cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid slip-deficit rates at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau prior to the 2008 M w 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake

The Longmen Shan is the steepest topographic front at the India-Asia collision zone and the site of the Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. Here to explain the interseismic GPS velocities across the greater Longmen Shan region, we develop a boundary element model including earthquake cycle effects, topography, the westward dipping Beichuan Fault and a ∼20 km deep, shallowly dipping, detachment, inferred from observed afterslip and from structural considerations. Previous analyses which neglected the detachment and earthquake cycle effects have found shortening rates near zero. In contrast, we find that interseismic GPS data are consistent with a shortening rate of 5.7±1.5mm/yr and maximum surface slip-deficit rate of 9.5±2.5mm/yr. This model unifies the interpretation of geodetic deformation throughout the earthquake cycle and suggests that the Longmen Shan is an active fold-and-thrust belt with of Wenchuan-like recurrence intervals as short as 600 years.
A fundamental theorem on particle acceleration

A fundamental theorem on particle acceleration is derived from the reciprocity principle of electromagnetism and a rigorous proof of the theorem is presented. The theorem establishes a relation between acceleration and radiation, which is particularly useful for insightful understanding of and practical calculation about the first order acceleration in which energy gain of the accelerated particle is linearly proportional to the accelerating field.
Antibiotic use in animals-prejudices, perceptions and realities

Regulatory authorities have suspended the use of some antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed. The subject remains a hotly debated topic around the world. Controversy surrounds whether such use in animals presents a real risk of increasing resistance in human pathogens, and hence a human health problem. Views tend to be polarized. Proponents of the bans point to falling rates of resistance in animal and human isolates as a direct result; detractors question whether evidence exists for a link between growth promoter use and resistance in human pathogens and cite a decline in animal health among the undesirable effects. The article by Phillips et al. in this issue puts one view, this article aims to consider the merits of the arguments put forward by both sides and looks to a way forward.
Confidence and Tolerance Intervals for the Normal Distribution

Abstract Confidence and tolerance intervals for the normal distribution are presented for the various cases of known and unknown mean and standard deviation. Practical illustration and interpretation of these intervals are given. Tables are presented permitting a comparison among the intervals. Finally the relationship between the two types of intervals is described. * Presented at the annual meeting of the American Statistical Association, Boston, December 1951.
Ultrasound imaging to track the advance of coagulation front in laser irradiated tissue

Several theoretical models have been developed to predict the advance of the coagulation front in a laser irradiated tissue. However, there exists a keen interest in obtaining experimental feedback methods to better understand and monitor the response of tissue to laser irradiation in surgical and therapeutic procedures, In this work, an attempt was made to track the advancement of the coagulation front in beef myocardium tissue using ultrasound imaging. An intravascular ultrasound probe was used to image tissue coagulation while being irradiated by a Nd:YAG laser. Image processing algorithms were developed to track the coagulation front automatically based on a sequence of ultrasound image frames. Parameters of a Gaussian function were employed to quantify the coagulation depth. All the algorithms were incorporated into a graphical-user-interface to allow a user-friendly and easy-to-use mechanism for computing the coagulation advancement. Histological information was then utilized to verify the validity of the coagulation depth. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of ultrasound imaging as a potentially viable tool for studying or monitoring laser-tissue interaction.
Option Value Analysis and Telephone Access Charges

This paper explores the policy implications of the recent options value analysis for telecommunications. It shows that application requires very great care because otherwise, the actions taken, while they appear to follow the analysis, can actually go in the opposite direction. This is demonstrated by access fees for interexchange carriers’ use of the local loop. Because options analysis shows that the true cost of an investment, including future opportunity cost, is greater than it appears to be, the access charges should apparently be raised accordingly to discourage excessive investment in facilities. But here, raising access fees, rather than discouraging investment, is likely to increase it. Increasing the cost of entry through the use of currently extant facilities will lead to increased facilities-based entry. This will thereby exacerbate any excessive investment rather than reduce it.
Arrays, non-determinism, side-effects, and parallelism: A functional perspective

Incremental, functional updates to arrays, executed in a non-deterministic manner, are shown to achieve the same effect (in both efficiency and functionality) as parallel assignment to imperative arrays. The strategy depends critically on the ability of a compiler to recognize not only that the incremental updates can be done destructively, but also that the updates may be done in any order. Special functional syntax is introduced that “captures” typical array-assignment patterns. The syntax falls somewhere in between the purely functional and (im)purely imperative, and makes the inferencing problem fairly easy. If nothing else, the work represents an interesting intellectual excercise in the relationship between non-determinism, side-effects, and parallelism.
Endometriosis involving the ileocaecal junction with regional lymph node involvement in the baboon—striking pathological finding identical between the human and the baboon: A Case Report

