cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The scattering of slow electrons by polar molecules

The equations which describe scattering of electrons by polar molecules are discussed. The criterion for the existence of a critical dipole moment which can bind an electron is introduced. The critical moments for a freely rotating dipole are shown to coincide with those already known for a fixed dipole, and a level-crossing scheme is developed. Finally the existence of well-behaved scattering solutions, corresponding physically to virtual inelastic transitions, even at supercritical moments, is demonstrated.
Patterns of Change in Early Childhood Aggressive‐Disruptive Behavior: Gender Differences in Predictions from Early Coercive and Affectionate Mother‐Child Interactions

The present study focused on mother-child interaction predictors of initial levels and change in child aggressive and disruptive behavior at school from kindergarten to third grade. Aggression-disruption was measured via annual reports from teachers and peers. Ordinary least-squares regression was used to identify 8 separate child aggression trajectories, 4 for each gender: high initial levels with increases in aggression, high initial levels with decreases in aggression, low initial levels with increases in aggression, and low initial levels with decreases in aggression. Mother-child interaction measures of coercion and nonaffection collected prior to kindergarten were predictive of initial levels of aggression-disruption in kindergarten in both boys and girls. However, boys and girls differed in how coercion and nonaffection predicted change in aggression-disruption across elementary school years. For boys, high coercion and nonaffection were particularly associated with the high-increasing-aggression trajectory, but for girls, high levels of coercion and nonaffection were associated with the high-decreasing-aggression trajectory. This difference is discussed in the context of Patterson et al.'s coercion training theory, and the need for gender-specific theories of aggressive development is noted.
Context and Reflexivity: The Genealogy of Self

The project I have set myself is mammoth and unmanageable. To attempt it anyway is foolish, and not only for that reason. As William Golding’s Jocelin reflects, “to think how the mind touches all things with law, yet deceives itself as easily as a child,” 1 so this project, seeking the inner logos of self’s emergence, may well be too easily deceived. “Self,” so readily characterizable in language by a substantivization of a reflexive (divested of the pronominative it qualifies), is, it may be, no substantive at all but an oddly fugitive reflexive presence, foredooming such inquisitive efforts as this to subtle but always rude failure. The vagaries of custom and habit seduce one to believe in the continuous subsistence of self, sometimes with marked passion; yet searches designed to ferret it out just as often end by entrapping themselves in their own belief and passion. It were wiser perhaps to leave these matters to those more accustomed to the regions of illusion and sly dexterity: the magical crafts.
An efficient and robust technique for tracking amplitude and frequency envelopes in oscillators

Envelope-following methods face special challenges when applied to oscillators because of their fundamental property of dynamically-changing frequencies. In this paper, we present a novel and robust approach for oscillator envelope following. Our method combines, unifies and extends ideas from two prior oscillator envelope-following approaches, Petzold's method and the WaMPDE. Our technique uses two extra system unknowns, as well as two extra "phase condition" equations, to track quantities related to dynamical frequency/time-period changes. These advances confer significant robustness without appreciable computational overhead. We validate our method on LC, ring and crystal oscillators, predicting frequency and amplitude modulations as well as transient startup envelopes accurately. Speedups of 1-2 orders of magnitude are obtained over traditional alternatives.
An evolutionary-based approach for feature generation: Eukaryotic promoter recognition

Prediction of promoter regions continues to be a challenging subproblem in mapping out eukaryotic DNA. While this task is key to understanding the regulation of differential transcription, the gene-specific architecture of promoter sequences does not readily lend itself to general strategies. To date, the best approaches are based on Support Vector Machines (SVMs) that employ standard ”spectrum” features and achieve promoter region classification accuracies from a low of 84% to a high of 94% depending on the particular species involved. In this paper, we propose a general and powerful methodology that uses Genetic Programming (GP) techniques to generate more complex and more gene-specific features to be used with a standard SVM for promoter region identification. We evaluate our methodology on three data sets from different species and observe consistent classification accuracies in the 94–95% range. In addition, because the GP-generated features are gene-specific, they can be used by biologists to advance their understanding of the architecture of eukaryotic promoter regions.
Propositional logic of context

In this paper we investigate the simple logical properties of contexts. We describe both the syntax and semantics of a general propositional language of context, and give a Hilbert style proof system for this language. A propositional logic of context extends classical propositional logic in two ways. Firstly, a new modality, ist(k, φ), is introduced. It is used to express that the sentence, φ, holds in the context k. Secondly, each context has its own vocabulary, i.e. a set of propositional atoms which are defined or meaningful in that context. The main results of this paper are the soundness and completeness of this Hilbert style proof system. We also provide soundness and completeness results (i.e. correspondence theory) for various extensions of the general system.
The complex genetic basis of simple behavior

