cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biocontrol on the edge: Field margin habitats in asparagus fields influence natural enemy-pest interactions

Abstract We evaluated pest and predator spatial distributions in relation to asparagus field margins, developed molecular gut content analysis methods for two key asparagus pests, and determined trophic links between the two pests and arthropod predators. Our results indicated that the abundance of natural enemies is higher outside asparagus fields than inside, and fields bordered by forests had higher numbers of predators compared to other types of field margins. We screened 3646 field-collected predators from 10 commercial asparagus fields using molecular gut content analysis in 2014 and 2015, and found that 29 arthropod families feed on the two key pests. Significantly more predators positive for the two key pests’ DNA were found in field margins in both years than inside the asparagus field. We highlight the potential significance of unmanaged field margins, particularly forested ones, in providing biocontrol services in agricultural fields.
Effect of turbulence intensity on PM emission of heavy duty diesel trucks - Wind tunnel studies

Abstract Stringent emission regulations have forced drastic technological improvements in diesel aftertreatment systems, particularly in reducing Particulate Matter (PM) emissions. The formation and evolution of PM from modern engines are more sensitive to overall changes in the dilution process, such as rapidity of mixing, background PM present in the air. These technological advancements were made in controlled laboratory environments compliant with measurement standards (i.e. Code of Federal Regulation CFR in the USA) and are not fully representative of real-world emissions from these engines or vehicles. In light of this, a specifically designed and built wind tunnel by West Virginia University (WVU) is used for the study of the exhaust plume of a heavy-duty diesel vehicle, providing a better insight in the dilution process and the representative nanoparticles emissions in a real-world scenario. The subsonic environmental wind tunnel is capable of accommodating a full-sized heavy-duty truck and generating wind speeds in excess of 50mph. A three-dimensional gantry system allows spanning the test section and sample regions in the plume with accuracy of less than 5 mm. The gantry system is equipped with engine exhaust gas analyzers and PM sizing instruments. The investigation involves three different heavy-duty Class-8 diesel vehicles representative of three emission regulation standards, namely a US-EPA 2007 compliant, a US-EPA 2010 compliant, and a baseline vehicle without any aftertreatment technologies as a pre US-EPA 2007, respectively. The testing procedure includes three different vehicle speeds: idling, 20mph, and 35mph. The vehicles were tested on WVU's medium-duty chassis dynamometer, with the load applied to the truck reflecting the road load equation at the corresponding vehicle test speeds. Wind tunnel wind speed and vehicle speed were maintained in close proximity to one another during the entire test. Results show that the cross-sectional plume area increases with increase in distance away from tailpipe. Also indicating the cooling and dilution of the exhaust begins at close vicinity to the tailpipe. The rate of cooling and dilution are greatest in early stages of the dilution process for the areas with high turbulence intensity (TI), where strong mixing phenomena occurs, leading to the formation of a predominant nucleation mode. On the other hand, the core of the plume observes a slower cooling and dilution rate. This difference is reflected in the PM formation and evolution of these two distinct regions, as shown by the particle size distributions and number concentrations. Continuous mixing will tend to mellow those differences, but its “final” result is related to the dilution history.
Single-limb landing biomechanics are altered and patellar tendinopathy related pain is reduced with acute infrapatellar strap application

Abstract Background Patellar tendinopathy, a common condition of the knee, is often treated with patellar tendon straps to control pain during dynamic activity. Little is known regarding their effect on pain, landing kinematics and kinetics with their application. The purpose of this study was to determine if patellar tendon straps influenced pain, kinematics at landing and ground reaction forces in individuals with patellar tendinopathy versus healthy controls. Methods Thirty participants with patellar tendinopathy and 30 controls participated. They completed single-limb landings with and without patellar tendon straps while pain, three-dimensional kinematics and vertical ground reaction forces were measured. A multivariate analysis of variance was completed to determine the differences in strapping condition and group for the dependent variables. Results Individuals with patellar tendinopathy demonstrated a significant decrease in pain (no strap=37.1±22.1mm (mean±SD), strap=28.0±18.5mm (mean±SD)). With the strap at landing all participants displayed less hip rotation ( F =7.16, p =.01), knee adduction ( F =10.20, p =.002), ankle inversion ( F =4.60, p =.04), and peak vertical ground reaction force ( F =7.30, p =.009). Conclusions Patellar tendon straps reduced pain in those with patellar tendinopathy. Additionally, with the strap, individuals landed in a more neutral alignment and decreased landing forces which could provide a benefit to those with patellar tendinopathy.
Watching Proteins Function with Time-resolved X-ray Crystallography.

