cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
BLACK‐WHITE INCOME INEQUALITY AND THE URBAN SYSTEM OF THE SOUTH

This article reveals the positions of 40 SMSAs in the urban system of the South in 1980, and then investigates whether SMSAs' location in this urban system has an impact on black-white income inequality. The urban sysrem analyzed here is based on Richard Wanner's two-dimensional model and ideas on how each dimension is related to racial income inequality are drawn from work by urban ecologists and radical political economists. It is hypothesized that (1) the higher an SMSA is on the “metropolitan functions” dimension, the more black-white income inequality it will have; and (2) being near the manufacturing end of the “industry structure” dimension has the effect of reducing racial income inequality. Percentage black in the SMSA and black-white educational level are also included in the analysis and the results generally support our hypotheses. The implications of these findings are discussed and the southern urban system in 1980 is compared with ealier depictions of it.
A Framework for Rank Computation and Aggregation in Fuzzy Environments

In many network and IT systems, users submit loosely-defined (or fuzzy) requests to obtain answers, solutions or resources. In this paper, we focus on trouble-shooting problem tickets in an IT service management system. In such a system, problems are typically reported using vague user-generated descriptions of the symptoms (e.g., 'my email is not working!') in a ticket. IT Specialists are then responsible for identifying the troubled component from the reported symptoms. Usually, the ticket is sent to one Specialist at a time until it is resolved hence, an efficient mechanism to select the (next) potential Specialist becomes critical towards a timely resolution of the ticket. In this paper, we introduce a framework to deal with fuzzy requests in a distributed environment. We first show the importance of considering both the traditional graph-based network routing efficiency as well as social network theory to generate important ranking metrics. For each newly arrived ticket, we propose several selection and ranking policies to choose and rank IT Specialists who can potentially resolve the ticket. We evaluate the ranking system with synthetic tickets, generated by an in-depth simulated IT management model that closely mimics an operational system. Our preliminary results suggest the importance of considering both routing efficiency and social connectivity to minimize the resolution time of a ticket.
Non-Associative Learning and Serotonin Induce Similar Bi-Directional Changes in Excitability of a Neuron Critical for Learning in the Medicinal Leech

In studies of the cellular basis of learning, much attention has focused on plasticity in synaptic transmission in terms of transmitter release and the number or responsiveness of neurotransmitter receptors. However, changes in postsynaptic excitability independent of receptors may also play an important role. Changes in excitability of a single interneuron in the leech, the S-cell, were measured during non-associative learning of the whole-body shortening reflex. This interneuron was chosen because it is known to be necessary for sensitization and full dishabituation of the shortening response. During sensitization, S-cell excitability increased, and this enhancement corresponded to facilitation of the shortening reflex and increased S-cell activity during the elicited response. During habituation training, there was a decrement in both the shortening reflex and the elicited S-cell activity, along with decreased S-cell excitability. Conversely, dishabituation facilitated both the shortening response and S-cell activity during shortening, with an accompanying increase in S-cell excitability. Bath application of 1–10 μm serotonin (5HT), a modulatory neurotransmitter that is critical for sensitization, for full dishabituation, and for associative learning, increased S-cell excitability. S-cell excitability also increased after stimulation of the serotonergic Retzius cells. However, focal application of serotonin onto the S-cell soma hyperpolarized the interneuron, and bath application of a lower dose of serotonin (0.1 μm) decreased excitability. The observed changes in postsynaptic excitability appear to contribute to non-associative learning, and modulatory neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, evidently help regulate excitability. Such changes in S-cell excitability may also be relevant for more complex, associative forms of learning.
A robust learning algorithm

Summary form only given, as follows. A strategy for improved generalization when the training set is small and noisy is considered. A modified back-propagation algorithm sequentially searches a hypothesis space in a highly controlled manner. The search begins with robust linear and near-linear models and then gradually expands to more complex nonlinear models. The algorithm constrains the search process so that only models that are relatively well supported by the evidence (i.e., training examples) are tested. In contrast, standard back-propagation does not control the search process as accurately. Although the algorithm has been tested only on small problems, its performance is clearly superior to that of the back-propagation algorithm. The proposed strategy can also be applied to other learning algorithms. >
An improved digit-reversal permutation algorithm for the fast Fourier and Hartley transforms

All radix-B fast Fourier transforms (FFT) or fast Hartley transforms (FHT) performed "in-place" require at some point that the sequence elements he permuted such that, indexing the elements 0 to N - 1, the element with index i is swapped with the element whose index is j. The permutation is called digit-reversing, because if i is represented as a string of digits, base B, then j is that index whose representation is the same string of digits written in reverse order. N is a power of B and B \geq 2 . An elegant algorithm has been found that Performs this "perfect shuffle" more efficiently and, according to timing experiments, runs about eight times faster than the fastest other algorithm known to the author. The algorithm is of order O(N) and led, for example, to a saving of 7 percent in the total (radix-2) FFT running time for N = 1024.
Spectral Clustering for Example Based Machine Translation