The baboon is an established model for endometriosis research. This report describes the occurrence of spontaneous endometriosis involving the ileocaecal junction and associated regional lymph nodes in the baboon. All endometriotic foci lacked the nuclear atypia, abnormal mitotic activity and altered nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio typical of malignancy. These findings are identical to reports in the human in which ileocaecal and colonic endometriosis is associated with endometriosis in pericolonic and mesenteric lymph nodes. The similarity between baboon and human colonic endometriosis in both location and pathology is striking and lends further evidence supporting the validity of the baboon as a model for human endometriosis.
Streamwise feature selection

In streamwise feature selection, new features are sequentially considered for addition to a predictive model. When the space of potential features is large, streamwise feature selection offers many advantages over traditional feature selection methods, which assume that all features are known in advance. Features can be generated dynamically, focusing the search for new features on promising subspaces, and overfitting can be controlled by dynamically adjusting the threshold for adding features to the model. In contrast to traditional forward feature selection algorithms such as stepwise regression in which at each step all possible features are evaluated and the best one is selected, streamwise feature selection only evaluates each feature once when it is generated. We describe information-investing and α-investing, two adaptive complexity penalty methods for streamwise feature selection which dynamically adjust the threshold on the error reduction required for adding a new feature. These two methods give false discovery rate style guarantees against overfitting. They differ from standard penalty methods such as AIC, BIC and RIC, which always drastically over- or under-fit in the limit of infinite numbers of non-predictive features. Empirical results show that streamwise regression is competitive with (on small data sets) and superior to (on large data sets) much more compute-intensive feature selection methods such as stepwise regression, and allows feature selection on problems with millions of potential features.
Vitamin D receptor and retinoid X receptor α status and vitamin D insufficiency in models of murine colitis.

The anti-inflammatory actions of Vitamin D have long been recognized and its importance in modulating colon cancer and colitis development is becoming apparent. The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is downregulated in human Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and colitis-associated cancer (CAC); however, its status in murine models of colitis has yet to be explored. Snail and Snail2, zinc-finger transcription factors regulated by inflammatory pathways and able to transcriptionally silence VDR, are upregulated in human UC and are associated with localized VDR silencing. To signal, VDR must heterodimerize with Retinoid X Receptor alpha (RXRα). If either VDR or RXRα are compromised, Vitamin D cannot regulate inflammatory pathways. RXRα is downregulated in human colorectal cancer (CRC), yet its expression in human and murine colitis has yet to be investigated. To explore the importance of Vitamin D and VDR in murine colitis, we utilized acute and chronic Azoxymethane/Dextran Sulfate Sodium (AOM/DSS) models of murine colitis. VDR was downregulated early in the onset of colitis whereas RXRα downregulation only occurred as colitis became chronic and developed into CAC. Receptor downregulation was associated with an early increase in the expression of the inflammatory markers, Snail and Snail2. The acute colitis model induced in combination with a Vitamin D deficient diet resulted in increased morbidity, receptor downregulation, inflammatory marker expression and Snail and Snail2 upregulation. These experiments demonstrate the importance of Vitamin D and VDR in modulating murine colitis development.
EXOGENOUS MELATONIN ENHANCES CELL-MEDIATED, BUT NOT HUMORAL, IMMUNE FUNCTION IN ADULT MALE DEER MICE (PEROMYSCUS MANICULATUS)

Many nontropical rodent species display seasonal changes in reproductive physiology and metabolism, as well as in immune function. Field studies of seasonal changes in immune function typically report decreased immune function in the short days of winter compared to summer; presumably, reduced immunity in winter reflects increased glucocorticoid secretion in response to environmental stressors. In contrast, laboratory studies of photoperiodic changes in immunity invariably demonstrate increased immune function in short compared to long days. Although the precise mechanisms regulating short-day enhancement of immune function are not known, it is hypothesized that increased immunity is due to the increased duration of melatonin secretion in short compared to long days. However, melatonin can act both directly (i.e, via melatonin receptors located on lymphatic tissue) and indirectly (i.e., via alterations in gonadal steroids) to affect immune function. The present study examined the effects of exogenous melatonin administration on both cell-mediated and humoral immune function in adult male deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), as well as the role of gonadal steroid hormones in mediating these effects. Mice either were castrated to remove circulating androgens or received sham operations and were implanted with empty capsules or capsules containing melatonin. Individual mice implanted with melatonin underwent reproductive regression and displayed enhanced splenocyte proliferation to the T-cell mitogen concanavalin A; antigen-specific serum immunoglobulin M production was unaffected by melatonin treatment. Castration had no effect on either cell-mediated or humoral immune function. Taken together, these results suggest that exogenous melatonin enhances cell-mediated, but not humoral, immune function in adult male deer mice and that this effect is independent of gonadal steroid hormones. These results are consistent with a direct effect of melatonin on immunity.
A theory of convergence order of maxmin rate allocation and an optimal protocol

