cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal migration schedules depend on the landscape and the physical environment: a dynamic modeling view

We developed a dynamic state variable model of individual migrating shorebirds for use in testing hypotheses about spring migration strategies of the Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. We conducted model sensitivity analyses to determine how predicted migration schedules might vary with respect to the landscape and the physical environment. In landscapes with closely spaced, high-quality stopovers, female Pectoral Sandpipers can vary widely in their migration schedules and still arrive on the breeding grounds early enough and with sufficient energy reserves to achieve maximum reproductive success. Such a population might appear quite variable, and show no stopover patterns, even if all individuals were making optimal decisions. Latitudinal gradients in temperature and photoperiod differentially affect a bird's energy budget as it moves northward in the spring. Stopovers at more northerly locations are associated with higher metabolic rates, lower food abundance in early spring, and longer days for feeding. The optimal migration schedule in these conditions can be quite different from that in a homogeneous environment, and patterns observed in the field can be misinterpreted if the environmental gradients are not considered. The landscape and the physical environment shape migration schedules and influence one's ability to interpret patterns observed at stopovers. Modeling these factors may lead to new insights about migration adaptations in heterogeneous environments.
Discovery of the genus Agiommatus (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae) from South China with a description of a new species.

In the present paper, a new pteromalid species, Agiommatus jahuanae, is described. This is the first discovery of the genus occurring in China. The type specimens are deposited in the Collection of the Insect Natural Enemies Research Laboratory, Northwestern College of Forestry.Agiommatus jiahuanae Yang, sp. nov. (Figs 1-3)Length of body: female 1.7-1.9mm, male 1.7-1.8mm.It is allied to the Javanese and Australian species A. viridis (Girault), but differs as follows: the female of the new species having antennal scrobes concave considerably (in the latter rather shallow); antenna with 1st segment of funicle 1.5 times the length of 5th (both segments of the latter having same length); collar of pronotum with front half area reticulated as its hind mesoscutum (the latter with reticultations much rougher than those on mesoscutum); scutellum having seven pairs of hairs which with six pairs on its front half area and only one pair on hind half (the latter with 12 pairs of hairs); foveae on lateral-hind corners of mesoscutum neraly undeveloped (the latter having the foveae big and deep, very distinct).Biology: parasitic in the eggs of Apatura chevana Moore (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) which is a defoliator of the tree Castanopsis carlesii (Fagaceae). Emergence occurs in June and July. The chalcid has a high parasiting ratio for all 62 host eggs collected were parasitized during rearing period. From each egg only one wasp emerged.Distribution: Fuzhou, Fujian Province (South China).Holotype: (?) , Fuzhou, Ⅵ -24-1986, Yang Jiahuan reared from egg of Apatura chevana Moore. Paratypes: 2 (?) (?) , 49 (?) (?) , same data as holoype.
The Prevalence of Political Discourse in Non-Political Blogs

Though political theorists have emphasized the importance of political discussion in non-political spaces, past study of online political discussion has focused on primarily political websites. Using a random sample from Blogger.com, we find that 25% of all political posts are from blogs that post about politics less than 20% of the time, because the vast majority of blogs post about politics some of the time but infrequently. Far from being taboo topics in those non- political blogs, political posts got slightly more comments than non-political posts in those same blogs, and the comments overwhelmingly engage the political topics of the post, mostly agreeing but frequently disagreeing as well. We argue that non-political spaces devoted primarily to personal diaries, hobbies, and other topics represent a substantial place of online political discussion and should be a site for further study.
Abstract B20: Targeting Olig2 co-regulators for malignant glioma therapy