Prior work has shown that generalization of data in an Example Based Machine Translation (EBMT) system, reduces the amount of pre-translated text required to achieve a certain level of accuracy (Brown, 2000). Several word clustering algorithms have been suggested to perform these generalizations, such as k-Means clustering or Group Average Clustering. The hypothesis is that better contextual clustering can lead to better translation accuracy with limited training data. In this paper, we use a form of spectral clustering to cluster words, and this is shown to result in as much as 29.08% improvement over the baseline EBMT system.
Electrostatic ion (hydrogen) cyclotron and ion acoustic wave instabilities in regions of upward field‐aligned current and upward ion beams

An investigation is made into the stability of electrostatic hydrogen ion cyclotron and ion acoustic waves in a model plasma where an ion beam, population 2, and oppositely directed drifting electrons pass through a stationary ion background, population 1. The excited wave properties are then compared with the characteristics of the unstable modes observed on the S3-3 satellite. Three temperature regimes are studied: (1) Te greater than Ti2 much greater than Ti1, (2) Ti2 greater than Te not less than Ti1, and (3) Te approximately equal to Ti1 greater than Ti2. It is found that the ion beam acts as a free energy source only in regime 1. This regime is also highly unstable to the electrons as a free energy source. Unstable modes in regimes 2 and 3 seem to best satisfy the electrostatic hydrogen cyclotron wave (EHC) properties at 1 earth radius. For these cases the electrons are the free energy source, the beam supplies damping.
Capacity of noncoherent time-selective Rayleigh-fading channels

The capacity of noncoherent time-selective Rayleigh-fading channels is studied under various models for the variations in time. The study includes both single-input and single-output (SISO) and multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) systems. A block-fading model is first considered where the channel changes correlatively over each block period of length T, and independently across blocks. The predictability of the channel is characterized through the rank Q of the correlation matrix of the vector of channel gains in each block. This model includes, as special cases, the standard block-fading model where the channel remains constant over block periods (Q=1), and models where the fading process has finite differential entropy rate (Q=T). The capacity is initially studied for long block lengths and some straightforward but interesting asymptotes are established. For the case where Q is kept fixed as T/spl rarr//spl infin/, it is shown that the noncoherent capacity converges to the coherent capacity. For the case where both T,Q/spl rarr//spl infin/, with Q/T being held constant, a bound on the capacity loss due to channel unpredictability is established. The more interesting scenario of large signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is then explored in detail. For SISO systems, useful upper and lower bounds on the large SNR asymptotic capacity are derived, and it is shown that the capacity grows logarithmically with SNR with a slope of T-Q/spl rarr/T, for Q<T. Next, in order to facilitate the analysis of MIMO systems, the rank-Q block-fading model is specialized to the case where each T-symbol block consists of Q subblocks of length L, with the channel remaining constant over each subblock and changing correlatively across subblocks. For this model, it is shown that the log SNR growth behavior of the capacity is the same as that of the standard block-fading model with block length L. Finally, the SISO and MIMO channel models are generalized to allow the fading process to be correlated across blocks in a stationary and ergodic manner. It is shown that the log SNR growth behavior of the capacity is not affected by the correlation across blocks.
Use of bimolecular fluorescence complementation to study in vivo interactions between Cdc42p and Rdi1p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc42p functions as a GTPase molecular switch, activating multiple signaling pathways required to regulate cell cycle progression and the actin cytoskeleton. Regulatory proteins control its GTP binding and hydrolysis and its subcellular localization, ensuring that Cdc42p is appropriately activated and localized at sites of polarized growth during the cell cycle. One of these, the Rdi1p guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor, negatively regulates Cdc42p by extracting it from cellular membranes. In this study, the technique of bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) was used to study the dynamic in vivo interactions between Cdc42p and Rdi1p. The BiFC data indicated that Cdc42p and Rdi1p interacted in the cytoplasm and around the periphery of the cell at the plasma membrane and that this interaction was enhanced at sites of polarized cell growth during the cell cycle, i.e., incipient bud sites, tips and sides of small- and medium-sized buds, and the mother-bud neck region. In addition, a ring-like structure containing the Cdc42p-Rdi1p complex transiently appeared following release from G1-phase cell cycle arrest. A homology model of the Cdc42p-Rdi1p complex was used to introduce mutations that were predicted to affect complex formation. These mutations resulted in altered BiFC interactions, restricting the complex exclusively to either the plasma membrane or the cytoplasm. Data from these studies have facilitated the temporal and spatial modeling of Rdi1p-dependent extraction of Cdc42p from the plasma membrane during the cell cycle.
On the existence of a $v2^32$-self map on $M(1,4)$ at the prime 2

