cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Support for workflows in a ministerial environment

ABSTRACTThis paper presents the P OLI Team solutions andexperiences with the support of ministerial workflows byelectronic circulation folders. An application scenario ispresented that illustrates the user actions and cooperationthat occur during the processing of a ministerial workflow.This scenario is afterwards examined to identify essentialrequirements for a computer based support of suchprocesses. Based on that this paper describes the design ofan electronic circulation folder and how this is augmentedby a support for digital signatures, the integration of paperdocuments and a video conferencing system to satisfy themajor user requirements.K e y w o r d sw o r k f l o w , electronic circulation folder, shared workspaces,digital signatures, participatory designINTRODUCTIONThe decision of the German parliament to move the capitalfrom Bonn to Berlin increases the demand for a computerand telecommunication based support of ministerialprocesses within and between dislocated governmentdepartments. In this context four projects have beenlaunched by the German research ministry in theframework of the POLIKOM [6] initiative. Each projectfocuses on specific aspects from the wide range ofcooperation support that is needed in this application field.The central objective of the P
Regulatory control through conformation changes in proteins

Abstract Cooperative effects in proteins such as hemoglobin and feedback enzymes have been observed extensively. A sequential model to explain these effects has been developed in which it is assumed that a ligand can induce a conformational change in an individual subunit and that the distortion in this one subunit may be transmitted with varying efficiencies to neighboring subunits. Expressing these interactions in mathematical form it is found that the models can explain qualitatively and quantitatively a wide variety of phenomena observed in the biological literature. Key features of the model are (a) that there are sequential changes in conformation as ligand is bound, i.e., hybrid conformational states can exist, (b) that the efficiency of transmission of the effect in one subunit to neighboring subunits may vary widely, i.e., the coupling may be very low in which case the protein will exhibit Michaelis-Menten kinetics or it may be very high in which case highly cooperative phenomena will be observed, and (c) that the final conformational state depends on the protein and the ligand bound, i.e., there may be a considerable diversity in the final conformational states with different ligands.
A developmental study of the effect of eye movements on the processing of shape information.

Abstract Three experiments were performed using an aperture-viewing technique to assess the accuracy of shape perception when subjects were required to emit eye movements in order to pick up shape information, compared with the accuracy of shape perception when subjects were not required to emit eye movements in order to pick up the same shape information. In two of the three experiments, we also tried to elicit two different kinds of eye movements which have been suggested as being differentially useful for the processing of shape information. All three experiments explored whether the usefulness of eye movements varied as a function of age. The results of all three experiments indicate that the accuracy of shape perception improves with age under aperture-viewing conditions. The conditions in which eye movements were required to pick up the shape information led to an improvement in the processing of the shape information. This improvement seems to be about the same for both of the eye movement conditions and for all of the age groups tested (4.6 years through 21.7 years).
Liquidus surface of MgO–CaO–Al2O3–SiO2 glass-forming systems

Abstract Alkaline earth aluminosilicate systems are of widespread technological importance, and it is therefore essential to have accurate phase equilibrium diagrams available. While the phase equilibria for the single alkaline earth CaO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 and MgO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 systems are fairly well established, the mixed MgO–CaO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 systems have received little attention despite their important role in the high-tech glass industry. Here, the liquidus surface (liquidus temperature T liq and primary devitrification phase) is determined by x-ray diffraction phase analyses of isothermally reacted samples from powder mixtures. The phase equilibrium diagrams are presented based on measurements on a total of 120 compositions. In the composition range of interest for industrial glasses, T liq tends to increase with increasing silica content and decreasing alkaline earth-to-alumina ratio. Cristobalite, mullite, anorthite, and cordierite are found to be the dominant devitrification phases for the compositions with high SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, and MgO contents, respectively. Anorthite extends further into the cristobalite and mullite fields for the [CaO]/[MgO] = 3 system compared to the cordierite behavior in systems with [MgO]/[CaO] = 3. For systems with [MgO] = [CaO], the liquidus temperatures are shifted to lower values since the formation of anorthite and cordierite requires some critical concentration of CaO and MgO, respectively.
Reactive and reparative fibrillar collagen remodelling in the hypertrophied rat left ventricle: two experimental models of myocardial fibrosis