Macromolecular crystallography was immensely successful in the last two decades. To a large degree this success resulted from use of powerful third generation synchrotron X-ray sources. An expansive database of more than 100,000 protein structures, of which many were determined at resolution better than 2 A, is available today. With this achievement, the spotlight in structural biology is shifting from determination of static structures to elucidating dynamic aspects of protein function. A powerful tool for addressing these aspects is time-resolved crystallography, where a genuine biological function is triggered in the crystal with a goal of capturing molecules in action and determining protein kinetics and structures of intermediates (Schmidt et al., 2005a; Schmidt 2008; Neutze and Moffat, 2012; Srajer 2014). In this approach, short and intense X-ray pulses are used to probe intermediates in real time and at room temperature, in an ongoing reaction that is initiated synchronously and rapidly in the crystal. Time-resolved macromolecular crystallography with 100 ps time resolution at synchrotron X-ray sources is in its mature phase today, particularly for studies of reversible, light-initiated reactions. The advent of the new free electron lasers for hard X-rays (XFELs; 5-20 keV), which provide exceptionally intense, femtosecond X-ray pulses, marks a new frontier for time-resolved crystallography. The exploration of ultra-fast events becomes possible in high-resolution structural detail, on sub-picosecond time scales (Tenboer et al., 2014; Barends et al., 2015; Pande et al., 2016). We review here state-of-the-art time-resolved crystallographic experiments both at synchrotrons and XFELs. We also outline challenges and further developments necessary to broaden the application of these methods to many important proteins and enzymes of biomedical relevance.
A Deployable Transseptal Brace for Stabilizing Cardiac Catheters

A bracing device for stabilizing cardiac catheters inside the heart was developed to provide surgical-level dexterity to minimally invasive catheter-based procedures for cardiac valve disease. The brace was designed to have a folding structure, which lies flat along a catheter during navigation through vasculature and then unfolds into a rigid bracing configuration after deployment across the interatrial septum. The brace was designed to be easily deployable, provide bracing support for a transseptal catheter, and also be compliant enough to be delivered to the heart via tortuous vasculature. This aims to improve dexterity in catheter-based mitral valve repair and enable other complex surgical procedures to be done with minimally invasive instruments.
Emissions During and Real-world Frequency of Heavy-duty Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration

Recent tightening of particulate matter (PM) emission standards for heavy-duty engines has spurred the widespread adoption of diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which need to be regenerated periodically to remove trapped PM. The total impact of DPFs therefore depends not only on their filtering efficiency during normal operation, but also on the emissions during and the frequency of regeneration events. We performed active (parked and driving) and passive regenerations on two heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs), and report the chemical composition of emissions during these events, as well as the efficiency with which trapped PM is converted to gas-phase products. We also collected activity data from 85 HDDVs to determine how often regeneration occurs during real-world operation. PM emitted during regeneration ranged from 0.2 to 16.3 g, and the average time and distance between real-world active regenerations was 28.0 h and 599 miles. These results indicate that regeneration of real-world DPFs does not subs...
Zooplankton Mortality Rates

Approximations were made of the mortality rate for each species and developmental stage in the Lake Lanao zooplankton community. The method of computation differs somewhat between species as indicated below.
When Do Agencies Change Their Proposed Rules