Genetic approaches to dissecting complex traits in animal models increasingly use transcript levels as a molecular phenotype and as validation for predictions of gene function. A recent study in BMC Biology using these approaches shows the complexity of the genetic contribution to aggressive behavior in Drosophila.
Risk, Learning, and the Adoption of Fertilizer Responsive Seed Varieties

The effect of uncertainty due to imperfect information on the decision to adopt fertilizer responsive seed varieties is examined. Additional information and enhanced ability to “decode” information are shown to increase the likelihood of adoption. Relevant empirical evidence for the Philippines is summarized.
Coral Reefs of the Gulf: Adaptation to Climatic Extremes in the World’s Hottest Sea

This book treats coral reefs in the water body enclosed between Iran and the Arabian peninsula that in this book we refer to as “The Gulf”. The area is variably also known as the Persian or Arabian Gulf, or as the ROPME Inner Sea Area. The Gulf has a long research history and a compilation of present knowledge about its reefs is timely. In 16 chapters, this book guides the reader through environmental and geological determinants of reefbuilding, through the dynamics of reef corals and reef fishes, to the taxonomy of key reef organisms. Also the importance of artificial structures as novel reef substrates is discussed.
Distance or Coverage?: Retrieving Knowledge-Rich Documents From Enterprise Text Collections

We formulate a problem that arises in unstructured enterprise information management, and has high commercial impact: retrieve knowledge-rich documents in a large textual collection of technical documents. We call such documents principal documents. We exploit the properties of large sparse text collections in order to address this problem. It is known that the centroids of document clusters on such collections form so-called "concept vectors" for the collection. However, typically these centroids do not correspond to documents in the collection. How then should they be used for retrieving documents? An immediate approach is to collect documents that are closest to the centroid, which we call CTC. We also propose an algorithm called PrinDocs. The key insight behind PrinDocs is the following: replace distance functions by coverage. In other words, instead of finding the "closest" documents to a concept vector, find those that "cover" the concept vector. PrinDocs employs greedy weighted set covering and uses the concept decomposition offered by centroids, but does not use the cosine distance on documents. We compare CTC and PrinDocs for retrieving knowledge-rich documents in enterprise unstructured technical collections. We demonstrate that PrinDocs comprehensively outperforms CTC. Our work suggests that coverage based approaches might be preferable to distance based ones for similar retrieval tasks.
Validation of Human Behavioral Models

Validation of human behavioral models, such as those used to represent hostile and/or friendly forces in training simulations is an issue that is gaining importance, as the military depends on such training methods more and more. However, this introduces new difficulties because of the dynamic nature of these models and the need to use experts to judge their validity. As a result, this paper discusses some conceptual approaches to carry out this task. These are based on comparing the behavior of the model to that of an expert, while the latter behaves normally in a simulated environment, under the same conditions seen by the model.
The emergence of pattern discovery techniques in computational biology.

In the past few years, pattern discovery has been emerging as a generic tool of choice for tackling problems from the computational biology domain. In this presentation, and after defining the problem in its generality, we review some of the algorithms that have appeared in the literature and describe several applications of pattern discovery to problems from computational biology.
Phase Doubler for high power voltage regulators

As the power consumption of microprocessors increases, a high phase count voltage regulator is required to meet the power hunger (>180A) and high efficiency requirements. In general, the higher the phase number count, the more PWM outputs and current sensing inputs are required for the PWM controller. Developing a very high phase count PWM controller becomes very challenging and requires a high pin count package, resulting in high cost and complex layout design. In this paper, a Phase Doubler, using a single PWM input to drive two interleaved phases, is proposed to overcome these problems. The Phase Doubler can be further expanded to quadruple the phase count, i.e, control 4 phases with only a single PWM input. Some experimental data of a 12-phase voltage regulator are included to verify the concept.
Origin and characteristics of endogenous lipid in thoracic duct lymph in rat.

Thoracic duct lymph of rats eating a fat-free diet contained 7 mg of lipid per hr. The lipid was 7001, tri- glyceride, and largely in the d < 1.006 lipoprotein fraction. Lipid of the d < 1.006 fraction of the lymph was many times more concentrated than that of the blood plasma at the same time. It reached the thoracic duct via lymphatics from the intestine; little entered from the liver. The fatty acid moiety composing over three-fourths of the lymph lipid mass was un- doubtedly derived in part from bile lipid-possibly to the ex- tent of roughly 5oY0, and in some part from other intraluminal materials. Studies with labeled palmitic acid indicated that little circulating free fatty acid was taken up by the intestinal mucosa and incorporated into lymph lipid.
Cachexia & debility diagnoses in hospitalized children and adolescents with complex chronic conditions: evidence from the Kids’ Inpatient Database