The problem of allocating maxmin rates with minimum rate constraints for connection-oriented networks is considered. This paper proves that the convergence of maxmin rate allocation satisfies a partial ordering in the bottleneck links. This partial ordering leads to a tighter lower bound for the convergence time for any maxmin protocol. An optimally fast maxmin rate allocation protocol called the distributed constraint precedence graph (CPG) protocol is designed based on this ordering theory. The new protocol employs bi-directional minimization and does not induce transient oscillations. The distributed CPG protocol is compared against ERICA, showing far superior performance.
Defining Polio: Closing the Gap in Global Surveillance.

Abstract Background By late 2012 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) had nearly eradicated this ancient infectious disease. Successful surveillance programs for acute flaccid paralysis however rely on broad governmental support for implementation. With the onset of conflict, public health breakdown has contributed to the resurgence of polio in a number of regions. The current laboratory based case definition may be a contributory factor in these regions. Objective We sought to compare case definition rates using strict laboratory based criteria to rates obtained using the clinical criteria in modern day Syria. We also sought to examine this distribution of cases by sub-region. Methods We examined the World Health Organization (WHO) reported figures for Syria from 2013–2014 using laboratory based criteria. We compared these with cases obtained when clinical criteria were applied. In addition we sought data from the opposition controlled Assistance Coordination Unit which operates in non-Government controlled areas where WHO data maybe incomplete. Cases were carefully examined for potential overlap to avoid double reporting. Findings Whilst the WHO data clearly confirmed the polio outbreak in Syria, it did so with considerable delay and with under reporting of cases, particularly from non-government controlled areas. In addition, laboratory based case definition led to a substantial underestimate of polio (36 cases) compared with those found with the clinically compatible definition (an additional 46 cases). Rates of adequate diagnostic specimens from suspected cases are well below target, no doubt reflecting the effect of conflict in these areas. Conclusions We have identified a gap in the surveillance of polio, a global threat. The current laboratory based definition, in the setting of conflict and insecurity, leads to under diagnosis of polio with potential delays and inadequacies in coordinating effective responses to contain outbreaks and eradicate polio. Breakdown in public health measures as a contributing factor is likely to result in a resurgence of previously controlled infectious diseases. The clinical definition should be reinstituted to supplement the lab-based definition.
Preschoolers' Knowledge of and Ability to Learn Genital Terminology

Head Start preschoolers (N = 271) were asked for the names of nongenital and genital body parts. Although almost all children knew the correct terminology for nongenital body parts, few knew the anatomically correct terms for genitals. When a subset of these children were taught the terms by their parents, children learned the correct terminology for female and male genitals. In contrast, children taught by their teachers only improved in their labeling of penis. The advantages of teaching young children correct genital terminology are discussed, along with the importance of parental involvement in sexual abuse prevention efforts.
60 YEARS OF POMC: Biosynthesis, trafficking, and secretion of pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is a prohormone that encodes multiple smaller peptide hormones within its structure. These peptide hormones can be generated by cleavage of POMC at basic residue cleavage sites by prohormone-converting enzymes in the regulated secretory pathway (RSP) of POMC-synthesizing endocrine cells and neurons. The peptides are stored inside the cells in dense-core secretory granules until released in a stimulus-dependent manner. The complexity of the regulation of the biosynthesis, trafficking, and secretion of POMC and its peptides reflects an impressive level of control over many factors involved in the ultimate role of POMC-expressing cells, that is, to produce a range of different biologically active peptide hormones ready for action when signaled by the body. From the discovery of POMC as the precursor to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and β-lipotropin in the late 1970s to our current knowledge, the understanding of POMC physiology remains a monumental body of work that has provided insight into many aspects of molecular endocrinology. In this article, we describe the intracellular trafficking of POMC in endocrine cells, its sorting into dense-core secretory granules and transport of these granules to the RSP. Additionally, we review the enzymes involved in the maturation of POMC to its various peptides and the mechanisms involved in the differential processing of POMC in different cell types. Finally, we highlight studies pertaining to the regulation of ACTH secretion in the anterior and intermediate pituitary and POMC neurons of the hypothalamus.
Testing, Analysis and Classification of No-Dig Manhole Rehabilitation Materials