The transcription factor OLIG2 is expressed within the highly tumorigenic sub-population of stem-like cells in malignant glioma and required for tumor formation in orthotopic grafts of human glioma as well as genetically defined murine glioma models. Our work (recently confirmed and extended by Suva et al., 2014) suggests that small molecule OLIG2 antagonist could serve as targeted therapy for high grade gliomas – either as a mono therapeutic or as an adjuvant to conventional radiotherapy or cytotoxic drugs. However, transcription factors in general are considered to be unattractive targets for drug development because their interactions with DNA and co-regulatory proteins involve large and complex surface area contacts. Our recent data suggests that OLIG2 interacts with distinct partner proteins based on its phosphorylation state, which in turn regulates its pro-mitogenic functions. Here we employed two independent proteomics screens (mass spectrometry and Nucleic Acid Programmable Protein Arrays, NAPPA) to identify OLIG2 co-regulators as possible surrogate targets to suppress OLIG2 function. These screens led to identification of two novel OLIG2 partner proteins: HDAC1 and proto-oncogene FYN kinase. OLIG2 is known to be a negative regulator of gene expression and histone deacetylation is required for suppression of gene expression. We demonstrate that OLIG2 functions as an HDAC1 carrier, delivering this enzyme to specific target genes (e.g., p21) and non-histone proteins like p53. HDACs are ubiquitously expressed and are known to be redundant, but we show that ablation of HDAC1 alone (using shRNA) significantly decreases the proliferation of glioma initiating cells with minimal impact on normal neural stem cells. In addition, we show that FYN kinase interacts with OLIG2 and phosphorylates it at tyrosine residues. Ablation of FYN decreases phosphorylation of OLIG2 at tyrosine residues and affects OLIG2-mediated expression of oncogenic target genes like EGFR and WNT5a. This work provides two potential co-regulators of OLIG2 which could serve as druggable surrogate targets to block OLIG2 function in malignant glioma. Further work will evaluate the efficacy of HDAC1 and FYN-specific inhibitor as single agents or as adjuvant therapy to radiation and temozolomide in orthotopic patient-derived xenograft models. Targeting factors regulating OLIG2-mediated tumor growth will have practical overtones for targeted therapies for malignant gliomas. Citation Format: Robert Kupp, Costanza Lo Cascio, Femina Rauf, Dimphna Meijer, Charles D. Stiles, Nader Sanai, Joshua LaBaer, Shwetal V. Mehta. Targeting Olig2 co-regulators for malignant glioma therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Brain Cancer Research; May 27-30, 2015; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(23 Suppl):Abstract nr B20.
Economic Expansion and the Balance of Trade: The Role of Aggregate Demand Elasticity

This paper investigates the role of aggregate demand elasticity for the balance of trade when economic expansion occurs. We have two conclusions. First, when an economic expansion results from an increase of aggregate demand, the balance of trade deficit is larger the less elastic is aggregate demand with respect to the general price level. Second, when an economic expansion happens from an increase of short-run aggregate supply, the price level elasticity of aggregate demand determines both the direction of change of the balance of trade and the size of the resulting deficit or surplus. We show here that a relatively elastic aggregate demand can result in a balance of trade deficit, while a relatively inelastic aggregate demand can yield a balance of trade surplus.
Star 37S solid rocket motor nozzle thermostructural analysis

Abstract In December 1990, the F-10 Defense Meteorological Satellite failed to achieve the anticipated spacecraft orbit. Based on telemetry data, it is believed that the nozzle on the satellite's apogee kick motor, a Star 37S, was expelled shortly before the end of burn. A review of the nozzle build paper revealed that a hydroclave processing anomaly might have caused the strength of the nozzle primary structure as well as its interface bond with the adjoining overwrap to degrade. A thermostructural analysis of the Star 37S nozzle was subsequently performed to evaluate the structural safety margins for nozzle components and to examine the effect of the hydroclave mishap on the structural integrity of the nozzle. The finite element code used for this purpose has several unique computational capabilities such as automatic progressive damage modeling, iterations for different moduli in tension and compression, and involute material analysis. The analysis presented here is focused primarily on the bondline stresses at the interface between the primary structure and its overwrap. Results indicate that a degradation of the bond strength at this interface induced by the hydroclave mishap will cause severe delaminations in the nozzle and ultimately can cause the nozzle to fail.
Simon Dale (1898), by Anthony Hope

Perhaps Anthony Hope never wrote better than he did in The Prisoner of Zenda; his public in the 1890s thought so, and so did reviewers and fellow-novelists. Over a period of four decades the original publisher sold 300 000 copies; another 200 000 were sold in ‘editions specially arranged’, according to Hope’s biographer, Sir Charles Mallet.1 In the United States some 260 000 copies found satisfied buyers, and thousands more were used to educate Egyptian children, as well as to entertain readers in India and Japan. Cheap editions brought out by various publishers doubtless doubled the sales that Arrowsmith had enjoyed at 3s. 6d., and Hope was not displeased, since he had wanted the novel to sell for a shilling in the first place. Edward Rose’s dramatization won large audiences in both London and New York, though its sombre tone moved the relatively light-hearted story toward tragic possibilities that Hope had not wanted to deal with.
Insulin Tolerance Test and Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic Clamp

The two tests are used to evaluate in vivo sensitivity to insulin in mouse. The hypoerinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp provides information about the sensitivity to insulin in liver and other metabolically relevant tissues.
Experimental Study of a Reference Model Vertical-Axis Cross-Flow Turbine