Let $M(1)$ be the mod 2 Moore spectrum. J.F. Adams proved that $M(1)$ admits a minimal $v_1$-self map $v^4_1 : \Sigma^8 M (1) \to M (1)$. Let $M(1, 4)$ be the cofiber of this self-map. The purpose of this paper is to prove that $M(1, 4)$ admits a minimal $v_2$-self map of the form $v^{32}_2 : \Sigma^{192} M (1,4) \to M (1,4)$. The existence of this map implies the existence of many 192-periodic families of elements in the stable homotopy groups of spheres..
Correction to analysis and design of ill-conditioned plants, part 2: Directionally uniform weightings and an example and plant directionality, coupling, and multivariable loopshaping

An upper bound stated in the title papers is incorrect. We derive a correct result and show that the conclusions reached using the incorrect bounds remain valid.
Electromechanical modeling of actuator dynamics in a load/unload disk drive

A modeling technique is presented that provides a convenient and effective means to simulate the behavior of a load/unload disk drive actuator during loading and unloading. The technique uses the PSPICE electric circuit simulator, with the mechanical properties of the actuator and ramp system described by equivalent electronic circuit elements. The model uses a piece-wise continuous approach to incorporate the changing friction forces acting on the actuator. Simulation of the drive circuits, and bidirectional coupling between the mechanical and electronic domains is provided by the model. Modeling results are presented and compared to measurements taken on a prototype disk drive.
Organization Antecedents of Successful IT Management

As local law enforcement organizations continue to embrace IT, the successful management of these technologies will continue to have expanding implications for the municipal organization. The emergence of the IT state and the risks associated with the accelerated rate of technological change places law enforcement professionals in a precarious position: balancing the needs for public safety with organizational efficiency and effectiveness concerns. This paper reports the findings of a study examining the role of law enforcement leadership with regard to the successful management of IT. This study assumes that the degree to which senior leadership within the police department and throughout the municipal organization embraces IT and appreciates the dynamic characteristics of the technologies themselves results in a greater level of success integrating technology into organizational operations.
Retrieval of Ocean Surface Wind Speed and Wind Direction Using Reflected GPS Signals

Global positioning system (GPS) signals reflected from the ocean surface can be used for various remote sensing purposes. Some possibilities include measurements of surface roughness characteristics from which the rms of wave slopes, wind speed, and direction could be determined. In this paper, reflected GPS measurements that were collected using aircraft with a delay mapping GPS receiver are used to explore the possibility of determining ocean surface wind speed and direction during flights to Hurricanes Michael and Keith in October 2000. To interpret the GPS data, a theoretical model is used to describe the correlation power of the reflected GPS signals for different time delays as a function of geometrical and sea-roughness parameters. The model employs a simple relationship between surface-slope statistics and both a wind vector and wave age or fetch. Therefore, for situations when this relationship holds there is a possibility of indirectly measuring the wind speed and the wind direction. Wind direction estimates are based on a multiple-satellite nonlinear least squares solution. The estimated wind speed using surface-reflected GPS data collected at wind speeds between 5 and 10 ms 21 shows an overall agreement of better than 2 m s 21 with data obtained from nearby buoy data and independent wind speed measurements derived from TOPEX/Poseidon, European Remote Sensing (ERS), and QuikSCAT observations. GPS wind retrievals for strong winds in the close vicinity to and inside the hurricane are significantly less accurate. Wind direction agreement with QuikSCAT measurements appears to be at the 308 level when the airplane has both a stable flight level and a stable flight direction. Discrepancies between GPS retrieved wind speeds/directions and those obtained by other means are discussed and possible explanations are proposed.
A New Narrative for Corporate Law

This article brings together the law's story of corporate personhood with its science fictional counterpart: the story of the android, Lieutenant Commander Data, from "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Both the modern corporation and Data are cases of artifactual agency--actors created by artificial means. As such, their claims to personhood--that is, to being moral agents with the same rights and duties as their human counterparts--are problematic. But the story science fiction tells of Data's claim to personhood is markedly different from the story the law tells about the corporation. Data's story reveals the "silences" in the narrative of corporate law, replacing them with dialogue. In revealing such "silences," Data's story brings into view an alternative moral framework for the law's struggles with corporate personhood, a new "ending, which we can supply."
Mechanism and Selectivity of Methyl and Phenyl Migrations in Hypervalent Silylated Iminoquinones

