cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deep brain stimulation and neuropsychology: a step forward?

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) is an effective treatment for Parkinson disease. Although the breadth and severity of neurobehavioral changes with STN DBS is debated, the frequency of serious adverse events is probably low. New research has identified patient characteristics that predict cognitive and emotional morbidity after STN DBS.
A resonance interaction valence force field for octahedral M(XY)6 molecules

Abstract A valence force potential function is derived for M ( XY ) 6 molecules by considering the interactions arising during vibration from changes in π bonding, changes in ionic character, and changes in hybridization. The treatment is kept fairly general so that it can be applied to different types of molecules, such as Cr(CO) 6 and Cr(CN) 6 −3 , for which the interactions are apparently quite different. Some special cases including the Urey-Bradley Field are considered.
Testing a diathesis-stress model: potential genetic risk factors for development of distress in context of acute leukemia diagnosis and transplant.

Objective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a nerve growth factor that has antidepressant-like effects in animals and may be implicated in the etiology of mood-related phenotypes, specifically in the context of stressful life events. We hypothesized that this single-nucleotide polymorphism will predict the development of psychological distress among patients diagnosed with acute leukemia and preparing for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We also explored the relationship of other genetic factors to psychological distress, including 5HTTLPR and STin2, FKBP5, and the CRHR1 TAT haplotype. Method In a retrospective cohort design, 107 adult acute leukemia survivors preparing for HSCT at a major medical center completed a pre-HSCT psychological evaluation and volunteered to donate blood to the HSCT Cell and Serum Research Repository for future research studies. Results There was evidence of a potential association between BDNF (Val66Met) and psychological distress. More specifically, rs6265 was related to both personal mental health history (P = 0.09, 0.06 adjusted) and diagnosis of depression/adjustment disorder at time of pre-transplant evaluation (P = 0.11, 0.09 adjusted). Other genetic factors were unrelated to distress. Conclusion The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may contribute to development of depressive symptomatology in patients undergoing stressful life events, such as diagnosis of acute leukemia and preparation for HSCT. The SNPs in BDNF might be applicable in identifying patients at risk for developing psychological distress and depression in the context of coping with stressful medical conditions. Polymorphism in other genes (FKBP5, CRHR1, and 5HTT) did not show any significant relationships. Replication studies are needed with larger samples of people undergoing similar significant life stressors.
The depth discontinuity occlusion camera

Rendering a scene using a single depth image suffers from disocclusion errors as the view translates away from the reference view. We present the depth discontinuity occlusion camera (DDOC), a non-pinhole camera that samples surfaces which are hidden in the reference view, but are likely to become visible in nearby views. The DDOC reference image alleviates disocclusion errors; since it has a single layer, it maintains the advantages of regular depth images such as bounded number of samples, efficient incremental processing, and implicit connectivity. The DDOC is defined by the reference view and the geometry it encompasses. The reference planar pinhole camera is 3D distorted at depth discontinuities. The distortion is fine-grain controlled with a distortion map, which allows handling complex scenes. The DDOC provides fast projection so the reference image is constructed efficiently with the feed-forward graphics pipeline.
Some aspects of nonrandom cloudiness in solar energy applications

Abstract In many geographical locations, daytime cloud patterns are nonrandom for certain periods of the year. This article discusses the general characteristics of daily nonrandom cloudiness and illustrates the use of satellite imagery to resolve nonrandom patterns over portions of the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Results are presented in the form of cloud frequency figures that are derived from geostationary satellite data collected during the summer of 1986. These results are compared to surface-observed, solar radiation data. The implications of daily, nonrandom cloud patterns as a factor in solar energy applications are discussed.
An optimized PCR-based procedure for production of 13C/15N-labeled DNA.

