cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tobacco Budworms and Bollworms: Three Promising Insecticides for Control

For the past few years the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), has been the most important pest of cotton in the lower Rio Grande Valley and the most difficult to control. Indeed, in 1970 the insect was responsible for loss of an estimated 25% of the cotton crop despite use of the best control measures available.
The Clinical Profile of the Newborn with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension Observations in 19 Affected Neonates

In 19 neonates with severe cyanosis, normal chest x-rays, anatomically normal hearts, and a high incidence of perinatal complications, the clinical course was characterized by variable sustained cyanosis. Cardiac catheterization data showed high systemic or suprasystemic pulmonary artery pressure with right to left intracardiac shunting via the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus. Arterial oxygen tension at an inspired oxygen concentration above 65% was helpful in distinguishing these patients from those with congenital heart disease, and for predicting prognosis.
A social and environmental evaluation of fuel-efficient cook-stoves and conservation in Uganda

A significant factor contributing to deforestation is the expanding human populations' increasing demands on forests and forest products. In many areas, rural households rely solely on fuelwood collected from the forest for their domestic energy supply. Fuel-saving stoves, or improved cook-stoves, have been introduced to reduce fuelwood consumption and thus alleviate deforestation, but there is frequently little or no formal monitoring and evaluation of programmes; their success as both a development and a resource-conservation tool is therefore undetermined. A programme was implemented in communities surrounding two national parks in western Uganda to compare domestic fuelwood consumption of an improved cook-stove and the traditional cooking fire, and assess the attitudes of stove users and non-users towards the improved stove and resource conservation. A kitchen performance test conducted in 100 households in Kiziba, Kahangi and Matayisa/Bundinyama parishes showed that fuelwood consumption did not differ significantly between improved and traditional stoves under actual field conditions. Household surveys showed that respondents in all three parishes had positive perceptions of the improved cook-stove. Perceived advantages of the improved stove included the ability to cook more than one item at once, fuelwood savings, quick cooking, and smoke/accident reduction. Many problems cited with the stove were technical, such as chimney malfunctions and pot-holes being too large or small to accommodate cooking pots. Cost of the stove was the primary reason for non-adoption. Improved-stove users were more concerned with forest conservation than were non-users. The need for monitoring and evaluation of improved-stove programmes is strongly indicated if they are to continue to be implemented as tools for resource conservation.
THE IMPACT OF DEMAND UNCERTAINTY AND CONFIGURATION CAPACITY ON CUSTOMER SERVICE PERFORMANCE IN A CONFIGURE‐TO‐ORDER ENVIRONMENT

This paper examines the simultaneous impact of demand variability, demand skew, and configuration capacity on customer service in a configure-to-order environment. Simulation is done in ARENA and data are analyzed using ANOVA and MANOVA. The findings indicate that the factors studied have differential impact on performance both individually and interactively.
On Stability of N-Dimensional Dynamical Systems

This paper presents a theory of the stability of equilibrium in dynamical systems. The measuring function is introduced through a relative distance function. The kth -order, G – functions at the equi-measuring function surface and the increment of the equi-measuring function are introduced. Based on the kth -order, G – functions, a theory for the stability of dynamical system is presented, including the definitions and theorems.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
HIV-1 Protease and Reverse-Transcriptase Mutations: Correlations with Antiretroviral Therapy in Subtype B Isolates and Implications for Drug-Resistance Surveillance

Background. It is important, for drug-resistance surveillance, to identify human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains that have undergone antiretroviral drug selection.Methods. We compared the prevalence of protease and reverse-transcriptase (RT) mutations in HIV-1 sequences from persons with and without previous treatment with protease inhibitors (PIs), nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs), and nonnucleoside RT inhibitors (NNRTIs). Treatment-associated mutations in protease isolates from 5867 persons and RT isolates from 6247 persons were categorized by whether they were polymorphic (prevalence, >0.5%) in untreated individuals and whether they were established drug-resistance mutations. New methods were introduced to minimize misclassification from transmitted resistance, population stratification, sequencing artifacts, and multiple hypothesis testing.Results. Some 36 established and 24 additional nonpolymorphic protease mutations at 34 positions were related to PI treatment, 21 established and 22 additional nonpolymorphic RT mutations at 24 positions with NRTI treatment, and 15 established and 11 additional nonpolymorphic RT mutations at 15 positions with NNRTI treatment. In addition, 11 PI-associated and 1 NRTI-associated established mutations were polymorphic in viruses from untreated persons.Conclusions. Established drug-resistance mutations encompass only a subset of treatment-associated mutations; some of these are polymorphic in untreated persons. In contrast, nonpolymorphic treatment-associated mutations may be more sensitive and specific markers of transmitted HIV-1 drug resistance.
Raman scattering study of coalesced single walled carbon nanotubes