Chlorosilanes R(X)(Y)SiCl (R = Me, Ph; X, Y = Me, Ph, Cl) have been reported to react with Pb(ONOQ)2 (ONOQ = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-quinone-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-oxy-1-phenyl)imine) to give five-coor...
Atomistic Simulation of the Load Dependence of Nanoscale Friction on Suspended and Supported Graphene

Suspended graphene exhibits distinct behavior in which nanoscale friction first increases and then decreases with load; this is in contrast to the monotonic increase of friction with load exhibited by most materials, including graphene supported by a substrate. In this work, these friction trends are reproduced for the first time using molecular dynamics simulations of a nanoscale probe scanning on suspended and supported graphene. The atomic-scale detail available in the simulations is used to correlate friction trends to the presence and size of a wrinkle on the graphene surface in front of the probe. The simulations also provide information about how frictional load dependence is affected by the size of the graphene, the size of the probe, and the strength of the interaction between graphene and probe.
Selective sanitary examination on 5814 pieces of market food in Shengsi Islands County

Objective:To investigate the hygienic quality of commercially available food in Shengsi market,and to find out the quality difference of food marketing and processing circle.Methods:Data of 5814 spot-checking samples from 17 categories of food were analysed by Chi-square test.Results:The total pass rate of food hygiene quality was 88.18%,91.90% in 2888 pieces of 17 categories of marking food,and 84.52% in 2926 of 12 categories of processing food.The quality of food hygiene of 12 categories of marking food were significantly higher than the same kind of processing food(χ2=42.92,P0.01);Among them,the quality of food hygiene of fast-frozen food,beverages,biscuits in marking food were higher than those in processing categories;However,the quality of processed aquatic products in processing field was higher than that in market.Conclusion:To further enhance the quality of food hygiene,it is nessesary for law enforcement departments to strengthen legislation,exercise strict quality control regarding food.
Ischemic Bowel Disease: A Problem in Differential Diagnosis

The core problem in this highly variable syndrome is to decide whether the patient with symptoms of moderate severity will have a self-limited course or develop obstruction and stricture that require surgery. Repeated radiologic examination during a period of watchful waiting is often the most effective approach. Guidelines are given for x-ray differentiation of ischemic from other diseases of the bowel.
Sexual dysfunction after spinal cord injury

Treatment of sexual dysfunction is an integral part of the rehabilitation of the patient with spinal cord injury. The degree of sexual dysfunction varies with the level and completeness of injury. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to evaluate and treat these patients. Intracorporeal injections of vasoactive medications or vacuum devices are effective means of restoring erections in selected patients with spinal cord injury. Penile prostheses are rarely indicated for this purpose.
A Patient's Guide to the Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Publisher Summary This chapter aims to help patients understand the present knowledge on antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In this immune disorder the patient's body makes antiphospholipid antibodies (APAs), which can cause the blood to clot or become thickened. As these antibodies target blood vessels in the patient's body instead of an obvious invader, they are termed as “autoimmune,” meaning the antibody attacks the patient's own body. The APS is divided into two categories, which include primary APS and secondary APS. In the primary APS, patients have antiphospholipid antibodies and no other medical diagnosis, whereas in secondary APS, the patients with antiphospholipid antibodies are also diagnosed with a rheumatic disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Not all people who make antiphospholipid antibodies and who have a positive test suffer from the APS. Having positive tests does not mean that the person is more likely to develop lupus or another autoimmune disease. A few rare patients can also develop these antibodies from drugs, infection, or cancers. Most of the symptoms that patients with the APS get are related to the tendency to form blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, stroke, and recurrent miscarriage are the most common manifestations of this syndrome. However, clots can form in other areas of the body such as the coronary arteries of the heart, the blood vessels in the fingers or toes, or in the superficial layers of the skin and can cause problems.
Cytometrically monitored neoplastic progression in the Nb bladder cancer model: selective proliferation of variant subpopulations.

Abstract The identification and understanding of neoplasm heterogeneity is essential to allow for more individually oriented treatment modalities. There is a tendency to limit the analysis of neoplasm heterogeneity to diagnostic classification only; however, recently refined methods of rapid subpopulation analysis should expand this restricted usage to monitoring of chemotherapeutic treatment. The documentation of the neoplastic progression of the Nb rat bladder cancer model as a function of variant subpopulation proliferation and selection is reported herein. This documentation represents the efforts of this laboratory to develop a flow cytometrically monitored animal bladder tumor model to evaluate the in vivo effects of chemotherapies on neoplastic subpopulations; particularly those subpopulations potentially metastatic or resistant to therapy. It is anticipated that this will increase our understanding of this model, and more specifically, tumor biology. This particular tumor initially occurred in an aged Noble male breeder rat.
Reluctant Writers in Elementary School: A Problem with a Solution

This paper examines reluctant young writers in the elementary school setting, investigating the causes of their apprehension toward writing and why it is a problem. Multiple and varying solutions to this problem, like creating a positive and non-threatening learning environment, making writing assignments fun and student-centered, building confidence, and utilizing certain teaching techniques, tools, and attitudes are then thoroughly analyzed. Incorporating some, or a combination, of these solutions proves to ultimately lessen student writing apprehension and reluctance.
There and back again: An acquisition study

When again modifies an English goal-PP construction, the sentence is ambiguous between a repetitive and a restitutive reading. Interestingly, languages vary in whether their counterpart to English ...
Late effects among head and neck cancer survivors in Utah cancer survivorship study.

