cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Major Stressors May Reduce Dysfunctional Cognition About Them1

Exposure to a given stressor may enhance future resistance to that specific event as well as to stressful events more generally. One mechanism may be that prior exposure decreases dysfunctional beliefs about the specific event or to events in general (i. e., general dysfunctional attitudes). The research described here examined whether exposure to divorce was related to fewer divorce-specific and general dysfunctional attitudes. Divorced participants reported fewer divorce-specific dysfunctional attitudes than did happily married participants or married participants considering divorce. Similarly, adult children of divorced parents had fewer divorce-specific dysfunctional attitudes than did adult children of happily married parents. A different pattern was observed for general dysfunctional attitudes.
Personal service assistance: Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries in consumer-directed home care†

Background Like other types of care for disabled or elderly adults, consumer-directed personal assistance services may present multi-factorial risks for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). Methods Using survey data, we compared providers experiencing WRMSDs in the previous year to those who did not, seeking to identify functional, temporal, physical, and relationship risk factors for transient and chronic conditions. Results Longer work experience with the recipient and more frequent bending increased the risk of being in the most chronic group (� 12 painful episodes), whereas predictable work hours with rest breaks and greater social support from the recipient appeared protective. For transient conditions (one to two episodes), longer work experience with the recipient and predictable hours with rest breaks appeared protective. Conclusions We offer recommendations to improve hazard assessment as well as training and information distribution related to home care programs. With the population aging, home care jobs require increasing oversight to prevent WRMSDs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parameter investigation and first results from a digital flat panel detector with forward bias capability

Digital flat panel a-Si x-ray detectors can exhibit image lag of several percent. The image lag can limit the temporal resolution of the detector, and introduce artifacts into CT reconstructions. It is believed that the majority of image lag is due to defect states, or traps, in the a-Si layer. Software methods to characterize and correct for the image lag exist, but they may make assumptions such as the system behaves in a linear time-invariant manner. The proposed method of reducing lag is a hardware solution that makes few additional hardware changes. For pulsed irradiation, the proposed method inserts a new stage in between the readout of the detector and the data collection stages. During this stage the photodiode is operated in a forward bias mode, which fills the defect states with charge. Parameters of importance are current per diode and current duration, which were investigated under light illumination by the following design parameters: 1.) forward bias voltage across the photodiode and TFT switch, 2.) number of rows simultaneously forward biased, and 3.) duration of the forward bias current. From measurements, it appears that good design criteria for the particular imager used are 8 or fewer active rows, 2.9V (or greater) forward bias voltage, and a row frequency of 100 kHz or less. Overall, the forward bias method has been found to reduce first frame lag by as much as 95%. The panel was also tested under x-ray irradiation. Image lag improved (94% reduction), but the temporal response of the scintillator became evident in the turn-on step response.
Responses of the bovine mammary artery to angiotensins.

Abstract The main objective of our study was to determine whether angiotensins cause vasoconstriction of mammary arterial segments in vitro. Once this action was established, its specificity was determined. Mammary arterial sections were obtained from lactating cattle at slaughter. Vessel sections were placed in a gravity-fed, closed, perfusion apparatus, and flow was measured by a transit-time flow sensor mounted in-line. Treatments were administered by injection into a leurlock port located proximal to the sensor. Angiotensins I, II, and III induced a dose-dependent vasoconstriction of arterial segments at concentrations of 5 × 10 −10 to 5 × 10 −6 M . Angiotensin II receptor antagonists, Saralisin and (Sarl, Thr8)-angiotensin II (5 × 10 −8 M )), inhibited vasoconstriction induced by angiotensins I, II, and III. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, Captopril (5 × 10 -8 M ), inhibited angiotensin I vasoconstriction, thereby showing that the vasoconstriction by angiotensin I was mediated through its conversion to angiotensin II. These data demonstrated that the mammary artery of lactating cows is responsive to the angiotensin family. Furthermore, mammary arteries contain angiotensin-converting enzyme and specific receptors for angiotensin II. This system may be important in the normal physiological regulation of mammary gland blood flow of lactating cows.
Live Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Identification of Discrete Subaortic Membranous Stenosis

We describe an adult patient in whom live three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography illustrated the exact site and full extent of the subaortic membrane as well as the narrow opening within the membrane, indicative of severe stenosis. To our knowledge this has not been reported previously. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 20, October 2003)
Some Notes on the New Social History

Some time ago I picked up a magazine that contained an article by Red Smith, a man whose work I try not to miss. The article was about the job of sports writer for a metropolitan newspaper and it opened with an account of an overnight journey from New York to a World's Series game in St. Louis. This was an eon or so ago, when Smith was a young man and I was a boy, and people travelled in sensible conveyances, such as railroad trains. The trip was a merry one, the activities including, among other things, much pleasurable and instructive chat. Smith didn't report the latter in any detail. But the point was that it was pleasurable and instructive and it lasted the whole night. Smith went on to say that sports writers are not paid much, in money, but that if you threw in the psychic income of pleasant afternoons in the sun and nights spent in the company of affable and intelligent eccentrics, they did pretty well.
Molecular Biology and Function of CD4 and CD8

