cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Broodstock replacement policies for rainbow trout under photoperiod control and uncertainty

Abstract The economics of broodstock replacement for rainbow trout under production conditions of photoperiod control and uncertainty is analyzed by stochastic simulation using a systems model to represent the nature of egg production as the broodstock matures. Probability distributions for number, size and quality of eggs produced as well as growth and mortality of the fish are incorporated into the systems model. These distributions are conditioned on the age of the fish. Management policies of retaining broodstock for one through four spawns are evaluated in terms of net contribution to the firm's profit. Revenues are received from sale of eggs and broodstock, while variable costs are incurred for labor, feed and replacement fish. The data, obtained from a commercial egg-producing firm, reflect increased numbers and size of eggs as the fish grow as well as reduced feed efficiency and higher mortality with age. Given a 10-month spawning cycle, induced by photoperiod control, a two-spawn policy offers the greatest expected net contribution to net income followed by three-, one- and four-spawn policies.
Factors associated with dominance of the filamentous green alga Cladophora glomerata

Abstract Cladophora glomerata is a filamentous green alga dominant in many large rivers of Montana, U.S.A. I studied several factors which may be associated with nuisance (> 100 mg m−2 chl a, Welch et al., Hydrobiologia157, 161–168, 1988) C. glomerata biomass: temperature, pH, conductivity, NH4+, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), NO3−, flow and epiphyte load. Samples were collected at 6 sites, ranging from an irrigation ditch to large rivers. Low flow, high NH4+ and low epiphyte loads were all correlated (P
Multiple sequence alignment using anytime A

Alignment of multiple DNA or protein sequences is a central problem in computational biology. To create an alignment, gaps are inserted into sequences to shift characters to matching positions and a scoring function is used to rank the biological plausibility of alignments. Multiple sequence alignments are used to identify homologies among different species that reveal evolutionary history from a common ancestor. They are also used to discover genetic causes of certain diseases and to predict protein structure, which has significant importance in the design of drugs. The multiple sequence alignment problem can be formalized as a shortest-path problem through a d-dimensional lattice, where d is the number of sequences to be aligned (Gusfield 1997). Dynamic programming is the traditional approach to constructing optimal alignments. Improved performance has recently been achieved using A*. However, the multiple alignment problem presents a difficulty for the classic A* algorithm. Its branching factor of 2 d − 1 is so large that the size of the open list dramatically exceeds the number of nodes A* must expand to find an optimal solution. Two solutions to this problem have been proposed in the literature. Yoshizumi et al. (2000) describe an extension of A*, called A* with Partial Expansion (PEA*). Instead of generating all successors of a node when it is expanded, PEA* inserts only the most promising successors into the open list. The “partially expanded” node is re-inserted into the open list with a revised f-cost equal to the least f-cost
Proton Dynamics in Layered Double Hydroxides: A 1H T1 Relaxation and Line Width Investigation

The investigation of the dynamics of water and organic species confined in minerals or adsorbed at their surface is of significant geochemical, environmental, catalytic, biomedicine, and life’s growth interests but is poorly understood on the molecular scale. This work explores the behavior of water molecules and glutamate species adsorbed on and between the double hydroxide layers of hydrotalcite [HT; (Mg2Al)(OH)6A−·nH2O, where A− is a counteranion which may bear different charges] and compares the results to those for HT containing small inorganic anions. The relative humidity (RH) dependence of the 1H T1 relaxation rates for all samples reveals the existence of two separate spin systems with 1/T1 relaxation rates differing by a factor of approximately 2 × 103. The static 1H spectral line widths allow assigning the fast relaxing protons to the fixed “static” interlayer and adsorbed species—i.e. bound water, bound organic species, and most of the structural hydroxyl groups (-OH)—and the slow ones to the ...
Supplementary report: Braids, side segments, and impossible figures

Abstract Impossible figures and their braid analyses are reconsidered from the point of view of their side segments rather than their corners.
Multiple types of neuronal calcium channels and their selective modulation

Abstract Voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels control the entry of Ca 2+ ions across the surface membrane of neurons and other cells and thereby influence electrical activity and diverse cellular responses. Here we summarize efforts at classifying multiple types of Ca 2+ channels according to differences in their gating, ionic conductance and pharmacology. The distribution of Ca 2+ channel types among different cells and their selective modulation by neurochemicals and drugs is briefly reviewed.
Numerical Simulation of the Thermodynamic, Fluid Flow, and Heat Transfer Processes in a Diesel Engine

A comprehensive model for the complete second-law analysis of a diesel engine has been developed. The model incorporates formulations for zero-dimensional estimation of the convective and radiative heat transfers in the engine cylinder. Models for the valve flow and manifold gas dynamics are also included in order to estimate the second-law losses. The results obtained help identify the engine processes where irreversible losses occur and the magnitudes of these losses relative to the work output. For example, at 2000 rpm and 0.7 overall fuel/air equivalence ratio, the indicated work for the single-cylinder engine simulated in this study is 49% of the fuel exergy. The loss due to irreversibilities is 27.6%, of which 14.8% is due to throttling loss in the exhaust valve, 9.3% is due to combustion irreversibilities, and the remainder is due to throttling toss in the intake valve.
Molecular Evolution and Functional Divergence of the Ca2+ Sensor Protein in Store-operated Ca2+ Entry: Stromal Interaction Molecule

Receptor-mediated Ca2+ signaling in many non-excitable cells initially induces Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores, followed by Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. Recent findings have suggested that stromal interaction molecules (STIMs) function as the Ca2+ sensor to detect changes of Ca2+ content in the intracellular Ca2+ stores. Human STIMs and invertebrate STIM share several functionally important protein domains, but diverge significantly in the C-terminus. To better understand the evolutionary significance of STIM activity, phylogenetic analysis of the STIM protein family was conducted after extensive database searching. Results from phylogeny and sequence analysis revealed early adaptation of the C-terminal divergent domains in Urochordata, before the expansion of STIMs in Vertebrata. STIMs were subsequently subjected to one round of gene duplication as early as in the Euteleostomi lineage in vertebrates, with a second round of fish-specific gene duplication. After duplication, STIM-1 and STIM-2 molecules appeared to have undergone purifying selection indicating strong evolutionary constraints within each group. Furthermore, sequence analysis of the EF-hand Ca2+ binding domain and the SAM domain, together with functional divergence studies, identified critical regions/residues likely underlying functional changes, and provided evidence for the hypothesis that STIM-1 and STIM-2 might have developed distinct functional properties after duplication.
Value of balloon dilation in treatment of youthful patients with prostatism.

Forty-three youthful patients with uncomplicated prostatisin were prospectively evaluated to test the safety and efficacy of transurethral balloon dilation (TUDP). Treatment consisted of cystoscopic placement of an intraprostatic balloon inflated to 25 mm diameter at 3 atm pressure for ten minutes. At longest follow-up (9.8 months, average; 3–24 months, range), 88 percent of patients were satisfied with overall treatment results. The average improvements in voiding symptom score and peak uroflow were 77 percent and 73 percent, respectively. Mean improvements over pretreatment levels were statistically significant at one month (p<0.01) and remained so for the entire follow-up period. No incontinence, impotency, retrograde ejaculation, sepsis, or serious bleeding developed. An intraprostatic fissure, which spared the bladder neck, was a uniform finding and the most likely mechanism of lasting action of TUDP. In the relief of uncomplicated prostatism in youthful patients. TUDP compares favorably with other treatment alternatives.
Shape of the Nucleus It varies widely, from spherical for doubly magic nuclei to ellipsoidal and sometimes pear shapes

The gross features of nuclear morphology can be summarized as follows. Nuclei have shapes similar to a diffusesurfaced, liquid drop. The interior density is rather uniform, and also constant from nucleus to nucleus. The constancy of nuclear density implies an A((1/3)) law for the mean nuclear radius, the proportionality constant being 1.07 x 1O(-13) centimeter. The surface region is diffuse, the nuclear density falling from 90 to 10 percent of the central value in a distance of about 2.4 x 10(-13) centimeter, independently of nuclear mass number. Nuclear shapes can vary rather widely, with doubly magic nuclei preferring spherical symmetry. Some nuclei execute volume-preserving oscillations about spherical shape, while others possess permanent spheroidal deformations. The values of the deformation parameter, epsilon, for such spheroids possibly attains 0.85 for some light nuclei and 0.4 for some intermediate weight nuclei. There is some evidence, based on the occurrence of "inversion" spectra and asymmetrical fission, that pear-shaped nuclei may also exist.
Early adolescent MK-801 exposure impairs the maturation of ventral hippocampal control of basolateral amygdala drive in the adult prefrontal cortex.

The adolescent susceptibility to the onset of psychiatric disorders is only beginning to be understood when factoring in the development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The functional maturation of the PFC is dependent upon proper integration of glutamatergic inputs from the ventral hippocampus (vHipp) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA). Here we assessed how transient NMDAR blockade during adolescence alters the functional interaction of vHipp–BLA inputs in regulating PFC plasticity. Local field potential recordings were used to determine changes in long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) of PFC responses resulting from vHipp and BLA high-frequency stimulation in adult rats that received repeated injections of saline or the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 from postnatal day 35 (P35) to P40. We found that early adolescent MK-801 exposure elicited an age- and input-specific dysregulation of vHipp–PFC plasticity, characterized by a shift from LTD to LTP without altering the BLA-induced LTP. Data also showed that the vHipp normally resets the LTP state of BLA transmission; however, this inhibitory regulation is absent following early adolescent MK-801 treatment. This deficit was reminiscent of PFC responses seen in drug-naive juveniles. Notably, local prefrontal upregulation of GABAAα1 function completely restored vHipp functionality and its regulation of BLA plasticity in MK-801-treated rats. Thus, NMDAR signaling is critical for the periadolescent acquisition of a GABA-dependent hippocampal control of PFC plasticity, which enables the inhibitory control of the prefrontal output by the vHipp. A dysregulation of this pathway can alter PFC processing of other converging afferents such as those from the BLA.
Determination of constrained lumping schemes for nonisothermal first-order reaction systems

Abstract The direct approach to determining the constrained lumping schemes presented in a previous paper is applied to nonisothermal first-order reaction systems. The constant basis matrices of the transpose of the Jacobian matrix for the kinetic equations are replaced by a set of rate constant matrices at different temperatures, which property cover the desired temperature region. The Mobil “10-lump cracking model” is used as an example to illustrate this approach.
Ulcerative colitis and coexisting colorectal cancer: Recurrence rate after restorative proctocolectomy

Background: The association between mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and adenocarcinoma is well established.
Potassium activity in immature cortex

Extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]0) was determined in neocortex of rabbits aged 1–19 days using potassium-sensitive microelectrodes. Baseline [K+]0 levels of 3 mM were obtained in some animals of all ages but levels as high as 35 mM were found in some newborn rabbits, presumably due to iatrogenic factors. This suggests that a fragility of K+ control mechanisms exists in immature cortex. Increases in [K+]0 of up to 2.6 mM occured during each interictal penicillin epileptiform discharge, were maximal in the oldest animals, and varied at different depths, being largest in deeper cortical layers. There was an inverse relationship between the baseline [K+]0 and the amount of increase during each interictal event. At resting [K+]0 levels of 10 mM or above, no detectable increase occurred during interictal or ictal epileptogenesis. Increases in [K+]0 during ictal episodes ranged from 3 to 7 mM and were larger in older animals. The rate of rise and fall of [K+]0 during interictal and ictal epileptogenesis was slower in younger animals. Ictal activity occurred in the cortex even when baseline [K+]0 levels were at leasr 20 mM.
The evolutionary significance of vitamin D, skin pigment, and ultraviolet light.

Vitamin D is essential for normal growth, calcium absorption, and skeletal development. Vitamin D deficiency can cause death, immobilization, or pelvic deformities which prevent normal childbirth. In the past these problems were extremely common in North America and Europe, and were only eliminated by adding vitamin D to food. Prior to that, variations in available vitamin D affected health, survival and reproductive efficiency sufficiently to have evolutionary significance. Vitamin D is naturally present in few foods; most comes from the photo-conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol in skin. The limiting factor in this conversion is the availability of ultraviolet light <310 nm. Seasonal and geographic variations in natural ultraviolet radiation cause parallel variations in blood vitamin D levels, intestinal calcium absorption, and clinical vitamin D deficiency. These physiological variations can be abolished by exposure to comparable artificial ultraviolet radiation, or by dietary vitamin D supplements. Ultraviolet radiation < 310 nm is absorbed by skin pigment, but it also increases skin pigmentation. This has led to the hypothesis that skin pigment regulates skin vitamin D production. Little direct evidence exists to test this reasonable hypothesis, but necessary and sufficient conditions for establishing it can be outlined. Until this hypothesis is experimentally tested, it is impossible to evaluate the corollary hypothesis: that racial variations in the efficiency of cutaneous vitamin D production restricted the evolution of dark-skinned peoples to tropical latitudes and thereby caused the geographic distribution of the races.
Adsorption kinetics on chemically modified or bimetallic surfaces

Surface adatom modifiers that act as promoters or poisons on transition metal catalysts can have a large influence on adsorption kinetics along with their influence on adsorption energetics. Accounting for this effect requires recognition of the role of a new kind of intrinsic precursor — the modifier precursor state. A mathematical description of the adsorption kinetics of molecules on chemically modified or bimetallic surfaces incorporating this state has been derived based on Kisliuk’s statistical model [P. Kisliuk, J. Phys. Chem. Solids 3, 95 (1957)]. The resulting equation can be used to explain satisfactorily data on CO adsorption kinetics on chemically modified (Cl‐, P‐, S‐, H‐, O‐, and K‐precovered) Pt(111) surfaces. This concept should have broad implications for many systems in heterogeneous catalysis, such as bimetallic and alloy surfaces and coadsorbed layers, and for the multicomponent surfaces that are involved in materials growth and processing.
Approximate Nash equilibria in anonymous games

Abstract We study from an algorithmic viewpoint anonymous games [22] , [4] , [5] , [19] . In these games a large population of players shares the same strategy set and, while players may have different payoff functions, the payoff of each depends on her own choice of strategy and the number of the other players playing each strategy (not the identity of these players). We show that, the intractability results of [12] and [10] for general games notwithstanding, approximate mixed Nash equilibria in anonymous games can be computed in polynomial time, for any desired quality of the approximation, as long as the number of strategies is bounded by some constant. In addition, if the payoff functions have a Lipschitz continuity property, we show that an approximate pure Nash equilibrium exists, whose quality depends on the number of strategies and the Lipschitz constant of the payoff functions; this equilibrium can also be computed in polynomial time. Finally, if the game has two strategies, we establish that there always exists an approximate Nash equilibrium in which either only a small number of players randomize, or of those who do, they all randomize the same way. Our results make extensive use of certain novel Central Limit-type theorems for discrete approximations of the distributions of multinomial sums.
Identification of a Talin-binding Site in the Integrin β3 Subunit Distinct from the NPLY Regulatory Motif of Post-ligand Binding Functions: THE TALIN N-TERMINAL HEAD DOMAIN INTERACTS WITH THE MEMBRANE-PROXIMAL REGION OF THE β3 CYTOPLASMIC TAIL

Following platelet aggregation, integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) becomes associated with the platelet cytoskeleton. The conserved NPLY sequence represents a potential beta-turn motif in the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail and has been suggested to mediate the interaction of beta(3) integrins with talin. In the present study, we performed a double mutation (N744Q/P745A) in the integrin beta(3) subunit to test the functional significance of this beta-turn motif. Chinese hamster ovary cells were co-transfected with cDNA constructs encoding mutant beta(3) and wild type alpha(IIb). Cells expressing either wild type (A5) or mutant (D4) alpha(IIb)beta(3) adhered to fibrinogen; however, as opposed to control A5 cells, adherent D4 cells failed to spread, form focal adhesions, or initiate protein tyrosine phosphorylation. To investigate the role of the NPLY motif in talin binding, we examined the ability of the mutant alpha(IIb)beta(3) to interact with talin in a solid phase binding assay. Both wild type and mutant alpha(IIb)beta(3), purified by RGD affinity chromatography, bound to a similar extent to immobilized talin. Additionally, purified talin failed to interact with peptides containing the AKWDTANNPLYK sequence indicating that the talin binding domain in the integrin beta(3) subunit does not reside in the NPLY motif. In contrast, specific binding of talin to peptides containing the membrane-proximal HDRKEFAKFEEERARAK sequence of the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail was observed, and this interaction was blocked by a recombinant protein fragment corresponding to the 47-kDa N-terminal head domain of talin (rTalin-N). In addition, RGD affinity purified platelet alpha(IIb)beta(3) bound dose-dependently to immobilized rTalin-N, indicating that an integrin-binding site is present in the talin N-terminal head domain. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the NPLY beta-turn motif regulates post-ligand binding functions of alpha(IIb)beta(3) in a manner independent of talin interaction. Moreover, talin was shown to bind through its N-terminal head domain to the membrane-proximal sequence of the beta(3) cytoplasmic tail.
Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension in Children with Chronic Lung Disease with Newer Oral Therapies

Chronic lung disease (CLD) is often complicated by chronic pulmonary vascular changes and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in young children. Current therapies for severe PH in such patients, including oxygen, inhaled nitric oxide, and parenteral prostacyclin, are often suboptimal, cumbersome, and expensive. Recently, oral endothelin receptor blockers and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors have been used successfully to control and reverse pulmonary vascular disease in idiopathic PH, but the use and efficacy of these agents in pediatric CLD have not been previously reported. We report a series of six children with CLD and severe PH treated with bosentan (six of six) and sildenafil (four of six). Vascular reactivity was assessed by cardiac catheterization prior to and after 6 months of therapy. Serial echocardiography was also used to assess response. Patients have been treated for 2.1-2.9 years (mean, 2.53 years). Response to therapy has included improvement in oxygenation, symptoms, echocardiographic parameters, and hemodynamics by cardiac catheterization. Transiently elevated liver enzymes were noted associated with viral respiratory infections in two subjects; no other adverse effects were noted. Three patients with large cardiac right-to-left shunts prior to therapy had subsequent shunt reversal, two of whom underwent shunt closure later. Oral therapy with bosentan alone or in combination with sildenafil improves PH in patients with CLD over a period of 3-4 years.
SAM breaks its stereotype.

Don't prejudge the function of a domain based on its sequence. Two recent studies drive home this message and add the sterile-α motif (SAM) to the growing list of domains that are able to interact with both proteins and nucleic acids.
Distributed Algorithms for Energy-Efficient Even Self-Deployment in Mobile Sensor Networks

Even self-deployment is one of the best strategies to deploy mobile sensors when the region of interest is unknown and manual deployment is infeasible. A widely used distributed algorithm, Lloyd‘s method, can achieve even self-deployment. It however suffers from two critical issues when being used in mobile sensor networks. First, it does not consider limited sensor communication range. Second, it does not optimize sensor movement distances, and hence can lead to excessive energy consumption, a primary concern in sensor networks. This paper first formulates a locational optimization problem that achieves even deployment while it takes account of energy consumption due to sensor movement, and then proposes two iterative algorithms. The first algorithm, named Lloyd- $\alpha$ , reduces the movement step sizes in Lloyd‘s method. It saves traveling distance while maintaining the convergence property. However, it leads to a larger number of deployment steps. The second algorithm, named Distributed Energy-Efficient self-Deployment (DEED), reduces sensor traveling distances and requires a comparable number of deployment steps as that in Lloyd‘s method. This paper further proposes an intuitive method to deal with limited sensor communication range that is applicable to all three methods. Extensive simulation using NS-2 demonstrates that DEED leads to up to 54 percent less traveling distance and 46 percent less energy consumption than Lloyd‘s method.
Nano-indentation studies of hard coatings prepared by laser ablation

Pulsed laser deposition technique has been used to deposit high quality thin film coatings of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and titanium nitride (TiN) on Si (100) substrates. The mechanical properties (modulus and hardness) of these films were characterized by nano-indentation. The best crystalline quality of all films have shown the superior mechanical properties. The films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, Raman spectroscopic and FTIR techniques. Correlations of the pulsed laser deposition parameters with the properties of deposited hard coatings have been discussed in this paper.
Fast transporting ZnO-TiO2 coaxial photoanodes for dye-sensitized solar cells based on ALD-modified SiO2 aerogel frameworks.

A doubly coaxial photoanode architecture based on templated SiO2 aerogels was fabricated on transparent conducting oxides for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). These templates were coated with ZnO via atomic layer deposition (ALD) to yield an electronically interconnected, low-density, high-surface-area, semiconductor framework. Addition of a thin conformal layer of a second metal oxide (alumina, zirconia, or titania) via ALD was found to suppress the dissolution of ZnO that otherwise occurs when it is soaked in alcohol solutions containing acidic dyes used for sensitization or in acetonitrile solutions containing a pyridine derivative and the iodide/tri-iodide (I–/I–3) redox shuttle. Electron transport in SiO2–ZnO–TiO2 photoelectrodes was found to be nearly 2 orders of magnitude faster than in SiO2–TiO2 structures, implying that the interior ZnO sheath serves as the primary electron conduit. In contrast, rates of electron interception by the oxidized form of the redox shuttle were observed to de...
Conceptualizing co-ordination and competition in supply chains as complex adaptive system

A model has been developed to explore the dynamics of outsourcing strategies and specialization effects. Using transaction cost economics the literature showed that IT investments can create an incentive for a firm to pursue a specialization strategy, spinning off and outsourcing peripheral activities to focus on its core competence. Web services technology, for example, which has been explicitly designed to facilitate inter-operability of machine-to-machine communication, is expected to support such strategy. We extend this analysis proposing a research model that explicitly recognizes industry-level feedback. While specialized firms can enjoy lower production cost they are also more reliant on market conditions and interaction. This dependence exposes a specialized firm to the risk of market failure or vertical foreclose, all of which increase transaction cost. The complication from a modeling perspective has been to properly recognize industry structure and transaction cost as endogenous variables. As a solution we propose formalizing this problem as a complex adaptive system. We present a model with the firm as unit of analysis and its behavior based on micro-economic cost theory and the theory of noncooperative games. The paper follows Zmud’s concept of a “pure theory” manuscript adapted from the Academy of Management Review (1998).
nrDNA external transcribed spacer (ETS) sequence data, reticulate evolution, and the systematics of Machaeranthera (Asteraceae)

Abstract Sequence data from the nrDNA external transcribed spacer (ETS) were generated to help resolve questions about the evolution of Machaeranthera left unanswered by previous analyses of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site data and nrDNA ITS sequence data. Combined ITS and ETS (nrDNA) evidence agreed with cpDNA evidence in supporting a close relationship between Oonopsis and M. tanacetifolia. Nuclear rDNA evidence also supported an alliance between M. sections Blepharodon and Sideranthus. The nrDNA evidence provided greater support for the relationships of M. gypsitherma, M. heterophylla, M. stenoloba, and M. viscida than earlier analyses of ITS sequence data, reinforcing earlier conclusions that these species have experienced reticulate evolution. Finally, nrDNA evidence provided strong support for a group consisting of M. bigelovii, M. canescens, M. gypsitherma, and M. riparia. The relationships that nrDNA evidence supported for these four species conflicted substantially with those supported b...
Complications of bariatric surgery: the acute care surgeon’s experience

Abstract Background Complications of bariatric surgeries are common, can occur throughout the patient's lifetime, and can be life-threatening. We examined bariatric surgical complications presenting to our acute care surgery service. Methods Records were reviewed from January 2007 to June 2013 for patients presenting with a complication after bariatric surgery. Results Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the most common index operation (n = 20), followed by open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 6), laparoscopic gastric band (n = 4), and vertical banded gastroplasty (n = 3). Diagnoses included internal hernia (n = 10), small bowel obstruction (n = 5), lap band restriction (n = 4), biliary disease (n = 3), upper GI bleeding or ulcer (n = 3), ischemic bowel (n = 2), marginal ulcer (n = 2), gastric outlet obstruction (n = 2), perforated ulcer (n = 2), intussusception (n = 1), and incarcerated ventral hernia (n = 1). Operations were required in 91% of the patients. Laparoscopic outcomes were similar to open; however, open cases were more emergent (23.5% vs 69.2%) and had longer hospital length of stay (4.8 ± 3.5 vs 11.0 ± 10.3 days, P Conclusions The acute care surgeon will encounter complications of bariatric surgery. Internal hernias or obstructive etiologies are the most common presentations and often require emergent or urgent surgery.
“Where I can be myself … where I can speak my mind” : Networked counterpublics in a polymedia environment

This article takes note of affordances for counterpublic communication on social networking sites (SNSs). Because of the important ways that counterpublic communication is tied to specific platforms, it is necessary to understand why certain platforms are especially conducive (or are seen to be conducive) to counterpublic address. This article uses the example of the asexual community’s use of the SNS Tumblr to explore the affordances of the Tumblr platform for counterpublic communication, comparing Tumblr to the bulletin boards on the popular Asexuality Visibility Education Network website. This article modifies and extends boyd’s analysis of SNSs as networked publics to account for the technological affordances for networked counterpublics. It ends by briefly considering ways that networked counterpublics can be antagonized.
Experimental methods for quenching structures in lunar-analog silicate melts - Variations as a function of quench media and composition

Compositions analogous to lunar green, orange, and brown glasses were synthesized under consistent conditions, then quenched into a variety of different media when the samples were removed from the furnace. Iron valence and coordination are a direct function of quench media used, spanning the range from brine/ice (most effective quench), water, butyl phthalate, silicone oil, liquid nitrogen, highly reducing CO-CO2 gas, to air (least efficient quench). In the green and brown glasses, Fe(3+) in four-fold and six-fold coordination is observed in the slowest-quenched samples; Fe(2+) coordination varies directly with quench efficiency. Less pronounced changes were observed in the Ti-rich orange glass. Therefore the remote-sensed spectrum of a glass-bearing regolith on the moon may be influenced by the process by which the glass cooled, and extreme caution must be used when comparing spectra of synthetic glass analogs with real lunar glasses.
How Well Do U.S. Forest Service Terrestrial Ecosystem Surveys Correspond with Measured Vegetation Properties

Reliable estimates of species composition that forest sites are capable of supporting – specific to ecosystem mapping units across landscapes – are useful for many purposes in forest science and management. Like forestry agencies in numerous countries, the U.S. Forest Service has invested in ecological land classification (termed terrestrial ecosystem survey [TES] in the study region of Arizona) that includes ecosystem-explicit species lists taken to be estimated potential natural vegetation (PNV). Using multivariate community analyses, PNV in the TES was compared to measured species composition on 66 sites representing among the leastdisturbed vegetation (considered this study’s measured PNV) spanning 11 ecosystem types on a Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson landscape in northern Arizona, USA. Agreement between the TES PNV and measured species composition was lowest for forbs and shrubs (compared to graminoids), and species composition differed significantly between the TES and this study for at least one plant lifeform in 73% of ecosystems. Reasons for differences between the TES and this study are difficult to resolve, but in some cases appear to result from identification of different species pools in the region. This study suggests that the TES is a useful starting point in understanding vegetation-environment relationships, but further work is needed to refine species lists and more thoroughly account for the influences of fire, grazing, and climate that can influence both PNV and current vegetation. Refining and updating ecosystem-specific species lists may benefit existing forest site classifications and could be planned for when new site classifications are developed, especially with changing climates.
Century-long average time intervals between earthquake ruptures of the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain, California

Paleoseismological data constrain the age, location, and associated magnitude of past surface-rupturing earthquakes; these are critical parameters for developing and testing fault behavior models and characterizing seismic hazard. We present new earthquake evidence and radiocarbon analyses that refi ne the chronology of the six most recent earthquakes that ruptured the south-central San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain (California, United States) at the Bidart Fan site. Modeled 95 percentile ranges of the earthquakes prior to the A.D. 1857 earthquake are A.D. 1631‐1823, 1580‐1640, 1510‐1612, 1450‐1475, and 1360‐1452. The average time interval between the last six earthquakes that ruptured the San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain is 88 ± 41 yr. This is less than the time since the most recent A.D. 1857 earthquake, less than all reported average intervals of prehistoric earthquakes along the entire San Andreas fault, and signifi cantly shorter than the 235 yr average used in recent seismic hazard evaluations. The new chronological data combined with recent slip studies imply that the magnitudes of the earthquakes that ruptured the southern San Andreas fault in the Carrizo Plain since ca. A.D. 1360 were variable, and suggest that the widely held view of rare but great surface rupturing earthquakes along this portion of the southern San Andreas fault should be reevaluated. 118°
Multiple Source Biosimilar Insulin, What’s a Provider to Do?

In the United States the FDA designates generic products that are bioequivalent as AB substitutable (FDA rating signifying the approved application contains adequate scientific evidence establishing through in vivo and/or in vitro studies the bioequivalence of the product to a selected reference product) and are expected to produce the same therapeutic results as the innovator product. In the case of biological proteins that are similar to already approved innovator biologicals, such as recombinant human insulin, the insulin molecule and accompanying secondary and tertiary structures will differ between manufacturing sources. Even subtle differences between innovator (branded) and alternative “biosimilar” products may produce different therapeutic endpoints. Substitution of a branded insulin with a biosimilar insulin product may result in more, less, or equal therapeutic response making in difficult for the practitioner to assess glycemic control between patient follow-up visits. Significant therapeutic difference is possible, which could result in mild to severe hypoglycemia reaction or hyperglycemia induced tissue damage. Slight molecular changes along with different accompanying proteins, protein fragments, and other naturally occurring contaminants theoretically increase odds of insulin resistance or allergic reaction. Current review of medication product and device quality relies on manufacturer self-oversight and individual reporting of product adverse events after use. While this is usually sufficient for oral medications and many medical devices, critical use products such as sterile products, biosimilar insulin, insulin delivery devices, self-monitoring blood glucose monitoring systems, and test strips require much more vigorous oversight to prevent individual and/or large scale catastrophe. Health care providers should advocate for their patient to have access to affordable, consistent, quality-assured products to effectively and safely manage their medical issues. A potential commonsense solution would be to utilize existing nonprofit organizations with access to pharmacy/laboratory services that have vested interest in ensuring product quality throughout the supply pipeline. The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” holds even more true in today’s medical environment.
A 1 V CMOS PLL designed in high-leakage CMOS process operating at 10-700 MHz

A PLL is fabricated in a 0.13 /spl mu/m logic process where leakage currents are high. The loop capacitor is implemented by a structure of poly and 9 metal layers. The VCO is implemented with common-mode feedback to compensate for leakage currents. Maximum VCO frequency is 1400 MHz. Typical power is 7 mW at 200 MHz. RMS jitter is 25.4 ps at 360 MHz.
Corridors promote fire via connectivity and edge effects

Landscape corridors, strips of habitat that connect otherwise isolated habitat patches, are commonly employed during management of fragmented landscapes. To date, most reported effects of corridors have been positive; however, there are long-standing concerns that corridors may have unintended consequences. Here, we address concerns over whether corridors promote propagation of disturbances such as fire. We collected data during prescribed fires in the world's largest and best replicated corridor experiment (Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA), six -50-ha landscapes of open (shrubby/herbaceous) habitat within a pine plantation matrix, to test several mechanisms for how corridors might influence fire. Corridors altered patterns of fire temperature through a direct connectivity effect and an indirect edge effect. The connectivity effect was independent of fuel levels and was consistent with a hypothesized wind-driven "bellows effect." Edges, a consequence of corridor implementation, elevated leaf litter (fuel) input from matrix pine trees, which in turn increased fire temperatures. We found no evidence for corridors or edges impacting patterns of fire spread: plots across all landscape positions burned with similar probability. Impacts of edges and connectivity on fire temperature led to changes in vegetation: hotter-burning plots supported higher bunch grass cover during the field season after burning, suggesting implications for woody/herbaceous species coexistence. To our knowledge, this represents the first experimental evidence that corridors can modify landscape-scale patterns of fire intensity. Corridor impacts on fire should be carefully considered during landscape management, both in the context of how corridors connect or break distributions of fuels and the desired role of fire as a disturbance, which may range from a management tool to an agent to be suppressed. In our focal ecosystem, longleaf pine woodland, corridors might provide a previously unrecognized benefit during prescribed burning activities, by promoting fire intensity, which may assist in promoting plant biodiversity. Language: en
Variable Carving Volume Casting

The digital era fosters variability and change, though this desire loses traction when applied to methods falsely assumed to be repeatable—casting. This collision has produced a plethora of expensive, wasteful, and time-intensive methods. This chapter presents a method for rapidly carving variable molds to cast unique volumetric elements, without material waste. This method employs a multi-axis robotic arm fitted with a hot-knife to carve foam into mass-customized negatives. In doing so, it re-engages a gothic craft tradition of producing unique volumetric architectural elements. The act of rapidly carving volumetric material mines knowledge from the past in an effort to create novel forms that are not possible in the aggregation of standard building components. This chapter advocates for, prototypes, and analyses this variable, sympathetic, and reciprocal approach that carving once offered the built environment. We found the method to be effective and promising, when informed by limitations and constraints embedded in the process.
Two-dimensional elastic pseudo-spectral modeling of wide-aperture seismic array data with application to the Wichita Uplift-Anadarko Basin region of southwestern Oklahoma

Abstract Full wave field modeling of wide-aperture data is performed with a pseudospectral implementation of the elastic wave equation. This approach naturally produces three-component stress and two-component particle displacement, velocity, and acceleration seismograms for compressional, shear, and Rayleigh waves. It also has distinct advantages in terms of computational requirements over finite-differencing when data from large-scale structures are to be modeled at high frequencies. The algorithm is applied to iterative two-dimensional modeling of seismograms from a survey performed in 1985 by The University of Texas at El Paso and The University of Texas at Dallas across the Anadarko basin and the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma. The results provide an independent look at details of near-surface structure and reflector configurations. Near-surface ( 70 per cent) of the energy in the observed seismograms. The interpretation of the data is consistent with the results of previous studies of these data, but provides considerably more detail. Overall, the P -wave velocities in the Wichita Uplift are more typical of the middle crust than the upper crust (5.3 to 7.1 km/sec). At the surface, the uplift is either exposed as weathered outcrop (5.0 to 5.3 km/sec) or is overlain with sediments of up to 0.4 km in thickness, ranging in velocity from 2.7 to 3.4 km/sec, generally increasing with depth. The core of the uplift is relatively seismically transparent. A very clear, coherent reflection is observed from the Mountain View fault, which dips at ≈40° to the southwest, to at least 12 km depth. Velocities in the Anadarko Basin are typical of sedimentary basins; there is a general increase from ≈2.7 km/sec at the surface to ≈5.9 km/sec at ≈16 km depth, with discontinuous reflections at depths of ≈8, 10, 12, and 16 km.
Deformable registration of x-ray to MRI for post-implant dosimetry in prostate brachytherapy

Post-implant dosimetric assessment in prostate brachytherapy is typically performed using CT as the standard imaging modality. However, poor soft tissue contrast in CT causes significant variability in target contouring, resulting in incorrect dose calculations for organs of interest. CT-MR fusion-based approach has been advocated taking advantage of the complementary capabilities of CT (seed identification) and MRI (soft tissue visibility), and has proved to provide more accurate dosimetry calculations. However, seed segmentation in CT requires manual review, and the accuracy is limited by the reconstructed voxel resolution. In addition, CT deposits considerable amount of radiation to the patient. In this paper, we propose an X-ray and MRI based post-implant dosimetry approach. Implanted seeds are localized using three X-ray images by solving a combinatorial optimization problem, and the identified seeds are registered to MR images by an intensity-based points-to-volume registration. We pre-process the MR images using geometric and Gaussian filtering. To accommodate potential soft tissue deformation, our registration is performed in two steps, an initial affine transformation and local deformable registration. An evolutionary optimizer in conjunction with a points-to-volume similarity metric is used for the affine registration. Local prostate deformation and seed migration are then adjusted by the deformable registration step with external and internal force constraints. We tested our algorithm on six patient data sets, achieving registration error of (1.2±0.8) mm in < 30 sec. Our proposed approach has the potential to be a fast and cost-effective solution for post-implant dosimetry with equivalent accuracy as the CT-MR fusion-based approach.
Governance and the economy in Asia and the United States: institutions, instruments and reform

Effective governance involving the use of various institutions and instruments is very important for economic development. While many states fail to achieve even the minimal features of effective governance, state capitalism has proven to be a successful model economically. The problem is that state capitalism is frequently associated with authoritarian and corrupt regimes. Over time, such regimes limit economic efficiency, ignore the environment, and under-invest in social and health services. In the West and some Asian countries, these conditions have led to substantial reform in democratic governance. Singapore and possibly the People’s Republic of China offer alternative models of reform, reducing corruption and somewhat liberalising their economies in the absence of well-developed democratic governance.
On the nature of creepiness

Surprisingly, until now there has never been an empirical study of “creepiness.” An international sample of 1341 individuals responded to an online survey. Males were perceived as being more likely to be creepy than females, and females were more likely to associate sexual threat with creepiness. Unusual nonverbal behavior and characteristics associated with unpredictability were also predictors of creepiness, as were some occupations and hobbies. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that being “creeped out” is an evolved adaptive emotional response to ambiguity about the presence of threat that enables us to maintain vigilance during times of uncertainty.
Morphological and lipid analysis of the alveolar lining material in dog lung

Endobronchial saline lavage was used to obtain acellular material and cells from the dog lung. The centrifuged lavage fluid yielded a sediment consisting of an upper white layer and a lower brown layer. The white layer was strongly surface-active. It consisted of a mixture of lipids and proteins; the composition of the lipid portion was the same in three dogs. The predominant lipids were phosphatidyl choline, cholesterol, and cholesteryl esters; 75-88% of the fatty acids in each phospholipid fraction were saturated. Electron microscopy showed a strong morphological resemblance between the white layer and alveolar lining material in situ.
Nonlinear Studies for Switched Reluctance Motor Based on Finite Element Method

For the nonlinear characteristics of switched reluctance motor with two protruding poles,the electromagnetism field of switched reluctance motor is studied by using the finite element method. The software of finite element method——ANSYS calculates a group of three-dimension flux linkage characteristics,and attains the curve of inductance and torque characteristic to establish nonlinear model of switched reluctance motor system,which connects finite element method with nonlinear simulation,and gets many simulation waveforms. Finally,do the experiment with prototype motor,and compare the experiment results with simulation result to prove that the analysis of finite element method is accurate and the nonlinear simulation is effective.