cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial Processing and Hemispheric Asymmetry: Contributions of the Transient/Magnocellular Visual System

Right-handed observers were presented with stimuli consisting of a line and two horizontally separated dots. A categorical spatial task required observers to indicate whether the dots were above or below the line, and a coordinate spatial task required observers to indicate whether the line could fit into the space between the two dots. For the coordinate task, reaction time was faster when the stimuli were presented to the left visual field (right hemisphere) than when the stimuli were presented to the right visual field (left hemisphere). The opposite hemispheric asymmetry was obtained for the categorical task. In addition, coordinate spatial processing took longer with stimuli presented on a red background than with stimuli presented on a green background. The opposite trend characterized categorical spatial processing. Because the color red attenuates processing in the transient/magnocellular visual pathway, these results suggest that coordinate spatial processing is more dependent on the transient/magnocellular pathway than is categorical spatial processing. However, manipulations of color condition had no effect on visual field (hemispheric) asymmetries, suggesting that the two hemispheres rely on the same visual information and on the same computational mechanisms as each other-although they do not always use that information with equal efficiency.
Wall effects on the flow of viscoelastic fluids around a circular cylinder

Abstract In this paper, we use numerical simulations to study two-dimensional steady flows of a viscoelastic fluid past a circular cylinder confined by two parallel walls. The drag on the cylinder and the velocity profile in its wake are investigated as functions of the wall blockage and properties of the fluid. The interplay among wall effects, elasticity, shear thinning and inertia is examined in detail. Results show that wall proximity shortens the wake and increase the drag, and this effect is reduced by fluid elasticity. For weak wall blockage, elasticity increases the drag and lengthens the wake for Reynolds number Re = 0.1–10. For stronger blockage this trend is reversed. Shear thinning decreases the drag and shortens the wake for all Reynolds numbers, Weissenberg numbers and blockage ratios we have tested. A negative wake appears for the strongest wall blockage.
Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide on Different Toxigenic and Atoxigenic Isolates of Aspergillus flavus

Drought stress in the field has been shown to exacerbate aflatoxin contamination of maize and peanut. Drought and heat stress also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant tissues. Given the potential correlation between ROS and exacerbated aflatoxin production under drought and heat stress, the objectives of this study were to examine the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress on the growth of different toxigenic (+) and atoxigenic (−) isolates of Aspergillus flavus and to test whether aflatoxin production affects the H2O2 concentrations that the isolates could survive. Ten isolates were tested: NRRL3357 (+), A9 (+), AF13 (+), Tox4 (+), A1 (−), K49 (−), K54A (−), AF36 (−), and Aflaguard (−); and one A. parasiticus isolate, NRRL2999 (+). These isolates were cultured under a H2O2 gradient ranging from 0 to 50 mM in two different media, aflatoxin-conducive yeast extract-sucrose (YES) and non-conducive yeast extract-peptone (YEP). Fungal growth was inhibited at a high H2O2 concentration, but specific isolates grew well at different H2O2 concentrations. Generally the toxigenic isolates tolerated higher concentrations than did atoxigenic isolates. Increasing H2O2 concentrations in the media resulted in elevated aflatoxin production in toxigenic isolates. In YEP media, the higher concentration of peptone (15%) partially inactivated the H2O2 in the media. In the 1% peptone media, YEP did not affect the H2O2 concentrations that the isolates could survive in comparison with YES media, without aflatoxin production. It is interesting to note that the commercial biocontrol isolates, AF36 (−), and Aflaguard (−), survived at higher levels of stress than other atoxigenic isolates, suggesting that this testing method could potentially be of use in the selection of biocontrol isolates. Further studies will be needed to investigate the mechanisms behind the variability among isolates with regard to their degree of oxidative stress tolerance and the role of aflatoxin production.
Exploring the Supply Side: Factors Related to Charter School Openings in NYC

School choice policies have led to a proliferation of new schools opening. While economic theory suggests that new charters would open in high demand locations, limited work examines whether this is, indeed, occurring. Framing our study in geography, we explore both space factors and place factors as contrasting explanations for where new charters may open. By using geographic information system (GIS) mapping, we explore where new charters open in New York City (NYC) using data from NYC public schools and the Census. Results suggest that charters are responding to poor student achievement and possibly to poverty density, but not to parental satisfaction.
Early nutrition, epigenetic changes at transposons and imprinted genes, and enhanced susceptibility to adult chronic diseases