OBJECTIVE To characterize the frequency, cost, and hospital-reported outcomes of cachexia and debility in children and adolescents with complex chronic conditions (CCCs). METHODS We identified children and adolescents (aged ≤20 years) with CCCs, cachexia, and debility in the Kids' Inpatient Database [Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality]. We then compared the characteristics of patients and hospitalizations, including cost and duration of stay, for CCCs with and without cachexia and/or debility. We examined factors that predict risk of inpatient mortality in children and adolescents with CCCs using a logistic regression model. We examined factors that impact duration of stay and cost in children and adolescents with CCCs using negative binomial regression models. All costs are reported in US dollars in 2014 using Consumer Price Index inflation adjustment. RESULTS We estimated the incidence of hospitalization of cachexia in children and adolescents with CCCs at 1,395 discharges during the sample period, which ranged from 277 discharges in 2003 to 473 discharges in 2012. We estimated the incidence of hospitalization due to debility in children and adolescents with CCCs at 421 discharges during the sample period, which ranged from 39 discharges in 2003 to 217 discharges in 2012. Cachexia was associated with a 60% increase in the risk of inpatient mortality, whereas debility was associated with a 40% decrease in the risk of mortality. Cachexia and debility increased duration of stay in hospital (17% and 39% longer stays, respectively). Median cost of hospitalization was $15,441.59 and $23,796.16 for children and adolescents with cachexia and debility, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Incidence of hospitalization for cachexia in children and adolescents with CCCs is less than that for adults but the frequency of cachexia diagnoses increased over time. Estimates of the incidence of hospitalization with debility in children and adolescents with CCCs have not been reported, but our study demonstrates that the frequency of these discharges is also increasing.
Spatial Equilibrium and Quadratic Programming

This paper attempts to indicate how spatial equilibrium models of the Enke-Samuelson variety may be handled as quadratic programming problems. Assuming the existence of linear regional demand and supply relations, models are formulated and algorithms specified which may be used to obtain directly and efficiently the interregional price and flow solutions for the single and multiproduct, n region cases. For each of the specifications the existence, uniqueness and convergence characteristics are investigated and the conditions for obtaining optimum solutions are noted. Illustrative numerical examples are given to reflect the structure of the programming formulation for several alternative spatial models.
Workshop Summary: Hydrogen Embrittlement

The first of the two workshops on hydrogen effects focused on examining four basic questions related to hydrogen. It was hoped that by concentrating our efforts and bringing to bear inputs and expertise from the diverse group of participants present at least a partial resolution to some of these fundamental issues could be achieved. The questions addressed included: 1. Can interaction (binding) energies of hydrogen to specific structural features (voids, interfaces, dislocations, etc.) be calculated by chemical and/or physical approaches? How valuable would such information be? 2. Hydrogen strongly affects the mechanical (and physical) behavior of a broad range of metals and alloys of different crystal structures, strength, toughness and hydrogen solubility and diffusivity. What differentiates hydrogen from other “embrittling” solutes which are usually more system specific? 3. Are hydrogen embrittling effects dominated, in general, by decohesion (cleavage) or plasticity controlled processes? 4. Most modeling approaches to hydrogen (or other environmental) embrittlement rely on coupling a kinetic analysis or permeability to the effect of local stress states on hydrogen distribution or redistribution. Can we do better?
ERYTHEMA CHRONICUM MIGRANS AND LYME ARTHRITIS: EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE FOR A TICK VECTOR1

Forty-three residents of 12 contiguous Connecticut communities were identified who had the onset of erythema chronicum migrans, Lyme arthritis, or both during the summer and fall of 1977. Nine of them (21%) remembered having been bitten by a tick at the site of the initial skin lesion a median of 12 days (range 3-20) before onset; one patient brought in the tick for identification (Ixodes scapularis). Compared to 64 of their neighbors, significantly more patients had cats and farm animals, and had noted ticks on their pets and tick bites on themselves. The incidence of the illness during 1977 was 2.8 cases per 1000 residents in the three communities on the east side of the Connecticut River, compared to 0.1 cases per 1000 residents in the nine communities on the west side, a difference of almost 30-fold. Taken with the results of a concomitant acarological study on both sides of the river, these findings support the hypothesis that erythema chronicum migrans and Lyme arthritis are tick-transmitted, specifically by I. scapularis.
Challenges facing beginning Faculty in the 21st Century Higher Education: Evaluating Research Productivity, Teaching Effectiveness, And Service

