cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficacy or convenience? Model-based approaches to phylogeny estimation using morphological data

Model-based approaches (e.g. maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference) are widely used with molecular data, where they might be more appropriate than maximum parsimony for estimating phylogenies under various models of molecular evolution. Recently, there has been an increase in the application of model-based approaches with morphological (mainly fossil) data; however, there is some doubt as to the effectiveness of the model of morphological evolution. The input parameters (prior probabilities) for the model are unclear, particularly when concerned with unobserved character states. Despite this, some systematists are suggesting superiority of these model-based methods over maximum parsimony based on, for example, increased resolution or, in the current study, the preferred phylogenetic placement of an iconic taxon. Here, we revisit a recently published analysis implying such superiority and document the discrepancies between parsimony-based and model-based approaches to phylogeny estimation. We find that although some taxa are shifted back to their “traditional” phylogenetic placement, other clades are disturbed. The modelbased phylogenies are better resolved; however, due to the lack of an appropriate model of morphological evolution, the increase in resolving power is probably not meaningful. Similarly, some of the preferred phylogenetic positions of taxa, particularly of labile taxa such as Archaeopteryx, are based solely on analyses employing maximum parsimony as the optimality criterion. Poor resolution and labile taxa indicate a need for further examination of the morphology and not a change in method. © The Willi Hennig Society 2013.
On the rate of frictional healing and the constitutive law for time- and slip-dependent friction

Abstract The rate of frictional strengthening (healing) during quasi-stationary contact plays an important role in many aspects of repetitive stick-slip sliding. Observations of frictional healing are also a key feature of a class of slip-rate and state-variable friction constitutive laws widely-used to model earthquake faulting. This paper describes a suite of laboratory experiments to measure healing rate in simulated fault gouge. Modeling is carried out to critically evaluate rate and state friction laws. Experiments consisted of both slide-hold-slide tests, in which surfaces were sheared at a specified velocity and held in quasi-stationary contact for a given time, and velocity stepping tests in which step changes in load point velocity were imposed to evaluate friction constitutive parameters. The study addresses two main issues: 1) variation in healing rate with loading velocity, and 2) consistency of friction parameters and constitutive behavior as observed in slide-hold-slide and velocity-step tests. Experiments were performed in the double-direct shear geometry, at room temperature, and at constant normal stress of 25 MPa. Gouge consisted of quartz sand and was sheared within rough Westerly granite surfaces. Surface contact dimensions were 10 cm × 10 cm, the gouge layers were 2.5 mm thick prior to shear, and load point velocities ranged from 0.5–100 μm/s. Velocity stepping tests indicated velocity weakening (the steady-state coefficient of friction decreased with slip rate). In slide-hold-slide tests, friction decayed during holds and exhibited a peak value (taken as the coefficient of static friction) upon reloading. Static friction increased approximately linearly with log hold time. In addition, static friction and the rate of frictional healing varied with loading velocity. Friction relaxation during holds also varied with hold time and loading velocity. The data indicate that healing is not simply a frictional property, but rather is a system response that varies with loading velocity and properties of the elastic loading system. Constitutive modeling is carried out on three aspects of the data: slide-hold-slide tests, velocity stepping tests, and the rate of fricitional healing. Friction parameters are determined by modeling each data set and these are compared to evaluate internal consistency. Both slip- and time-dependent state evolution laws (Ruina and Dieterich laws, respectively) are evaluated. The modeling indicates that individual tests are fit well by either the Ruina or Dieterich laws. However, slide-hold-slide tests indicate that the friction parameter a is larger than b , whereas velocity step tests indicate the opposite. Velocity step tests predict less friction relaxation and faster healing than observed in slide-hold-slide tests. These discrepancies may indicate variation in constitutive parameters as a function of slip velocity and/or limitations in the rate and state friction laws as presently written.
Global bifurcation to traveling waves in axisymmetric convection.