When do government agencies change their mind? It is well established by those who follow the regulatory process that when a federal agency issues a proposed rule, that proposal is generally a document that the agency has put a great deal of thought into and has considerable stake in finalizing. But, sometimes agencies change their proposed rules. This article uses a dataset of 427 regulations that were preceded by proposed rules to determine the conditions under which agencies make changes to their proposals. I find that the number of comments has a significant effect on agency propensity to change proposed rules. This is true even after I control for the salience and complexity of the rule and variables measuring the political environment. No other variable has a statistically significant impact besides a variable measuring whether the rule is of general or particular applicability with general rules more likely to be changed. These conclusions have implications for notice and comment rulemaking and for anlaysis of bureaucratic decisionmaking in general.
Prevalence and Estimated Economic Burden of Substandard and Falsified Medicines in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance Substandard and falsified medicines burden health systems by diverting resources to ineffective or harmful therapies, causing medical complications and prolonging illnesses. However, the prevalence and economic impact of poor-quality medicines is unclear. Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence and estimated economic burden of substandard and falsified essential medicines in low- and middle-income countries. Data Sources Five databases (PubMed, EconLit, Global Health, Embase, and Scopus) were searched from inception until November 3, 2017. Study Selection Publications were assessed to determine whether they examined medicine quality and the prevalence and/or economic burden of substandard and falsified medicines in low- and middle-income countries. Studies with a sample size of 50 or more were included in the meta-analysis. Data Extraction and Synthesis The study is registered in PROSPERO and reported via the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Study quality was assessed using an adapted Medicine Quality Assessment Reporting Guidelines scoring metric. Multiple reviewers conducted the data extraction and quality assessment independently. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence and/or estimated economic impact of substandard and falsified medicines. Results Two hundred sixty-five studies that estimated the prevalence of poor-quality essential medicines in low- and middle-income countries were identified. Among 96 studies that tested 50 samples or more (67 839 total drug samples), overall prevalence of poor-quality medicines was 13.6% (95% CI, 11.0%-16.3%), with regional prevalence of 18.7% in Africa (95% CI, 12.9%-24.5%) and 13.7% in Asia (95% CI, 8.2%-19.1%). Of studies included in the meta-analysis, 19.1% (95% CI, 15.0%-23.3%) of antimalarials and 12.4% (95% CI, 7.1%-17.7%) of antibiotics were substandard or falsified. Eight approximations of the economic impact, focused primarily on market size, with poor or undisclosed methods in estimation were identified, ranging from $10 billion to $200 billion. Conclusions and Relevance Poor-quality essential medicines are a substantial and understudied problem. Methodological standards for prevalence and rigorous economic studies estimating the burden beyond market size are needed to accurately assess the scope of the issue and inform efforts to address it. Global collaborative efforts are needed to improve supply-chain management, surveillance, and regulatory capacity in low- and middle-income countries to reduce the threat of poor-quality medicines. Trial Registration PROSPERO Identifier:CRD42017080266
Status spongiosus of nervous tissue

The diverse nature of status spongiosus of nervous tissue is revealed by electron microscopy in a variety of experimental models. Intracellular, extracellular and intramyelinic accumulation of fluid as well as artefactitious dissolution of myelin may account for spongiform changes. In cerebral edema following trauma the perivascular and perineuronal vacuoles in the cortex correspond to swollen astrocytic processes whereas in the white matter the sponginess mainly reflects enlarged extracellular spaces. Vacuolation of swollen dendrites, termnal axons and perikaryal cytoplasm of nerve cells characterizes the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Axonal swelling produced by anoxia accounts for the spongy changes seen in the optic nerve in acute glaucoma. Selective accumulation of fluid within myelin sheaths occurs in isonicotinic acid hydrazide poisoning. Aggregates of irregularly curved, lamellar structures, derived from the artifactitious disintegration of myelin, form grape-like deposits or Buscaino bodies which, when dissolved, appear as vacuoles that may be confused with other spongiform states.
Abstract TP24: Outcomes in Patients With Acute M2 Occlusions Undergoing Endovascular Reperfusion Therapy

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke remains a devastating disease that portends a high rate of morbidity and early mortality without intervention. Although significant advances have been made with ...
Traffic Analysis Countermeasures Using Software-Defined Internet Exchanges

The current Internet architecture has a fixed mapping of IP addresses/ranges to services and client organizations. This makes it easy for individuals to hijack sessions, perform traffic analysis, launch denial of service (DoS) attacks, and create man in the middle (MitM) attacks. This paper discusses experimentation using a border gateway protocol (BGP) testbed, a large range of IPV6 space, and software defined networking (SDN) to create software defined Internet exchanges (SDX) that create random mappings between clients and software services. This paper first discusses traffic analysis vulnerabilities inherent in the current approach. It then consider an ideal approach, which removes these problems but is inconsistent with current practice. Finally, the paper concludes by describing a prototype SDX that mitigates current vulnerabilities.
Abstract 62: Disruption of DLL4/Notch Signaling in the Post Stroke Period Results in Enhanced Angiogenesis and Improved Outcome Following Stroke

Delta-like 4 (DLL4) is an endothelial transmembrane ligand for the Notch family receptors. Dll4 contributes to vascular development and angiogenesis, specifically as a negative regulator of capilla...
Validation of Satellite Precipitation Estimates over the Congo Basin

AbstractThis paper evaluates nine satellite rainfall products and the Global Precipitation Centre Climatology (GPCC) gauge dataset over the Congo basin. For the evaluation the reference dataset is ...
A Mixed Methods Study on the Status of School Orchestra Programs in Oregon: An Explanation of Inhibiting and Promoting Factors.

The purpose of this explanatory sequential mixed methods study was to examine the status of school orchestra programs in Oregon and to explain the reasoning behind the descriptive data. The quantit...
Media Use and Sleep in Teenagers: What Do We Know?

