavian vein or thromboembolism resulting from poststenotic aneurysms of the subclavian artery, the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) often remains difficult, confusing and elusive. Nonetheless, it is possible to achieve excellent results for all forms of TOS by a comprehensive treatment approach, which includes a prominent role for surgical treatment in well-selected patients.