cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a software product line for affective-driven self-adaptive systems

One expected characteristic in modern systems is self-adaptation, the capability of monitoring and reacting to changes into the environment. A particular case of self-adaptation is affective-driven self-adaptation. Affective-driven self-adaptation is about having consciousness of user’s affects (emotions) and drive self-adaptation reacting to changes in those affects. Most of the previous work around self-adaptive systems deals with performance, resources, and error recovery as variables that trigger a system reaction. Moreover, most effort around affect recognition has been put towards offline analysis of affect, and to date only few applications exist that are able to infer user’s affect in real-time and trigger self-adaptation mechanisms. In response to this deficit, this work proposes a software product line approach to jump-start the development of affect-driven self-adaptive systems by offering the definition of a domain-specific architecture, a set of components (organized as a framework), and guidelines to tailor those components. Study cases with systems for learning and gaming will confirm the capability of the software product line to provide desired functionalities and qualities.
Achievement at Whose Expense? A Literature Review of Test-Based Grade Retention Policies in U.S. Schools.

The author uses Maxwell's method of literature reviews for educational research to focus on literature relevant to test-based grade retention policies to make the following argument: although some studies have documented average gains in academic achievement through test-based grade retention, there is increasing evidence that these gains have occurred by limiting the educational opportunities for the most vulnerable of students. The author begins by briefly synthesizing research on high-stakes testing policies and teacher-based retention in general and then examines studies that have evaluated specific test-based retention policies in Chicago, Florida, New York City, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin, and Louisiana. Drawing on Bourdieu and Passeron's concept of reproduction in education, the author shows how testing policies have contributed to class selection and exclusion in U.S. schools. Short-term gains produced by test-based retention policies fade over time with students again falling behind but with a larger likelihood of dropping out of school. These unintended consequences are most prevalent among ethnic minority and impoverished students. The author concludes by providing alternatives for ending social promotion that do not include grade retention as well as suggestions for further researching the role such policies play in perpetuating class inequities.
Computational Nanoelectronics Research and Education at nanoHUB.org

The simulation tools and resources available at nanoHUB.org offer significant opportunities for both re- search and education in computational nanoelectronics. Users can run simulations on existing powerful computa- tional tools rather than developing yet another niche simu- lator. The worldwide visibility of nanoHUB provides tool authors with an unparalleled venue for publishing their tools. We have deployed a new quantum transport simu- lator, OMEN, a state-of-the-art research tool, as the engine driving two tools on nanoHUB.
E2K: evolution to knowledge

Simulink [8] has become a reference framework to accurately design, simulate, implement, and test control, signal processing, communications, and other time-varying systems. A key element of its success is a simple visual programming approach. It allows users to create targeted designs by reusing basic building-block functionalities and graphically creating a flow of execution among them. Users just need to focus on the target problem, not being disturbed by implementation details. Few attempts have been conducted in the evolutionary computation community to provide such a framework that allows beginners and researchers to share a common ground that allow them to deploy and quickly reuse the basic components of evolutionary algorithms. Evolvica [1] was a first effort to push toward this endeavor. Developed at Technical University of Ilmenau, it provided a first attempt to create a visual programming oriented framework. The last Evolvica release dates back to July 2004. Other tools such as ECJ [7] and Open BEAGLE [2] have been more oriented to cover researchers' needs than to create such an integration framework.
Regulation of the ldhA gene, encoding the fermentative lactate dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli.

The fermentative lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of Escherichia coli is induced by low pH under anaerobic conditions. Both translational and transcriptional gene fusions to ldhA, which encodes the fermentative LDH, have now been made. Both types of ldhA–lacZ fusion were induced by low pH, but only in the absence of air. However, the translational fusions were consistently expressed at a five- to tenfold higher level than the transcriptional fusions, perhaps implying some post-transcriptional effect on ldhA expression. Introduction of arcB::Kan decreased expression of both translational and transcriptional ldhA–lacZ fusions by three- to fivefold. Disruption of mlc, which encodes a repressor of several genes of the phosphotransferase system, almost abolished expression of ldhA. Disruption of csrA caused a moderate drop in expression of both operon and protein ldhA fusions, whereas insertional inactivation of csrB or glgA had the opposite effect. These effects are probably indirect, resulting from alterations in sugar accumulation versus storage. Mutations in ptsG, cra, fnr, narL, rpoS, osmZ, appY, ack/pta, aceEF, pfl and ldhA had no effect on expression of the ldhA fusions. ldhA was not induced by the membrane-permeant weak acid benzoate, implying that it does not respond to the internal pH directly. Little pH induction was seen during growth on glycerol plus fumarate, suggesting that products of sugar fermentation are necessary for acid induction. Addition of succinate, acetate or lactate had no effect on ldhA expression. In contrast, pyruvate caused a two- to fourfold increase in expression of ldhA–lacZ. This accords with the idea that increased sugar metabolism indirectly induces ldhA.
Chromosome abnormalities in older women by maternal age : evaluation of regression-derived rates in chorionic villus biopsy specimens