High temperature heat treatment of single wall carbon nanotube bundles in flowing H2 was used to produce a significant fraction (∼40%) of diameter-doubled, or coalesced tubes with a mean diameter corresponding to that of ∼(20, 20) tubes. At three laser excitation wavelengths (514.5, 647, and 1064 nm), a reduction in the Raman scattering intensity of the strong radial and tangential modes was observed in the H2-treated sample, consistent with the reduced fraction of tubes in the sample after coalescence. However, using 488 nm excitation, little or no change is observed in the Raman spectrum after the H2 treatment, suggesting that this excitation wavelength couples only to chiral symmetry tubes. Using the 647 nm excitation, the effect of H2 treatment on the tangential band is quite unique, and a significant change in the shape of the tangential band was observed. Our lineshape analysis, and other results reported in this issue, suggest that this unique change of shape is due to lost scattering intensity from metallic tubes partially compensated by tangential mode scattering from the coalesced tubes. The normally prominent radial breathing mode band, which would be expected at ∼90 cm−1 for ∼(20, 20) tubes was not observed, indicating that these larger diameter tubes do not exhibit strong resonant scattering, at least at any of the wavelengths used in this study.
Contextual Influences on Young Men's Transition to First Marriage

Les AA. etudient les processus de formation des familles aux Etats-Unis. Ils presentent un certain nombre de donnees collectees entre 1979 et 1984. Ils montrent que ceux-ci sont en evolution a partir du moment ou l'on constate un phenomene de retard au mariage ou une tendance des individus a demeurer celibataire. Ils s'interessent aux facteurs qui interviennent en ce qui concerne la decision de se marier et plus particulierement ceux qui affectent la decision des jeunes hommes. Ils s'efforcent d'evaluer l'etendue du choix offert a ces derniers en ce domaine. Ils montrent que les probabilites de mariage croissent avec le nombre de femmes seules. Ils estiment que l'independance economique des femmes tend a reduire les chances du mariage. Ils affirment que le revenu, la stabilite professionnelle, le fait d'etre proprietaire de son logement accelere la transition vers le mariage. L'allongement de la scolarite et un haut niveau d'education tendent a la retarder. Ils signalent qu'il n'existe pas de differences raciales significatives entre les hommes
Application of reproducing kernel particle method to large deformation contact analysis of elastomers

Abstract A meshless formulation based on the Reproducing Kernel Particle Method (RKPM) is applied to the large deformation and contact analysis of elastomeric components. In this approach, a kernel estimate that ensures the completeness requirement of a linear field is introduced to construct the global Reproducing Kernel shape functions of the displacements. The Galerkin approximation of the variational equation is formulated using the Reproducing Kernel shape functions, and the discretization can be performed without the need of a structured mesh. In this paper, a RKPM formulation for rubber materials including frictional contact conditions is presented. The contact constraint equations and essential boundary conditions are formulated in the nodal coordinate using a direct transformation method. The global Reproducing Kernel shape functions expressed in a material description are used in the total Lagrangian formulation of hyperelasticity. By the use of the smooth Reproducing Kernel shape functions, the...
Vertical leaf area distribution, light transmittance, and application of the Beer–Lambert Law in four mature hardwood stands in the southern Appalachians

We quantified stand leaf area index and vertical leaf area distribution, and developed canopy extinction coefficients (k), in four mature hardwood stands. Leaf area index, calculated from litter fa...
Prosaposin: promoter analysis and central-nervous-system-preferential elements for expression in vivo.

The expression of prosaposin is temporally and spatially regulated at the transcriptional and post-translational levels. In vitro, the mouse prosaposin promoter contains functional RORE [retinoic acid-receptor-related orphan receptor alpha subunit (RORalpha)-binding element], Sp1 and U (unknown) sites within 310 bp directly 5' to the transcription start site and additional elements within 2400 bp 5' to the transcription start site. To elucidate promoter regions important to tissue-preferential expression in vivo, transgenic mice were created with 5'-flanking deletions of the prosaposin gene fused to a luciferase reporter. Nearly exclusive expression was observed in cerebrum, cerebellum and eyes of adult transgenic mice containing constructs with 234-310 bp of 5'-flanking DNA. This central nervous system (CNS) expression was due to the presence of RORE and overlapping Sp1 sites in this region. Internal deletion of RORE and the Sp1 cluster from the longer constructs with 2400 bp of 5'-flanking DNA significantly diminished expression in the CNS. The appearance of substantial visceral tissue (e.g. liver, spleen, lung, kidney, thymus and heart) expression was obtained with transgenic mice bearing constructs with 742-2400 bp of 5'-flanking DNA. The cellular localization of luciferase reporter-gene expression from these constructs corresponded closely with that for prosaposin. These results define important CNS and visceral regulatory regions in the promoter in vivo and may be sufficient to account for the majority of prosaposin's tissue-preferential expression.
An efficient signaling structure for ATM networks

