cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vertical Distribution of Juvenile Salmon in a Large Turbid River

Abstract We know very little about the vertical distribution of downstream-migrating juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in large rivers. It is important for project engineers and fisheries m...
Overweight in Indonesia: an observational study of trends and risk factors among adults and children.

Objective To conduct a secondary data analysis detailing overweight prevalence and associations between key hypothesised determinants and overweight. Design This observational study used publicly available data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) (1993–2014). The IFLS is a home-based survey of adults and children that collected data on household characteristics (size, physical infrastructure, assets, food expenditures), as well as on individual-level educational attainment, occupation type, smoking status and marital status. These analyses used data on the self-reported consumption of ultra-processed foods and physical activity. Anthropometrics were measured. Setting Indonesia. Primary outcome measures We described the distribution of overweight by gender among adults (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) and by age among children, over time. Overweight was defined as weight-for-height z-score >2 among children aged 0–5 years and as BMI-for-age z-score >1 among children aged 6–18 years. We also described individuals who were overweight by selected characteristics over time. Finally, we employed multivariable logistic regression models to investigate risk factors in relation to overweight in 2014. Results One-third of adults were overweight in 2014. Between 1993 and 2014, the prevalence of overweight among adults doubled from 17.1% to 33.0%. The prevalence of overweight among children under 5 years increased from 4.2% to 9.4% between 1993 and 2007, but then remained relatively stagnant between 2007 and 2014. Among children aged 6–12 years and 13–18 years, the prevalence of overweight increased from 5.1% to 15.6% and from 7.1% to 14.1% between 1993 and 2014, respectively. Although overweight prevalence remains higher in urban areas, the increase in overweight prevalence was larger among rural (vs urban) residents, and by 2014, the proportions of overweight adults were evenly distributed in each wealth quintile. Data suggest that the consumption of ultra-processed foods was common and levels of physical activity have decreased over the last decade. In multivariable models, urban area residence, higher wealth, higher education and consumption of ultra-processed foods were associated with higher odds of overweight among most adults and children. Conclusion Urgent programme and policy action is needed to reduce and prevent overweight among all ages.
Short-term medical service trips: what is the cost of patient care and student training?

BACKGROUND Evaluations of the costs and effects of medical service trips (MSTs) are increasingly necessary. Estimates of costs can inform decision making to determine if participation is likely to be a wise use of resources. METHODS This study estimates the costs and effects of a 1-week MST for 20 health professions students and seven providers to the Dominican Republic. Costs were defined as direct costs for students and providers and opportunity costs for providers. Effects were defined as the cost to treat one patient and the cost to train one student. Students were surveyed about their costs before and after the MST. Most provider costs were assumed to be the same as those of the students. RESULTS The mean direct cost per student was US$1764 and US$2066 for providers. Total opportunity costs for seven providers was US$19 869. The total cost for the trip was US$69 612 to treat 464 patients. With and without provider opportunity costs, the cost to treat one patient was US$150 and US$107, and the cost to train one student was US$3481 and US$2487, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Short-term MSTs may be more expensive than previously thought. The cost to treat one patient was similar to a medical office visit in the USA.
A pre-investigational new drug study of lung spheroid cell therapy for treating pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a lethal interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology, no cure, and few treatment options. Herein, a therapy option is presented that makes use of a heterogeneous population of lung cells, including progenitor cells and supporting cells lines, cultured in adherent and suspension conditions, the latter of which induces spontaneous spheroid formation. Within these spheroids, progenitor marker expression is augmented. The cells, called lung spheroid cells, are isolated from fibrotic lungs, expanded, and delivered in single cell suspensions into rat models of pulmonary fibrosis via tail-vein injections. Two bleomycin-induced fibrotic rat models are used; a syngeneic Wistar-Kyoto rat model, treated with syngeneic cells, and a xenogeneic nude rat model, treated with human cells. The first objective was to study the differences in fibrotic progression in the two rat models after bleomycin injury. Nude rat fibrosis formed quickly and extended for 30 days with no self-resolution. Wistar-Kyoto rat fibrosis was more gradual and began to decrease in severity between days 14 and 30. The second goal was to find the minimum effective dose of cells that demonstrated safe and effective therapeutic value. The resultant minimum effective therapeutic dose, acquired from the nude rat model, was 3 × 106 human cells. Histological analysis revealed no evidence of tumorigenicity, increased local immunological activity in the lungs, or an increase in liver enzyme production. These data demonstrate the safety and efficacy of lung spheroid cells in their application as therapeutic agents for pulmonary fibrosis, as well as their potential for clinical translation.
Creating and controlling complex light