Abstract We have substantially improved a procedure that we previously described for producing 13 C/ 15 N-labeled DNA (Chen et al., FEBS Lett. 436, 372–376, 1998) to provide an economical and straightforward approach to the preparation of labeled DNA. The conditions for the PCR reactions have been optimized to permit the use of low concentrations of the costly labeled dNTPs (50 μM for each). In addition, a rapid and high-yield purification procedure has been developed that allows us to obtain a high yield of very pure labeled DNA. These modifications to our original procedure permit us to obtain 1.9 mg of an 18 bp DNA oligomer from 20 mg of dNTPs (ca. 10% yield from the starting dNTPs). This is sufficient material for the preparation of 0.4 mM sample in a volume of 400 μl. In summary, this procedure is a cost-effective, time-efficient procedure for the production of labeled DNA for NMR studies.
Detection of Antibodies to Streptococcal Mucopeptide in Patients with Rheumatic Disorders and Normal Controls

Bacterial mucopeptide is an integral part of bacterial cell walls and is therefore ubiquitous in our environment. An enhanced degree of humoral immunity has been detected not only in patients with acute rheumatic fever (ARF), with a known recent response to streptococci, but also in patients with adult and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (RA and JRA). Our studies confirmed this association with ARF and JRA using a precipitin system as well as a radioimmunoassay to detect IgG anti-mucopeptide antibodies. In those with adult RA, either IgM or IgA rheumatoid factors or IgM or IgA antibodies specific for mucopeptide were responsible for the increased incidence of precipitins to mucopeptide in the RA patients detected in this and other studies. No differences in the specificities of the anti-mucopeptide antibodies were noted between the various patient populations as there were no lines of partial identity or nonidentity when examined by Ouchterlony double diffusion analyses. Additionally, no differences of anti-mucopeptide antibody were observed when the sera from these same patient populations were examined employing inhibition studies utilizing N-acetylglucosamine and rhamnose.
HVM capabilities of CPE run-to-run overlay control

With the introduction of N2x and N1x process nodes, leading-edge factories are facing challenging demands of shrinking design margins. Previously un-corrected high-order signatures, and un-compensated temporal changes of high-order signatures, carry an important potential for improvement of on-product overlay (OPO). Until recently, static corrections per exposure (CPE), applied separately from the main APC correction, have been the industry’s standard for critical layers [1], [2]. This static correction is setup once per device and layer and then updated periodically or when a machine change point generates a new overlay signature. This is a non-ideal setup for two reasons. First, any drift or sudden shift in tool signature between two CPE update periods can cause worse OPO and a higher rework rate, or, even worse, lead to yield loss at end of line. Second, these corrections are made from full map measurements that can be in excess of 1,000 measurements per wafer [3]. Advanced overlay control algorithms utilizing Run-to-Run (R2R) CPE can be used to reduce the overlay signatures on product in High Volume Manufacturing (HVM) environments. In this paper, we demonstrate the results of a R2R CPE control scheme in HVM. The authors show an improvement up to 20% OPO Mean+3Sigma values on several critical immersion layers at the 28nm and 14 nm technology nodes, and a reduction of out-of-spec residual points per wafer (validated on full map). These results are attained by closely tracking process tool signature changes by means of APC, and with an affordable metrology load which is significantly smaller than full wafer measurements.
A sensor network for non-intrusive and efficient leak detection in long pipelines

Our society relies on extensive pipeline networks to transfer and deliver water, oil, etc. In many cases the pipeline extends over hundreds of miles and run through inhospitable environments. The pipes are often subject to erosion over time due to the parametric conditions. In addition, pipes carrying valuable commodity may be subject to theft, sabotage, etc. Leakage not only would waste resources, but also can be harm and hazardous. Therefore detecting leakage and containing its negative effect is very important. Current pipeline monitoring systems are inefficient and costly. They lack responsiveness and often report the problem after significant fluid is spilled. Furthermore, current systems involve mobile equipment and significant manpower. This paper describes the design of a wireless sensor networks that continuously monitor a pipeline and provide an early warning when leakage starts. The proposed leak detection system employs non-intrusive methods to track the flow speed and interprets the drop of flow volume as indication of liquid loss through a crack in a pipe. The system is composed of a set of ultrasonic transducers that are mounted around the pipe in multiple locations. The system combines the transit-time and Doppler based flow speed measurements in order to deal with various liquid characteristics. The data collected by the individual components are sent over multi-hop routes to a base-station over radio links for further analysis. The simulation results have confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed system.
Gender Differences in Variables Affecting Job Commitment Among Working Men and Women

Abstract Management and professional Americans in diverse occupational settings (N = 178, 84 women and 94 men) were tested. An analysis was made of the relationship among certain personal variables (including intrinsic motivation), family characteristics, family pressure, job satisfaction, sex-role conflict, and need fulfillment as well as of their relationship to level of job commitment. The results generally confirmed the theoretical model of the job commitment process applicable to both women and men and presented by Chusmir (1982) but previously not tested.
Meiofaunal colonization of azoic estuarine sediment in Louisiana: Mechanisms of dispersal

