cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of temperature and food abundance on grazing and short-term weight change in the marine copepod Acartia hudsonica

Ingestion and short-term weight change in adult female Acartia hudsonica were investigated at 4.5”, 8”, 12”, and 16°C with the solitary diatom Thalassiosira constricta as food. Narragansett Bay copepods were preadapted to the desired temperature and saturating food level for 3 d to standardize feeding history before the experiments. Maximal ingestion rates at the four temperatures were 16,460, 14,120, 2 1,470, and 29,960 cells copepod-‘d-l or 43.9, 37.2, 67.9, and 92.9% body C (Q10 = 2.3) and 34.2, 30.7, 42.6, and 74.7% body N d-’ (Q10 = 2.4). The critical concentration varied between 840 and 1,900 cells ml-’ (0.17-0.23 pg C ml-l) and was not significantly related to temperature. Maximal clearance rate was similar at all temperatures (20.8-23.9 ml copepod-Id-l), but .on a weight-specific basis increased from 3.3 to 6.0 ml (pg copepod C)-‘d -I between 4.5” and 16°C (Q10 = 1.8). Feeding rates at 4.5” and 8°C were similar; the seemingly low ingestion rates at 8°C were interpreted as evidence for a senescent population of adult copepods in the bay from late April to early May. During preadaptation at high food, A. hudsonica body C and N either stayed constant (indicating saturating food in the field) or increased (indicating food limitation in situ). Body weight was sensitive to variation in food supply; during the 24-h feeding experiments weight remained stable at the two highest food levels, but declined significantly at lower levels. Maximal observed weight loss was temperature-dependent, increasing from - 15% C and 12% N d-l at 4.5”C to 25% C and 17% N d-l at 16°C. The relationship between temperature and feeding rate in marine copepods has seldom been investigated, although temperature effects on respiration, reproduction, growth and development, and gut evacuation are relatively well known (e.g. Mullin and Brooks 1970; Vidal 1980~; Dam and Peterson 1988; McLaren et al. 1989). Of particular interest are the effects of temperature on the maximum rates of feeding (I,,,) and clearance (E,,,), and the food concentrations associated with the lower feeding threshold (C,) and the attainment of Imax (the critical concentration Cc), as these parameters define the functional relationship between food abundance and feeding rate
Axial mixing and extraction in a mechanically agitated liquid extraction tower

Axial mixing was measured in both phases for a countercurrently operated, mechanically agitated extractor of the Oldshue-Rushton design for water continuous and toluene and kerosene dispersed. Results in terms of an eddy axial diffusivity were correlated in terms of the variables studied. These correlations were then applied to column performance during extraction of n-butyl amine from kerosene into water, and the true mass transfer coefficients, corrected for axial mixing, were determined. These are shown to be predictable for droplets of dispersed phase considered to be rigid spheres.
The Gender Division of Labor and the Reproduction of Female Disadvantage Toward an Integrated Theory

A theory of the major mechanisms that sustain and reproduce systems of gender stratification is presented. The central support mechanism is the gender division of labor, within both the family and the wider society. Because of it, men gain superior resource and definitional power, which enable them to maintain the gender status quo regardless of women's wishes. Elite men create dominant social definitions that, together with the gender division of labor, contribute to gender differentiation. This results in women usually choosing that which they would otherwise be constrained to do, thereby legitimating the system and allowing men to refrain from exercising their coercive potential.
A novel method for measuring the vertical birefringence of optical disk substrates.

We describe a simple method of measuring vertical birefringence over the entire surface of an optical disk substrate. Our design consists of a linearly polarized He-Ne laser (1-2 mW) and a CCD camera interfaced to a computer. The measurement is non-intrusive, easy to set up, and needs only a few seconds to collect the data and plot a map of vertical birefringence over the surface area of the disk. The system described here is potentially useful as a quality-control tool in substrate manufacturing environments.
Quantitative Digital Analysis of Diffuse and Concentrated Nuclear Distributions of Nascent Transcripts, SC35 and Poly(A)