Random light fields demonstrate Rayleigh intensity statistics and only possess short-range correlations. We recently demonstrate a method of simultaneously customizing the intensity statistics of speckle patterns while introducing long-range spatial correlations among the speckle grains. The tailored speckle patterns exhibit radically different topologies and varying degrees of spatial order. The various families of speckles are created by encoding high-order correlations into the phase front of a monochromatic laser beam with a spatial light modulator. This work provides a versatile framework for creating complex light fields and controlling their statistical properties for varied applications in microscopy, imaging, and optical manipulation.
Virtual echocardiography screening tool to differentiate hemodynamic profiles in pulmonary hypertension

This study validated a novel virtual echocardiography screening tool (VEST), which utilized routinely reported echocardiography parameters to predict hemodynamic profiles in pulmonary hypertension (PH) and identify PH due to pulmonary vascular disease (PHPVD). Direct echocardiography imaging review has been shown to predict hemodynamic profiles in PH; however, routine use often overemphasizes Doppler-estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASPDE), which lacks discriminatory power among hemodynamically varied PH subgroups. In patients with PH of varying subtypes at a tertiary referral center, reported echocardiographic findings needed for VEST, including left atrial size, E:e' and systolic interventricular septal flattening, were obtained. Receiver operating characteristic analyses assessed the predictive performance of VEST vs. PASPDE in identifying PHPVD, which was later confirmed by right heart catheterization. VEST demonstrated far superior discriminatory power than PASPDE in identifying PHPVD. A positive score was 80.0% sensitive and 75.6% specific for PHPVD with an area under the curve of 0.81. PASPDE exhibited poorer discriminatory power with an area under the curve of 0.56. VEST's strong discriminatory ability remained unchanged when validated in a second cohort from another tertiary center. We demonstrated that this novel VEST using three routine parameters that can be easily extracted from standard echocardiographic reports can successfully capture PH patients with a high likelihood of PHPVD. During the Covid-19 pandemic, when right heart catheterization and timely access to experts at accredited PH centers may have limited widespread availability, this may assist physicians to rapidly and remotely evaluate PH patients to ensure timely and appropriate care.
PHYSICS OF $Q^2$-DEPENDENCE IN THE NUCLEON'S $G_1(x,Q^2)$ STRUCTURE FUNCTION SUM RULE

I discuss in this talk the physics of the $Q^2$ dependence of the $G_1(x,Q^2)$ structure function sum rule. For $Q^2>3$ GeV$^2$, the $Q^2$ variation is controlled by pure QCD radiative corrections. For $0.5<Q^2<3$ GeV$^2$, the twist-four contribution becomes significant, but stays perturbative. For $Q^2$ below $\sim 0.05$, the sum rule is determined by low-energy theorems. The rapid change of the sum rule between 0.05 and 0.5 GeV$^2$ signals the transition between parton and hadron degrees of freedom.
Mutual Inductance and Transformers

A common transformer has a pair of coils: the primary coil and the secondary coil. A transformer operates on the principals of “electromagnetic induction”, in the form of mutual induction. A transformer is able to either increase or decrease the voltage and current levels of their supply, without modifying its frequency and the amount of electrical power.
Disrupting Africa: Technology, Law, and Development

In the digital era, many African countries sit at the crossroads of a potential future that will be shaped by digital-era technologies with existing laws and institutions constructed under conditions of colonial and post-colonial authoritarian rule. In Disrupting Africa, Olufunmilayo B. Arewa examines this intersection and shows how it encompasses existing and new zones of contestation based on ethnicity, religion, region, age, and other sources of division. Arewa highlights specific collisions between the old and the new, including in the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria, which involved young people engaging with varied digital era technologies who provoked a violent response from rulers threatened by the prospect of political change. In this groundbreaking work, Arewa demonstrates how lawmaking and legal processes during and after colonialism continue to frame contexts in which digital technologies are created, implemented, regulated, and used in Africa today.
Math talk during traditional and digital number board game play

Abstract This study examined variability in the quantity and type of math talk used by caregivers and their children during traditional and digital number board game play, and further examined how brief guidance might increase math talk in both game conditions. Sixty-three caregiver-child (3-to-5-years old; M = 53.32 months) dyads played a traditional board game (Chutes and Ladders) and a digital version of the same game. Half of the participants received a verbal prompt to encourage caregivers to foster their children's math skills during game play. Results showed that caregivers' and their children's talk about math was significantly higher in the traditional game condition. Caregivers and their children also engaged in significantly more math talk related to counting and identifying numerals in traditional board game play. Use of a prompt did not promote caregivers' math talk in either of the game conditions.
Quantifying N leaching losses as a function of N balance: A path to sustainable food supply chains