Study objective – The aim was to compare the temporal sequence and structural relationship between perivascular and interstitial fibrosis and microscopic scarring seen in the left ventricle in response to either a transient or sustained stimulus to fibrosis. Design – In 72 male Wistar rats (250 – 350 g) the transient stimulus model was based on the administration of isoprenaline (500 μg·kg−1) while the sustained stimulus model was produced by abdominal aortic banding with right renal artery constriction. Serial sections of myocardium were examined and compared at 4 and 12 weeks in each model and to corresponding controls. Experimental material – The collagen specific stain, Sirius Red F3BA, was used to determine collagen volume fraction and the fibrillar nature of the fibrous tissue response seen by light microscopy. Measurements and main results – Following isoprenaline a stable reparative fibrosis of the endomyocardium and increase in collagen volume fraction was seen without an interstitial or perivascular fibrosis of the non-involved myocardium. In unilateral renal ischaemia, on the other hand, a progressive perivascular fibrosis was evident throughout the myocardium and from which fibrillar collagen extended into the extracellular space between muscle bundles creating an interstitial fibrosis; microscopic scarring of the endomyocardium became evident at 12 weeks. Conclusions – The reactive perivascular fibrosis of intramyocardial coronary arteries seen in renovascular hypertension is a progressive process that leads to an interstitial fibrosis and eventual microscopic scarring. In contrast, the endomyocardial scarring that follows isoprenaline induced myocyte necrosis is stable and intramural vessels in remote regions are not involved.
Outcomes of Open Dorsal Wrist Ganglion Excision in Active-Duty Military Personnel

Purpose To examine the most common presenting complaints of active-duty service members with isolated dorsal wrist ganglions and to determine the rate of return to unrestricted duty after open excision. Methods Surgical records at 2 military facilities were screened to identify male and female active duty service members undergoing isolated open excision of dorsal wrist ganglions from January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2014. Electronic medical records and service disability databases were searched to identify the most common presenting symptoms and to determine whether patients returned to unrestricted active duty after surgery. Postoperative outcomes examined were pain persisting greater than 4 weeks after surgery, stiffness requiring formal occupational therapy treatment, surgical wound complications, and recurrence. Results A total of 125 active duty military personnel (Army, 54; Navy, 43; and Marine Corps, 28) met criteria for inclusion. Mean follow-up was 45 months. Fifteen percent (8 of 54) of the Army personnel were given permanent waivers from performing push-ups owing to persistent pain and stiffness. Pain persisting greater than 4 weeks after surgery was an independent predictor of eventual need for a permanent push-up waiver. The overall recurrence incidence was 9%. No demographic or perioperative factors were associated with recurrence. Conclusions Patients whose occupation or activities require forceful wrist extension should be counseled on the considerable risk of residual pain and functional limitations that may occur after open dorsal wrist ganglion excision. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Isolation of a Variant Porphyromonas Sp. from Polymicrobial Infections in Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona Vitticeps)

Isolates of Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria from reptiles have only occasionally been identified to the genus and species level in the veterinary medical literature. In particular, reports identif...
A new virtual-instrumentation-based experimenting environment for undergraduate laboratories with application in research and manufacturing

An undergraduate laboratory based on a functionally complete set of virtual tools for laboratory experimenting is described in the paper. An outstanding feature of the experimenting environment is an easy-to-use, graphical user interface to a laboratory experiment. If significantly shortens the time needed to implement experimenter-defined laboratory procedures and eliminates the need for high-level-language programming on the experimenter side. Taking advantage of industry-wide standards such as VISA, GP-IB, and VXI, our virtual instruments can perform their function using either physical or simulated, local, or remote and network-distributed instruments coming from a variety of different manufacturers. A paperless laboratory with on-screen graded measurement reports was fully implemented. The environment as-is allows remote experimenting-world-wide in principle. It currently requires a remote LabVIEW/sup TM/ or XWindow/sup TM/ session. Work is in progress on giving full access to our virtual tools using Java/sup TM/-capable web browsers such as Netscape/sup TM/, Hot Java/sup TM/, or MS Explorer/sup TM/ and thus to provide students with a student-affordable remote experimenting platform.
CtBP Contributes Quantitatively to Knirps Repression Activity in an NAD Binding-Dependent Manner

Transcriptional repressors often employ multiple activities, but the molecular mechanisms and physiological relevance of this functional diversity remain obscure. The Drosophila melanogaster Knirps repressor uses CtBP corepressor-dependent and -independent pathways. To separately analyze the components of Knirps repression activity, we elucidated the specific repression properties of CtBP and of Knirps subdomains. Like Knirps, CtBP represses adjacent transcriptional activators; but unlike Knirps, CtBP is unable to repress basal promoter elements. We determined that the ability of CtBP to recapitulate only a subset of Knirps activities is due to a quantitative, rather than qualitative, deficiency in repression activity. The CtBP-dependent portion of Knirps synergizes with the CtBP-independent repression activity to potently repress promoter elements from enhancer- or promoter-proximal positions. This result indicates that multiple repression activities are combined to exceed critical thresholds on target genes. CtBP mutant proteins unable to bind NAD fail to interact with DNA-bound factors. We show that DNA-binding Gal4-CtBP fusion proteins also require NAD binding for activity, indicating that NAD plays a role in repression at a step subsequent to CtBP recruitment to the promoter.
Tales of Diversity: Lawyers’ Narratives of Racial Equity in Private Firms