As ATM becomes widely accepted as the communication standard for high speed networks, the signaling system structure and protocols that support ATM become more and more important. To support existing, future and unknown applications, the signaling system has to be very flexible and efficient. We define the signaling problem, present several possible signaling system structures, compare the advantages and disadvantages of these systems, and then we propose a new signaling system structure. The fundamental idea of the new signaling system is the logical separation of the signaling system structure from the underlying communication network, even though they may be built on the some physical network. The proposed signaling system structure shows very promising performance in terms of signaling latency and scalability.
Virulence of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecium according to Linezolid Resistance and Clinical Outbreak Status

Assessing clinical virulence differences between vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) strains resistant to linezolid (LRVRE) and linezolid-susceptible VRE (LSVRE) strains is difficult due to confounding patient variables. Galleria mellonella is a validated host interaction model allowing straightforward organism virulence assessment. The objective of this study was to assess the virulence of VREF in G. mellonella according to linezolid resistance and clinical outbreak status. A genetically related pair of VREF strains with and without genotypically confirmed linezolid resistance was selected for analysis. Additionally, six strains of LSVRE and two strains of LRVRE were selected according to epidemiologic outbreak status. Mortality of G. mellonella was assessed daily over a 5-day period and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log rank tests. Linezolid resistance did not have a significant effect on G. mellonella mortality in the genetically related pair (P = 0.93). There was no significant difference in mortality over time between strains (non-outbreak [i.e., no patient transmissions were recorded] [n = 2] versus outbreak [i.e., transmission occurred between 3 or more patients in a period of 30 days] [n = 6], P = 0.84; extensive transmission [i.e., the isolate was transmitted between at least 80 patients] [n = 2] versus limited transmission [i.e., the isolate was transmitted between fewer than 10 patients] [n = 4], P = 0.78). These results suggest that patients infected with LRVRE or outbreak strains of VREF are at no greater risk of poor outcomes mediated by organism virulence than those infected with LSVRE or non-outbreak strains.
More than a Signature: How Advisor Choice and Advisor Behaviour Affect Doctoral Student Satisfaction.

A satisfactory relationship between doctoral students and their advisors is an essential component of successful doctoral training. Using responses to a national survey of doctoral students in the US from 27 universities and 11 disciplines, this paper explores factors affecting students' satisfaction with the advising relationship. We find that both the criteria used in selecting an advisor and reported advisor behaviours influence satisfaction. Moreover, there are pronounced disciplinary differences in both choice criteria and advisor behaviour, and these are more robust predictors of satisfaction than individual characteristics.
THE ROLE OF HERBIVORES IN THE MAINTENANCE OF A FLOWER COLOR POLYMORPHISM IN WILD RADISH

Plant species exhibiting polymorphisms with respect to flower color are widespread. Our understanding of the selection pressures that may maintain these color polymorphisms has primarily been confined to one set of organisms-pollinators. Yet, selection on flower color may also be driven by other agents, such as herbivores, especially in cases where pollinators and herbivores are using the same or correlated traits to select plants. A wealth of studies have documented pollinator preference for anthocyanin-recessive color morphs (A-; yellow and white flowers) of wild radish, Raphanus sativus, over anthocyanin-dominant morphs (A+; pink and bronze flowers); yet, differences in pollination alone do not explain the maintenance of the flower color polymorphism. Here, we ask whether variation in flower color in R. sativus influences the preference and performance of herbivores for A- flower color morphs vs. A+ flower color morphs in four types of herbivores (generalist and specialist Lepidoptera, slugs, aphids, and thrips). We found that all herbivores except for aphids and thrips preferred flowering A- color morphs compared to A+ morphs of R. sativus. Furthermore, all herbivores except larvae of specialist and generalist Lepidoptera performed better on A- color morphs. Differences in plant secondary chemistry may play a role in differential herbivore preference and performance on the anthocyanin flower color morphs. Chemical analyses of leaf secondary compounds (indole glucosinolates) revealed that A+ color morphs produced higher concentrations of indole glucosinolates than A- morphs in the presence of herbivore damage. Therefore, herbivores may exhibit lower preference for A+ color morphs, and these morphs may support lower herbivore performance because they are heavily defended once damaged. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to document differential preference and performance of herbivores for different flower color morphs. Previous studies have shown that increased herbivore damage can have profound negative direct and indirect effects on the reproduction of R. sativus. The data presented here suggest that differential preference and performance of herbivores for R. sativus color morphs may counter selection on flower color exerted by pollinators.
A Method of Evaluating Atmospheric Models Using Tracer Measurements

Abstract The authors have developed a method that uses tracer measurements as the basis for comparing and evaluating wind fields. An important advantage of the method is that the wind fields are evaluated from the tracer measurements without introducing dispersion calculations. The method can be applied to wind fields predicted by different atmospheric models or to wind fields obtained from interpolation and extrapolation of measured data. The method uses a cost function to quantify the success of wind fields in representing tracer transport. A cost function, “tracer potential,” is defined to account for the magnitude of the tracer concentration at the tracer receptors and the separation between each segment of a trajectory representing wind field transport and each of the tracer receptors. The tracer potential resembles a general expression for a physical potential because the success of a wind field trajectory is directly proportional to the magnitude of the tracer concentration and inversely proportion...
Liberal democracy, market economy, and international conduct as standards of ‘civilization’ in contemporary international society: The case of Russia's entry into the ‘community of civilized states’:

Abstract In his report to the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation in the beginning of 1992, President Boris Yeltsin stated that one of the fundamental principles of his foreign policy was the integration of Russia into the ‘community of civilized states’. However, joining a society or community of some kind requires the fulfilment of certain standards. The first global application of international norms and expected standards of behaviour took place during the nineteenth century through the process of the expansion of the European society of states and its gradual transformation to the contemporary global international society. In this process, the standard of ‘civilization’ played an essential role in determining which states would join the expanding European society and which ones would not. Despite its official repudiation, the standard of ‘civilization’ has remained an international practice as well as a benchmark against which the attitudes and policies of states are assessed. This paper examines the changes that the Russian Government under President Yeltsin had to introduce in order to achieve the country's admission into post-Cold War international society. It argues that these changes included the democratization of the Russian political system, the transformation of the Russian economic system into a free market economy, and the de-ideologisation of the Russian foreign policy.
Attenuation of acute lung injury in transgenic mice expressing human transforming growth factor-α

Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is produced in the lung in experimental and human lung diseases; however, its physiological actions after lung injury are not understood. To determine the influ...
Automatic correction of x-ray scatter and veiling glare in simulated fluoroscopic images

Fluoroscopic images are degraded by scattering of x-rays from within the patient and by veiling glare in the image intensifier. Both of these degradations are well described by a response function applied to the primary intensity. If the response function is known, than an estimate of the primary component of the image can be computed by applying the inverse operation. However, the response function is actually variable, with dependence on such factors as patient thickness and imaging geometry. We describe a technique for estimating a parameterized response function so that a good estimate of the subject density profile can be recovered even if the response function parameters are not known in advance. Our method uses a partially absorbing filter with spatially varying density as a reference object which enables us to compute good estimates of the parameterized response function. We use simulated images to evaluate our method for a wide range of conditions. Our simulation results show that this technique can greatly reduce densitometric errors in fluoroscopic images.
Epidemiology of Domestically Acquired Amebiasis in Japan, 2000–2013

Notifications of amebiasis have been increasing in Japan. Using national surveillance data during 2000-2013, reported cases of amebiasis were analyzed. A case of amebiasis was defined as laboratory-confirmed Entamoeba histolytica infection, regardless of presence of symptoms. We described temporal trends and analyzed correlates of asymptomatic versus symptomatic cases based on odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression. Of 9,946 cases reported during 2000-2013, 7,403 were domestic cases. During this period, the proportion of domestic cases increased from 63% to 85%. Among male cases, majority were middle aged, and from 2008, the number of cases attributed to heterosexual contact surpassed that of homosexual contact. During 2010-2013, increase in notifications was associated with asymptomatic cases, colonoscopy diagnosis, and males with unknown or heterosexual route of infection. Among males, colonoscopy (OR = 31.5; 95% CI = 14.0-71.0) and cases with unknown route of infection, relative to homosexual contact (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.3-3.9), were associated with asymptomatic infections in multivariate analysis. Although the recent rise may have been due to enhanced detection by colonoscopy or reporting, the large number of asymptomatic cases, with reportedly unknown or heterosexual route of infection, has led to a better understanding of amebiasis in Japan and highlights the potential public health concern.
Biased Information, Supreme Court Precedent, and Decision-Making on the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Testing our theory in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, we analyze whether opinions that run counter to the known preferences of justices who author them are regarded as more reliable precedents than those Supreme Court opinions that reflect the ideological predispositions of their authors. We find that the opinions of the Court that convey this type of “counter-preference” information are more likely to be followed than opinions that are consistent with the opinion author’s (expected) disposition.
Evaluator Training Needs and Competencies: A Gap Analysis.

The systematic identification of evaluator competency training needs is crucial for the development of evaluators and the establishment of evaluation as a profession. Insight into essential competencies could help align training programs with field-specific needs, therefore clarifying expectations between evaluators, educators, and employers. This investigation of practicing evaluators’ perceptions of competencies addresses the critical need for a competency training gap analysis. Results from an online survey of 403 respondents and a follow-up focus group indicate that the professional practice and systematic inquiry competencies are seen as most important for conducting successful evaluations. Evaluators identified need for additional training in the interpersonal competence and reflective practice competency domains. Trends identified can support the development and modification of programs designed to offer training, education, and professional development to evaluators.
Construction of the Postmodernism Concept on Urban Planning

There are some differences on urban planning between postmodernism and modernism in philosophy and specific method of operation.However,postmodernism is the ideological reflection,inheritance and development of modernism.On the basic of modernism's urban planning characteristics,it discusses postmodernism value orientation and concepts on urban planning.
Knowledgeability, Attitude and Behavior of Primary Care Providers Towards Oral Cancer: a Pilot Study.