Maternal age-specific rates of chromosome abnormalities in women undergoing chorionic villus sampling (CVS) were evaluated. These were rates derived from regression equations of the form rate = ln(b[age] + c) where age varied from 35 to 48 years; and b and c are parameters. For Down syndrome (47, + 21), b = 0.29 and c = -15.53; for other nonmosaic abnormalities, b = 0.25 and c = -14.11; and, for all abnormalities, b = 0.27 and c = -14.22. The predicted rates per 1,000 varied, respectively, from 4.2, 4.6, and 8.8 at age 35 years to 180.0, 120.0, and 300.0 at age 48 years. The predicted numbers of abnormalities were compared with those observed in an overlapping data set reported in the literature. For 47, + 21, the ratio of observed (O) to expected (E) numbers was 54/56.4 = 0.96, suggesting that these rates are at least not grossly erroneous. For non-47, + 21 chromosome abnormalities, the ratio of O to E was 66/51.1 = 1.29. The possibility of geographic variation in rates of non-47, + 21 chromosome abnormalities cannot be dismissed. Finally, if 1) the regression derived rates are correct, 2) there is no difference in selective loss of chromosome abnormalities between younger and older mothers, and 3) the ratio of rates at ages 35 and 40 years to those in the women of all ages are the same for all abnormalities at CVS as for 47, + 21 in live births, then the proportion of all women with viable conceptuses at time of CVS who have an embryo or fetus with cytogenetic abnormality is 3.8-4.4 per 1,000 conceptuses.
Configuration of Precambrian Rocks in Southeastern New York and Adjacent New England from Aeromagnetic Data

Two aeromagnetic anomalies of regional extent outline two previously unknown buried masses of highly magnetic, probably Precambrian, rocks in southeastern New York and adjacent Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The northern mass extends northeastward from Albany, New York, to Bennington, Vermont, where it appears to be buried beneath weakly magnetic Precambrian rocks of the Green Mountains. The southern mass extends north-northeastward from Beacon, New York, through Stissing Mountain, to Copake, New York, and appears to be the buried northeast extension of the Reading Prong. The shape of the Beacon-Copake magnetic anomaly indicates that the source is near the surface and has a sharp boundary, probably a fault, on its northwestern side; the shape also indicates that the source becomes deeply buried to the southeast and thus supports a parautochthonous interpretation for the northern part of the Reading Prong. In southwestern Massachusetts, the highly magnetic Beacon-Copake mass appears to be overstepped on the east by a buried slice of weakly magnetic Precambrian rocks which, in turn, is overstepped on the east by imbricate slices of weakly magnetic Precambrian rocks exposed along the western front of the Berkshire Highlands. Precambrian rocks exposed in the Green Mountains, the Berkshire and Housatonic Highlands, the eastern part of the Hudson Highlands, and the Manhattan Prong have a remarkably lower amplitude magnetic pattern than those in the Adirondack Mountains and the Reading Prong. This difference in magnetic character appears to represent more than different thicknesses of Precambrian rocks and may reflect a different sequence of Precambrian rocks to the east, a lower grade of Precambrian metamorphism to the east, or possibly a reduction in magnetite content in the eastern Precambrian rocks because of Paleozoic metamorphism.
Kinetic typography-based instant messaging

Kinetic Typography, text whose appearance changes over time, is emerging as a new form of expression due to its ability to add emotional content to text. We explored the potential for kinetic typography to improve the way people communicate over the Internet using Instant Messaging (IM). Our Kinetic Instant Messenger (KIM) builds upon applications for rendering and editing kinetic typography effects and addresses several design issues that spring from integrating kinetic typography and IM.
Software reliability model with optimal selection of failure data

The possibility of obtaining more accurate predictions of future failures by excluding or giving lower weight to the earlier failure counts is suggested. Although data aging techniques such as moving average and exponential smoothing are frequently used in other fields, such as inventory control, the author did not find use of data aging in the various models surveyed. A model that includes the concept of selecting a subset of the failure data is the Schneidewind nonhomogeneous Poisson process (NHPP) software reliability model. In order to use the concept of data aging, there must be a criterion for determining the optimal value of the starting failure count interval. Four criteria for identifying the optimal starting interval for estimating model parameters are evaluated The first two criteria treat the failure count interval index as a parameter by substituting model functions for data vectors and optimizing on functions obtained from maximum likelihood estimation techniques. The third uses weighted least squares to maintain constant variance in the presence of the decreasing failure rate assumed by the model. The fourth criterion is the familiar mean square error. It is shown that significantly improved reliability predictions can be obtained by using a subset of the failure data. The US Space Shuttle on-board software is used as an example. >
Structural phase transitions and their analogues in liquid crystals

The role of symmetry in determining classical or non-classical behavior at structural phase changes is compared with phase changes in liquid crystals. Structural transitions in the smectic B phase of liquid crystals are also discussed.
The risk of cardiac death in heart transplant recipients with and without angiographically detected coronary vasculopathy

lesions with MIT 0.5mm at 1 year and baseline MIT 0.5mm. Results: The mean donor age was 29.6 12.7 years. 197 segments from 89 (30%) hearts had DL. The mean increase in MIT at DL was 55% less than in segments without DL (Table 1). At 1 year, 16% of hearts with DL exhibited progression of DL ( MIT 0.5mm), 6% had a decrease 0.5mm in MIT and 8% developed NL. The incidence of NL was similar in the arteries with and without DL (9.4% vs 12.2%, p 0.5). In the arteries with DL, the development of NL was similar in those arteries with and without progression of DL (14.3% vs 8.5%, p 0.6). Conclusion: At 1 year after OHT, DL do not act as a nidus for further intimal growth. The presence of a DL does not accelerate the development of NL elsewhere in the same artery. DL may impede compensatory positive remodeling as intimal thickening progresses.
Determination of Left Ventricular Preload and Afterload by Quantitative Echocardiography in Man

Left ventricular circumferential wall stress at end-diastole (preload) and at the end of isovolumic left ventricular contraction (afterload) was calculated in 48 subjects with chronic myocardial and valvular heart disease by using left ventricular internal dimensions and wall thickness measured by quantitative echocardiography, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and aortic end-diastolic pressure. These calculations were then compared with similar determinations made using quantitative angiocardiography. Left ventricular preload and afterload determined by quantitative echocardiography and quantitative angiocardiography correlated significantly (r = 0.978 and 0.864, respectively). Left ventricular preloads of 30 x 103 dynes/cm2 in subjects with mitral stenosis and 39 x 103 dynes/cm2 in subjects with coronary artery disease unassociated with left ventricular dysfunction or mitral regurgitation were close to or within the normal range (32 x 103 ± 4 x 103 dynes/cm2). Left ventricular preload in subjects...
Tuning responsiveness and structural integrity of a pH responsive hydrogel using a poly(ethylene glycol) cross-linker

Stimulus responsive hydrogels have received considerable attention due to their ability to exhibit reversible volumetric changes in response to external stimuli. The shrinkage or expansion of a hydrogel often results in irreversible structural failure, but limited efforts have been made to resolve the challenge of hydrogel fracture. This study presents that the number (FM) of cross-linkers and the molecular weight (Mw) of the cross-linkers play critical roles determining the responsiveness and the structural integrity of a hydrogel exposed to external stimuli. A pH-responsive hydrogel was prepared by cross-linking poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) with bis-acrylamide (Bis) or poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) of varying Mw. The deswelling rate of the hydrogel incubated in an acidic medium was solely controlled by the number of elastically effective cross-links (N) which was increased with FM and Mw of the cross-linker. The structural integrity of the hydrogel during a volumetric change was dependent on the work to fracture and the deswelling rate, which was tuned with the Mw of the cross-linker. These critical roles of cross-linkers in mediating the elastic response and the structural integrity of the hydrogel were further related to the ability of cross-linkers of different Mw to self-organize. Ultimately, the results of this study will be highly useful to tuning performance of a wide array of stimulus responsive hydrogels.
The Role of Existential Meaning as a Buffer Against Stress.

An ethnically diverse sample of 143 college undergraduates was used to test the hypothesis that a sense of existential meaning buffers against the effect of stress on depression and hope. Spiritual meaning as measured by the Spiritual Meaning Scale and personal meaning as measured by the framework subscale from the Life Regard Index-Revised were significantly negatively correlated with depressive symptoms and positively correlated with hope. Spiritual meaning, but not personal meaning, moderated the relationship between stress and depression such that there was a strong relationship between depression and stress for individuals with low levels of spiritual meaning but no relationship between stress and depression for individuals with high levels of spiritual meaning. It appears that, though both spiritual and personal meaning are inversely related to depression and positively related to hope, only spiritual meaning moderates the relationship between daily stress and depression.
Diagnostic Test Set Minimization and Full-Response Fault Dictionary

We minimize a given test set without loss of diagnostic resolution in full-response fault dictionary. An integer linear program (ILP), formulated from fault simulation data, provides ultimate reduction of test vectors while preserving fault coverage and pair-wise distinguishability of faults. The complexity of the ILP is made manageable by two innovations. First, we define a generalized independence relation between pairs of faults to reduce the number of fault pairs that need to be distinguished. This significantly reduces the number of ILP constraints. Second, we propose a two-phase ILP approach. In the first phase, using an existing procedure, we select a minimal detection test set. In the second phase, additional tests are selected for the undiagnosed faults using a newly formulated diagnostic ILP. The overall minimized test set may be only slightly longer than a one-step ILP optimization, but has advantages of reducing the minimization problem complexity and the test time required by the minimized tests. Benchmark results show potential for significantly smaller diagnostic test sets.
Characterization of Scientific Workloads on Systems with Multi-Core Processors

Multi-core processors are planned for virtually all next-generation HPC systems. In a preliminary evaluation of AMD Opteron Dual-Core processor systems, we investigated the scaling behavior of a set of micro-benchmarks, kernels, and applications. In addition, we evaluated a number of processor affinity techniques for managing memory placement on these multi-core systems. We discovered that an appropriate selection of MPI task and memory placement schemes can result in over 25% performance improvement for key scientific calculations. We collected detailed performance data for several large-scale scientific applications. Analyses of the application performance results confirmed our micro-benchmark and scaling results.
Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Lipophilic Antitumor Platinum(II) Complexes

Abstract A series of highly lipophilic platinum(II) complexes of the type [Pt(OCOR)2(A)] or [Pt(OCOR)2(A')2]. where R = a highly branched or long chain alkyl group of 4-13 carbons, A = lR,2R-diaminocyclo-hexane, cis-I,2-diaminocyclohexane, l,l-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane or ethylenediamine and A' = neopentylamine or cyclopentylamine, has been synthesized. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic techniques [IR, t3C and 195Pt NMR].
Marketing the Modern: Department Stores, Consumer Culture, and the New Middle Class in Interwar Japan

From its origins in the industrial fairs and emporiums of the 1870s and 1880s, the department store, by the 1920s, had become a fixture of the modern cityscape and a key agent for the cultural production of the new middle class in Japan. Central to this role was the equation of the department store with the culture of consumption that became one of the hallmarks of the Taishō (1912–1926) and Shōwa (1926–1989) periods. In their search for a growing mass market, department stores worked to commodify and modernize the material culture of everyday life. In the process they sold a vision of the modern defined as the totality of consumer products available at their stores. The cultural authority of the department store assured the spread of this particular definition in the 1920s and 1930s, supplanting earlier ideas that embodied modernity in such things as parliamentary government, railroads, and a colonial empire. In other words, department stores shaped an idea of the modern that associated it with the daily practices of private life rather than the public institutions of the nation-state and industrial capitalism.For a discussion of this earlier concept of the modern, see Carol Gluck, Japan's Modern Myths: Ideology in the Late Meiji Period (Princeton, 1985).
Millimeter-wave network analysis using nonlinear transmission lines

We report systems for network measurements at millimeter-wave frequencies. Active probes are used for on-wafer measurements to approximately 150 GHz. The active probes incorporate monolithic GaAs mm-wave network analysis circuits (comprising a nonlinear transmission line stimulus signal generator and a directional sampling circuit) and low-loss, rugged quartz coplanar-waveguide probe tips. Wideband transmitter and receiver integrated circuits interfaced to frequency-independent antennas, are used for free-space transmission measurements to approximately 250 GHz. >
Comparison Between the ASME Code NB-3600 Piping Design Branch Connection Stress Analyses and Finite Element Analyses

Stresses in Class 1 branch connections that consist of large bore run pipe with a reinforced branch nozzle should rarely be limited by the run–branch interface stresses. The end of the “branch nozzle – branch pipe” interface is the location on the branch nozzle one would expect to see the limiting stress. Therefore, it is important that reasonable Design Rules are maintained in the ASME Code Section III for the stress analyses of the Class 1 Piping branch connections to avoid over-predicting the “run pipe - branch nozzle” interface stresses. This will allow the analysts to concentrate on load reductions needed in a logical manner.In Class 1 Piping Design, the calculation of the branch total stress due to the moments is the result of the sum of the stresses from the run moment and of the stresses from the branch moment with these branch moment stresses being calculated using either the branch pipe cross-section or the branch nozzle cross-section. This in itself is already severe, when compared with other Piping Design Rules for branch connections. In addition, starting with the ASME Code year 2002, the branch-side moment stress is based exclusively on the branch pipe cross-section, which leads to a higher moment stress, and this higher moment stress is still absolutely added to the run-side moment stress. As indicated in that ASME Code year 2002 and beyond, this addition is independent of the length of the branch nozzle reinforcement. This leads to total moment stresses that are the sums of moment stresses that do not occur at all at the same location.The purpose of this technical paper is to compare a) the stresses calculated with the earlier more correct Class 1 Piping methodology from 2001 and before 2001; b) the stresses calculated with the more recent and more severe Class 1 Piping methodology; and c) the stresses from finite-element analyses.Conclusions are provided on what should be done for the future Class 1 Piping Design methodology of branch connections.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
An encodable lanthanide binding tag with reduced size and flexibility for measuring residual dipolar couplings and pseudocontact shifts in large proteins

Metal ions serve important roles in structural biology applications from long-range perturbations seen in magnetic resonance experiments to electron-dense signatures in X-ray crystallography data; however, the metal ion must be secured in a molecular framework to achieve the maximum benefit. Polypeptide-based lanthanide-binding tags (LBTs) represent one option that can be directly encoded within a recombinant protein expression construct. However, LBTs often exhibit significant mobility relative to the target molecule. Here we report the characterization of improved LBTs sequences for insertion into a protein loop. These LBTs were inserted to connect two parallel alpha helices of an immunoglobulin G (IgG)-binding Z domain platform. Variants A and B bound Tb(3+) with high affinity (0.70 and 0.13 μM, respectively) and displayed restricted LBT motion. Compared to the parent construct, the metal-bound A experienced a 2.5-fold reduction in tag motion as measured by magnetic field-induced residual dipolar couplings and was further studied in a 72.2 kDa complex with the human IgG1 fragment crystallizable (IgG1 Fc) glycoprotein. The appearance of both pseudo-contact shifts (-0.221 to 0.081 ppm) and residual dipolar couplings (-7.6 to 14.3 Hz) of IgG1 Fc resonances in the IgG1 Fc:(variant A:Tb(3+))2 complex indicated structural restriction of the LBT with respect to the Fc. These studies highlight the applicability of improved LBT sequences with reduced mobility to probe the structure of macromolecular systems.
Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Quality Control

Mitochondrial biogenesis is a complex process that facilitates an increase in mitochondrial content to meet cellular energy demands. The large majority of proteins needed for this task are encoded in the nucleus, while the mitochondrial genome encodes for just 13 gene products. Nevertheless, mitochondrial-encoded proteins are essential for organelle function. Therefore, a delicate coordination of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial protein synthesis is needed. Furthermore, protein products from the nucleus and mitochondria must be targeted to specific sub-compartments within the organelle, where they assemble into multi-subunit complexes essential for cellular respiration. Mitochondrial DNA replication and lipid synthesis are also coordinately regulated to generate a proportional increase in the mitochondrial mass. As mitochondrial content increases, mitochondrial fission is needed to distribute the increased bioenergetic capacity throughout the cell. Mitochondrial division also serves to isolate damaged regions of the organelle that can be targeted for mitophagy. Mitochondrial fusion promotes mixing of DNA, protein, and lipid content within the mitochondrial network and counteracts fragmentation, thereby preventing additional damage and associated cell death. Several physiological factors stimulate transcriptional elements that govern mitochondrial proliferation. Often, these signals enhance mitochondrial biogenesis, but quality control measures are needed to prevent the propagation of deleterious mitochondria.
Physostigmine in Alzheimer’s Disease

Medical illnesses of the aging community in the United States are a major public health concern because of current life expectancy. In 1990, approximately 12.5% of the U.S. population was over the age of 65. By 2040 this will increase to approximately 22%. Recent community surveys indicate that as much as 10% of the over age 65 population are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Evans et al. 1989), the most prevalent form of dementia. All prevalence studies indicate a marked increase in AD with aging with the proportion of individuals afflicted with this disease approximately doubling with every five-year epoch after the age of 65.
Abstract W P123: Associations of Temperature and Average Dew Point With Stroke Hospitalizations and Mortality

Background: Some studies suggest meteorological factors may affect stroke incidence and mortality, but results are inconsistent. We investigated the effects of average annual temperature, daily temperature fluctuation, and average dew point on ischemic stroke hospitalizations and mortality in a nationally representative sample from the United States. Methods: Ischemic stroke hospitalizations (ICD-9 433, 434, 436) were identified for those ≥18 years of age from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2009-2010. Temperature and dew point data were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center and linked to stroke discharges at the county level. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between meteorological variables and stroke hospitalization and in-hospital mortality, adjusting for region, season, and patient demographics and comorbidities. Results: We identified 134,510 ischemic stroke hospitalizations (mean age 72 ± 14 years). In unadjusted analyses, each 1°F increase in average te...
Spatial distribution of nonlinear interactions in subthalamic nucleus local field potentials in Parkinson'S disease

Abnormally synchronized neural oscillations within the subthalamic nucleus have been proposed as a contributor to the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Recent studies have demonstrated phase-amplitude coupling between beta rhythms and high frequency oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus in unmedicated Parkinsonian patients. However, the nature of this coupling remains unclear. In this study, we first show the presence of nonlinear interactions between different frequency bands of oscillations. Then, we demonstrate that the amplitude of spatially localized high frequency activity is phase coupled with widespread beta oscillations within the subthalamic nucleus.
Note on the Biology of Rice Water Weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus

The small size and aquatic habits of the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, make observation difficult and, consequently, led early observers to make partially erroneous assumptions concerning the oviposition activity of the female and the location of the 1st-stage larvae. Early investigators reported that the female rice water weevil placed the egg longitudinally in the roots of the rice plant (Tucker 1912, Webb 1914, Ingram 1927, Isley and Schwardt 1930). The eggs reportedly hatched, and the larvae fed within the roots. This observation was partially correct, and the assumption was logical as the adults actually spend considerable time crawling around the base of the plant and sometimes enter the soil by crawling down the roots. In addition, 1st-stage larvae are frequently found in the roots. However, recent studies have shown that the eggs are inserted primarily (98.5%) in the submerged leaf sheath (Grigarick and Beards 1965, Everett 1965, Everett and Trahan 1967). Newly hatched larvae reportedly feed for a time in the leaf sheath and then crawl down the plant and enter the roots (Grigarick and Beards 1965). My recent observation confirms these reports with the exception that after hatching, the larvae apparently leave the exit hole and move by gravity through the water to the soil and roots. This observation agrees with Kuschel's (1951) statement that “the larva is ectophytic and because of the absence of locomotive appendages—which the dorsal spines replace very imperfectly—as in all members of the family, it can only move very slowly and in a dense medium like the mud of ponds.” Thus, the 1st-stage larvae are outside the plant and soil for a short time, and during this period the insect is in the most vulnerable stage in its life cycle.
ISOLATED MITRAL REGURGITATION IN THE POPULATION: PREVALENCE AND OUTCOMES

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most frequent valve disease but the burden, clinical descriptors and outcome of isolated MR are unknown. Detected cases of isolated (no other left-sided valve disease or previous valve surgery) MR in an entire community (Olmsted County, MN) over 10 years. Among 29,
Misconceptions, diagnostic challenges and treatment opportunities in bioprosthetic valve thrombosis: lessons from a case series

OBJECTIVES: Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis (BPVT) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Current guidelines favour surgery or thrombolysis as initial treatment. We set forth to characterize timing, diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies in BPVT. METHODS: A free-text search tool was used to identify patients diagnosed with BPVT at Mayo Clinic between 1997 and 2013. We compared patients treated initially with vitamin K antagonists (VKA group; N = 15) versus surgery/thrombolysis (non-VKA group; N = 17). RESULTS: Peak incidence of BPVT was 13–24 months after implantation in both groups. VKA and surgery/thrombolysis decreased prosthetic mean gradients to a similar extent (VKA group: 13 ± 5 to 6 ± 2 mmHg in mitral position, 9 ± 3 to 5 ± 1 mmHg in tricuspid position and 39 ± 3 to 24 ± 7 mmHg in aortic/pulmonary position; non-VKA group: 16 ± 12 to 5 ± 1 mmHg in mitral, 10 ± 5 to 4 ± 1 mmHg in tricuspid and 57 ± 9 to 18 ± 6 mmHg in aortic position; P = 0.59 for group effect). NYHA class improved in 11 of 15 patients in the VKA group and 10 of 17 patients in the non-VKA group (P = 0.39). There were no deaths, strokes or recognized embolic events; 1 patient in each group experienced gastrointestinal bleeding requiring transfusion. Index transthoracic echocardiogram formally identified BPVT in a minority of patients. CONCLUSIONS: BPVT may occur late after surgical implantation. VKA therapy resulted in haemodynamic and clinical improvement with minimal risk, and should be considered the first-line therapy in haemodynamically stable patients. Echocardiographic criteria for improving BPVT diagnosis are proposed.
THU0168 Serum14-3-3ETA Protein Differentiates Osteoarthritis from Inflammatory Arthritis

Background Tissue distribution of the chaperonin 14-3-3η (eta) is limited to synovial tissue and brain. Synovium releases proinflammatory 14-3-3η into synovial fluid and serum in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and, to a lesser extent, erosive psoriatic arthritis (ePsA) patients. Serum measurement aids RA diagnosis (sensitivity 64% in early RA and 77% in established RA), prognosis, and may have utility in assessing disease activity. 1,2 Differentiating RA or PsA from OA, or identifying inflammatory arthritis in the presence of co-existing OA can be difficult. Examination and traditional biomarkers may be insufficient, especially for physicians without specialized training and experience. Objectives The purpose of this study was to estimate the specificity of 14-3-3η among a cohort of subjects with physician confirmed osteoarthritis. Methods Subjects in the U.S.-based Arthritis Internet Registry (AIR) were surveyed by questionnaire. Physician and/or medical records were queried. Serum samples from subjects with physician confirmed diagnoses of osteoarthritis (n=166) were tested for CRP and rheumatoid factor (RF) by nephelometry, CCP by ELISA, and 14-3-3η by a proprietary laboratory-developed test (ELISA). Results Of 166 physician diagnosed OA subjects tested, 11 (6.6%; 95% CI 3.7% to 11.5%) were positive for 14-3-3η. However, 1 of the 11 had CRP 0.3 mg/dL, (normal, 250 Units (normal, 1200 IU/mL, CCP >250 Units, and 14-3-3η >20 ng/mL. Excluding the 3 subjects with subsequent diagnoses of RA or PsA, 8 of 163 OA subjects were 14-3-3η positive, or 4.9% (95% CI 2.5% to 9.4%). The specificity in OA subjects for 14-3-3η as a marker of inflammatory arthritis was 95.1% (95% CI 90.6% to 97.5%). Conclusions Serum 14-3-3η was positive in 6.6% of individuals with an initial physician diagnosis of OA, and 4.9% after exclusion of subjects with subsequent diagnoses of RA or PsA. We previously demonstrated a similarly low frequency of 14-3-3η in normal donors, several of whom had RF suggesting preclinical inflammatory disease. 1 In the present study, the low frequency of 14-3-3η in a cohort of individuals with OA supports the high specificity of 14-3-3η observed for RA. Further, 14-3-3η may be used to help identify RA or PsA patients amongst those being followed for OA. 14-3-3η may be particularly useful in the primary care setting to screen OA patients for misclassification of RA or PsA as OA, or for concurrent inflammatory arthritis in the setting of OA. References Maksymowych, et al. J Rheum 2014;41:2104-13. Maksymowych, et al. Clin Exp Rheum 2014;32(Suppl 85):S35-9. Disclosure of Interest S. Naides Employee of: Quest Diagnostics, O. Zhukov Employee of: Quest Diagnostics, J. Rivera Employee of: Quest Diagnostics, R. Abolhosn Employee of: Quest Diagnostics, C. Rowland Employee of: Quest Diagnostics, J. Popov Employee of: Quest Diagnostics, K. Michaud: None declared
How Are Information Seeking, Scanning, and Processing Related to Beliefs About the Roles of Genetics and Behavior in Cancer Causation?

Understanding that cancer is caused by both genetic and behavioral risk factors is an important component of genomic literacy. However, a considerable percentage of people in the United States do not endorse such multifactorial beliefs. Using nationally representative cross-sectional data from the U.S. Health Information National Trends Survey (N = 2,529), we examined how information seeking, information scanning, and key information-processing characteristics were associated with endorsing a multifactorial model of cancer causation. Multifactorial beliefs about cancer were more common among respondents who engaged in cancer information scanning (p = .001), were motivated to process health information (p = .005), and reported a family history of cancer (p = .0002). Respondents who reported having previous negative information-seeking experiences had lower odds of endorsing multifactorial beliefs (p = .01). Multifactorial beliefs were not associated with cancer information seeking, trusting cancer informat...
Update on Disorders of Sleep and the Sleep-Wake Cycle

Wakefulness and sleep are antagonistic states competing for the domain of brain activity. Non-REM sleep and REM sleep are different states of being, sustained by activity in brainstem nuclei, hypothalamus, basal forebrain, and thalamus. Such complex phenomenology is subject to many alterations grouped in the new International Classification of Sleep Disorders. The insomnias are the result of interacting psychosocial, psychophysiologic, neurodevelopmental, and medical factors. Proper perspective of each factor provides the clinical strategies to approach medically the symptom-complex of insomnia. The most common cause of daytime hypersomnia is chronic sleep deprivation. Obstructive sleep apnea responds to nasal CPAP, but the failure rate approaches 30%. In intolerant patients BiPAP and surgical remedies should be considered. Motor and behavioral abnormalities of sleep may be linked to REM sleep as in the REM sleep behavior disorder. Paroxysmal nocturnal dystonia and nocturnal wanderings may be associated with epilepsy. Intrusions of one state of being (wakefulness, non-REM sleep, and REM sleep) into another result in mixed, poorly defined, or only partially developed states. Dissociation of states may be responsible for confusional arousals, hallucinations, and cateplexy. Senile degeneration of the suprachiasmatic nuclei may underlie the circadian rhythm changes in old age and the "sundown" syndrome in demented patients. Misalignment of the hypothalamic pacemaker causes dysregulation of sleep-related physiologic and behavioral variables. Exposure to bright light retrains the pacemaker in night-shift workers, transmeridian travelers, and in patients with seasonal affective syndrome. Benzodiazepine compounds are very effective hypnotics, but should be used sparingly in the elderly to avoid falls, memory lapses, and aggravation of a preexisting sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep laboratory evaluations are indicated in patients with hypersomnia, suspected sleep apnea syndrome, motor-behavioral disorders of sleep, and in many individuals complaining of insomnia.
A Capability-Based View of Brand Management

