cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microbial Population Dynamics in the Hemolymph of Manduca sexta Infected with Xenorhabdus nematophila and the Entomopathogenic Nematode Steinernema carpocapsae

ABSTRACT Xenorhabdus nematophila engages in a mutualistic association with the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. The nematode invades and traverses the gut of susceptible insects. X. nematophila is released in the insect blood (hemolymph), where it suppresses host immune responses and functions as a pathogen. X. nematophila produces diverse antimicrobials in laboratory cultures. The natural competitors that X. nematophila encounters in the hemolymph and the role of antimicrobials in interspecies competition in the host are poorly understood. We show that gut microbes translocate into the hemolymph when the nematode penetrates the insect intestine. During natural infection, Staphylococcus saprophyticus was initially present and subsequently disappeared from the hemolymph, while Enterococcus faecalis proliferated. S. saprophyticus was sensitive to X. nematophila antibiotics and was eliminated from the hemolymph when coinjected with X. nematophila. In contrast, E. faecalis was relatively resistant to X. nematophila antibiotics. When injected by itself, E. faecalis persisted (∼103 CFU/ml), but when coinjected with X. nematophila, it proliferated to ∼109 CFU/ml. Injection of E. faecalis into the insect caused the upregulation of an insect antimicrobial peptide, while the transcript levels were suppressed when E. faecalis was coinjected with X. nematophila. Its relative antibiotic resistance together with suppression of the host immune system by X. nematophila may account for the growth of E. faecalis. At higher injected levels (106 CFU/insect), E. faecalis could kill insects, suggesting that it may contribute to virulence in an X. nematophila infection. These findings provide new insights into the competitive events that occur early in infection after S. carpocapsae invades the host hemocoel.
The use of ultrasonography (US) in non traumatic musculo-skeletal disorders in infants and children

Ultrasongraphy (US) is a powerful diagnostic imaging tool for evaluating musculo-skeletal disorders in children. US is relatively cheap, non invasive and does not require sedation thus it is generally well-tolerated. Lack of ionizing radiation and dynamic imaging capabilities are significant advantages compared to CT and MRI too. US is ideally suited to the evaluation of the bone, cartilage and soft-tissue structures, including tendons and ligaments, joints and muscles [1]. The combined use of new generation high frequency transducers and of Power Doppler increases the diagnostic accuracy of US. US is widely used in the diagnosis of hip disorders in children [2]. In developmental displasia, it is essential for establishing an early diagnosis in order to allow a prompt treatment. In transient synovitis and hip infections US is able to demonstrate joint effusion, synovial thickening and cartilage damage. In Perthes disease US is a reliable technique to identify hip effusion, femoral head cartilage thickening as well as irregular, fragmented and flattened femoral epiphysis. In epiphysiolysis US allows the assessment of the severity of epiphyseal slipping by measuring the width of the physeal step [1]. Besides hip’s disorders, US can be employed in many other pathological conditions of the pediatric musculoskeletal system, including congenital, infectious, neoplastic and inflammatory disorders [3]. Particularly, in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) US is crucial for the diagnosis of the disease, the assessment of its severity and prognosis, the monitoring of disease progression and treatment response and the evaluation of complications related to the disease or its therapy. The US assessment of disease activity has been proven to be more informative than clinical examination. Moreover, multiple locations can be assessed during the same ultrasonographic session. US can guide intra-articular steroid injections for therapeutic purposes too. In acute osteomyelitis US is able to identify early abnormalities in the soft tissues overlying the bone just few days after the onset of symptoms before the appearance of radiographic signs. As infection progresses, US can depict interruption of the cortical profile related to bone destruction and diffuse involvement of subcutaneous tissue with formation of abscesses. Due to the peculiarities of the growing skeleton, the knowledge of musculoskeletal pediatric anatomy and especially of growth-related changes in healthy children is extremely important in establishing whether the US findings reflect pathology or are part of normal development [4].
Beta-blockers in older patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction: class, dosage, and outcomes

Abstract Background We examined the clinical effectiveness of beta-blockers considered evidenced-based to heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and their recommended target doses in older adults with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Methods In OPTIMIZE-HF (2003–2004) linked to Medicare (2003–2008), of the 10,570 older (age≥65 years, mean, 81years) adults with HFpEF (EF≥40%, mean 55%), 8373 had no contraindications to beta-blocker therapy. After excluding 4614 patients receiving pre-admission beta-blockers, the remaining 3759 patients were potentially eligible for new discharge prescriptions for beta-blockers and 1454 received them. We assembled a propensity-matched cohort of 1099 pairs of patients receiving beta-blockers and no beta-blockers, balanced on 115 baseline characteristics. Evidence-based beta-blockers for HFrEF, namely, carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, and bisoprolol and their respective guideline-recommended target doses were 50, 200, and 10mg/day. Results During 6years of follow-up, new discharge prescriptions for beta-blockers had no association with the primary composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or HF rehospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.94–1.13; p=0.569). This association did not vary by beta-blocker evidence class or daily dose. Hazard ratios for all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization were 0.99 (95% CI, 0.90–1.10; p=0.897) and 1.17 (95% CI, 1.03–1.34; p=0.014), respectively. The latter association lost significance when higher EF cutoffs of ≥45%, ≥50% and ≥55% were used. Conclusions Initiation of therapy with beta-blockers considered evidence-based for HFrEF and in target doses recommended for HFrEF had no association with the composite or individual endpoints of all-cause mortality or HF rehospitalization in HFpEF.
Crowds, Clouds, and Community