The mechanical power, total rotor drag, and near-wake velocity of a 1:6 scale model (1.075 m diameter) of the US Department of Energy’s Reference Model vertical-axis cross-flow turbine were measured experimentally in a towing tank, to provide a comprehensive open dataset for validating numerical models. Performance was measured for a range of tip speed ratios and at multiple Reynolds numbers by varying the rotor’s angular velocity and tow carriage speed, respectively. A peak power coefficient CP = 0.37 and rotor drag coefficient CD = 0.84 were observed at a tip speed ratio λ0 = 3.1. A regime of weak linear Re-dependence of the power coefficient was observed above a turbine diameter Reynolds number ReD ≈ 106. The effects of support strut drag on turbine performance were investigated by covering the rotor’s NACA 0021 struts with cylinders. As expected, this modification drastically reduced the rotor power coefficient. Strut drag losses were also measured for the NACA 0021 and cylindrical configurations with the rotor blades removed. For λ = λ0, wake velocity was measured at 1 m (x/D = 0.93) downstream. Mean velocity, turbulence kinetic energy, and mean kinetic energy transport were compared with results from a high solidity turbine acquired with the same test apparatus. Like the high solidity case, mean vertical advection was calculated to be the largest contributor to near-wake recovery. However, overall, lower levels of streamwise wake recovery were calculated for the RM2 case—a consequence of both the relatively low solidity and tapered blades reducing blade tip vortex shedding—responsible for mean vertical advection—and lower levels of turbulence caused by higher operating tip speed ratio and therefore reduced dynamic stall. Datasets, code for processing and visualization, and a CAD model of the turbine have been made publicly available.
Common-path optical coherence tomography for microsurgeries

We have developed a compact hand-held microsurgical tool capable of surface-tracking and motion-compensation. The tool is based on a common-path optical coherence tomography distance-sensor that can improve the accuracy and safety of microsurgeries. It is capable of tracking the surface with better than 5 micrometer resolution.
Deliberative Stasis According to the Ancients, As Illustrated from Shakespeare's Henry IV

Stasis (Latin status) has proven such a fruitful inventional technique for forensic rhetoric that several modern scholars have attempted to form a parallel concept to be used in deliberative circumstances. Their results have not gotten much traction, though, probably because they have not looked to see what classical rhetoric has already provided along these lines. No concept of “deliberative stasis” was explicitly pronounced among the ancient rhetoricians. However, a reading of key rhetorical works of Aristotle, Cicero, and Quintilian along with a couple of early modern authors indicates a general consensus upon three key issues that, taken together, would form the deliberative equivalent of forensic stasis. Following the example of Aristotle who, in his Rhetoric, made frequent reference to Greek drama for illustration, this article draws on three episodes from Shakespeare's Henry IV to show the usefulness of what I call “forestasis,” a term denominating stasis looking forward, if you will. They include ...
Blending under uncertainty: Real options analysis of ethanol plants and biofuels mandates

Abstract The value of a representative ethanol producer, that benefits from both low and high gasoline prices in the short-run, is modeled. Ethanol producers make a modest competitive profit in the mandate-induced region of production. A low price of gasoline increases the demand for blend ethanol and consequently increases the profit of ethanol producers. On the other hand, when gasoline becomes costlier than ethanol, the capacity constraints of the biofuels sector bind and ethanol producers gain large quasi-monopoly margins. This is an interesting example of a market where two commodities are complement up to a point and then substitute after that. We postulate the value of an ethanol producer as a strangle option consisting of two real options: the option to substitute gasoline at times of expensive crude oil and the option to expand supply of blend at times of cheap gasoline. Using a dynamic model we show that the higher volatilities of crude oil and ethanol costs increase biofuels firms' value. We also find non-monotonic relationships between the value of an ethanol plant and several underlying variables, including gasoline price level. We estimate the value provided by a 10% blend mandate to be around $150,000,000 for a representative ethanol unit. Our results offer a novel view of oil and feedstock price risks in contrast to the common belief that considers those risks as a negative factor for the biofuels sector.
Reproducible Arterial Denudation Injury by Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Clamping in a Murine Model

Percutaneous vascular interventions uniformly result in arterial denudation injuries that subsequently lead to thrombosis and restenosis. These complications can be attributed to impairments in re-endothelialization within the wound margins. Yet, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of re-endothelialization remain to be defined. While several animal models to study re-endothelialization after arterial denudation are available, few are performed in the mouse because of surgical limitations. This undermines the opportunity to exploit transgenic mouse lines and investigate the contribution of specific genes to the process of re-endothelialization. Here, we present a step-by-step protocol for creating a highly reproducible murine model of arterial denudation injury in the infrarenal abdominal aorta using external vascular clamping. Immunocytochemical staining of injured aortas for fibrinogen and β-catenin demonstrate the exposure of a pro-thrombotic surface and the border of intact endothelium, respectively. The method presented here has the advantages of speed, excellent overall survival rate, and relative technical ease, creating a uniquely practical tool for imposing arterial denudation injury in transgenic mouse models. Using this method, investigators may elucidate the mechanisms of re-endothelialization under normal or pathological conditions.
Life satisfaction among Hispanic cancer survivors: Does acculturation play a role?