Abstract Growing public concern over agricultural nitrogen (N) pollution is now reflected in consumers’ food choices and shareholders’ resolutions, causing rapid changes in global food supply chains. Nitrate (NO3) leaching represents the primary N source for groundwater contamination and freshwater ecosystem degradation. However, simplified science-based indicators are still lacking to facilitate improved N management practices at the farm-level. We conducted a global analysis of published field studies to evaluate N balance (N inputs minus N outputs) as a robust predictor for NO3 losses. Using 82 studies (1110 observations) for rainfed cereal crops in temperate regions, we 1) quantified the response of NO3 losses to changes in N balance for major rainfed cereal crops while accounting for environmental and management variables; and 2) assessed the feasibility of improving water quality through lower N balance under different scenarios using the case study of maize (Zea mays L.) data from the US Corn Belt. Observations were grouped in studies from the US and non-US regions. Results show that NO3 losses increased exponentially as N balance increases for both the US and non-US regions, though they were 60% higher in the US at a given N balance. Scenario analysis revealed that reducing the N rate from the agronomic optimum to the lower point within the economic optimum N rate range decreased NO3 losses by 13% without impacting economic returns. The case study for maize showed that improvements in N use efficiency that increase grain yield at a given fertilizer rate can substantially reduce N balance and mitigate NO3 losses. This study provides an evidence-based foundation for food supply chain companies to mitigate global NO3 pollution, specifically by using the generalized relationships presented here to track progress in NO3 leaching mitigation. To further resolve uncertainties and improve region-specific estimates for NO3 losses, we propose a tiered monitoring and assessment framework similar to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) methodology for N2O emissions, widely implemented in science and used for policy.
Coupling Discrete Element Models of Ceramic Breeder Pebble Beds to Thermofluid Models of Helium Purge Gas Using Volume-Averaged Navier-Stokes and the Lattice-Boltzmann Method

Pebble-scale models of the interactions inside packed beds are critical for determining alterations to thermophysical properties in the wake of changes to the packed bed due to cracking, sintering,...
Black Knot of Plum and Cherry

Black knot of plum, caused by Dibotryon morbosum, occurs on cultivated plum and wild cherry (Fig. 36-1A). It is a common disease in northeastern and north-central United States. One cannot wander about the north woods without encountering it on wild cherry. The disease is of little economic importance and is easily controlled by removal of cankers in orchards and nearby wild cherry trees.
Logic and Limits of Animal Liberation

The current interest in treatment towards animals goes beyond the focus of isolated instances of brutality and encompasses the advocacy of significant changes in our traditional attitudes toward animals. In one year (1980) an estimated 2,054,281,000 hogs, beef, lamb, and poultry were raised on farms and slaughtered in the U.S.* (Agricultural Statistics 1981), and 1,653,385 laboratory animals were used by facilities registered with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA 1974). Adding to this the number of related animal industries such as textiles, farm equipment manufacturing, cosmetics and drug industries, restaurants, and groceries, it is easy to appreciate the broad spectrum of changes which would result from significant changes in our relationship with animals. Since all individuals have an interaction with animals, at least by the animal products they choose to purchase (or not to purchase), there has been a proliferation of viewpoints concerning the treatment of animals. This paper will primarily consider Peter Singer’s arguments presented in his book, Animal Liberation (1975), because it is a popular thesis which is objective and logically derived.
Accuracy and sensitivity of CRASH

The accuracy and sensitivity of the CRASH computer program in computing delta-V are examined. Accuracy is related to how well CRASH performs in comparison with results from 53 independent staged collisions. With regard to accuracy, CRASH with one exception tends to underestimate delta-V at low values and tends to be accurate at high delta-V. The number of tests at high delta-V are small. The exception to this general result is the oblique side-impact collision in which delta-V tends to be overestimated when the direction of force is inclined more than approximately 45 degrees to the side surface normal. Typical errors estimated by available independent data indicate that the 95 percent confidence limits on individual calculations of delta-V ranges from approximately 9 to 25 percent.
Progress Toward Rotavirus Vaccines

New childhood vaccines against rotavirus could prevent a leading cause of death among children in the developing world and do not have the dangerous side effects of the previous version.
Dimerization in highly concentrated solutions of phosphoimidazolide activated mononucleotides.

Phosphoimidazolide activated ribomononucleotides (*pN) are useful substrates for the non-enzymatic synthesis of polynucleotides. However, dilute neutral aqueous solutions of *pN typically yield small amounts of dimers and traces of polymers; most of *pN hydrolyzes to yield nucleoside 5'-monophosphate. Here we report the self-condensation of nucleoside 5'-phosphate 2- methylimidazolide (2-MeImpN with N = cytidine, uridine or guanosine) in the presence of Mg2(+) in concentrated solutions, such as might have been found in an evaporating lagoon on prebiotic Earth. The product distribution indicates that oligomerization is favored at the expense of hydrolysis. At 1.0 M, 2-MelmpU and 2-MelmpC produce about 65% of oligomers including 4% of the 3',5'-Iinked dimer. Examination of the product distribution of the three isomeric dimers in a self-condensation allows identification of reaction pathways that lead to dimer formation. Condensations in a concentrated mixture of all three nucleotides (U,C,G mixtures) is made possible by the enhanced solubility of 2-MeImpG in such mixtures. Although percent yield of intemucleotide linked dimers is enhanced as a function of initial monomer concentration, pyrophosphate dimer yields remain practically unchanged at about 20% for 2-MelmpU, 16% for 2-MeImpC and 25% of the total pyrophosphate in the U,C,G mixtures. The efficiency by which oligomers are produced in these concentrated solutions makes the evaporating lagoon scenario a potentially interesting medium for the prebiotic synthesis of dimers and short RNAs.
Conducting Polymer Nanowires and Their Biomedical Applications