Embodying both the promises and perils of our collective past and the dreams and dangers of global connectedness, the study of crowds, clouds, and community includes assumptions about central communication processes: organizing, socializing, and mediatizing. Across International Communication Association Divisions and Interest Groups we have a rich heritage of studies engaging these classical ideas and all 3 terms continue to be featured prominently in contemporary communication scholarship. This article considers the theoretical and practical ways in which our evolving conceptions and experiences of clouds, crowds, and community are challenging the communication discipline.
Apolipoprotein D is down-regulated during malignant transformation of neurofibromas

Summary Apolipoprotein D (apoD) expression was studied in nonneoplastic peripheral nerve, neurofibromas (NFs), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction for messenger RNA was performed on a series of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens that included 9 MPNSTs, 12 NFs, and 4 normal peripheral nerves. The average apoD expression was 108-fold decreased (ΔCt = −7.3) in the MPNSTs compared with the NFs ( P P
A QoS oriented topological synthesis protocol for mobile backbone networks

We have recently introduced mobile backbone network (MBN) based architecture for ad hoc wireless networks. For such networks, we have developed a distributed stable backbone maintenance protocol identified as MBNP. In the latter protocol, we employ mechanisms that convert backbone nodes (BNs) to serve in a non-backbone role (and then identified as backbone capable nodes, i.e. BCNs) when the backbone topology can operate reliably (and at acceptable capacity level) without such BNs. This conversion serves to save power consumption. In turn, when backbone connectivity demands it (in response to nodal mobility), BCNs are converted back to act as BNs. In this paper, we extended the BN to/from BCN conversion algorithm to operate in a manner that also meets quality-of-service (QoS) objectives and network capacity limitations in best supporting network flows. We show our new integrated MBNP conversion protocol to be stable (inducing no conversion oriented oscillations). We demonstrate, through the use of simulations, the throughput efficiency of our new QoS based topology synthesis protocol, in reducing control overhead, relieving network congestion and supporting a larger number of flows.
Resilience as Effective Functional Capacity: An Ecological-Stress Model

This article presents the premise that resilience rests on an ecological-systems conceptual base that explains how people adapt to stress and maintain their daily functioning. The resilience ecological-stress model presented here uses the ecological-systems perspective, commonly known as the person-environment approach, as a unifying, overarching framework to describe an integrated approach for social work research, education, and practice. It evolved over two decades as theory related to ecological systems theory and risk and resilience approaches were synthesized into a coherent whole.
Power optimization of wind turbines with data mining and evolutionary computation

A data-driven approach for maximization of the power produced by wind turbines is presented. The power optimization objective is accomplished by computing optimal control settings of wind turbines using data mining and evolutionary strategy algorithms. Data mining algorithms identify a functional mapping between the power output and controllable and non-controllable variables of a wind turbine. An evolutionary strategy algorithm is applied to determine control settings maximizing the power output of a turbine based on the identified model. Computational studies have demonstrated meaningful opportunities to improve the turbine power output by optimizing blade pitch and yaw angle. It is shown that the pitch angle is an important variable in maximizing energy captured from the wind. Power output can be increased by optimization of the pitch angle. The concepts proposed in this paper are illustrated with industrial wind farm data.
Influence of Flaps and Engines on Aircraft Wake Vortices

iRenry, J. R. and McLellan, C. H., "The Air-Breathing Launch Vehicle for Earth-Orbit Shuttle—New Technology and Development Approach," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 8, No. 5, May 1971, pp. 381-387. Becker, J. V., "New Approaches to Hypersonic Aircraft." Presented at the 7th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, Rome, Italy, Sept. 1970; also Becker, J. V., "Prospects for Actively Cooled Hypersonic Transports," Astronautics & Aeronautics, Vol. 9, No. 8, Aug. 1971, pp. 32-39. Brown, D. A. et al., "Development of Liquid-Hydrogen Scramjet Key to Hypersonic Flight," Aviation Week and Space Technology, Sept. 17, 1973, pp. 75-78. Henry, J. R. and Anderson, G. Y., "Design Considerations for the Airframe-Integrated Scramjet," TM X-2895, 1973, NASA.
Extending pollution prevention programs to incorporate DFE