Abstract Two mechanisms of muddy-bottom meiofaunal dispersal, waterborne suspended transport and holobenthic infaunal immigration, were compared as to their rate and effectiveness in mediating community reestablishment after small-scale defaunation. Colonizing meiofauna were quantitatively sampled in winter and summer from 16 replicates of two azoic sediment chamber designs on 2 and 29 days postplacement. The chambers were ≈ 3750 cm 3 ; one design allowed colonization via suspended movement through an open top, while the other design permitted entry only by infaunal crawling through subsurface open sides. After 48 h, mean harpacticoid copepod and naupliar densities in sediment chambers open to colonization exclusively by meiofauna in suspended transport were not significantly different from background sediment densities. Sediment chambers allowing colonization exclusively via infaunal immigration through the sediment, however, contained copepod and naupliar densities that were significantly less than densities in background sediments and suspension-colonized chambers. In contrast, nematode densities in both suspension- and infaunally colonized chambers were significantly less than in background sediments, but densities were not significantly different between the chamber treatments. Thus for a small-scale defaunation, copepods most rapidly and completely recolonize sediments via suspended transport. Nematode dispersal occurs equally well via suspended or infaunal movement; however nematodes never seemed to utilize the chambers fully because densities did not reach background levels even after 29 days.
Reception of Nonverbal Communication in Alcoholics

Summary The ability to interpret nonverbal facial cues was tested in 21 young male, primary alcoholics and a group of matched controls. All Ss were asked to view videotapes of individuals gambling and to determine only on the basis of facial cues the amount of monetary reward offered to videotaped individuals during a specific trial. On the basis of accuracy, the alcoholic group was determined to be significantly better than the control group at receiving the nonverbal cues.
Mobility device use in older adults and incidence of falls and worry about falling: findings from the 2011-2012 National Health and Aging Trends Study

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of mobility device use in community-dwelling older adults in the United States and to investigate the incidence of falls and worry about falling according to type and number of mobility devices used. DESIGN: Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the 2011-12 National Health and Aging Trends Study. SETTING: In-person interviews in the homes of study participants. PARTICIPANTS: Nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries (n = 7,609). MEASUREMENTS: Participants were asked about mobility device use (e.g., canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters) in the last month, 1-year fall history and worry about falling. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of adults aged 65 and older reported mobility device use in 2011, and 9.3% reported using multiple devices within the last month. Mobility device use increased with advancing age and was associated with nonwhite race and ethnicity, female sex, lower education level, greater multimorbidity, and obesity (all P CONCLUSION: The percentage of older adults reporting mobility device use is higher than results from previous national surveys, and multiple device use is common in those who use any device. Mobility device use is not associated with greater incidence of falls. Cane-only users may compensate for worry about falling by limiting activity. Language: en
Urinothorax in a Quarter Horse filly

Summary An 18 h old Quarter Horse filly, while being treated for diarrhoea, was evaluated for a distended abdomen and electrolyte abnormalities. Peritoneal and pleural fluid was detected by ultrasound and a presumptive diagnosis of a ruptured bladder was made. Intravenous fluid therapy was instituted to correct the electrolyte abnormalities prior to surgical repair of the bladder tear. Anaesthetic complications included hypoxaemia and decreased compliance secondary to the pleural effusion; therefore, a thoracocentesis was performed. Analysis of the pleural fluid revealed a pleural fluid to serum creatinine ratio of >1.0, indicative of urinothorax. The filly recovered from anaesthesia and was discharged on systemic antimicrobials. Urinothorax should be considered in cases of uroperitoneum with concurrent pleural effusion. Early detection may decrease patient morbidity and anaesthetic complications. eve_44 239..243
Public Health and the Prevention of Juvenile Criminal Violence