Several recent reviews surveying the promising field of nutrigenomics1,2 have not discussed the important role that epigenetic mechanisms play at the nexus between nutrition and the genome. This is a glaring omission. Certainly, “nutrient–gene interactions” in humans enable various nutrients to transiently influence the expression of specific subsets of genes. In addition to these phenomena, however, it is becoming increasingly evident that by interacting with epigenetic mechanisms, which regulate chromatin conformation across entire genomic regions, transient nutritional stimuli at critical ontogenic stages can wield lasting influences on the expression of various genes.3 Moreover, such epigenetic changes, if they occur in the gametes, may be heritable. This review focuses on early nutritional influences on cytosine methylation. It proposes that certain genomic regions, including genomically imprinted domains and specific transposon insertion sites, are especially labile to such influences. Considering the critical roles that genomically imprinted genes play in mammalian growth and development4 and the huge proportion of our genome that is comprised of transposons,5 early nutritional influences on these genomic components could have a substantial impact on human health. Genomic and epigenetic similarities between these distinct classes of elements are elaborated, and key areas of future research are discussed.
Assigning the Positional Identity of Spinal Motor Neurons: Rostrocaudal Patterning of Hox-c Expression by FGFs, Gdf11, and Retinoids

Subclasses of motor neurons are generated at different positions along the rostrocaudal axis of the spinal cord. One feature of the rostrocaudal organization of spinal motor neurons is a position-dependent expression of Hox genes, but little is known about how this aspect of motor neuron subtype identity is assigned. We have used the expression profile of Hox-c proteins to define the source and identity of patterning signals that impose motor neuron positional identity along the rostrocaudal axis of the spinal cord. We provide evidence that the convergent activities of FGFs, Gdf11, and retinoid signals originating from Hensen's node and paraxial mesoderm establish and refine the Hox-c positional identity of motor neurons in the developing spinal cord.
The NMR structure of a stable and compact all-beta-sheet variant of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein.

Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) has a clam-shaped structure that may serve as a scaffold for the design of artificial enzymes and drug carriers. In an attempt to optimize the scaffold for increased access to the interior-binding cavity, several helix-less variants of I-FABP have been engineered. The solution-state NMR structure of the first generation helix-less variant, known as Δ17-SG, revealed a larger-than-expected and structurally ill-defined loop flanking the deletion site. We hypothesized that the presence of this loop, on balance, was energetically unfavorable for the stability of the protein. The structure exhibited no favorable pairwise or nonpolar interactions in the loop that could offset the loss of configurational entropy associated with the folding of this region of the protein. As an attempt to generate a more stable protein, we engineered a second-generation helix-less variant of I-FABP (Δ27-GG) by deleting 27 contiguous residues of the wild-type protein and replacing them with a G-G linker. The deletion site of this variant (D9 through N35) includes the 10 residues spanning the unstructured loop of Δ17-SG. Chemical denaturation experiments using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the second-generation helix-less variant is energetically more stable than Δ17-SG. The three-dimensional structure of apo-Δ27-GG was solved using triple-resonance NMR spectroscopy along with the structure calculation and refinement protocols contained in the program package ARIA/CNS. In spite of the deletion of 27 residues, the structure assumes a compact all-β-sheet fold with no unstructured loops and open access to the interior cavity.
Optimization of PIFA-IFA combination in handset antenna designs

As commercial needs have expanded the functions of the wireless cellular handsets, multiantenna development in one handset has become more and more common. This paper addresses a multiantenna solution for the wireless handset application. A planar inverted "F" antenna (PIFA) was designed as the main antenna of the handset to cover the 800 MHz band (824 MHz-894 MHz) and the 1900 MHz band (1850 MHz-1990 MHz). A side-mounted inverted "F" antenna (IFA) was designed as the 1575.42 MHz global positioning system (GPS) antenna. The location of the feed/ground pins of both antennas affected not only the total antenna efficiency, but also the polarization of the GPS IFA. The length of the GPS IFA affected the isolation between the two antennas and the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the PIFA at the 1900 MHz band. A three-dimensional efficiency measurement of the prototypes in both free space and against-head position will be presented. Measurement of SAR and its distribution will also be presented to demonstrate the impact of the IFA on the near field of the PIFA.
Extended optical line emission associated with radio galaxies

Using the Video Camera (e.g. Butcher et al. 1980) and the High Gain Video Spectrometer (e.g. Heckman et al. 1981) we are carrying out a program at Kitt Peak to search for optical line emission associated with the jets and lobes of radio galaxies. Several sources have been found in which extended optical line emission is clearly related to the nonthermal radio emission. Some general information on these and a few other sources is summarized in Table 1.
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Dysphagia due to cricopharyngeal dysfunction is well known; however, there have been no previous data indicating an association between cricopharyngeal dysfunction and COPD. After observing marked cricopharyngeal dysfunction with aspiration in three patients who had frequent and severe exacerbations of COPD, we performed pharyngoesophageal examinations with videotaping in another 22 nonrandomized patients. Cineradiography or videofluoroscopic recording with capabilities of slow-motion and freeze-frame playback is mandatory, since the transit time of the bolus through the pharynx is rapid. Severe cricopharyngeal dysfunction was observed in 17 elderly patients with COPD. Deglutition disorders were elicited by careful questioning in 15 of these. In eight subjects, cricopharyngeal myotomy resulted in improvement of swallowing and complete or partial relief of acute exacerbations of respiratory distress. In one subject, myotomy relieved only the swallowing problem. The mechanism of cricopharyngeal dysfunction in elderly patients with COPD is unknown at this time, but may be related to gastroesophageal reflux, therapeutic agents, and/or alterations in pharyngoesophageal anatomic structures. We conclude that investigations for swallowing disorders should be considered in patients with COPD who have frequent acute exacerbations of respiratory distress. (Chest 1990; 97:347–52)
A transmission line based resistance compression network (TRCN) for microwave applications