Abstract Digital imaging microscopy was used to analyze the spatial distribution and levels of newly synthesized RNA in relation to steady-state poly(A) RNA and to the splicing factor SC35. Transcription was monitored over time after microinjection of BrUTP and was detected using antibodies. Poly(A) RNA was detected with probes directly conjugated to fluorochromes, allowing direct detection of the hybrids. Objective methods were used to determine genuine signal. A defined threshold level to separate signal from noise was established for each nucleus. The nucleolus was used to determine poly(A) and SC35 background and the juxtanuclear cytoplasm was used for the BrUTP background. The remaining signal was segmented into high (concentrated) and low (diffuse) levels. Surprisingly, for all probes examined, most of the signal was not in concentrated areas, but rather was diffusely spread throughout the nucleoplasm. A minority (20–30%) of the SC35 signal was in concentrated areas (“speckles”) and the rest was dispersed throughout the nucleoplasm. In addition, the concentrated areas had a mean intensity only twice the average. The amount and significance of the colocalization of the diffuse, or concentrated, areas of SC35 [or poly(A)] with BrUTP incorporation were analyzed. The image from one probe was translated with respect to the other in three dimensions to compare colocalization with random alignments. Both poly(A) and SC35 were found to have low colocalization with the total BrU signal. Sites of transcription were determined using an algorithm to find maxima of BrUTP signal within clusters. From 849 to as many as 3888 sites per nucleus were detected. A rim of hybridization to poly(A) coinciding with the nuclear envelope was eliminated by actinomycin treatment, suggesting that these transcripts were exiting from the nucleus. These results emphasize the importance of utilizing the full dynamic range of the image before drawing conclusions as to the distribution of nuclear components.
Precision in practice: a type-preserving java compiler

Popular mobile code architectures (Java and .NET) include verifiers to check for memory safety and other security properties. Since their formats are relatively high level, supporting a wide range of source language features is awkward. Further compilation and optimization, necessary for efficiency, must be trusted. We describe the design and implementation of a fully type-preserving compiler for Java and ML. Its strongly-typed intermediate language provides a low-level abstract machine model and a type system general enough to prove the safety of a variety of implementation techniques. We show that precise type preservation is within reach for real-world Java systems.
Phylogeography and historical ecology of the North Atlantic intertidal

Recent glaciation covered the full extent of rocky intertidal habitat along the coasts of New England and the Canadian Maritimes. To test whether this glaciation in fact caused wholesale extinction of obligate rocky intertidal invertebrates, and thus required a recolonization from Europe, we compared American and European populations using allelic diversity and techniques adapted from coalescent theory. Mitochondrial DNA sequences were collected from amphi-Atlantic populations of three cold-temperate obligate rocky intertidal species (a barnacle, Semibalanus bal- anoides, and two gastropods, Nucella lapillus and Littorina obtusata) and three cold-temperate habitat generalist species (a seastar, Asterias rubens; a mussel, Mytilus edulis, and an isopod, Idotea balthica). For many of these species we were able to estimate the lineage-specific mutation rate based on trans-Arctic divergences between Pacific and Atlantic taxa. These data indicate that some obligate rocky intertidal taxa have colonized New England from European pop- ulations. However, the patterns of persistence in North America indicate that other life-history traits, including mech- anisms of dispersal, may be more important for surviving dramatic environmental and climatic change.
Design of a Traveling-Wave Slot Array Power Divider Using the Method of Moments and a Genetic Algorithm

A 1-to-25-way uniform amplitude and linear phase power divider, using slotted rectangular waveguides in the traveling-wave mode, is designed to cover the 71–77-GHz band. The design employs the scattering parameters of three-port couplers computed from the method of moments (MoM) solution to the integral equation of the slot aperture field. Subsequent genetic algorithm (GA) optimization is aimed at maximizing the return loss and combining efficiency and flatness of coupling amplitudes in the whole frequency band. GA utilizes the MoM solution to the coupled integral equations of slot apertures in the entire power divider structure. Simulations indicate the optimized power divider yielding better than 26-dB return loss and greater than 86% efficiency in the 71–77-GHz band for the power divider combiner connected back to back. Computed MoM results have been validated by the commercial code HFSS and also by experimentally measured results. The measured insertion loss of two back-to-back divider–combiners is about 2 dB.
Inclusive Recreation: The State of Campus Policies, Facilities, Trainings, and Programs for Transgender Participants

This study served to examine the environment for transgender participants in campus recreation. Research questions examined 1) policies, 2) facilities, 3) programs, 4) trainings in place at recreat...
Uncertainty Analysis of Ternary Diffusivities Obtained from One Versus Two Compact Diffusion Couples

An uncertainty analysis is given for how the measurement uncertainty of concentration profiles propagates into calculated ternary diffusivity or square-root diffusivity coefficients. The analysis is performed on analytical equations for calculating square-root diffusivities from one and two-diffusion couples. The equations assume that the concentration differences in the couples are so compact that their concentration profiles fit the error function solution to the diffusion equation. In other words the equations assume constant diffusivity. An example is given that illustrates how the relative uncertainty of each square-root diffusivity coefficient varies with composition vector orientation. The major conclusion is that diffusivities calculated from two-diffusion couples are reliable and have predictable uncertainty that parallels experimental uncertainty. The uncertainty is predictable by inserting the measured diffusivity into the equations given in this paper. However coefficients in ternary diffusivities calculated from one-diffusion couple may contain uncertainty that is unbounded. Therefore they are not reliable unless additional information is known about the diffusivity. However one exceptional case is noted. As reported before using a different analysis, errors in coefficients from one column of the square-root diffusivity matrix are the same for one and two-diffusion couple experiments when the one couple method is performed on a compact, quasi-binary couple.
Renal Disease and Sexual Dysfunction