The sections in this article are Introduction Fabrication of Conducting Polymer Nanowires Surface Modification of Conducting Polymer Nanowires Assembly/Alignment of Conducting Polymer Nanowires Biomedical Applications of Conducting Polymer Nanowires Sensing and Detection Proteins and Disease Markers Detection of Bacteria Detection of Small Molecules Detection of Heavy-Metal Ions and Pesticides Drug Delivery and DNA Carriers Summary and Future Perspectives Keywords: conducting polymers; nanowires; nanotubes; biomedical; nanostructured materials; nanotechnology; biosensors; drug delivery
The association of perceived stress, contextualized stress, and emotional eating with body mass index in college-aged Black women

A growing body of literature supports the association between adverse stress experiences and health inequities, including obesity, among African American/Black women. Adverse stress experiences can contribute to poor appetite regulation, increased food intake, emotional eating, binge eating, and sedentary behavior, all of which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Most research studies concerning the effect of psychological stress on eating behaviors have not examined the unique stress experience, body composition, and eating behaviors of African American/Black women. Even fewer studies have examined these constructs among Black female college students, who have an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to their counterparts. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to examine the associations among emotional eating, perceived stress, contextualized stress, and BMI in African American female college students. All participants identified as African American or Black (N=99). The mean age of the sample was 19.4 years (SD=1.80). A statistically significant eating behavior patterns×perceived stress interaction was evident for body mass index (BMI) (β=0.036, S.E.=.0118, p<.01). In addition, a statistically significant eating behavior patterns×contextualized stress interaction was observed for BMI (β=0.007, S.E.=.0027, p=.015). Findings from this study demonstrate that the stress experience interacts with emotional eating to influence BMI. Based on these findings, culturally relevant interventions that target the unique stress experience and eating behavior patterns of young African American women are warranted.
Effect of plane of nutrition and age on carcass maturity of sheep.

One hundred twenty ewe and wether lambs were fed high (76% TDN, 12.3% crude protein) or low (70.6% TDN, 16.1% crude protein) energy diets and slaughtered at average ages of 261, 356 or 469 d. High planes of nutrition for lambs at 356 or 469 d of age resulted in heavier carcasses, thicker fat depth and higher flank streaking scores compared to lambs fed low planes of nutrition. Rib bone, break joint and overall maturity scores were not influenced (P greater than .05) by diet. Metacarpal and metatarsal bones from lambs fed high planes of nutrition were slightly longer and heavier and required more force to break (P less than .05) compared with bones from lambs fed low planes of nutrition. The majority of the ewes fed high or low planes of nutrition had fused growth plates and possessed spool joints by 469 d; none of the wethers had spool joints. An additional 27 wethers were slaughtered at an average of 480, 578 or 662 d. Rib bone, break joint and overall maturity scores were not different (P greater than .05) for animals fed the high or low energy diets, but bone weight and shaft break force values were higher for those fed high energy diets. At 662 d of age, only 20% of the wethers on each dietary regimen possessed fused growth plates. Overall, plane of nutrition in market-weight lambs and yearlings had very little influence on the presence or absence of a break joint or on other bone maturity scores.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
THE LATE PALEOCENE THERMAL MAXIMUM: ANCIENT GLOBAL WARMING AT MODERN RATES?

One of the most abrupt and dramatic ancient global warming events took place ∼55 Ma in the late Paleocene epoch. This event, known as the Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum (LPTM), involved warming of high latitude and subtropical oceanic surface waters by up to 6°C and deep waters by up to 8°C. Deep-water warming and consequent oxygen deficiency led to the most severe mass extinction of deep-sea faunas in the last 90 million years. By contrast, the LPTM is also associated with major speciation of planktic foraminifers and terrestrial mammals. The event corresponds to a large (3 per mil), negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE) that suggests major changes in the nature of carbon cycling. The CIE has been used to correlate the LPTM between terrestrial and marine sediments. Current estimates of the duration of the LPTM range between 50–200 thousands of years. The onset of the event, including the full magnitude of the CIE, is thought to span 2–10 thousands of years. This initial rate of CO2 input is comparable with anthropogenic input of fossil fuels. Possible sources of CO2 and warming mechanisms include dissociation of methane hydrates along continental margins and a major episode of effusive volcanism in the North Atlantic. For causal mechanisms to be fully tested, however, more precise estimates of the duration of the onset are required. In this talk, a state-of-the-art chronology of the LPTM was presented along with a comparison of LPTM and modern CO2 input and warming rates.
Constructing sparse spanners for most graphs in higher dimensions