Many companies have established Pollution Prevention (P2) Programs to reduce the environmental impacts of their operations and thereby gain competitive advantage. A number of these companies have simultaneously developed Design for the Environment (DFE) programs to incorporate environmental considerations into their products. While companies have been successful at P2, they generally have been less so at making DFE programs viable. This paper describes a DFE model which links a company's existing P2 program to its DFE program. In this way, the same P2 techniques that make internal P2 programs successful can be used as the basis for a DFE program. Since P2 programs are prevalent throughout industry, this model capitalizes upon a technique common to supplier and customer to communicate the positive environmental attributes of products.
Observations on Hatching Time in Three Avian Species

Abstract FOR high hatchability and good poult or chick quality, the majority of embryos should be at similar stages of development when they are transferred to hatching conditions. Ideally all poults or chicks should pip the shell and hatch within the same period. Poor results are obtained when embryos of different developmental age are expected to hatch together or when variation in pipping time is high. In extreme cases, i.e., eggs from highly inbred stocks or eggs that have been held for long periods prior to setting, hatching may continue over four or more days. Under such circumstances the earliest hatched poults or chicks are weak and dehydrated before those hatching last are properly dried. In general, when fresh eggs from non-inbred stocks are used, variability in hatching time is less in chickens than in turkeys. Here we are reporting on three species used in experimental work at this station with …
Using k-means clustering to improve traffic signal efficacy in an IntelliDrive SM environment

This paper presents an innovative traffic signal control algorithm, the IntelliGreen Algorithm (IGA), that utilizes IntelliDriveSM technologies to improve the efficacy of traffic signals. The IGA takes a novel approach to traffic signal control using k-means clustering and is fully decentralized. A VISSIM model of a real-world arterial was used to evaluate the IGA and its performance was compared to that of an actuated timing plan. The IGA consistently improved traffic mobility, and sustainability as volumes increased, even at lower IntelliDrive market penetration levels. The results demonstrate the power of IntelliDrive data and that decentralized traffic signal control can achieve system-wide benefits at lower computational costs.
Retrofitting Residential Streets with Stormwater Control Measures over Sandy Soils for Water Quality Improvement at the Catchment Scale

AbstractImpervious cover (IC) has been shown to increase runoff volumes, peak discharges, and pollutant loads to streams, which can lead to degraded water quality and biological integrity. Stormwater control measures (SCMs) have been developed to mitigate the hydrologic and water quality impacts of urban areas and IC. This paired watershed study evaluated the impacts of multiple SCM retrofits on water quality at a catchment scale in a 0.53 ha urban residential drainage area. In February 2012, an in-street bioretention cell (BRC) retrofit, four permeable pavement parking stalls, and a tree filter device were installed to treat residential street runoff in Wilmington, North Carolina. In the retrofitted catchment, 94% of the directly connected impervious area (DCIA) and 91% of the total drainage area were retrofitted for water quality treatment. Underlying soils in the study area were sand. After the SCM retrofits were constructed, concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorous (TP), tota...
Cervical Spine Evaluation in Pediatric Trauma

OBJECTIVE. This article will review the current literature as it relates to imaging of the child suspected to have cervical spine injury (CSI) and the imaging findings of pediatric CSI, focusing on strategies to minimize radiation dose while maximizing diagnostic yield. CONCLUSION. Although CSI is uncommon in children, the clinical implications of failure to correctly diagnose CSI are significant. Clinical decision rules proven effective in predicting CSI in adults cannot be uniformly applied to children.
Characterization of a Fast Responding Composite Thermal Bimorph Film Actuator Based on Carbon Nanotube Sheets

As the extraordinary thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become better understood, they have found their way into a wide range of engineering applications. Used in conjunction with fiber-reinforced composite materials, CNTs provide enhanced thermal conductivity, interlaminar strength, and ballistic resistance of laminar composite materials. However, the direct application of the macro form of CNT sheet as a heating element for use in a thermal actuator has not been reported. In the present study, CNT sheets are used as a flexible, efficient, and fast-responding heating element that induces transverse motion in a multilayered functional polymer composite based on thermal expansion mismatch between layers. The CNT heating element is designed to have a specific cross-sectional area to length aspect ratio, giving it a specific resistance and power consumption characteristic. The heating element is bonded to a compliant silicone elastomer substrate and a stiff constraining polyimide thin film, forming a flap-like actuator. The robust design and simple operation of the actuator makes it a potential candidate for control surfaces on micro air vehicles and actuating elements in microscale fluid pumps. The heating response rate of the actuator is measured experimentally using an infrared thermal imager. The temperature change in the thermal actuator is measured as a function of input voltage. The edge deflection of the actuator is also measured as function of the applied voltage. Finally, finite element modeling of the thermal actuator, a parametric study of material selection, and deflection analysis are conducted to better understand the result of these experiments.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Structural, Optical and Electrical Properties of InGaN Sputtered Thin Films