The objective of this study was to assess current knowledgeability, attitudes, and practice behaviors of primary care providers (PCPs) towards oral cancer screening. Applying a cross-sectional design, a 14-question survey was emailed to 307 PCPs practicing at a large, multi-specialty, rurally based healthcare system. Survey data were collected and managed using REDCap and analyzed applying descriptive statistics. A 20 % response rate (n = 61/307) was achieved for survey completion. Approximately 70 % of respondents were physicians, 16 % were nurse practitioners, and 13 % were physician assistants. Nearly 60 % of respondents were family medicine practitioners. Limited training surrounding oral cancer screening during medical training was reported by 64 %. Although 78 % of respondents reported never performing oral cancer screening on patients in their practice, >90 % answered knowledge-based questions correctly. Frequency rate for specialist referral for suspicious lesions by PCPs was 56 % “frequently”. Optimal periodicity for oral cancer screening on all patients selected by respondents was 61 % “annually”, 3 % “every 6 months”, 3 % “every visit”, 2 % “not at all”, and 31 % “unsure”. This study established a baseline surrounding current knowledgeability, practice patterns, and opinions of PCPs towards oral cancer screening at a single, large, regional healthcare system. In the absence of evidence-based support for population-based cancer screening, this study result suggests a need for better integration of oral cancer surveillance into the medical setting, supplemented by education and training with emphasis on assessment of high-risk patients to achieve early detection. Prospectively, larger studies are needed to validate these findings.
ANXIETY AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RELATION TO GENDER

Present study was undertaken to investigate the significance of difference in anxiety of male and female students. The study was conducted on 200 Government Senior Secondary School students (100 male and 100 female). Anxiety scale by Srivastava and Tiwari was used to collect the data. The result of the study showed no significant difference in the anxiety of male and female students.
In vivo optical coherence tomography of stimulus-evoked intrinsic optical signals in mouse retinas

Intrinsic optical signal (IOS) imaging promises a noninvasive method for advanced study and diagnosis of eye diseases. Before pursuing clinical applications, it is essential to understand anatomic and physiological sources of retinal IOSs and to establish the relationship between IOS distortions and eye diseases. The purpose of this study was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of <italic<in vivo</italic< IOS imaging of mouse models. A high spatiotemporal resolution spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was employed for depth-resolved retinal imaging. A custom-designed animal holder equipped with ear bar and bite bar was used to minimize eye movements. Dynamic OCT imaging revealed rapid IOS from the photoreceptor’s outer segment immediately after the stimulation delivery, and slow IOS changes were observed from inner retinal layers. Comparative photoreceptor IOS and electroretinography recordings suggested that the fast photoreceptor IOS may be attributed to the early stage of phototransduction before the hyperpolarization of retinal photoreceptor.
Differentiated Rate Scheduling for MIMO Broadcast Channels with Estimation Errors

We consider the throughput of a MIMO Gaussian broadcast channel with two generalizing assumptions: (1) differentiated quality of service, in the sense that the rates required by different users must satisfy certain rational constraints, and (2) imperfect channel side information (CSI), where we assume that the estimate of the underlying channel has some error with known distribution. Theoretically, with full and perfect CSI in hand, dirty paper coding (DPC) can achieve any point on the capacity region, including the non-symmetrical boundary points. However, the full CSI requirement and the computational complexity of DPC motivates the development of simpler schemes which require little feedback from the users and can obtain a large portion of the capacity of the channel. In this paper we will look at the throughput and rate ratio achieved by schemes based on the idea of opportunistic beam-forming and employing a rate back-off mechanism in order to maximize the throughput in the case of imperfect CSI. We will determine the optimal scheduling parameters and will show the order optimality of these schemes in the regime of large number of users.
Genomic reconstruction of multiple lineages of uncultured benthic archaea suggests distinct biogeochemical roles and ecological niches

Genomic bins belonging to multiple archaeal lineages were recovered from distinct redox regimes in sediments of the White Oak River estuary. The reconstructed archaeal genomes were identified as belonging to the rice cluster subgroups III and V (RC-III, RC-V), the Marine Benthic Group D (MBG-D), and a newly described archaeal class, the Theionarchaea. The metabolic capabilities of these uncultured archaea were inferred and indicated a common capability for extracellular protein degradation, supplemented by other pathways. The multiple genomic bins within the MBG-D archaea shared a nearly complete reductive acetyl-CoA pathway suggesting acetogenic capabilities. In contrast, the RC-III metabolism appeared centered on the degradation of detrital proteins and production of H2, whereas the RC-V archaea lacked capabilities for protein degradation and uptake, and appeared to be specialized on carbohydrate fermentation. The Theionarchaea appeared as complex metabolic hybrids; encoding a complete tricarboxylic acid cycle permitting carbon (acetyl-CoA) oxidation, together with a complete reductive acetyl-CoA pathway and sulfur reduction by a sulfhydrogenase. The differentiated inferred capabilities of these uncultured archaeal lineages indicated lineage-specific linkages with the nitrogen, carbon and sulfur cycles. The predicted metabolisms of these archaea suggest preferences for distinct geochemical niches within the estuarine sedimentary environment.
Linking hurricane landfalls, precipitation variability, fires, and vegetation response over the past millennium from analysis of coastal lagoon sediments, southwestern Dominican Republic