The screen-based media landscape has changed markedly during the last decade, with 95% of American teens owning or having access to a smartphone. Coinciding with the rise in digital media devices, researchers have noted a high prevalence of insufficient sleep among youth. In this article, we review recent literature about adolescents’ screen use behaviors and sleep health outcomes published between 2015 and 2019. Overall, we found a high level of screen use and poor sleep health (i.e., short duration, poor quality, late timing) among adolescents. The great majority of recent observational studies demonstrated a robust inverse association between screen media device use and sleep outcomes among adolescents all over the world. Screen-based media use has also been linked to a series of adverse psychosocial and behavioral outcomes, partially if not fully mediated through impaired sleep health. Experimental data, however, offer mixed findings on the causal relationship between teen media use and sleep. In addition, there is uncertainty as to the relative roles of the proposed mechanisms underlying those relationships, whether driven by the light emitted by devices, time displacement, or the media content affecting psychological state (e.g., fear of missing out, anxiety). Current empirical research demonstrates that screen-based digital media use is closely associated with sleep duration and sleep quality among teens; however, limited data show a direct causal effect of screen-based media use on adolescent sleep health. With very few studies demonstrating easy-to-implement and effective interventions, we argue that more basic, translational, and clinical research is necessary.
Conflict and War: Anthropological Aspects

Although exceptions exist, war is usually differentiated from feuding within anthropology. A useful definition of war is specific enough to differentiate warfare from nonlethal brawls, single homicides, and kin-based feuding. Cross-cultural surveys show that a majority of societies practice warfare or feuding. At the same time, nonwarring societies also exist, sometimes as members of a nonwarring peace system. The occurrence of war and the reasons for warfare are correlated with the degree of social complexity, both archaeologically and ethnographically. Warfare has originated rather recently, within the last 10 000 years or so, in parallel with a worldwide shift away from a nomadic forager existence toward more complex social forms.
A mouse model of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairments integrating the risk factors of aging and APOE4 genotype.

Abstract Some cancer survivors experience marked cognitive impairment, referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). CRCI has been linked to the genetic factor APOE4, the strongest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We used APOE knock-in mice to test whether the relationship between APOE4 and CRCI can be demonstrated in a mouse model, to identify associations of chemotherapy with behavioural and structural correlates of cognition, and to test whether chemotherapy affects markers of AD. Twelve-month old C57BL/6 J female APOE3 (n = 30) and APOE4 (n = 31) knock-in mice were randomized to treatment with either doxorubicin (10 mg/kg) or saline. Behavioural assays at 2–21 weeks-post exposure included open field maze, elevated zero maze, pre-pulse inhibition, Barnes maze, and fear conditioning. Ex-vivo magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine regional volume differences at 31–35 weeks-post exposure, and tissue sections were analyzed for markers of AD pathogenesis. Minimal toxicities were observed in the aged mice after doxorubicin exposure. In the Barnes maze assay, APOE3 mice did not exhibit impairment in spatial learning after doxorubicin treatment, but APOE4 mice demonstrated significant impairments in both the initial identification of the escape hole and the latency to full escape at 6 weeks post-exposure. Both APOE3 and APOE4 mice treated with doxorubicin showed impairment of spatial memory. Grey matter volume in the frontal cortex decreased in APOE4 mice treated with doxorubicin vs. APOE3 mice. This study demonstrates cognitive impairments in aged APOE4 knock-in mice after doxorubicin treatment and establishes this system as a novel and powerful model of CRCI.
Is the Bridge Broken? Increasing Ethnic Attachments and Declining Party Influence among Latino Voters:

In this article, we test whether perceptions of Latino linked fate influence partisan identification and voting behavior among the Latino electorate across time. Specifically, we contend that attac...
Exploration of a Robot-based Adaptive Cognitive Stimulation System for the Elderly

We explore the viability of developing a robot to assist cognitive stimulation activities for early-stage dementia users within a day-care centre. Working with healthcare professionals, we have designed interactive sessions where the robot Pepper plays stimulation games according to three levels of cognitive complexity. The initial design has been tested with an end-user to evaluate the system as well as to gain insight on the necessary interaction cues that the robot should perform to actively engage potential users.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative action of adiponectin mediated by insulin signaling cascade in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