This article reports on what an interview study of the legal profession has revealed about diversity in private law firms. The study can be fairly described as an accidental research project—more specifically, a professional responsibility course that turned into an empirical study of the legal profession. After ten years of teaching this course, I have accumulated, almost as a byproduct, a significant corpus of qualitative data about lawyers’ lives, the organizations in which they practice, and the legal profession as a whole. The late Rodney Dangerfield said, “I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.” An apt description of this study might be, “I went to class and a research project broke out.”
Use of superficial femoral vein for hemodialysis arteriovenous access

Maintaining hemodialysis access in the expanding number of patients with end-stage renal disease is a difficult and challenging problem. Published guidelines outline the initial recommendations for hemodialysis access; however, there is little consensus about the most appropriate options for the subset of patients with repeated access failures and/or unsuitable veins. Two case reports are presented describing the use of composite saphenous-superficial femoral vein autogenous accesses placed in the upper and lower extremities. The function of the autogenous accesses appeared to be similar to a mature arteriovenous fistula in the short-term, although further longitudinal studies are required. The superficial femoral vein may be a useful hemodialysis access conduit for patients with limited access options.
MobileIQ: a framework for mobile information access

We address issues related to mobility, personalization and asynchronous operation to support efficient access to the World Wide Web across weakly connected or low bandwidth wireless links. WWW provides a large globally, distributed computing and information access infrastructure. With the large amount of accessible information came the problem of information overload, making the process of finding content of interest a difficult issue. This is further exacerbated in mobile environments because of the well known resource constraints. We have developed MobileIQ, a distributed system and service infrastructure that can offer personalized mobile information access in a wireless network environment. MobileIQ addresses challenges unique to a mobile environment such as mobility management and disconnection management, in addition to issues common to all environments: content personalization, bandwidth utilization, download latencies, and user privacy. We also demonstrate how this architecture may be used to provide location-based services to users of the MobileIQ system.
SEQUENTIAL CHANGES IN THE RELATIVE AFFINITY OF ANTIBODIES SYNTHESIZED DURING THE IMMUNE RESPONSE

The anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibodies synthesized by suspensions of lymph node cells obtained at various intervals from rabbits that had been immunized with DNP-bovine γ-globulin increased progressively in their affinity for the dinitrophenyl determinant. This change accompanied and was apparently responsible for a similar change in the binding properties of anti-DNP antibodies isolated from the serum. The rate of change in affinity was related to the dose of immunogen: increasing the dose delayed the change. The antibodies formed during a brief (5 hr) incubation in vitro were heterogeneous in their binding properties. Therefore, the mixing in the circulation of molecules synthesized at different times may contribute to, but is not alone responsible for, the heterogeneity in the serum antibodies. Variability in binding did not appear to be related to heterogeneity in immunoglobulin class. Indeed, the variations in relative affinity occurred entirely within the γG-immunoglobulins.
Shape from focus system

A shape-from-focus method that uses different focus levels to obtain a sequence of object images is described. A sum-modified-Laplacian operator is developed to provide local measures of the quality of image focus. The operator is applied to the sequence of images of the object to determine a set of focus measures as each image point. A model is developed to describe the variation of focus measure values due to defocusing. This model is used by a depth estimation algorithm to interpolate focus measure values and obtain accurate depth estimates. A fully automated system that has been implemented using an optical microscope and tested on a variety of industrial samples is described. >
Studies on the Holarctic subfamily Brachypterainae (Plecoptera: Taeniopterygidae) using the scanning electron microscope to study male terminalia

The epiproct complex and other details of the male terminalia of the Holarctic stonefly subfamily Brachypterainae are illustrated by scanning electron microscope micrographs or images. Selected species of eight of the 12 genera, Bolotoperla, Doddsia, Oemopteryx, Strophopteryx, Taenionema, Mesyatsia, Brachyptera, and Rhabdiopteryx are examined. Three images are provided for each species, which usually include a dorsal view of the male terminalia and close up views of the epiproct complex or other genital structures. These genera are organised in a zoogeographical format beginning with the Nearctic fauna and subsequently moving in a westerly direction around the globe, ending with the west Palearctic fauna. Locality data are given for all specimens illustrated.
Chloroplast 2010: A Database for Large-Scale Phenotypic Screening of Arabidopsis Mutants

Large-scale phenotypic screening presents challenges and opportunities not encountered in typical forward or reverse genetics projects. We describe a modular database and laboratory information management system that was implemented in support of the Chloroplast 2010 Project, an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) reverse genetics phenotypic screen of more than 5,000 mutants (http://bioinfo.bch.msu.edu/2010_LIMS; www.plastid.msu.edu). The software and laboratory work environment were designed to minimize operator error and detect systematic process errors. The database uses Ruby on Rails and Flash technologies to present complex quantitative and qualitative data and pedigree information in a flexible user interface. Examples are presented where the database was used to find opportunities for process changes that improved data quality. We also describe the use of the data-analysis tools to discover mutants defective in enzymes of leucine catabolism (heteromeric mitochondrial 3-methylcrotonyl-coenzyme A carboxylase [At1g03090 and At4g34030] and putative hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase [At2g26800]) based upon a syndrome of pleiotropic seed amino acid phenotypes that resembles previously described isovaleryl coenzyme A dehydrogenase (At3g45300) mutants. In vitro assay results support the computational annotation of At2g26800 as hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A lyase.
Structure of YidB protein from Shigella flexneri shows a new fold with homeodomain motif.