Renal functional insufficiency often develops in patients with chronic spinal-cord injury (SCI), is associated with substantial morbidity, and frequently progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). As renal function deteriorates, virtually all organ systems are adversely affected. Over the past ten years, there has been increasing interest in the abnormalities of sexual and reproductive function that occur in patients with ESRD (20a). The main focus of this chapter will be the impact of advanced renal failure on sexual function. Even though chronic dialysis has become more widely available, including an expanded capability for patients with SCI and renal failure, there have been no systematic observations of sexual function in patients with both SCI and advanced renal failure. Although our comments are based on observations in able-bodied patients with ESRD, there is no prima facie reason why these cannot be extended to the SCI patient with renal failure.
Inappropriately Appropriated or Innovatively Indigenized?: Neighborhood Unit Concept in Post-independence India:

This article traces the long-term development of the neighborhood unit concept in Indian planning practice and literature. By concentrating on the role and actions of post-independence planners, th...
Population fluctuations and distributional controls of Callianassa californiensis; effect on the sedimentary record

Ichnofabric analysis is limited by insufficient data on the interplay of biological and physical processes in modern habitats to provide an actualistic basis for interpretation. For example, although callianassid shrimp have been active and abundant burrowers since the Mesozoic, there have been few studies delinating the impact on population size fluctuations or changes in sedimentary regime on the ichnofabric preserved in the sedimentary record
Carbon Implantation in AlX Ga1−X As

Maximum hole densities of 4×1018 cm-3 were produced in Al0.3Ga0.7As by C+Ga implantation and subsequent annealing at ∼800°C. The activation efficiency decreases with increasing AlAs mole fraction and the use of higher temperatures for the Ga co-implantation, due to a reduced vacancy concentration under these conditions. The C diffusivity is ≤2×10−13 cm2sec−1 at 950°C in implanted Al0.3Ga0.7As, demonstrating that C is a much more thermally stable acceptor than Be, Mg, or Zn.
MYC mrna abundance is unchanged in subcultures of HL60 cells exposed to power-line frequency magnetic fields

Epidemiological data have not demonstrated conclusively that there exists an association between exposure to power-line frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) and cancer. Some laboratory studies performed to investigate possible mechanisms for such an association reported biological effects of EMF exposure, but attempts to confirm some such reports have had mixed success. The most publicized experiments in this regard were studies on the purported EMF-induced increase in MYC expression in HL60 cells. To address the accuracy and reproducibility of this effect, HL60 cells were exposed to 6-μT 60 Hz magnetic fields, and MYC expression was measured. Assay methods and exposure conditions were as close as practical to those of the investigators that originally reported a positive effect. A chemical agent was used to demonstrate that the cells were responsive to a known stimulus and that the experimental system was sufficiently sensitive to detect such a stimulus. The experimental system had sufficiently low basal variability to allow the detection of effects of the magnitude that had been reported previously. Using either cells from a commercial source or cells supplied by the original investigators, no evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that EMF exposure could induce MYC expression.
Integration of SrTiO3 on Crystallographically Oriented Epitaxial Germanium for Low-Power Device Applications

SrTiO3 integration on crystallographic oriented (100), (110), and (111) epitaxial germanium (Ge) exhibits a potential for a new class of nanoscale transistors. Germanium is attractive due to its superior transport properties while SrTiO3 (STO) is promising due to its high relative permittivity, both being critical parameters for next-generation low-voltage and low-leakage metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors. The sharp heterointerface between STO and each crystallographically oriented Ge layer, studied by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy, as well as band offset parameters at each heterojunction offers a significant advancement for designing a new generation of ferroelectric-germanium based multifunctional devices. Moreover, STO, when used as an interlayer between metal and n-type (4 × 1018 cm–3) epitaxial Ge in metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) structures, showed a 1000 times increase in current density as well as a decrease in specific contact resistance. Furthermore, the ...
Interval between item repetitions and free recall memory

The interval between two presentations of the same item has a marked effect on paired associate learning (e.g., Greeno, 1964) but has been reported to have no effect on free recall (Waugh, 1963). To explore this apparent contradiction, a free recall experiment was performed with a mixed list of words and nonsense syllables in which the interval between two presentations of the same item was varied. A significant spacing effect was obtained for nonsense syllables but none for words. It is suggested that spacing may be important only for new associative or response integrative learning.
Antagonism of Anti-sulfonamide Effect of Methionine, and Enhancement of Bacteriostatic Action of Sulfonamide by Urea.∗:

Discussion and ConclusionsWhether the urea effect is an enhancement of the sodium sulfadiazine effect alone, or a neutralization of the methionine effect, or both, cannot be established from this preliminary data, although we are investigating this point further. However, under the conditions of our experiment, the following conclusions seem to be justified:1. With the concentration of sodium sulfadiazine used, approximately 80% inhibition of growth of E. coli in synthetic medium occurred. 2. In the concentrations used, methionine and urea alone, or in combination, displayed no effect on the growth of the test organism. 3. Methionine almost completely inhibited the bacterio-static effect of sodium sulfadiazine, thus confirming previous reports. 4. Urea and sodium sulfadiazine together showed a greater growth inhibitory effect than the latter alone. 5. Urea neutralized this inhibitory effect of methionine on sodium sulfadiazine and in conjunction with the sulfonamide, even though in the presence of methion...
Standardization, Clinical Validation, and Typicality Norms of a New Test Assessing Semantic Verbal Fluency

Objective Semantic verbal fluency (SVF) tests are widely used in clinical neuropsychology. We propose the standardization and clinical validation of a new SVF test based on the production of names of birds and articles of furniture (Birds and Articles of Furniture test-BAF). Methods A sample of 268 subjects aged 40 years or more underwent the test. The clinical validation was conducted on subjects affected by amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI; N = 106), mild (N = 178), and moderate (N = 114) Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results The BAF total score was influenced by both age and education, whereas the single scores obtained on BAF were also influenced by gender. The percentage of subjects with pathological score on BAF increased from aMCI (19%) to mild (45.5%) and moderate (71.1%) AD, and receiver operating characteristic curves analysis showed that the BAF may be highly reliable in distinguishing aMCI and AD patients from healthy subjects. We also provide typicality norms for birds and articles of furniture that could be useful in the assessment of qualitative features of words produced in semantic fluency tests. Conclusions The BAF test could be a valid and reliable tool in both clinical practice and research on subjects affected by cognitive impairment.
Tuning to Resonances With Iterative Time Reversal

This paper considers a distributed wave-based sensing system that probes a scene consisting of multiple interacting idealized targets. Each sensor is a collocated transmit–receive pair that is capable of transmitting arbitrary wideband waveforms. We address the problem of finding the space-time transmit waveform that provides the best target detection performance in the sense of maximizing the energy scattered back into the receivers. Our approach is based on earlier theoretical work that showed, for an idealized infinite half-space geometry, that the solution could be constructed by an iterative time-reversal (TR) process. In this paper, we give a more realistic example involving a two-sensor time-domain system. We show that for this system, the iterative TR process can be used to tune automatically to all the target resonances that are within the bandwidth of the interrogating radar system. We show that although obtaining eigenvalues (and hence resonances) of the scattering operator is in general unstable, using the iterative TR process to obtain the resonances is a stable process. Moreover, we show that these resonance frequencies are connected to the poles of the singularity expansion method.
Outage-optimized distributed quantizers for multicast beamforming

We consider a slow-fading multicast channel with one T-antenna transmitter and K single-antenna receivers with the goal of minimizing channel outage probability using quantized beamforming. Our focus is on a distributed limited feedback scenario where each receiver can only quantize and send feedback information regarding its own receiving channels. A classical result in point-to-point quantized beamforming is that a necessary and sufficient condition for full diversity is to have ⌈log 2 T⌉ bits from the receiver. We first generalize this result to multicast beamforming systems and show that a necessary and sufficient condition to achieve full diversity for all receivers is to have ⌈log 2 T⌉ bits from each receiver. Also, for a two-receiver system and with R feedback bits per receiver, we show that the outage performance with quantized beamforming is within O(2−R/32T2)dBs of the performance with full channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT). This constitutes, in the context of multicast channels, the first example of a distributed limited feedback scheme whose performance can provably approach the performance with full CSIT.
Biologic Activity of STAT5A and STAT5B in Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia.