137Background: Sites of head and neck are associated with chewing, swallowing and speaking. As for treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC), we have to consider organ preservation as well as clinical outcomes. Although non-surgical treatments have been preferred in recent years, complications after treatment have been a concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the late effects in a cohort of HNC survivors in Utah compared to a matched cohort of cancer free individuals. Methods: Up to 5 cancer free individuals were matched to each HNC survivor on birth year, sex, birth state, and follow up time. Electronic medical records and statewide ambulatory and inpatient surgery data were used to identify late effects over two time periods: 1-5 and 5-10 years after cancer diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risks of late effects. We adjusted for matching factors, race and number of hospital visit. Results: In this study, 2,432 HNC survivors and 12,149 matched controls were enroll...
Insomnia treatment in the context of alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Purpose To determine the efficacy of behavioral and pharmacological interventions for insomnia among individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Procedures Comprehensive literature searches of psychological, medical, and educational databases were conducted through October 2016. Eligible studies evaluated the efficacy of an insomnia intervention, included a comparison condition, sampled individuals with AUD and either insomnia disorder or complaints of insomnia, assessed sleep-related outcomes, and provided relevant statistics to calculate between-group effect sizes. Effect sizes were estimated for sleep quality, days of alcohol abstinence, and symptoms of depression. Type of intervention (behavioral versus pharmacological) was tested as a moderator of intervention efficacy. Main findings Nine studies met eligibility criteria and were included in the final review and meta-analysis. Random-effects models indicated that intervention participants reported greater improvements in sleep quality (d+ = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.97) and symptoms of depression (d+ = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.98) than control participants. Participants reported significantly greater improvements in sleep quality in response to behavioral (d+ = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.70, 1.70) as opposed to pharmacological (d+ = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.19, 0.67) interventions. Behavioral (d+ = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.31, 1.18) and pharmacological (d+ = 0.08, 95% CI = −0.64, 0.78) interventions did not have significantly different effects on depressive symptoms. Neither behavioral nor pharmacological interventions improved rates of alcohol abstinence. Conclusions Insomnia interventions improve sleep quality and reduce symptoms of depression among individuals with comorbid AUD. Given the methodological weaknesses of studies reviewed, additional research is needed to determine the efficacy of insomnia treatment in improving rates of alcohol relapse within this population.
Modernismo global y literatura mundial: reflexiones sobre las Dislocaciones Cosmopolitas del significante francés

This article proposes a dis-centered and contingent approach to the world as basis to think about world literature. In this frame, the construction of a French significant by Latin American modernists is described, a universal Paris from which they will articulate themselves as a marginal particularity. In opposition to such artefact, the article discusses the world imaginary in the experimental novel L’Homme de la pampa (1923), by French-Uruguayan writer Jules Supervielle, whose identity adscription is doubly interstitial: never assimilated to French surrealism and kept at distance in Uruguay. Supervielle’s world is dislocated and heterogeneous, without stable formations and, therefore, resistant to the fetishization of culturalvdifference, including that which is built upon Latin American difference.
Altered stimulus representation in rat auditory cortex is not causal for loss of consciousness under general anaesthesia.

Abstract Background Current concepts suggest that impaired representation of information in cortical networks contributes to loss of consciousness under anaesthesia. We tested this idea in rat auditory cortex using information theory analysis of multiunit responses recorded under three anaesthetic agents with different molecular targets: isoflurane, propofol, and dexmedetomidine. We reasoned that if changes in the representation of sensory stimuli are causal for loss of consciousness, they should occur regardless of the specific anaesthetic agent. Methods Spiking responses were recorded with chronically implanted microwire arrays in response to acoustic stimuli incorporating varied temporal and spectral dynamics. Experiments consisted of four drug conditions: awake (pre-drug), sedation (i.e. intact righting reflex), loss of consciousness (a dose just sufficient to cause loss of righting reflex), and recovery. Measures of firing rate, spike timing, and mutual information were analysed as a function of drug condition. Results All three drugs decreased spontaneous and evoked spiking activity and modulated spike timing. However, changes in mutual information were inconsistent with altered stimulus representation being causal for loss of consciousness. First, direction of change in mutual information was agent-specific, increasing under dexmedetomidine and decreasing under isoflurane and propofol. Second, mutual information did not decrease at the transition between sedation and LOC for any agent. Changes in mutual information under anaesthesia correlated strongly with changes in precision and reliability of spike timing, consistent with the importance of temporal stimulus features in driving auditory cortical activity. Conclusions The primary sensory cortex is not the locus for changes in representation of information causal for loss of consciousness under anaesthesia.
A Simple Exercise about Awareness and Analysis of Error