Publisher Summary Progress on the understanding of CD4 and CD8 function has proceeded at an accelerating rate in the recent years. There are still many open questions regarding how these molecules work. Also, very little is also known about the mechanisms of regulation of expression of CD4 and CD8 during T cell development and the means by which T cells that are restricted by class I or class I1 MHC proteins become CD8 or CD4 single-positives, respectively. The latter most likely involves a selection process related to the ability of CD4 or CD8 on double-positive thymocytes to bind to the same MHC molecule as the expressed TCR, but how this happens mechanistically and developmentally remains obscure. It has been suggested that CD4 might deliver a negative signal if it is cross-linked in the absence of cross-linking of the TCR/CD3 complex, and that this results in cell separation if the TCR is not bound to the appropriate antigen. There is currently no experimental evidence showing this to be the case, but several points are worthy of consideration. This hypothesis contains two separable parts: transmission of a negative signal (to turn off the T cell) and induction of cell separation. These two processes could be induced by entirely different mechanisms. The initial evidence that CD4 and CD8 play a role in T cell function came from studies using antisera, and subsequently monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) specific for these proteins. These antibodies were found to block all the antigen-driven functions, for example, cytotoxicity, proliferation, and lymphokine release, by T cells that express the corresponding molecule and are specific for the appropriate class of MHC protein.
The calcium channel antagonist, ω-conotoxin, and electric organ nerve terminals: binding and inhibition of transmitter release and calcium influx

Abstract We have previously shown that the calcium channel antagonist ω-conotoxin M-VII-A blocks neurotransmitter release from isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) from the electric organ of the electric ray (Yeager et al., J. Neurosci., 7 (1987) 2390–2396). We now demonstrate that a related but more readily available peptide, ω-conotoxin G-VI-A (CgTx), also blocks the release of transmitter from these terminals and, in addition, inhibits depolarization-dependent uptake of Ca2+ into these terminals. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 for block of depolarization-evoked release and for depolarization-dependent uptake of Ca2+ are approximately 3 and 2 μM, respectively. These results suggest the inhibitory effects of CgTx are due to inhibition of Ca2+ entry into synaptosomes through voltage-sensitive calcium channels. Assays of radioiodinated CgTx binding to electric organ synaptosomal membranes and synaptosomes appear to show a single binding site with a apparent dissociation constant (Kd of 3–5 μM and toxin receptor densities of 290 and 52 pmol/mg protein, respectively. These CgTx receptor densities are equivalent to 6% of the total synaptosomal membrane protein and 1% of the total synaptosomal protein (assuming a molecular weight of 200 kDa for the toxin receptor). If the observed CgTx receptor densities reflect the actual densities of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in electric organ synaptosomal membranes and synaptosomes, these preparations would be the richest source of these channels yet described.
Contact angle and IGC measurements for probing surface-chemical changes in the recycling of wood pulp fibers

The objective of this study was to use dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis and inverse gas chromatography (IGC) to probe the surface-chemical changes in wood pulp fibers during recycling. A simpli...
Comparison of two stand-alone CADe systems at multiple operating points

Computer-aided detection (CADe) systems are typically designed to work at a given operating point: The device displays a mark if and only if the level of suspiciousness of a region of interest is above a fixed threshold. To compare the standalone performances of two systems, one approach is to select the parameters of the systems to yield a target false-positive rate that defines the operating point, and to compare the sensitivities at that operating point. Increasingly, CADe developers offer multiple operating points, which necessitates the comparison of two CADe systems involving multiple comparisons. To control the Type I error, multiple-comparison correction is needed for keeping the family-wise error rate (FWER) less than a given alpha-level. The sensitivities of a single modality at different operating points are correlated. In addition, the sensitivities of the two modalities at the same or different operating points are also likely to be correlated. It has been shown in the literature that when test statistics are correlated, well-known methods for controlling the FWER are conservative. In this study, we compared the FWER and power of three methods, namely the Bonferroni, step-up, and adjusted step-up methods in comparing the sensitivities of two CADe systems at multiple operating points, where the adjusted step-up method uses the estimated correlations. Our results indicate that the adjusted step-up method has a substantial advantage over other the two methods both in terms of the FWER and power.
Differential receipt of sentinel lymph node biopsy within practice-based research networks.