Impedance matching to loads that vary with system operating point presents a significant challenge for efficient power transfer. One such load is the RF-to-dc rectifier, whose input resistance varies with rectified power. A resistance compression network (RCN) based on lumped elements was proposed to solve this problem and has demonstrated compressed impedance variation at 48 MHz [3]. At microwave frequencies, however, lumped elements become less viable and the RCN in [3] does not scale well. In this work we present a transmission line based RCN that operates at microwave frequencies. The RCN consists of two microstrip lines with unequal length. We present the theory, the design and an experimental prototype that shows the TRCN is able to compress a large load resistance variation ratio of 20:1 into a ratio of 3:1.
Effect of natural convection on spontaneous combustion of coal stockpiles

Spontaneous combustion may occur in a coal stockpile when the heat generated within the pile cannot be dissipated at near ambient temperature. Under practical conditions, natural convection enhances the rate of heat removal from the bed and shifts the ignition to lower particle sizes (higher reactivities). Analysis of three limiting cases of a one-dimensional model yields criteria predicting the conditions under which ignition occurs as well as those for which a low-temperature (extinguished) state exists for all particle sizes. A simple asymptotic relation predicts the ignition point at large Rayleigh numbers.
DSM-III-Revised and Child Psychiatry

The third edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III, APA, 1980) had a particularly dramatic effect upon child psychiatry. It highlighted a descriptive approach to diagnosis, drawing new attention to phenomenology, and to the relationships among childhood disorders, as no other classifications (e.g., the manual’s second edition [DSM-II, APA, 1968], or Group for Advancement of Psychiatry—1966) had done. DSM-III has facilitated the development of numerous structured interviews for research in child psychiatry, and its atheoretical approach and operational definitions have been a radical departure from DSM-II.
Direct Copyright Infringement in Cyberspace

So far, most copyright litigation in cyberspace has involved secondary liability (i.e., vicarious liability or contributory infringement, including the inducement liability newly announced in Grokster). Yet direct liability is far from dead. The well-established rule of MAI Systems Corp. makes any transient copy in RAM an infringing copy unless authorized, and such "copies" appear in innumerable ways and forms in the course of the Web's normal operation. By itself, transmitting digital files is unlikely to violate the exclusive distribution right, but their use may infringe the copyright owner's other exclusive rights under Section 106. The rights' abstract expression promises perpetual copyright litigation as the Web's technology and business models evolve. Emerging theories of direct liability offer little escape from this economically inefficient future. The "server" (rather than "incorporation") test may rationalize the reproduction, public-display and public-performance rights as applied to linking and framing. Yet it only raises further questions about the derivative-work right. The "volitional action" test has scant precedent to support it. Even if quickly accepted, these emerging theories create uncertainty for such vital uses as search-engine excerpting, image thumbnails, and multimedia applications yet to be devised. An "implied license" or "social contract" approach offers a more sensible and efficient reconciliation of copyright with the Web's evolution. If a use (1) has become widespread, (2) is widely known or publicized, and (3) has an effective technology to prevent it by "opting out," then the use is non-infringing on the theory that the copyright owner impliedly authorized it by not opting out. A district court recently applied this approach in Field v. Google, Inc., rejecting challenges to Google's well-established search technology. If incorporated in new legislation, this approach might rapidly rationalize copyright for the Web, allowing engineers and business people, not copyright lawyers, to control the Web's evolution, while preserving copyright owners' financial incentives and creative control.
Sum Frequency Generation of Water on NaCl, NaNO3, KHSO4, HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4 Aqueous Solutions

The vapor−liquid interface of aqueous inorganic acid and salt solutions are examined using sum frequency generation (SFG). The results show that the SFG intensity of hydrogen-bonded water on 0.01x acid (HCl, HNO3, and H2SO4) solutions, where x = mole fraction, is greatly enhanced compared to the 0.01x solution of the corresponding salts (NaCl, NaNO3, and KHSO4). This suggests that either surface water molecules on the acid solutions orient with the dipole in a more vertically aligned fashion than those on the salt solutions or that more layers of water are ordered. These results are interpreted with an electric double layer model, in which the double layer is composed of subsurface anions and cations. The weak association of protons, as opposed to Na+ or K+, with anions results in a greater electric field at the surface on acid solutions. The perturbation of surface water on ionic solutions is discussed in terms of electrostatic and displacement mechanisms.
Entomological Contributions to Human Welfare: Through The State