We reconstructed the late-Holocene environmental history of a coastal lagoon in semi-arid southwestern Hispaniola through multiproxy analysis of a sediment core, including pollen, macroscopic and microscopic charcoal, loss-on-ignition analysis (LOI), stable isotope analysis, bulk density, and magnetic susceptibility. Four chronological accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon dates indicated that our core represents the past ~1000 years. We interpreted ten hurricanes events over the past millennium from high-resolution geological proxies, LOI data, and ostracod valve stable oxygen isotope data, thus producing the first long record of hurricanes from the Dominican Republic. Geological proxies indicated a high-energy event abruptly changed the ecosystem state of our core site from a shallow mangrove wetland to a lacustrine environment ~330 cal yr BP. We interpret the driver of that event to be the landfall of a strong hurricane that initiated lowland flooding, mangrove mortality, and subsequent peat collapse at the core site. Pollen data indicated that during the relatively moist Medieval Warm Period (MWP), hurricanes led to temporary declines in tropical dry forest taxa that recovered within several decades following disturbance. By comparison, during the relatively arid Little Ice Age (LIA), when precipitation was highly variable in the circum-Caribbean, closely spaced hurricanes seemed to delay forest recovery. Sedimentary charcoal concentrations revealed increased fire activity after inferred hurricane landfalls in the MWP, providing evidence of a link between enhanced biomass and fuel availability during moister periods and burning in recently disturbed dry forests and scrub of our semi-arid study region. Our interpretations of increased aridity and precipitation variability, indicated by alternating thin layers of microbial mats with evaporite layers, along with more frequent hurricanes from ~330 cal yr BP to present, generally agree with other sedimentary records from the circum-Caribbean, and may be linked to a more southerly position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone during the LIA.
ABCB1 genetic variation influences the toxicity and clinical outcome of patients treated with docetaxel

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 4781 Polymorphisms that are associated with ABCB1 expression and function may be linked to treatment efficacy, and the development of neutropenia and neurotoxicity in patients with androgen independent prostate cancer (AIPC) receiving docetaxel. Patients with AIPC treated with docetaxel alone (n=23), or docetaxel and thalidomide (n=50), were genotyped for the ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677 G>T/A, and 3435 C>T alleles by direct sequencing, and diplotypes were constructed using an EM algorithm. The data were then compared to duration to onset of peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia grade, and survival after docetaxel. For patients receiving docetaxel alone, individuals carrying a diplotype consisting of the 1236C-2677G-3435C linked alleles had improved overall survival after treatment (P = 0.0017). Additionally, patients treated with docetaxel and thalidomide carrying a diplotype consisting of the 2677T-3435T haplotype had a shorter median survival (P = 0.045). After adjusting for a particular set of polymorphisms and diplotype groupings, a hazard ratio of 10.87 was found for patients carrying the 2677GG genotype versus patients carrying other genotypes (P = 0.0048) in the docetaxel and thalidomide cohort. Among both treatment arms together, individuals carrying the 2677GG genotype also had a significantly longer time to neuropathy (P = 0.035). Finally, there was a strong trend towards patients carrying the 2677TT-3435TT diplotype having higher grades of neutropenia (P = 0.053). The data suggest that docetaxel-induced neuropathy, neutropenia grade, and overall survival could be linked to ABCB1 allelic variants with ensuing negative implications for docetaxel treatment in patients carrying ABCB1 variant genotypes.
Stochastic network utility maximization in the presence of heavy-tails

Recent years have witnessed an active research on the stochastic network utility maximization (NUM) problem, where the optimal network resource allocation policy, such as congestion control, routing, and scheduling, is formulated as a constrained maximization of some utility function under the stochastic dynamics in users' traffic and time-varying wireless channels. So far, the stochastic NUM problem and its associated solutions are investigated under light-tailed (LT) traffic assumption, which is largely departing from the recent large-scale empirical studies, which verify the emergence of heavy-tailed (HT) traffic in a variety of networked systems. The unique stochastic features of HT traffic fundamentally challenges the feasibility of the classic algorithms developed for the stochastic NUM problem. This paper aims to develop effective algorithms to maximize network utility in the presence of heavy tailed traffic. First, it is proven that without considering the inherent bursty nature of HT traffic, the classic stochastic subgradient algorithm, which is utility optimal, fail to achieve queue stability. Our theoretical analysis reveals that such queue instability phenomenon is due to the fact that the stochastic subgradient algorithm inherently exploits queue length to update Lagrange dual variables. To counter this challenge, a time-average stochastic gradient algorithm is proposed, which decouples the queue-length update process and the dual variable update process in such a way that utility-optimality and queue-stability can be simultaneously achieved. Our convergence and stability analysis shows that the proposed algorithm can avoid the LT queues from competing with the HT queues, thus completely shielding those LT queues from the destructive impact of HT traffic.
Empirical Results: Why Populists Win or Lose—A Two-Level Theory