BACKGROUND Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are promising for accelerating not only research, but also dissemination of research-based evidence into broader community practice. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is an innovation in breast cancer care associated with equivalent survival and lower morbidity, as compared with standard axillary lymph node dissection. We examined the diffusion of SLNB into practice and whether affiliation with the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP), a cancer-focused PBRN, was associated with more rapid uptake of SLNB. RESEARCH DESIGN Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare data were used to study women diagnosed with stage I or II breast cancer in the years 2000-2005 and undergoing breast-conserving surgery with axillary staging (n=6226). The primary outcome was undergoing SLNB. CCOP affiliation of the surgical physician was ascertained from NCI records. Multivariable generalized linear modeling with generalized estimating equations was used to measure association between CCOP exposure and undergoing SLNB, controlling for potential confounders. RESULTS Women treated by a CCOP physician had significantly higher odds of receiving SLNB compared with women treated by a non-CCOP physician (OR 2.68; 95% CI, 1.35-5.34). The magnitude of this association was larger than that observed among patients treated by physicians operating in medical school-affiliated hospitals (OR 1.76; 95% CI, 1.30-2.39). CONCLUSIONS Women treated by CCOP-affiliated physicians were more likely to undergo SLNB irrespective of the hospital's medical school affiliation, suggesting that the CCOP PBRN may play a role in the rapid adoption of research-based innovation in community practice.
Dissociative recombination in xenon: Variation of the total rate coefficient and excited-state production with electron temperature

A three-mode microwave afterglow apparatus has been used in conjunction with a high-speed grating spectrometer to study the variation with electron temperature of the recombination coefficient ..cap alpha.. (Xe/sub 2/ /sup +/) and of the Xe* excited states produced by dissociative recombination over the range 300 < or = T/sub e/ < or = 8000 K. At low electron temperatures, 300--700 K, ..cap alpha.. (Xe/sub 2/ /sup +/) varies approximately as T/sub e//sup -1///sup 3/, with a smooth transition to a approx.T/sub e//sup -0//sup .//sup 7/ variation at higher electron temperatures, 1300--7400 K. At T/sub e/ = T/sub +/ = T/sub n/ = 300 K, ..cap alpha.. (Xe/sub 2/ /sup +/) = (2.3 +- 0.2) x 10/sup -6/ cm/sup 3//sec, in agreement with earlier studies at room temperature. At thermal energy (300 K) Xe* excited states up to but not exceeding the energy of the Xe/sub 2/ /sup +/ ion in its ground electronic and vibrational state are observed. With microwave heating to T/sub e/ approx. 8000 K additional, higher-lying Xe* states (up to approx.0.6 eV above the Xe/sub 2/ /sup +/ ion ground state) are produced by the dissociative recombination process. (AIP)
Action anti-hypertensive du polythiazide

Polythiazide, like other thiazides, has an anti-hypertensive action in rats with DOCA hypertension but not with arterial hypertension produced by narrowing one renal artery.
Principal Components of Heritability From Neurocognitive Domains Differ Between Families With Schizophrenia and Control Subjects

Objective: Various measures of neurocognitive function show mean differences among individuals with schizophrenia (SZ), their relatives, and population controls. We use eigenvector transformations that maximize heritability of multiple neurocognitive measures, namely principal components of heritability (PCH), and evaluate how they distribute in SZ families and controls. Methods: African-Americans with SZ or schizoaffective disorder (SZA) (n = 514), their relatives (n = 1092), and adult controls (n = 300) completed diagnostic interviews and computerized neurocognitive tests. PCH were estimated from 9 neurocognitive domains. Three PCH, PCH1–PCH3, were modeled to determine if status (SZ, relative, and control), other psychiatric covariates, and education were significant predictors of mean values. A small-scale linkage analysis was also conducted in a subset of the sample. Results: PCH1, PCH2, and PCH3 account for 72% of the genetic variance. PCH1 represents 8 of 9 neurocognitive domains, is most highly correlated with spatial processing and emotion recognition, and has unadjusted heritability of 68%. The means for PCH1 differ significantly among SZ, their relatives, and controls. PCH2, orthogonal to PCH1, is most closely correlated with working memory and has an unadjusted heritability of 45%. Mean PCH2 is different only between SZ families and controls. PCH3 apparently represents a heritable component of neurocognition similar across the 3 diagnostic groups. No significant linkage evidence to PCH1–PCH3 or individual neurocognitive measures was discovered. Conclusions: PCH1 is highly heritable and genetically correlated with SZ. It should prove useful in future genetic analyses. Mean PCH2 differentiates SZ families and controls but not SZ and unaffected family members.
Growth, fabrication, and characterization of InGaN solar cells