This article reviews the role that public health currently plays in preventing juvenile criminal violence and explores how the law-and-order approach—the dominant response to juvenile criminal violence—can benefit from the involvement of the health community. It finds that an increasingly punitive response to juvenile criminal violence in the United States represents an unsustainable approach to the problem. One approach to addressing the problem of juvenile violence that has garnered much attention and support over the past 2 decades, especially in the United States, is a public health approach. Although it emphasizes primary prevention, views violence as a threat to community health rather than community order, and adheres to scientific principles, it should be seen as not so much a challenge to law and order but rather as a complement to it—part of an effort to create a more balanced, comprehensive, and sustainable strategy in preventing and reducing juvenile criminal violence.
Infectious Considerations in Complicated Acute Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis has been defined as, “an inflammation of the gallbladder, generally caused by obstruction of the cystic duct.” Obstruction is most commonly attributable to gallstones; however, may also be due to biliary stasis, cancer, volvulus/torsion, gallbladder polyps, common bile duct cysts, scarring, or parasites. This process typically remains sterile; however, secondary infection with bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites may further complicate the cascade of events. Patients presenting with complicated acute cholecystitis are commonly critically ill, immunosuppressed, and/or living in areas of poor sanitation. A high clinical suspicion, followed by rapid diagnostics and treatment are essential given the increased prevalence of gallbladder gangrene, emphysema, perforation, and patient mortality among this population. Additionally, post management complications of this group may be more common compared to the general acute cholecystitis population and fraught with more dire consequences.
Carbonate–H2O2 leaching for sequestering uranium from seawater

Uranium adsorbed on amidoxime-based polyethylene fiber in simulated seawater can be quantitatively eluted at room temperature using 1 M Na2CO3 containing 0.1 M H2O2. This efficient elution process is probably due to the formation of an extremely stable uranyl-peroxo-carbonato complex in the carbonate solution. After washing with water, the sorbent can be reused with minimal loss of uranium loading capacity. Possible existence of this stable uranyl species in ocean water is also discussed.
Preemptive analgesic effects of ketorolac in ankle fracture surgery.

Background Preemptive analgesia has been difficult to show in human experiments. If ketorolac has preemptive effects, then there may be an advantage to administering it at the beginning of surgery despite the potential for increased blood loss. Methods The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of 48 patients scheduled for ankle fracture surgery in a county trauma hospital. Anesthesia management was standardized and included adequate opioid analgesia (5 microg/kg fentanyl and 0.1 mg/kg morphine). Intravenous 30 mg ketorolac was administered to 23 patients before tourniquet inflation and to 25 patients after tourniquet inflation. Visual analog scale pain scores, morphine patient-controlled analgesia consumption, nausea-vomiting, and postoperative bleeding were measured. Results The 23 patients given ketorolac before tourniquet inflation had no increase in pain postoperatively compared with their preoperative baseline (P = 0.280). The 25 patients who received ketorolac minutes later after tourniquet inflation had significant increases in their postoperative pain compared with their preoperative baseline (P = 0.00116). This effect was short-lived, and by 6 h the pain score in this group was not significantly more than it was preoperatively. Intergroup comparison showed a lower visual analog scale score at 2 (P = 0.0203) and 4 h (P = 0.00549) in the preemptive group and lower nausea scores at hour 6 (P = 0.00704). There was no difference in patient-controlled analgesia consumption between groups. Conclusions Intravenous 30 mg ketorolac appears to have preemptive analgesic effects in patients undergoing ankle fracture repair. Ketorolac administered before tourniquet inflation prevents postoperative pain being perceived as more intense than preoperative pain.
Dynamic load balancing of SSH sessions using user-specific selection policies

Ballast is a tool for balancing user load across SSH servers based on various criteria such as CPU load and system availability. It includes a load balancing client, a lightweight data server, and a data collection agent. Ballast is invoked as part of the SSH login process, so has access to the user name while making balancing decisions, which is not available in traditional load balancing approaches. This gives Ballast the unique ability to perform user-specific load balancing. This paper presents the Ballast architecture and examines the benefits of involving user-specific criteria in the balancing process. Two approaches for utilizing user information based on prediction and dynamic load metrics are analyzed using trace-based simulation and are found to have significant benefits when combined.
Thoughts on a Committee on Women in Antennas and Propagation