Introduction: Insects have inhabited the earth for over 250 million years—in contrast to man's mere one million years of existence. Their amazing adaptation to life under varied environmental conditions has made them dominant in the animal kingdom as it pertains to species variation, total number and world-wide distribution. Numerically, insects comprise 75 percent of all living animals and collectively outweigh all other animal life.
Dislocation Structure and Deformation Behavior of Intermetallic Compounds

The fine structure of dislocations in intermetallic compounds can have a profound influence on their macroscopic mechanical properties. The development of appropriate models of deformation requires consideration of dislocation core structure, possible dissociation or decomposition reactions, overall dislocation morphology and relevant dislocation interactions based on detailed transmission electron microscopy study. This empirical information may be rationalized based on both atomistic and continuum-level dislocation modeling. The specific cases of jogged 1/2 superdislocations in NiAl are discussed.
Optimization of Preparation of Angiotensin-I Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Terebrio molitor L. Protein by Response Surface Methodology

In this study, Tenebrio molitor protein powder was hydrolyzed by papain to prepare angiotensin-I converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitory peptides. Single factor design(involving temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme dosage and hydrolysis time) and response surface methodology were used to determine the optimal hydrolysis conditions for preparing ACE inhibitory peptides. ACE inhibitory rates of hydrolysates were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The optimum conditions were determined as follows: substrate concentration 7 g/100 mL, enzyme dosage 1%, pH 6.5, hydrolysis time 7 h and temperature 55 ℃. The ACE inhibitory rate obtained under these conditions was 58.86%.
The Effect of Animal Protection Advertising on Opposition to the Slaughter of Wildlife and Willingness to Boycott the Offending Industry: Initial and Carryover Effects

During the last decade, concerns for both the welfare and rights of animals have moved into the mainstream (Severson 2007; Siebert 2010; Singer 2006). Accordingly, it comes as no surprise that we have observed an increase in the number of individuals who disapprove of all sport fishing, hunting, and trapping activities (Arlinghaus et al. 2012). The Canadian and Namibian seal hunts, for example, have been drawing growing criticism for years (Smith 2011; UPI 2012), as have the Japanese whale and dolphin hunts (McCurry 2009; Morell 2008).
Changes in strength of lung inflation reflex during prolonged inflation

Recovery from respiratory inhibition produced by the lung inflation reflex was studied in anesthetized dogs, paralyzed and ventilated with a respiratory pump. During constant ventilation the lungs were periodically inflated using positive end-expiratory pressure, while the respiratory motor output was monitored in the phrenic nerve. Inhibition of the phrenic discharge was followed by gradual recovery throughout 8-min inflation periods despite constant blood gases. Recording afferent potentials in a vagus nerve indicated that adaptation of pulmonary stretch receptors contributed to the initial recovery of the phrenic discharge, but this recovery continued after the receptor discharge had stabilized. The phrenic discharge also recovered after initial inhibition in two situations which avoided stretch receptor adaptation: a) when the stretch receptor discharge from the separate lungs was alternated in an overlapping manner by asynchronous pulmonary ventilation, and b) during continuous electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve. Phrenic activity was temporarily increased above its control value after periods of lung inflation, asynchronous ventilation and vagal stimulation. It is concluded that the lung inflation reflex gradually attenuates during prolonged stimulation due to both stretch receptor adaptation and changes within the central pathways.
Racial and ethnic minority patients report different weight-related care experiences than non-Hispanic Whites

Our objective was to compare patients' health care experiences, related to their weight, across racial and ethnic groups. In Summer 2015, we distributed a written survey with telephone follow-up to a random sample of 5400 racially/ethnically and geographically diverse U.S. adult health plan members with overweight or obesity. The survey assessed members' perceptions of their weight-related healthcare experiences, including their perception of their primary care provider, and the type of weight management services they had been offered, or were interested in. We used multivariable multinomial logistic regression to examine the relationship between race/ethnicity and responses to questions about care experience. Overall, 2811 members (53%) responded to the survey and we included 2725 with complete data in the analysis. Mean age was 52.7 years (SD 15.0), with 61.7% female and 48.3% from minority racial/ethnic groups. Mean BMI was 37.1 kg/m(2) (SD 8.0). Most (68.2%) respondents reported having previous discussions of weight with their provider, but interest in such counseling varied by race/ethnicity. Non-Hispanic blacks were significantly less likely to frequently avoid care (for fear of discussing weight/being weighed) than whites (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.90). Relative to whites, respondents of other race/ethnicities were more likely to want weight-related discussions with their providers. Race/ethnicity correlates with patients' perception of discussions of weight in healthcare encounters. Clinicians should capitalize on opportunities to discuss weight loss with high-risk minority patients who may desire these conversations.
The influence of stomach distention on feeding in the nudibranch mollusk Melibe leonina

