cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
OPTIMIZATION MODELS, QUANTITATIVE GENETICS, AND MUTATION.

The process of selection on a multivariate set of characters subject to functional constraints is considered from the points of view of both evolutionary optimization theory and quantitative genetics. Special attention is given to life-history characteristics. It is shown that, under suitable conditions (including weak selection), useful approximate formulas for the relations between the functional constraints and the additive genetic variance-covariance matrix can be derived. These can be used to show that the conditions for equilibrium under selection according to the two different approaches are approximately equivalent. Although large negative genetic correlations are to be expected between some pairs of life-history traits in populations at equilibrium under selection, in general some small negative genetic correlations and some positive genetic correlations will also be present. Thus, the observation of a positive genetic correlation between a pair of life-history traits does not necessarily refute the possibility of trade-offs among a multivariate set of traits that contains the pair in question. The relation between the pattern of functional constraints and the genetic correlations is often complex, and little insight into the former can be derived from the latter. The effects of mutations that lower the overall efficiency of resource utilization, thereby creating a positive component to the genetic covariances among life-history traits, are also considered for a specific model. Although such mutations can have a substantial effect on the form of the life history, extreme conditions seem to be needed for them to produce a large effect on the pattern of genetic correlations in a random-mating population. They can, however, cause the appearance of positive correlations following inbreeding, due to the exposure of deleterious recessive or partially recessive mutations. The analysis also suggests that the population means of individual components of a constrained multivariate system may often equilibrate at values that are far from the optima that would be attained if they were selected in isolation from the other members of the system.
Comparison of simulated forest responses to biosolids applications

Organic matter and N are added to humus pools of the LINKAGES simulator of forest growth and N cycling at a range of application rates to investigate long-term effects of biosolids (sewage sludge) on forest productivity. Two conifer plantations (Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii], loblolly pine [Pinus taeda L.]) and a northern hardwood forest located in contrasting climatic regions are investigated. Single applications of biosolids are given at 0.5, 10, 20, and 40 Mg/ha, and multiple applications are given on seven occasions at 3-yr intervals of rates of 5 and 10 Mg/ha. Highly significant increases in aboveground phytomass and net primary productivity of Douglas-fir plantations are obtained in a 100-yr simulation with increasing biosolids application rates. Results for loblolly pine from a 50-yr simulation produced about half the growth response of Douglas-fir. Long-term simulations of northern hardwoods showed modest growth responses and small increases in NPP with added biosolids. The phytomass of one overstory and three understory species in the hardwood forest changed in response to different biosolids applications and varying species sensitivity to N supply. Biosolids are a significant resource for enhancing forest productivity, particularly in conifer plantations. Estimates of N leaching losses from simulated forest sitesmore » combined with a literature review of leaching losses suggest that biosolids applications at 3-yr intervals with rates less than 8.5 Mg/ha (0.4 Mg N/ha) during active forest growth may pose little off-site contamination risk to ground water or surface waters.« less
Statine and its derivatives. Conformational studies using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and energy calculations

The conformations of derivatives of 3(S)-hydroxy-4(s)-amino-6-methylheptanoic acid (statine) and its analogs have been studied by n.m.r. in chloroform and in dimethyl sulfoxide, and by molecular mechanics calculations. The data obtained from these studies indicate that: 1) the coupling constant between NH and C4H is large, suggesting that the dihedral angle (theta) is near 165 degrees or 0 degree; 2) the coupling constant between C4H-C3H is small, indicating a vicinal bond angle of approximately 90 degrees; 3) the hydrogen deuterium exchange rate of statine amide protons is slow; however, the rate is dependent upon the electron withdrawing substituents adjacent to the amide NH's; 4) intramolecular hydrogen bonds involving the NH of the statine amide group do not stabilize conformations of single amino acid derivatives. Based on the n.m.r. results, four possible conformations of Boc-statine-OMe in solution are possible. MM1 calculations indicate one conformation is especially likely.
A quantum fluid of metallic hydrogen suggested by first-principles calculations