The author presents her thoughts and observations on the role of women in antennas and propagation studies in different countries. She discusses some of the reports in the literature and briefly comments on some of them.
Simultaneous analysis of morphine-related compounds in plasma using mixed-mode solid phase extraction and UltraPerformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A bioanalytical method using mixed-mode solid phase extraction and UltraPerformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was developed for the analysis of morphine, morphine-3β-glucuronide, morphine-6β-glucuronide, 6-acetylmorphine, morphine N-oxide, and 10-hydroxymorphine in porcine plasma. All six compounds, along with four deuterated internal standards, were simultaneously extracted using mixed-mode strong cation exchange SPE in a 96-well μElution plate format. Due to analyte instability, a neutralizing solvent was used during the elution step to minimize degradation of 6-acetylmorphine. Separation was subsequently performed in 8 minutes on a 2.1×100 mm, 1.8 μm C18 column designed for retention of extremely polar compounds using a formic acid and methanol gradient. Analytes were detected by positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode using a fast-scanning triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Recovery was 73–123% depending on the analyte, and inter-day variability was less than 6%. Linearity was determined in porcine plasma by spiking the analytes prior to SPE. Correlation coefficients were ⪈ 0.998, and% deviation from the actual concentrations was less than 15%. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for all compounds was between 0.1 and 0.25 ng/mL.
Behavioral Contracting for Repeated Suicide Attempts: Issues in the Treatment of a Hospitalized Schizophrenic Male

A behavioral contract was used to decrease the frequency of repeated suicide attempts and to increase adaptive behavior of a chronic schizophrenic patient hospitalized on a locked psychiatric ward....
The next-generation distributed-object Web and its application to sports medicine

A significant strength of the current World Wide Web (Web) includes the striking similarity between "a document" and "an object", as defined by distributed object computing. In effect, the Web is a simple-minded distributed object system. It is generally recognized that current Web technologies are insufficient for supporting complex, enterprise-class applications such as distributed, network-based healthcare applications. Currently, several Web-based technologies are under development to support the evolution of the commodity Web toward a true "object-oriented" paradigm. These technologies and the associated risk, utility and scalability of this type of deployment in modern healthcare-related enterprises are the focus of our report.
Divided Attention Performance and the Matching Law

This experiment examined the applicability of the generalized matching law to changes in divided-attention performance produced by variations in relative reinforcement rate. Pigeons were exposed to a delayed matching-to-sample procedure in which compound samples (color + line orientation) and element comparisons (two colors or two line orientations) were used. The relative rate of reinforcement for accurate matches on the two types of comparison trials was varied. Variations in relative accuracy with changes in relative reinforcement were well described by the generalized matching law. We suggest that the bias and sensitivity parameters of the generalized matching law may measure the contributions of sensory activation and stimulus pertinence, respectively, to divided-attention performance. Additional work using similar analyses might contribute to a more general quantitative account of how differential consequences contribute to decision processes involved in the allocation of attention.
Sign-Coherent Identities for Characteristic Polynomials of Matroids

We derive an explicit formula for the difference χ( G ;λ) − χ( G|X ;λ)χ( T x ( G ); λ)/(λ − 1), where χ( G ;λ) is the characteristic polynomial of a simple matroid G, G|X is the restriction of G to a flat X in G , and T x ( G ) is the complete principal truncation of G at the flat X . Two counting proofs of this formula are given. The first uses the critical problem and the second uses the broken-circuit complex. We also derive several inequalities involving Whitney numbers of the first kind and other numerical invariants.
Effective Multicultural Instruction: A Non-Color-Blind Perspective

The reason why the Trayvon Martin murder trial and similar court cases create a philosophical rift in our nation is due in part to flaws in the delivery of multicultural education. Traditional multicultural instruction does not prepare citizens for the subtleties and complexities of race relations. This study investigates critical strategies and practices that address multicultural missing gaps. I also seek to fill a void in the literature created by a lack of student input regarding teaching strategies that encourage lifelong learning. Students (N = 337) enrolled at a Midwestern university were asked to rate the efficacy of selected instructional strategies. Utilizing a 9-point Likert-type scale, students gave themselves a personal growth rating of 7.15 (SD = 1.47). Variables important to predicting that growth (R 2 = .56, p < .0005) were a six-factor variable known as a non-colorblind instructional approach (t = 10.509, p ≤ .0005), allowing students an opportunity to form their own opinions apart from the instructor (t = 4.797, p ≤ .0005), and a state law that mandated multicultural training (t = 3.234, p = .001). Results demonstrated that utilizing a 35% traditional and 65% critical pedagogy mixture when teaching multicultural education helped promote win/win scenarios for education candidates hoping to become difference makers.
The emerging meanings of religiousness and spirituality : Problems and prospects

This article examines traditional and modern psychological characterizations of religiousness and spirituality. Three ways in which religiousness and spirituality are polarized by contemporary theorists are examined: organized religion versus personal spirituality; substantive religion versus functional spirituality; and negative religiousness versus positive spirituality. An alternative approach to understanding religiousness and spirituality is presented that integrates rather than polarizes these constructs, and sets boundaries to the discipline while acknowledging the diversity of religious and spiritual expressions. Directions for future investigations of these two constructs are presented.
The Semantic Approach to Scientific Theories

The purpose of this paper is not to be new or original, but to provide a concise exposition of a certain approach in philosophy of science, at the hands of a loosely associated group of contemporary philosophers.* I do not want anyone to suffer from guilt by asociation, so I should emphasize that any two authors mentioned here may agree on only a few aspects of the discussed approach, and disagree on others.
Professors or Partisan Pied Pipers? Examining Ethical, Legal and Pedagogical Questions Regarding Political Advocacy in the Classroom and on Campus

Political scientists are in the business of teaching about politics. A frequent goal, in that regard, is to instruct and encourage their students to express political views and be active participants in their political system. That is entirely appropriate. Indeed, in a democracy, teachers of politics have a unique civic responsibility to convey the salience of politics and the need for all to participate. Should political science professors, themselves, participate? The answer, of course, is absolutely. What happens, however, when professors use their pedagogical role to promote particular partisan positions or candidates? Is this ethical? Is it beneficial or harmful from a pedagogical perspective? In public universities, does it raise any legal concerns? These are the types of questions I will be exploring in this paper. I will be considering a variety of behaviors ranging from displaying campaign posters and signs on office doors and windows to partisan statements in the classroom to various activities on campus. Some activities may be entirely appropriate. Some may raise substantial concerns. I seek to distinguish different activities and examine the varying level and types of concerns they raise.
Sensitivity Coefficients for Three-Phase Flow History Matching

Changing the value of the porosity or the horizontal or vertical permeability in any grid cell in a reservoir simulator by a small amount often results in a small change in the value of a property predicted by the simulator. The ratio of change in prediction to change in reservoir property is called the sensitivity coefficient. In this paper, we describe the use of the adjoint system of equations to compute the sensitivity of wellbore pressure, water-oil ratio, and gas-oil ratio to changes in gridblock permeability and porosity. Unlike some other methods of computing sensitivity coefficients, this method is applicable for problems with large numbers of model parameters and for problems in which cross-flow and compressibility are significant. Although the adjoint system has previously been used to compute the gradient of an objective function for three-phase flow data with respect to model parameters, the sensitivity coefficients are significantly more powerful as they enable the use of Newton-like methods with quadratic convergence, i.e., estimation of the covariance of model estimates based on the inverse of the Hessian, and they provide insight into the information content of data. We use several three-phase flow examples with solution-gas drive, gas injection, and gravity segregation to illustrate these ideas.
Design and implementation of an introductory course for computer applications in molecular genetics : A case study

Formal training in computational biology was initiated at Wayne State University in 1990 to meet the needs of the faculty. This was still at a time when the molecular databases and analysis tools could be housed in what is now equivalent to a modern but dated desktop computer. In 1995 the course was expanded to include graduate students to provide these senior students with a foundation in computational biology. This course has armed our students with a requisite set of basic skills that are necessary for a successful career in molecular genetics. It is now an integral component of the graduate program of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics and our experiences in course delivery have been detailed (BioInformatics Methods and Protocols, S. Misener and S. A. Krawetz, eds., Humana Press, Totowa, NJ, 2000.). The course was expanded to a campus-wide unlimited enrollment program for the summer of 2000 to address the needs of our student body. In this review we present our experience with delivering a multidisciplinary campus-wide computational biology course to a new and widely diverse student body.
THE ROLE OF INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN MAINTAINING THE MIXED MATING SYSTEM OF THE COMMON MORNING GLORY, IPOMOEA PURPUREA.

Theoretical studies show that, although inbreeding depression (ID) will counterbalance the transmission advantage of selling, it can only maintain a mixed mating system in plants when at least one of the following two conditions is met: (1) there is a positive association between selling rates and the level of ID; and (2) ID is greater than 0.5 for the female component of fitness, while the average ID for male and female fitness is less than 0.5. This study tests whether these two conditions hold in the common morning glory, Ipomnoea purpurea, which has a mixed mating system with 30% self-fertilization. Inbreeding depression was found in all but one fitness component measured in two groups of plants with distinct anther-stigma distances (ASD), a character that influences selling rates. However, when examined separately, a negative association was found between selling rates and ID; plants with large ASD (low-selfing-rate genotypes) tended to have higher ID than ones with small ASD (high-selfing-rate genotypes). Fur- thermore, the overall lifetime ID for male (12.5%) and female (24%) components of fitness, averaged across two ASD groups, were lower than what is necessary for ID to maintain an evolutionarily stable mixed mating system. Therefore, although inbreeding depression contributes to balancing the transmission advantage of selling, it is not likely to be the primary mechanism maintaining the mixed mating system of I. purpurea. The contribution of other mechanisms is discussed.
Aerodynamic Effects of External Camera Pods and Launch Lugs on a Target Missile Configuration

Computstional Fluid Dynamics is employed to predict aerodynamic coefficients for the second-stage configuration of a missile defense target missile. Models consist of the clean vehicle with fins and two additional models that include rail launch lugs and externally mounted rear facing camera pods. Analyses are performed to estimate wind tunnel test measurement requirements and to assist in planning of the wind tunnel test matrix. Postwind tunnel predictions for the clean configuration show excellent comparison to reduced test data. Both predictions and test measurements indicate that the protuberances contribute an additional axial drag to the clean missile configuration of over ten percent. I. Introduction HE Missile Defense Agency has developed a cost-effective target that can be used to assess missile defense capabilities. The Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle-Group C (ARAV-C) is a member of this target vehicle class. This paper documents the prediction of aerodynamic coefficients using CFD models for the ARAV-C second stage. Predictions are made for several points along a proposed flight trajectory as a pre-wind tunnel exercise to estimate effects required for measurement and to assist in planning of the test matrix. Post-wind tunnel predictions are made and compared to reduced test data. Favorable comparison resulted in additional computations requested to extend the wind tunnel data to higher Mach numbers for use in 6DOF simulations. Three separate models are generated: the clean vehicle with fins; a second with the addition of two externally mounted camera pods with no launch lugs; and a third that includes the addition of launch lugs with no camera pods. Predictions using the clean configuration and the configuration with camera pods at four roll angles and eight Mach numbers with angle of attack (AOA) set at 3° are made. Additional computations are made using all three configurations. Nineteen wind tunnel comparison computations are completed. A total of 131 3D viscous CFD computations are performed.
Life History of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), an Egg Parasitoid of Pink Bollworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), with Emphasis on Performance at High Temperatures

Selected life history characteristics of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja, a newly imported egg parasitoid of pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), were studied at constant and fluctuating temperatures, with emphasis on high temperatures typical of desert cotton production areas in Arizona and southern California. Developmental times from egg to adult ranged from 11 to just over 7 d at mean temperatures of 22.5 and 29.5°C, respectively. Development was delayed under fluctuating temperatures with maximums ≥33.5°C. Survivorship was >90% under all but a fluctuating 25/40°C regime. Similar results were found for Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, an established species in the southwestern United States. Mean female longevity of T. bactrae adults ranged from 138 h at a constant 15°C to 1.5 h at 40°C. Mean fecundity peaked at 25°C(55 progeny per female), but modest fecundity (14–23 progeny per female) was maintained at temperatures from 30–35°C. The majority of eggs oviposited by newly emerged adults within the first 24 h of exposure to hosts were laid in the first 3 h and >90% were laid within 12 h. The 24-h rate of oviposition was a nonlinear function of female age and temperature that was maximal for lO-h-old females at ≍25°C. The time of day that females of equal age were initially exposed to hosts did not significantly affect 24-h oviposition rates. T. bactrae appears well adapted to high temperatures; this environmental factor should not significantly hinder the efficacy of this biological control agent in the field.
Auditory and vestibular phenotypes associated with GATA3 mutation.