The crystal structure of an uncharacterized conserved protein S4005, coded by yidB gene of Shigella flexneri (gi:30043267),1 has been determined by single wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) method and refined to 1.45 A. The YidB structure is the first representative of COG3753 and Pfam06078 medium size families of bacterial proteins of unknown function (Fig. 1). The yidB gene of S. flexneri, as well as yidB gene of Escherichia coli, is located between yidA and gyrB genes which are involved in DNA processing. Biochemical function of the yidA product is unknown, but it is predicted to have hydrolase/phosphotase activity.2,3 The other neighbor, gyrB, codes subunit B of DNA gyrase type II topoisomerase which controls DNA supercoiling and DNA-relaxing.4 It is often found that genes in bacteria are clustered according to their products functions.5 Thus, it is possible that the YidB protein can have functions associated with DNA. YidB is found in number of pathogenic species including Escherichia, Bordetella, Burkholderia, and Shigella species (Fig. 1). Fig. 1 Multiple sequence alignment of YidB protein from Shigella flexneri (S4005 protein, gi:30043267) and its homologs gi|75177733| (Shigella boydii), gi|67662828| (Burkholderia cenocepacia), gi|67534931| (B. vietnamiensis), gi|74019150| (B. mallei), gi|75258238| ... Here we report the crystal structure of YidB protein at 1.45 A resolution. The structure represents a new protein fold and shows distant structural similarity to eukaryotic homeodomain proteins.
Benign Chronic Diarrhea of Infancy

Chronic nonspecific diarrhea of infancy (CNSD) or irritable bowel syndrome represents one of the most common gastrointestinal problems confronted by practicing pediatricias. In the subspecialty setting of the pediatric gastroenterologist, this entity comprised almost 35% of the outpatient referral practice. CNSD, originally thought to be part of the celiac syndrome, was described as a separate clinical entity by Cohlan in 1956.1 Since that time in the classic paper on this subject, Davidson and Wasserman2 have described consistent diagnostic criteria further characterizing CNSD as a recognizable syndrome. The onset of symptoms occurs classically between 6 and 30 months of age with the development of three to six loose stools with mucous per day, with no associated malabsorption or growth and development abnormalities (to be discussed in detail below). Whereas spontaneous resolution of CNSD is anticipated by 39 months of age, longitudinal observations indicate that these patients have a high incidence of functional bowel complaints during adolescence and beyond suggesting a continuum with "irritable bowel syndrome" of adulthood.3 From the standpoint of the child, this "complaint" all too frequently becomes the "problem" when the frequency and/or consistency of the bowel movements impair training or become intolerable to the parents.
The CUL7 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Targets Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 for Ubiquitin-Dependent Degradation

Recent genetic studies have documented a pivotal growth-regulatory role played by the Cullin 7 (CUL7) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex containing the Fbw8-substrate-targeting subunit, Skp1, and the ROC1 RING finger protein. In this report, we identified insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), a critical mediator of the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling, as a proteolytic target of the CUL7 E3 ligase in a manner that depends on mammalian target of rapamycin and the p70 S6 kinase activities. Interestingly, while embryonic fibroblasts of Cul7-/- mice were found to accumulate IRS-1 and exhibit increased activation of IRS-1's downstream Akt and MEK/ERK pathways, these null cells grew poorly and displayed phenotypes reminiscent of those associated with oncogene-induced senescence. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a key role for the CUL7 E3 in targeting IRS-1 for degradation, a process that may contribute to the regulation of cellular senescence.
Spirits of the air: Birds and American Indians in the South. By Shepard Krech III.