Abstract A geometric graph is a complete graph in which the vertex set is a set of points in R m and the edge weights are the distances between the points, according to the metric generated by some norm N . A subgraph G ′ = ( V , E ′) of a geometric graph G = ( V , E ) is a t-spanner of G is for all u , υ ϵ V , the distance between u and υ in G ′ is at most t times the distance between u and υ. For dimension m > 3 it is an open question as to whether there exist O(1)- spanners whose weight is O(1). weight ( MST ), where MST is a minimum spanning tree of G . We show that for a set of points chosen randomly from the m -dimensional unit hypercube, with high probability the spanners produced by a simple greedy algorithm have weight O(1). weight ( MST ).
Fluorocitrate inhibition of aconitase. Reversibility of the inactivation.

Abstract Fluoride ion is released nearly stoichiometrically when (−)- erythro -fluorocitrate is incubated with aconitase. The release of F − parallels the loss in activity and could arise from direct displacement of F − by a base on the enzyme or from dehydration to fluoro- cis -aconitate and attack of an enzymic base to release F − . Aconitase inactivated by 14 C-fluorocitrate does not retain radioactivity when passed through G-50 Sephadex or precipitated by ammonium sulfate. Full enzymic activity can be regained after either of these treatments by activation by cysteine and ferrous salts. These data are consistent with the report of fluorocitrate being a competitive (and non-competitive) inhibitor of aconitase (Villafranca, J.J. (1972) Intra-Science Chem. Rept . 6 (4), 1–11) which rapidly inactivates the enzyme. This inactivated enzyme may be a very labile covalent complex, a very tight complex between enzyme and fluoro- cis -aconitate or a tight complex between a defluorinated deravitive of fluorocitrate. In the course of Peters (1957) extensive work on the toxic effects of fluoroacetate, he determined that fluoroacetate was metabolically converted to fluorocitrate. This finding and the fact that citrate levels rise soon after ingestion of fluoroacetate led to the suggestion that fluorocitrate inactivates aconitase (E.C. 4.2.1.2). Recently, conflicting reports concerning the site of inactivation in mitochondria by the inhibiting isomer of fluorocitrate, (−)- erythro -fluorocitrate (1R:2R, 1-fluoro-2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate) have appeared (Eanes et al. 1972 ; Brand et al, 1973) . Eanes et al. (1972) contends that the tricarboxylate carrier is the site of inhibition, while Brand et al. (1973) has compelling evidence that aconitase is the site of inhibition. This controversy is a matter of intrepretation of the results and a greater knowledge of the inactivation of aconitase by fluorocitrate may be useful in these interpretations. The results reported herein are concerned with the mechanism of inactivation of purified mitochondrial aconitase by fluorocitrate and demonstrate that this reaction is readily reversible.
A biochemical and radioautographic analysis of protein secretion by thyroid lobes incubated in vitro.

In this study we analyzed several aspects of protein secretion by thyroid follicular cells. The study was carried out on intact thyroid lobes obtained from newborn rats and incubated in vitro. The fate of leucine-3H incorporated into protein within follicular cells of untreated and thyrotropic hormone (TSH)-treated lobes was traced by quantitative electron microscope radioautography. Our findings indicate that protein synthesized by the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum during a pulse exposure to leucine-3H is released relatively slowly by this organelle. Approximately 1 hr after onset of the pulse, a peak of radioactive protein appears in the Golgi region. The significance of this peak is not clear. Newly synthesized secretory protein passes through the apex of follicular cells without being concentrated or temporarily stored there in the form of large secretory droplets. Passage probably takes place via small vesicles which are intermingled among diverse small vesicles at the apex of the cells as well as in the Golgi region. Exposure of the lobes to TSH in the incubation medium for 45 or 90 min does not stimulate incorporation of leucine-3H into protein. Acute stimulation with TSH does, however, modify the movement of secretory protein within the exocrine secretory apparatus of the follicular cell. It accelerates the arrival of the protein at the apex of follicular cells, and it accelerates the release of the protein into the follicular lumen.
Snail-Related Transcriptional Repressors Are Required in Xenopus for both the Induction of the Neural Crest and Its Subsequent Migration

The neural crest is a transient population of precursor cells that arises at the border between the neural plate and prospective epidermis in vertebrate embryos. The earliest known response to neural-crest-inducing signals is the expression of the zinc-finger transcription factors slug and snail. Although it is widely believed that these transcription factors play an essential role in neural crest development, relatively little is understood about their mechanism of action during this process. We have previously shown that overexpression of XSlug leads to expanded expression of neural crest markers and an excess of at least one neural crest derivative, melanocytes. In order to further investigate XSlug function, we overexpressed mutant constructs in which the DNA-binding domain was fused to either the activation domain from Gal4 or the repressor domain from Drosophila Engrailed. The Engrailed repressor fusion was found to mimic the effects of wild-type XSlug, indicating that XSlug functions as a transcriptional repressor during neural crest formation. In contrast, overexpression of either the activation domain fusion or the DNA-binding domain alone was found to inhibit XSlug function. Using a hormone-inducible inhibitory mutant, we show that inhibition of XSlug function at early stages prevents the formation of neural crest precursors, while inhibition at later stages interferes with neural crest migration, demonstrating for the first time that this transcriptional repressor is required during multiple stages of neural crest development.
A GRADIENT-BASED SAMPLING APPROACH FOR DIMENSION REDUCTION OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH STOCHASTIC COEFFICIENTS

