cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Biology of a Novel Strain of Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Three Wheat Cultivars

In spring 2003, several outbreaks of the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), were reported in fields of supposedly resistant wheat cultivars (‘Stanton’, ‘Halt’, and ‘Prairie Red’) in eastern Colorado. We conducted two laboratory experiments to compare the biological performance of this new biotype 2 (B2) to that of two D. noxia collections of biotype 1 (B1) from western Kansas by using three wheat cultivars as host plants: ‘Trego’, a susceptible cultivar, and Stanton and Halt, two cultivars with different genetic sources of resistance. Survival of solitary nymphs from first instar to adult for the two clones of B1 on Trego was 96 and 90%, respectively, compared with 67 and 43% on Stanton, and 65 and 57% on Halt. In contrast, B2 had 60% survival on Trego, 43% survival on Halt, and 85% survival on Stanton. One clone of B1 required longer to mature on Halt compared with Trego or Stanton, but no other differences in developmental time among cultivars were significant. The standardized fecundity of solitary foundresses of the B1 clones was 19.6 and 20.1 nymphs on Trego, compared with 4.6 and 0.9 on Stanton, and 2.8 and 1.1 on Halt, respectively, over the same period. In contrast, fecundity of B2 was 21.1, 20.8, and 19.7 on Trego, Stanton, and Halt, respectively. When larger colonies developed on individual plants over longer periods, Trego supported the largest number of B1 aphids by experiment’s end, whereas Stanton and Halt yielded the largest numbers of B2. The order of overall plant damage was Trego > Stanton > Halt when infested with B1, with no significant differences for B2. Trego had more pronounced leaf rolling than other cultivars, independent of biotype. Collectively, the results suggest that D. noxia B2 from Colorado has evolved cross-virulence to both Dn4- and Dny-based resistance sources.
On the role of endogenous electron shuttles in extracellular electron transfer

As a result of cellular metabolism, microbes dramatically alter the chemistry of environments in which they live. Microbes directly influence cycling of metals in the environment via respiratory redox transformations, often influencing solubility and toxicity of these metals by altering their redox state. Metal oxides and a number of other potential electron acceptors are inaccessible to most organisms due to poor solubility at neutral pH. Insoluble substrates cannot diffuse into the cell and therefore require specific electron transfer strategies. The primary focus of research in model organisms has been the mechanisms underlying electron transfer to insoluble, extracellular substrates. Two distinct mechanisms, which are not mutually exclusive, have been championed to explain how organisms transfer electrons from the surface of the cell to an extracellular substrate. In the first mechanism, electrons are transferred during direct contact between the insoluble substrate and redox active proteins associated with the cell surface. The second mechanism involves small redox active molecules termed ‘endogenous electron shuttles’ secreted by the organism. These molecules are reduced at the cell surface and react abiotically with the insoluble substrate in a cyclic fashion. In this chapter the discovery, characterization, and implications of endogenous electron shuttles are discussed with emphasis on the experimental evidence for shuttle-based electron transfer mechanisms. Model systems of Shewanella oneidensis, Pseudomonas sp., and Geothrix fermentans are examined in detail to illustrate the current state of the field.
Linkage of Viscous and Inviscid Boundary Element Methods

Justifiable approximations of the vorticity distribution in certain high Reynolds number viscous flows are identified. The approximations are utilized to simplify integral representations of viscous flow equations and to develop boundary element procedures previously obtained through the inviscid flow idealization.
Grading Severity of Mitral Regurgitation by Echocardiography: Science or Art?⁎

“Vision is the art of seeing the invisible” –Jonathan Swift ([1][1]) The current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines recommend surgery for asymptomatic severe mitral regurgitation (MR), provided that there is a 90% likelihood of successful valve repair ([2][
Degree of Evidence Necessary to Prove Criminal Charge in Civil Suit in Illinois

T HE English rule is that if the commission of a crime is directly in issue in any civil proceeding, it must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.' The general American rule, on the other hand, is that where proof of crime is necessary in a civil case, it is enough to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence.2 The Illinois Supreme Court has chosen, for reasons which are by no means obvious, to follow the English instead of the general American rule. Unfortunately, however, the later Illinois cases have confused and confounded the subject so that by the year 1925 the decisions were in hopeless conflict. Some followed the English and some the American rule. Thus, we find the following cases in support of the English view: Crandall v. Dawson3 (slander for charge of perjury); Darling v. Banks4 (slander for charge of perjury); Harbison v. Shooks (slander for charge of perjury); McConnell v. Delaware Mutual Safety Insurance Co.6 (Suit to recover insurance money from one alleged to have caused the fire); Germania Fire Insurance Co. v. Klewer7 (Suit on fire insurance policy where defense was made that plaintiff burned the building); Cottam v. National Mutual Church Insurance Co.8 (Action against fire insurance company, defense be-
Linkage group IV in the Syrian hamster: spontaneous seizure and jute

It was shown that sz and J are closely linked and that the recombination frequency between these two genes is 7.41 +/- 2.91. It was also shown that J is not linked with markers in linkage groups I and III, and that sz is not linked with a marker in linkage group II. Therefore, linkage between sz and J is a new linkage group. Since only three linkage groups have so far been established in the Syrian hamster, linkage groups I, II and III, this new linkage constitutes linkage group IV.
Genome Biology and the Evolution of Cell-Size Diversity

Cell size is highly variable among different species across the Tree of Life. For decades, biologists have generated hypotheses to explain this variation, in many cases, drawing on the correlations that exist among cell size, genome size, nucleus size, and various physiological and developmental parameters. In recent years, our understanding of the molecular processes that generate variation in genome size over evolutionary time, as well as the processes that maintain homeostasis in cell size over ontogenetic time, has increased dramatically. The goal of this article is to highlight how information from these fields can be integrated to generate new hypotheses to explain cell-size diversity.
Exploring Nurse Communication About Spirituality

Objective:Although spiritual care is considered one of the pillars of palliative care, many health-care providers never receive formal training on how to communicate about spirituality with patients and families. The aim of this study was to explore the spiritual care experiences of oncology nurses in order to learn more about patient needs and nurse responses.Methods:A survey was circulated at a communication training course for oncology nurses in June 2015. Nurses recalled a care experience that included the initiation of a spiritual care topic and their response to the patient/family. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results:Nurses reported that communication about spirituality was primarily initiated by patients, rather than family members, and spiritual topics commonly emerged during the end of life or when patients experienced spiritual distress. Nurses’ experiences highlighted the positive impact spiritual conversations had on the quality of patient care and its benefit to families. Spiri...
Textural development of monazite during high-grade metamorphism: Hydrothermal growth kinetics, with implications for U,Th-Pb geochronology

Monazite has become an important tool for geochronology, but it commonly exhibits complex internal zoning of composition and age. Experiments were conducted to characterize the textural development and the rate and mechanism of growth of finely powdered ( 2 O at 1.0 GPa and 1000 degrees C. Coarsely crushed quartz crystals 500 mu m in diameter grew rapidly and progressively engulfed monazite crystals to form arrays of monazite inclusions. The mean diameter of all monazite crystals decreased in the first 24 h, then increased at a constant rate consistent with growth by grain boundary diffusion-controlled Ostwald ripening with a minimum rate constant K1/4 = 4.41X10 (super -2) mu m/s 4 . Using small quartz crystals of uniform diameter ( approximately 0.5 mu m) in the starting material reduced quartz grain boundary mobility and limited the development of inclusions. Monazite grew by matrix volume diffusion-controlled Ostwald ripening with K1/3 = 1.02X10 (super -2) mu m/s 3 . In all run products, matrix coarsening produced linear crystal-size distributions that reflect continuous recrystallization and nucleation. Textural evidence suggests that matrix coarsening-induced coalescence was also an important growth mechanism. During annealing of fluid-filled rock, growing host crystals may occlude small monazite crystals, preserving their isotopic composition. Large monazite crystals may pin grain boundaries, while smaller crystals may move with grain boundaries by recrystallizing, a process that resets isotopic systems. Monazite crystals on grain boundaries may grow by Ostwald ripening to form rims and by coalescence. Accurate interpretations of monazite ages therefore require knowledge of the texture/growth history of the rock and its dated grains.
Simulation Analysis on Load Sensing Rotating System of Multi-luffing Engineering Drilling Rig Based on AMESim

Based on the introduction of structure and merits of multi-luffing engineering drilling rig,load sensing pump working principle was introduced along with rotating hydraulic system.Through the using of AMESim software,a simulation research on load sensing pump characteristics for engineering drilling rig was done,the pressure and flow rate characteristics in rotating system in normal condition were gotten.It raise the knowing of load sensing system for engineering drilling rig,it also can be a reference for hydraulic system design.
Development and Application of More Feamble Line in Bitter Gourd Breeding

With use of more female line, the breeding of bitter gourd for heterosis has been developed for more than 20 years. F1 generation used more and more widely. In seed production, it can simplify elite seed production and improve seed quality. Use of molecular markers is helpful to studying the mechanism of more female line. But the application and selective breeding of more female line are still deficient.
MR IMAGING AND MR ANGIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF DURAL ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULAS

SUMMARY Intracranial DAVFs are most commonly found in the cavernous, transverse, and sigmoid sinuses. MR imaging and MR angiography can be used to screen for these lesions and determine if there is cortical venous drainage. Conventional angiography still has a major role in screening and is mandatory prior to any therapy. Spinal DAVFs are uncommon lesions seen predominantly in older men. The diagnosis can be suspected with MR imaging if a large draining vein is seen in association with swelling and enhancement of the conus and increased signal on T2-weighted images. MR angiography shows some promise in identifying the vascular anatomy of these lesions.
Cytokinin-Induced Changes in Transfer RNA Species

Ribonucleic acids, particularly transfer RNAs, exhibit cytokinin bioassay activity. Isolated RNA of rat and sheep liver, and cultured tobacco cells is active in promoting growth of carrot phloem callus while the DNA of these respective tissues is inactive (Bellamy, 1966). Hydrolysates of sRNA, but not ribosomal RNA, from roots and shoots of germinating sweet corn possesses strong cytokinin activity in the carrot root tissue culture assay (Letham and Ralph, 1967). Highly purified tRNA of yeast, rat liver, E. coli (Skoog et al., 1966), chick embryo, calf and human liver (Robbins et al., 1967) stimulates cell division and differentiation. Again, rRNA from similar tissues exhibited no cytokinin activity. RNA rich in seryl-, isoleucyl-, and tyrosyl-tRNAs are very high in cytokinin activity in contrast to arginyl2-, glycyl-, phenylalanyl-, valyl-, and alanyl-tRNAs which had little growth promoting activity (Skoog et al., 1966). Thus, tRNA is the only known nucleic acid fraction active in cytokinesis and more specifically only certain tRNA species are functional. It is calculated that one molecule of isopentenyladenine (IPA) per 20 molecules of tRNA could account for the cytokinin activity of the tRNA fraction (Skoog et al., 1966).
Gender Differences in the Path From Sexual Victimization to HIV Risk Behavior Among Homeless Youth

Experiencing sexual victimization prior to becoming homeless is common among homeless youth and is associated with increased HIV risk behavior. This study examined mediating variables that underlie this association, adding to the understanding of gender differences in these paths. Participants were homeless youth in Los Angeles recruited through service access centers who completed a computerized self-administered interview in English or Spanish using an iPad. Findings indicate a high presence of sexual victimization across both genders. Female participants experienced posttraumatic stress disorder and subsequent engagement with exchange sex, whereas male participants were primarily involved in substance use risk pathways. Results indicate paths in the association between sexual victimization and HIV risk behavior differ between male and female homeless youth. Gender-specific, mental-health-informed interventions targeting sexual risk reduction are warranted.
Cellular Immunogenetics—Definition of HLA-D Region Encoded Antigens by T Lymphocyte Reactivities1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses three separate cellular typing systems used to identify antigens of the HLA-D region. It describes the use of homozygous typing cells in the primary mixed lymphocyte culture, the use of primed lipid droplet typing, and the use of pool-priming in an attempt to obtain a cellular cross-match assay of the incompatibility strength between two individuals as it relates to these tests. The primary MLC test provides a biologically meaningful and quantitative measure of the amount of HLA-D disparity between two individuals, although the influence of determinants encoded by genes outside the HLA-D region on the level of response has been documented and must be considered in evaluating such results. The use of homozygous typing cells in a primary MLC has provided highly useful data regarding the polymorphism for the HLA-D region and has provided evidence suggesting that HLA-D region is complex.
Reactivation of associative structure specific outcome responses during prospective evaluation in reward-based choices

Before making a reward-based choice, we must evaluate each option. Some theories propose that prospective evaluation involves a reactivation of the neural response to the outcome. Others propose that it calls upon a response pattern that is specific to each underlying associative structure. We hypothesize that these views are reconcilable: during prospective evaluation, offers reactivate neural responses to outcomes that are unique to each associative structure; when the outcome occurs, this pattern is activated, simultaneously, with a general response to the reward. We recorded single-units from macaque orbitofrontal cortex (Area 13) in a riskless choice task with interleaved described and experienced offer trials. Here we report that neural activations to offers and their outcomes overlap, as do neural activations to the outcomes on the two trial types. Neural activations to experienced and described offers are unrelated even though they predict the same outcomes. Our reactivation theory parsimoniously explains these results.
Bayesian Truth Serum on Tree Graphs

We consider the problem of defining all possible Bayesian truth serums for agents represented by a singly connected network (a tree graph). Agents receive signals according to a probability distribution that is common knowledge and that matches the network structure. The planner knows the location of each agent in the network but not the probability distribution itself. Each agent reports a signal and predicts the report of every other agent. Assuming that predictions are honest (i.e., are correctly computed posterior probabilities), what ’information scoring’ functions of predictions ensure that the predicted agent maximizes expected score with an honest report, for all probability distributions consistent with the graph structure? We prove that strictly incentive-compatible information scores are characterized by three properties: (a) log-linearity in the vector of predicting probabilities, (b) balance — the sum of coefficients in the linear function equals zero on any branch directly connected to the predicted agent, and (c) local excitation — at least one neighbor of the predicted agent must have a positive coefficient, while the sum of coefficients must be non-positive on any branch not directly connected to that agent.
NEMS-based asymmetric split ring resonators for thermomechanically tunable infrared metamaterials

This paper presents a nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS)-based tunable infrared (IR) metamaterial formed with an array of Au/Si bilayer split ring resonators (SRRs) having two asymmetric arms. The wider arm of the SRR is anchored on the device substrate, while the thinner arm is suspended above the substrate and can be thermally actuated to bend downward. The thermomechanical deflection of the nanocantilever-like thin arm changes the air gap between the two arms, thus modulating the optical resonance modes of the SRR. This tunable metamaterial is rather easy to manufacture and provides more than 90% optical signal modulation at the mid-IR wavelength of 3.6 μm.
International Decisions: Obligations Concerning Negotiations Relating to Cessation of the Nuclear Arms Race and to Nuclear Disarmament

In a trio of decisions, the International Court of Justice rejected the applications in which the Republic of the Marshall Islands claimed that three large states known to possess nuclear weapons, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, had breached their international obligations to undertake and conclude negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament. This essay discusses those decisions, as well as the United Kingdom's subsequent limitation of the circumstances under which it will accept the ICJ's jurisdiction over such complaints. This development, coupled with the Court's own narrowing of circumstances in which such an application will be accepted, make the likelihood of an eventual ruling on the nuclear disarmament issue quite remote.
Depot-Lite: A Mechanism for Managing Software

Previous versions of depot type schemes for maintaining software, including the NIST depot[5], Xheir[8], CMU depot[2] and its extensions[10], address the needs of a large site with knowledgeable software specialists. At the University of Massachusetts at Boston, software support is provided by a number of student operators, and faculty members. A new lighter weight depot scheme was needed to reduce the amount of knowledge needed by these less experienced software installers. In addition, we needed a depot scheme that would allow the concurrent operation of multiple versions of the same software package on a given host. This paper presents a refinement of the depot scheme that works well for a smaller site, that does not have dedicated software specialists, as well as a larger site that is interested in getting the efficiency and modularity advantages that the depot scheme offers. Although we use the modules package and the amd automounter to ease the administration of depot-lite, neither tool is mandatory for its operation.
Medien, Journalismus und öffentliche Meinung

Egal, ob man Medienmanagement als Instrument im Marketing-Mix nutzt oder Medien und Kommunikation fur Fuhrungsaufgaben im Unternehmen einsetzt: die Mitteilungen, die man im Kommunikationsprozess bereitstellt, konnen als veroffentlichte Themen weiter behandelt werden und eine eigene Dynamik gewinnen. Dies fuhrt zu der Frage, wie Offentlichkeit durch veroffentlichte Kommunikation entsteht und welche Funktionsprinzipien dazu beitragen, dass eine Mitteilung offentliche Relevanz erreicht. Der Bereich offentlicher Kommunikation ist damit das Spielfeld, auf dem der Medienmanager seiner Profession nachgeht. Diesen Punkt greift das Schlusskapitel auf und stellt auf Basis einer generellen Beschreibung der heutigen Medienlandschaft dar, welche Wirkmuster und Modelle als Erklarungsansatze fur die Fragestellung entwickelt wurden, wie offentliche Relevanz entsteht und welchen Einfluss verschiedene Medientechnologien auf die Kommunikation nehmen – bzw. unter welchen Umweltbedingungen Kommunikation stattfindet.
Transcriptome-Wide Association Study Identifies Susceptibility Loci and Genes for Age at Natural Menopause.

To identify novel susceptibility genes for age at natural menopause (ANM). Using transcription data generated in tissues from normal hypothalami (n = 73) and ovaries (n = 68) and high-density genotyping data provided by the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database, we built 16 164 genetic models to predict gene expression across the transcriptome in these tissues. We used these models and summary statistics data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of ANM generated in 69 360 women of European ancestry to identify genes with their predicted expression related to ANM. We found the predicted expression of 34 genes to be significantly associated with ANM at a Bonferroni-corrected threshold of P < 3.09 ×10−6. These include 4 genes located more than 1 Mb away from any previously GWAS-identified ANM-associated variants, 24 genes that reside in known GWAS-identified loci but have not been previously implicated, and 6 genes previously implicated as ANM-associated genes. Results from this transcriptome-wide association study, which integrated Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data with summary statistics of GWAS of ANM, improves our understanding of the genetics and biology of female reproductive aging.
Individualized agent interactions

Individualized virtual agents can enhance the user's perception of a virtual scenario. However, most systems only provide customization for visual features of the characters. In this paper, we describe an approach to individualizing the non-verbal behavior of virtual agents. To this end, we present a software framework which is able to visualize individualized non-verbal behavior. For demonstration purposes, we designed four behavioral profiles that simulate prototypical behaviors for differences in personality and gender. These were then tested in an evaluation study.
Models and Modules: Kalman’s Approach to Algebraic System Theory

In a brief expository paper presented in 1967 [K5], Kalman asked the following questions: What is a system? How can it be effectively described in mathematical terms? Is there a deductive way of passing from experiments to mathematical models? How much can be said about the internal structure of a system on the basis of experimental data? What is the minimal set of components from which a system with given characteristics can be built?
Gene Expression in the Evolution of the Human Brain

An exciting area of neuroscience research seeks to identify the key molecular changes that underlay the emergence of the modern human brain. In light of the remarkable similarity between most human and chimpanzee proteins and the fact that the majority of DNA sequence differences between the species exist in noncoding regions, researchers have begun to search for human adaptations in brain function at the level of the transcriptome. In this article, we review the results from these early studies and discuss some of the challenges that must be addressed to realize the full potential of this promising new avenue of research.
Heat Transfer in Frozen Soil

Between the Arctic Ocean and the Brooks Range of Alaska lies the North Slope. In this cold and barren tundra oil has been found and considerable oil exploration and production activity is anticipated for the coming years. A good part of this activity will require the erection of engineering structures such as drill rigs, pipelines, work camps, and, of course, roads and airfields.
Trend Analysis of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Research Published in the HFES Proceedings

The present study was designed to examine the research trends in the literature focusing on Human Factors issues relevant to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems. As these UAV technologies continu...
Comparison of image quality and radiation doses between rapid kV-switching and dual-source DECT techniques in the chest.

Abstract Purpose To compare image quality and radiation doses for chest DECT acquired with dual-source and rapid-kV switching techniques. Materials and methods Our institutional Review Board approved retrospective study included 97 patients (54 men, 43 women; 63 ± 14 years) who underwent contrast-enhanced chest DECT with both single source, rapid kV-switching (SS-DECT) and dual source (DS-DECT) techniques per standard of care departmental protocols. Reconstructed images from both scanners had identical section thickness and section interval for virtual monoenergetic and material decomposition iodine (MDI) images. Two thoracic radiologists independently evaluated all DECT for findings, quality of images, perfusion defects (MDI), and presence of artifacts. Radiation dose descriptor, size-specific dose estimates (SSDE), was recorded. Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Cohen’s Kappa tests. Results There were no significant differences in patient weight or SSDE for the two DECT techniques (p > 0.06). Both radiologists reported no difference in lesion and artifact evaluation on the virtual monoenergetic images from either technique (p > 0.05). However, SS-DECT (in 63–71/97 patients) had substantial artifactual heterogeneity in pulmonary perfusion on MDI images compared to none on DS-DECT (p Conclusion Despite identical patients and associated radiation doses, there were substantial differences in material decomposition iodine images generated from SS-DECT and DS-DECT techniques. Pulmonary heterogeneity on MDI images from SS-DECT leads to artifactual areas of low perfusion and can confound interpretation of true pulmonary perfusion.
Teachers’ Approaches to Mak(e)ing Computing Culturally Responsive: Electronic-Textiles in Exploring Computer Science Classes

This paper reports on a study of educators before, during and after they implemented a new curricular unit in their urban high school computer science classes. Building on and extending existing theoretical conceptions of culturally responsive computing, this qualitative study examined surveys, interviews, and weekly reflections from 17 computer science educators as they facilitated hands-on, project-based electronic-textiles lessons in their classrooms. The lessons were student-centered, open-ended, and semi-structured, in that students designed and constructed unique and personally meaningful computational artifacts using household tools and materials. Through a focus on the educators’ perceptions, reflections, and interpretations, we found that the activities encouraged educators to honor expertise not typically valued in computer science, to broker rich, authentic interactions with students in and outside of class, strengthen school-home connections, and to welcome and uplift students who had not felt successful in computing environments before. This study emphasizes how maker projects like e-textiles can support the development of culturally responsive educators to better guide meaningful and enduring learning experiences for diverse students in computer science.
Leveraging Python to Process Cross-Cultural Temperament Interviews: A Novel Platform for Text Analysis:

During childhood, parents represent the most commonly used source of their child’s temperament information and, typically, do so by responding to questionnaires. Despite their wide-ranging applicat...
Determining maize water stress through a remote sensing-based surface energy balance approach

Determining water stress levels of vegetated surfaces is crucial for irrigation scheduling. This paper aims to evaluate a new method for obtaining crop water stress index (CWSI) based on the estimation of sensible heat flux using an aerodynamic temperature gradient approach. Data were collected on a deficit irrigated maize field at a research farm located in Greeley, Colorado, USA, in 2017 and 2018. The irrigation treatment used subsurface drip. Weather data were measured on-site at 3.3 m above ground level. RED and NIR surface reflectance data were obtained on-site through multispectral radiometer measurements. Nadir surface temperature data were measured using infra-red thermometers at 1 m above canopy. CWSI estimated values were used to assess daily soil water stress index (SWSI), calculated from measurements of volumetric soil water content (VWC) and management allowed depletion (MAD) of 40%. Results show that SWSI is best represented through a non-linear rational CWSI function. Modeled CWSI estimates were compared to measured surface heat fluxes, resulting in a mean bias error of − 0.02 and a root mean square error of 0.09, while errors were 0.02 and 0.06 when compared with observed CWSI based on canopy transpiration measured with plant sap flow devices. Results seem to validate the proposed sensible heat flux-based CWSI model. The CWSI approach presented could be used to manage irrigation and conserve water resources for maize in semi-arid regions.
A Governance Analysis of the Snow Leopard, Its Habitat and (Digital) Data: Who Owns Charismatic Animals and Who Drives and Uses the Agenda for What?

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a highly charismatic species of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya (HKH) region occurring in app. 13 nations of Central Asia. However, often national budgets are not sufficient, or the lack of awareness and capacity does not allow for managing the species, its habitat and the atmosphere well. Poaching, habitat loss and other management problems are common for the snow leopard while climate change remains unabated also. Data for this species are virtually not shared open access with the global community while private NGOs can be more powerful than entire nations that are a host of snow leopards. Using the publicly available records like those available from grey literature reports, webportals like GBIF.org and peer-reviewed literature, here I provide a quick but powerful data-based governance analysis of who actually drives snow leopard management, its research and publications, and how it links with democracy, the media, research, sustainability and ethics. Like with similar species held in high public esteem this GAP analysis allows to see clear profiles and to correct that image driven by consuming (western) urbanites of this world for a more effective use of funds, modern science and efforts towards a better, more democratic and careful science-based conservation management and global governance of that species, its habitat and the required atmosphere to sustain it all.
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness

Freedom is a good thing. So is variety in choice. Unfortunately, too much freedom and too many choices can sometimes create problems for those who are free to choose. This is especially the case wh...
Literature analysis on infection status and epidemic characteristics of food-borne parasitic diseases in Fujian Province

Objective To explore the infection status and epidemiological characteristics of food-borne parasitic diseases in Fujian Province through literarature analysis.Methods The articles,reviews or case reports,pertaining to food-borne parasitic diseases of Fujian Province,published in Science Citation Index Expanded Database of China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) during the period from 1989 to 2010 were searched using data mining.The literatures of diagnosis cases and investigation were sorted according to the published time,type,incidence site and infection factors.The database was established by Microsoft Excel and a comprehensive analysis was made on the basis of the hazard degree of diseases.Results A total of 93 literatures,including 79 case reports and 14 special investigations was found.There were 1 187 cases and 11 foodborne parasitic species involved.The top five parasitic species were Paragonimus(147),Taenia and its cysticercus(492),Spirometra and sparganum (57),Angiostrongylus cantonensis (38) and Clonorchis sinensis(120),totally 854 cases,accounting for 71.95％ of the total number of cases.In the first ten years (1989-1999) there were 7 food-borne parasitic species,549 cases(46.25％) while in the second ten years (2000-2010) there were 11 species and 638 cases(53.75％).The gender distribution was 784 male (66.05％) and 403 female(33.95％).There were 298 cases in below 20 year old group (25.12％),635 cases between 20 and 40 year old group (53.49％),254 cases in over 40 year old group (21.39％).Infection factors were related to raw or rare food.Conclusion The food-borne parasitic disease is of variety and widely distributed in Fujian Province.The cases are continuous,scattered and in dynamic change.The infection is closely related to eating raw or rare food. Key words: Parasitic disease; Food-borne ; Epidemiology ; Fujian Province
Disrupting adverse childhood events (ACEs): student perceptions of the counter-ACEs of high school drama

This qualitative study examines student perceptions of positive childhood experiences (counter-ACEs) in the context of a high school theatre program in the United States. Using the HOPE (Health Out...
Transgender-Competent Health Care: Lessons from the Community.

OBJECTIVES Transgender (trans) individuals experience high discrimination levels when accessing medical and mental health care, resulting in poorer health outcomes compared with the general population and other minority populations. A community-based research design was used to elicit direct input from the trans community about critical trans-knowledgeable care components to address these disparities. The data collection included several focus groups with individuals recruited from the trans community. The information from this research guided the opening of the Gender Center, a centralized, multidisciplinary center of care for trans individuals within an urban safety-net hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. METHODS The research team conducted five focus groups with 27 self-identified trans individuals between December 2016 and April 2017. Focus groups solicited the negative and positive experiences of trans individuals in the healthcare system and sought input about how best to serve this population. RESULTS Analysis was done January through April 2020. Focus group participants identified financial difficulties, lack of insurance coverage, being underinsured, discrimination within the healthcare system and from providers, and a shortage of trans-competent providers as the most significant barriers to care. Participants emphasized the need to pay attention to creating a welcoming clinic environment, including trans-positive signage, and integrating trans staff members into the care team. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the importance of community-based research in addressing health disparities for trans people. It also offers insight into the unmet healthcare needs of the trans community, describes typical healthcare-related experiences of trans individuals, and identifies critical elements for providing high-quality trans-appropriate health care.
Nodal integral method for 3D time-dependent anisotropic convection-diffusion equation

Abstract The main advantage of using Nodal Integral Methods (NIM) in solving partial differential equations (PDEs) is that they lead to an accurate solution over relatively coarse meshes. Due to the use of the transverse integration procedure in the derivation, most of the NIMs developed were restricted to PDEs with isotropic diffusion terms only. Recently, the NIM has been extended to arbitrary geometries using iso-parametric mapping approach, which resulted in the transformation of isotropic diffusion to anisotropic diffusion. This required the development of a method to approximate the cross-derivative terms that is consistent with the order of accuracy of traditional NIMs. In this paper, the 3D, time-dependent, anisotropic convection-diffusion equation is solved numerically using the NIM. A new method to approximate the cross-derivative terms based on the actual discrete unknowns of the NIM – namely, the line-averaged or surface-averaged variables – is developed. Also, the previously developed approximation for the cross-derivative terms in 2D (Kumar et al., 2013) that is based on the corner point values is extended to 3D. Six numerical test cases are solved to test the accuracy and efficiency of both approaches. The accuracy of NIM for the anisotropic diffusion equation is maintained even for coarse meshes for both cross-derivative approximations. However, the surface-averaged-based approximation is more accurate and efficient than the point-value-based approximation in all cases. The NIM using the surface-averaged-based approximation is second-order accurate in space and time. On the other hand, the NIM using the point-value-based approximation is between first and second-order accurate in space, and second-order accurate in time.
An artificial skylight compared with daylighting and LED: Subjective and objective performance measures

Abstract In the last decade, innovative systems such as Artificial Skylights (AS) have been developed to reproduce the blue-sky effect and white sunlight, giving the impression that interiors are illuminated by natural light, even when this is not available because of construction- or climate-related reasons. Given the hybrid characteristics between natural and artificial lighting, the aim of this research is to compare an AS with daylight and with artificial lighting to identify similarities and differences in performances, pointing out the most suitable indicators to describe it and to provide useful feedback for the design and integration of these systems. A monitoring campaign was conducted involving nine participants who spent entire work sessions in a full-scale living lab equipped as an office, with different lighting systems (AS, daylight and LED) and different furniture configurations, completing a total of more than 360 questionnaires and analysing the visual and non-visual effects. AS and daylight share many similarities, which may be positive, such as pleasantness, circadian stimuli, colour perception, as well as, in some scenarios, also negative, such as glare perception. As a conventional artificial lighting system, even with AS, Unified Glare Rating correlates more strongly with users’ perception of glare than Daylight Glare Probability, although both underestimate it. Overall, the workstation receiving diffuse light was found to be the most comfortable and the higher installed lighting power density of AS with respect to LED is well balanced by a better lighting quality. Further research about AS is needed to define design guidelines and to support a holistic approach, fundamental to high-performing buildings.
The Impact of Bisphenol A and Phthalates on Allergy, Asthma, and Immune Function: a Review of Latest Findings

In recent years, the impact of environmental exposure to chemicals and their immunological effects, including the development of allergy, has been a topic of great interest. Epidemiologic studies indicate that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals produced in high volumes, including bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, is ubiquitous. The links between their exposure and the development of allergy, asthma, and immune dysfunction have been studied in vitro, in vivo, and through human cohort studies. The purpose of this review is to examine the current body of research and to highlight deficits and strengths of current findings. Emerging science indicates that deleterious immunologic changes, including increased propensity to develop wheeze, allergy, and asthma after dietary and inhalation exposure to these chemicals, may be occurring.
Uniqueness of non-negative solutions of a class of semi-linear elliptic equations

This article is concerned with boundary value problems of the type (BVP) u″ + g(r)u′ + f(u) = 0, r > 0; u′(0) = 0, limr → ∞ u(r) = 0; where f(0) = 0. Such problems arise in the study of semi-linear elliptic differential equations in ℝn. It is shown that (BVP) has at most one non-negative non-trivial solution under appropriate conditions on f and g. The conditions are weaker than those given by Peletier and Serrin [6], who considered the special case g(r) = (n - 1)/r, n = 2, 3,⋯.
Effects Ball and Background Color Have upon the Catching Performance of Elementary School Children

Abstract Subjects in grades 2, 4, and 6 were asked to attempt to catch plastic balls in three colors—blue, yellow, and white—against two different colored backgrounds—white and black. A 5-point catching scale was used to evaluate each catch attempt. It was hypothesized that neither ball color nor background color would influence the catching performance of elementary youngsters. The older youngsters performed significantly better on the catching tasks. Blue and yellow balls produced significantly higher catching scores than the white balls. The significance of interaction effects suggested that various combinations of ball color and background color produced high catching scores. Blue balls projected against white background produced the highest catching score.
RECENT TRENDS IN SOVIET ANTHROPOLOGY

Trudy Instituta Etnografiyi im. N. N. Miklukho-Maklaya (Memoirs of the Institute of Ethnography named for N. N. Miklukho-Maklay) t. I (1947), pp. 284; t. II (1947), pp. 316 Akademiya Nauk Soyuza SSR. Sovietskaya Etnografiya (Soviet Ethnography) 1948, Nos. 1 pp. 260; 2, pp. 256; 3, pp. 216; 4, pp. 228. Akademiya Nauk SSR. Sovietskaya Arkheologiya (Soviet Archeology) t. VIII (1946), pp. 320; t. IX (1947), pp. 330. Akademiya Nauk SSR. Institut Istoriyi Material'noi Kul'tury im. N. Ya. Marra (Institute for the History of Material Culture named for N. Ya. Marr).
Monopulse radar detection and localization of multiple targets via joint multiple-bin processing

If several closely-spaced targets fall between two matched filter samples in range, monopulse information from both of these samples can and should be used for estimation, both of angle and of range (i.e., estimation of the range to sub-bin accuracy). Here, a model is established and a maximum likelihood (ML) extractor is developed. A limit of the number of targets that can be estimated is established, and indeed it will be shown that the new extractor can detect up to five targets in a range extent of one resolution cell, meaning from detections in two adjacent matched filter samples. A minimum description length (MDL) criterion is used to detect the number of targets between the two matched filter samples. Simulations are presented to show the performance of the new extractor.
Enhanced optical absorption in thin film solar cells by surface plasmons

We have investigated the influence of localized surface plasmon effects due to spherical metal nanoparticles on amorphous silicon based thin film solar cells. By far, silver is the most common metal used for surface plasmonics in solar cells. However, it would be of great interest, from a practical stand-point to find less expensive metals, such as copper, aluminum, titanium and their alloys. Using a two dimensional finite difference time domain method, we have simulated the surface plasmon effects due to a variety of metal nanoparticles and observed their optical properties. A noticeable conversion efficiency improvement due to the Ag and Cu nanoparticles was obtained.
BAC library development for allotetraploid Leymus (Triticeae) wildryes enable comparative genetic analysis of lax-barrenstalk1 orthogene sequences and growth habit QTLs

Abstract Tall-caespitose basin wildrye ( Leymus cinereus ) and rhizomatous creeping wildrye ( Leymus triticoides ) are perennial Triticeae relatives of wheat and barley. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling rhizome proliferation were previously detected on homoeologous regions of LG3a and LG3b in two full-sib families derived from allotetraploid hybrids. Triticeae homoeologous group 3 aligns to rice chromosome 1, which contains the rice lax panicle and maize barrenstalk1 orthogene responsible for induction of axillary branch meristems, but this gene has not been mapped or sequenced in Triticeae. We developed bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries representing 6.1 haploid equivalents of the tetraploid Leymus genome (10.7 Mb). Overgo probes designed from the lax - barrenstalk1 orthogene hybridized to 12 Leymus BAC clones. Deduced amino-acid sequences from seven BAC clones were highly conserved with the rice, maize, and sorghum lax - barrenstalk1 orthogenes. Gene specific primers designed from two of the most divergent BAC clones map to homoeologous regions of Leymus LG3a and LG3b and align with the lax - barrenstalk1 orthogene on rice 1L. Comparisons of genomic DNA sequences revealed two other conserved regions surrounding the Leymus LG3a, rice, and sorghum lax - barrenstalk1 ortholoci, and one of these regions was also present in maize and Leymus LG3b sequences. Comparisons of Leymus LG3a and LG3b lax - barrenstalk1 coding sequences and flanking genomic regions elucidate molecular differences between subgenomes.
C(7)-Substituted Diaminomitomycins: Synthesis, Structure, and Chemical Reactivity

Five mitomycins (23−27) were prepared to determine if an appended C(7) diamine substituent would promote C(1) nucleophilic substitution transformations by covalent modification of the C(8) quinone ...
Mutations and microenvironment collude in FL.

In this issue of Blood , Yildiz et al report that recurrent STAT6 mutations in follicular lymphoma (FL) are activating and provide evidence that supports a genetic basis for activation of the IL-4/JAK/STAT6 axis as a driver of FL pathogenesis.[1][1] ![Figure][2] In follicular lymphoma tumors
Incisional hernia repair

Incisional ventral hernias are a common problem encountered by surgeons, with over 100,000 repairs being performed annually in the United States. Although many predisposing factors for incisional ventral hernia are patient-related, some factors such as type of primary closure and materials used may reduce the overall incidence of incisional ventral hernia. With the advent of prosthetic meshes being used for incisional ventral hernia repair, the recurrence rate has dropped to approximately 10%. More recently, with the development of prosthetic mesh that is now safe to place intraperitoneally, the recurrence rate has dropped to under 5%. The current controversies that exist for incisional ventral hernia repair are which approach to use (open versus laparoscopic) and what type of fixation (partial- versus full-thickness abdominal muscular/fascial wall) is necessary to stabilize the position of the mesh while tissue ingrowth occurs. During the next decade the answers to these controversies should be available in the surgical literature.