A traveling-wave state observed in full numerical simulations of cylindrical convection is reported. These waves arise with large amplitude via a global bifurcation of the steady convective state in systems with highly conducting sidewalls. For poorly conducting sidewalls, transition occurs instead to a disconnected branch of steady states. The Prandtl-number dependence of these transitions is interpreted in light of a wavelength selection mechanism previously proposed for axisymmetric convection.
A pathway-based gene signature correlates with therapeutic response in adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Biomarkers to predict response to therapy in adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are not yet established. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of earlier genome-wide gene expression studies to identify pathway-based genes that are associated with therapeutic response. The predictive power of these genes was validated by transcript profiling in diagnostic bone marrow samples from Ph+ ALL patients using a quantitative real-time PCR array. Gene expression was correlated with cytogenetic and molecular characteristics, including presence of ABL1 mutations and IKZF1 deletion. A total of 43 de novo Ph+ ALL patients treated uniformly with tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with chemotherapy were selected to validate 46 identified genes. A 9-gene signature was established to distinguish optimal responders from patients with persistent residual disease and early molecular recurrence. The signature was subsequently validated with 87% predictive accuracy in an independent validation set of patients. When initially optimal responders relapsed, their gene expression patterns also shifted. Optimal responders showed upregulation of genes involved in proliferation and apoptosis pathways, whereas poor responders had higher expression of genes that facilitate tumor cell survival in hypoxic conditions as well as development of drug resistance. This unique 9-gene signature may better enable stratification of patients to proper therapeutic regimens and provides new insights into mechanisms of Ph+ ALL response to therapy.
POSTFUNDAMENTALISM AND THE CHRISTIAN INTENTIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

(1995). POSTFUNDAMENTALISM AND THE CHRISTIAN INTENTIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY. Religious Education: Vol. 90, No. 2, pp. 190-206.
Enhanced phospholipase activity in peripheral blood monocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) produce greater amounts of prostaglandins (PG) than do control cells. To further explore the reasons for the increased PG production, we assessed the phospholipase activities in these cells. We found that PBM from patients with severe RA expressed greater phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and phospholipase C (PLC) activities than did the control cells. Enhanced PLA2 activities were observed in RA patient cells when phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were used as substrates. Enhanced PLC activities also were seen when PC, PE, and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were used as labeled substrates. Increased PLC activity was observed whether linoleic acid or arachidonic acid was esterified to the 2 position of the phospholipid substrate used. Because all patients with RA were treated with nonsteroidai antiinflammatory drugs, we examined the effects of aspirin ingestion on phospholipase activities. Aspirin had no consistent effect on PLA2 activities but markedly inhibited PLC activities against PC, PI, and PE with arachidonic acid in the R2 position. That aspirin enhanced PLC activities against PC and PI with linoleic acid in the R2 position, suggests that PLC activity may be regulated in part by the R2 fatty acid. Our results indicate that increased phospholipase activities exhibited by PBM from RA patients may help explain the increased PG production by these cells. The increased phospholipase activities in PBM from RA patients do not appear to be due solely to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy.
X-Ray determination of the crystallite orientation distributions of polyethylene terephthalate films

A set of definitions is proposed to describe uniquely the six types of orientation possible in semicrystalline polymeric films. Oriented polymer films were studied by a new x-ray diffraction technique which permits rotation of a sample about a number of independent axes yielding orientation distributions of the crystalline regions. The definitions and the method of measuring the crystallite-orientation distributions have been applied to polyethylene terephthalate films.
Why do commercial CT scanners still employ traditional, filtered back-projection for image reconstruction?

Despite major advances in x-ray sources, detector arrays, gantry mechanical design and especially computer performance, one component of computed tomography (CT) scanners has remained virtually constant for the past 25 years—the reconstruction algorithm. Fundamental advances have been made in the solution of inverse problems, especially tomographic reconstruction, but these works have not been translated into clinical and related practice. The reasons are not obvious and seldom discussed. This review seeks to examine the reasons for this discrepancy and provides recommendations on how it can be resolved. We take the example of field of compressive sensing (CS), summarizing this new area of research from the eyes of practical medical physicists and explaining the disconnection between theoretical and application-oriented research. Using a few issues specific to CT, which engineers have addressed in very specific ways, we try to distill the mathematical problem underlying each of these issues with the hope of demonstrating that there are interesting mathematical problems of general importance that can result from in depth analysis of specific issues. We then sketch some unconventional CT-imaging designs that have the potential to impact on CT applications, if the link between applied mathematicians and engineers/physicists were stronger. Finally, we close with some observations on how the link could be strengthened. There is, we believe, an important opportunity to rapidly improve the performance of CT and related tomographic imaging techniques by addressing these issues.
Scaling of antipyrine intrinsic clearance of unbound drug in 15 mammalian species

The intrinsic clearance of unbound drug (CLuint) for antipyrine in 15 mammalian species was characterized by an equation of the form, CLuint=ϕ1 (body weight)ϕ 2 (brain weight)ϕ 3, where thetas are constants. Maximum lifespan potential in mammals can also be characterized by an equation of this form. It is suggested that the set of genetic mechanisms regulating longevity and other constitutional characteristics in species is also linked to rates of drug metabolism. The ability to scale interspecies data in pharmacokinetics is taken as an expression of this design principle.
Differences in the Wood of Eucalyptus grandis Grown in Different Parts of South Africa