We develop a projection-based dimension reduction approach for partial differential equations with high-dimensional stochastic coefficients. This technique uses samples of the gradient of the quantity of interest (QoI) to partition the uncertainty domain into “active” and “passive” subspaces. The passive subspace is characterized by near-constant behavior of the quantity of interest, while the active subspace contains the most important dynamics of the stochastic system. We also present a procedure to project the model onto the low-dimensional active subspace that enables the resulting approximation to be solved using conventional techniques. Unlike the classical Karhunen-Loeve expansion, the advantage of this approach is that it is applicable to fully nonlinear problems and does not require any assumptions on the correlation between the random inputs. This work also provides a rigorous convergence analysis of the quantity of interest and demonstrates: at least linear convergence with respect to the number of samples. It also shows that the convergence rate is independent of the number of input random variables. Thus, applied to a reducible problem, our approach can approximate the statistics of the QoI to within desired error tolerance at a cost that is orders of magnitude lower than standard Monte Carlo. Finally, several numerical examples demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and are used to illustrate the theoretical results. In particular, we validate our convergence estimates through the application of this approach to a reactor criticality problem with a large number of random cross-section parameters.
Quantifying effects of abiotic and biotic drivers on community dynamics with multivariate autoregressive (MAR) models

Long-term ecological data sets present opportunities for identifying drivers of community dynamics and quantifying their effects through time series analysis. Multivariate autoregressive (MAR) models are well known in many other disciplines, such as econometrics, but widespread adoption of MAR methods in ecology and natural resource management has been much slower despite some widely cited ecological examples. Here we review previous ecological applications of MAR models and highlight their ability to identify abiotic and biotic drivers of population dynamics, as well as community-level stability metrics, from long-term empirical observations. Thus far, MAR models have been used mainly with data from freshwater plankton communities; we examine the obstacles that may be hindering adoption in other systems and suggest practical modifications that will improve MAR models for broader application. Many of these modifications are already well known in other fields in which MAR models are common, although they are frequently described under different names. In an effort to make MAR models more accessible to ecologists, we include a worked example using recently developed R packages (MAR1 and MARSS), freely available and open-access software.
The Hrp pilus: learning from flagella

Plant pathogenic bacteria deliver avirulence and virulence effector proteins into plant cells via the hrp-gene-encoded type III secretion system. A key component of this secretion system is a surface appendage called the Hrp pilus. Recent results suggest that the Hrp pilus serves as a conduit for type III protein secretion and that it is assembled in a manner similar to the flagellum. The Hrp pilus is likely to be the functional equivalent of the needle extension, assembled by type III secretion systems of mammalian pathogenic bacteria.
Surgical aortico-pulmonary anastomosis for a complex aortic obstruction with single ventricle

Abstract Management of the neonate and infant with single ventricle and obstruction to systemic blood flow remains controversial and carries significant risk. Options include a neonatal pulmonary artery banding procedure or a pulmonary artery (PA)-to-aortic anastomosis and systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt. A series of 162 patients with tricuspid atresia or other forms of single ventricle presented between 1985 and 1991, and in 71, there was unrestricted pulmonary blood flow. Of these, 41 had initial pulmonary artery banding with 3 deaths, whereas 5 of 29 patients undergoing PA-to-aortic anastomosis died early. However, when the patients were analyzed by whether aortic arch obstruction was also present, 66.7% ( 4 6 ) of patients managed with PA banding plus arch repair eventually died, whereas only 40% ( 10 25 ) died at some point after PA-aortic anastomosis plus arch repair. Continued experience and follow-up are necessary to improve the outcome of patients with single ventricle and systemic blood flow obstruction.
Review of breast cancer screening guidelines

In this article, the author provides a historical description of the initiation of the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP) and the subsequent development of screening guidelines for breast cancer by the American Cancer Society and other organizations.
Natural Hazards and Disaster Information on the Internet

Abstract This article describes various materials on the World Wide Web that can be effectively utilized in courses on natural hazards and physical geography. Specific Internet addresses are provided for teachers who wish to access various hazard warnings, satellite images, hazard vulnerability maps, reports, and other data concerning geophysical, hydrologic, and meteorological hazards. Suggested strategies for classroom use of this information are also provided. References are made to previous articles in the Journal of Geography that can provide guidance for teachers using the abundant hazards data accessible via the Internet.
Photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence rhythms of marine phytoplankton