Brands are assets that are intangible in nature. This provides companies with the potential to extract higher rents or prices from customers (Keller and Lehmann 2006). Key to building strong brands lies in the way firms manage their brands. This capability called brand management includes all the activities that firms undertake to develop and maintain brands (Low and Fullerton 1994). Brand managers are the ones who manage brands and hence become an important resource in developing brands. Brand management capability has developed from being an administrative function to a more strategic function (Rust et al. 2004; Low and Fullerton 1994). Merz et al. (2009) trace the development of brand management originating from individual goods-focus (Copeland 1923; Low and Fullerton 1994) to value-focus (Park et al. 1986), relationship-focus (Aaker 1992; Keller 1993), and finally toward stakeholder-focus. Relying on the knowledge or capability-based perspective (Barreto 2010; Cohen and Levinthal 1990; Helfat and Petraf 2009; Kogut 1988; Levinthal and March 1993), we argue that for effective brand management firms need to have certain capabilities and knowledge. The brand management capability of an organization is an operant resource (Vargo and Lusch 2004, 2008), which enables an organization to achieve competitive advantage (Grant 1996; Hunt and Morgan 1995; Challagalla et al. 2014) by creating strong brands. This capability and knowledge is an idiosyncratic and unique resource which is hard to imitate (Barney 1991) since it is a combination of several organizational and personnel characteristics. However, despite its importance, few studies have explored the antecedents of brand management capability within an organization. Using Complex Adaptive System Perspective (Grant 2003; Arikan 2010; Paswan and Tran 2012), we argue that brand management capability is developed through the interactions between the senior management, other internal managers, external stakeholders such as advertising agency and channel personnel, external environmental factors, and brand managers. The importance of this study is highlighted by the fact that marketing function, especially brand management, has come under a lot of criticism for the lack of objective financial measures to determine its value (Nath and Mahajan 2011; Srivastava et al. 1998). With increasing importance of brands and brand management (Keller and Lehmann 2006; De Chernatony and Cottam 2009, Cui et al. 2014), it is imperative to identify factors that facilitate the creation and management of strong brands. Finally, this study contributes to the increasing calls to view brand management function as an application of knowledge, contributing to the viewpoint of marketing resources being dynamic capabilities (Day 2014; Kozlenkova et al. 2014). The proposed framework will help firms that are lagging in one or more of the dimensions of brand management capability (i.e., organizational, human, or relational).
Annual dormancy cycle and influence of flooding in buried seeds of mudflat populations of the summer annual Leucospora multifida

AbstractDormant seeds of Leucospora multifida (Michx) Nutt. were used to determine: (1) temperature requirements for loss of dormancy; (2) if buried seeds undergo seasonal changes in their dormancy states; and (3) effects of flooding on dormancy loss and induction. Seeds came out of dormancy when buried at 5°C and 15/6°C for 12 weeks, but at 20/10°C, 25/15°C and 30/15°C, they gained the ability to germinate only at 30/15°C and 35/20°C. Seeds buried in soil and exposed to natural seasonal temperature changes under non-flooded conditions exhibited an annual conditional dormancy/non-dormancy cycle, being non-dormant in spring and early summer, and conditionally dormant in late summer and autumn. Non-dormant seeds required light for germination at all thermoperiods, and they did not germinate in light or darkness at 15/6°C. Flooding prevented non-dormant seeds from entering conditional dormancy in summer, and it prevented dormant seeds from coming out of dormancy in winter. However, if dormancy loss had start...
Abundance and Altitudinal Distribution of Ephemeroptera in a Rocky Mountain Stream

The nymphs of 29 species of Ephemeroptera representing six families were collected from rubble riffles in a Colorado stream system, from alpine tundra to the plains. Density ranged from 44 nymphs/m2 at the headwater site to 2,031 nymphs/m2 in the Foothills Limnological Zone. Heptageniidae comprised the majority of the mayflies at upstream sites and were numerically important at all but the plains location. Baetidae attained maximum diversity and relative abundance (62% of total mayflies) in the plains stream. Seven species of Ephemerella exhibited overlapping distribution patterns from 3109 m a.s.l to the plains.
More frequent showers and thunderstorm days under a warming climate: evidence observed over Northern Eurasia from 1966 to 2000

This study uses 3-hourly synoptic observations at 547 stations to examine changes in convective and non-convective precipitation days and their associations with surface air temperature and specific humidity over Northern Eurasia. We found that convective days (showers and those associated with thunder and lightning) have become more frequent possibly at the expense of non-convective ones for all seasons during the study period of 1966–2000. The mean trends for convective day fraction (total convective precipitation events divided by all precipitation events for each season) are very similar among all four seasons at around 0.61–0.76% per year averaged over the study region. The temperature and humidity associated with convective events are on average 2.4–5.6 °C and 0.4–0.9 g/kg higher than those of non-convective events, respectively. This study suggests that surface warming and moistening lead to increased tropospheric static instability, contributing to the observed trends.
Pollination reservoirs for wild bee habitat enhancement in cropping systems: a review

ABSTRACTPollinator-dependent growers seek alternative pollination models as pollination-security concerns grow. Pollination reservoirs, set-aside bee foraging areas, may offer growers a practical tool for increasing wild bee populations and decreasing reliance on managed bees. We review the literature on pollination reservoirs regarding a) effectiveness, b) reservoir-to-crop ratios, and c) costs and benefits. We discuss the relevant aspects of d) plant–pollinator relationships, e) landscape context, f) wild bees as pollinators, g) flower selection, and h) limitations. Recent research clearly suggests that pollination reservoirs can increase wild bee populations, crop yield, and profit. Last, we identify gaps that require additional research.
Induction chemotherapy with weekly cetuximab, carboplatin, and paclitaxel in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer: The University of Pennsylvania experience.

e16062 Background: Although Tax 324 demonstrated superior survival for induction docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (TPF) compared to PF in the management of locally advanced head and neck ca...