(1974). Differences in the Wood of Eucalyptus grandis Grown in Different Parts of South Africa. South African Forestry Journal: Vol. 91, No. 1, pp. 14-18.
Pulling open doors and drawers: Coordinating an omni-directional base and a compliant arm with Equilibrium Point control

Previously, we have presented an implementation of impedance control inspired by the Equilibrium Point Hypothesis that we refer to as equilibrium point control (EPC). We have demonstrated that EPC can enable a robot in a fixed position to robustly pull open a variety of doors and drawers, and infer their kinematics without detailed prior models.
Adapting geodemographic information to army recruiting: the case of identifying and enlisting Private Ryan

The primary objective of this research was to develop a segmentation model for the United States Army Recruiting Command Headquarters (USAREC), located at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The segmentation model was based on the MicroVision geodemographic system, developed by National Decisions Systems. Cluster analysis was used to develop the segmentation model. The research resulted in identifying 18 unique segments, or clusters, that were based on demographic and socioeconomic variables. The second objective of the research was to predict contract production within each market segment. The results of this portion of the analysis have allowed USAREC to more effectively establish and evaluate contract production goals across the command structure. The methodology employed in the research has wide applications to both the military and other service organizations that use geodemographic systems in their marketing programs.
Rotter's social learning theory of personality and dietary behavior

Abstract This article presents the findings of a recent exploratory study on food behavior in which a modified version of Rotter's Social Learning Theory of Personality (SLT) was used. Data for the study scale were obtained by a national telephone survey for 432 food preparers. Using the three independent variables specified by the modified social learning theory of personality of J.B. Rotter— locus of control, reinforcement values, social context —as predictors, 21% of the variation in reported nutritious food behavior was explained. The results show that those who believe they are in control of their destinies (internally-controlled) score higher on reported nutritious food behavior than do those who believe outcomes are due to outside forces (externally-controlled). Similarly, differences exist among reinforcement values groups and among social context categories. The findings may offer ideas for identifying target groups and tailoring educational programs to meet each group's specific needs.
Effects of nasal ZnSO4 irrigation and olfactory bulbectomy on rat pups.

Abstract Rat pups underwent bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (BOB) or irrigation of the nasal cavities with a 5% ZnSO 4 solution (Zn) at 2, 7, 11, or 13 days of age to determine whether the effects of these treatments are similar. Control pups were sham operated, handled only, or had their nasal cavities irrigated with saline. Both Zn and BOB pups lost weight, sometimes to the point of death, and exhibited deficiencies in attachment and suckling behavior compared to control animals. Histological investigation indicated degeneration in the olfactory epithelium and shrinkage of the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb as a result of the nasal ZnSO 4 treatment. The vomeronasal organs of the Zn animals appeared to be intact. As a control for possible toxic effects of nasal ZnSO 4 irrigation, 12-day-old pups had their oral cavities irrigated with a 5% ZnSO 4 solution. Their weight gain and attachment and suckling behavior was like that of control pups.
Sum and Mean Standard Programs for Activation Analysis

Two computer programs in use for over a decade in the Nuclear Methods Group at NIST illustrate the utility of standard software: programs widely available and widely used, in which (ideally) well-tested public algorithms produce results that are well understood, and thereby capable of comparison, within the community of users. Sum interactively computes the position, net area, and uncertainty of the area of spectral peaks, and can give better results than automatic peak search programs when peaks are very small, very large, or unusually shaped. Mean combines unequal measurements of a single quantity, tests for consistency, and obtains the weighted mean and six measures of its uncertainty.
The anabolic hormone response to a lower-body resistance exercise bout in conjunction with oral BCAA supplementation

Background BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), particularly leucine, activate key enzymes in protein synthesis after physical exercise. Research has demonstrated that BCAAs increase mTOR phosphorylation and activate p70 S6 kinase in human muscle via an Akt-independent pathway. The extent to which BCAAs influence the anabolic hormone response in conjunction with resistance exercise is not well established. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate the effects of BCAA ingestion in conjunction with an acute bout of lower-body resistance exercise (RE) on various anabolic hormones.
ISSCR: Beginning the Next Chapter

Ten years ago, the ISSCR was formed by a relatively small group of scientists spearheaded by Leonard Zon, who believed that stem cell biology and regenerative medicine would be vital parts of biomedical science globally. This realization emerged in part because of the plethora of meetings incorporating stem cell research that were beginning to take place all over the world, and the Keystone stem cell meetings were overflowing with applications and attendants. We perceived a need to develop an organization with outstanding basic science at its core but with a real desire to translate fundamental discoveries into practical and medical applications when they were ready.
Nonlinear interaction of wind-driven oblique surface waves and parametric growth of lower frequency modes