Much of the past and recent scholarly literature on faculty performance, productivity, and effectiveness for tenure and promotion has focused largely on the quality and quantity of research of over a specific timeframe and based on rigorous guidelines. Pre-tenured faculty in research-oriented institutions are expected or required to carry demanding teaching loads, serve on numerous committees, and continue to remain on the cutting edge of research. As a result, isolation, anxiety, and stress often rule the lives of pre-tenured faculty who strive to secure tenure at their respective institutions. This exploratory study uses anecdotal evidence to examine the challenges pre-tenure faculty face in the 21st century in the area of teaching, research and service. The term pre-tenure faculty in this paper refers to faculty who have been teaching for less than five years and who are not tenured. Results of the study show that, in the area of teaching, full workload and the disproportionate demand on faculty members’ time and responsibilities are major issues. In the area of research, the major problem is the inability of pre-tenure faculty to balance research with their teaching load due to the absence of established mentoring programs in the programs examined. Anecdotal evidence suggests that emphasis should be placed on dealing with challenges pertaining to teaching. Pre-tenure faculty also contend that the issues confronting them can be addressed through effective mentoring, relationship with tenured and senior professors, and the establishment of separate promotion tracks for teaching and intellectual contribution to name but a few in higher education.
UV photoactivated room temperature CVD of aluminum on functionalized self-assembled monolayers adsorbed on Au.

We have investigated the selective photoactivated room temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of aluminum (Al) on functionalized self-assembled monolayers adsorbed on Au. The CVD precursor employed is trimethyl aluminum (TMA). Using a deuterium arc lamp we demonstrate that the rate of the Al film growth is approximately twice that observed for nonphotoactivated Al chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using TMA. At the wavelengths employed, the photolysis of TMA leads to the dissociation of the TMA dimer to its monomer followed by successive release of methyl groups to form (CH3)3–xAl. The photogenerated (CH3)3–xAl species react with −OH- and −COOH-terminated SAMs but not −CH3-terminated SAMs. Using these reactions we demonstrate that aluminum can be selectively deposited on −CH3/–COOH-patterned SAMs. The possible reaction mechanisms involved in the Al film growth are discussed. These results indicate that photoactivated CVD (laser CVD) processes are suitable for the deposition of stable films of metals an...
Influence of point count length and repeated visits on habitat model performance

Point counts are commonly used to monitor bird populations, and a substantial amount of research has investigated how conducting counts for different lengths of time affects the accuracy of these counts and the subsequent ability to monitor changes in population trends. However, little work has been done to assess how changes in count duration affect bird-habitat models developed from point count data. In this paper, we present an empirical comparison of the performance of bird-habitat models, which were developed via logistic regression analyses based on point count data from 3-, 5-, 10-, and 20-min counts. We also investigated the effect of the number of visits to each survey point on model performance. We assessed model performance on the basis of R 2 -values and percent concordant pairs. A positive relation between model performance and count duration was most apparent for species with relatively low detection probabilities, whereas performance of models for species with relatively high detectability was fairly consistent or even decreased as count duration increased. Our results suggest that while some improvement in bird-habitat models for species with low detection rates can be achieved via longer point counts, the modest gains in model performance should be weighed against the increased time and effort required to conduct longer counts. Models based on data from a single visit to each point did not performed as well as models based on multiple visits. However, we found little or no improvement in model performance when the number of visits per point increased from 2 to 3. We suggest that current recommendations on point count durations (5 or 10 min) will provide adequate data for modeling bird-habitat relations.
Food-shopping environment disparities in Texas WIC vendors: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE To identify differences in food-shopping environments of Texas WIC vendors using a culturally adapted instrument. METHODS A survey tool was developed for measuring food availability, accessibility, and affordability in 111 WIC vendors in Texas. Two-tailed t-tests and Mann-Whitney tests were used for rural/urban and Texas-Mexico border/non-border area comparisons. RESULTS Prices were higher in rural areas than in urban areas for 2 key foods, fruits (p = .024) and milk (p = .007); non-border vendors had overall better food availability than border vendors; non-border vendors had better accessibility for fruits (p = .007) than border vendors. CONCLUSION In Texas, disparities in food-shopping environments are evident and can be assessed using a culturally adapted survey tool.
Inherent System Dynamics of Instability and Resilience in Nonprofit Human Services

This study advances the notion that the observed instability of nonprofit human service organizations may be inherent to the institutional environment and that decisions to save in order to smooth resources across the business cycle may be, in part, outside of the control of any single organization. The conclusion drawn from the analysis points to a need for more sufficient reserve funds in the sector. But, the discussion of barriers in the institutional environment raises the caution that increasing reserve funds in these organizations cannot simply be done by encouraging better financial management practices. Consideration has to be given to reducing the barriers created by the set of complex perspectives and norms that affect the legitimacy of surplus accumulation.
Bounded Solutions of KdV and Non-Periodic One-Gap Potentials in Quantum Mechanics