B54 The term acculturation refers to the extent to which a newly immigrated individual has assimilated into a host society. Previous acculturation research suggests that when immigrants are confronted with a life threatening illness such as cancer, poor acculturation can exacerbate the negative effects of illness on life satisfaction while factors such as spirituality and social support act as buffers against these negative effects. However, the mechanism by which acculturation impacts immigrants’ life satisfaction is not yet fully understood. To investigate this question, we compared life satisfaction between high and low acculturated Hispanic cancer survivors who participated in a national, cross-sectional study of quality of life among persons with a history of cancer. Specifically, we hypothesized that the more acculturated Hispanic cancer survivors would have higher levels of life satisfaction than the less acculturated survivors due to more socio-economic resources necessary to successfully navigate the course of illness. In order to group respondents into high- and low-acculturated categories, they were given the option of completing the questionnaire in either English or Spanish. Hispanic cancer survivors who chose to complete the questionnaire in English (N=546) were considered more acculturated while those who chose Spanish (N=147) were considered less acculturated. The use of questionnaire language choice as a proxy of acculturation was supported by previous research as well as significant differences in education, income, employment status and comorbid conditions found between respondents who completed the survey in English and those who completed it in Spanish. Contrary to our hypothesis, the results revealed that it was the less acculturated Hispanic survivors who reported higher life satisfaction, despite having fewer socio-economic resources and more co-morbid conditions (Beta=5.25, p
Towards an effective and efficient malware detection system

The ubiquitous advance of technology used on the Internet, computers, smart phones and tablets has been conducive to the creation and proliferation of cyber threats resulting in attacks that have grown exponentially. Consequently, anti-virus companies and researchers have developed new approaches for dealing with discovering and classifying malware. Among these, machine learning and big data technologies have been used for feature extraction, detection, and clustering of cyber threats. In this paper a dataset of malware and clean files (goodware) was created and analyzed from the static and dynamic features provided by the online framework VirusTotal. The purpose is to select the smallest number of features that keep classification accuracy as high as possible in order to decrease the use of resources for monitoring as well as extracting features and the time for detection. In this research, it was found that “9” features are enough to distinguish malware from “goodware” files with an accuracy of 99.60%. Selecting the most representative features for malware detection relies on the possibility of creating an embedded program that monitors the processes executed by the operating system (OS) and looks for the characteristics that match malware behavior. In addition, classification algorithms such as Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Neural Networks (NN) were used in a novel combination that not only showed an increase in accuracy, but also in the training speed from hours to just minutes. Finally, the trained model (which was trained with a dataset of malware samples seen before September 2015) was tested on a new dataset of malware samples seen by first time between October 2015 and June 2016 and showed that the model is still effective for detection of unseen malware files.
Project-Based Learning in Undergraduate Environmental Chemistry Laboratory: Using EPA Methods To Guide Student Method Development for Pesticide Quantitation

Presented is a project-based learning (PBL) laboratory approach for an upper-division environmental chemistry or quantitative analysis course. In this work, a combined laboratory class of 11 environmental chemistry students developed a method based on published EPA methods for the extraction of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its environmental degradation products (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [DDD] and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [DDE]) through Soxhlet extraction and quantitation using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). From the derived procedures, the students spent the remainder of the semester performing extractions and analyses to detect pesticide drift from the San Joaquin Valley of California into the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The EPA methods used allow for a multitude of research-level questions which could be answered within a similar course with a specific question appropriate to student interest and regional environmental issues. This pedagogical approach provide...
Are Older Adults Less Embodied? A Review of Age Effects through the Lens of Embodied Cognition

Embodied cognition is a theoretical framework which posits that cognitive function is intimately intertwined with the body and physical actions. Although the field of psychology is increasingly accepting embodied cognition as a viable theory, it has rarely been employed in the gerontological literature. However, embodied cognition would appear to have explanatory power for aging research given that older adults typically manifest concurrent physical and mental changes, and that research has indicated a correlative relationship between such changes. The current paper reviews age-related changes in sensory processing, mental representation, and the action-perception relationship, exploring how each can be understood through the lens of embodied cognition. Compared to younger adults, older adults exhibit across all three domains an increased tendency to favor visual processing over bodily factors, leading to the conclusion that older adults are less embodied than young adults. We explore the significance of this finding in light of existing theoretical models of aging and argue that embodied cognition can benefit gerontological research by identifying further factors that can explain the cause of age-related declines.
Evolutionary Biology Needs Wild Microbiomes.