The InGaN alloy system offers a unique opportunity to develop high efficiency multi-junction solar cells. In this study, single junction solar cells made of Inx Ga1–xN are successfully developed, with x = 0, 0.2, and 0.3. The materials are grown on sapphire substrates by MBE, consisting of a Si-doped InGaN layer, an intrinsic layer and an Mg-doped InGaN layer on the top. The I –V curves indicate that the cell made of all-GaN has low series resistance (0.12 Ω cm2) and insignificant parasitic leakage. Contact resistances of p and n contacts are 2.9 × 10–2 Ω cm2 and 2.0 × 10–3 Ω cm2, respectively. Upon illumination by a 200 mW/cm2, 325 nm laser, Voc is measured at 2.5 V with a fill factor of 61%. Clear photo-responses are also observed in both InGaN cells with 0.2 and 0.3 Indium content when illuminated by outdoor sunlight. But it is difficult to determine the solar performance due to the large leakage current, which may be caused by the material defects. A thicker buffer layer or GaN template can be applied to the future growth process to reduce the defect density of InGaN films. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Alternative methods of estimating program effects in event history models

Abstract This paper first investigates the sensitivity of estimates of duration models to the specification of duration dependence. Using data from an experiment involving disadvantaged women in the U.S., we find that estimates of the parameters of hazard models are not sensitive to the way one models duration dependence as long as one uses a flexible functional form. We find that estimates of the expected duration in a state are insensitive to the way one models duration dependence if long spells are observed in the data, but that these are very sensitive to the specification when there are only relatively short spells in the data. We propose and implement alternative summary measures based on the median duration in a spell and show that these are quite robust to the specification of duration dependence.
The Ethiopian Immigrant Business Enclave in the United States: Perceptions of Residents, Consumers, and Entrepreneurs

This study investigates the Ethiopian immigrant urban business enclave and its infrastructure, aesthetics, and quality of life. These immigrants are revitalizing urban areas, and examining the perceptual differences among stakeholders in these neighborhoods is salient. Economic development literature suggests that stakeholders share a common vision in order for revitalization efforts to be successful. Surveys were administered in an urban area to statistically test hypotheses that stakeholder groups have different perceptions. The analysis of variance technique (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. Results indicate that stakeholders differ in their perceptions of the business climate and quality of life.
A Multisensor Decision Fusion System for Terrain Safety Assessment

This paper describes an onboard automated hybrid reasoning system for terrain safety assessment using multiple heterogeneous sensors onboard a spacecraft. An innovative feature of this system is integration of multiple sensing modalities and different reasoning engines into a unified approach. Three different frameworks for representation of data uncertainty are considered: fuzzy set theory, Bayesian probability theory, and Dempster-Shafer belief theory. The hybrid reasoning system is composed of three subsystems, namely, multisensor fusion, multidecision fusion, and tier-based fusion selection, where each tier represents a range of spacecraft altitudes. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the multisensor decision fusion methodology described in this paper. The developed capabilities will enable future spacecraft to land safely in more challenging planetary regions with scientifically interesting terrain features.
Lineage‐dependent rates of evolutionary diversification: analysis of bivariate ellipses

1. A method based on the calculation of major and minor axes of bivariate ellipses to estimate relative rates of evolutionary diversification of two traits is presented. The advantage of ellipse analysis over the more common allometric or regression approaches to variation in comparative data is that diversification of each trait is estimated relative to that of the other. This can reveal differences in the relative rates of diversification of two traits among sister groups or, through hierarchical analysis, over the history of a lineage. 2. Equations are provided for calculating the size, shape and orientation of bivariate ellipses based on the variance–covariance matrix of the original data. Standard errors and biases of these parameters are also quantified. 3. Applications of ellipse analysis to the relationship between egg size and incubation period in birds illustrate differences in the diversification of two traits between independent lineages. Nested analysis of covariance based on taxonomic levels further illustrates how relative rates of evolutionary diversification may vary through the history of a monophyletic group. 4. A simple model incorporating both independent (special) and correlated (general) change in two traits shows how different shapes and orientations of bivariate ellipses can be produced by different rates of evolutionary diversification in special and general genetic factors. 5. Ellipse analysis is a descriptive tool that can clarify patterns of diversification. It cannot distinguish differences in evolutionary responsiveness (phylogenetic constraint) from differences in the selective environment affecting the shape and orientation of the bivariate ellipse. It can, however, provide a more detailed characterization of trait evolution than other comparative methods, taking advantage of the additional information provided by the shape and, in some cases, the dimensions of the bivariate ellipse.
Endurance training does not enhance total energy expenditure in healthy elderly persons