This chapter presents the empirical findings of the media and qualitative comparative analyses (QCA). It shows how the national debates on identity politics amongst established parties perfectly account for the varying advances of populist radical right parties in the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden. At first glance, no clear pattern appears to explain why or how established parties politicize immigration issues. But the QCA results point to the political mechanisms behind the immigration debates that decide the fate of populist radical right parties: a two-level theory explains the varying rationales of established moderate parties in identity politics. Finally, this allows the revelation of a generalizable political mechanism that explains the rise and fall of populist radical right parties, such as the French Front National (FN), in Western Europe.
Queueing analysis of general loop systems

This paper is concerned with general loop systems in which each of several buffered units may exchange data with any other unit via a single oneway loop channel. The traffic is described in terms of stationary stochastic processes with independent increments. The queues of data waiting for transmission which develop at the different units are investigated. The queueing discipline assumed here accords data with longer transmission paths preemptive priority over those with shorter paths. For such systems expected queue lengths and waiting times in the steady state are calculated for all units and priority classes. An equivalence is established between general loop systems and systems of a much simpler structure and is used in the derivation.
Sin and Self-Functioning, Part 1: Grace, Guilt and Self-Consciousness:

An intrinsic religious orientation and beliefs relating to grace tended to predict an Internal State of Awareness, Style Consciousness, and less depression. These outcomes supported the hypothesis ...
Early Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Trabecular Metal Total Ankle Replacement Using a Transfibular Approach.

Background In the last 2 decades, total ankle replacement has gained greater acceptance as a treatment option in patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. However, there is a lack of literature on total ankle replacement using a lateral transfibular approach. Therefore, we sought to report early clinical and radiographic results for a patient cohort treated with total ankle replacement using a lateral transfibular approach, performed by a single surgeon. Methods From October 2012 to December 2014, 55 primary total ankle arthroplasties using the Zimmer Trabecular Metal Total Ankle implant were performed in 54 patients (29 male and 25 female; mean age, 67.0 years). Clinical assessment, including pain evaluation and measurement of ankle range of motion, was conducted preoperatively and at the latest follow-up. Weight-bearing radiographs were used to determine angular alignment of the tibial and talar components and to analyze the bone-implant interface. Intraoperative and postoperative complications, revision surgeries, and survivorship were evaluated. Results Implant survival was 93% at 24 months of follow-up. There were 3 revisions of a tibial component due to aseptic loosening. In 10 of the 55 cases, a secondary procedure was performed during follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 26.6 ± 4.2 months. No delayed union or nonunion was observed for fibular healing. The average visual analog scale (VAS) pain score decreased significantly, from 7.9 ± 1.3 to 0.8 ± 1.2. The average total range of motion increased significantly, from 22.9° ± 12.7° to 40.2° ± 11.8°. Conclusions Early results of total ankle replacement using the Zimmer trabecular metal implant and the lateral transfibular approach demonstrated improved patient-reported outcomes and increased ankle motion at a minimum follow-up of 2 years. In the 55 consecutive cases, the fibular osteotomy required for access to the ankle healed without complications. Painful early loosening due to lack of osseous ingrowth required revision in 3 of 55 cases. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
From glucose-based carbohydrates to phenol-rich bio-oils integrated with syngas production via catalytic pyrolysis over an activated carbon catalyst

The catalytic pyrolysis of carbohydrates over a phosphoric acid-activated carbon catalyst (ACC) was investigated to obtain phenol-rich bio-oils and syngas production in a facile fixed bed reactor for the first time. The central composite design (CCD) was adopted to optimize the experimental operating conditions of glucose catalytic pyrolysis, where the effects of reaction temperatures and ratios of catalyst to reactant on product distributions were studied. The main chemical components of the obtained catalytic bio-oils from glucose were phenols, ketones, and anhydrosugars, in which the selectivity of phenols ranged from 4.8 to 100% depending on various reaction conditions. The highest selectivity of phenols was achieved at a reaction temperature of 450 °C with a catalyst to reactant ratio of 1. Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen were the main gas fractions in the gaseous products, where high concentrations of carbon monoxide (50.2%) and hydrogen (9.2%) could be attained. Additionally, the catalytic pyrolysis of cellulose with different catalyst to reactant ratios at a reaction temperature of 450 °C was also investigated and the results exhibited a similar phenomenon to that of glucose. A high selectivity of phenols (96.7%) could also be achieved integrated with a high concentration of carbon monoxide (42.1%). The mechanism of phenol generation was further discussed and the “phenol pool” was proposed to describe the catalytic function of the ACC in the catalytic conversion of volatiles into phenols. Our findings suggest that the catalytic pyrolysis of renewable and earth-abundant carbohydrates over the ACC might provide a novel and viable route to generate high-purity phenols to ultimately advance the utilization of biomass energy.
Diabetes Mellitus Challenges for the Future