It is generally assumed1,2,3 that solid hydrogen will transform into a metallic alkali-like crystal at sufficiently high pressure. However, some theoretical models4,5 have also suggested that compressed hydrogen may form an unusual two-component (protons and electrons) metallic fluid at low temperature, or possibly even a zero-temperature liquid ground state. The existence of these new states of matter is conditional on the presence of a maximum in the melting temperature versus pressure curve (the ‘melt line’). Previous measurements6,7,8 of the hydrogen melt line up to pressures of 44 GPa have led to controversial conclusions regarding the existence of this maximum. Here we report ab initio calculations that establish the melt line up to 200 GPa. We predict that subtle changes in the intermolecular interactions lead to a decline of the melt line above 90 GPa. The implication is that as solid molecular hydrogen is compressed, it transforms into a low-temperature quantum fluid before becoming a monatomic crystal. The emerging low-temperature phase diagram of hydrogen and its isotopes bears analogies with the familiar phases of 3He and 4He (the only known zero-temperature liquids), but the long-range Coulomb interactions and the large component mass ratio present in hydrogen would result in dramatically different properties9.
Ternus effect: two processes or differential activation? Comments on Odic and Pratt's 2008 paper.

Using a bistable apparent-motion display, Odic and Pratt (2008, Perception37 1790–1804) have recently presented data that they interpret as being inconsistent with what they call “the two-process theory”. Instead, they argue, their data can be explained by the differential-activation theory along with a process they identify as “temporal summation of contrast”. It is argued here that Odic and Pratt misinterpreted the two-process distinction and used a display that was too unusual to be adequately addressed by it. Further, their use of the differential-activation theory and, in particular, the temporal summation of contrast, seems problematic. It is concluded that there is little in their data and theoretical interpretation to justify rejection of the two-process approach.
Generic Instability of Majority Rule

Majority rule voting with smooth preferences on a smooth policy space W is examined. It is shown that there is an integer w(n), which is 2 when the size of the society n is odd and 3 when n is even such that when the dimension of W is at least w(n) then, for almost preference profiles on W, the core of the voting game is empty when the dimension of W exceeds w(n) then for almost all preference profiles on W, there exist dense preference cycles in W. Moreover in dimension w(n) + 1 the policy space can be partitioned into a finite number of path connected components, such that any two points in one of the components can be connected by a majority voting trajectory. In dimension greater than w(n) + 1 there exists only one such component.
LOCAL BUCKLING STUDY OF FLANGES AND WEBS IN I-SHAPES AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Local buckling in floor beams has been one of the important observations in several fire events in steel buildings such as World Trade Center Tower 7 and large-scale fire experiments such as Cardington in UK. Utilizing three dimensional finite element methods for complex geometry and nonlinear behavior of such connections, local buckling of the web followed by the buckling of the lower flange is observed to occur in early stages in fire, which causes instability to the floor system, and a reduction in the connection strength. To fully capture the behavior of floor systems, one needs to be able to predict such buckling behavior of the beam. This paper contributes to such knowledge by investigating the local buckling of floor beams at elevated temperatures using nonlinear finite element models. The results are compared to AISC provisions of plate buckling under ambient and elevated temperatures. I - Introduction Recent experimental and finite element (FE) observations [Moore 2003; Garlock and Selamet 2010] show that local buckling of a floor beam in the vicinity of the connection greatly reduces the axial capacity of the beam during both the heating and the cooling period in a natural fire. During the heating phase, the beam is under compression and the axial forces increase until the lower flange buckles at which point the compressive forces decrease. The deformations caused by the buckling near the connection reduce the tensile capacity of the connection [Selamet and Garlock 2010]. Therefore local buckling controls the maximum compressive and tensile force that a beam experiences in a fire. The aim of this paper is to investigate the strength of wide flange beams considering local buckling under fire conditions. Previous research on local buckling of steel members focused on isolated plate buckling studies without consideration of the flange (an “unstiffened plate”) and the web (a “stiffened plate”) interacting with each
Utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) among sexually transmitted disease clinics attendees with coexisting drinking problems

Alcohol misuse remains a major risk factor for contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) not typically addressed in STD clinic settings. Information and communication technology (ICT) can offer new avenues to deliver evidence-based screening and treatment for problematic drinking, however, few data exists regarding the utilization of ICT among STD clinic attendees with coexisting drinking problems. The objectives of this study are to identify STD clinics attendees with hazardous drinking, to examine socio-demographic factors associated with ICT use, and to explore individuals’ interests in engaging in ICT-based health interventions. Cross-sectional questionnaires examining alcohol consumption and ICT use were administered to 396 persons attending two non-urban STD clinics. Descriptive statistics for ICT use were calculated for both hazardous drinkers and the entire sample. Multivariable logistic regression models among hazardous drinkers identified factors significantly associated with use of each kind of ICT. The mean age of the 396 participants was 25 years, 66% were females and 60% were African-Americans. One third of the sample met the criteria of hazardous drinking. ICT use in hazardous drinkers included 94% reporting having internet access at least monthly, 82% reporting having an email account, 85% reporting currently owning a cell phone, and 91% reporting use of any cell phone application. More than two thirds (73%) of hazardous drinkers were willing to play health-related video games during clinic waiting time, slightly higher than the entire sample (69%). Multivariable analyses indicated that younger age were significantly related to monthly internet use, and multifunction cell phone use, while being males and younger age were significantly associated with monthly video game playing. Our study demonstrates commonality of ICT use among STD clinic attendees with hazardous drinking, indicating the viability of using ICT to assist screening and behavioural intervention for alcohol misuse in STD clinic settings. Future research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of ICT-based health behavioural interventions in the STD clinic settings or other venues that serve populations at high risk for substance abuse, HIV or other STDs.
In situ generation of irreversible enzyme inhibitors.