Abstract Abstract 2688 Members of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family of proteins function as secondary messengers mediating cellular responses to various cytokines. Aberrant activation of STAT5 protein has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hematologic malignancies due to the ability of these transcription factors to regulate genes involved in cellular proliferation and survival. The two highly homologous transcription factors collectively known as STAT5, namely STAT5A and STAT5B, display both redundant and distinct physiologic functions in non-malignant B cells. Yet, despite evidence suggesting independent functions for STAT5A and STAT5B in the pathophysiology of solid tumors, the precise roles of these isoforms in hematologic malignancies such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) are not known. Initial immunohistochemical staining of WM bone marrow biopsies (n=6) revealed higher levels of STAT5 phosphorylation compared to bone marrows from normal controls (n=6). Additionally, phosphorylated STAT5 was highly expressed in CD19/CD138+ sorted cells obtained from the bone marrow of patients with WM (average ΔMFI compared to isotype control, 4.64 +/− 1.7, n=6) as determined by FACS analysis. Furthermore, western blotting demonstrated baseline STAT5 phosphorylation in both WM and IgM-secreting cell lines (MWCL-1 and BCWM-1, respectfully). The expression of other phosphorylated STAT proteins (1, 3, 4, and 6) was not detected. To better understand the overall role of STAT5 biologically in WM, MWCL-1 and BCWM.1 cells were treated with a specific inhibitor of STAT5, N′-((4-Oxo-4H-chromen-3-yl)methylene) nicotinohydrazide. Following 72 hours in culture, this inhibitor significantly decreased IgM secretion at lower doses when compared to controls (10 μM, MWCL-1: 9413 +/− 511 ng/mL vs. 6166 +/− 160 ng/mL, p Overall these initial data indicate a role for isoform-specific STAT5 activation in the maintenance of WM tumors, and future studies will further our understanding of the specific roles of STAT5A and STAT5B in WM tumors. Disclosures: Ansell: Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding.
Screening for autism spectrum disorder in children with Down syndrome: An evaluation of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder in Mental Retardation Scale

Background Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They are often diagnosed later than other children in part due to difficulty differentiating ASD-related ...
Dynamics of Interactions between Bacteria and Virulent Bacteriophage

The interactions of bacteria and their viruses (bacteriophage) are, by and large, ones of trophic exploitation. In fact, “phage” is derived from the Greek word for “devour.” Using the criterion of relative size, the interactions can be defined as parasitism (Bull and Slater, 1982). Because replication by most virulent phage necessarily results in bacterial death, these interactions could also be called predation. Certain interactions could even be termed mutualistic, as some temperate phage encode phenotypic characteristics that are of direct benefit to their hosts. Semantics aside, the fundamental ecological question that I will attempt to address in this chapter is: What role do bacteriophage infections play in limiting the abundance of bacteria?
Regulation of motor proteins, axonal transport deficits and adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases

Neurons affected in a wide variety of unrelated adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases (AONDs) typically exhibit a "dying back" pattern of degeneration, which is characterized by early deficits in synaptic function and neuritic pathology long before neuronal cell death. Consistent with this observation, multiple unrelated AONDs including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and several motor neuron diseases feature early alterations in kinase-based signaling pathways associated with deficits in axonal transport (AT), a complex cellular process involving multiple intracellular trafficking events powered by microtubule-based motor proteins. These pathogenic events have important therapeutic implications, suggesting that a focus on preservation of neuronal connections may be more effective to treat AONDs than addressing neuronal cell death. While the molecular mechanisms underlying AT abnormalities in AONDs are still being analyzed, evidence has accumulated linking those to a well-established pathological hallmark of multiple AONDs: altered patterns of neuronal protein phosphorylation. Here, we present a short overview on the biochemical heterogeneity of major motor proteins for AT, their regulation by protein kinases, and evidence revealing cell type-specific AT specializations. When considered together, these findings may help explain how independent pathogenic pathways can affect AT differentially in the context of each AOND.
Automatic Detection of Topographical Defects in Smooth, Highly Specular Coatings

Abstract Smooth specular coatings are subjected to increasing aesthetic and performance demands. It is well established that the finished appearance of such coatings is a key factor in perceived product quality and manufacturers spend significant sums to repair both in-plant and warranty-covered coating quality problems. Therefore, it is desirable to establish an automated method to assess surface quality efficiently, effectively and robustly in real-time to facilitate automatic monitoring of surface appearance that provides accurate feedback to the coating process. Current inspection methods utilizing expert inspectors are generally quite effective in assessing perceived appearance, but do not readily lend themselves to effective real-time control of the coating process. This paper presents a significant first step toward developing intelligent control of the painting process based, in part, upon perceived surface quality: a machine vision system design that uses reflectance models as the scientific underpinning is proposed as a robust inspection technology that requires minimal image acquisition and processing time and provides statistically significant and intuitive attributes that also correlate strongly with human perception. In this investigation, the ability of the proposed vision system design to consistently detect and characterize common topographical defects present in smooth, highly specular coatings is evaluated.
Characterization of 360-degree Videos

Online streaming of Virtual Reality and 360° videos is rapidly growing, as more and more major content providers and news outlets adopt the format to enrich the user experience. We characterize 360° videos by examining several thousand YouTube videos across more than a dozen categories. 360° videos, at first sight, seem to pose a challenge for the network to stream because of their substantially higher bit rates and larger number of resolutions. However, a careful examination of video characteristics reveals that there are significant opportunities for reducing the actual bit rate delivered to client devices based on the user's field of view. We study the bit rate and the motion in 360° videos, and compare them against regular videos by investigating several important metrics. We find that 360° videos are less variable in terms of bit rate, and have less motion than regular videos. Our expectation is that variability in the bit rates due to the motion of the camera in regular videos (or switching between cameras) is now translated to responsiveness requirements for end to end 360° streaming architectures.
Shifting engagement efforts through disciplinary departments: A mistake or a starting point? A cross-institutional, multidepartment analysis