InGaN films were successfully fabricated using radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering technique with a sputtering target of pure In and Ga metal alloys under a flow of nitrogen. Films were deposited on quartz substrates, with the ratio of In to Ga varied from 0.46 to 0.85 in the alloys. The structures and compositions have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), respectively. Multiple crystallographic phases have been observed indicating phase segregation and inhomogeneous distribution of the metal compositions in the films. The existence of wurtzite structures has been observed in all samples, with the In percentage (y) in a crystalline phase calculated from the XRD being less than the total In percentage (x) in each film as determined by the EDX spectroscopy. The (0002) orientation has been observed in all films, and the (10-11) orientation has been observed for x = 0.46 and 0.70 only. The optical transmission and absorbance of the films were studied by the spectrophotometry technique, which indicate that the dominant phases in all samples are amorphous. Consequently, the corresponding optical bandgaps have been characterized. Hall Effect measurements were made in 0.55 T magnetic field at room temperature to characterize the electrical conductivity, free carrier concentration, and mobility.
ACalculating Method Based on Fourier Transform for Square-wave Current of AC Cables

In order to make full use of the original transmission corridor,and improve grid transmission capacity,a new compact technology of power transmission in urban power grid is put forward.This technology adopts a non-sinusoidal AC transmission to achieve the capacity transformation of the original AC lines. For the AC square-wave transmission mode,the paper calculates the square-wave current-carrying capacity with using thermal circuit model and Fourier transform.These calculation results can provide basic data for design in the subsequent improvement projects.
Teaching Industrial Control System Security Using Collaborative Projects

In this work, we discuss lessons learned over the past three years while supporting a graduate capstone course centered on research projects in industrial control system (ICS) security. Our course considers real-world problems in shipboard ICS posed by external stakeholders: a system-owner and related subject matter experts. We describe the course objectives, format, expectations and outcomes. While our experiences are generally positive, we remark on opportunities for curricula improvement relevant to those considering incorporating realistic ICS topics into their classroom, or those working with an external SME.
Pediatric cerebral sinovenous thrombosis following cranial surgery.

Purpose Pediatric cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is an important, though less common subtype of pediatric stroke. It has been linked to several risk factors, including cranial procedures, with few studies highlighting this relationship. The aim of this study was to characterize the diagnosis and treatment of CSVT after cranial surgery.
Effects of solar wind ultralow‐frequency fluctuations on plasma sheet electron temperature: Regression analysis with support vector machine

To investigate whether ultralow-frequency (ULF) fluctuations from 0.5 to 8.3 mHz in the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) can affect the plasma sheet electron temperature (Te) near geosynchronous distances, we use a support vector regression machine technique to decouple the effects from different solar wind parameters and their ULF fluctuation power. Te in this region varies from ~0.1 to 10 keV with a median of 1.3 keV. We find that when the solar wind ULF power is weak, Te increases with increasing southward IMF Bz and solar wind speed, while it varies weakly with solar wind density. As the ULF power becomes stronger during weak IMF Bz (~0) or northward IMF, Te becomes significantly enhanced, by a factor of up to 10. We also find that mesoscale disturbances in a time scale of a few to tens of minutes as indicated by AE during substorm expansion and recovery phases are more enhanced when the ULF power is stronger. The effect of ULF powers may be explained by stronger inward radial diffusion resulting from stronger mesoscale disturbances under higher ULF powers, which can bring high-energy plasma sheet electrons further toward geosynchronous distance. This effect of ULF powers is particularly important during weak southward IMF or northward IMF when convection electric drift is weak.
Summary of Research Findings at the University of Virginia Learning Disabilities Research Institute

The Institute at Virginia focused its efforts on LD children with attentional problems. Emphasis was placed on developing cognitive behavior modification techniques that help children improve their attention to tasks and that provide children an effective strategy for approaching academic tasks. Studies included investigations of metacognition, information processing, self-recording of task-related behavior, and strategy training. Adult-child interactions and psychometric properties of the Woodcock-Johnson battery also were studied.
Prolonged and localized sweat stimulation by iontophoretic delivery of the slowly-metabolized cholinergic agent carbachol