Gravity flow wastewater collection systems are comprised of sewer pipes and manholes. Failure of a manhole may have catastrophic consequences such as developing a sinkhole in the street and roadway, and at a minimum, wastewater flow will be blocked, and stream of the manhole will backup causing a sanitary sewer overflow (SSO). Improving structural conditions of a manhole is critical to minimize these types of failures. This paper considers the impact of several lining materials including cement mortar, epoxy, polyurethane, cured-in-place composites, and a multi-layer structure material on increasing the structural capabilities of deteriorated manholes. The tasks included in this research consist literature search and, preliminary laboratory and main testing of select manhole rehabilitation materials. A finite element analysis is included to complement the experiments. Several preliminary tests according to ASTM C-39 on coated concrete cylinders, and ASTM C-293 on lined concrete beams, were performed at UT Arlington's Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE) Laboratory. The test results showed significant increase in the performance of concrete samples under compression and flexure. A second round of testing was performed on 4-ft long, 24-in. diameter concrete pipe sections with 3-in. wall thickness manufactured according to ASTM C-76. These pipe sections were lined internally with the same materials as the preliminary tests, and tested according to ASTM C-497 under Three-Edge-Bearing testing. Using computer data acquisition system, strain gages and displacement extensometers, stress/strain data were measured. The results showed that tested No-Dig manhole rehabilitation materials can significantly improve structural performance of deteriorated manholes.
A simple procedure for separation of prothrombin and accelerator globulin from citrated human plasma.

SummaryA simple and rapid procedure is described for the separation of prothrombin of high specific activity and partially purified accelerator globulin from fresh citrated human plasma. Each product appears to be free from other known clotting factors.
Mechanisms of host-tick contact with special reference to Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) in beef cattle forage areas.

At least five groups of parameters regulate contact between ticks and host animals. Group 1 (seasonal effects) and group 2 (daily effects) comprise abiotic parameters and include daylength, temperature, relative humidity, and interactions thereof. Groups 3, 4, and 5 consist of biotic parameters. These pertain to biological processes in ticks (group 3), such as hunger responses and spatial patterns in aphagous tick populations; biological processes in host animals (group 4), such as patterns of habitat use by host animals; and interactions between host animals and ticks (group 5). Host—tick contact is possible when ticks are hungry, when ticks exhibit a positive appetence response, and when ticks and host animals are together in time and space. A descriptive model is proposed to correlate these processes and interactions with the observed behavior of the host—tick contact system in nature. Emphasis in the model is placed on host activity and differences among host types.
Soluble Electron Shuttles Can Mediate Energy Taxis toward Insoluble Electron Acceptors

Shewanella species grow in widely disparate environments and play key roles in elemental cycling, especially in environments with varied redox conditions. To obtain a system-level understanding of Shewanella's robustness and versatility, the complex interplay of cellular growth, metabolism, and transport under conditions of limiting carbon sources, energy sources, and electron acceptors must be elucidated. In this paper, population-level taxis of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 cells in the presence of a rate-limiting, insoluble electron acceptor was investigated. A novel mechanism, mediated energy taxis, is proposed by which Shewanella use riboflavin as both an electron shuttle and an attractant to direct cell movement toward local sources of insoluble electron acceptors. The cells secrete reduced riboflavin, which diffuses to a nearby particle containing an insoluble electron acceptor and is oxidized. The oxidized riboflavin then diffuses away from the particle, establishing a spatial gradient that draws cells toward the particle. Experimental and modeling results are presented to support this mechanism. S. oneidensis MR-1 cells inoculated into a uniform dispersion of MnO(2) particles in dilute agar exhibited taxis outward, creating a clear zone within which riboflavin was detected by mass spectrometry. Cells inoculated into dilute agar containing oxidized riboflavin similarly exhibited taxis, rapidly forming an expanding zone of reduced riboflavin. A mathematical model based on the proposed mechanism was able to predict experimental trends, including how concentrations of riboflavin and insoluble electron acceptors (e.g., MnO(2)) affected tactic cell migration.
Personality’s effect on European identification

A superordinate identity improves intergroup relations and bolsters support for the political system. Yet, why do only some identify superordinately? I argue that personality is an important determinant. I test this using an original survey in the United Kingdom, where European Union integration has increased the salience and feasibility of the “European” identity option in addition to a national one. Several Big Five traits matter: openness and extraversion increase identification with Europe while agreeableness decreases it. Mediation analysis subsequently shows that personality’s effects also travel through the mechanisms of risk aversion, knowledge, and ideology. Results imply that certain predispositions prompt some to be more receptive than others to seeing themselves in superordinate terms and that European identification may be at least partly more primordial than previously thought.
Pharmacy Department Costs and Patient Charges Associated with a Home Parenteral Nutrition Program

The pharmacy department costs of a home parenteral nutrition (HPN) program were identified, and the patient charges for HPN were compared with the charges for hospitalization for parenteral nutrition. Ten patients were randomly selected from 55 patients active in the HPN program at the University of Washington Hospital. Cost identification included quantification of supplies, personnel, equipment, freight, miscellaneous, and indirect costs. Patient charges were identified through billing documents. Charges included clinic visits and laboratory tests. Inpatient charges were identified in a similar manner and included a standard daily hospital charge. Average yearly costs to the pharmacy department were nearly +9000 per HPN patient. Patient charges for HPN were +48.19 per infusion day compared with +205.68 per infusion day for the hospitalized patient. The cost savings of HPN to the patient and the hospital were clearly demonstrated.
The melecular weight of the undegraded polypeptide chain of yeast hexokinase

Abstract Commercial preparations of yeast hexokinase are contaminated with a trace of at least one proteolytic enzyme. This contaminant will digest the hexokinase in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and a reliable molecular weight can be obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis only when specific steps are taken to prevent this proteolysis. When appropriate precautions are taken, this technique yields a value of about 51,000 for the polypeptide chain molecular weight of yeast hexokinase. A similar value is obtained by gel filtration in 6M guanidine-HCl.
Coming Full Circle With Reactions: Understanding the Structure and Correlates of Trainee Reactions Through the Affect Circumplex

Research suggests that the structure of trainee reactions is captured with as few as one or as many as 11 dimensions. It is commonly understood that reactions contain both affective and cognitive c...
Synthesis and Structure of a CuI3S Cluster Unsupported by Other Bridging Ligands

The facile synthesis of a {LCuI}3(μ3-S) cluster supported by monodentate N-heterocyclic carbene ligands has been accomplished through an approach in which two-coordinate (NHC)Cu+ centers are installed sequentially on a sulfido ligand. The reaction between (IPr)CuCl (IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene) and S(SiMe3)2 yields (IPr)Cu(SSiMe3) (2). Treatment of 2 with [(IPr)Cu(NCMe)][BF4] produces the dicopper cluster [{(IPr)Cu}2(μ-SSiMe3)][BF4] (3[BF4]), which undergoes subsequent reaction with (IPr)CuF to afford [{(IPr)Cu}3(μ3-S)][BF4] (1[BF4]) in high yield. The X-ray crystal structure of 1[BF4] establishes it as a rare example of a CuIn(μn-S)Lm cluster, and the first that is not also supported by other bridging ligands.
Sequential hadronization and the opportunities it presents

Continuum extrapolated lattice QCD calculations of quantum number specific susceptibilities and the most recent RHIC and LHC data on produced particle yields, as well as their higher moment fluctuations, can be interpreted using a scenario of sequential flavor dependent hadronization during the QCD crossover transition. I will present the latest data from lattice QCD and experiment and confront the question whether the separation of strangeness and light quark chemical freeze-out could have consequences beyond a simple strangeness enhancement, firstly in the production of exotic strange states and secondly in the flavor dependent evolution of dynamic quantities such as in-medium energy loss and anisotropic flow, which are generated predominantly during the collective partonic phase.
Hospitality employees promotional attitude: Findings from graduates of a twelve-month management training program

Abstract Mentoring is considered an important human resources training program but is seldom discussed as an internal marketing tool in the hospitality management literature. This study, using a major hotel company’s formal mentoring program, empirically tested mentoring’s influence on employee’s promotional attitude. Employee psychological contract theory provided the theoretical foundation for the study. The proposed research model was tested using Partial Least Squares (PLS) SEM. The results showed that mentor functions (i.e., career development and psychosocial support) were antecedents of employee promotional attitude. In addition, employee’s psychological contract breach and employee’s affective organizational commitment were mediators between mentor functions and promotional attitude, with affective organizational commitment showing a full mediation effect. These results provide both theoretical and managerial implications and offer opportunities for future research.
Management of parasitic bipolars in modular high power LDMOS technology

Integration of isolated LDMOS transistors in smart power process is subjected to bipolar parasitics due to multi layers constructions that are needed for high voltage operation. These parasitics need to be minimized to assure proper circuit functionality. Several approaches for parasitics reduction are suggested: DTI (Deep Trench Isolation) module optimization, NLDMOS and PLDMOS device construction considerations, and lateral and vertical isolation techniques. Creating circuit level parasitic model which can be turned on and off is essential to verify circuit functionality of the improved isolation.
Patterns of drug use and HIV infection among adults in a nationally representative sample.

Abstract Background Little is known about drug use patterns among people living with HIV in comparison to an uninfected group in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between legal and illegal drug use and HIV infection in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States. Methods Public use data files (2005–2014) from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were used. Respondents were asked whether a medical professional had ever told them that they had HIV/AIDS. Ever (lifetime), past-year, and past month use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, and nonmedical use of psychotherapeutics was assessed. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of the relationship between drug use and HIV infection, adjusting for demographics. Results Of 377,787 respondents age 18 and older, 548 (0.19%) were categorized as HIV-infected. Ever use of cigarettes, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, and psychotherapeutics was higher in HIV-infected individuals compared to HIV-uninfected individuals after adjustment for sex, age, race/ethnicity, education, total family income, and marital status. Past year and past month use was also higher for HIV-infected individuals for all substances aside from alcohol. Conclusions In a nationally representative sample, there are higher levels of drug use and DSM-IV dependence among the HIV-infected population compared to the HIV-uninfected population. This is of concern because drug use and dependence can impede engagement in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
General Structural Equation Modeling

The most general structural equation models treated in this book are nothing more—and nothing less—than path analytical models (introduced in Chapter 1) that involve latent variables (discussed in Chapter 2). Even though classical path analysis has important advantages over conventional univariate or multivariate regression (e.g., the estimation of direct and indirect structural effects), one major disadvantage is that a priori hypothesized structures can be analyzed only under the usually unrealistic assumption that variables in the models are measured with no or negligible error. An integration of latent variables—as previously introduced in the context of confirmatory factor analysis—into path models relaxes this assumption and allows for the estimation of direct and indirect structural effects between variables or constructs that are not directly observable but, instead, are indicated by some imperfect observable measures.
Microbial, Physical and Sensory Properties of Three Novel Yogurt Flavors: Molasses, Mulberry and Amaretto

Many consumers incorporate yogurt into their diet as a healthy alternative to other food choices. Providing a variety of flavor choices to the yogurt consumer is important to maintain eating satisfaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate specific attributes of three novel yogurt flavors. These flavors, sweetened with low calorie stevia, include molasses, amaretto and mulberry. Through sensory testing, each flavor was evaluated for consumer product acceptance and purchase intent. Additionally, the yogurt products were assayed for certain physicochemical characteristics and microbial counts. Using a 9-point hedonic scale, fifty-eight participants (23 males and 35 females) evaluated the yogurt flavors for acceptability of appearance, color, flavor, sweetness, sourness, texture and overall liking. Physicochemical characteristics were evaluated for % moisture content, pH value, color (L*, a* and b* values) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) protocol) every 7 days for 28 days. Through plating techniques, yogurt was assayed for two microbial counts: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus every 7 days for 28 days. Overall liking scores from the hedonic analysis indicate that mulberry flavor was the most desirable (5.67), followed by amaretto (5.32), and molasses (5.07). From the acceptability, mulberry yogurt scored the highest at 70.69%. From the purchase intent questionnaires, amaretto yogurt scored the highest at 44.83%. In general, there were no outstanding differences in the physiochemical characteristics among the three yogurts tested. However, % moisture content and L* values (lightness) increased in all samples over the 28 days of storage. The TBARS values were higher in molasses flavor at 5.84 mg MDA/kg. No E. coli or S. aureus were detected. This study provides valuable insight into the quality, safety, shelf-life and consumer acceptance of the three novel yogurt flavors.
Short communication: A reproductive tract scoring system to manage fertility in lactating dairy cows

We developed a reproductive tract size and position score (SPS) system as a reproductive management tool to identify lactating dairy cows with decreased fertility. This system, relying solely on transrectal palpation, considers the size (cervical and uterine) and position of the reproductive tract relative to the pelvis. Cows undergoing pre-breeding exams were identified as having reproductive tracts that were small (SPS1), medium (SPS2), or large (SPS3). Cows designated SPS1 had small and compact uterine horns that rested within the pelvic cavity; SPS2 cows had reproductive tracts that were intermediate in cervical and uterine horn diameter, with longer uterine horns resting partially outside the pelvic cavity; and SPS3 cows had reproductive tracts that were larger and rested mostly outside the pelvic cavity. Cows that were SPS1 had a higher rate of pregnancy per artificial insemination (43.3 ± 3.7%) than cows that were SPS2 (36.9 ± 3.6%) or SPS3 (27.7 ± 4.3%). The percentage of cows with an SPS2 score differed in pregnancies per artificial insemination compared with SPS3 cows. The average days in milk was similar for SPS1, SPS2, and SPS3 cows (104.3 ± 3.5, 98.4 ± 3.4, and 94.7 ± 7.7, respectively). Ultrasound measurements of the uterine horn and cervical diameter, and length measurements of the uterine horns, cervix, and vagina confirmed differences among the SPS groups derived by transrectal palpation. The ease with which transrectal palpation can be used to determine the size and position of the reproductive tract attests to the relevance and usefulness of this scoring system to identify less fertile lactating dairy cows. The ability to do so with ease provides an opportunity to make economically relevant management decisions and maximize reproductive efficiency in a given herd.
Understanding the Aqueous Stability and Filtration Capability of MoS2 Membranes

Membranes made of layer-stacked two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets have recently shown great promise for water filtration. At present, the reported water fluxes vary significantly, while the accountable structure and properties of MoS2 nanochannels are largely unknown. This paper aims to mechanistically relate the performance of MoS2 membranes to the size of their nanochannels in different hydration states. We discovered that fully hydrated MoS2 membranes retained a 1.2 nm interlayer spacing (or 0.9 nm free spacing), leading to high water permeability and moderate-to-high ionic and molecular rejection. In comparison, completely dry MoS2 membranes had a 0.62 nm interlayer spacing (or 0.3 nm free spacing) due to irreversible nanosheet restacking and were almost impermeable to water. Furthermore, we revealed that the interlayer spacing of MoS2 membranes in aqueous solution is maintained by comparable van der Waals and hydration forces, thereby ensuring the aqueous stability of MoS2 membra...
Monsoon Systems, Modeling of

The wordmonsoon derives fromthe Arabic word “mausim,” referring to the seasonal reversal of prevailing low-levelwinds blowing fromrelatively cold and moist ocean to warm land during the wet season (summer), and from cold and dry land to ocean during the dry season (winter).
Alteration of macrophage functions by cocaine.

Studies elucidating the effects of cocaine on immune cells and immune function are relatively recent. Although immunomodulation by cocaine has been reported by a number of investigators, it is not consistently associated with immunosuppression. A review sum­marized many of the earlier studies of cocaine on the immune system (1). Another study (2) describes a number of immune abnormalities in mice exposed to cocaine including an enhancement of neutrophil phagocytosis, a reduction of T-cell responses to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin, and cytotoxic activity of immune spleen cells. Other reports have described alteration of spleen cell subsets following injection with cocaine (3,4). A number of reports have described a reduction or alteration in the production of certain cytokines (5–7). In a series of publications, Peterson et al. (8–10) have reported an enhancement of HIV replication in cultures of human monocytes via the induction of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα). An increase in p24, one of the internal viral proteins, was used to quantify viral replication. A recent study (11) reported that Me culture supernatants from cells exposed to cocaine, modulate mesangial cell proliferation in vitro altering TGFβ, as well as IL-6.
Human papillomavirus-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma: An emerging tumor type with a unique microscopic appearance and a paradoxical clinical behaviour

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is well established as a causative factor in most squamous cell carcinomas of the oropharynx (OPSCC). Indeed, a growing awareness over the past two decades that HPV-OPSCC is a distinct form of head and neck cancer has had a profound impact on diagnostic and clinical practices. The sinonasal tract is a second anatomic "hot spot" for HPV-related head and neck carcinomas, but certain pathologic features and the clinical behavior of HPV-related carcinomas at this site remain unclear. The enigmatic nature of HPV-positive sinonasal carcinomas is especially true for an emerging form recently designated as HPV-related multiphenotypic sinonasal carcinoma (HMSC). HMSC has come to the attention of the pathology community largely owing to its highly unusual microscopic appearance: it exhibits mixed salivary gland (e.g. adenoid cystic carcinoma) and squamous differentiation. At the same time, HMSC is largely unknown by the clinical community despite an unexpected clinical behavior that could affect therapy. HMSC is characterized by high grade histologic features, locally destructive growth, advanced T stage, and a propensity for local recurrence; and yet it appears to have little potential for metastatic spread or lethal behavior. This review will describe the unique pathologic features of HMSC, discuss its distinction from adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and draw attention to a behavior that departs from the expected clinical course of most high grade carcinomas of the head and neck.
Magnetic White Dwarfs with Strong Fields and the Origin of Magnetism in White Dwarfs and Neutron Stars

Work in progress at Steward Observatory covering three aspects of magnetism in degenerate dwarfs is reviewed. First, the identification of the Minkowski bands in Grw + 70° 8247 with Zeeman transitions in hydrogen. Second, a determination of field strengths in the more strongly magnetic white dwarfs. Third, some observations and speculations concerning the origin of white dwarf and neutron star magnetic fields.
A Jumping Silicon Microrobot with Electrostatic Inchworm Motors and Energy Storing Substrate Springs

We present the first demonstration of a silicon microrobot using electrostatic inchworm motors to store mechanical energy in springs etched into the silicon substrate. The microrobot is fabricated using a two mask silicon on insulator MEMS process with a 40µm device layer and 550µm substrate. The springs in the silicon substrate can store 100µJ of energy, more than 10X greater than what has been demonstrated previously using energy storing springs in the silicon on insulator layer.
Management of Nerve Sacrifice with Thyroidectomy