Nonlinear interactions between free-surface waves of the same wave speed and wind are studied by extending the linear resonant theory of Miles (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 3, 1957, pp. 185–204). A nonlinear interaction can occur when the steepness of a primary three-dimensional wave, which propagates obliquely to the wind direction, becomes of the order of the cube of the density ratio of air to water. If a secondary wave of smaller amplitude is also an oblique wave, the nonlinear critical-layer interaction between the primary and secondary fluctuations in air generates a difference mode whose wavenumbers are equal to the differences between the primary and secondary values. In addition, the nonlinear interaction in the critical layer between the primary and difference modes induces a parametric-growth effect on the secondary surface wave, if the frequency of the primary wave is higher than that of the secondary wave. The primary wave remains linear during this ‘ mode critical-layer interaction’ stage between two free-surface waves and a nonlinearly generated mode. The evolution of the secondary-wave amplitude is governed by an integro-differential equation and that of the difference mode is determined by an integral equation. Both inviscid and viscous numerical results show that the nonlinear growth rates become much larger than the linear growth rates. Effect of viscosity is shown to delay the onset of the nonlinear growth. The growth of the secondary and difference modes is more effectively enhanced when the signs of propagation angles of the primary and secondary waves are opposite than when they are equal. The mode interaction can occur when wave steepnesses are very small. The nonlinear interaction is entirely confined to a thin critical layer, and the perturbations outside the critical layer are governed by linear equations. It is shown that the initial nonlinear growth of a free-surface wave could be governed by a mode–mode interaction in air.
Midterm results of David V valve-sparing aortic root replacement in acute type A aortic dissection.

Background The David V valve-sparing aortic root replacement (David V) has been shown to provide excellent long-term valve function and low rates of valve-related complications in the elective treatment of aortic root aneurysms. The safety and durability of the David V in the repair of acute type A aortic dissection (type A) are currently unclear. In this study, the midterm results of David V in the setting of type A aortic dissection were analyzed. Methods From 2005 to 2013, 350 patients underwent surgical repair of type A aortic dissection. Outcomes were analyzed in 43 consecutive patients who received a David V during repair of type A aortic dissection. Patients were followed with annual postoperative echocardiograms. Follow-up was 85% complete, with a mean duration of 40 ± 31 months. Results The mean age of these patients was 46 ± 10 years. There were two operative deaths (4.7%), and 93% of patients required a hemiarch replacement (n = 32) or a total arch replacement (n = 8) using hypothermic circulatory arrest. Cusp repairs were performed in 6 (14%) patients; 51% of patients had 3+ or greater preoperative aortic insufficiency (AI), 83% of patients left the operating room with zero AI, and the remainder had 1+ AI or less. No patient in the follow-up period developed endocarditis or required aortic valve replacement. At midterm follow-up, freedom from 2+ AI was 94%, and freedom from aortic valve replacement was 100%. Conclusions The David V can be performed with low morbidity and mortality in young patients presenting with type A aortic dissection who require aortic root replacement. At midterm follow-up, valve function is durable, and the incidence of valve-related complications is low.
Engine idle speed control using actuator saturation

Presented in this paper is the design and experimental validation of a saturating engine idle speed controller for a Ford V-8 fuel injected engine. The nonmeasurable external torque disturbance perturbing engine speed is delivered from the power steering pump. The performance specification is an allowable engine speed tolerance of 140 r/min about a desired set speed of 600 r/min. The controlled input is a voltage to the bypass air valve (BPAV) which regulates the air ingested into the engine. The BPAV voltage available for engine speed regulation is bounded by 0.8 V. A frequency domain controller design methodology is used to design the controller The performance objective is satisfied using saturation control during large engine speed transients. During steady-state operation, the controlled input is not saturated.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the spine in children: Long-term follow-up