Circadian rhythms in photosynthesis were defined in field populations of phytoplankton. Measurements of carbon-dioxide fixation rates demonstrated that a diurnal periodicity of photosynthesis in samples incubated under natural light-dark (LD) cycles also were observed to continue in similar samples which had been photoadapted to constant dim light (LL) for 48 h. These changes in photosynthetic rates preceded sunset and sunrise, had daily amplitudes that ranged from 1.5 to 2.0, appeared to be independent of light-intensity, and displayed maxima about midday, while rates of dark fixation of carbon dioxide and the photosynthetic pigment content per cell were constant over the circadian cycle. Similar rhythmicity also was detected in room-temperature (22°C) chlorophyll a fluorescence yield, in both the obsence and presence of the photosynthesis inhibitor DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea]. However, the magnitude and timing of the fluorescence rhythm maxima seem to depend on wavelengths monitored and, in part, on the measuring technique used. Also, the circadian changes in the fluorescence intensity were abolished at low temperature (-60°C), and the shape of the emission spectra of chlorophyll fluorescence of cells in LD and LL did not change over time. The significance of the fluorescence rhythms with regard to chlorophyll a determinations and photosynthetic rates is discussed. It was concluded that there was sufficient similarity between circadian rhythms of photosynthesis in natural phytoplankton populations and in laboratory cultures of dinoflagellates to suggest that the mechanism of regulation may be the same for both of them.
Analysis of complex human genetic traits: An ordered-notation method and new tests for mode of inheritance

A novel ordered notation is introduced that allows description and calculation of the probability of any nuclear-pedigree configuration of disease status and marker-allele information. Algorithms are given that allow for complex models of disease predisposition, a highly polymorphic or less polymorphic marker locus, gametic disequilibrium between the marker and disease loci (marker association with disease), recombination between the marker and disease loci, and different ascertainment schemes. The theoretical foundation is presented for a series of new tests to identify modes of inheritance and genetic heterogeneity. These use marker-locus data in nuclear families from four ascertainment schemes: simplex (S), multiplex parent-child (MPC), multiplex sibs (MS),and multiplex parent-sibs (MPS). The tests are (1) extension of the antigen-genotype-frequencies-among-patients method to MPC, MS,and MPS pedigrees; (2) determination of the expected rates of transmission, or not, of marker alleles from parents to an affected child, for all pedigree types; (3) determination of expected identity by descent (IBD) values for affected sib pairs when a parent is affected (MPS pedigrees); and (4) determination of the expected marker-allele frequencies in affected-sib-pair IBD categories (MS and MPS pedigrees). A sampling strategy that includes the four pedigree types S, MPC, MS, and MPS is recommended for complex diseases oncemore » linkage and/or association of a marker with disease has been established. The full array of new and old tests that can be applied to these pedigrees provides a complementary suite of methods that can facilitate the mapping and characterization of complex human genetic traits. 50 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.« less
Global Aging and Intergenerational Equity

Abstract As we begin a new millennium, we are about to bear witness to a global society that is the oldest in the history of the world. The elderly population (aged 60 or over) is growing faster than all other age groups and will expand from 200 million elderly in 1950 to an estimated 1.2 billion in 2025, a six-fold increase over a 75-year period. Projections for aging populations in developing countries are even more dramatic. Whereas it took industrialized nations from 50 to 100 years to see their elderly populations double from 7 to 14 percent on average, in developing nations a comparable increase will occur in fewer than 39 years. Through a combination of declining fertility rates and a corresponding increase in life expectancy, both developed and developing nations are witnessing shifts in their respective population age structures that, ultimately, will affect their respective dependency/support ratios, the number of people under age 14 and over age 64 who are dependent on those who are actively wo...
Some estimates of the radiative Rosseland mean opacity

Abstract The effect of atomic number Z on the Rosseland mean opacity is presented in graphic form for a large range of temperatures and densities. This permits a rapid determination of the dominant process and, in many cases, greatly simplifies the calculation of a good approximation of the Rosseland mean opacity.
Mucosa-associated bacterial diversity in necrotizing enterocolitis.

Background Previous studies of infant fecal samples have failed to clarify the role of gut bacteria in the pathogenesis of NEC. We sought to characterize bacterial communities within intestinal tissue resected from infants with and without NEC. Methods 26 intestinal samples were resected from 19 infants, including 16 NEC samples and 10 non-NEC samples. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences were amplified and sequenced. Analysis allowed for taxonomic identification, and quantitative PCR was used to quantify the bacterial load within samples. Results NEC samples generally contained an increased total burden of bacteria. NEC and non-NEC sample sets were both marked by high inter-individual variability and an abundance of opportunistic pathogens. There was no statistically significant distinction between the composition of NEC and non-NEC microbial communities. K-means clustering enabled us to identify several stable clusters, including clusters of NEC and midgut volvulus samples enriched with Clostridium and Bacteroides. Another cluster containing both NEC and non-NEC samples was marked by an abundance of Enterobacteriaceae and decreased diversity among NEC samples. Conclusions The results indicate that NEC is a disease without a uniform pattern of microbial colonization, but that NEC is associated with an abundance of strict anaerobes and a decrease in community diversity.
General Blotto: games of allocative strategic mismatch