AbstractAlthough research on satiation has revealed much about the effect of sensory inputs on motivational state, we have yet to fully understand exactly how satiating signals influence the neural circuits underlying specific behaviors. One organism that is well suited for addressing this question is the nudibranch Melibe leonina, because its feeding activity is easily quantified, it has translucent skin that makes the stomach easy to observe, and it has large, identifiable neurons that are very suitable for subsequent analysis of the neural correlates of satiation. In this study our goal was to document the time course of satiation in Melibe, and determine if stomach distention contributes to satiation. When exposed to brine shrimp (Artemia), Melibe immediately commenced stereotypic oral hood movements to capture prey, and continued to do so for approximately five hours. Individuals eventually stopped, despite the continued presence of food, and the slowing and eventual termination of oral hood closures...
Evaluation of a Modular Layering Approach for Heat Loss Improvement in Structural Firefighter Turnout Garments

Heat stress, due to overprotection, is an important cause of firefighter fatalities in specific working conditions (Rossi 2005). There are two vital, yet contradictory factors, which play a role in the heat stress a firefighter experiences. The multi-layer construction of firefighter turnouts hinders the ability of heat loss to occur by increasing thermal insulation and evaporative resistance. e development of a modular approach was evaluated by eliminating specific layers, to analyze their specific contribution to heat strain in certain working conditions, where threat of heat and flame are not present. The results presented here focused on the thermal comfort and heat strain aspects of a modular solution.
Induction of p53 suppresses chronic myeloid leukemia

AbstractChronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by the chromosomal translocation 9;22, known as the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), which produces the BCR-ABL fusion tyrosine kinase. Although well-managed by BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), treatment fails to eliminate Ph + primitive progenitors, and cessation of therapy frequently results in relapse. The p53 protein is an important regulator of cell cycle and apoptosis. The small molecules MI-219 target the interaction between p53 and its negative regulator HDM2, leading to its stabilization and activation. We show that treatment with MI-219 reduced the number of CML cells in both in vitro and in vivo settings but not that of normal primitive progenitors, and activated different gene signatures in CML potentially explaining the differential impact of this agent on each population. Our data suggest that a p53-activating agent may be an effective approach in the management and potential operational cure of CML.
After Obama: renewing American leadership, restoring global order

Even before Donald Trump became President of the United States, towards the end of Obama’s tenure in the White House, there were already articles and books on the future of US foreign policy, where...
The prognostic impact of human papillomavirus status following treatment failure in oropharyngeal cancer.

Introduction Despite the human papillomavirus conferring a better prognosis in the primary treatment setting, the prognostic impact of viral status after treatment failure in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients is poorly understood. Methods We retrospectively identified 33 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPC) patients with local and/or distant disease recurrence post-treatment, and looked at metastatic patterns, time to failure and survival patterns by HPV status. Results Median overall survival following local failure was not significantly different by HPV status (17 months for HPV+ vs. 14 months for HPV-, p = 0.23). However, following distant failures, HPV+ patients lived significantly longer than HPV- patients (median 42 months vs. 11 months, p = 0.004). HPV- patients were more likely to have locoregional failures as compared to HPV+ patients (p = 0.005), but the difference in distant failure between both groups was not significant (p = 0.09). HPV+ patients were more likely to develop metastases to sites other than the lung and bones. Conclusion HPV positivity predicts a favorable prognosis with the potential for long-term survival following distant, not locoregional, failures. These results have important implications for the aggressiveness of treatment and type of surveillance imaging performed.
Native earthworm population dominance after seven years of tillage, burning, and residue level management in a wheat-soybean, double-crop system