(2010). Spirits of the air: Birds and American Indians in the South. By Shepard Krech III. Geographical Review: Vol. 100, No. 2, pp. 278-280.
Ninth Graders’ Energy Balance Knowledge and Physical Activity Behavior: An Expectancy-Value Perspective

Expectancy beliefs and task values are two essential motivators in physical education. This study was designed to identify the relation between the expectancy-value constructs (Eccles & Wigfield, 1995) and high school students’ physical activity behavior as associated with their energy balance knowledge. High school students (N = 195) in two healthful-living programs (i.e., combination of physical and health education) responded to measures of expectancy-value motivation, energy balance knowledge, in-class physical activity, and after-school physical activity. The structural equation modeling confirmed positive impact from expectancy beliefs and interest value to in-class physical activity (Path coefficient range from .19 to .26, ps < .01). Cost perception was found exerting a negative impact on after-school physical activity but a positive one on lower level of understanding of energy balance (Path coefficient range from -.33 to -.39, ps < .01). The findings painted a complex but meaningful picture about the motivational impact of expectancy-value constructs on physical activity and energy balance knowledge. School healthful-living programs should create motivational environments that strengthen students’ expectancy beliefs and interest value and alleviate their negative perceptions and experiences.
Maternal environment and variation in ovariole number among populations of Melanoplus femurrubrum and M. scudderi scudderi

Ovariole number in univoltine populations of the grasshoppers Melanoplus femurrubrum (De Geer) and M. scudderi scudderi (Uhler) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Virginia was studied. Ovariole number in M. femurrubrum was found to vary among three geographic populations, and between years. Ovariole number did not vary between years in one population of M. s. scudderi. Ovariole number in M. femurrubrum was positively correlated with the mean length of the growing season at each site and precipitation during August-September of the previous year (adult season of the maternal generation). In the laboratory, nymphal rearing temperatures did not affect ovariole number in M. femurrubrum, but it was found to be weakly correlated with egg size. RESUME Conditions ecologiques subies par la mere et variation du nombre d'ovarioles dans les populations de Melanoplus femurrubrum et de M. scudderi scudderi Le nombre d'ovarioles des criquets determine le nombre maximum d'oeufs par ponte. Si la variabilite du nombre d'ovarioles des criquets a souvent ete signalee, l'origine de ces variations n'a ete examinee que pour quelques especes migratrices, et cela, au laboratoire. Le nombre d'ovarioles des populations monovoltines de M. femurrubrum a change suivant les populations et suivant les annees. Une etude par regressions multiples a montre que le nombre d'ovarioles est lie a des caracteristiques ecologiques de la generation maternelle: duree de la saison de developpement, indiquee par la somme des temperatures au-dessus de 10°C, et precipitations en aoet et septembre. La duree de la saison de developpement determine le temps disponible pour la reproduction: les populations, aux saisons de developpement les plus longues, ont plus de temps pour former une ootheque, et ainsi disposent des moyens metaboliques pour avoir plus d'ovarioles. Aoet-septembre est l'epoque ou les criquets deviennent adultes, commencent a s'alimenter avant la ponte, et pondent la majorite de leurs ootheques. On estime que l'effet des precipitations est indirect, par son action sur la quantite et la qualite des plantes-hotes disponibles. Le nombre d'ovarioles n'est pas lie a la taille de M. femurrubrum ou de M. scudderi scudderi. Les effectifs de M. s. scudderi etaient insuffisants pour permettre de telles analyses; cependant, nous n'avons observe dans une station aucune modification du nombre d'ovarioles au cours des annees.
You Think You Know the Story: Novelty, Repetition, and Lovecraft in Whedon and Goddard’s The Cabin in the Woods

Adaptation studies has frequently been hamstrung by its own habituated drama of fidelity, where evaluation of each adaptation becomes a game in which the adaptation must be shown to be an insufficiently faithful and thus inevitably inferior copy of a sanctified original. (Puckishly declaring the adaptation to be superior to the original is, alas, only the champions’ tier of this sport.) Recent developments in adaptation theory, however, have begun to move beyond this impasse, turning to texts that have no clear and privileged source material — either too many or too few — and inviting us to consider them as adaptations anyway. Such works push us past the bad conscience of fidelity and infidelity towards a new notion of transtextual exchange that networks varied narratives, genres, and media, reframing adaptation not as some marginal practice of quasi-legitimate textual banditry but as a central component of any creative act.
A one-pass test-selection method for maximizing test coverage

Test selection aims at achieving high test quality with low test cost. By selecting only a subset of tests that most effectively detect defects, test time can be reduced while ensuring test escape is minimized. In this work, a new one-pass test-selection method is described that efficiently identifies tests that maximize either fault-model coverage or an N-detect test metric. The proposed method analyzes and selects each test one at a time in a streaming fashion to save both time and memory. The method is applied to two industrial designs, namely an IBM ASIC and an NVIDIA GPU. Experiment results demonstrate that the new method selects tests with coverage that virtually matches a greedy algorithm (less than 0.01% coverage difference), but uses less time (reduced by 2X) and memory (reduced by 20X to 200X). Additional experiments performed on two ISCAS circuits also demonstrates the new method typically achieves higher coverage but uses less time (reduced by 7X to 30X) and memory (reduced by 140X) as compared to selecting tests using a linear programming based approach.
Improved cardiovascular disease outcomes in older adults