Abstract Background Continuous non-invasive sampling and sensing of multiple classes of analytes could revolutionize medical diagnostics and wearable technologies, but also remains highly elusive because of the many confounding factors for candidate biofluids such as interstitial fluid, tears, saliva, and sweat. Eccrine sweat biosensing has seen a recent surge in demonstrations of wearable sampling and sensing devices. However, for subjects at rest, access to eccrine sweat is highly limited and unpredictable compared to saliva and tears. Objective Reported here is a prolonged and localized sweat stimulation by iontophoretic delivery of the slowly-metabolized nicotinic cholinergic agonist carbachol. Methods Presented here are detailed measurements of natural baseline sweat rates across multiple days, confirming a clear need for localized sweat stimulation. Iontophoresis was performed with either carbachol or pilocarpine in order to stimulate sweat in subjects at rest. Furthermore, improved methods of quantifying sweat generation rates (nL/min/gland) are demonstrated. Results In-vivo testing reveals that carbachol stimulation can surpass a major goal of 24-h sweat access, in some cases providing more than an order of magnitude longer duration than stimulation with commonly-used pilocarpine. Also demonstrated is reduction of the traditional iontophoretic dosage for sweat stimulation ( Conclusion This work is not only significant for wearable sweat biosensing technology, but could also have broader impact for those studying topical skin products, antiperspirants, textiles and medical adhesives, nerve disorders, the effects of perspiration on skin-health, skin related diseases such as idiopathic pure sudomotor failure and hyperhidrosis, and other skin- and perspiration-related applications.
Satirical Freedoms and Myths of Modernity: R.K. Narayan's The Painter of Signs

(2002). Satirical Freedoms and Myths of Modernity: R.K. Narayan's The Painter of Signs. South Asian Review: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 195-204.
Learning to lead in externally managed and standalone charter schools: how principals perceive their preparation and support

As charters and other autonomous schools grow to serve larger percentages of students both nationally and internationally, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how to best support an...
Patterns of Secretion and Antigenic Similarities Among Primate Chorionic Gonadotropins: Significance in Fertility Research

In women and several species of nonhuman primates, prolonged steroid hormone secretion from the corpus luteum, especially progesterone, is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in the peri- and post-implantation interval. Later, steroids provided by the conceptus are sufficient to sustain normal gestation autonomous from luteal secretions in these primates, although the time of this luteo-placental shift may differ among species.
Reproductive Consequences of Athletic Training in Women

Physical exercise and athletic training have become an important part of many women’s lifestyles. Thirty years ago, young women and girls were discouraged from participating in such activities. Although boys were expected to participate in athletic training, girls were encouraged not to be too physically active or competitive in sports. Underlying this attitude was the basic belief that female reproductive function might somehow be damaged by too much exercise, especially during menstruation. The beneficial effects of physical fitness on the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and metabolic systems are now well recognized for both men and women, and regular exercise has become an important component of a healthful lifestyle. However, the increasing participation of women in athletic training programs has again brought attention to the effects of exercise on reproductive function. The most important of the reproductive changes that frequently accompany intense physical training in women is called athletic amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. Amenorrhea is a clinical term denoting disruption of the reproductive system with probable anovulation (cycles longer than 90 days duration). The term oligomenorrhea (or irregular cycles) refers to menstrual cycles with inconsistent intervals of 39 to 90 days duration. The terms eumenorrheic, regular, and cyclic are used interchangeably to refer to normal menstrual cycles which recur consistently at intervals of 25 to 39 days duration.
From Greedy Lattice Animals to Euclidean First-Passage Percolation

We discuss some new results concerning infinite geodesics in models of Euclidean First-Passage Percolation (FPP) on ℝ d introduced previously by the authors. In particular, for any d, with probability one, every semi-infinite geodesic has an asymptotic direction and every direction has at least one semi-infinite geodesic (starting from each Poisson particle). These results, which have not been proved for lattice FPP, are nevertheless based on an extension to the Euclidean case of lattice FPP estimates due to Kesten and Alexander. A key technical ingredient that we prove here is a large deviation estimate for greedy lattice animals applied to Bernoulli percolation.
Chapter 16 Fracture Detection and Characterization from Hydrophone Vertical Seismic Profiling Data

Abstract Fractures intersecting a borehole can be detected and characterized by tube waves generated by a fluid pulse injected into the borehole when a seismic wave impinges on and compresses the fracture. A vertical seismic profiling (VSP) survey, using a hydrophone array, provides the ideal data for tube wave recording and analysis. In this chapter the theory of tube wave generation in a borehole by a seismic wave is reviewed. A technique is developed to calculate the dip of a fracture from a single-offset hydrophone VSP survey from P-, SV-, and tube-wave amplitudes. In addition, the contribution to tube wave generation from particle motion parallel to the fracture plane is evaluated. On the basis of an analysis of the fluid flow regime in the fracture, it is shown that this type of particle motion causes fluid to be injected into the borehole which is several orders of magnitude less than that caused by compression of the fracture. Therefore, it is concluded that parallel-plane particle motion is negligible in terms of generating tube waves. A technique is then developed whereby the amplitude ratio of the SV-generated tube wave to the P-generated tube wave can be used to determine the dip of the fracture plane. The complete characterization of a fracture (dip and strike of fracture plane and hydraulic conductivity) can be achieved if hydrophone VSP data are acquired from several surface source locations. This method is used to estimate fracture properties from a VSP experiment conducted at Kent Cliffs, New York and Hamilton, Massachusetts. The results are compared to fracture orientation estimates from borehole televiewer measurements and core data.
A Lab-Based Study of Temperate Forest Termite Impacts on Two Common Wood-Rot Fungi

Termites and fungi are the primary decomposers of dead wood. Interactions between wood-feeding termites and wood-rot fungi are inevitable given their shared food source. Termites have developed multiple defense strategies against infectious fungi, such as Metarhizium spp., that include antifungal proteins in their saliva and fungal inhibition properties in their gut. The antifungal properties of termite salivary secretions depend on β-1,3-glucanases that are likely to be effective against a broad spectrum of filamentous fungi. Given the overlap in niches, there is opportunity for interference competition between termites and wood-rot fungi to occur. Here we demonstrate that β-1,3-glucanases in the saliva and the antifungal properties of the gut of the eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) affects the growth of two common wood-rot fungi, Gloeophyllum trabeum Persoon (Murrill) (Gloeophyllales: Gloeophyllaceae) and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (Burdsall) (Polyporales: Phanerochaetaceae).
A Quantitative Methodology for Determining Relevant Geographic Markets in Higher Transportation Cost Industries

The U.S. Department of Justice/Federal Trade Commission Horizontal Merger Guidelines describes the hypothetical monopolist test (HMT) and significant and nontransitory increase in price (SSNIP) as ...
Assessing the downstream socioeconomic impacts of agroforestry in Kenya.

Abstract Agroforestry is widely purported to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, rehabilitate degraded landscapes, and enhance the provisioning of ecosystem services. Yet, evidence supporting these longer-term impacts is limited. Using a quasi-experimental impact evaluation design informed by a theory-based and mixed methods framework, we investigated selected intermediate and final outcomes of a nine-year effort led by Vi Agroforestry, a Swedish non-governmental organization (NGO), to promote agroforestry in large sections of Bungoma and Kakamega counties in western Kenya. We compared households belonging to 432 pre-existing farmer groups operating in 60 program villages and 61 matched comparison villages. To address potential self-selection bias, we used program targeting as an instrument for program participation, combined with the difference-in-differences approach to control for time-invariant differences between our treatment and comparison groups. We complemented the above with semi-structured interviews with a sub-sample of 40 purposively selected program participants. Despite evidence of variable program exposure and agroforestry uptake, we found modest, yet statistically significant, effects of Vi Agroforestry’s program on intermediate outcomes, such as agroforestry product income, fuelwood access, and milk yields among dairy farmers. We also found that this program modestly increased asset holdings, particularly among households represented by female program participants.
A defined, plant-based diet as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of heart failure: A clinical case series

Abstract Background Individuals diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) have a 50% five-year mortality rate and approximately 650,000 new cases of CHF are diagnosed annually. Plant-based diets are known to improve plasma lipid concentrations, reduce blood pressure, and as part of a lifestyle intervention, lead to the regression of atherosclerotic lesions. However, a paucity of data exists with regards to plant-based diets in the treatment of CHF. Methods Three patients diagnosed with CHF opted to undergo a dietary intervention consisting of a defined plant-based diet as an adjunct to standard medical treatment for CHF. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Patients’ consumed the defined plant-based diet for an average of ˜79 days. Results Follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance images revealed a 92% increase in ejection fraction [mean ± standard deviation for all data] (22.0 ± 6.9% vs 42.2 ± 18.4%), 21% reduction in left ventricular mass (214 ± 90 g vs 170 ± 102 g), 62% increase in stroke volume (55.8 ± 24.3 cc vs 90.3 ± 30.6 cc) and a 17% increase in cardiac output (3.6 ± 1.2 L/min vs 4.2 ± 1.6 L/min). In patient 1, 90–95% ostial stenosis of the left anterior descending artery nearly completely regressed following the dietary intervention. All patients subjectively reported significant clinical improvements, including less angina, shortness of breath and fatigue. Conclusion As an adjunct treatment, a defined plant-based diet may contribute to the reversal of cardiac morphological and functional abnormalities in the setting of CHF.
The Effects of Tolbutamide on the Development of Atherosclerosis in Rhesus Monkeys Fed an Average American Table-Prepared Diet

Fourteen adult male Rhesus monkeys were followed for 18 months during which they all consumed daily measured portions of a simulated average American diet whose ingredients were based on average food consumption figures for the USA. Seven of these animals, each paired with a comparable control, were also fed 20 mg/kg of Tolbutamide per day. No significant differences in weight gain, glucose tolerance, electrocardiograms or serum lipids were noted on numerous determinations during this period of study.
Intraoperative Pancreatic Ductoscopy for Ampullary Adenocarcinoma During Pancreatic Resection: A Case Report.

Abstract Background: Periampullary neoplasms can be challenging to work up and diagnose preoperatively. Herein, we report the case of a patient whose preoperative workup failed to detect a malignan...
Exploring employees’ perceptions of costs and benefits of unionization in the hospitality industry

Abstract There is scant research on the impact of unionization on hospitality employees’ job security, health, and working conditions. This research explores employees’ beliefs of costs and benefits of unionization in hospitality organizations given that previous research has mainly focused on its influence on the firm and the industry. The findings of this study suggest that unionization can present a unique set of challenges both for line-level employees and managers. The ‘it’s not my job’ attitude associated with unionization can have a dampening impact on employees’ future career opportunities. Future research needs to consider the long-term consequences of unionization on employees.
Hardware-in-the-loop Testing of Signal Temporal Logic Frequency Control in a Microgrid

This paper presents a hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing and lessons learned for a signal temporal logic (STL) frequency control in a microgrid setting. In contrast to most, if not all, traditional control mechanisms, the STL control allows for including temporal constraints in the control formulation to handle sophisticated specifications from grid codes and protection relays. This feature provides richer descriptions of control specifications to address both magnitude and time simultaneously, hence a valuable tool for power system operation and control. An ultra-low voltage (24V) HITL microgrid platform consisting of two type-3 wind turbine generators and one diesel generator is used to test the proposed STL frequency control. In experimental case studies, we demonstrate that the HITL frequency responses closely match the simulated ones and strictly satisfy the designed STL control specifications.
Corporate Political Activity as an Insurance Mechanism: Implications for Reducing Firm Risk

A common assumption underlying CPA scholarship is that CPA positively impacts firm outcomes. Yet consistent empirical evidence to that effect is lacking, with some scholarship reporting CPA can ben...
Continuous single cell transcriptome dynamics reveal a default vascular smooth muscle fate of FLK1 mesoderm

Blood and endothelial cells arise from hemangiogenic progenitors that are specified from FLK1-expressing mesoderm by the transcription factor ETV2. FLK1 mesoderm also contributes to other tissues, including vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and cardiomyocytes. However, the developmental process of FLK1 mesoderm generation and its allocation to various cell fates remain obscure. Recent single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) studies of early stages of embryos, or in vitro differentiated human embryonic stem (ES) cells have provided unprecedented information on the spatiotemporal resolution of cells in embryogenesis. These snapshots nonetheless offer insufficient information on dynamic developmental processes due to inadvertently missing intermediate states and unavoidable batch effects. Here we performed scRNA-seq of in vitro differentiated ES cells as well as extraembryonic yolk sac cells, which contain the very first arising hemangiogenic and VSM lineages, to capture the continuous developmental process leading to hemangiogenesis. We found that hemangiogenic progenitors from ES cells develop through intermediate gastrulation stages, which were gradually specified by relay-like highly overlapping transcription factor modules. Unexpectedly, VSM and hemangiogenic lineages share the closest transcriptional program. Moreover, transcriptional program of the Flk1 mesoderm was maintained in the VSM lineage, suggesting the VSM lineage may be the default pathway of FLK1 mesoderm. We also identified cell adhesion signals possibly contributing to ETV2-mediated activation of the hemangiogenic program. This continuous transcriptome map will facilitate both basic and applied studies of mesoderm and its derivatives.
Accurate confidence intervals for inter-laboratory calibration and common mean estimation

Abstract For a calibration problem that arises in analytical chemistry, the Rocke-Lorenzato model and some generalizations are considered, so as to capture the near constant variability at very low levels of the analyte, and the increasing measurement variation with increased concentration of the analyte. For the common mean problem, a heteroscedastic one-way random effects model is often used to model the data and will be considered herein. Existing interval estimation procedures for these problems are likelihood based large sample procedures, and are not satisfactory, especially for small samples. A modified likelihood methodology, which can be numerically implemented, is shown to perform very well for the above problems. The analysis of inter-laboratory data is reported in order to illustrate the application of the proposed methods.
From Tiananmen to Outsourcing: The Effect of Rising Import Competition on Congressional Voting Towards China

Mounting import competition from China has increased unemployment in manufacturing and suppressed wages in local labor markets around the United States . This article investigates the political effects of this China trade shock, using a unique dataset of the district-level economic impact of Chinese imports to the United States. The liberalization of trade following China's accession to the World Trade Organization increased political polarization among American voters and encouraged legislators in economically hard-hit districts to take positions hostile to China. The result is that Congress is even more hostile towards China today than in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Massacre. After 2003, members of Congress representing districts more adversely impacted by import competition were more likely to vote against China, controlling for ideology and partisanship. By contrast, import competition was not a significant predictor of earlier congressional opposition to granting most-favored nation status to China (suggesting that voting on these crucial pieces of legislation was driven by non-economic concerns such as human rights). Far from being the political win-win its proponents envisioned, trade has eclipsed human rights and Taiwan as the main driver of hostility to China in Congress.
Bumble bee species distributions and habitat associations in the Midwestern USA, a region of declining diversity

Bumble bees (Bombus spp.) are important pollinators, yet rapidly declining globally. In North America some species are thriving while others are nearing extinction. Recognizing subtle differences in species’ biology and responses to environmental factors is required to illuminate key threats and to understand their different population trajectories. We intensively surveyed bumble bees in Ohio, USA, along the receding southern boundary of many species’ ranges, to evaluate current conservation status of the state’s species. In 318 90-min field surveys across two consecutive years we observed 23,324 bumble bees of 10 species visiting 170 plant species. Habitat, landscape, latitude, and their interactions significantly influenced bumble bee abundance, species richness, and community composition during peak season. Sites planted with flowers yielded more bumble bee individuals and species than did sites not planted with bee food plants. Bombus impatiens, B. griseocollis, and B. bimaculatus comprised 93% of all observations. Their abundances all peaked in habitats planted with wildflowers, but there were species-specific responses to local and landscape factors. Three less common species (B. fervidus, B. vagans, and B. perplexus) were more likely to be found in forested landscapes, particularly in the northeastern portion of the state. Bombus perplexus was also affiliated with planted urban wildflower patches. These results provide a strong starting point for future monitoring and conservation intervention that targets less common species. A quantitative synthesis of detailed state-level and regional datasets would allow additional insight into broad scale patterns of diversity in bumble bee communities and species conservation trajectories.
An age-downregulated ribosomal RpS28 protein variant regulates the muscle proteome.

Recent evidence indicates that the composition of the ribosome is heterogeneous and that multiple types of specialized ribosomes regulate the synthesis of specific protein subsets. In Drosophila, we find that expression of the ribosomal RpS28 protein variants RpS28a and RpS28-like preferentially occurs in the germline, a tissue resistant to aging, and that it significantly declines in skeletal muscle during aging. Muscle-specific overexpression of RpS28a at levels similar to those seen in the germline decreases early mortality and promotes the synthesis of a subset of proteins with known anti-aging roles, some of which have preferential expression in the germline. These findings indicate a contribution of specialized ribosomal proteins to the regulation of the muscle proteome during aging.
Timeless Principles for Effective Teaching and Learning: A Modern Application of Historical Principles and Guidelines.

The purpose of this study is twofold: (a) to assess the perceived relevance of the Seven Timeless Principles and guidelines posited by Gregory (1886) for current educators and educators-in-training and (b) to develop and pilot test the instrument needed to accomplish the former. The “Rules for Teachers” Gregory attributes to each of these laws were used as guidelines to develop an assessment instrument. Eighty-four educators and future educators across three universities participated in an online survey using a 4-point Likert scale to evaluate the consistency of Gregory’s guidelines with modern best-teaching practices. Responses were framed within the Timeless Principles, providing a measure of pedagogical universality. Total mean scores for all principles and guidelines were greater than 3.0, suggesting that Gregory had indeed identified foundational principles of teaching and learning that maintain relevance across academic disciplines and in a variety of settings in which learning occurs.
Estimating Contextual Motivating Factors in Virtual Interorganizational Communities of Practice: Peer Effects and Organizational Influences

Virtual interorganizational communities of practice (IOCoPs) enable professionals belonging to different organizations to exchange and share knowledge via computer-mediated interactions. Since know...
Classical Risk Factors for Ischemic Stroke are not Associated with Inpatient Post-Stroke Mortality in Sickle Cell Disease.

Abstract Objectives Sickle cell disease is a common haemoglobinopathy that significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke. Because the risk factors for ischemic stroke onset and mortality in non-sickle cell disease patients have been largely elucidated, this paper aims to analyze risk factors for ischemic stroke mortality in sickle cell disease patients, which remain largely unknown. Materials/Methods The National Inpatient Sample database (2016–2017) was used to develop a multivariable regression model for risk quantification of known ischemic stroke risk factors for in-hospital mortality in ischemic stroke patients with and without sickle cell disease. Results Classical risk factors for ischemic stroke onset, including ischemic heart disease, carotid artery disease, lipidemias, hypertension, obesity, tobacco use, atrial fibrillation, personal or family history of stroke, congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, cardiac valve disorder, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetes mellitus are associated with in-hospital mortality in non-sickle cell patients (p 0.05). Conclusions While the classical risk factors for stroke onset are associated with in-hospital mortality in non-sickle cell stroke patients, they are not associated with in-hospital mortality in sickle cell stroke patients.
Fundamentals of Metal Machining and Machine Tools

In the more than 15 years since the second edition of Fundamentals of Machining and Machine Tools was published, the industry has seen many changes. Students must keep up with developments in analytical modeling of machining processes, modern cutting tool materials, and how these changes affect the economics of machining. With coverage reflecting s