Diabetes mellitus remains an enigma in many ways in spite of the tremendous amount of research and writing that has occurred regarding this condition during the past 50 years. Nobel prizes have been awarded to Banting and Best (1922) for the discovery of insulin, Houssay (1937) for his pituitary investigations which spotlighted the extrapancreatic aspects of diabetes, to Sanger (1959) and colleagues for elucidating the amino acid structure of insulin, and to Sutherland and Rall (1958) for their classic studies in hormone action as manifest by changes in cyclic AMP.
Passive acoustic detection of surface ships at ranges exceeding 100 kilometers and mechanisms for ship noise generation

The passive ocean acoustic waveguide remote sensing technique is employed to detect diesel-electric vehicles at ranges exceeding 100 kilometers. The underwater sounds radiated from these vessels are received at long ranges on a large-aperture densely-sampled horizontal coherent hydrophone array. The source levels of these signals are estimated by correcting the received pressure levels for transmission losses modeled using a calibrated parabolic equation-based acoustic propagation model for random range-dependent ocean waveguides. Here we find spectra of ship-radiated sound that is extremely dynamic containing both broadband signals and narrowband tonals at discrete frequencies with source levels that vary depending on ship conditions. We track a vessel with increasing range to find range dependence on broadband signals at close range and tonal signals at long range. Machinery noise generated from engines, propellers, flow noise and other cavitation sources are found to vary depending on ship conditions and are unique to each vessel. Our analysis indicates these vessels can be instantaneously tracked over wide areas spanning more than 300 kilometers in diameter.
Risk for Health Events After Deprescribing Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors in Nursing Home Residents With Severe Dementia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE Reevaluation of the appropriateness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) is recommended in older adults with severe dementia, given the lack of strong evidence to support their continued effectiveness and risk for medication-induced adverse events. We sought to evaluate the impact of deprescribing AChEIs on risk of all-cause events (hospitalizations, emergency department visits, and mortality) and serious falls or fractures in older nursing home (NH) residents with severe dementia. DESIGN Analysis of 2015 to 2016 data from Medicare claims, Part D prescriptions, Minimum Data Set (MDS) version 3.0, Area Health Resource File, and Nursing Home Compare. Marginal structural models with inverse probability of treatment weights were used to evaluate the association of deprescribing AChEIs and all-cause negative events as well as serious falls or fractures. SETTING US Medicare-certified NHs. PARTICIPANTS Nonskilled NH residents, aged 65 years and older, with severe dementia receiving AChEIs within the first 14 days of an MDS assessment in 2016 (n = 37 106). RESULTS The sample was primarily white (78.7%), female (75.5%), and aged 80 years or older (77.4%). Deprescribing AChEIs was associated with an increased likelihood of all-cause negative events in unadjusted models (odds ratio [OR] = 1.17; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-1.23; P < .01), but not in fully adjusted models (adjusted OR [aOR] = 1.00; 95% CI = 0.94-1.06; P = .94). By contrast, deprescribing was associated with a reduced likelihood of serious falls or fractures in unadjusted models (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.52-0.66; P < .001) and remained significant in adjusted models (aOR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.56-0.73; P < .001). CONCLUSION Deprescribing AChEIs was not associated with a significant increase in the likelihood for all-cause negative events and was associated with a reduced likelihood of falls and fractures in older NH residents with dementia. Our findings suggest that deprescribing AChEIs is a reasonable approach to reduce the risk of serious falls or fractures without increasing the risk for all-cause events. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:699-707, 2020.
The Indispensability of Knowledge

Nuno Venturinha holds that the contextualist epistemology adumbrated in Wittgenstein’s On Certainty--the most powerful response to philosophical skepticism yet developed-- falls short of providing a complete answer to Cartesian radical skepticism about knowledge of the external world. I argue that Venturinha underestimates the range and complexity of Wittgenstein’s epistemological. He does so because he reads Wittgenstein along the lines of so-called ‘hinge epistemology’. Hinge epistemology indeed fails as a diagnosis of skepticism. But it also fails as a reading of Wittgenstein. A more adequate understanding of Wittgenstein suggests that Venturinha’s pessimistic conclusion can be avoided.
An 8×8 Silicon Photonic Switch Module with Nanosecond-Scale Reconfigurability

We demonstrate a fully-packaged digitally programmable 8×8 strictly nonblocking electrooptic silicon photonics switch module. We measured fiber-to-fiber loss between 7.5 and 10.5 dB, crosstalk < −30 dB, and reconfiguration time < 10 ns.