This article documents the innovative practices and initial outcomes from the Grand Rapids Engaged Department Initiative, a cross-institutional collaboration designed in response to the failures of higher education to systematically engage in place. Created to incentivize and resource systemic and cultural shifts across three institutions of higher education in the region, the initiative seeks to increase faculty knowledge and skills in community-based teaching, foster inter- and intracollaborations, expand students’ community-based learning opportunities, and enhance community partnerships. Initial outcomes and stakeholder perceptions are detailed using previous validated research instruments and systemic action research practices. An examination of the three institutions and the seven participating departments reveals how structural and cultural barriers pose heavy challenges to cross-institutional engagement; we also highlight promising countermeasures for effecting change, including inclusive visioning processes and accountability mechanisms. Recommendations aim to support others’ efforts to generate and sustain collaborative engagement.
Effects of sex and prenatal androgen manipulations on Onuf's nucleus of rhesus macaques.

Abstract The role of gonadal steroids in sexual differentiation of the central nervous system (CNS) is well established in rodents, but no study to date has manipulated androgens prenatally and examined their effects on any CNS structure in a primate. Onuf's nucleus is a column of motoneurons in the sacral spinal cord that innervates the striated perineal muscles. This cell group is larger in males than in females of many species, due to androgens acting during a sensitive perinatal period. Here, we examined Onuf's nucleus in 21 adult rhesus monkeys, including control males and females, as well as males whose mothers had been treated with an anti-androgen or testosterone during gestation. We found a robust sex difference, with more motoneurons in control males than in females. The soma size of Onuf's nucleus motoneurons was also marginally larger in males. Treatment with the anti-androgen flutamide for 35–40 days during early gestation partially blocked masculinization of Onuf's nucleus: motoneuron number in flutamide-treated males was decreased relative to control and testosterone-treated males, but remained greater than in females, with no effect on cell size. A control motor nucleus that innervates foot muscles (Pes9) showed no difference in motoneuron number or size between control males and females. Prenatal testosterone treatment of males did not alter Onuf's nucleus motoneuron number, but did increase the size of both Onuf's and Pes9 motoneurons. Thus, prenatal androgen manipulations cause cellular-level changes in the primate CNS, which may underlie previously observed effects of these manipulations on behavior.
Reinforcement learning for game personalization on edge devices

Good progress has been shown recently in the area of active learning, specifically, Reinforcement learning (RL). In this paper, the authors show how RL can be used to personalize games based on user-interaction with the game. The work uses Deep Q network models (DQN) and the open source framework OpenAI to build an RL model that is able to optimize the gamer's engagement level in a game. The authors define an example quantitative measure of gamer engagement and incorporate that into the DQN learning reward function. The gamer experience optimization is empirically demonstrated using a game of Pong. Simulation testing and analysis of results indicate adapted RL models increase engagement reward values, thus enhancing gamer experience. The contribution of this paper is twofold: (1) using RL, it paves the path for wider adaptation to user-behavior, starting with gaming, and (2) it shows analysis and feasibility of an RL algorithm on an edge device (Personal Computer) in real-time.
Neurocristopathies: The Etiology and Pathogenesis of Disorders Arising from Defects in Neural Crest Cell Development

Neural crest cells (NCC) are a migratory stem and progenitor cell population established early in development from the time of gastrulation through to organogenesis. As discussed in previous chapters, NCC are induced at the neural plate border, the junction between the neural and non-neural ectoderm. During neurulation and formation of the neural tube, NCC progenitors reside in the dorsal-most portion, undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and migrate out of the neural tube to distant sites throughout the embryo, eventually contributing to a diverse array of cell types and tissues. These include the bones, cartilage, and connective tissue in the head and face, and pigment cells, neurons, and glia among many others. NCC development can be generally categorized into distinct formation, migration, and differentiation phases of development. Perturbation of NCC development during any one of these phases can result in a number of developmental disorders collectively termed neurocristopathies. Depending on which phase of NCC development is perturbed and also which axial level of NCC is affected, vastly distinct disorders and malformations can occur. These can be as diverse as cranioskeletal malformations in the head, failed nervous system formation or innervations of organs throughout the body, loss of pigment in the skin, and even the pathogenesis of cancer. In this chapter, we discuss the etiology of specific neurocristopathies and their pathogenesis, which arises from disruptions in the formation, migration, and/or differentiation of NCC.
Visual field development in infants with stage 3 retinopathy of prematurity.