Variability on the order of 1–2 mm between standard 30-cm (12-inch) rulers permits a simple but effective class exercise on the analysis of error, including the distinction between accuracy and precision.
Structure and Function of the Female Accessory Reproductive Systems

Various aspects of insect oogenesis have been the subjects of a number of reviews (e.g., Mahowald 1972b; Dorn 1977; King and Buning 1985). The aim of this Chapter is not to examine the phenomena or factors that are concerned with oocyte differentiation and are mediated by the oocyte itself, but rather to look at the role of various adjunct cells and structures that contribute to the full development of the oocyte. The discussion will center on the functions of the follicle cells and the various types of trophic cells associated with oocytes. In order to facilitate this, a brief overview of the types of ovary structure encountered in insects is necessary.
Tumor-Specific Replicating Adenoviruses

Recent advances in the fundamental understanding of brain tumor biology have suggested that exploiting the molecular pathways underlying gliomagenesis may provide novel molecularly based approaches to brain tumor treatment. One such molecular approach is the application of replicationcompetent viruses as therapeutic agents for gliomas. With this approach, the capacity of viruses to infect, replicate within, and lyse cells is exploited to therapeutic advantage (oncolysis). In this context, by deleting 24 base pairs from the E1A gene, our group developed a conditionally replication-competent adenovirus, Δ 24. Because the mutant El A protein is unable to bind Rb (the critical protein involved in regulating entry into the cell cycle), Δ 24 selectively replicates in tumor cells, but not in normal cells with intact Rb. This chapter reviews the biology and therapeutic effects of Δ 24, and outlines modifications to this virus that have resulted in second-generation Δ 24 constructs that display increased tumor cell selectivity (Δ 24-RGD), reduced normal cell toxicity (CB1), and augmented tumoricidal capacity (Δ 24-CD and Δ 24-p53).
The British Royal Family and the Making of the War-Time Anglo-American Relationship

This chapter is in many ways a framing or ‘origins’ chapter but importantly, it works to contextualise and explain the attitudes of the republican entity that constituted the United States of America towards the British monarchy. It argues that the evolution of the relationship, and a growing respect for the institution in Britain, helped to significantly influence the positive nature of US relations with monarchical European powers, especially Britain. This casts a fresh light on what are often presumed to be American attitudes both during the Great War and afterwards, particularly during the post-war settlement. A longe duree perspective is deliberately taken, demonstrating the ways in which the changing relationship of the United States and the British monarchy amounted to an important component in the ‘atmospherics’ between the countries during the previous century. The monarchy played a key part, and one that was remembered, in what Dexter Perkins termed ‘the Great Rapprochement’ between Britain and the United States. It was this monarchical contribution, including its wider cultural impact on the American public, which made possible their ultimate collaboration during and after the Great War. In the early twentieth century the warming of relations with the United States was an important part of the foreign policy of Edward VII. Particular attention will be given to the growth in trans-Atlantic commemorations with a royal dimension, which grew throughout this period. The state visit of President Woodrow Wilson at the end of the Great War is revealed to symbolise the tensions in the relationship, but also the long-standing durability of the bonds between the two great English-speaking states.
Welcoming Death: Exploring Pre-Death Grief Experiences of Caregivers of Older Adults with Dementia

The death of an older adult with dementia often has an uncertain dying trajectory and has been referred to as "the long goodbye." Researchers have found both positive and negative outcomes of pre-death grief for caregivers of individuals with chronic illnesses. This qualitative study explored the end-of-life experiences for 36 bereaved family caregivers of older adults with dementia; focusing on understanding their experiences with pre-death grief. These caregivers shared experiences with the phenomenon of "welcoming death" and findings highlighted the primary reasons they anticipated, accepted, or wished for the death of their family member with dementia. With the overarching goal of improving bereavement outcomes and reducing feeling of guilt, inclusion of pre-death grief support services throughout the caregiving process are recommended.
Mechanisms of age and race differences in receiving minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair

Black patients and older adults are less likely to receive minimally invasive hernia repair. These differences by race and age may be influenced by surgeon-specific utilization rate of minimally invasive repair. In this study, we explored the association between race, age, and surgeon utilization of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) with the likelihood of receiving MIS inguinal hernia repair. A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients undergoing elective primary inguinal hernia repair from 2012 to 2016, using data from the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, a 72-hospital clinical registry. Surgeons were stratified by proportion of MIS performed. Using hierarchical logistic regression models, we investigated the association between receiving MIS repair and race, age, and surgeon MIS utilization rate. Out of 4667 patients, 1253 (27%) received MIS repair. Out of 190 surgeons, 81 (43%) performed only open repair. Controlling for surgeon MIS utilization, race was not associated with MIS receipt (OR 0.93, p = 0.775), but older patients were less likely to receive MIS repair (OR 0.41, p < 0.001). Race differences were explained by surgeon MIS utilization, implicating access to MIS-performing surgeon as a mediator. Conversely, age disparity was independent of MIS utilization, even after adjusting for comorbidities, indicating some degree of provider bias against performing MIS repair in older patients. Interventions to address disparities should include systematic efforts to improve access, as well as provider and patient education for older adults.
A novel multicopter with improved torque disturbance rejection through added angular momentum

This paper presents a novel multicopter design with an additional momentum wheel. The added angular momentum reduces the vehicle’s sensitivity to torque disturbances compared to a conventional multicopter. The mechanical design, coupled with intelligent feedback control, allows for operation of autonomous aerial systems in challenging environments where conventional designs may fail. Sensitivity to torque disturbances is shown to monotonically decrease with increasing angular momentum, and the effect scales such that a greater improvement in torque disturbance sensitivity is experienced by smaller vehicles. For a fixed vehicle size, a trade-off exists between the added torque disturbance rejection capability, the power required to carry the wheel’s added mass, and the kinetic energy of the rotating wheel. A cascaded controller structure is proposed that accounts for the additional angular momentum and that accelerates or decelerates the momentum wheel to gain additional control authority in yaw. Theoretical results are validated experimentally using two vehicles of different scales. The proposed vehicle design is likely to be of value in situations where precision control is required in the face of large disturbances.
Tobacco Use Behaviors and Perceptions of Parental Smokers in the Emergency Department Setting.

Background:More information is needed about modifiable child tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) patterns in racially diverse parental smokers to tailor interventions designed to help parents quit smoking...
Adaptive Feedforward Control of Linear Systems to Satisfy Integral Constraints Imposed on Transients

The concept of Area-Matching Transients (AMT) is applicable to energy management in power systems that combine multiple power sources or a primary power source with an energy storage unit. The concept was investigated in our prior study, where emphasis was placed on second-order linear systems. This paper continues the earlier work by proposing methods for achieving AMT under plant uncertainties. Starting with the simplest case of a second order system with an additional zero, the analysis is generalized to address higher order uncertain systems. A structured adaptive estimation strategy is proposed to deal with uncertainty. A method employing combined feedback and forward actions is proposed to incorporate AMT characteristic in a given plant transfer function. Simulations are provided to validate the results developed in this work. Further investigation is currently ongoing to address AMT in nonlinear systems.
The Global Diffusion of Supply Chain Codes of Conduct: Market, Nonmarket, and Time-Dependent Effects:

Why and how have supply chain codes of conduct diffused among lead firms around the globe? Prior research has drawn on both institutional and stakeholder theories to explain the adoption of codes, ...
Phosphate transporter PstSCAB of Campylobacter jejuni is essential for lactate-dependent growth and colonization in chickens

Campylobacter jejuni causes acute gastroenteritis world-wide and is transmitted primarily through poultry, in which it is often a commensal member of the intestinal microbiota. Previous RNASeq experiments showed that transcripts from an operon encoding a high affinity phosphate transporter (PstSCAB) of C. jejuni were among the most abundant when grown in chickens. Elevated levels of the pstSCAB mRNA were also identified in an RNASeq experiment from human infection studies. In this study, we explore the role of PstSCAB in the biology and colonization potential of C. jejuni. Our experimental results demonstrate that cells lacking PstSCAB survive poorly in stationary phase, nutrient-limiting media, and under osmotic conditions reflective of those in the chicken. Polyphosphate levels in the mutant cells were elevated at stationary phase, consistent with alterations in expression of polyphosphate metabolism genes. C. jejuni were highly attenuated in colonization of newly hatched chicks, recovered at levels several orders of magnitude below wild type. Mutant and wild type grew similarly in complex media but the pstSCAB mutant exhibited a significant growth defect in minimal media supplemented with L-lactate, postulated as a carbon source in vivo. Poor growth in lactate correlated with diminished expression of acetogenesis pathway genes previously demonstrated as important for colonizing chickens. The phosphate transport system is thus essential for diverse aspects of C. jejuni physiology and in vivo fitness and survival.
Localized effect of treated wastewater effluent on the resistome of an urban watershed.