Longevity is increasing and the population of older adults is growing. The biology of aging is conducive to cardiovascular disease (CVD), such that prevalence of coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease, arrhythmia and other disorders are increasing as more adults survive into old age. Furthermore, CVD in older adults is distinctive, with management issues predictably complicated by multimorbidity, polypharmacy, frailty and other complexities of care that increase management risks (e.g., bleeding, falls, and rehospitalization) and uncertainty of outcomes. In this review, state-of-the-art advances in heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, transcatheter aortic valve replacement, atrial fibrillation, amyloidosis, and CVD prevention are discussed. Conceptual benefits of treatments are considered in relation to the challenges and ambiguities inherent in their application to older patients.
Soil Temperature Environment of Overwintering Western Corn Rootworm Eggs

Soil temperatures were monitored at two depths in the plow layer during the prediapause and diapause-chill quiescent stages of the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica Virgifera virgifera LeConte, for four years at Brookings, SD. Soil tempratures descended below the threshold for development (11°C) in early October and remamed <0°C until early March. Each year, eggs at both depths were subjected to a minimum of 14 weeks at temperatures <0°C. In laboratory tests, hatch declined significantly with time at −7.5°C and −10°C.
The Relationship of Span of Control to Sales Representatives' Experienced Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity

The article investigates the relationships of span of control to the role conflict and role ambiguity experienced by the sales representatives. Role conflict and role ambiguity are important variab...
A Self-Aligned Two-Step Reactive Ion Etching Process for Nanopatterning Magnetic Tunnel Junctions on 300 mm Wafers

We demonstrated a self-aligned two-step reactive ion etching (RIE) process to pattern high density magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) arrays. We did the RIE for the top electrode (TE) and stop in the middle of the tunnel barrier. A nitride conformal film was coated on the device pillars as a dielectric spacer. The conformal spacer protects the tunnel barrier from shorting by redeposition and provides a mask for the bottom electrode (BE) RIE. We used this process and completed perpendicular MTJ devices with our process flow. We tested the devices by measuring magnetic field switching and spin transfer torque switching. We get tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) up to 100%, switching current as low as 60 μA at 100 ns, switching current density J c0 as low as 2.5 × 10 6 A/cm 2 and endurance above 10 9 for devices as small as 50 nm in diameter. The results are compared with devices from a TE RIE only process, and we find minimum damage was made by the BE RIE. We also discuss the size dependence of MTJ parameters such as TMR and free layer coercive field and offset field, which is very related to the RIE process.
A miR‐372/let‐7 Axis Regulates Human Germ versus Somatic Cell Fates

The embryonic stem cell cycle (ESCC) and let-7 families of miRNAs function antagonistically in the switch between mouse embryonic stem cell self-renewal and somatic differentiation. Here, we report that the human ESCC miRNA miR-372 and let-7 act antagonistically in germline differentiation from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). hESC and iPSC-derived primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) expressed high levels of miR-372 and conversely, somatic cells expressed high levels of let-7. Manipulation of miRNA levels by introduction of miRNA mimics or knockdown with miRNA sponges demonstrated that miR-372 promotes whereas let-7 antagonizes PGCLC differentiation. Knockdown of the individual miR-372 targets SMARCC1, MECP2, CDKN1, RBL2, RHOC, and TGFBR2 increased PGCLC production, whereas knockdown of the let-7 targets CMYC and NMYC suppressed PGCLC differentiation. These findings uncover a miR-372/let-7 axis regulating human primordial germ cell (PGC) specification. Stem Cells 2016;34:1985-1991.
Mechanism Analysis and Test Study on Forced Oscillation of Large Hydro-electric Units

The emergence mechanism of forced power low frequency oscillation of a 700 MW hydro-electric generator to power system is introduced in the paper.The similarities and essential differences between forced oscillation and low frequency oscillation with negative damping mechanism are described.The different inhibition effect and limitation of forced power low frequency oscillation in each frequency band are analyzed and verified theoretically.And it gets an experimental verification in giant hydro-electric units for the first time.The new monitoring identification and suppression method of the forced oscillation are put forward based on the engineering practice.The new proposed ideas and measures ensure the stable operation of power system.
Analysis on Rubella Epidemiological Characteristics and Its Preventive Measurements in Dongshan District of Guangzhou City

Objective To review rubella virus infection and its preventive measures in Dongshan district of Guangzhou city and provide scientific basis for establishing the strategies of control and immunization against this disease in future. Methods Epidemiological characteristics and preventive measures of rubella in recent years in Dongshan district of Gunagzhou city were analyzed. Results 290 rubella cases were reported in Dongshan district of Guangzhou city in 2004, with an incidence rate of 45.16/100 000, and no death case. Most of the cases happened in spring and winter, with a higher frequency in children under 15 years old, accounted for 90% of the total cases. Conclusion The incidence rate of rubella in 2004 was higher than that in any year during 2000～2003.Protecting the susceptible population and improve the rubella vaccine coverage rate can prevent the spread of the disease.
Individual differences in parents' impressions of children and child physical abuse: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: It is hypothesized that parents who have physically abused a child or who are at high risk to physically abuse a child form more negative/less positive impressions about children than nonabusive/low-risk-for-abuse parents. However, to date, the overall evidence from the several individual studies testing this hypothesis has been inconclusive. Method: The current meta-analysis compared the impressions that abusive/high-risk-for-abuse parents and nonabusive/low-risk-for-abuse parents form about children (k = 27, N = 1,645). Results: Overall, we estimated the difference in parents' impressions of children to be about 1/3 of 1 standard deviation in the hypothesized direction (d = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [0.19, 0.44]). This difference was found among studies using a variety of procedures and a variety of dependent variables. Further, an analysis of the distribution of p values from the published studies corroborated this finding. Conclusions: Collectively, the current meta-analysis confirms differences between abusive/high-risk-for-abuse parents' and nonabusive/low-risk-for-abuse parents' impressions of children. However, despite the clear evidence for the existence of an effect, the current results suggest the magnitude of this effect is modest. Future research should determine whether parents' impressions are meaningfully related to parents' child-directed behaviors. Such research would be informative as to whether parents' impressions of children should be targeted in interventions aimed at reducing physically abusive parenting behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) Language: en
Fire modified rock illuminated: Rediscovering the applications of hearth assemblages in site analyses

Limited fire modified rock research has prevented archaeologists from analyzing sites to their full capacity. The level of burning, discoloration and fragmentation of fire modified rock can reflect the artifact’s life stage while assemblage context may indicate function. The four main cooking functions of fire modified rock are distinguished as boiling, steaming, roasting, and baking (Thoms 2008), which all have similar effects on heated stones as they are utilized during the cooking processes. Schiffer’s (1972) artifact life cycle model is reviewed according to its application to cooking stone, after which a use-wear model for fire modified rock is presented. The physical attributes of fire modified rock are proposed to separate the tool into three use-wear levels under Schiffer’s use stage of the consumption life cycle. Then, further explorations in this field of research are proposed, as any advancement in fire modified rock research could enhance our understanding how past humans utilized the landscape.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MODES FOR V.L.F. PROPAGATION

An attempt is made to present a concise derivation of the mode theory at v.l.f. propagation. Taking note of the fact that the important modes for long distance propagation are near grazing, suitable approximate forms are introduced at the outset rather than at the end of the analysis. The derived formulas are used to obtain numerical results for the attenuation, phase velocity and excitation of the dominant modes in v.l.f. radio propagation. The physical and practical significance of these results is described.
Heterogeneous recurrence monitoring of dynamic transients in ultraprecision machining processes

Abstract In situ monitoring and control of process variations are important for quality assurance in ultraprecision machining (UPM) processes. Recent advancements in sensing and communication technology have fueled increasing interests to develop sensor-based monitoring approaches for anomaly detection in the UPM process. However, conventional approaches are limited in their ability to address the complex dynamics hidden in the nonlinear and nonstationary processes. As a result, it is difficult for them to effectively capture the process variations of UPM. This paper presents a new heterogeneous recurrence monitoring approach to detect dynamic transients in UPM processes. First, a high-dimensional state space is reconstructed from in situ sensing signals. A Dirichlet process (DP) driven clustering approach is then developed to automatically segment the state space into local recurrence regions. Furthermore, a fractal representation is designed to characterize state transitions among recurrence regions and extract novel measures to quantify heterogeneous recurrence patterns. Finally, we integrate a multivariate control chart with heterogeneous recurrence features for in situ monitoring and predictive control of the UPM process. Experimental results showed that the proposed approach effectively detects transitions with a small magnitude, i.e., ρ = 28 to ρ = 27 in the Lorenz system, and identifies the shift from stable cutting (Ra = 35 nm) to unstable cutting (Ra = 82 nm) in UPM processes with an average run length of 1.0. This paper presents a novel data-driven DP clustering approach to characterize heterogeneous recurrence variations and link with the quality of surface finishes in UPM processes. This new DP recurrence approach circumvents the need to empirically define local recurrence regions and is shown to have strong potentials for manufacturing process monitoring and control that will increase the surface integrity and reduce rework rates.
Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infections: Added Complexity and Suboptimal Outcomes With Previously Abandoned Leads