Binocular visual field development was measured in 11 infants who had stage 3 ROP in early infancy and in 11 infants without ROP, matched for birthweight and gestational age. Kinetic perimetry was used to measure visual fields along the 45°, 135°, 225° and 315° half-meridia. Infants were tested at 4, 9, and 18 months from due date. Analyses of variance were used to compare results of the two groups for each age tested. Results at the 4-month test age indicated that both groups had visual fields within the normal range for their age. However, at the 9-month test age the ROP group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) smaller visual field than the control group. At 18 months, the ROP group still showed smaller visual fields than the control group, but the difference was not significant. The results suggest that dysfunction of the peripheral retina associated with ROP may produce a constriction of the visual field or a delay in visual field development. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 30:580-582,1989 Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a disorder characterized by abnormal development of the retinal vasculature of preterm infants. In stage 3 ROP (ICROP), 1 the blood vessels in the retinal periphery form a ridge with extension of fibrovascular tissue into the vitreous cavity of the developing eye. Most affected infants will develop normal central vision, but it is reasonable to suspect that peripheral visual function may be affected. Two studies have examined visual fields in children who had ROP. Majima, 2 using static and kinetic perimetry, found a significant reduction in peripheral retinal sensitivity in children with cicatricial disease, but not in children whose ROP had resolved without residua. Unfortunately, Majima did not correlate these findings with the active stages of ROP these children had as infants. Tamai and colleagues 3 looked at several visual functions, including visual fields of children with ROP who had undergone cryocautery. They found that six out of the 11 infants tested had defects in their visual fields. Again, the active stages of ROP these children had as infants were not reported. Results from these studies suggest that infants who have ROP are at risk for defects in their peripheral vision. It is still not clear, though, how the acute phase of the ROP relates to later visual
Productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies

Abstract Biofuels are a regular focus of public policy. The productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies is rarely addressed either in research or policy. Yet as innovation in any field grows complex and costly it can experience reductions in productivity and diminishing returns to investments. We examine here the productivity of investments in the technologies used to produce biofuels, using data from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The results show that the productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies is declining. Continuation of this trend will in time force reductions in research investments in biofuel technologies. We discuss policy approaches to address declining returns to research investments.
Obstruction in parliaments: a cross-national perspective

In legislative institutions, disruptions to the agenda and delays in processing legislation can have a significant impact on the ability of legislative majorities to realise success. Few previous s...
Identification and Measurement of Fiber Glass Particles in Electron Microscopy Using a High Order Correlation Process

Diverse environmental, clinical, and quality assurance problems involve the evaluation of airborne particle distributions originated from materials and objects manufactured with fiber glass. This analysis is performed manually by observing scanning electron micrograph (SEM) imagery, finding an adequate observation field, recognizing the objects of interest, and measuring their geometrical properties using a reference grid or a pointing device. This task is tedious, error prone, and sensitive to observer’s bias and eye-fatigue. A dedicated digital image analysis system capable of detecting and measuring various types of fibers and other objects from SEM images under different operating conditions is therefore needed.
Decay Schemes of C 15 , N 16 , and O 19

An iron-free intermediate-image spectrometer has been used to measure the beta-ray spectra of 2.25-sec ${\mathrm{C}}^{15}$, 7.4-sec ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$, and 29-sec ${\mathrm{O}}^{19}$ and to measure the positron-electron internal pair conversion lines occurring in ${\mathrm{C}}^{15}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$ decays. ${\mathrm{C}}^{15}$ emits a beta-ray branch of end-point energy 9.82\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 Mev to the \textonehalf{}- ground state of ${\mathrm{N}}^{15}$ and a branch of 4.51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03-Mev end-point energy. Relative intensities are (32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2)% ($logft=6.0$) and 68% ($logft=4.1$), respectively, and both components have the allowed shape. From pair line measurements at 1.5% resolution the ${\mathrm{C}}^{15}$ gammaray energy is 5.299\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.006 Mev, and thus the inner beta-ray group leads to the upper member of the (5.276-5.305)-Mev doublet level in ${\mathrm{N}}^{15}$ known from the ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}(d, p){\mathrm{N}}^{15}$ reaction. The internal pair conversion coefficient derived for the 5.299-Mev line agrees best with an $E1$ assignment. Our data require spin and parity \textonehalf{}+ or $\frac{3}{2}+$ for the 5.305-Mev level in ${\mathrm{N}}^{15}$, and spin and parity \textonehalf{}+ or $\frac{3}{2}+$ for ${\mathrm{C}}^{15}$. Taken together with other evidence it seems likely that both states are \textonehalf{}+. No evidence could be found from gamma-ray measurements for the beta decay of ${\mathrm{C}}^{15}$ to other known states of ${\mathrm{N}}^{15}$. Some comments are made on the intermediate-coupling model for $A=15$. In the decay of ${\mathrm{N}}^{16}$ we find that the 3.3-Mev beta-ray branch to the 7.11-Mev level in ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ is 11% per decay, based on the Kurie-plot analysis. A value of (4.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9)% per decay for this branch is derived from the intensity of the 7.11-Mev pair line. ${\mathrm{O}}^{19}$ decays with beta-ray branches of 4.601\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.015 Mev [(${41.5}_{\ensuremath{-}5}^{+2}$)%, $log ft=5.4$] and 3.25\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 Mev (58.5%, $log ft=4.5$). Other results include a value of 5.416\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.015 Mev for the beta-ray end-point energy of ${\mathrm{F}}^{20}$ and a value of 6.051\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.005 Mev for the energy of the pair-emitting state of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$.
Feedback on Invalid Neuropsychological Testing: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)