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis causes destructive lesions in a child's spine. Few large, long-term studies have evaluated the clinical and radiographic presentation, natural history, outcomes of modern treatment approaches, and maintenance of normal spinal growth and stability after the diagnosis of this disease in children. Methods: Twenty-six children with biopsy-proven Langerhans cell histiocytosis involving the spine were treated at our institution between 1970 and 2003. They had a total of forty-four involved vertebrae (twenty cervical, fourteen thoracic, and ten lumbar). Vertebral body collapse was measured on radiographs and classified as grade I (0% to 50% collapse) or grade II (51% to 100% collapse) and subclassified as A (symmetric collapse) or B (asymmetric collapse). Lesions of the posterior elements of the spine were classified as grade III. Twenty-three children were followed for two years or more (mean, 9.4 years), and the analyses of treatment and long-term outcomes were performed in that group of patients. Results: There was a predominance of lesions in the cervical spine (p ≤ 0.02). Sixteen (62%) of the twenty-six children were found to have multifocal skeletal disease. Cervical and lumbar lesions were more commonly associated with multilevel spinal disease. The extent of the initial collapse seen radiographically was grade IA for twenty vertebrae, IB for three, IIA for ten, IIB for nine, and III for two. Grade-I lesions were more likely to be associated with symmetric collapse than were grade-II lesions. Spinal deformity developed in four children, and two later required spinal fusion. No relationship was observed between the grade of the initial collapse and the subsequent development of spinal deformity. Despite heterogeneous treatment, all patients were alive and well with resolution of all presenting signs and symptoms and no evidence of active disease at the time of the most recent follow-up. Conclusions: We found a particularly high prevalence of lesions in the cervical spine and a high prevalence of multiple skeletal lesions. In contrast to the classic finding of vertebra plana, we found that more severe lesions often led to asymmetric collapse; yet, asymmetric collapse was not found to be associated with the development of subsequent spinal deformity. The natural history of these lesions in the spine in the absence of systemic disease or spinal deformity is such that aggressive surgical management is usually not indicated; only follow-up is necessary to monitor recovery and spinal balance. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Fast traverse of irregular volumes

This paper proposes a fast cell traverse method for volume rendering of irregular volume datasets. All cells of an irregular volume are subdivided into a set of tetrahedral cells for our algorithm. The number of calculations needed to find the intersections of a ray and an irregular volume is reduced by using the exterior faces of cells rather than the ray as a basis for processing. An efficient new method of computing the integration of the brightness equation along a ray takes advantage of the linear distribution of data within a tetrahedral cell. Benchmark tests proved that the proposed method significantly improves the performance of volume rendering.
Capturing geographically localized misspecification error in retail store choice models

facility) is often a critical factor in that store's eventual success (Achabal, Gorr, and Mahajan 1982; Ghosh and Craig 1983). The site selection problem is more complicated for a chain, which must worry about whether the new store will cannibalize its existing stores by stealing their customers. In either case, site selection cannot be accomplished effectively without knowledge of where the customers are and how they choose their store, as well as knowledge of the geographic configuration of existing stores. Because the geographic configuration of the existing stores is easily obtained, the most important information that must be determined by primary research is where the customers are located geographically and how they choose a store.
Respiratory motion correction for geometrically correct three-dimensional reconstructions of coronary arteries

By fusing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) with biplane angiography, geometrically correct three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of coronary arteries can be produced. Spatio-temporal localization of the IVUS transducer is challenging due to cardiac and respiratory motion. Since cardiac motion can be eliminated via ECG-gating, the aim of this project was to develop a scheme for respiratory motion correction of the 3D transducer path. A model-based technique was used to eliminate respiratory motion in transducer paths reconstructed from biplane angiography in three pullbacks. Although biplane angiography is the current standard, alternate technology for spatio-temporal localization, will potentially allow inexpensive, real-time 3D reconstruction with no ionizing radiation. The model-based respiratory motion correction has the potential to aid in real-time clinical 3D reconstruction of coronary artery anatomy.
A mesophase transition in a binary monolayer on a solid surface

Abstract On a solid surface, an epitaxial monolayer may separate into phases that self-assemble into patterns on the nanoscale. The self-assembly minimizes the combined free energy of mixing, phase boundary, and elasticity. Our recent numerical simulation has revealed an intriguing mesophase transition. The surface stress is a second-rank tensor and can be anisotropic. Depending on the degree of the anisotropy, the lowest energy stripes can be either parallel to, or at an angle from, a principal axis of the surface stress tensor. This paper further elucidates this transition. We show that the off-axis stripes compromise the elastic energy of the inplane and antiplane deformation. The transition between the along-axis and the off-axis stripes obeys the Landau theory of phase transition of the second kind. The off-axis stripes have two variants by symmetry. A set of the stripes of the same variant forms a colony. The two kinds of colonies organize into a mesoscale herringbone structure. Energy minimization sets an equilibrium size of the individual colony.
Cross-layer design and optimisation for wireless sensor networks