The microbiome is a vital component to the evolution of a host and much of what we know about the microbiome derives from studies on humans and captive animals. But captivity alters the microbiome and mammals have unique biological adaptations that affect their microbiomes (e.g., milk). Birds represent over 30% of known tetrapod diversity and possess their own suite of adaptations relevant to the microbiome. In a previous study, we showed that 59 species of bird displayed immense variation in their microbiomes and host (bird) taxonomy and ecology were most correlated with the gut microbiome. In this Frontiers Focused Review, I put those results in a broader context by discussing how collecting and analyzing wild microbiomes contributes to the main goals of evolutionary biology and the specific ways that birds are unique microbial hosts. Finally, I outline some of the methodological considerations for adding microbiome sampling to the research of wild animals and urge researchers to do so. To truly understand the evolution of a host, we need to understand the millions of microorganisms that inhabit it as well: evolutionary biology needs wild microbiomes.
A dynamic design approach using the Kalman filter for uncertainty management

It is desirable for complex engineered systems to be resilient to various sources of uncertainty throughout their life cycle. Such systems are high in cost and complexity, and often incorporate highly sophisticated materials, components, design, and other technologies. There are many uncertainties such systems will face throughout their life cycles due to changes in internal and external conditions, or states of interest, to the designer, such as technology readiness, market conditions, or system health. These states of interest affect the success of the system design with respect to the main objectives and application of the system, and are generally uncertain over the life cycle of the system. To address such uncertainties, we propose a resilient design approach for engineering systems. We utilize a Kalman filter approach to model the uncertain future states of interest. Then, based upon the modeled states, the optimal change in the design of the system is achieved to respond to the new states. This resilient method is applicable in systems when the ability to change is embedded in the system design. A design framework is proposed encompassing a set of definitions, metrics, and methodologies. A case study of a communication satellite system is presented to illustrate the features of the approach.
Solitary waves in shallow water hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics in rotating spherical coordinates

AbstractIn a recent paper (London, Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn. 2017, vol. 111, pp. 115–130, referred to as L1), we considered a perfect electrically conducting rotating fluid in the presence of an ambient toroidal magnetic field, governed by the shallow water magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in a modified equatorial β-plane approximation. In conjunction with a WKB type approximation, we used a multiple scale asymptotic scheme, previously developed by Boyd (J. Phys. Oceanogr. 1980, vol. 10, pp. 1699–1717) for equatorial solitary hydrodynamic waves, and found solitary MHD waves. In this paper, as in L1, we apply a WKB type approximation in order to extend the results of L1 from the modified β-plane to the full spherical geometry. We have included differential rotation in the analysis in order to make the results more relevant to the solar case. In addition, we consider the case of hydrodynamic waves on the rotating sphere in the presence of a differential rotation intended to roughly model the varying...
Investigating Nanoscopic Structures on a Butterfly Wing To Explore Solvation and Coloration

Surface structures on the nanometer size scale can impart new and exciting properties to bulk materials. Nanoscopic structures on hydrophobic materials can result in superhydrophobicity and structural coloration. We present an interdisciplinary experiment that introduces undergraduate students to nanotechnology by manipulating the superhydrophobicity and structural coloration of blue Morpho butterfly wings. The use of detergents can change the surface of the wing from superhydrophobic to hydrophilic, while the use of common solvents can change the ambient index of refraction and shift coherently scattered light to longer wavelengths. Superhydrophobicity and alteration of the index of refraction are readily observable using Morpho menelaus and Morpho rhetenor butterflies: water beads up and rolls off untreated butterfly wings, while detergent-treated wings get wetted by water and change color from bright blue to green. This experiment is a fun and impactful introduction to fundamental physical principles i...
Using raspberry pi computers to teach lamp and wordpress

The Raspberry Pi first went on sale in February of 2012. The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B currently ships with a 1.2 GHz quad core ARM processor and 1 GB of RAM. We incorporated the Raspberry Pi into a web-programming course on 3.14.17 (Pi day) with five goals. The first goal was that students would effectively learn more about LAMP and WordPress. The second goal was that the project would be engaging. The third goal was for the project to motivate and inspire students to want to learn more about Raspberry Pis. The fourth goal was achieve more interaction among students. Finally, the fifth goal was for the students to learn something new about computers in general. Survey data showed that students most perceived the in-class project to be engaging and that working with the Raspberry Pis inspired them to want to learn more. Students agreed they learned more about general computing however, than they did about LAMP and WordPress in particular. Finally, students agreed less that the project encouraged student interaction.
Evaluating Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure in Environmental Justice Communities