Abstract Earthworm density is often reduced in low organic matter soils that are intensively managed for row-crop production, but earthworms can serve as a sensitive bioindicator of response to residue management. This study relates earthworm density and community composition to residue management after seven years of consistent management practices in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), double-crop system in the Lower Mississippi River Valley delta region of eastern Arkansas. Residue management practices included conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT), N fertilization to produce HIGH and LOW wheat residue levels, and BURN compared to unburned (NO BURN) wheat residue remaining on the soil surface. Total mean earthworm densities ranged from 271 to 508 m−2 in the top 20 cm across treatments. Both exotic Aporrectodea trapezoides (Duges) and native Diplocardia sylvicola Gates adult earthworms were present with little difference in diversity among sampled communities; however, more than 65% of adults were D. sylvicola in all treatments. Native, total, or juvenile earthworm densities in different treatment combinations were correlated to different soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, and Mehlich-III-K, Ca Mg, S, Cu, and Mn concentrations. Residue level and burning influenced total, juvenile, and native earthworm densities differently in CT and NT. Tillage presumably influenced earthworm density through effects of residue placement at the surface (NT) or within the soil profile (CT). Earthworm densities were greatest in the BURN-HIGH treatment combination under NT, which contrasted with greatest densities in the NO BURN-HIGH which did not differ from the BURN-LOW treatment under CT. Native earthworms predominated with a common exotic species in a wheat-soybean double-crop system in Arkansas where earthworm densities were dependent on the interaction of tillage with burning and fertilization to influence wheat residue amount. Differences in earthworm abundances may serve as a bioindicator of long-term sustainability of common residue management practices in the highly agriculturally productive delta region in the Lower Mississippi River Valley.
Now You See It, Now You Don’t: Digital Connectivity in Marginalized Communities

For marginalized communities around the globe, lack of stable Internet access can result in a “digital divide.” The author’s sociotechnical analysis of three marginalized communities—rural Native Americans in the US, Syrian refugees in Jordan, and Congolese refugees in Rwanda—identifies several key contributing factors, including aid agencies’ changing priorities, goals, and political concerns, as well as technological, geographic, and cultural challenges. Through novel insights about these contributing factors of digital divides, the author generates a set of technical, organizational, and policy solutions.
Program analysis in λprolog

High-level languages support a rich syntactic structure involving bound variables and a variety of binding constructs. This structure contributes significantly to the need for sophisticated program analyses during compilation. Providing high-level, declarative descriptions of these analyses is an important step towards designing these analyses and implementing them efficiently. Deductive systems, utilizing a rich collection of logical constants, provide a suitable formalism for specifying such descriptions, and the programming language λProlog provides a means for implementing and experimenting with such deductive systems. The suitability of λProlog for this task can be traced to two aspects of the language. First, λProlog supports a high-level abstract syntax for programs in which all binding and scoping constructs can be represented using λ-terms. This representation supports a uniform treatment of α-conversion and substitution for all such constructs. Second, λProlog supports the direct encoding of deductive systems as programs. The language exploits the structure of the high-level syntax and supports the construction of programs which manipulate bound variables and substitutions in a simple and uniform manner. Hypothetical and parametric reasoning allow complex tasks to be specified without the use of explicit contexts or side conditions. The resulting programs offer clear, concise, and logical descriptions of program analysis tasks, including semantic definitions, optimizations, and translations. The logical nature of these specifications supports reasoning about their correctness. We study the use of λProlog to specify the abstract syntax of simple programming languages, the operational semantics of these languages, and various translations and static analyses for these languages. Additionally, we discuss how to reason about the correctness of some of these specifications. We focus on a simple, functional language, but these techniques can be applied to a wide range of languages.
The Tech Industry or the Regulated Industry: Which One Has the True Glamour Stocks?

This study directly compares the performance of tech industry stocks to regulated industry stocks from 1963 to 2002. The stock return performance of the regulated industry is similar to, and in many ways superior to, the performance of the technology industry. For example, $1 invested in 1963 grows to $127 if invested in tech stocks over the 40-year sample period and $117 if invested in regulated stocks, both easily outperforming T-bills, the equally-weighted CRSP index, and the S&P 500. Despite the similar return performance, the regulated industry contains substantially lower risk, as measured by beta and return volatility, versus the technology industry. In addition, the impressive performance of tech stocks is dependent upon two years of particularly high returns (1967 and 1999). The results have interesting implications for traditional notions of risk and for attitudes toward investing in regulated industry stocks.
Nutritional Ecology of Insect Egg Parasitoids

All animals require food and the food is the major issue that determines the biology of an organism. But there are a number of issues associated with the food that are involved. These include the location, confirmation, consumption, utilization and allocation of the resource (food) to the various aspects of the organism’s life style that determines the organism’s morphology, ecology, physiology, and evolution. In this chapter I examine some of these issues because such a background can provide some insight into an organism’s evolutionary biology and its various life strategies.
Intrinsic religiosity protects believers from the existential fear of a human Jesus

The present study examined the role of internalised religious beliefs in defending against existential concerns aroused from a creaturely Jesus. Prior work has found that biologically human traits ...
When gastroenterology meets radiology: air under right diaphragm.