Cross-layer design and optimisation is a new technique which can be used to design and improve the performance in both wireless and wireline networks. The central idea of cross-layer design is to optimise the control and exchange of information over two or more layers to achieve significant performance improvements by exploiting the interactions between various protocol layers. In this paper, we propose a cross-layer design and optimisation framework and the concept of using an Optimisation Agent (OA) to provide the exchange and control of information between the various protocol layers to improve the performance in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The approach is to investigate the effects of the wireless channel and the physical layer performance of a small-scale WSN to develop insights that can be used in the design and development of the OA in the proposed cross-layer framework.
Episodic reactivation of large-scale push moraines in front of the advancing Taku Glacier, Alaska

[1] Taku Glacier, an advancing former tidewater glacier in Alaska, has been actively pushing its proglacial sediments along part of its terminus over the last 50 years, producing so-called push moraines. The mobilization of these sediments, which were locally lifted more than 20 m above sea level by 2004, has happened episodically rather than steadily. The last major event of proglacial sediment deformation occurred in 2001, presumably caused by sliding along a basal detachment layer. Since then, most deformation has been localized within a few meters of the terminus, including impressive deformational features of the terminal ice, where slabs of ice, tens of centimeters in thickness, have undercut proglacial sediments and vegetation and lifted them up. Between 2002 and 2004, surface velocities and horizontal displacements were measured across the terminus and in the proglacial push moraine area. Sediment displacement was highest between the end of March and mid-June. A decrease in displacement with distance from the terminus revealed that the sediments were deforming internally rather than along a
Biotic and Abiotic Factors Affect Green Ash Volatile Production and Emerald Ash Borer Adult Feeding Preference

The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an exotic woodborer first detected in 2002 in Michigan and Ontario and is threatening the ash resource in North America. We examined the effects of light exposure and girdling on green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh) volatile production, and effects of light exposure, girdling, and leaf age on emerald ash borer adult feeding preferences and phototaxis. Green ash seedlings grown under higher light exposure had lower amounts of three individual volatile compounds, (Z)-3-hexenol, (E)-β-ocimene, and (Z,E)-α-farnesene, as well as the total amount of six detected volatile compounds. Girdling did not affect the levels of these volatiles. Emerald ash borer females preferred mature leaves, leaves from girdled trees, and leaves grown in the sun over young leaves, leaves from nongirdled trees, and leaves grown in the shade, respectively. These emerald ash borer preferences were most likely because of physical, nutritional, or biochemical changes in leaves in response to the different treatments. Emerald ash borer females and males showed positive phototaxis in laboratory arenas, a response consistent with emerald ash borer preference for host trees growing in sunlight.
Cost management for laser printers

Academic Computing Services at Pomona College charges for laser printing to help defray the expense. Recently we installed a debit card system on our public access laser printers as a means of eliminating the need to handle cash. The purpose of this paper is to share our reasoning for selecting this method of collection, and to share our experiences so that others may benefit from what we have learned and did right, and from the mistakes we made.Since we eliminated free printing as an option, we will discuss how we selected the debit card system for collection of payments for laser printing.The debit card system selected, Vendacard, has been in use in the Claremont Colleges library system. We anticipated being able to piggy-back on some of the library's experience and equipment, and to be able to use the same debit card thus saving the users the problem of needing two cards, one for photo copies and one for laser printing.With the selection of this system, and subsequent talks with the local supplier, we developed a set of expectations.These included how much we could charge for laser printing, how the Vendacard units would be serviced, how long it would take for installation and on which machines we could install the debit card units.Once we entered into an agreement, we learned that many of our expectations would not be met. Some of the reasons were due to problems with the Vendacard units, and some related to warranties. In all, this resulted in a revision of our agreement with the local Vendacard vendor.The units have finally been installed and put into service. At present, they have been in use for just over one month. In this short time period we have learned a great deal about the units, how they behave and how the student users feel about them. In terms of our initial objectives, we are now cashless, and the units are administered by the local Vendacard supplier.
Planning for inspection based on CAD models

Describes a knowledge-based inspection planning system for solid objects. The goals of intelligent inspection planning include determining which entities (edges, etc.) of the object should be measured, what camera locations and viewing directions should be used to perform inspection, and how the search for these entities and their inspection can be robustly and efficiently done once the sensor data is obtained. An effective solution to this problem is clearly very important not only from the automation point of view but also in order to gather and use sensor information effectively given the volume and complexity of required information for adequate performance. >
Using sectioning to construct confidence intervals for quantiles when applying importance sampling

Quantiles, which are known as values-at-risk in finance, are often used to measure risk. Confidence intervals provide a way of assessing the error of quantile estimators. When estimating extreme quantiles using crude Monte Carlo, the confidence intervals may have large half-widths, thus motivating the use of variance-reduction techniques (VRTs). This paper develops methods for constructing confidence intervals for quantiles when applying the VRT importance sampling. The confidence intervals, which are asymptotically valid as the number of samples grows large, are based on a technique known as sectioning. Empirical results seem to indicate that sectioning can lead to confidence intervals having better coverage than other existing methods.
Information technology and product lifecycle management