After confirmation of the presence of adiponectin (ADPN) receptors and intra-cellular binding proteins in coronary artery smooth muscle cells (VSMC), we tested the hypotheses that, in acute insulin resistance: (i) the activation/inactivation of metabolic and mitogenic insulin signaling pathways are inversely affected by ADPN and, (ii) changes in VSMC migration/proliferation rates correlate with signal activity/inactivity. In primary cultures of VSMC exposed to high glucose and palmitate plus insulin, the expression of PI-3 kinase (Akt and m-TOR), MAP-Kinase (Erk and p-38) molecules, and inflammatory markers (TLR-4 and IkB-α) were assessed with Western blot, in the absence/presence of AdipoRon (AR). Migration and proliferation rates were measured in similar experimental conditions. There were decreases of ~ 25% (p-Akt) and 40–60% (p-mTOR) expressions with high glucose/palmitate, which reversed when AR was added were. Elevations in p-Erk and p-p38 expressions were obliterated by AR. Although, no changes were detected with high glucose and palmitate, when AR was added, a decline in inflammatory activity was substantiated by a ~ 50% decrease in TLR-4 and 40–60% increase in IkBα expression. Functional assays showed 10–20% rise in VSMC proliferation with high glucose and palmitate, but addition of AR lead to 15–25% decline. The degree of VSMC migration was reduced with AR addition by ~ 15%, ~ 35% and 55%, in VSMC exposed to 5 mM, 25 mM glucose and 25 mM + 200 µM palmitate, respectively. Changes in intracellular molecular messaging in experiments mimicking acute insulin resistance suggest that anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic actions of ADPN in VSMC are mediated via insulin signaling pathways.
Epigenetic changes on rat chromosome 4 contribute to disparate alcohol drinking behavior in alcohol-preferring and -nonpreferring rats.

Abstract Background Paternal alcohol abuse is a well-recognized risk factor for the development of an alcohol use disorder (AUD). In addition to genetic and environmental risk factors, heritable epigenetic factors also have been proposed to play a key role in the development of AUD. However, it is not clear whether epigenetic factors contribute to the genetic inheritance in families affected by AUD. We used reciprocal crosses of the alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rat lines to test whether epigenetic factors also impacted alcohol drinking in up to two generations of offspring. Methods F1 offspring derived by reciprocal breeding of P and NP rats were tested for differences in alcohol consumption using a free-choice protocol of 10% ethanol, 20% ethanol, and water that were available concurrently. In a separate experiment, an F2 population was tested for alcohol consumption not only due to genetic differences. These rats were generated from inbred P (iP) and iNP rat lines that were reciprocally bred to produce genetically identical F1 offspring that remained alcohol-naive. Intercrosses of the F1 generation animals produced the F2 generation. Alcohol consumption was then assessed in the F2 generation using a standard two-bottle choice protocol, and was analyzed using genome-wide linkage analysis. Alcohol consumption measures were also analyzed for sex differences. Results Average alcohol consumption was higher in the F1 offspring of P vs. NP sires and in the F2 offspring of F0 iP vs. iNP grandsires. Linkage analyses showed the maximum LOD scores for alcohol consumption in both male and female offspring were on chromosome 4 (Chr 4). The LOD score for both sexes considered together was higher when the grandsire was iP vs. iNP (5.0 vs. 3.35, respectively). Furthermore, the F2 population displayed enhanced alcohol consumption when the P alleles from the F0 sire were present. Conclusions These results demonstrate that epigenetic and/or non-genetic factors mapping to rat chromosome 4 contribute to a transgenerational paternal effect on alcohol consumption in the P and NP rat model of AUD.
Select Electronic Parts Operation at Extreme Low Temperature

The purpose of the study presented in this paper is to extend the test period of a selected set of electronics parts at cryogenic condition to dwell period of about 24 hours to demonstrate extreme cold operational capability of these components. The parts tested are tantalum polymer, BX and P90 type ceramic capacitors, thick film resistors, analog multiplexers, a digital inverter, and a D-flip-flop. These parts were tested to assist identifying candidate components that can be used for development of a cold capable telemetry board. There are several past investigations that have shown that COTS (commercial-off-the-shelf) capacitors and resistors tested at cryogenic temperatures and frequencies up to 10MHz did not exhibit significant changes in capacitance and resistance values. Also, there are several test results for active parts. These past tests collected measurements during a temperature sweep from room temperature down to cryogenic temperature with very short dwell time at cryogenic temperature, and back to room temperature. This study extends the operational dwell time to at least 24 hours and returning to room temperature operation without significant degradation in performance for most parts. Thus, demonstrating the potential for actual operation in these extreme cold temperatures and a method for identifying the cold operability.
Can emerging market central banks bail out banks? A cautionary tale from Latin America