A middle-aged patient with cystic fibrosis presented to the clinic with progressively worsening constipation requiring over-the-counter laxative use. He was not in distress, and physical examination was notable for percussive tympany over the right upper quadrant with caudally displaced liver. Review of laboratory analysis was unremarkable, including normal cell count, electrolytes, hepatic function and negative coeliac panel. Assessment of previous CT imaging of the abdomen unexpectedly revealed air under the right diaphragm (figure 1 …
A simple method for detecting domino convergence and identifying salient genes within a genetic algorithm

Within a genetic algorithm, all genes may not be created equal. This concept is the central idea explored in this paper. A second and equally important idea is that this inequality in gene importance or salience can be detected and identified within a GA. To support these ideas, a technique for directly measuring genetic diversity within a GA population and thereby indirectly measuring gene-specific importance is provided. Diversity graphs are offered as a powerful technique for visualizing measurement results. Our theories, metrics and tools are tested on GAs for two problem classes and four different selection methods.
Interface balance laws, phase growth and nucleation conditions for multiphase solids with inhomogeneous surface stress

In this paper, the thermodynamic configurational force associated with a moving interface is used to derive the conditions for phase growth and nucleation in bodies with multiple diffusing species and arbitrary surface stress at the phase interface. First, the mass, momentum and energy balances are derived on the evolving phase interface. The thermodynamic conditions that result from free energy inequality at the interface are derived leading to the analytical form of the configurational force for bodies subject to mechanical loads, heat and multiple diffusing species. The derived second law condition naturally extends the Eshelby energy–momentum tensor to include species diffusion terms. The above second law restriction is then used to derive the condition for the growth of new phases in a body undergoing finite deformation subject to inhomogeneous as well as anisotropic interface stress, and multiple diffusing species. The growth conditions are derived in both current and reference configurations. The statistical temperature-dependent growth velocity is next derived using the Boltzmann distribution. The derived finite deformation form of growth requirement is simplified to obtain the small deformation diffusive void growth condition. Next, a general, finite deformation, arbitrary surface stress form of phase nucleation condition is derived by considering uncertainty in growth of a small nucleus. The probability of nucleation is shown to naturally depend on a theoretical estimate of critical volumetric energy density, which is directly related to the surface stress. The classical nucleation theory is shown to result from a simplified special case of the general criterion. As an application of the developed theory, the classical Blech electromigration experiment is simulated to estimate the critical energy density corresponding to the onset of electromigration voids at Al–TiN interface.
Clinician Perspectives on the User Experience, Configuration, and Scope of Use of a Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) Dashboard

To improve care coordination, forestall emergencies, and save costs, there is a growing movement to have patients at home habitually collect and provide data about their health status and related experiences to health care providers. One aspect of this movement involves the recurring use of reliable and valid questionnaires to collect and share patient reported outcomes (PRO) data. However, studies indicate that health care providers have a host of legitimate concerns about the systematic and routine collection, sharing, and use of PRO data. To explore these provider-specific concerns further, we developed a configurable prototype software application for use by providers and their patients called the PRO Data Dashboard (PDD). Using the PDD along with several written clinical case scenarios, we conducted focus groups with a diverse group of oncology care providers to generate findings relevant to the design, configuration, and use of PRO-based tools. We organized our findings into three categories: scope of use of PRO tools, configuration of PRO tools, and clinician user experience. We conclude that providers require fine-grained control over the configuration of PRO data collection and sharing features in e-Health applications.
Reduction in Post-Discharge Return to Acute Care in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery: Results of a Quality Improvement Initiative.

Background Postoperative returns to acute care represent fragmented care, are costly, and often evolve into readmission. Reduction of postoperative readmissions and emergency department visits represents an opportunity to improve quality of care and decrease resource use. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of 2 failure modes and effects analysis-guided quality improvement interventions on return to acute care within 30 days postoperatively. Methods An American College of Surgeons NSQIP database analysis of adult patients treated by a single hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon at a quaternary academic center was performed. Two failure modes and effects analysis-guided quality improvement interventions were assessed in a staged fashion, including a post-discharge phone call follow-up, and a preoperative clinic visit to discuss plans of care. The primary end point of interest was return to acute care (readmission or emergency department use) within 30 days from postoperative discharge. Results During the 4-year study period, 684 patients underwent a hepatopancreatobiliary operation. After the implementation of the failure modes and effects analysis interventions, the baseline 30-day readmission rate was reduced by 48% post intervention (13.5% vs 6.9%; p = 0.011). This impact was sustained, with a readmission rate below the lowest baseline in 5 of 6 postintervention quarters. Short-stay readmissions were reduced by > 76% after the interventions (28.5% vs 6.6%). Post-discharge emergency department visits were also reduced by nearly 40% after initiation of both failure modes and effects analysis-guided quality improvement interventions (11.3% vs 6.9%; p = 0.125), which showed similar sustained response. Conclusions The results from this study can be used to help identify, develop, and test interventions to optimize emergency department use and readmission to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient quality of life.
Compact Basis Sets for Optical Rotation Calculations

In this work, we present two compact basis sets optimized for the calculation of specific rotation: augD-3-21G and augT3-3-21G. They are obtained by combining the standard 3-21G basis set with the ...
Epidemiology and Management of Pediatric Head and Neck Burns: An Institutional Review.