Performance validity tests (PVTs) and symptom validity tests (SVTs) are important in neuropsychological testing to capture the patient’s engagement with the testing process and any attempts to influence it. However, it can be clinically difficult to provide patients with meaningful feedback on the testing when one or more measures of validity were failed. This is a frequent challenge in cases of mild traumatic brain injury. Several methods of presenting useful information to the patient and family are described.
183 Student perceptions of lockdown drills

Statement of Purpose Lockdown or active shooters have become a regular part of youths’ school experience, but little research has been done on how these drills affect schools both in terms of preparedness for incidents and effects on the wellbeing of students. We seek to examine correlates of lockdown drill perceptions among a sample of middle school youth. Methods/Approach As part of a school safety program evaluation, we asked a sample of 6th and 7th grade students a series of questions about lockdown drills in their school. We calculated descriptive statistics to examine the distribution of responses to each item. We plan to conduct further analyses to explore potential correlates of lockdown drill perceptions including victimization, aggressive behavior, rejection sensitivity, depressive symptoms, and demographics. Results Nearly 90% of participants agreed that lockdown drills are important to keep students safe. 45% believed that their peers took the drills seriously and 88% believed that teachers took the drills seriously. 37% of students reported that lockdown drills scared them. 80% of students felt confident that they knew where to go to stay safe in an active shooter emergency. 71% of students believed that lockdown drills made their school more safe. Conclusions Overall students had positive perceptions of lockdown drills and their preparedness for an active shooter incident. It is noteworthy that over a third of the sample felt scared by lockdown drills. Significance and Contributions to Injury and Violence Prevention Science Lockdown drills are conducted to mitigate potential harm in an active shooter event but their effects on reducing or preventing incidents and on student experiences have not been well established. Lockdown drill procedures and components can vary by school district and more research is needed on the implications of different components.
Cahokia in context: hegemony and diaspora

It has been three decades since the last gathering of scholars to assess the importance of Cahokia to Eastern Woodland pre-Columbian native history. New Perspectives on Cahokia: Views from the Peri...
Feedlot Hospital Management

The concepts of preventive medicine as studied and practiced by most in our profession do not apply in feedlots. A better term for what most feedlot veterinarians practice might be "Disease Management. " Prevention defines activities that if taken avoid the occurrence of a problem. While both disease prevention and disease management define activities that are coordinated to a achieve a goal. Management readily recognizes the occurrence of problems and plans activities to deal with these to minimize their detrimental effects. Disease management plans for the occurrence of disease. The basis for success is having planned so well for dealing with disease that the goal of the feedlot is achieved.
Three Co-expression Pattern Types across Microbial Transcriptional Networks of Plankton in Two Oceanic Waters

Patterns of two molecules across biological systems are often labeled as conserved or differential. We argue that this classification is insufficient. Here, we introduce three types of relationships across systems. Upon stimuli, a type-0 pattern arises from conserved circuitry with active conserved trajectory; a type-1 pattern is conserved circuitry with active differential trajectory; a type-2 pattern is rewired circuitry with active trajectory. We present a 1st-order marginal change test, prove its optimality, and establish its asymptotic chi-squared distribution under the null hypothesis of identical marginals across conditions. The test outperformed other methods in detecting 1st-order difference in simulation studies. We also introduce a zeroth-order strength test to assess association of two variables across systems. We compared gene co-expression networks of planktonic microbial communities in cold California coastal water against the warm water of North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. The frequency of type-1 patterns is much higher than those of type-2 and type-0 patterns, revealing that the microbial communities are mostly conserved in molecular circuitry but responded differentially to ocean habitats. Type-1 and 2 patterns are enriched with genes known to respond to environmental changes or stress; type-0 patterns involve genes having essential function such as photosynthesis and general transcription. Our work provides a deep understanding to effects of the environment on gene regulation in microbial communities. The method is generally applicable to other biological systems. All tests are provided in the R package 'DiffXTables' at https://cran.r-project.org/package=DiffXTables. Other source code and lists of significant gene patterns are available at https://www.cs.nmsu.edu/~joemsong/ACM-BCB-2020/Plankton