Abstract This paper investigates whether emerging market countries can implement monetary policies to cope with financial crises as advanced countries did during the recent global crisis—injecting significant amounts of money into the financial system without facing major short-run adverse macroeconomic repercussions. Using panel data techniques, the paper analyzes episodes of financial turmoil in 16 Latin American countries during 1995–2007. The results show that developing and emerging market countries should be cautious because injecting money on a large scale into the financial system may fuel further macroeconomic instability, increasing the chances of simultaneous currency crises.
Construction and Validation of the Ohio Children’s Opportunity Index

ObjectiveTo describe the development of an area-level measure of childrens opportunity, the Ohio Childrens Opportunity Index (OCOI). Data Sources/Study SettingSecondary data were collected from US census based-American Community Survey (ACS), US Environmental Protection Agency, US Housing and Urban Development, Ohio Vital Statistics, US Department of Agriculture-Economic Research Service, Ohio State University Center for Urban and Regional Analysis, Ohio Incident Based Reporting System, IPUMS National Historical Geographic Information System, and Ohio Department of Medicaid. Study DesignOCOI domains were selected based on existing literature, which included family stability, infant health, childrens health, access, education, housing, environment and criminal justice domains. The composite index was developed using an equal weighting approach. Validation analyses were conducted between OCOI and health and race-related outcomes. Data Collection/Extraction MethodsData were aggregated at the census tract level. Principal FindingsComposite OCOI scores ranged from 0-100 with an average value of 74.82 (SD, 17.00), was negatively skewed. Census tracts in the major metropolitan cities across Ohio represented 76% of the total census tracts in the least advantaged OCOI septile. OCOI served as a significant predictor of health and race-related outcomes. The average life expectancy at birth of children born in the most advantaged septile was approximately nine years more than those born in the least advantaged septile. Increases in OCOI were associated with decreases in proportion of Black (48 points lower in the most advantaged vs least advantaged septile), p<0.001) and Minority populations (54 points lower in most advantaged vs least advantaged septile, p<0.001). ConclusionAs the first opportunity index developed for children in Ohio, the OCOI is a valuable resource for policy reform, especially related to health equity. Health care providers can use it to obtain more holistic views on their patients and implement interventions that can tackle barriers to childhood development.
Time-domain approach to Gaussian-convoluted dispersion models

Gauss and convoluted Lorentz-Gauss models make an important class of broadband dispersion formulations for optical materials with structural or molecular disorder, including glasses, polymers, phase change materials, metals. So far, this important class of dispersion models has been inaccessible for time-domain solvers. We suggest a framework to model Gauss-type dispersion in time domain with a given accuracy, based on our previous Generalized Dispersive Material (GDM) model. The new explicit closed-form formulation of Gauss-based models and provided code package give a new physical interpretation in terms of coupled oscillators while also providing an efficient way to its time domain implementation for transient or nonlinear analysis in custom and commercial software.
Exercise mediates the effect of job control on body mass index (BMI)

Previous research has examined how job control impacts either health behaviors or outcomes. This study examines the interaction of job control and job demands on body mass index (BMI) as mediated by exercise to test the physical activity mediated Demand-Control model (pamDC). We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from 315 participants within the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS 1) dataset to explore this relationship. As hypothesized, after controlling for age, sex, and work hours, job control is associated with more frequent exercise, which is linked to a lower BMI. However, this link was stable regardless of the level of demands. These findings provide a basis to understand the intertwined nature of one’s work and health. Future research may investigate this relationship from an experimental approach to better determine causality. Practically, these findings suggest that workplaces ought to provide employees with more job control which may enable them to engage in healthy behaviors (e.g., physical activity) that can impact key health outcomes such as BMI.
Nanoelectronic single-electron transistor circuits and architectures: Research Articles

Single-electron tunneling (SET) devices have been proposed as one promising candidate for future nanoelectronic integrated circuits. SETs have appealing properties for implementing ultra-dense and complex signal and image processing systems. The potential for very dense arrays of SET transistors makes them attractive for the realization of cellular non-linear network (CNN) circuits, where locally-connected cells may alleviate the interconnect problem facing conventional architectures as they scale.Herein, we investigate the use of nanoelectronic structures in CMOS-type digital circuits and in analog CNN architectures for potential application in future high-density and low-power CMOS-nanodevice hybrid circuits. We first present an overview of the operation of the SET transistor and simulation of SET circuits. We then discuss a programmable CMOS-type SET logic circuit based on a summing-node-inverter structure, followed by simple linear and 2-d SET-CNN architectures using the SET inverter topology as the basis for the non-linear transfer characteristics required of individual CNN elements. The simple SET-CNN cell acts as a summing node that is capacitively coupled to the inputs and outputs of nearest neighbour cells. Monte Carlo simulation results are then used to show CNN-like behaviour in attempting to realize different functionality such as shadowing, pattern forming, and horizontal-line detection. Within the context of these simple architectures, we discuss the speed and signal delay in SET non-linear circuits, and calculate the approximate power dissipation in a SET network. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Racism and Health