Background The recognition of the relationships between transportation, land use, infrastructure and services with health outcomes has prompted response from federal, state, regional, and local governments to integrate health objectives into their planning and policymaking process. The study applies an index-based analytical tool that can help transportation agencies in the decision making process related to active transportation investments. This paper has the following objectives: Present sketch planning metrics to assess safety and physical activity of pedestrian and bicyclists at both segments and intersections. Perform a comparative spatial analysis of transportation facilities that serve environmental justice (EJ) populations and as a control, transportation facilities that serve non-EJ populations Methods Using an Environmental Justice Index (EJI) as a tool for mapping concentrations of low-income and minority group populations (effectively called an EJ population) in a given region, the researchers select fifteen Census Block Groups (CBGs) in the City of Arlington, Texas, for spatial analysis. The fifteen CBG locations include both EJ (12) and non-EJ (3) populations. The project-level analysis collects data through a visual assessment of street segments and intersections with an observational survey by a trained observer. The survey captures broad criteria that potentially affect the safety risk to either pedestrians or bicyclists and overall walkability and bikeability of road segments and intersections. Results The average safety index (0-1 scale) for both pedestrians (0.23) and bicyclists (0.25) in the non-EJ category segments appear lower than EJ category segments, 0.37 and 0.31 respectively. The bikeability and walkability indices on segments also reflect a similar trend as safety. The physical activity index levels reflect more suitable conditions at non-EJ intersections. Irrespective of CBG type, segments on arterial roads show higher safety for pedestrians compared to minor arterials and collectors; however, bicyclist safety does not improve for arterials. Overall, the Arlington infrastructure does not have a positive impact on safety or physical activity; however, the EJ CBGs’ infrastructure provides a minimally positive impact on safety. Conclusions The developed indices provide an analytical framework to assess the safety and physical activity environment of transportation infrastructure. These indices allow transportation agencies to evaluate two or more corridors, regions and networks and may help inform the investment decision making process, strategic planning, policy or programming analysis and resource planning. While EJ populations may have access to slightly better facilities than non-EJ populations in Arlington, Texas, none of the facilities should be deemed adequate for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Multiple Contrast Tests for Testing Against a Simple Tree Ordering

Consider k treatments with means μ1, μ2, …, μk, and a control with mean μO. Consider the hypotheses HO: μO = μ1. = … = μk, H1: μO ≤ μi. for all 1 ≤ i ≤ k, and H2: μO < μi. for some 1 ≤ i ≤ k. There are several procedures for testing HO versus H1.-HO. (H1. but not HO) Testing H1 versus H2 would provide a check on the ordering assumption underlying these one-sided procedures. For the latter case, this paper compares the likelihood ratio test, single contrast tests based on several criteria of optimality, and a new multiple contrast test based on the maximum of the contrasts of the vector of observed means against the corners of the Fenchel dual of the cone H1, which is in a sense dual to Dunnett’s test for testing HO versus H1.-HO in the same setting. Based on ease of implementation, comparison of powers and computabi1ity of powers, the multiple contrast procedure appears to be the most attractive.
Intravaginal administration of progesterone: enhanced absorption after estrogen treatment

A progesterone solution was administered by intravaginal instillation, intramuscular injection, and sublingually to estrogen-deficient women, with or without estradiol (E 2 ) replacement, and serum progesterone (P) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Intravaginal application to postmenopausal subjects receiving E 2 gave the highest values of serum P: 10 times baseline at 15minutes and 30 to 40 times at 1 to 2hours, with sustained levels for 7hours and decline to 10 times baseline at 24hours. Intravaginal application to hypoestrogenic women gave similar results, but of much lower magnitude (highest value, 20 times baseline). Intramuscular injection, in contradistinction, showed gradually increasing levels over the study period, up to 30 times basal values at 24hours. In contrast, sublingual application produced very modest serum increases, to approximately 10 times baseline within 2hours and return to basal value at 24hours. Since the most rapid and highest levels were observed by vaginal application to postmenopausal women receiving estrogen, and considering that the vagina has been similarly shown to be very effective for estrogen absorption, it is conceived that full hormone replacement could be accomplished in the deficient states by cyclic vaginal application of both steroids.
C2-C3 Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis in the Treatment of Bow Hunter's Syndrome: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background Bow hunter's syndrome (BHS) or rotational vertebral artery occlusion is a rare syndrome of vertebrobasilar insufficiency due to compression or occlusion of the contralateral vertebral artery with cervical axial rotation. Compression at the C2-C3 level, the junction between the axial and subaxial spine, has not been described. Management can include medical treatment with antiplatelet medications, surgical fusion, or vertebral artery decompression. Case Description The patient presented with dizziness and loss of consciousness with axial head rotation to the left. Dynamic digital subtraction angiography revealed occlusion of the right vertebral artery with the head turning to the left, with concurrent symptom onset. The left vertebral artery largely ended in the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. The patient underwent C2-C3 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion without vertebral artery decompression. His postoperative course was uneventful, with complete symptom resolution. Follow-up dynamic angiography demonstrated a patent right vertebral artery with axial head rotation to the left. Conclusions This case report demonstrates that even high cervical etiology for BHS can be successfully managed from an anterior approach. At present, no consensus has been reached for the treatment of BHS. A review of the current data demonstrated that anterior approaches without decompression are slightly safer than posterior approaches, with a smaller risk of vertebral artery injury. Depending on the anatomic variant and the pathophysiology of vertebral compression, an anterior approach without decompression provides a feasible alternative for the treatment of symptomatic BHS.
A Social Relations and Networks Perspective of Depressive Symptoms in Older African Americans Relative to Two Other Ethno-racial Groups.