MOLECULES which act as Lewis acids in the Michael reaction1 profoundly inhibit the activities of biological molecules, no doubt because they can alkylate sulphydryl groups and certain activated amines. Acrylonitrile rapidly and irreversibly alkylates proteins in mild conditions2 and recent findings strongly suggest3 that the cytotoxic compounds produced by irradiating carbohydrates may also act as acceptors in the Michael reactions. A variety of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl-containing compounds possess anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and anti-viral activities3, -and in vivo conversion of the potent anti-tumour agent cyclophosphamide into acrolein4 suggests that acrolein may be the active cytotoxic agent. Furthermore, it is known that acrolein inhibits transcription in vitro by inhibiting RNA polymerase5.
Cardiac SR-coupled PP1 activity and expression are increased and inhibitor 1 protein expression is decreased in failing hearts.

Type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1) is a negative regulator of cardiac function. However, studies on the status and regulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)-associated PP1 activity in failing hearts ...
Calculation of critical dimensions for wurtzite and cubic zinc blende coaxial nanowire heterostructures

We employ a methodology, based on established approaches for determining the critical thickness for strain relaxation in planar films, to determine critical dimensions for coherently strained coaxial nanowire heterostructures. The model is developed and executed for various specific core-shell heterostructures in [111] zinc blende and [0001] wurtzite geometries. These calculations reveal that critical dimensions in such heterostructures can be quantified by a unique critical core radius and a critical shell thickness, which is dependent on the core radius. It is anticipated that this work will serve as a guide to determine the feasibility of specific coherently strained nanowire heterostructure designs.
Direct Bypass Reduces the Risk of Recurrent Hemorrhage in Moyamoya Syndrome, But Effect on Functional Outcome Is Less Certain

See related article, p 1415. This important study by Miyamoto et al1 provides the strongest and best evidence to date that direct revascularization, via external carotid to internal carotid artery bypass, reduces the risk for recurrent hemorrhage in adult patients presenting with hemorrhage secondary to Moyamoya syndrome. However, surgical complication rates had to be essentially zero to achieve this benefit, and whether surgery resulted in better functional outcome is not clear from the present data. Moyamoya syndrome is characterized by idiopathic, often bilateral, often progressive occlusion of the terminal internal carotid artery and a secondary hypertrophic and proliferative response by the lenticulostriate arteries that give the condition its name.2,3 It is commonly referred to as a disease, yet it is certain that the underlying occlusive vasculopathy is multifactorial and that the proliferative response may be variable, particularly in non-Asian populations.4–6 The syndrome has a bimodal presentation in Asia, with children generally presenting with ischemic symptoms and adults with hemorrhage.7 In North America and Europe, however, the syndrome is most common in women in their third, fourth, and fifth decades, presenting with ischemic symptoms.8–11 One explanation for the difference in presentation between Asian and North …
Horizontal distribution and abundance of Diaptomus clavipes Schacht in relation to Potamogeton foliosus in a pond and under experimental conditions1

IIigher concentrations of adult Diaptomus clavipes were found in the open water area of a pond than in the region in which rooted aquatic vcgctation, primarily Potamogeton foliosus, approached the surface. Laboratory experiments revealed high mortality and no reproduction in cultures of D. clavipes in which P. foliosus was allowed to float free, with no significant changes from controls when vegetation was restricted to a small area. Inclusion of simulated rooted aquatics (polyethylene tubing) lowered the reproductive rate below that in cultures without tubing. These results suggest that P. foliosus is important in regulating both distribution and density of D. clavipes in the pond. During a study of a pond population of the Calanoid copepod Diaptomus clavipes Schacht (Gehrs 1972), I found that the animals seemed more concentrated in open water areas than in areas where rooted aqua tic plants (primarily Potamogeton foliosus) came within 40 cm of the surface. As spring advanced to summer the area containing rooted aquatics progressively included more of the open water region, and a greater pcrccntage of the population of D. clavipes became concentrated in a decreasing arca of open water. The purpost oE this research was to determine whether a significant difference in the horizontal distribution of D. clavipes cxistcd and to investigate the relationship between the rooted aquatic plants and the distribution of thcsc animals. Methods and materials Field study The pond (Township 9N, Range 3W, Section 11 Cleveland Co., Oklahoma) is a manmade impoundment (about 30
Capacitor discharge and vacuum resistance in massless QED 2