Permanent postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroid surgery is a feared complication that occurs in up to 3% of primary surgeries and can be as high as 2–30% in revision surgery. Multiple steps can be taken to optimize patient outcomes both in the cases of intentional and unintentional recurrent laryngeal nerve sacrifice. Preoperative workup for planning of possible reconstruction, intraoperative decision-making on immediate reconstructive options, and postoperative rehabilitation are all integral aspects of complete care for these patients. In particular, reanastomosis, reinnervation, and early temporizing vocal fold injection augmentation are discussed as options for patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy.
Pitch of harmonic complex tones: rate and temporal coding of envelope repetition rate in inferior colliculus of unanesthetized rabbits.

Envelope repetition rate (ERR) provides crucial cues for pitch perception of frequency components that are not individually resolved by the cochlea, but the neural representation of ERR for stimuli...
Transforming Schooling for Second Language Learners: Theoretical Insights, Policies, Pedagogies and Practices, edited by Pacheco, M., Morales, Z., & Hamilton, C.

The overarching goal of this edited volume is to provide readers with insights into ways language policies, pedagogies, and practices can transform schooling and achievement for emergent bilinguals...
A retrospective review of 112 patients undergoing arthroscopic suprascapular nerve decompression.

Abstract Background Arthroscopic suprascapular nerve release has yielded good results previously. However, comprehensive literature is still lacking. Purpose This study assessed results of suprascapular nerve release in patients with intractable shoulder pain with confirmed suprascapular neuropathy. Methods Retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing suprascapular nerve release. Patients were evaluated with VAS scores and supraspinatus/infraspinatus strength. Results 112 patients were included showing reduction in VAS pain scores from the initial visit to final follow up. Additionally, improvement in both supra/infraspinatus strength occurred. There were no major complications. Conclusion This series demonstrates improvement in pain and strength following suprascapular nerve release with limited risk. Level of evidence IV.
Statistical Modeling and Analysis on the Confidentiality of Indoor VLC Systems

While visible light communication (VLC) is expected to have a wide range of applications in the near future, the security vulnerabilities of this technology have not been well understood so far. In particular, due to the extremely short wavelength of visible light, the VLC channel presents several unique characteristics than its radio frequency counterparts, which impose new features on the VLC security. Taking a physical-layer security perspective, this paper studies the intrinsic secrecy capacity of VLC as induced by its special channel characteristics. Different from existing models that only consider the specular reflection in the VLC channel, a modified Monte Carlo ray tracing model is proposed to account for both the specular and the diffusive reflections, which is unique to VLC. A deep neural network model is also proposed to describe the spatial VLC channel response based on a limited number of channel response samples calculated from the ray tracing model. Based on these models the upper and the lower bounds of the VLC secrecy capacity are derived, which allow us to evaluate the VLC communication confidentiality against a comprehensive set of factors, including the locations of the transmitter, receiver, and eavesdropper, the VLC channel bandwidth, the ratio between the specular and diffusive reflections, and the reflection coefficient. Our results reveal that due to the different types of reflections, the VLC system becomes more vulnerable at specific locations where strong reflections exist.
Misdiagnosis of Bell's palsy: Case series and literature review

Although Bell's palsy is a common etiology for isolated facial paralysis, it is important clinicians perform a complete neurologic examination to avoid misdiagnosis. Multiple cranial neuropathy is often caused by tumor or infection.
ASSESSMENT OF ACETABULAR COVERAGE IN BORDERLINE ACETABULAR DYSPLASIA: ARE PLAIN RADIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS ACCURATELY ESTIMATES OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL COVERAGE?

Introduction:Assessment of anterior acetabular coverage is commonly done with measurement of the anterior center edge angle (ACEA) or anterior wall index (AWI). This is particularly important in ca...
Total Hockey Optimizes Omnichannel Facility Locations

Omnichannel distribution, which blends brick-and-mortar retailing and e-commerce, is a key challenge for today’s supply chains. In this paper, we report on a study to design an omnichannel distribu...
Measurement of distribution coefficients on TODGA resin and development of a group separation for mixed activation and fission product samples

Batch equilibrium experiments were performed to determine the distribution coefficients for Sc, Ir, and Ta on N,N,N′,N′ tetraoctyl-1,5-diglycolamide (TODGA) resin in various acid matrices. Distribution coefficients were determined in hydrochloric acid (Sc, Ir), nitric acid (Sc, Ta), and a mixture of nitric acid and 0.2 M hydrofluoric acid (Sc, Ir, Ta). The distribution coefficients determined through these experiments were then utilized to create a group separation method for activation products, fission products, and environmental constituents.