Background and objectives Family ties and role relationships through their effects on exchanges of resources and social support are critical health contexts for older African Americans. We studied the influence of affect-based (positive or negative) social relations and respondent-role network centrality on depressive symptoms in older African Americans compared to two ethno-racial groups, Black Caribbeans and Non-Hispanic Whites. Research design and methods We used data from the multigenerational 2004 National Survey of American Life Family Connections across Generations and Nations Study (NSAL 3-Gen). For respondents aged 50 years or older, we used tie affect (positive or negative) to code family role relations and two-mode (where an entity or thing is connected to a different type of entity, here individuals are connected to role relations) family networks. We used survey linear regressions to probe the independent association of relations and networks on depressive symptoms among older African Americans as compared to Black Caribbeans and Non-Hispanic Whites. Results Negative and positive relations are significantly associated with depressive symptoms, but there were some ethno-racial differences. For example, the negative Father relation is significantly associated with greater depressive symptoms among African Americans, but not in Black Caribbeans and Non-Hispanic Whites. Negative two-mode networks (connections from individuals to role relations) are significantly associated with depressive symptoms among African Americans and in the two comparison ethno-racial groups, while there is no significant association between positive networks and depressive symptoms. Discussion and implications We found that negative relations had larger effects on depressive symptoms than positive ones, and conversely that negative networks had larger effects than positive networks. Simultaneously modeling social relations and networks could potentially enhance our understanding of the links between social structure, and depressive symptoms among older adults in African American and other ethno-racial minorities.
A glycogenin homolog controls Toxoplasma gondii growth via glycosylation of an E3 ubiquitin ligase

Skp1, a subunit of E3 Skp1/Cullin-1/F-box protein ubiquitin ligases, is uniquely modified in protists by an O2-dependent prolyl hydroxylase that generates the attachment site for a defined pentasaccharide. Previous studies demonstrated the importance of the core glycan for growth of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in fibroblasts, but the significance of the non-reducing terminal sugar was unknown. Here, we find that a homolog of glycogenin, an enzyme that can initiate and prime glycogen synthesis in yeast and animals, is required to catalyze the addition of an α-galactose in 3-linkage to the subterminal glucose to complete pentasaccharide assembly in cells. A strong selectivity of the enzyme (Gat1) for Skp1 in extracts is consistent with other evidence that Skp1 is the sole target of the glycosyltransferase pathway. gat1-disruption results in slow growth attesting to the importance of the terminal sugar. Molecular dynamics simulations provide an explanation for this finding and confirm the potential of the full glycan to control Skp1 organization as in the amoebozoan Dictyostelium despite the different terminal disaccharide assembled by different glycosyltransferases. Though Gat1 also exhibits low α-glucosyltransferase activity like glycogenin, autoglycosylation is not detected and gat1-disruption reveals no effect on starch accumulation. A crystal structure of the ortholog from the crop pathogen Pythium ultimum explains the distinct substrate preference and regiospecificity relative to glycogenin. A phylogenetic analysis suggests that Gat1 is related to the evolutionary progenitor of glycogenin, and acquired a role in glycogen formation following the ancestral disappearance of the underlying Skp1 glycosyltransferase prior to amoebozoan emergence.
Tradeoffs between beach nourishment and managed retreat: Insights from dynamic programming for climate adaptation decisions

Abstract Coastlines are vulnerable to sea level rise, erosion, and flooding, all predicted to worsen as climate change continues. Models are needed that incorporate dynamic processes within coupled economic and physical systems for decision-makers, including when to retreat from hazardous areas. This paper presents a coupled geo-economic model of beach width and property value with exogenous sea level rise. Discrete dynamic programming identifies optimal beach nourishment and managed retreat strategies. As a new contribution, we treat expected damages as costs, which demonstrates that increased damage offsets some benefits of development along hazardous coastlines. The model identifies managed retreat as preferable to beach nourishment when damages exceed a threshold. Regret associated with retreat depends on sea level rise damages and the timeframe of analysis. Considering dynamic complexity of coastal systems, as this model does, may produce climate adaptation plans that better address community needs and reduce risk over timescales of interest.
Mystery Herbivore of Charismatic Epiphyte Discovered on Andros