Physical exercise is prescribed to older individuals to increase cardiovascular fitness and improve body composition. However, there is limited information on the effect of exercise on total energy expenditure (TEE) and its components. We therefore determined the effects of short-term endurance training in 11 elderly volunteers (56-78 years) on changes in 1) TEE, from doubly labeled water; 2) resting metabolic rate (RMR), from respiratory gas analysis, 3) the energy expenditure of physical activity (EEPA), aside from that associated with the training program, and 4) body composition from a combination of body density with total body water. Endurance training increased maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) by 9% (2.00 +/- 0.67 to 2.17 +/- 0.64 l/min; P < 0.05) and RMR by 11% (1,596 +/- 214 to 1,763 +/- 170 kcal/day; P < 0.01). There was no significant change in TEE (2,408 +/- 478 to 2,479 +/- 497 kcal/day) before and during the last 10 days of endurance training because of a 62% reduction in EEPA (571 +/- 386 to 340 +/- 452 kcal/day; P < 0.01). There was no change in body mass, but fat mass decreased (21.6 +/- 6.6 to 20.7 +/- 6.6 kg; P < 0.05). The increase in fat-free mass (49.5 +/- 9.0 to 50.4 +/- 9.1 kg; P < 0.05) was explained by an increase in body water (35.9 +/- 6.5 to 36.8 +/- 6.3 kg; P < 0.05). We conclude that in healthy elderly persons, endurance training enhances cardiovascular fitness, but does not increase TEE because of a compensatory decline in physical activity during the remainder of the day.
Ensemble Control of Finite-Dimensional Time-Varying Linear Systems

In this article, we investigate the problem of simultaneously steering an uncountable family of finite-dimensional time-varying linear systems with the same control signal. This class of control problems motivates further research in the new subject of control theory called Ensemble Control, a notion coming from the study of complex spin dynamics in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. We derive the necessary and sufficient controllability conditions and an accompanying analytical optimal control law for an ensemble of finite-dimensional time-varying linear systems. We show that ensemble controllability is in connection with singular values of the operator characterizing the system dynamics. In addition, the problem of optimal ensemble control of harmonic oscillators is studied to demonstrate the controllability results. We show that the optimal solutions are pertinent to the study of time-frequency limited signals and prolate spheroidal wave functions. A systematic study of ensemble control systems has immediate applications to dynamical systems with parameter uncertainty as well as to wide-ranging areas such as neuroscience and quantum control. The work in ensemble control will foster further developments in mathematical control and systems theory.
Analysis of Cold Start in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Cold start capability and survivability of polymer electrolyte fuel cells PEFCs in a subzero environment remains a major challenge for automotive applications. Fundamental mechanisms are not fully determined, but it is recognized that product water becomes ice or frost upon startup when the PEFC internal temperature is below freezing. If the local pore volume of the cathode catalyst layer CL is insufficient to contain all of the accumulated water before the operating temperature of the cell rises above freezing, the solid ice may plug the CL and stop the electrochemical reaction by starving the reactant gases and reducing the electrochemically active area ECA. a This problem, known to the automotive industry as “cold start,” is defined as the startup of a fuel cell from a subzero temperature to normal operation at approximately 80°C. The problem of cold start is important not only due to customers’ demand for quick startup, but also because PEFC durability is greatly affected by cold
The Role of Bayesian Concepts in Test Development and Test Interpretation

Column Editor's Note. Among Robert L. Thorndike's many contributions is his use of Bayesian thinking in test construction and his dissemination of information about Bayesian concepts. Thorndike's ability to render complex technical material comprehensible to nonspecialists prompted your editor to invite him to develop a series of three articles. In the first, readers are introduced to central tenets of Bayesian reasoning and are led to appreciate that it is not an esoteric approach reserved for specialists; rather, it is closely related to common sense. In the second article, to appear in next month's issue, Thorndike sketches some Bayesian approaches to test development. In the final installment, which will appear in November, Thondike illustrates how Bayesian thinking can and should be used to interpret test scores. When we interpret a score, we usually have prior test or nontest information about the examinee. “We should neither ignore nor overvalue this prior information but should skillfully use it to govern our interpretation of the new data. It is hoped that this trilogy will not only provide some interpretive skill but will also enhance commonsense thinking in a wide variety of professional and personal applications.—Gerald S. Hanna
Diagnosis and Management of Urinary Ectopia

Ectopic ureters are the most common cause of urinary incontinence in young dogs but should be considered as a differential in any incontinent dog for which the history is not known. Ectopic ureters can be diagnosed with excretory urography, fluoroscopic urethrography or ureterography, abdominal ultrasonography, cystoscopy, helical computed tomography, or a combination of these diagnostic procedures. Other congenital abnormalities can also occur in dogs with ectopic ureters, including renal agenesis or dysplasia, hydronephrosis, and/or hydroureter and vestibulovaginal anomalies; therefore, the entire urinary system must be evaluated with ultrasonography if cystoscopy is the only other diagnostic tool used before surgery. Novel surgical techniques and adjunctive medical management have improved the prognosis for dogs with urinary ectopia.
Does sunlight enhance the effectiveness of avian preening for ectoparasite control

Preening is a bird's first line of defense against harmful ectoparasites. Ectoparasites, in turn, have evolved adaptations for avoiding preening such as hardened exoskeletons and escape behavior. Earlier work suggests that some groups of ectoparasites, such as feather lice, leave hiding places in feathers that are exposed to direct sunlight, making them more vulnerable to preening. It is, therefore, conceivable that birds may choose to preen in direct sunlight, assuming it improves the effectiveness of preening. Using mourning doves and their feather lice, we tested 2 related hypotheses; (1) that birds with access to direct sunlight preen more often than birds in shade, and (2) that birds with access to direct sunlight are more effective at controlling their ectoparasites than birds in shade. To test these hypotheses, we conducted an experiment in which we manipulated both sunlight and preening ability. Our results provided no support for either hypothesis, i.e., birds given the opportunity to preen in direct sunlight did not preen significantly more often, or more effectively, than did birds in shade. Thus, the efficiency of preening for ectoparasite control appears to be independent of light intensity, at least in the case of mourning doves and their feather lice.
Discriminative affine sparse codes for image classification

Images in general are captured under a diverse set of conditions. An image of the same object can be captured with varied poses, illuminations, scales, backgrounds and probably different camera parameters. The task of image classification then lies in forming features of the input images in a representational space where classifiers can be better supported in spite of the above variations. Existing methods have mostly focused on obtaining features which are invariant to scale and translation, and thus they generally suffer from performance degradation on datasets which consist of images with varied poses or camera orientations. In this paper we present a new framework for image classification, which is built upon a novel way of feature extraction that generates largely affine-invariant features called affine sparse codes. This is achieved through learning a compact dictionary of features from affine-transformed input images. Analysis and experiments indicate that this novel feature is highly discriminative in addition to being largely affine-invariant. A classifier using AdaBoost is then designed using the affine sparse codes as the input. Extensive experiments with standard databases demonstrate that the proposed approach can obtain the state-of-the-art results, outperforming existing leading approaches in the literature.
Clay Shirky on Newspapers and What It Can Teach Academic Libraries

In March 2009 Clay Shirky posted the essay, “Newspapers and Thinking the Unthinkable,” on his blog and in July 2011 he posted a second essay “Why We Need the New News Environment to be Chaotic.” These two essays are concerned with the newspapers and the news, but taken together they provide useful insights for academic librarians. Newspapers and libraries are in many ways quite different, but they share a common heritage, both born out of the technology of the printing press and its 19th century industrialization. Similar technologies drove economic and organizational structures and the values of libraries and newspapers. Both face similar challenges as the Internet unwinds their economic and technical underpinnings and by doing so stresses organizations and the professional values that have sustained them.
Pharmacologic Treatment of Severe Irritability and Problem Behaviors in Autism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognized as a public health issue. Irritability and aggression (IA) often negatively affect the lives of people with ASD and their families. Although many medications have been tested for IA in ASDs in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), critical quantitative analyses of these trials are lacking in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To systematically review and quantitatively analyze the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic treatments for IA in youth with ASD. DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified from Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, and review articles. METHODS: Original articles on placebo-controlled RCTs of pharmacologic treatments of IA in youth age 2 to 17 years with ASD were included. Data items included study design, study goals, details of study participants, details of intervention, study results, statistical methods, side effects, and risks of bias. The primary study outcome measure was the effect size of reduction in the Aberrant Behavioral Checklist–Irritability (ABC-I) scores in the medication group, as compared with placebo, in RCTs using parallel groups design. RESULTS: Forty-six RCTs were identified. Compared with placebo, 3 compounds resulted in significant improvement in ABC-I at the end of treatment. Risperidone and aripiprazole were found to be the most effective, with the largest effect sizes. Sedation, extrapyramidal sides effects, and weight gain were assessed quantitatively. CONCLUSIONS: Although risperidone and aripiprazole have the strongest evidence in reducing ABC-I in youth with ASD, a few other compounds also showed significant efficacy with fewer potential side effects and adverse reactions in single studies.
Lower Blepharoplasty: Lift and Fill

Blending of the lid-cheek junction has become an important part of lower lid blepharoplasty. By combining orbicularis tightening (lift) and fat repositioning (fill), successful treatment of the lid-cheek junction and the tear trough can be achieved.
Sensitive Method for Quantitative Estimation of Epinephrine in Blood

Meltzer and Auer1 observed that epinephrine causes dilatation of the pupil much more readily after the corresponding superior cervical ganglion has been excised, in rabbits. By means of the “paradoxical” pupil reaction, Joseph and Meltzer2 demonstrated liberation of epinephrine from the adrenals on stimulation of the splanchnic nerves. This was confirmed by Elliott,3 who found that dilatation of the pupil and retraction of the nictitating membrane, resulting from electrical excitation of the splanchnic nerve, do not occur in the absence of the adrenals.Following these qualitative observations, Stewart and Rogoff4 employed the eye reactions (pupil dilatation, retraction of nictitating membrane and widening of palpebral aperture), sensitized by corresponding superior cervical ganglionectomy, for quantitative studies on the epinephrine output of the adrenals. A method of “auto-assay” was devised based upon reactions of the sensitized eye when adrenal vein blood was collected in a “cava pocket” for a given ti...
OROS Methylphenidate Long-Term Study in ADHD

Once-daily osmotic controlled-release (OROS) methylphenidate (Concerta) in the treatment of 407 children, aged 6-13 years, with ADHD who were known MPH responders, was evaluated in a 24-month multicenter, open-label, nonrandomized study, and reported from the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Notes on Two Little Known Bird's Nest Fungi from Southern United States

As was pointed out by Lloyd, there are but four common and widely distributed species of the Nidulariaceae in the United States. Lloyd (3) reported that of one hundred and seventy-six specimens he had received from correspondents, one hundred and sixty-five belonged to one or other of the following: Crucibulum vulgare Tul., Cyathus stercoreus (Schw.) De Toni, C. striatus Willd., C. vernicosus DC. The purpose of this note is to draw attention to two species from southern United States, one of which appears to be scantily represented in the herbaria of the southern states, the other to be known within the United States from only a single collection. It is believed that these species might be more frequently collected if their characteristics were better known and both are therefore illustrated and described in this paper.
Endocarditis Caused by Salmonella Suipestifer

Recently two cases of endocarditis caused by Salmonella suipestifer were reported by Forster.1 Prior to his report no well-authenticated cases of S. suipestifer endocarditis had appeared in the literature. The literature on the pathogenicity of this organism for man has been reviewed by Harvey.2 Data on cultural characteristics, identification and pathogenicity of S. suipestifer were supplied by these authors. A case which presented unusual features from both surgical and medical points of view was recently studied. Since endocarditis caused by S. suipestifer apparently occurs rarely or infrequently this additional case is reported.
A Surface Wear Prediction Model for Parallel-Axis Gear Pairs

In this study, a surface wear prediction model for spur and helical gears is proposed. The model employs a finite elements-based gear contact mechanics model in conjunction with the Archard’s wear formulation to predict wear of contacting tooth surfaces. An iterative numerical procedure is developed to account for the changes in the gear contact as the gears wear. A methodology is developed to import gear coordinate measurement machine data into the gear contact model in order to analyze gears with actual manufactured surfaces with profile and lead modifications. Results of an experimental study are presented for validation of the model. A set of simulations is also included to highlight the differences between gear pairs having modified and unmodified tooth surfaces, with and without manufacturing errors in terms of their wear characteristics.© 2003 ASME
Aftershocks of nuclear explosions compared to natural aftershocks

Abstract Aftershocks of seven large nuclear explosions that were detonated at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) from 1968 through 1976 have been modeled with with different aftershock decay functions. Four natural aftershock sequences from the area have also been studied. The aftershocks of nuclear explosions are different from most natural aftershocks, because they decay more rapidly, and their decay is more often fit by variants of exponential functions. The aftershocks of nuclear explosions generally have shallower focus than natural aftershocks, in keeping with the relatively shallow depths at which the nuclear explosions were detonated. Rapid decay is also observed in shallow-focus aftershocks of natural earthquakes near the Nevada Test Site, suggesting that conditions at the hypocenters of the aftershocks influence the temporal decay of aftershocks. A theory of aftershock decay proposed by Dieterich (1994) predicts more rapid decay at shallow depths and offers one possible explanation of the results. Because aftershocks of nuclear explosions decay rapidly, the activity currently observed in the Nevada Test Site has most likely decayed fully, and so the current level of activity should persist into the future.
Study Progress in Composite Diatomite Coagulant

Diatomite has unique micropore structure,large specific surface area,huge porosity,and surface was covered with a large number of silicon hydroxy,it also contained iron oxide,aluminum oxide and and other components. That made it possible for the preparation of efficient and multifunctional coagulant. The preparation methods of composite diatomite coagulant and the factors in the process of coagulation were elaborated in this paper. It could be used in the removal of high concentration of organic matter,heavy metal ion,algae in water and used in sludge dewatering etc.,which were difficult for conventional coagulants. This paper provided basic information and ideas for the related research.
Fluorometry and phosphorimetry in clinical chemistry.

Publisher Summary Fluorometry and phosphorimetry are analytical techniques now widely used in clinical chemistry. Fluorometry depends upon the generation of light energy by reactions involving the analytical sample. Analysis by phosphorescence, although less popular, has some unusual characteristics, which lead to the expectation that it can find a special place in the clinical laboratory. The present shift from the use of fluorometry in research and “special chemistry” to the “routine” clinical chemistry laboratory is the result of several factors. The most important of these have been the development of rugged, stable, sensitive, convenient, and low-cost instrumentation. Their rapid acceptance has in turn stimulated commercial suppliers of reagents and solvents to provide low-cost chemicals prepared. especially to meet the requirements of luminescence analysis. In addition to high sensitivity and specificity, fluorescence methods have the intrinsic advantage of increasing in efficiency with increasing dilution of the active species. For this reason, they are, especially useful for microchemical analysis. These techniques are also frequently characterized by an elegant simplicity of sample preparation and methodology that commends them for routine use and the growing applications of automated systems.
Gene Delivery by Adenoviruses

Adenoviruses have a number advantages as gene delivery vectors, including ability to transduce a wide variety of non-dividing and dividing cells with high efficiency, relative ease of construction, and ability to be purified as high-titer viral stocks. These characteristics make adenoviruses particularly attractive for over-expressing specific genes in vitro and for evaluating in vivo biological activity in animal models. In this chapter, procedures will be described for adenovirus construction and virus delivery to in vivo sites for measurement of osteogenic activity.
Sebaceous Lymphadenoma of Parotid Gland Mimicking Acinic Cell Carcinoma on Fine Needle Aspiration: Case Report with Cytologic and Histopathologic Correlation

Sebaceous lymphadenoma, first described in 1931, is an unusual, slow-growing, benign salivary gland neoplasm almost exclusively located in the parotid gland occurring more commonly in men in their sixth decade. It is rarely diagnosed preoperatively, particularly on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. Only a few cases in the literature have been diagnosed by FNA cytology. We report a rare case …
The Making of American Audiences: The Celluloid Stage: Nickelodeon Audiences

A decade after their first commercial exhibition, millions of people made movies a weekly habit. But who went to the movies in the early days and what was the character of the early movie theaters were matters of debate. Multiple images of movie theaters and audiences vied for acceptance. Reformers and flaneurs described movies as immigrant entertainment, yet small-town entrepreneurs promoted it as an entertainment for the middle class. The working-class nickelodeon was described on the one hand as community center and conqueror of the saloon, and on the other as a school for scandal teaching adolescent boys to steal and girls to be promiscuous. The latter image of endangered children represented a shift from the nineteenth-century concern about women's respectability to a twentieth- century fixation on children's welfare, and from the place to the performance as the cause of the problem. This would give rise in the 1920s to research on the effects on children and the beginnings of a mass communication research tradition. In this chapter I will explore how some characterizations were contradicted by the growth of middle-class attendance, but nevertheless continued to fuel popular worries about and eventual research interest in the effects of the media on children.
Spatial and temporal localization of caveolin-1 protein in the developing retina.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), the signature protein of caveolae is expressed in several cell types in the adult retina and is linked to ocular pathologies including uveitis, diabetic retinopathy, and primary open angle glaucoma. Genetic ablation of Cav-1 causes retinal functional deficits due to disruptions in environmental homeostasis. To better understand Cav-1 function in the retina, we examined its expression/localization during postnatal retinal development. From P0–P5, Cav-1 was detected only in the developing superficial retinal vessels, in hyaloid and choroidal vasculature, and in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). At P7, staining began to be observed centrally in radial cells in the neuroretina, and this staining increased dramatically by P9/10 in identifiable Muller glia. Prominent vascular staining continued throughout development. These results support the idea that Cav-1 is an indicator of Muller glial differentiation and suggests that it plays an important role in Muller cell function.
Archaea and Bacteria Acclimate to High Total Ammonia in a Methanogenic Reactor Treating Swine Waste.

Inhibition by ammonium at concentrations above 1000 mgN/L is known to harm the methanogenesis phase of anaerobic digestion. We anaerobically digested swine waste and achieved steady state COD-removal efficiency of around 52% with no fatty-acid or H2 accumulation. As the anaerobic microbial community adapted to the gradual increase of total ammonia-N (NH3-N) from 890 ± 295 to 2040 ± 30 mg/L, the Bacterial and Archaeal communities became less diverse. Phylotypes most closely related to hydrogenotrophic Methanoculleus (36.4%) and Methanobrevibacter (11.6%), along with acetoclastic Methanosaeta (29.3%), became the most abundant Archaeal sequences during acclimation. This was accompanied by a sharp increase in the relative abundances of phylotypes most closely related to acetogens and fatty-acid producers (Clostridium, Coprococcus, and Sphaerochaeta) and syntrophic fatty-acid Bacteria (Syntrophomonas, Clostridium, Clostridiaceae species, and Cloacamonaceae species) that have metabolic capabilities for butyrate and propionate fermentation, as well as for reverse acetogenesis. Our results provide evidence countering a prevailing theory that acetoclastic methanogens are selectively inhibited when the total ammonia-N concentration is greater than ~1000 mgN/L. Instead, acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens coexisted in the presence of total ammonia-N of ~2000 mgN/L by establishing syntrophic relationships with fatty-acid fermenters, as well as homoacetogens able to carry out forward and reverse acetogenesis.