Members of racial/ethnic minorities typically experience poorer health than do members of racial/ethnic majorities. This entry examines how racism produces disparities between the health of members of disadvantaged racial/ethnic minorities and members of advantaged racial/ethnic majorities. Racism involves beliefs, feelings, and actions that denigrate members of certain racial/ethnic groups. Two pathways link racism to health disparities. The first is through racism's direct impact on people's health. Experiencing racism is a powerful environmental stressor, which activates the same kind of physiological responses that occur during any stressful experience. Continued activation of these responses negatively affects people's health. Racism also negatively affects people's mental health and can cause them to engage in unhealthy behaviors. The second pathway is through racism's negative impact on the health care people receive. Patients who have experienced high levels of discrimination are less satisfied with their medical care and less likely to follow providers’ treatment recommendations. Provider racial bias can affect treatments they choose for minority patients and the quality of medical interactions with them. Minority patients can detect subtle, implicit, provider racial bias and this negatively affects how they react to providers and their health behaviors after medical interactions. Keywords: doctor–patient interaction; health; health care; racism
Unsung hero: Donald Darrow Matson’s legacy in pediatric neurosurgery

Donald Darrow Matson made seminal contributions to the field of pediatric neurosurgery. Born in 1913 in Fort Hamilton, New York, Matson was the youngest of four sons of an army colonel. He graduated from Cornell University and, years later, from Harvard Medical School. Matson selected Peter Bent Brigham Hospital for his neurosurgical training, which was interrupted during World War II. As a neurosurgeon, he worked close to the front lines under Brigadier General Elliot Cutler in Europe, earning a Bronze Star. Matson returned to Boston to become Franc Ingraham's fellow and partner. He was a masterful surgeon and, with Ingraham, published Neurosurgery of Infancy and Childhood in 1954, the first pediatric neurosurgery textbook in the world. Upon Ingraham's retirement, Matson became chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Boston Children's Hospital and Peter Bent Brigham. In 1968, he became the inaugural Franc D. Ingraham Professor of Neurological Surgery at Harvard Medical School. Among his neurosurgical accomplishments, Matson served as President of the Harvey Cushing Society, later known as the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He was unable to preside at the 1969 meeting that marked the 100th anniversary of Cushing's birth, having contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Matson died at the age of 55, surviving his mentor Ingraham by only 4 years.
Low-rate shape compression via an extension to the beamlet transform

Multiscale image representation and analysis techniques such as the beamlet framework have found significant applications in image processing, however, their approximation of arbitrary curves via linear basis functions may still present an obstacle to some applications. In this work we extend the beamlet dictionary to include arc basis functions for piecewise approximations to curves in an image. An application to low-rate compression of shape images is discussed and an increase in compression efficiency is shown over the JBIG2 and JBEAM methods.
Prevalence, severity and risk factors for depressive symptoms and insomnia in college undergraduates.

Although the college years represent a high-risk period for depressive symptoms and insomnia, little research has explored their prevalence, comorbidities and risk factors within this developmental period. Two studies were conducted; the first evaluated the prevalence and comorbidity of depressive symptoms and insomnia in 1338 students (ages 18-23 years) from a large Southwestern University. Mild depressive symptoms were endorsed by 19% of students and 14.5% reported moderate to severe symptoms. Forty-seven percent of students reported mild insomnia and 22.5% endorsed moderate to severe insomnia severity. A second study investigated perceived stress as a potential mediator of the relation between self-reported childhood adversity and concurrent depressive symptoms and insomnia. Undergraduates (N = 447) from a Southwestern and Southeastern University reported prior childhood adversity, current perceived stress, insomnia and depressive symptoms. Self-reported childhood adversity predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms and insomnia severity, partially mediated by perceived stress. Results support the high prevalence of depressive symptoms and insomnia among undergraduates. The risk for depressive and insomnia symptoms may be increased among students who experienced greater levels of childhood adversity.
Age-related human small intestine methylation: evidence for stem cell niches