While conducting a population ecological study of a distinctive epiphytic bromeliad, we witnessed a substantial amount of folivory in some populations on Andros, Bahamas. Finding two caterpillars on damaged plants, we reared a species of moth previously recorded only from Cuba. We report here on the damage to Catopsis berteroniana plants by larvae of Dahana cubana, and conclude from our data that both plant size and location (site) influence the amount of damage that plants experienced.
Epitaxial Single-Crystal ScAlN on 4H-SiC for High-Velocity, Low-Loss SAW Devices

This report presents some of the first experimental characterization of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices using single-crystal ScAlN epitaxially grown on SiC. Due to the excellent wave guiding provided by the ScAlN/SiC heterostructure, SAW phase velocities greater than 12,000 m/s are measured, higher than comparable ScAlN SAW devices on other substrates. The phase velocity dispersion for measured devices compares well with simulated values. We observe up to $k^{2}=0.52{\%}$ even for very small thickness to wavelength ratios ( $t/\lambda ). We show that epitaxial ScAlN/SiC can achieve extremely low SAW propagation loss ( $\alpha ), comparable to state-of-the-art piezoelectric/diamond SAW devices, and are linear at CW RF power levels up to ≈30 dBm (1W), with 1 dB gain compression at 34 dBm and an IIP3 of 45 dBm.
Wound Complications and Reoperations after Transtibial Amputation of the Leg.

Abstract Background Transtibial amputation (TTA) of the leg has been associated with high rates of wound complications. We assessed outcomes of TTAs to determine if bundled interventions implemented at our hospital had an impact on lowering wound complications, including surgical site infections (SSIs). Methods We assessed the impact of an SSI prevention bundle (negative pressure wound therapy, minimizing the use of staples, and a decontamination protocol for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) on 90 day wound complications. The year of implementation of the prevention bundle was excluded, and the pre- and post-eras were defined as four-year period before and the four-year period after implementation. The study sample consisted of a single-center cohort, with TTA cases identified using operating room scheduling software. Results A total of 182 TTAs were performed: 110 in the pre-era and 72 in the post-era. The wound complication rate decreased from 22% to 17% despite fewer two-stage operations, less imaging to identify peripheral artery disease, and an increased proportion of patients with end-stage renal disease. Wound complications and revision to a higher level of amputation were more associated with indication (esp. no-option peripheral artery disease with ischemic rest pains) than with any particular aspect of surgical technique. The use of drains was associated with reoperations but not higher-level revision. Conclusions Higher rates of wound complications and of revision to a higher level of amputation should be expected among patients with no-option peripheral artery disease with ischemic rest pains undergoing TTA. Drains should be avoided.
On the use of real-time reported mortality data in modelling and analysis during an epidemic outbreak

Background : For diseases like Covid-19, where it has been difficult to identify the true number of infected people, or where the number of known cases is heavily influenced by the number of tests performed, hospitalizations and deaths play a significant role in understanding the epidemic and in determining the appropriate response. However, the Covid-19 deaths data reported by some countries display a significant weekly variability, which can make the interpretation and use of the death data in analysis and modeling difficult. Methods : We derive the mathematical relationship between the series of new daily deaths by reporting date and the series of deaths by death date. We then apply this formalism to the corresponding time-series reported by Sweden during the Covid-19 pandemic. Results : The practice of reporting new deaths daily, as is standard procedure during an outbreak in most countries and regions, should be viewed as a time-dependent filter, modulating the underlying true death curve. After having characterized the Swedish reporting process, we show how smoothing of the Swedish reported daily deaths series results in a curve distinctly different from the true death curve. We also comment on the use of nowcasting methods. Conclusions : Modelers and analysts using the series of new daily deaths by reporting date should take extra care when it is highly variable and when there is a significant reporting delay. It might be appropriate to instead use the series of deaths by death date combined with a nowcasting algorithm as basis for their analysis.
Policy Statement on Clinical Informatics Fellowships and the Future of Informatics-Driven Medicine

Board certified clinical informaticians provide expertise in leveraging health IT (HIT) and health data for patient care and quality improvement. Clinical Informatics experts possess the requisite skills and competencies to make systems-level improvements in care delivery using HIT, workflow and data analytics, knowledge acquisition, clinical decision support, data visualization, and related informatics tools. However, these physicians lack structured and sustained funding because they have no billing codes. The sustainability and growth of this new and promising medical subspecialty is threatened by outdated and inconsistent funding models that fail to support the education and professional growth of clinical informaticians. The Clinical Informatics Program Directors' Community is calling upon the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to consider novel funding structures and programs through its Innovation Center for Clinical Informatics Fellowship training. Only through structural and sustained funding for Clinical Informatics fellows will be able to fully develop the potential of electronic health records to improve the quality, safety, and cost of clinical care.