A charged parallel plate capacitor will create particle-antiparticle pairs by the Schwinger process and discharge over time. We consider the full quantum discharge process in $1+1$ dimensions including backreaction, when the electric field interacts with massless charged fermions. We recover oscillatory features in the electric field observed in a semiclassical analysis and find that the amplitude of the oscillations falls off as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}1/2}$ and that stronger coupling implies slower decay. Remarkably, Ohm's law applies to the vacuum and we evaluate the quantum electrical conductivity of the vacuum to be $2e/\sqrt{\ensuremath{\pi}}$, where $e$ is the fermionic charge. Similarities and differences with black hole evaporation are mentioned.
Efficient mapping from neuroanatomical to electrotonic space

Previous studies documented the importance of electrotonic structure in single-neuron computations. Here we elaborate a new approach to electrotonic theory and analysis. We begin with a more versatile measure Lij of the electrotonic distance between any two locations i and j on a neuron. If Vi is the voltage at the origin and Vj is the voltage at Some other point, the electrotonic distance is Lij=ln(Vi/Vj). Voltage decays e-fold per unit of L for any two points on the neuron, regardless of its electrotonic architecture. Lij increases as the sinusoidal frequency of Vi increases. If j lies on the direct path between i and k, then Lik=Lij+Ljk. This relation enables electrotonic transforms of the neuron—graphical mappings from neuroanatomical to electrotonic space. For each neuron, there exists an infinite number of such transforms, which can be done from any reference location on the neuron, as a function of voltage transfer to or from that location, and for any frequency of input signal. Sets of these trans...
Outdoor/indoor propagation prediction for complex wall and window structures using ray-tracing models

A new integrated ray-tracing code for propagation prediction in the urban environment is developed. Besides the computationally efficient core engine that is based on the triangle and rectangular digitization of the propagation environment (hence eliminating the need for the time consuming search algorithms), new indoor and indoor/outdoor features such as reflection and transmission through complex walls and diffraction effects from windows and metal framed structures are also included in the new code. The accuracy of each of these components is validated experimentally and results from the integrated code are presented and discussed in the conference.
Daily calcium intake in excess of 1400 mg is associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in women

Commentary on: Michaelsson K, Melhus H, Warensjo Lemming E, et al. Long term calcium intake and rates of all cause and cardiovascular mortality: community based prospective longitudinal cohort study. BMJ 2013;346:f228.[OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Sufficient calcium intake is required for bone health. Recommended daily calcium increases with age, reaching 1500 mg/day by the age of 65 years. Intake of calcium-rich foods tends to be inadequate, with a large proportion of predominantly older women taking high-dose calcium supplements1 to increase the … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DBMJ%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1136%252Fbmj.f228%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F23403980%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=bmj&resid=346/feb12_4/f228&atom=%2Febnurs%2F17%2F2%2F48.atom
Commentary: Why are we biased against bias?

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Pore-diffusion model for cyclic separation: Temperature swing separation of hydrogen and methane at elevated pressures

A pore-diffusion model, developed for temperature swing separation in a packed bed of sorbent, can interpret experimental data for the separation of H/sub 2/ and CH/sub 4/ in a packed bed of activated carbon operated at pressures up to 800 psi. Experimental results on the effects of total pressure, particle size, adsorption temperature, and flow rate on separation efficiency compared favorably to the model's predictions. In addition, this study clearly demonstrates that pore diffusivity is a factor as important as contact time and equilibrium amounts adsorbed in determining the separation efficiency.
Exposure to low concentrations of di-n-butyl phthalate during embryogenesis reduces survivability and impairs development of Xenopus laevis frogs.

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) appears to be a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, as indicated by its presence in air, water, and soil worldwide (Giam et al., 1980; ATSDR, 2001; Peterson & Freeman, 1982) and the presence of its major metabolite, monobutyl phthalate (MBP), in random human urine samples (Blount et al., 2000). Studies indicate that exposure to a variety of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as DBP, may be partially responsible for reported global amphibian declines; if so, amphibians may serve as ecological harbingers for the future of human health. Therefore, this study was undertaken to investigate the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of DBP on development in Xenopus laevis African clawed frogs. Developmental effects of DBP on Xenopus embryos were determined using the 96-h frog embryo teratogenesis assay-Xenopus (FETAX). Embryos (n = 300/group) were exposed from gastrulation (stage 8–11) through primary organogenesis (stage 46) to 0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, or 15 ppm DBP dissol...
Neuroinflammation induces glial aromatase expression in the uninjured songbird brain

Background: Estrogens from peripheral sources as well as central aromatization are neuroprotective in the vertebrate brain. Under normal conditions, aromatase is only expressed in neurons, however following anoxic/ ischemic or mechanical brain injury; aromatase is also found in astroglia. This increased glial aromatization and the consequent estrogen synthesis is neuroprotective and may promote neuronal survival and repair. While the effects of estradiol on neuroprotection are well studied, what induces glial aromatase expression remains unknown. Methods: Adult male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) were given a penetrating injury to the entopallium. At several timepoints later, expression of aromatase, IL-1b-like, and IL-6-like were examined using immunohisotchemistry. A second set of zebra birds were exposed to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), an inflammatory agent, directly on the dorsal surface of the telencephalon without creating a penetrating injury. Expression of aromatase, IL-1b-like, and IL-6-like were examined using both quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to examine mRNA expression and immunohistochemistry to determine cellular expression. Statistical significance was determined using t-test or one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey Kramers post hoc test. Results: Following injury in the zebra finch brain, cytokine expression occurs prior to aromatase expression. This temporal pattern suggests that cytokines may induce aromatase expression in the damaged zebra finch brain. Furthermore, evoking a neuroinflammatory response characterized by an increase in cytokine expression in the uninjured brain is sufficient to induce glial aromatase expression. Conclusions: These studies are among the first to examine a neuroinflammatory response in the songbird brain following mechanical brain injury and to describe a novel neuroimmune signal to initiate aromatase expression in glia.
Dyadic-based factorizations for regular paraunitary filterbanks and M-band orthogonal wavelets with structural vanishing moments

Paraunitary filterbanks (PUFBs) can be designed and implemented using either degree-one or order-one dyadic-based factorization. This work discusses how regularity of a desired degree is structurally imposed on such factorizations for any number of channels M /spl ges/ 2, without necessarily constraining the phase responses. The regular linear-phase PUFBs become a special case under the proposed framework. We show that the regularity conditions are conveniently expressed in terms of recently reported M-channel lifting structures, which allow for fast, reversible, and possibly multiplierless implementations in addition to improved design efficiency, as suggested by numerical experience. M-band orthonormal wavelets with structural vanishing moments are obtained by iterating the resulting regular PUFBs on the lowpass channel. Design examples are presented and evaluated using a transform-based image coder, and they are found to outperform previously reported designs.
POSTFLEDGING DEPENDENCE PERIOD OF MIGRATORY GOLDEN EAGLES (AQUILA CHRYSAETOS) IN DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, ALASKA

Abstract The postfledging dependence period is not well documented for many species of raptors, including Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos). From 1997 to 1999, we used satellite telemetry to estimate the length of the postfledging dependence period, and the finite survival rate of fledglings during that period, for migratory Golden Eagles in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Length of the postfledging dependence period averaged 50.1 days and ranged from 39 to 63 days. The post- fledging dependence period was longer for Golden Eagles that hatched earlier, but hatching date did not influence the date they departed their natal area. Average date of departure from the natal area was 25 September. The departure period spanned a 17-day period from 15 September to 5 October, and coincided with a series of environmental changes including decreases in day length, temperature, and prey diversity. Probability of survival during the postfledging dependence period was 0.98 (95% CI = 0.94 to 1.00). Periodo de ...
Variable Developmental Rate and Survival of Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on Pistachio

A series of laboratory and field studies were conducted using two lines of navel orangeworm, reared on different stages of new crop and mummy pistachios, Pistacia vera L. This study demonstrated the potential importance of malformed pistachios (pea splits) to the population dynamics of navel orangeworm, because these nuts, which are available as early as two months before mature nuts, supported navel orangeworm development and survival. Overall, the developmental rate on new crop pistachios is fastest on mature nuts, 422.3 ± 123 degree-days (DD, °C), but other factors such as exposure to insecticide residue also sped development, although survival decreased. Development took the longest on unharvested nuts (mummies) dried at 90°C for 24 h, 2,664.7 ± 131.4 DD. In most trials development was variable and two generations could develop at the fastest rate before the slowest individual completed development, which in turn calls into question the concept of discrete generations. Generally, survival was highest on mature pistachios and other stages of new crop nut and lowest on mummies collected in May. Survival was also higher on the new varieties ‘Lost Hills’ and ‘Golden Hills’ (24.7 and 32.0%, respectively) than on the most extensively planted variety ‘Kerman’ (13.3%). In our trials, both the rate of development and survival were dependent on nut stage, age, variety, and quality, indicating that pistachios, like almonds, Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb, are a dynamic rather than a static nutrient source for navel orangeworm.
Unmet contraceptive need among married Nigerian women: an examination of trends and drivers.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study is to examine trends in and drivers of unmet need for contraceptives among married Nigerian women between 2003 and 2013. Methods This analysis utilized combined data from the 2003, 2008 and 2013 cross-sectional Nigerian Demographic Health Surveys, resulting in a sample size of 54,873 currently married women. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between trends in unmet need for spacing and limiting, and the demographic, socioeconomic, and reproductive profiles of the respondents. Results Women in 2008 were 30% more likely to have an unmet need for spacing, relative to women in 2013. Despite these significant declines in unmet need to space fertility between 2008 and 2013, the adjusted results show that between 2003 and 2013, there was no significant change in the trends in unmet need to space fertility. Unmet need to limit fertility was significantly higher in 2003, adjusted, and 2008 relative to 2013. Younger, low-parity, Muslim women were significantly less likely than older, high-parity, non-Muslim women to have an unmet need to limit fertility. Women residing in the northeast and northwest of the country were significantly less likely than women residing in the south of the country to have an unmet need to limit fertility. Women whose most recent child had died were significantly less likely to have an unmet need to space and limit fertility. Conclusions These data suggest that interventions to increase the knowledge of modern contraceptives, to reduce child mortality, and to improve women's decision-making power would all serve to increase demand for contraceptives, even in areas with high-fertility preferences. Implications Nigeria has set a goal of a 36% contraceptive prevalence rate by 2018. With a current contraceptive prevalence rate of 15% reaching the additional 16% of women, who have articulated a demand for contraception, will almost reach that goal. Contraceptive use directly reduces maternal risk; implementing interventions to increase demand for contraception and meeting articulated demands for contraception would not only support women's (and men's) ability to realize their reproductive rights but also, ultimately, may reduce the burden of maternal deaths in Nigeria.
A Distributed Communication Architecture for Dynamic Multiagent Systems

We investigate the problem of creating a robust, rapidly converging, Distributed Communication Architecture (DCA) for the domain of low bandwidth, single channel Multiagent Systems (MAS) in which agents may drop in and out of communication without prior notification. There are only three capability-based assumptions made by the algorithm: 1) agents can classify a signal's message as either noise, silence, or clarity, 2) agents can classify their own messages, and 3) agents can understand one another to some degree. The final structure allows agents to communicate in a round-robin manner without any centralized or hierarchical control. We evaluate DCA's the convergence rate through four distinct experiments, including both a worst-case scenario that consists of all agents starting simultaneously and a more common-case scenario in which agents offset their starting times. We examine effective throughput as the average number of clearly sent messages in a cycle to determine the amount of information successfully communicated. Lastly, we emulate situations found in problems with moving agents to show that agents who incorporate local observations can improve both their convergence rates and throughput.
Fractures in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

1. Ninety-two patients with cerebral palsy and 134 fractures were studied during the past ten years at Sonoma State Hospital, Eldridge, California. 2. One hundred thirty-one of the 134 fractures united. 3. Pre-existent contracture of contiguous joints was the factor most consistently associated with fracture, a finding which provides yet another reason for prevention and early correction of contractures. 4. Closed treatment, modified according to the individual patient's needs, is most efficacious.
Fetal nasal bone length in euploid and aneuploid fetuses between 11 and 20 weeks' gestation: A prospective study

Objective To develop normative data for nasal bone length between 11 and 20 weeks' gestation and to assess the utility of nasal bone hypoplasia in the detection of fetal aneuploidy in the second trimester. Methods Well-dated, nonanomalous fetuses were examined between 11 and 20.9 weeks' gestation. The nasal bone was assessed and measured, and normative data from 11 to 20 weeks' gestation were determined. The nasal bone lengths in fetuses with confirmed aneuploidy were compared with the normative data. Results The fetal nasal bone length increased linearly with advancing gestational age. Nomograms including the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles were created. Nasal bone hypoplasia was seen in 6 of 6 cases of fetal trisomy in the second trimester. Conclusions Nasal bone hypoplasia in the early second trimester identifies a cohort of fetuses at high risk for aneuploidy.
Cooperative effective coverage control using dynamic sensor networks with guaranteed collision avoidance and network connectivity

This paper studies the problem of dynamically covering a given region D in R2 using a set of N mobile sensor agents. The coverage goal is to sample each point in the mission domain to a desired preset level. It is crucial in many dynamic coverage missions that the vehicles retain communication connectivity to guarantee reliable wireless communication links between neighboring agents, while avoiding the risk of collisions. In this paper, dynamic coverage control strategies developed by the author in previous publications are modified to guarantee collision avoidance and network connectivity. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate the main ideas.
Hugo Steinhaus — A Reminiscence and a Tribute

(1974). Hugo Steinhaus — A Reminiscence and a Tribute. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 81, No. 6, pp. 572-581.
Cicada-mimicking stink bug Peromatus notatus

If you have a photograph of an insect you would like to have considered for American Entomologists’s Featured Insects series, please email it as a 300 dpi TIFF to the editor at cdarwin@aol.com. Submitted by Kristiina Hurme and Chuck Smith Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, 75 N. Eagleville Rd., Unit 3043, Storrs, CT 06269. Cicada-mimicking stink bug Peromatus notatus
Rules and Guidelines for Improving the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Coordination Process for Buildings

The coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems has become a major challenge for complex buildings and industrial plants. The coordination process involves locating equipment and routing connecting elements for each system to avoid physical interferences. For the past several years the MEP coordination has involved sequentially comparing and overlaying drawings from multiple trades, in which representatives from each MEP trade work together to detect, and eliminate spatial and functional interferences between MEP systems. This multidiscipline effort is time-consuming and expensive. With the recent development of Building Information Modeling (BIM) this process is now able to evolve with the software technology; however, the software technology available today is limited to performing geometric clash detection. Based on observational research, this paper recommends a process for performing MEP coordination and describes how rules and guidelines can improve the MEP coordination process in buildings using BIM software.
STUDY ON REGIONAL DIFFERENCE AND SPATIAL DISPLACEMENT OF CROPPING-LIVESTOCK SYSTEM IN YANGTZE DELTA PLAIN

Production structure adjustment is the key point of agricultural and rural development in China at present and in the future, in order to raise agricultural benefit and farmers income, as well as to accomplish sustainable agriculture development and ensure the mid - long - term food security. However, the structure adjustment and system optimization should be based on the integral understanding of the agricultural production system, and its regularity of systematic structural evolution. For such reasons, the author considered Yangtze delta plain, which was the most developed farming region in China, as an example. Comprehensive investigations were conducted on the agricultural production from 1980 to 1997 in 70 counties of this region. The data were collected from literature, questionnaires to experts and farm households, on - site investigation and field experiments. With the comprehensive evaluation system based on GIS, the regional differences and spatial dispositions were analyzed for cropping - livestock system in Yangtze delta plain. The results showed that it was very effective to analyze the spatial structure with the evaluation system, and that there was notable spatial hierarchic difference in Yangtze delta plain. Meanwhile, there was notable spatial structural displacement of cropping-livestock system, and that agricultural production center had transferred to the northern region and southern region of Yangtze delta plain. Cotton, wheat and corn cropping was concentrated in region I, pig and poultry raising was concentrated in region I and the north - east of region II. The spatial disposition of agricultural production prevailed with a trend of regional specialization production in Yangtze delta plain.
A New Kind of Digital Integration Algorithm for Current Transformer of Rogowski Coil

Integrator is the key link of current transformer( CT) of Rogowski coil,but it is hard to reach high veracity of analog integrator due to affects of various factors while there are great cumulative errors in digital integration algorithm. Therefore,a kind of newdigital integration algorithm was designed to replace traditional analog integrator to be applied in CT of Rogowski coil so as to improve current measuring veracity. Negative feedback control was used to reduce direct current( DC) components in processing Al-Alaoui digital integration algorithm signals,improve lowfrequency response and effectively solve problems of DC drift of signals and affect of initial value of integration which was suitable for integration of Rogowski coil. Simulation and experiment indicates that compared with analog integrator,steady-state characteristic,transient characteristic and influence of temperature changes of DC of Rogowski coil are obviously improved by using this newdigital integration algorithm.
Analysis of epidemic characteristics of HIV/AIDS in Zongyang county,2005-2011

Objective To investigate the epidemic characteristics of AIDS in Zongyang county,and provide scientific basis for the prevention and control measures of HIV/AIDS.Methods Reported HIV/ AIDS cases were selected for epidemiological analysis from 2005 to 2011 in Zongyang county.Results AIDS epidemic was rising year by year.A total of 50 cases were reported from 2005 to 2011.Among these cases,young adults aged 20-49 accounted for 86%,farmers and migrant workers accounted for 76%,cases of junior middle(or lower) school accounted for 90%.The main route of infection was heterosexual transmission,accounting for 84%,MSM sexual transmission had an upward trend,accounting for 14%.Cases with local household registration accounted for 90%,preoperative detection and other attenders detection accounted for 48%.Conclusion The incidence rate of HIV/AIDS infection shows an increasing trend in Zongyang county.Sexual transmission is the main infection route and migrant workers are the high risk group.
Sport Management Internship Quality and the Development of Political Skill: A Conceptual Model

Internships are a key component of sport organizations and the sport management curriculum. Due to the vastness of internships both in academia and the sport profession, it is imperative to understand the effectiveness of internships for both the organization and the intern. While previous research has focused on quality control, the agency’s perspective of internships, the student’s perspective, and how to link the theory to practice, scholars have yet to examine the effects of sport management internships on the development of essential professional skills and/or attributes. Given the political nature of obtaining and keeping a job in the sport business, the purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model that allows the effectiveness of a sport management internship to be evaluated according to its effect on the political skill of interns. Understanding the internship as one component of the sport management curricula, the conceptual model links sport management students’ developmental experiences, and internship quality to the development of political skill, and three secondary outcomes (i.e., domain-specific self-efficacy, sport industry identification, and future employment intentions). In doing so a comprehensive method for evaluating the effectiveness of internships that prioritizes the student’s growth is offered.
Insurance as a Mitigator of Post-Hazard Economic Stress: Coverage and Exclusions

Insurance against specific hazards is another way to mitigate their economic impacts and reduce mental stress for the insured. Swiss Reinsurance data in 2015 show that natural disasters globally caused an average of US$180 billion of economic damage annually in the last decade, 70 % of which was uninsured. This is because the costs for insurance, if it is available for a hazard zone, is beyond the economic reach of a majority of the citizens in many less developed and developing countries. Insurance companies are lobbying for the installation of defenses against natural disasters such as floods and adherence to up to date building codes in order to keep increases in premiums to a minimum and profits to a maximum…that is the way of business. Insurance premiums with respect to natural and anthropogenic hazards are based on risk assessment analyses discussed earlier in the text. The cost of insurance where it is available for a given hazard, with or without exclusions or additional endorsements, will vary greatly between locations. Whether people will be willing to insure against a hazard and pay for it depends on several factors. Principal among these is the experience a person has had with hazards, the person’s property location with respect to a hazard zone and the reach of a hazard (e.g., of an earthquake, a flood, a wildfire). Additional among these factors are the codes according to which a structure was built, defense features, early warning systems (EWS), economic condition, and education (knowledge) about a hazard threat. An excellent reference to insurance for natural and anthropogenic disasters and secondary events is posted at http://www.insurance.ca.gov
Magnetic properties of nickel halide hydrates including deuteration effects

Abstract Magnetic measurements on variously hydrated nickel chlorides and bromides, including deuterated forms, are reported. Results include locations and sizes of susceptibility maxima, T max and χ max , ordering temperatures T c , Curie constants and Weiss theta in the paramagnetic regime, and primary and secondary exchange interactions from analysis of low temperature data. For the latter a 2D Heisenberg model augmented by interlayer exchange in a mean-field approximation is applied. Magnetization data to 16 kG as a function of temperature show curvature and hysteresis characteristics quite system dependent. For four materials high field magnetization data to 70 kG at 2.00 K are also obtained. Comparison is made with theoretical relations for spin-1 models. Trends are apparent, primarily that T max of each bromide hydrate is less than for the corresponding chloride, and that for a given halide n D 2 O ( n =1 or 2) deuterates exhibit lesser T max than do nH 2 O hydrates. A monoclinic unit cell determined from powder X-ray diffraction data on NiBr 2 ·2D 2 O is different from and slightly larger than that of NiBr 2 ·2H 2 O. This provides some rationale for the difference in magnetic properties between these.