The small intestine is constructed of many crypts and villi, and mouse studies suggest that each crypt contains multiple stem cells. Very little is known about human small intestines because mouse fate mapping strategies are impractical in humans. However, it is theoretically possible that stem cell histories are inherently written within their genomes. Genomes appear to record histories (as exemplified by use of molecular clocks), and therefore it may be possible to reconstruct somatic cell dynamics from somatic cell errors. Recent human colon studies suggest that random somatic epigenetic errors record stem cell histories (ancestry and total numbers of divisions). Potentially age-related methylation also occurs in human small intestines, which would allow characterization of their stem cells and comparisons with the colon. Methylation patterns in individual crypts from 13 small intestines (17 to 78 years old) were measured by bisulfite sequencing. The methylation patterns were analyzed by a quantitative model to distinguish between immortal or niche stem cell lineages. Age-related methylation was observed in the human small intestines. Crypt methylation patterns were more consistent with stem cell niches than immortal stem cell lineages. Human large and small intestine crypt niches appeared to have similar stem cell dynamics, but relatively less methylation accumulated with age in the small intestines. There were no apparent stem cell differences between the duodenum and ileum, and stem cell survival did not appear to decline with aging. Crypt niches containing multiple stem cells appear to maintain human small intestines. Crypt niches appear similar in the colon and small intestine, and the small intestinal stem cell mitotic rate is the same as or perhaps slower than that of the colon. Although further studies are needed, age-related methylation appears to record somatic cell histories, and a somatic epigenetic molecular clock strategy may potentially be applied to other human tissues to reconstruct otherwise occult stem cell histories.
Modeling the Metabolic Energetics of Brief and Intermittent Locomotion in Lizards and Rodents1

When locomotor activity is brief, physiological steady state conditions are not attained. It is therefore difficult to model the energetic costs of intermittent activity using standard methods. This difficulty is addressed by considering as reflective of the metabolic costs of activity not only the oxygen consumed during the activity itself, but also the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and any excess metabolites persisting at the end of EPOC. This paper briefly reviews the metabolic events associated with EPOC, and then examines how this approach can be applied to address questions of how behavioral variables associated with locomotion (activity duration, intensity, frequency) can influence the energetic costs to the animal per unit distance. Using data for lizards, mice, and others, EPOC can be shown to be the major component of energetic costs when durations are short, regardless of exercise intensity. Brief activity is much more expensive by this measure than is steady state locomotion, regardless of phylogeny or body mass. Three studies of intermittent locomotion provide evidence that brief behaviors can be undertaken at lower metabolic costs than predicted from single bouts of activity when repeated in a frequent, repeated pattern. Metabolic savings appear greatest when the pause period between behaviors is short relative to EPOC duration, the time for organismal metabolic rate to return to pre-exercise levels, although longer pause periods may increase endurance.
Duodenal ulcer among southwestern American Indians.

Summary Only 3 patients with duodenal ulcer were discovered in an 8-year hospital study of southwestern American Indians, and all were from nonsouthwestern tribes. In contrast, benign gastric ulcer was encountered in 5 patients, pernicious anemia in 6, and gastric cancer in 19. No surgery was performed for duodenal ulcer or its complications. Autopsy findings substantiated clinical data.
The influence of pH on the growth and stability of transmissible gastroenteritis virusin vitro

The influence of pH on the growth of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) in adult pig thyroid cell culture, and on the stability of the virus was studied. At pH 6.5 the yield of virus was 10 fold higher than cultures held at pH 7.2 and 100 fold higher than those at pH 8.0. The adsorption, penetration and uncoating steps of the viral replicative cycle were shown to be unaffected by pH variation. Synthesis of TGEV RNA during the first 12 hours post infection was found to be unaffected by pH variation between the range 6.5–8.0. After 12 hours breakdown of this RNA appeared to occur in cultures held at pH 7.2 and 8.0 but not at pH 6.5.
Search for planets around Hyades stars using the Keck telescope

Now that Jovian-mass extrasolar planets are being discovered using high-precision radial velocity techniques, it is important to focus large survey programs on questions relating to the origin and evolution of extra-solar planetary systems. We are particularly interested in how the characteristics of the planetary system depend on the mass of the central star. Do massive stars form massive planets, or does tidal truncation limit the size to which a planet can grow. What role does early dynamical evolution play in systems with various mass stars. Do low mass stars form fewer planets, or perhaps lower mass planets. The Hyades star cluster is an excellent place to seek answers to these questions. The Hyades is one of the nearest star clusters to the Sum, and it represents a sample of stars formed at the same epoch with a uniform heavy element abundance. We are using the Keck 1 telescope with its HIRES spectrograph to conduct a high-precision radial velocity survey of late-F through Mid-M Hyades dwarfs, in order to anser these questions. In this carefully selected sample, the dominant independent variable is the mass of the star. We are now in our fourth season of observing. We present result son a wide variety of stars of various masses, including some stars showing variations possibly indicative of Jovian-mass companions.