Information technology has the potential to address two key difficulties of product lifecycle management: product information loss and secondary market transaction costs. Applicable technologies include bar-code systems, radio-frequency identification (RFID), Internet-based secondary markets, and smart chips. In addition to enhancing manufacturers' product stewardship programs, product management systems could benefit consumers by maintaining product value and making re-sale easier. The concept of product self-management, in which a product manages its own transition into re-use or re-cycle markets, provides a new aspect for sustainable product design. Existing applications are discussed, including on-line secondary markets, RFID, and scanners for home use. The development of product self-management through links between web-based transaction systems and product-embedded information systems, such as bar codes, RFID, and smart chips, is explored.
An automated microdroplet passive pumping platform for high-speed and packeted microfluidic flow applications

Surface tension driven passive pumping is a microfluidic technology that uses the surface tension present in small droplets to generate flow. To enhance the potential of this type of passive pumping, a new ‘micro passive pumping’ technique has been developed that allows for high throughput fluidic delivery by combining passive pumping with a small droplet-based fluidic ejection system. Flow rates of up to four milliliters per minute (mL/min) were achieved that are solely limited by the channel geometry and droplet size. Fluid exchange rates can be performed within tens of milliseconds (ms) by delivering fluids from multiple nozzles. The technique can be extended to a multitude of platforms, as channels are not pressurized and therefore do not require bonding to a substrate. This technique provides a novel flow control for high-speed and packeted flow applications without requiring external tubing connections or substrate bonding.
Primary Structure and Conformation of Clostridium Botulinum Neurotoxin

A set of neurotoxic proteins synthesized by certain strains of Clostridium botulinum, C. butyricum, C. tetani and presumably also by C. barati, are nearly identical in macro structure. Some aspects of their fine structures and pharmacological action are strikingly similar. These proteins, one called tetanus neurotoxin and the rest botulinum neurotoxins (NT), produce in their target nerve cells similar intracellular biochemical lesions; blockage of normal release of neurotransmitters, albeit inhibitory and excitatory. Diversity in the primary, secondary and tertiary structures among these proteins makes them antigenically distinguishable and endows them with the specificity to recognize and bind to the “acceptors/receptors” present on the susceptible nerve cells. This article considers the structural aspects of this generalized theme. The structural features of botulinum NT are presented first. The temptation to keep tetanus NT in the same focus as botulinum NT could not be overcome even twelve years after pointing out for the first time the similarities between botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins.11
Midlife Care Givers: Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Intervention for Midlife Adults With Parent-Care Responsibilities

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a psychoeducational group intervention that addressed the needs of adult children caring for aging parents. The intervention consisted of four 2-hour sessions and included 70 care givers, 54 to 72 years of age, who were currently caring for a parent 60 years of age or older. A delayed-treatment, control-group design with follow-up after a 4-week interval was used to study three primary variables identified through an extensive literature review as essential for care givers. These included knowledge, care giver burden, and skill development. Skill development did not change following participation, nor did care giver burden variables measured. Significant increases were found at the .05 level for knowledge, overall coping resources, and self-disclosure following group participation.
Homotopy exponents for spaces of category two

Let X be a simply-connected finite CW complex of Lusternik-Schnirelmann category two. There is finite set P of primes, depending upon X, such that the following holds at any p≥P. The total rational homotopy group π*(X)⊗Q is finite-dimensional if and only if X has a homotopy exponent at p.
Europeanizing Self-Incrimination: The Right to Remain Silent in the European Court of Human Rights

Since it came into force in September, 1953, the European Convention on Human Rights has served as a reflection of Europe's movement toward the establishment of common standards of individual human rights and freedoms. The forty-five countries that are currently signatories to the Convention are subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which was established in 1959 as a mechanism to interpret and enforce the obligations created by the Convention. Although the Convention contains no explicit reference to a right to remain silent, and despite the differing legal systems of the contracting states, the Court has been steadily developing a jurisprudence of self-incrimination from the Convention's Article 6 right to a fair hearing. This Article traces the progress of the Court in creating meaningful protections for the right to silence in the face of state efforts to compel the production of incriminating evidence from individuals suspected of or charged with criminal offenses. The Court's decisions have produced a carefully balanced doctrinal framework that respects the individual's choice to remain silent without creating an absolute self-incrimination privilege.
Apparent lack of tetrodotoxin biosynthesis in captured Taricha torosa and Taricha granulosa.