Abstract Objectives The study sought to assess the impact of previously abandoned leads on the clinical management of cardiac device infections, notably transvenous lead extraction and subsequent clinical course. Background The population of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices continues to grow with a disproportionate increase in device infections, which are invariably life threatening. A potentially complicating issue is the widely practiced strategy of device lead abandonment at the time of system revision, change, or upgrade, which is affecting an increasing number of patients. Methods The study assessed the impact of previously abandoned leads in a prospectively maintained registry of consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous extraction of infected cardiac devices at the Cleveland Clinic between August 1996 and September 2012. The primary clinical endpoint was complete procedural and clinical success defined as the successful removal of the device and all lead material from the vascular space, in the absence of a major complication. Results Of 1,386 patients with infected cardiac devices, 323 (23.3%) had previously abandoned leads. Failure to achieve the primary endpoint occurred more frequently in patients with abandoned leads (13.0% vs. 3.7%; p Conclusions Previously abandoned leads complicate the management of cardiac device infections, leading to worse clinical outcomes.
Will China Solve the North Korea Problem? The United States Should Develop a Diplomatic Strategy to Persuade Beijing to Help

Northeast Asia is perhaps the world’s most dangerous flashpoint, with three neighboring nuclear powers, one the highly unpredictable and confrontational North Korea. For nearly a quarter century the United States has alternated between engagement and containment in attempting to prevent Pyongyang from developing nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has accelerated its nuclear and missile programs since Kim Jong-un took power in December 2011. Washington has responded with both bilateral and multilateral sanctions, but they appear to have only strengthened the Kim regime’s determination to develop a sizable nuclear arsenal. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has grown increasingly frustrated with its nominal ally, but the PRC continues to provide the DPRK with regime-sustaining energy and food aid. The United States and South Korea, in turn, have grown frustrated with Beijing, which is widely seen as the solution to the North Korea problem. However, the Obama administration’s approach has generally been to lecture the PRC, insisting that it follow American priorities. Unsurprisingly, successive Chinese leaders have balked. China does possess an unusual degree of influence in Pyongyang, but Beijing fears an unstable DPRK more than a nuclear DPRK. From China’s standpoint, the possible consequences of a North Korean collapse—loose nukes, mass refugee flows, conflict spilling over its border—could be high. The Chinese leadership also blames Washington for creating a threatening security environment that discourages North Korean denuclearization. Thus, the United States should change tactics. Instead of attempting to dictate, the United States must persuade the Chinese leadership that it is in the PRC’s interest to assist America and U.S. allies. That requires addressing China’s concerns by, for instance, more effectively engaging the North with a peace offer, offering to ameliorate the costs of a North Korean collapse to Beijing, and providing credible assurances that Washington would not turn a united Korea into another U.S. military outpost directed at the PRC’s containment. Such a diplomatic initiative still would face strong resistance in Beijing. But it may be the best alternative available.
The effects of ethanol on diverse components of choice in the rat: reward discrimination, preference and relative valuation.

Alcohol consumption impairs judgment and choice. How alcohol alters these crucial processes is primarily unknown. Choice can be fractionated into different components including reward discrimination, preference and relative valuation that can function together or in isolation depending upon diverse factors including choice context. We examined the diverse components and contextual effects by analyzing the effects of alcohol drinking on choice behavior in a task with a reduced level of temporal and spatial constraints. Rats were trained to drink 10% ethanol during 6 weeks of behavior testing using a combined sucrose-fade and two-bottle free-choice procedure. Two different sucrose pellet outcomes (e.g., constant vs. variable) were presented each week to examine the impact of voluntary drinking on reward-based decision-making. Behavioral contexts of single option, free choice and extinction were examined for each outcome set. Comparisons were made between alcohol and control groups and within the alcohol group over time to inspect choice profiles. Between-group results showed alcohol drinking animals expressed altered place preference, and modified sucrose reward approach latencies. The within-group profile showed that alcohol drinking animals can express adequate reward discrimination, preference, and incentive contrast during free choice. All of these components were significantly reduced during the context of extinction. Control animals were also impacted by extinction but not as severely. The findings point to a need for a greater focus on the context and the diverse components of choice when examining external and internal factors influencing decision-making during alcohol or other substance of abuse exposure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The CDC's Recommendations to Help Prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Alcohol screening and brief intervention, coupled with regular discussion of the patient's reproductive life plan and ready access to effective contraception, can help ensure a healthier next generation while respecting women's autonomy.
Nonlinear Effects on Delamination Characterization of Composites under Multi-axial Loads

The paper explores the nonlinear geometric effects on the strain energy release rates of delaminated composite specimens subjected to multi-axial loads. A numerical solution is obtained using an incremental finite element formulation in which large displacements and rotations but small strains are assumed. A Lagrangian formulation is adopted in the development of the finite element model. The stress field obtained is used with the crack closure technique to evaluate the total strain energy release rate as well as the three components: opening, shearing and twisting modes. Comparisons of nonlinear and linear results are presented to illustrate the effects of large deformations on stresses and strain energy release rates.
Insulin signaling displayed a differential tissue-specific response to low-dose dihydrotestosterone in female mice.

Hyperandrogenemia and hyperinsulinemia are believed to play prominent roles in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). We explored the effects of low-dose dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a model of PCOS, on...