The Colonel Blotto game captures strategic situations in which players attempt to mismatch an opponent’s action. We extend Colonel Blotto to a class of General Blotto games that allow for more general payoffs and externalities between fronts. These extensions make Blotto applicable to a variety of real-world problems. We find that like Colonel Blotto, most General Blotto games do not have pure strategy equilibria. Using a replicator dynamics learning model, we show that General Blotto may have more predictable dynamics than the original Blotto game. Thus, adding realistic structure to Colonel Blotto may, paradoxically, make it less complex.
Relining complete dentures with an oral cure silicone elastomer and a duplicate denture.

Abstract Sometimes denture liners are indicated for patients who are wearing conventional complete dentures. An oral-curing silicone elastomer can be placed in an existing denture by the method described. The advantages of this method over the "oral" method are (1) bubbles and voids in the silicone liner are minimized, (2) the centric jaw relation record of the relined denture is less subject to error, (3) the formation of smooth borders of the desired thickness of the soft liner are facilitated, and (4) a duplicate denture can be made in the mold for processing the silicone liner with a minimal expenditure of time and material. The patient receives a denture with a soft liner that should afford increased comfort and a duplicate denture for emergency use. Both the liner and denture contribute significantly to the oral health and self-confidence of the patient.
National validation of the NACNS clinical nurse specialist core competencies.

Purpose: To validate the 75 core National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists' (NACNS) clinical nurse specialist (CNS) competencies among practicing CNSs. Specific aims were to (a) determine the extent to which 75 core CNS competencies were used in current CNS practice, (b) determine the importance of those competencies to practicing CNSs, and (c) identify gaps between CNS core competencies and role expectations in current practice. Design: A survey design was used with both paper-and-pencil and online instruments. The survey included 150 items and three open-ended questions. Methods: A convenience sampling method was used, which targeted practicing CNSs. Findings: Respondents (N=505) were practicing CNSs who entered the field as RNs between 1956 and 2006. The survey had a high degree of internal consistency reliability (0.967%) between the subscales. The 75 NACNS core competencies were found to be useful and important for CNSs. A few gaps were identified between CNS core competencies and CNS role expectations in current practice. Conclusions: No one method for validating competencies will be satisfactory for all situations; however, the processes and methods used in this study were well suited to accomplish the goal of validating CNS core competencies. The process described here may be instructive to leaders of other national and international professional organizations interested in developing and evaluating competencies. Core competencies are useful and important to currently practicing CNSs. Clinical Relevance: The CNS role is growing internationally. Core CNS competencies can be a framework for CNS role development, education, and practice. As described here, a competency validation survey is one way to assure that CNSs are meeting healthcare needs.
Preventive cardiology in practice: A device for risk estimation and counseling in coronary disease☆

Abstract A method for the rapid estimation and display of coronary risk is used in counseling and for following progress in the practice of preventive cardiology. The estimator is a slide rule which computes risk of a future coronary event based on current age, smoking habit, serum cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. The device also displays estimated change in risk based on change in risk factors. The estimates are explained to clients as gross approximations. The slide rule is helpful in personalizing the need and the potential of preventive efforts.
Scaling structured interview data: a comparison of two methods.

ABSTRACT Objective Although structured interviews are currently considered essential assessment strategies for conducting research, the data they generate are typically not used for purposes beyond making categorical determinations about diagnoses. Because of the need for dimensional scales to be used in conjunction with categorical data, two dimensional scales constructed from structured interviews are presented and examined. One scale, Behavior, Anxiety, Mood, and Other (BAMO), provides an overall score by summing the percentage of symptoms endorsed for each of 20 behavior, anxiety, mood, and other disorders found in the Diagnostic Interview for C hildren a nd Adolescents-Revised (DICA-R, DSM-III-R version). Another scale, DICA-SUM, is constructed by summing all endorsed symptoms on the interview. In this study the psychometric and pragmatic characteristics of BAMO and DICA-SUM are compared. Method Data were obtained from 570 children (331 bereaved, 110 depressed, 129 community) aged 5 to 18 years (mean ± SD=11.3 ± 3.2) who were interviewed as part of an ongoing longitudinal childhood bereavement study from 1987 to 1996. Results Discriminant and convergent validity with other child psychopathology measures are comparable for BAMO and DICA-SUM. However, BAMO more clearly conveys information regarding the approximate number of diagnoses endorsed. Conclusion This study identified two methods of creating dimensional scales from structured interviews. Use of such dimensional scales might allow for improved comparison of results across studies.