We describe a broad new class of exact solutions of the KdV hierarchy. In general, these solutions do not vanish at infinity, and are neither periodic nor quasi-periodic. This class includes algebro-geometric finite-gap solutions as a particular case. The spectra of the corresponding Schrodinger operators have the same structure as those of N-gap periodic potentials, except that the reflectionless property holds only in the infinite band. These potentials are given, in a non-unique way, by 2N real positive functions defined on the allowed bands. In this letter we restrict ourselves to potentials with one allowed band on the negative semi-axis; however, our results apply in general. We support our results with numerical calculations.
Capitalist Regulation, Flexible Production, and Auto Market Evolution

The ability of the Indian economy to accommodate numerous automobile manufacturers rested partly on demand growth. It was also supported by a fundamental restructuring of the industry as a whole, spearheaded by jointventures such as MUL and other collaborations between Indian and multinational firms. To meet growing demand not only did auto firms increase production of vehicles, but in order to successfully compete and quickly capture emerging markets firms had to cultivate a viable auto components supplier industry. This is the second layer of supply-driven market development. Increasing backward integration was made possible by new institutional arrangements at the macro (national) and micro (industrial and firm) levels. These are institutional responses to a changing national environment of market growth induced by embourgeoisment and the challenges of securing that market.
Fabrication of Metal Laminate Composites with Interface Reinforcement by Semi-Solid Sintering

Semi-solid sintering technique has been introduced to alter the interfaces of a metal laminate composite material. A thin layer of reinforcement nanoparticles was applied on substrate metallic sheets using an ultrasonic spray deposition method. The sheets were then stacked, pressed, and sintered in the semi-solid regime of the metallic sheet. The liquid phase present in the matrix material penetrates and diffuses into the nanoparticle layer during consolidation and helps to form a gradual, nanostructured interface. Aluminum (Al6061) and magnesium (AZ31) alloy foils were used as the matrix sheets while various species of reinforcement particles were investigated, including silicon carbide (SiC), silicon (Si), and a mix of Si+SiC. Multilayered metal composites with nanostructured interfaces were successfully consolidated and were evaluated by performing a three-point bend test. AZ31 composites reinforced with SiC nanoparticle interface showed an improvement of 49% in flexural yield strength when compared with a reference sample without such interfaces.
Lack of Anemia Despite Marked Elevation of Serum Methylmalonic Acid and Total Homocysteine in a Multiethnic Cohort.

It is controversial whether asymptomatic patients with metabolic evidence of cobalamin (Cbl) deficiency need vitamin treatment. Patients with clinical abnormalities due to Cbl deficiency which are proven to correct with treatment invariably have elevated serum methylmalonic acid(MMA) and total homocysteine(tHcy). However, many subjects with elevated MMA are found in screening studies of seniors and they often have no classical clinical abnormalities. We correlated hematologic and neurologic findings with elevated MMA and tHcy in subjects enrolled in the Northern Manhattan Study. Eligible subjects were over 40 yr, had not had a stroke and lived in Manhattan. Approximately 3000 subjects had serum MMA, tHcy and other relevant data available. The samples were collected from 1993 to 2001 thus spanning food folate fortification in the United States. We analyzed those in the top 1% MMA and/or tHcy since these subjects had values seen also in clinical Cbl deficiency. There were 30 subjects with MMA 975 to 179,900 nM (normal 100fL. The male subject with the highest MCV (109.8 fL), had a hematocrit of 42.7 %, MMA 179,900 nM, tHcy 86.3 uM and Cbl 34 pg/mL with no neurologic findings. Neurologic abnormalities were present in 5 of 30. One subject had high grade spastic paraparesis, 3 had peripheral nervous system deficits, and one had central nervous system defects.Serum tHcy and MMA were not higher in those with neurologic abnormalities. The serum creatinine was 975 nM in 1% of a randomly selected urban multiethnic cohort. 2. Hematologic abnormalities were absent or mild in this group with high MMA. 3. Neurologic abnormalities were found consistent with Cbl deficiency in 17 % of those with high MMA. 4. Both MMA and tHcy are usually elevated. 5. Even though the elevations of MMA and tHcy overlapped those found in clinical studies of Cbl deficiciency these randomly discovered subjects were generally asymptomatic, suggesting that the pathophysiology of megaloblastic anemia and combined systems disease still needs to be investigated.
Status of oncologic specialties: global survey of physicians treating cancer.

Background In the United States, medical oncologists play a central role in the management of systemic therapy for cancer patients. Medical oncology as a specialty is not as established in Japan and several other European nations according to recent surveys, and little is known about this specialty in developing nations. We aimed to identify global differences in the roles of physicians treating cancer; specifically, how the management of advanced disease differs among nations.
A Triage Tool to Assess Unmet Health Needs for Children Entering Foster Care

Children in foster care have high levels of health care needs, many of which are unmet at foster care entry. Health care coordination (HCC) is essential to ensure unmet needs are addressed rapidly. Data is lacking about how best to triage children at foster care entry so limited HCC resources can be allocated most effectively. Therefore, we aimed to: (1) utilize a Triage Tool (TT) at foster care entry to stratify children based on unmet health care needs and (2) determine if the TT is an accurate predictor of health care utilization as indicated by cost during a child’s first few weeks in care. A TT was developed and utilized during the initial foster care health exam (IFCHE) to stratify children based on unmet needs. Medicaid records were reviewed to determine health care utilization and cost during the first 60 days post-IFCHE. Most children (61.6%) had the lowest level of unmet needs (Level 3), 29.5% had a moderate level of unmet needs (Level 2), and 9.9% had the highest level of unmet needs (Level 1). Medicaid claims review revealed that triage level did not correlate to health care utilization or costs during the first 60 days post-IFCHE. Youth placed in a group home incurred significantly higher costs than those placed in foster homes. These results suggest that the TT is useful clinically but does not predict health care utilization and costs during the first weeks in care. Group home placement incurs more cost than foster home placement, independent of triage level assigned.
Applying a Bioeconomic Model to Recreational Fisheries Management: Groundfish in the Northeast United States

AbstractRecreational fisheries regulations frequently consist of possession limits, size limits, and seasonal closures that constrain the ability of recreational fishermen to catch or land fish. It is difficult to predict how these regulations will influence angler participation and recreational fishing mortality. This research integrates a utility-theory consistent model of demand for recreational fishing trips with an age-structured stock dynamics model to provide policy relevant advice to managers of the groundfish fishery in the Northeast United States. The recreational cod and haddock regulations implemented in 2014 have high costs in terms of foregone angler welfare and minimal positive impacts on stock conditions after three years. The ability of policies that generate large amounts of discarding, like high minimum size limits, to meet conservation objectives are also found to be quite sensitive to assumptions about the recreational discard mortality rate.
Abstract B32: Loss of MK2 in tumor stroma promotes aggressive tumor development in an advanced stage lung cancer model

MAPKAP Kinase-2 (MK2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is activated by p38MAPK in response to a variety of stresses including DNA damage, osmotic shock, thermal injury, and inflammation/innate immune signaling downstream of TLR4 activation. MK2 controls the synthesis of many pro-inflammatory cytokines, modulates the actin cytoskeleton in stressed cells, and is responsible for maintaining both the G1/S and G2/M cell cycle checkpoints in p53-defective tumor cells after genotoxic damage. We recently created a “Cre-reversible" MK2 knock-out mouse model that allows the function of MK2 within either the tumor cells or within the tumor microenvironment to be studied independently. We found that MK2-deficient tumor cells in an MK2 wild-type stroma were dramatically sensitized to the anti-tumor effects of cisplatinum and doxorubicin (Morandell et al., Cell Reports, 2013). Here, we report that loss of MK2 in the tumor stroma with preservation of MK2 in tumor cells results in an aggressive tumor-promoting phenotype in an immuno-competent transplant K-RasG12D/p53-/- model of NSCLC. A similar tumor aggressive phenotype was observed in Tie2-Cre-driven endothelial and bone marrow-specific MK2-knockout mice compared to wild-type controls. Tumor-bearing mice with MK2-null stroma display increased total levels of MIP-1α, G-CSF, GM-CSF and IL-6 in the lung. Myeloperoxidase immunohistochemistry reveals enhanced tumor infiltration by neutrophils in these stromal MK2-deficient animals, consistent with the cytokine profile. In contrast with loss of MK2 in the stroma, direct activation of the p38MAPK/MK2 pathway in the tumor microenvironment by weekly intra-tracheal LPS exposure dramatically reduces tumor formation in an autochthonous K-RasG12D/p53-/- murine NSCLC model. Collectively, these results suggest that MK2 signaling in the endothelium and/or immune cells suppresses NSCLC tumor progression and modulates the inflammatory milieu in the tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Ganapathy Sriram, Lucia Suarez-Lopez, Michael B. Yaffe. Loss of MK2 in tumor stroma promotes aggressive tumor development in an advanced stage lung cancer model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2016 Oct 20-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2017;5(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B32.
Comparison of transformation frequency using the bar gene regulated by the CaMV 35S or NOS promoter in Agrobacterium-mediated soybean (Glycine max L.) transformation

In Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation, the promoter chosen to drive a selectable marker gene has an effect on transformation frequency. The objective of this work was to compare the effect on soybean transformation of different promoter and regulator combinations driving a selectable marker gene using mature seeds as explants. Two commonly used promoters, double cauliflower mosaic virus 35S (CaMV 35S) and nopaline synthase (NOS), and one regulator, tobacco etch virus (TEV) translational enhancer, were tested. Four different promoter/enhancer combinations were constructed to drive a bialaphos resistance gene (bar) and used for multiple independent transformation experiments. Herbicide application and PCR analysis were used to confirm the inheritance of the bar gene in the T 1 generation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to estimate transgene copy number in T 1 transgenic events. The average transformation frequency from combining NOS with the TEV enhancer (3.5% across 12 replications) was significantly higher than the frequencies obtained from the double CaMV 35S without an enhancer (1.6% across 16 replications), double CaMV 35S with an enhancer (1.4% across 8 replications), and NOS without an enhancer (1.0% across 12 replications). The bar transcript levels in T 1 transgenic leaf tissue did not correlate with transformation frequencies achieved by the different constructs. No significant differences were identified between constructs in the average transgene copy number across events. These data show that a selectable marker system comprised of the bar gene regulated by the NOS promoter in combination with the TEV enhancer is preferred in Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation.
Modeling of Materials for naval SONAR, Pollution Control, and Nonvolatile Memory Application

Ferroelectric perovskite oxides exhibit unique physical properties and are used in variety of technological applications. Using quantum-mechanical simulations, we have computationally investigated recently synthesized materials for use in naval SONAR and have developed composition-property correlations in ferroelectric perovskites. We also use density functional theory (DFT) calculations to show that the use of ferroelectric oxide as support for metal catalysts can greatly affect the reactive properties of the metal surface and its interactions with the gas phase molecules. This can enable dynamic, real time control of catalytic performance. Additionally, accurate atomistic calculations are used to study dynamics of polarization switching in ferroelectric materials.
Arthroplasty with and Without Replacement

Hallux valgus and hallux rigidus deformities result in malalignment of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint that can cause joint cartilage damage and painful arthritis over time. When conservative treatment options or joint salvage procedures fail to relieve symptoms, joint destructive surgery should be considered. The goals of surgery are to alleviate pain and restore function through either joint arthrodesis or arthroplasty. Arthrodesis eliminates motion at the joint and is considered the “gold standard” procedure for end-stage arthritis. However, patients may wish to retain motion at the joint, for occupational or personal reasons, and may be better candidates for an arthroplasty with or without an implant. Arthroplasty techniques for the first MTP joint were first popularized in the late 1800s, but early failures and difficult revisions caused many to shy away from this procedure. The introduction of the implant arthroplasty in the mid-twentieth century reignited interest in its use as evolving designs and materials have improved outcomes while minimizing complications. No particular implant or technique modification to date has proven to restore normal pain-free joint function, but increasing patient satisfaction and function scores have been shown to be as high with an arthroplasty as with an arthrodesis in the right individual.
Total variation denoising method to improve the detection process in IR images

Noise reduces the quality of images, resulting in the poor performance of many image processing applications. This paper presents an accurate denoising method to improve the performance of human detection in noisy infrared (IR) images. The local binary pattern (LBP) detector is used to study and analyze the poor effects of noise and to test the efficiency of the proposed denoising method. Noise is removed by minimizing the total variation (TV) of the images, an application that uses partial differential equations (PDEs) and optimal numerical methods to denoise images. The LBP detector shows abnormal behavior with noisy IR images. The Rudin, Osher, and Fatemi (ROF) method based on TV and TV norm1 (TV-L1) methods are efficient in denoising the IR images. In addition, the performance of the LBP detector is improved. Denoising using ROF improves the detection results efficiently as well. Measures for the true positive rate increased from 87% to 89%, and both the false negative per frame and false positive per frame are decreased with respect to the clear IR images. The results prove the efficiency of the proposed method in denoising IR images as well as restoring most of the LBP texture features.
Brazing perovskite ceramics with silver/copper oxide braze alloys

In this study the feasibility of eutectic braze alloys based on the silver/copper oxide (Ag/CuO) system were investigated for use in joining lead magnesium niobate (PMN) ceramics. PMN was successfully brazed in air at 1050 and 1100°C using Ag/CuO alloys. The brazed samples had an average four-point-bend fracture strength of approximately 40 percent of the average monolithic PMN strength (with an actual value of 19 ± 11 MPa). The fracture strength was relatively constant for all brazing conditions tested. No significant reaction product layer was observed at the silver/PMN interface and the electrical properties of the PMN were changed only slightly by presence of the braze alloy interlayers.
The state of EOR with CO2 and associated seismic monitoring

Carbon dioxide (CO2) can be an agent for enhancing recovery from oil reservoirs because it acts like a scrubbing agent to contact residual oil in the reservoir and makes it easier for the oil to flow to producing wells. Old reservoirs that have produced for years are not depleted of oil. They contain residual oil that can't be moved under primary or secondary flood processes. The tertiary process that could move the greatest amount of residual oil is carbon dioxide flooding. To obtain the residual oil, we need to inject CO2 to enhance oil recovery (EOR). We may be able to produce up to 20% of the original oil in place (OOIP). Seismic monitoring provides a means to proactively manage the flood.
Recognition and depth perception of objects in real world scenes

Automatons and other robotic applications which are designed to move around and interact with their physical environment need a computer vision system for recognizing and understanding the spatial relationships of objects in real world scenes. The perceptual system must be able to identify salient objects in a scene, develop an understanding of their spatial relationships, and maintain continuity from one view to the next as either the objects or the system's camera moves through the scene. Outlined here and described in more detail in Douglass, 1977, is a system which has been implemented in SIMULA and tested on hand coded outdoor scenes of simple subjects such as houses and automobiles. It uses a recognition cone, a segmentation algorithm for dividing a scene into similar regions and a routine for constructing a three dimensional world model. Visual inference routines interpret perspective, shadows, highlights, occlusions, shading and texture gradients, and monocular motion parallax. Other visual knowledge is added with long term models and short term object representations. The final program will be tested on color photographs of outdoor scenes using as input a series of views of the same scene from different angles which approximates what an automaton would "see" as it moves down a street.
On forming an Ornithological Council

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Sexual Reproduction in Gonapodya

Sexual reproduction is reported for Gonapodya, a genus of the aquatic Phycomycetes. This sexual process is characterized by the fertilization of a relatively large non-flagellate egg by a small, po...
Variation in age, body size, and reproductive traits among urban and rural amphibian populations

Although amphibians use human-created habitats in urban landscapes, few studies have investigated the quality of these habitats. To assess habitat quality of stormwater management ponds and adjacent urban uplands for wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and American toads (Anaxyrus americanus), we compared life history characteristics between populations breeding across an urbanization gradient. Specifically, we compared body size, ages of breeding adults, and female reproductive investment among urban, suburban, and rural populations in Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. Although there was variation in age at maturity among populations, ages of breeding adults did not differ among urban, suburban, and rural areas. Maternal body size strongly influenced reproductive investment in both species, but relationships did not vary among urban, suburban, and rural populations. Adult wood frogs and American toads from more urbanized landscapes were significantly smaller at age than conspecifics from rural landscapes; the magnitude of differences was similar across adult age classes. Our results suggest that in the urban and rural landscapes that we studied, adult habitats are similar in quality, but either larval or juvenile habitats may be of lower quality in urban areas.
Harming Animals and Massacring Humans: Characteristics of Public Mass and Active Shooters Who Abused Animals

Researchers have extensively studied the tendency of certain violent criminals to hurt or torture animals, primarily focusing on domestic abusers and serial killers. However, little is known about the extent or nature of prior animal abuse among active shooters and public mass shooters. Public mass and active shooters essentially represent a single offender type: they are people who commit rampage attacks in public places and attempt to harm multiple victims beyond a single target. The only difference is that "mass" shootings are traditionally defined as cases resulting in the death of four or more victims, while "active" shootings have no minimum threshold. This study aimed to identify all publicly reported cases of active and mass shooters who engaged in animal cruelty, describe the nature of their violence toward animals and humans, and examine how they differ from other perpetrators without this history. Overall, this study found 20 cases of offenders with a publicly reported history of animal abuse. Comparisons between offenders with and without this history indicated that animal-abusing offenders were more likely to be young and White, less likely to die at the crime scene, and more likely to kill and wound a large number of victims. While this finding supports the idea that animal abuse might be a warning sign for a small but deadly minority of mostly youthful offenders, it is likely not a robust signal of future shooters in general because animal abuse is rarely reported in this population of offenders at large.
Differential effects of hypothermia on neurovascular unit determine protective or toxic results: Toward optimized therapeutic hypothermia

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) benefits survivors of cardiac arrest and neonatal hypoxic–ischemic injury and may benefit stroke patients. Large TH clinical trials, however, have shown mixed results. ...
Seeing the world. How U.S. Universities make knowledge in a global era

The recent book by Mitchell L. Stevens, Cynthia Miller-Idriss, and Seteney Shami, Seeing the World: How U.S. Universities make knowledge in a global era, brings to light the daily dilemmas faced by...