BackgroundPediatric head and neck burns (HNBs) require special attention due to the potential for long-term disfigurement, functional impairment, and psychosocial stigma.MethodsWe performed a retro...
Validity of a 3-dimensional body scanner: comparison against a 4-compartment model and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

Three-dimensional (3D) body scanner technology for body composition assessment is expanding. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a 3D body scanner. One hundred and ninety-four parti...
Mercury and methylmercury distribution in tissues of sculpins from the Bering Sea

Fish skeletal muscle is often used to monitor mercury concentrations and is used by regulatory agencies to develop fish consumption advisories. However, the distribution of mercury species (MeHg+ and THg) in muscle tissue and other organs is not well understood in a number of fish species. Here we evaluate the spatial distribution of THg and MeHg+ in skeletal muscle and internal organs (heart, liver, and kidney) of 19 sculpin representing three species: Myoxocephalus scorpius (shorthorn sculpin n = 13), Myoxocephalus jaok (plain sculpin, n = 4), and Megalocottus platycephalus (belligerent sculpin, n = 2). Four subsamples of muscle were taken along the lateral aspect of each fish, from muscle A (cranial) to muscle D (caudal). Using Games–Howell post hoc procedure to compare mean concentrations of all tissues, muscle samples were significantly different from internal organs, although there was no difference between muscle-sampling locations. THg concentrations (ww) were higher in muscle (muscle A through D mean ± SD, 0.30 ± 0.19 mg/kg) than that in heart (0.06 ± 0.05 mg/kg), kidney (0.08 ± 0.06 mg/kg), and liver (0.09 ± 0.08 mg/kg). Percent MeHg+ decreased with age in both skeletal muscle and organs (p < 0.05). In contrast to some previous reports for other fish species, this study found significantly higher THg concentrations in muscle than in the liver. This study highlights the importance of using muscle samples when evaluating potential Hg exposure in risk assessments for piscivorous wildlife and human populations, and assumptions related to organ mercury concentrations should be examined with care.
"CAT-OUT-OF-THE-BAG" & "BREAK-IN-THE-STREAM-OF-EVENTS": MASSACHUSETTS' REJECTION OF OREGON v. ELSTAD FOR SUPPRESSION OF WARNED STATEMENTS MADE AFTER A MIRANDA VIOLATION

This Alumni Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Review & Student Publications at Digital Commons @ Western New England University School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Western New England Law Review by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Western New England University School of Law. For more information, please contact pnewcombe@law.wne.edu. Recommended Citation
Earth Observing System (EOS) TERRA spacecraft 120 volt power subsystem/sup /spl copy//

Built by the Lockheed-Martin Corporation, the Earth Observing System (EOS) TERRA spacecraft represents the first orbiting application of a 120 VDC high voltage spacecraft electrical power system implemented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center. The development focus of the TERRA electrical power system (EPS) resulted from a need for high power distribution to the EOS TERRA spacecraft subsystems and instruments and minimizing mass and parasitic losses. This paper outlines the major requirements for the EPS as well as the resulting hardware implementation approach adopted to meet the demands of the EOS TERRA low Earth orbit mission.
Effect of Two Different FDA‐approved D‐dimer Assays on Resource Utilization in the Emergency Department

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:317–321 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Background: The D-dimer assay has been shown to be an appropriate test to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) in low-risk patients in the emergency department (ED). Multiple assays now are approved to measure D-dimer levels. Studies have shown a newer assay, Tina-quant, to have similar diagnostic accuracy to the VIDAS assay. Objectives: The objective was to determine effects of transitioning from the VIDAS assay to the Tina-quant D-dimer assay on the need for computed tomography angiogram (CTA) and ED length of stay (LOS) in patients being evaluated for PE in the ED. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients who had D-dimer levels ordered at an urban, academic, Level I trauma center with over 55,000 annual ED visits. The results of D-dimer levels in the ED were recorded over a period of 6 months prior to and 6 months after the transition to the new D-dimer assay. The numbers of positive and negative D-dimers and need for subsequent CTAs were recorded for comparison. LOS was also recorded to determine time saved. Medians were calculated and compared using Wilcoxon rank sum. Results: During the initial period, 875 D-dimers were ordered, with a positive rate of 41.5%. During the period after the introduction of the Tina-quant assay, 859 tests were ordered, with 25.5% having positive results. An absolute decrease of 16% in the number of necessary CTAs (p 500 rose from 13 of 308 (4.2%) to 17 of 187 (9.1%). Conclusions: Switching D-dimer assays reduced both LOS and number of imaging studies in our patient population. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:1–5 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine