cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Himalayan Semnopithecus entellus at Langtang National Park, Nepal: Diet, Activity Patterns, and Resources

Though researchers have studied lowland gray langurs extensively, there is little information about the Himalayan populations. We provide foraging data from a field study of Himalayan langurs in Langtang National Park, Nepal at 3000–4000 m elevation. Phenological records show marked seasonality in resource abundance, with extremely low availability in winter, increasing abundance in spring and monsoon, and a reduction in fall. Activity budgets indicated greater time devoted to feeding as total vegetation abundance decreased. Diet included leaf buds, ripe fruit, and evergreen mature leaves in winter; deciduous young leaves in spring; and deciduous mature leaves in the monsoon and fall. Supplemental resources, such as underground storage organs, bark, and herbaceous vegetation, were also seasonally important. Among plant part classes included in the phenological sample, abundance and consumption correlate positively for all primary food resources except evergreen mature leaves and unripe fruit. Daily path lengths varied by season and, when controlled for overall vegetation abundance, positively relate to the consumption of soft underground storage organs, fruits, and deciduous mature leaves. The results contradict the common generalization of leaves as ubiquitous or nonpatchy resources.
Development and characterization of transgenic mouse models for conditional gene knockout in the blood–brain and blood-CSF barriers

For many CNS acting drugs, penetration into the central nervous system (CNS) is limited by the blood-CNS-barriers. In an effort to quantitate the role of the protein components that make up the blood-CNS-barriers, we created transgenic mice that allow conditional gene knockout using Cre/loxP technology. We targeted the expression of Cre-recombinase to the choroid plexus (the blood-cerebral spinal fluid barrier) using the lymphotropic papovavirus control region (LPVcr) and to brain endothelium (the blood–brain-barrier) using the proximal promoter region of the human von Willebrand Factor gene (hVWF-f). We verified that LPVcr restricts expression to the choroid plexus in adult mice by using the LPVcr to drive n-LacZ expression in transgenic mice. The LPV-Cre and hVWF-Cre plasmids were then constructed and tested for Cre-recombinase function in vitro, and subsequently used to create transgenic mice. The resulting transgenic mice were characterized for cell-type specific Cre-mediated endonuclease activity by crossing them with transgenic mice containing a loxP-flanked-LacZ/EGFP dual reporter gene Z/EG. The dual Cre-Z/EG transgenic offspring were evaluated for the location of EGFP mRNA expression by reverse transcriptase PCR and for protein expression by immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry for EGFP verified expression in the target cells, and no ectopic expression outside of the expected cell types. The LPV-Cre.0607 transgenic line expressed functional Cre only in the choroid plexus and hVWF-Cre.1304 line in brain endothelium.
Design Methods for Misaligned and Mispositioned Carbon-Nanotube Immune Circuits

Carbon-nanotube (CNT) field-effect transistors (CNFETs) are promising extensions to silicon CMOS. Simulations show that CNFET inverters fabricated with a perfect CNFET technology have 13 times better energy delay product compared with 32-nm silicon CMOS inverters. The following two fundamental challenges prevent the fabrication of CNFET circuits with the aforementioned advantages: 1) misaligned and mispositioned CNTs and 2) metallic CNTs. Misaligned and mispositioned CNTs can cause incorrect functionality. This paper presents a technique for designing arbitrary logic functions using CNFET circuits that are guaranteed to implement correct functions even in the presence of a large number of misaligned and mispositioned CNTs. Experimental demonstration of misaligned and mispositioned CNT-immune logic structures is also presented.
Selective Inhibition of the Growth of ras-Transformed Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Emodin, a Protein-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor

Abstract Emodin (3-methyl-1,6,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone), a naturally occurring protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, selectively blocked the growth of v-ras-transformed human bronchial epithelial cells. Half-maximal inhibition of cell growth occurred at a concentration of 4 μg/ml. In contrast, emodin at a concentration of 100 μg/ml had little effect on the growth of normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Cell cycle analyses indicated that treatment with emodin arrested the v-ras-transformed cells in the G2/M phase of their cell cycle. Immunoblotting experiments using anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies indicated that ras-transformed cells, as compared to their normal counterparts, exhibited elevated levels of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. Treatment with emodin resulted in a decrease in intracellular protein-tyrosine phosphorylation. These results suggest that compounds that inhibit the ras-dependent elevation in the level of tyrosine phosphorylated proteins may prove to be useful chemotherapeutic agents and may exhibit selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells with an activated ras oncogene.
Control of Molybdenum Emission by Sorbents: Equilibrium Analysis

Emissions from fossil fuel combustion containing various heavy metals such as molybdenum are of public concern due to their adverse effects on human health and the environment. In this study, thermodynamic analyses were applied to determine the potential of sorbent technology to control molybdenum emissions from combustion sources. The effectiveness of four sorbents (Ca, Fe, Mg and Na based) was assessed for a wide range of temperatures. The adverse effects of chlorine and sulfur were also examined. Ca and Na-based sorbents were identified to be effective.
Cold nuclear matter effects on J/ψ yields in d+Au collisions at PHENIX

The latest PHENIX measurements of J/ψ yields in d+Au collisions at sNN=200GeV are presented as well as the nuclear modification factor RdAu and RCP. The results span a wide rapidity range (−2.2<y<2.4) and are compared with several theoretical models. The data are also compared to several simple models of the geometric dependence of the nuclear modification. It is found that the forward rapidity data favor a stronger suppression than one that is linear or exponential in the density-weighted longitudinal thickness.
Separation of Newborn Rat Epidermal Cells on Discontinuous Isokinetic Gradients of PERCOLL

A one-step procedure has been developed for the separation of epidermal cells using PERCOLL (a new colloidal silica medium of low viscosity, osmolarity, and toxicity) for density gradient centrifugation. Newborn rat epidermal cells were dispersed with trypsin-EDTA and separated into 4 fractions in discontinuous isokinetic gradients. The cell fractions were characterized by their appearance in photomicrographs and their distribution by number and size. Preferential incorporation of 3 H- thymidine and 14 C-glycine, by basal and granular cells respectively, confirmed the identification of cell types. The basal cells, which were collected in the densest fraction (1.090), were the most homogeneous population with a mean diameter between 7-8 μ m and showed 98% viability. The granular cells predominated in the least dense fraction (1.023). The intermediate fractions contained spinous cells admixed with the other cell types.
POST-FLIGHT INERTIAL AND AIR-DATA SENSOR CALIBRATION

This paper addresses the problem of post-flight data calibration. Flight test data collected for the purpose of aerodynamic parameter estimation consists of inertial and air-relative sensor outputs. Prior to performing any parameter estimation or traditional data reduction, it is necessary to evaluate, and if possible, correct the measured data to ensure kinematic consistency of the inertial sensors as well as accuracy of the critical airrelative parameters. The procedure described in this paper has been incorporated within the Integrated Data Evaluation and Analysis System (IDEAS) developed by SAIC. The algorithm was used to calibrate S-3B flight test data, collected in the summer of 1996, through the identification of small bias corrections on linear accelerometers and angular rates as well as horizontal wind magnitude and direction. Non-linear corrections for the nose boom airspeed sensor, as well as scale factor and bias corrections for flow angles, were estimated. Different standard flight test maneuvers were used to generate the data needed for such post-flight calibration. A discussion of these maneuvers and the necessary assumptions made in solving the dynamic equations is also provided.
Kernel-Based 3D Tracking

We present a computer vision system for robust object tracking in 3D by combining evidence from multiple calibrated cameras. This kernel-based 3D tracker is automatically bootstrapped by constructing 3D point clouds. These points clouds are then clustered and used to initialize the trackers and validate their performance. The framework describes a complete tracking system that fuses appearance features from all available camera sensors and is capable of automatic initialization and drift detection. Its elegance resides in its inherent ability to handle problems encountered by various 2D trackers, including scale selection, occlusion, view-dependence, and correspondence across views. Tracking results for an indoor smart room and a multi-camera outdoor surveillance scenario are presented. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this unified approach by comparing its performance to a baseline 3D tracker that fuses results of independent 2D trackers, as well as comparing the re-initialization results to known ground truth.
Programmable Photonic Lattice Filters in InGaAsP–InP

A novel monolithic programmable optical lattice filter consisting of unit cell building blocks is proposed. Single unit cells incorporating a ring resonator in one arm of a Mach-Zehnder are fabricated in an InGaAsP-InP material system. Programmable poles and zeros are demonstrated and monolithically cascaded unit cells are used to synthesize a flat passband.
The new neuroanatomy of speech perception.

Our understanding of speech recognition processes has gradually advanced over the past 50 years, from a state of almost total ignorance to one of well-informed confusion. Technical advances introduced around the middle of the last century enabled detailed description of the spectral patterns and temporal phenomena that characterize vowels and consonants, and extensive perceptual studies were undertaken to determine the relative importance of different classes of these acoustic cues. Explicit theories of how consonant and vowel percepts (phonemes) arise from such cues were developed and implemented, resulting not only in the successful artificial synthesis of naturally sounding speech, but also in the more recent development of (reasonably successful) speech-to-text transcription devices. For the most part, this progress proceeded without parallel advances in our understanding of how speech perception is actually implemented in the brain. Until recently, the conventional neuroanatomical model of speech perception had changed little from the one proposed by Wernicke in 1874, which predated the technological advances just described and included no mention of phonetic cues or phonemes (Wernicke, 1874). This situation is now changing rapidly with the application of newer functional neuroimaging techniques, which permit relatively precise localization of brain activity associated with auditory processing. One issue of particular interest is whether or not there …
A Pervasive Mode of Oxidative Degradation in a SiC-SiC Composite

The oxidative durability of a SiC-SiC composite with Hi-Nicalon fiber and a BN interphase was investigated at 800°C (where pesting is known to occur in SiC-SiC composites) for exposure durations of up to 500 h and in a variety of oxidant mixes and flow rates, ranging from quasi-stagnant room air, through slow-flowing oxygen that contained 30%-90% H2O, to the high-velocity flame of a burner rig. Degradation of the composite was determined from residual strength and fracture stain in post-exposure mechanical tests and correlated with microstructural evidence of damage to the fiber and interphase. The most-severe degradation of composite behavior occurred in the burner rig and has been shown to be associated with the high oxidant velocity and substantial moisture content, as well as a thin sublayer of carbon that is indicated to form between the fiber and the interphase during composite processing.
Regulation of Enteric Endophytic Bacterial Colonization by Plant Defenses

Bacterial endophytes reside within the interior of plants without causing disease or forming symbiotic structures. Some endophytes, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae 342 (Kp342), enhance plant growth and nutrition. Others, such as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium), are human pathogens that contaminate raw produce. Several lines of evidence are presented here to support the hypothesis that plant defense response pathways regulate colonization by endophytic bacteria. An ethyleneinsensitive mutant of Medicago truncatula is hypercolonized by Kp342 compared to the parent genotype. Addition of ethylene, a signal molecule for induced systemic resistance in plants, decreased endophytic colonization in Medicago spp. This ethylene-mediated inhibition of endophytic colonization was reversed by addition of the ethylene action inhibitor, 1-methylcyclopropene. Colonization of Medicago spp. by S. typhimurium also was affected by exogenous ethylene. Mutants lacking flagella or a component of the type III secretion system of Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (TTSS-SPI1) colonize the interior of Medicago spp. in higher numbers than the wild type. Arabidopsis defense response-related genotypes indicated that only salicylic acid (SA)-independent defense responses contribute to restricting colonization by Kp342. In contrast, colonization by S. typhimurium is affected by both SA-dependent and -independent responses. S. typhimurium mutants further delineated these responses, suggesting that both flagella and TTSS-SPI1 effectors can be recognized. Flagella act primarily through SA-independent responses (compromising SA accumulation still affected colonization in the absence of flagella). Removal of a TTSS-SPI1 effector resulted in hypercolonization regardless of whether the genotype was affected in either SA-dependent or SA-independent responses. Consistent with these results, S. typhimurium activates the promoter of PR1, a SA-dependent pathogenesisrelated gene, while S. typhimurium mutants lacking the TTSS-SPI1 failed to activate this promoter. These observations suggest approaches to reduce contamination of raw produce by human enteric pathogens and to increase the number of growth-promoting bacteria in plants.
STUDIES ON BLACK GRAM (Phaseolus mungo L.) TRYPSIN INHIBITOR

A trypsin inhibitor isolated from black gram (Phaseolus mungo L.) had 75 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular weight of 7892. The kinetic constants Km and Vmax as evaluated by the Dixon and Cornish-Bowden plots were 2.7 × 10−5and 6 × 10−3M/min, respectively. The dissociation constants of the enzyme-inhibitor complex (Ki) and the enzyme-inhibitor-substrate complex (Ki') were respectively 4 × 10−7M and 1.9 × 10−6M. Trypsin inhibition by black gram trypsin inhibitor was of a linear-mixed type. Chemical modification studies suggested the possible involvement of lysine and arginine at the active site of the inhibitor.
Radicicol activates heat shock protein expression and cardioprotection in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) constitute an endogenous cellular defense mechanism against environmental stresses. In the past few years, studies have shown that overexpression of HSPs can protect cardiac myocytes against ischemia-reperfusion injury. In an attempt to increase the HSPs in cardiac tissue, we used the compound radicicol that activates HSP expression by binding to the HSP 90 kDa (HSP90). HSP90 is the main component of the cytosolic molecular chaperone complex, which has been implicated in the regulation of the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1). HSF1 is responsible for the transcriptional activation of the heat shock genes. In the present study, we show that radicicol induces HSP expression in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and this increase in HSPs confers cardioprotection to these cardiomyocytes. We also show that radicicol induction of the HSP and cardioprotection is dependent on the inhibition of HSP90 in cardiomyocytes. These results indicate that modulation of the active HSP90 protein level plays an important role in cardioprotection. Therefore, compounds, such as radicicol and its possible derivatives that inhibit the function of HSP90 in the cell may represent potentially useful cardioprotective agents.
WWWWhy does nature stutter? A survey of strands of repeated amino acids.

Human stuttering is a simple example of the repetition of sounds or symbols, sometimes associated with single letters, and may be used to illustrate the amazing repetition of amino acids (symbolized by a letter, e.g. W) in proteins. A survey of available databases with highly improbable strings of single amino acids is tabulated. This paper concludes with a challenge to the crystallographic community to probe the structural origins of the structure–function relationship in this neglected area. When nature stutters, we should pay attention.
Beyond Patents: Protecting Drugs Through Regulatory Laws

Although patents are the prototypical type of protection that most people consider applicable to protecting drugs, patents are just the most-established and well-known method available to protect drugs from competition. However, there are other types of mechanisms in regulatory laws that provide patent-like protection or further strengthen existing patent protection.This chapter provides an in-depth explanation of two types of regulatory laws that provide important protection to drug companies: data exclusivity and patent linkage. As noted in earlier chapters (separately posted on SSRN), not all countries currently provide such protection, but these mechanisms are highly desired by drug companies and thus are frequently included in FTAs that impose TRIPS-Plus requirements. Because these protections may be additional hurdles to generic competition, a thorough understanding of these requirements (as well as how they intersect with patent protection) is important to anyone interested in promoting access to medicine.
A plasma cloud charge sensor for pulse keyhole process control

Keyhole plasma arc welding achieves much deeper penetration than do all other existing arc welding processes. Because of its ability to penetrate thicker material, the control of the keyhole in plasma arc welding becomes critical. From an analysis of the physical process, a sensor to detect the state of the keyhole for keyhole process control has been proposed and developed. This sensor measures the electrical effect of the plasma cloud generated during keyhole plasma arc welding. It is found that the plasma cloud, which rapidly decreases to zero upon establishment of the fully penetrated keyhole, can be used to detect the state of the keyhole reliably. The effectiveness of the proposed sensor for detecting the keyhole state has been verified during pulse keyhole plasma arc welding.
PI-PLC releases a 25–40 kDa protein cluster from the hamster oolemma and affects the sperm penetration assay

The effects of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) on human sperm‐hamster oocyte interaction were investigated to determine whether PI-PLC cleavable glycosylphosphatidyinositol (GPI)anchored proteins are involved in sperm‐egg binding and fusion. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was then utilized to visualize proteins released from hamster oocytes following PI-PLC treatment. For the binding and fusion assay, either spermatozoa or eggs were treated with 1 IU/ml PI-PLC for 30 min and washed prior to gamete co-incubation. Treatment of human spermatozoa with PI-PLC significantly (P £ 0.05) enhanced sperm‐ egg binding while having no effect on sperm‐egg fusion. Treatment of zona-free hamster oocytes with PI-PLC blocked sperm‐egg binding and fusion. In order to identify the oolemmal GPI-anchored proteins involved in fertilization, egg surface proteins were labelled with sulpho-NHS biotin and either mock treated or treated with PI-PLC. Egg protein extracts and egg supernatant proteins from each group were then analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by avidin blotting. Comparison of blots demonstrated that a predominant biotinylated 25‐40 kDa protein cluster (pI 5‐6) apparent in the mock treated egg extract blot was absent in the PI-PLC treated egg extract blot. A protein cluster of identical molecular weight and isoelectric point as the predominant 25‐40 kDa protein cluster was observed in the PI-PLC supernatant blot while no proteins could be seen in the control supernatant blot. These results demonstrate that treatment of hamster oocytes with PI-PLC inhibits sperm‐egg interaction and releases a 25‐40 kDa protein cluster (pI 5‐6) from the oolemma. It is likely that this released protein cluster represents an oolemmal GPI-linked surface protein(s) which is involved in human sperm‐hamster egg interaction.
X-Ray Radiation Effect in DRAM Retention Time

For quality verification, an X-ray inspection process is commonly being used for evaluating obscured and defective solder joints in surface-mount technologies, such as ball grid arrays and flip chips. Integrated circuits subjected to any form of radiation, i.e., ionizing or nonionizing, may incur some amount of damage depending on the absorbed dose. Though most X-ray inspections for high-quality imaging require ionizing dose amounts that are considered inconsequential for device failure or non-functionality, the degree of latent damage must be carefully considered. This paper discusses X-ray-induced vulnerabilities of high-density dynamic random access memory exposed to low ionizing radiation levels typical in X-ray inspection systems. We look at critical parameters and their sensitivity in relation to varying dose amounts of X-ray irradiation. In consideration of different methodologies of reducing radiation dose amounts and limiting device exposure, we propose a procedure for attenuating potentially harmful X-ray radiation levels while preserving quality images.
Dependability measurement and modeling of a multicomputer system

A measurement-based analysis of error data collected from a DEC VAXcluster multicomputer system is presented. Basic system dependability characteristics such as error/failure distributions and hazard rate are obtained for both the individual machine and the entire VAXcluster. Markov reward models are developed to analyze error/failure behavior and to evaluate performance loss due to errors/failures. Correlation analysis is then performed to quantify relationships of error/failures across machines and across time. It is found that shared resources constitute a major reliability bottleneck. It is shown that for measured system, the homogeneous Markov model, which assumes constant failure rates, overestimates the transient reward rate for the short-term operation, and underestimates it for the long-term operation. Correlation analysis shows that errors are highly correlated across machines and across time. The failure correlation coefficient is low. However, its effect on system unavailability is significant. >
Testing the Field of Dreams Hypothesis: functional responses to urbanization and restoration in stream ecosystems

As catchments become increasingly urban, the streams that drain them become increasingly degraded. Urban streams are typically characterized by high-magnitude storm flows, homogeneous habitats, disconnected riparian zones, and elevated nitrogen concen- trations. To reverse the degradation of urban water quality, watershed managers and regulators are increasingly turning to stream restoration approaches. By reshaping the channel and reconnecting the surface waters with their riparian zone, practitioners intend to enhance the natural nutrient retention capacity of the restored stream ecosystem. Despite the exponential growth in stream restoration projects and expenditures, there has been no evaluation to date of the efficacy of urban stream restoration projects in enhancing nitrogen retention or in altering the underlying ecosystem metabolism that controls instream nitrogen consumption. In this study, we compared ecosystem metabolism and nitrate uptake kinetics in four stream restoration projects within urban watersheds to ecosystem functions measured in four unrestored urban stream segments and four streams draining minimally impacted forested watersheds in central North Carolina, USA. All 12 sites were surveyed in June through August of 2006 and again in January through March of 2007. We anticipated that urban streams would have enhanced rates of ecosystem metabolism and nitrate uptake relative to forested streams due to the increases in nutrient loads and temperature associated with urbanization, and we predicted that restored streams would have further enhanced rates for these ecosystem functions by virtue of their increased habitat heterogeneity and water residence times. Contrary to our predictions we found that stream metabolism did not differ between stream types in either season and that nitrate uptake kinetics were not different between stream types in the winter. During the summer, restored stream reaches had substantially higher rates of nitrate uptake than unrestored or forested stream reaches; however, we found that variation in stream temperature and canopy cover explained 80% of the variation across streams in nitrate uptake. Because the riparian trees are removed during the first stage of natural channel design projects, the restored streams in this study had significantly less canopy cover and higher summer temperatures than the urban and forested streams with which they were compared.
Metal ion catalysis during the exon-ligation step of nuclear pre-mRNA splicing: extending the parallels between the spliceosome and group II introns.

Mechanistic analyses of nuclear pre-mRNA splicing by the spliceosome and group II intron self-splicing provide insight into both the catalytic strategies of splicing and the evolutionary relationships between the different splicing systems. We previously showed that 39-sulfur substitution at the 39 splice site of a nuclear pre-mRNA has no effect on splicing. We now report that 39-sulfur substitution at the 39 splice site of a nuclear pre-mRNA causes a switch in metal specificity when the second step of splicing is monitored using a bimolecular exon-ligation assay. This suggests that the spliceosome uses a catalytic metal ion to stabilize the 39-oxyanion leaving group during the second step of splicing, as shown previously for the first step. The lack of a metal-specificity switch under cis splicing conditions indicates that a rate-limiting conformational change between the two steps of splicing may mask the subsequent chemical step and the metal-specificity switch. As the group II intron, a true ribozyme, uses identical catalytic strategies for splicing, our results strengthen the argument that the spliceosome is an RNA catalyst that shares a common molecular ancestor with group II introns.
Uptake and elimination of ionizable organic chemicals at fish gills: II. Observed and predicted effects of pH, alkalinity, and chemical properties

Effects of exposure-water pH on chemical uptake at rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gills were investigated for nine weakly acidic, chlorinated phenols with different ionization constants and hydrophobicities and for a moderately hydrophobic, nonionizable reference chemical (1,2,4-trichlorobenzene). Uptake rates for all chemicals varied little from pH 6.3 to 8.4, despite ionization of the chlorinated phenols ranging from less than 1 to greater than 99.9% among these pH values and chemicals. At pH 9.2, uptake rates were reduced substantially for the chlorinated phenols but not for the reference chemical. These results indicate greater bioavailability of neutral chemical forms but also considerable bioavailability of ionized forms that varies with pH. Three mechanisms were evaluated regarding such ionized chemical bioavailability. First, reduced pH at the gill surface causes net conversion of ionized molecules to more readily absorbed neutral molecules. This mechanism was tested by increasing exposure-water alkalinity, which increased gill surface pH and reduced uptake of the chlorinated phenols but not of the reference chemical. Magnitudes of these effects were close to predictions from a mathematical model for chemical exchange at fish gills that incorporated this mechanism. Second, ionized molecules contribute to uptake by maintaining high gradients of neutral molecules across epithelial membrane barriers, even if the barriers are impermeable to these ions. This mechanism was demonstrated to explain the similarity of uptake among pH values and chemicals at pH less than 8.4 and the degree to which uptake declined at pH 9.2. Third, membrane barriers can have some permeability to the ionized forms, but this was not important for the chemicals and conditions of the present study. Increased exposure-water pH also was demonstrated to increase elimination rates of these chemicals, which also was in accord with model expectations.
The divorce decree, communication, and the structuration of coparenting relationships in stepfamilies

Using Giddens's (1984) structuration theory, this study explored the communicative processes surrounding the divorce decree in coparenting relationships in stepfamilies. Participants included 21 adults who were coparenting children in stepfamilies who completed diary entries of all interactions with coparents over a 2-week period, and who completed follow-up interviews. Results revealed two structures of signification with respect to the divorce decree that enabled and constrained coparenting interactions. The first signification structure was one in which the decree was framed as a legal document, dictating the rights and responsibilities of parenting, especially with respect to child access and financial issues. The second signification structure was one in which the decree was viewed as a negotiating guide for more informal coparental decision-making processes.
Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the cervical spine: case report and review of the literature

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is an uncommon, benign, but locally aggressive lesion characterized most commonly by synovial proliferation of the appendicular large joints, but occasionally involving a bursa or the tendon sheath. PVNS of the spine is rare, typically involving the posterior elements. The lytic radiographic appearance and fludeoxyglucose avidity of PVNS may mimic malignant bone lesions, including metastatic disease or myeloma. On T1 and T2 weighted, and gradient recalled echo MRI sequences, the low signal intensity may mimic giant cell tumour of the bone, gout or synovial amyloid deposits, thus posing a diagnostic dilemma for the imagers and the treating clinicians. We present a pathologically confirmed case of PVNS of the cervical spine in a 49-year-old female, detailing her imaging work-up, describing histopathological correlation and highlighting the lesion location and involvement of the joint space as useful imaging discriminators for diagnosing PVNS of the cervical spine.
Perceived support, substance use, suicidal ideation, and psychological distress among military-connected adolescents

abstractMilitary-connected adolescents may be at increased risk for poor behavioral health outcomes related to the stressors of war. This study examined the co-occurrence of substance use and mental health problems among military-connected youth compared to their non-military-connected counterparts. Data from youth in ninth- and eleventh-grade classes in six military-connected school districts completed the California Healthy Kids Survey in 2011 (n = 9,122). Latent class analysis was utilized to examine co-occurring substance use and mental health issues. Military connection (parent, sibling, or none) and five measures of perceptions of school and community support were included in the model. The analysis revealed four different groups. As the probability of co-occurrence increased, the chance that youth had a sibling serving and that they perceived lower support from the military and other military families increased. These findings support a need for additional research on the adolescent siblings of mil...
Work Lovers and Basic Income

Julia Maskivker argues that the world's economic output might in fact be boosted by releasing people from the constraint of having to seek employment. Offering a progressive vision of freedom that is surprisingly lacking in contemporary discussion of contractualism and theories of rights, Julia's central vision is that, on grounds of justice and human dignity, a right to opt out of employment has to be considered. She challenges conventional human rights notions of equality of access to self-fulfillment and to freedom; she argues for "equal consideration of interests" that can form the basis of genuine security.
Insect chemosterilants: gas chromatography, p-values, and relationship of p-values to sterilant activity in pupae of Anopheles albimanus.

Analytical procedures and p-values for 19 chemosterilants were determined by using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame photometric detector. The p-values were related to sterility induced in treated pupae of Anopheles albimanus Wiedemann. Generally, the Jess-polar compounds were the most effective sterilants.
Damage and Preference of Lesser Cornstalk Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae for Peanut Pods in Different Stages of Maturity

Lesser cornstalk borer, Elasmopalpus lignosellus (Zeller), larvae of various ages were fed peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., pods in stages 1 to 6 of maturity. Larval survival and pod damage were much greater on pods in stages 1 to 3 than on pods in stages 4 to 6. Older larvae were able to damage more mature pods, but this damage was primarily external scarification without pod penetration. Preference tests showed that larvae preferred pods in stages 2 and 3 and damaged pods in stages 1 to 3 significantly more than pods in stages 4 to 6. The significance of these findings in relation to field infestations of lesser cornstalk borer larvae is discussed.
Familial adenomatous polyposis in pediatrics: natural history, emerging surveillance and management protocols, chemopreventive strategies, and areas of ongoing debate

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary condition with a near 100 % lifetime risk of colorectal cancer without prophylactic colectomy. Most patients with FAP have a mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene on chromosome 5q22. This condition frequently presents in children with polyps developing most frequently in the second decade of life and surveillance colonoscopy is required starting at age ten. Polyps are found not only in the colon, but in the stomach and duodenum. Knowledge of the natural history of FAP is important as there are several extra-colonic sequelae which also require surveillance. In infants and toddlers, there is an increased risk of hepatoblastoma, while in teenagers and adults duodenal carcinomas, desmoid tumors, thyroid cancer and medulloblastoma are more common in FAP than in the general population. Current chemopreventive strategies include several medications and natural products, although to this point there is no consensus on the most efficacious and safe agent. Genetic counseling is an important part of the diagnostic process for FAP. Appropriate use and interpretation of genetic testing is best accomplished with genetic counselor involvement as many families also have concerns regarding future insurability or discrimination when faced with genetic testing.
Evidence for Competitive Exclusion of Introduced Natural Enemies in Biological Control

The rates of establishment of exotic natural enemies introduced against exotic pests in the orders Homoptera, Lepidoptera, and Coleoptera were found to be inversely related to (1) the number of species released at a given time and place and (2) the number of exotic incumbent species of natural enemies present. Thus, competitive exclusion of introduced natural enemies has probably occurred and contnbuted to the relatively low rate of establishment in biological control. It is suggested that, in cases in which less-than-complete control was obtamed through multiple-species releases, natural enemies capable of effective control of the target pest may have been competitively excluded. Because of this possibility, use of the empirical approach of releasing all available species of natural enemies, with the hope that the best species or combination of species will be sorted out in the field, should be questioned. In modern biological control, a more rational release strategy is in order.
The molecular biology of brain tumors.

Cancer currently is thought to arise in association with the accumulation of specific structural genetic alterations within somatic cells. This article reviews the molecular genetic alterations associated with human brain tumors, including mutation or deletion of tumor suppressor genes (P53, NF1, NF2, RBI, CDKN2, APC, and the Gorlin and MEN1 loci) and activation of proto-oncogenes (EFGR, other growth factors and receptors, ras and myc families, ros, gli, gsp). Molecular genetic changes associated with astrocytic tumors, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, medulloblastomas, meningiomas, schwannomas, and pituitary adenomas are discussed.
Effects of a Commercial Direct-Fed Microbial on Weight Change, Milk Yield, and Milk Composition in Lactating Beef Cows: A Case Study11Manuscript No. T-5-384 of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Abstract Feeding a commercial direct-fed microbial product (DFM) to lactating Angus cows (n = 22) was investigated from d 53 to 123 of lactation. Cows were fed ad libitum hay (alfalfa, wheat, or rye, depending upon period) with supplemental grain, whereas the DFM was fed at a rate of 28.4 g/d per cow to 12 cows, and 10 cows received no DFM (Control). Beginning at an average of d 67 of lactation, cows were machine milked every 14 d to measure milk yield, percent protein, percent fat, and somatic cell count (SCC). Calves were separated from cows 18 h before milk collection, and all calves and cows were weighed on each collection day before milking. Data were analyzed as a repeated measures design where treatment, cow nested within treatment, time, and time x treatment interaction were the independent variables. Milk yield, protein percent, and SCC did not differ between cows receiving DFM and Control cows, but milk from cows receiving DFM had higher (P
Faith and the Way of Reason

Does Christian faith affirm the principles of democratic politics? In the contemporary United States, a relatively few Christians might answer “no,” perhaps because they believe that Christian faith prescribes a withdrawal from the concerns of this world or, more specifically, from politics. But most, I expect, would readily answer “yes.” Thereby, they would stand with most Christians in United States history, for whom their faith has supplied the deepest reason to uphold the democratic ideals of this republic. In recent history, no American gave more eloquent or profound expression to the harmony between God's purpose and those ideals than did Martin Luther King, Jr., through whose incisive cadences the movement for equality in the mid-twentieth century appealed simultaneously to the divine calling and the American creed. But however easily most Christians may embrace democracy, their doing so with integrity depends on accepting a relation between faith and reason they may not so readily affirm. The argument here for politics as a common Christian vocation also depends on that relation. This calling, I seek to show, belongs to Christians generally because Christian faith prescribes democracy. Hence, we must now ask whether Christian faith is consistent with the way of reason. DEFINING THE QUESTION Government by the people, the previous chapter concluded, gives political form to the humanistic commitment, so that the former cannot be consistently endorsed without the latter. Democracy requires that religious convictions can be validated or invalidated in the argumentative practice of “we the people.”
Continuity of Care and Health Care Utilization in Older Adults With Dementia in Fee-for-Service Medicare.

Importance Poor continuity of care may contribute to high health care spending and adverse patient outcomes in dementia. Objective To examine the association between medical clinician continuity and health care utilization, testing, and spending in older adults with dementia. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a study of an observational retrospective cohort from the 2012 national sample in fee-for-service Medicare, conducted from July to December 2015, using inverse probability weighted analysis. A total of 1 416 369 continuously enrolled, community-dwelling, fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older with a claims-based dementia diagnosis and at least 4 ambulatory visits in 2012 were included. Exposures Continuity of care score measured on patient visits across physicians over 12 months. A higher continuity score is assigned to visit patterns in which a larger share of the patient’s total visits are with fewer clinicians. Score range from 0 to 1 was examined in low-, medium-, and high-continuity tertiles. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes include all-cause hospitalization, ambulatory care sensitive condition hospitalization, emergency department visit, imaging, and laboratory testing (computed tomographic [CT] scan of the head, chest radiography, urinalysis, and urine culture), and health care spending (overall, hospital and skilled nursing facility, and physician). Results Beneficiaries with dementia who had lower levels of continuity of care were younger, had a higher income, and had more comorbid medical conditions. Almost 50% of patients had at least 1 hospitalization and emergency department visit during the year. Utilization was lower with increasing level of continuity. Specifically comparing the highest- vs lowest-continuity groups, annual rates per beneficiary of hospitalization (0.83 vs 0.88), emergency department visits (0.84 vs 0.99), CT scan of the head (0.71 vs 0.83), urinalysis (0.72 vs 1.09), and health care spending (total spending, $22 004 vs $24 371) were higher with lower continuity even after accounting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidity burden ( P Conclusions and Relevance Among older fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with a dementia diagnosis, lower continuity of care is associated with higher rates of hospitalization, emergency department visits, testing, and health care spending. Further research into these relationships, including potentially relevant clinical, clinician, and systems factors, can inform whether improving continuity of care in this population may benefit patients and the wider health system.
A Touchy Subject: Can Physicians Improve Value by Discussing Costs and Clinical Benefits With Patients?

A dramatic rise in the costs of health care—and cancer care in particular—has occurred over the last decade. Increasingly, these costs are being passed on to patients in the form of cost sharing, which can have a catastrophic effect on the financial well-being of patients and their families. This article advises physicians on the importance of patient-provider interaction about costs as a means to improving value in cancer care.
Graffiti as communication: Exploring the discursive tensions of anonymous texts

This study views graffiti as a communicative opportunity to gather insights into the discursive tensions associated with how marginalized groups treat each other through anonymous text. Graffiti are considered anonymous texts that enact identity, resistance, and oppression. Specifically, this study explores graffiti at a predominantly Black university in order to explore how marginalized members of society enact or react to hegemonic conditions. The graffiti revealed a pervasive focus on sex, sexual orientation, and racial identity. This study clearly demonstrates a propensity for marginalized members of society to perpetuate the status quo in a number of issues (e.g., sex, sexual orientation, racial identities/stereotypes).
On the Relation between Commercial and Industrial Loan Portfolio Values and Borrowers’ Earnings and Operating Cash Flows

A major difficulty in the analysis of factors that affect loan valuation is that there does not exist a measure of loan values that can be applied to the general population of loans. I use loan quality disclosures from commercial banks’ regulatory filings to construct a measure of realizable values of commercial and industrial loan portfolios. Using this measure, I examine how loan values aggregated to the economy-level respond to aggregate-level shocks to discount rates and borrowers’ earnings and operating cash flows. Several new insights regarding banks’ use of fundamentals in loan valuation emerge. I discuss the relevance and implications of the findings for research on loan quality disclosures, debt valuation, and the association between accounting information and economic outcomes.
Donor-derived infections in solid organ transplant recipients: Challenging the 30-day paradigm.

Abstract Organ transplantation carries a potential risk of transmission of infectious diseases and malignancy. Fortunately, donor-derived transmission events remain a rare complication of transplantation occurring in less than 1% of solid organ recipients.(1,2) Although uncommon, donor-derived infections (DDIs) can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and as the volume of patients undergoing solid organ transplantation increases the number of infections transmitted through organ donation can also be expected to rise. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Assessing effect of beat detector on detection dependent signal quality indices

Patient monitoring algorithms which use multimodal physiological waveforms are needed to reduce alarm fatigue by alarming only for physiologic events and not signal artifacts. When combining information from multiple ECG signals, computational approaches that automatically identify artifacts in ECG signals play an important role. Signal quality indices (SQIs) have been derived which can differentiate between ECG signal artifacts and normal QRS morphology. Some of these SQIs are derived using beat detections and might be affected by the beat detector used. Using ECG signals from the PhysioNet/Computing in Cardiology Challenge 2015 training set, we studied the effect of beat detector on previously reported ECG SQIs derived using beat detections. We found that, while being affected by the beat detector, some of these SQIs can predict beat detector failure. Using beat detector specific SQIs can improve the designs of robust monitoring algorithms.
Complications of Upper Endoscopy and Their Management

Esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD) is one of the most frequently utilized procedures by gastroenterologists. Although upper endoscopy is considered one of the safest gastroenterology procedures, it is still associated with complications (1 in 200–10,000). Major adverse events related to upper endoscopy are rare and include cardiopulmonary adverse events, infection, perforation, and bleeding. As endoscopy assumes a more therapeutic role in the management of GI disorders, the potential for adverse events will increase. It is vital that the endoscopist has knowledge of potential endoscopic adverse events, what their frequency is, and the risk factors for their occurrence. Endoscopists need to select patients for the appropriate intervention and be prepared to manage any adverse events that may arise. Once an adverse event occurs, early recognition and prompt intervention may minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with that adverse event.