Background Wastewater treatment is an essential tool for maintaining water quality in urban environments. While the treatment of wastewater can remove most bacterial cells, some will inevitably survive treatment to be released into natural environments. Previous studies have investigated antibiotic resistance within wastewater treatment plants, but few studies have explored how a river's complete set of antibiotic resistance genes (the "resistome") is affected by the release of treated effluent into surface waters. Results Here we used high-throughput, deep metagenomic sequencing to investigate the effect of treated wastewater effluent on the resistome of an urban river and the downstream distribution of effluent-associated antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. Treated effluent release was found to be associated with increased abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements. The impact of wastewater discharge on the river's resistome diminished with increasing distance from effluent discharge points. The resistome at river locations that were not immediately downstream from any wastewater discharge points was dominated by a single integron carrying genes associated with resistance to sulfonamides and quaternary ammonium compounds. Conclusions Our study documents variations in the resistome of an urban watershed from headwaters to a major confluence in an urban center. Greater abundances and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes are associated with human fecal contamination in river surface water, but the fecal contamination effect seems to be localized, with little measurable effect in downstream waters. The diverse composition of antibiotic resistance genes throughout the watershed suggests the influence of multiple environmental and biological factors.
Delivering patient care during large-scale emergency situations: Lessons from military care providers.

BACKGROUND: Today, physicians are at the front lines of a pandemic response. Military physicians are uniquely trained to excel in such large-scale emergency situations. Civilian physicians can harness military know-how, but it will require research into military healthcare responses-specifically, we need to learn lessons from military interprofessional healthcare teams (MIHTs). METHODS: This research answers two questions: What are the characteristics of successful MIHTs? Why are those characteristics important to MIHT success in large-scale emergency situations? Using a Grounded Theory approach, 30 interviews were conducted soliciting perspectives from the broadest range of healthcare professionals who had experiences working in and leading MIHTs. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants broadly across: contexts where MIHTs work; military branches; ranks; genders; and healthcare professions. Data were iteratively collected and analyzed. RESULTS: 30 participants were interviewed (18 male (60%); 21 officers (70%); 9 enlisted (30%)) who held various healthcare occupations (medic/tech/corpsman (9); nurse (7); physician (7); dentist (2); occupational therapist (2); chaplain (1); physician's assistant (1); and psychiatrist (1)). Six characteristics of successful MIHTs that are directly applicable to large-scale emergency situations were identified thatthat clustered into two themes: own your purposes and responsibilities (through mission focus and ethical bearing) and get it done, safely (via situational awareness, adaptability, and leadership with followership). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights, informed by decades of military service and training, to help civilian physicians succeed in large-scale emergency situations. These experiences from the war front can support today's pandemic responses on the home front.
The next gen pharmacology classroom: A quality improvement approach to transformation

Abstract Background Prelicensure nursing has slowly heeded the call to embrace radical transformation of nursing education. Students’ inability to apply pharmacological knowledge to clinical situations motivated faculty to rethink how pharmacology is taught. Method Faculty restructured the pharmacology course with an active learning, facilitator-led classroom pedagogy. Results Student study time decreased and students were able to apply pharmacology content to the clinical setting. Faculty satisfaction increased. Conclusion Employing active learning methods for teaching pharmacology shows promise as evidenced by sustained content recall and application of pharmacology knowledge in entry-level nurse clinical settings.
A test of the free cash flow hypothesis

Abstract We develop a measure of free cash flow using Tobin's q to distinguish between firms that have good investment opportunities and those that do not. In a sample of successful tender offers, bidder returns are significantly negatively related to cash flow for low q bidders but not for high q bidders; further, the relation between cash flow and bidder returns differs significantly for low q and high q bidders. This result holds for several cash flow measures suggested in the literature and also in multivariate regressions controlling for bidder and contest-specific characteristics.
Modeling how incoming knowledge, persistence, affective states, and in-game progress influence student learning from an educational game

This study investigated the relationships among incoming knowledge, persistence, affective states, in-game progress, and consequently learning outcomes for students using the game Physics Playground. We used structural equation modeling to examine these relations. We tested three models, obtaining a model with good fit to the data. We found evidence that both the pretest and the in-game measure of student performance significantly predicted learning outcome, while the in-game measure of performance was predicted by pretest data, frustration, and engaged concentration. Moreover, we found evidence for two indirect paths from engaged concentration and frustration to learning, via the in-game progress measure. We discuss the importance of these findings, and consider viable next steps concerning the design of effective learning supports within game environments. We model relations among various student variables and learning outcome in a game.Pretest and in-game performance significantly predict learning outcome.In-game performance is predicted by pretest data, frustration, and engagement.Two indirect paths involving frustration and engagement predict learning.