In order to explore the origin of the potent neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, feeding experiments were carried out using [2-14C]-acetate, [guanido-14C]-arginine, [ureido-14C]-citrulline and [14C (U)]-glucose on the newts Taricha torosa and Taricha granulosa. The precursors were administered by injection, by oral feeding, or by soaking the newts in a bath of water containing the radioactive precursors. None of these feeding experiments resulted in the incorporation of radioactivity into tetrodotoxin, though common metabolites such as cholesterol, amines, amino acids, and macromolecular compounds were significantly labeled. The toxicities of T. granulosa and T. torosa used for the experiment were found to be higher than those previously reported. They retained a high level of toxicity during their captivity, yet they were found to continuously release small amounts of toxins (2.5% of the total toxins in one year). When subjected to an electric shock, the newts released significant amounts of toxin.
The Problem and Countermeasure of Our Grain Economic in Macroscopic Lay

At present the Macro level difficult problems of our country gain economic: the current foundation of grain's production is not steady;the direct subsidy to grain doesn't regulate the benefit relations between the main product area and the main marketing area;there is a fluctuation of policy mode in our country grain market.According to this put advice: regulate comprehensively the benefit relations between the main product area and the main marketing area;foster big inter-business organization,especially farmer professional cooperative economic organizations and make China Grain Reserves Corporation separate government functions from enterprise management;found the grain policy structure of connectible aim and steady'two dualism' and make use of futures market to solve the venture of order form agriculture's development.
An algorithm for mining association rules with multiple minimum supports

Aiming at the problem that traditional methods with only one minsup can not completely reflect different appearing frequencies and natures of different data items,based on FP-Tree,a new algorithm is proposed called MSDMFIA(Multiple minimum Supports for Discover Maximum Frequent Item sets Algorithm).The algorithm allows users to specify multiple minsups to reflect various items natures.Through mining the maximum frequent item sets,calculating minsups of the maximum candidate frequent item sets,the association rules can be discovered.The algorithm resolves the bottlenecks in traditional algorithms,e.g.,the rare item problem,the frequent generation of candidate item sets and database scanning.Experimental results show that functionality and performance of the proposed algorithm is significantly improved compared with existing algorithms.
Electronic and Ionic Transport Dynamics in Organolead Halide Perovskites

Ion migration has been postulated as the underlying mechanism responsible for the hysteresis in organolead halide perovskite devices. However, the electronic and ionic transport dynamics and how they impact each other in organolead halide perovskites remain elusive to date. Here we report a systematic investigation of the electronic and ionic transport dynamics in organolead halide perovskite microplate crystals and thin films using temperature-dependent transient response measurements. Our study reveals that thermally activated ionic and electronic conduction coexist in perovskite devices. The extracted activation energies suggest that the electronic transport is easier, but ions migrate harder in microplates than in thin films, demonstrating that the crystalline quality and grain boundaries can fundamentally modify electronic and ionic transport in perovskites. These findings offer valuable insight on the electronic and ionic transport dynamics in organolead halide perovskites, which is critical for opt...
Clinical efficacy of turmeric use in gingivitis: A comprehensive review.

Abstract Introduction Gingivitis affects an estimated 80% of the population, and is characterized as the world's most predominant inflammatory periodontal disease. Without intervention, gingivitis can advance to alveolar bone loss. Therefore, the primary goal in patients suffering with gingivitis is to control plaque buildup and soft tissue inflammation. Current guidelines consider chlorhexidine as the gold standard in the prevention and treatment of gingivitis. However, negative side effects of chlorhexidine, including oral mucosal erosion, discoloration of teeth, and bitter taste, provide an opportunity for alternative medications. Turmeric, a commonly used herb, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. By virtue of these properties, multiple controlled trials have been performed to investigate the efficacy of turmeric in gingivitis. Objectives The aim of this comprehensive review is to summarize and evaluate the evidence on the efficacy of turmeric as compared to chlorhexidine in the prevention and treatment of gingivitis. Results PubMed, MedLine (Web of Science), and EBSCO (academic search complete) were utilized as primary literature search tools. The following search strategy was used: ((turmeric OR curcumin OR curcuma) AND (gingivitis OR “gum inflammation”)). Five reviewed studies show that both turmeric and chlorhexidine significantly decrease plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI), and can therefore be used in the prevention and treatment of gingivitis. Conclusions Both chlorhexidine and turmeric can be used as an adjunct to mechanical means in preventing and treating gingivitis. However, trials longer than 21 days with a greater number of patients are necessary to further evaluate the comparison between turmeric and chlorhexidine.