OBJECTIVE To report the auditory and vestibular phenotypes of patients with GATA3 mutation. STUDY DESIGN Case series of 6 patients. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS All patients had the classic triad of GATA3 deficiency: hypoparathyroidism, hearing loss, and renal dysplasia. Patients (29-60 yr old; mean age, 42.5 yr; 3 male and 3 female subjects) were confirmed to have heterozygous mutations involving GATA3 by Sanger sequencing. INTERVENTIONS Behavioral audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were used to assess hearing. Rotational vestibular testing was used to assess vestibular function. RESULTS All patients with GATA3 mutation presented with hearing loss during childhood. The mean 3-frequency (0.5/1/2 kHz) pure tone average was 67 dB HL (range, 50-83 dB HL; SD, 9.3). The average speech discrimination score was 73% (range, 36%-100%; SD, 15.9). DPOAEs were absent in all patients. ABRs were remarkably robust and provided no evidence of retrocochlear dysfunction. Some patients complained of dizziness, but rotary chair testing was normal across participants for whom testing occurred. CONCLUSION Patients with GATA3 mutation present with early-onset sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). DPOAEs were absent, supporting outer hair cell dysfunction, whereas ABRs were present and robust. Rotational vestibular testing revealed no evidence of abnormal horizontal semicircular canal function.
Can community-based land adjudication and registration improve household land tenure security? Evidence from Afghanistan

Unlike in many developing contexts, land title regularization and registration projects in Afghanistan have for the most part eschewed judicial adjudication and recording of title for those landholders with customary tenures or otherwise without legally recognized rights to land. Rather, the pilot land titling and registration projects in the country have been community-based, the defining feature of which is recording of community consensus regarding who in the community holds what rights to what land, buildings, water, trees, and commons, with some recognition by a governmental entity such as a municipal or government agency, but not as a result of judicial adjudication and registration processes. We call these initiatives Community-Based Land Adjudication and Registration, or CBLAR. We show that CBLAR is more appropriate than legal titling in the Afghan context but that the success of these initiatives in improving household land tenure security depends on the quality of customary governance and on investment in public goods such as roads, schools, lending institutions, administrative capacity of local governments, and forums to resolve disputes that overwhelm communities. More generally, CBLAR promises to improve household land tenure security in post-conflict settings when it is implemented in the appropriate context and with the appropriate support from the state and international donors.
CT dual-energy decomposition into x-ray signatures Rho-e and Z-e

In a recent journal article [IEEE Trans. Nuc. Sci., 63(1), 341-350, 2016], we introduced a novel method that decomposes dual-energy X-ray CT (DECT) data into electron density (ρe) and a new effective-atomic-number called Ze in pursuit of system-independent characterization of materials. The Ze of a material, unlike the traditional Zeff, is defined relative to the actual X-ray absorption properties of the constituent atoms in the material, which are based on published X-ray cross sections. Our DECT method, called SIRZ (System-Independent ρe, Ze), uses a set of well-known reference materials and an understanding of the system spectral response to produce accurate and precise estimates of the X-ray-relevant basis variables (ρe, Ze) regardless of scanner or spectra in diagnostic energy ranges (30 to 200 keV). Potentially, SIRZ can account for and correct spectral changes in a scanner over time and, because the system spectral response is included in the technique, additional beam-hardening correction is not needed. Results show accuracy (<3%) and precision (<2%) values that are much better than prior methods on a wide range of spectra. In this paper, we will describe how to convert DECT system output into (ρe, Ze) features and we present our latest SIRZ results compared with ground truth for a set of materials.
Proton Hopping as the Nerve Conduction Message.

BACKGROUND The article proposes a new concept explaining nerve conduction information. The conduction is based upon proton hopping, the fastest known chemical reaction. A summary of the proton hopping at several parts of the nerve structure are described. METHODS The details of each part of the nerve system are described in the article. RESULTS A summary of the parts of the nerve structure involving the role of proton hopping, are expressed to give a complete picture of the nerve function and the role of proton hopping. CONCLUSION An overall description of the function of the nerve is described in terms of the role of proton hopping as the mechanism of message passage.
Cloud Based Agent Framework for the Industrial Automation Sector

This chapter presents a novel idea that leverages technologies such as intelligent agent-based control and cloud computing to enhance business and operations intelligence in the industrial automation domain. We present the infrastructure framework for an analytics orchestrator that orchestrates high-level analytics required for proactive control of real-time applications. The programming model that has been used to develop applications using the infrastructure is also described here. The analytics orchestrator is designed to be scalable, flexible, and reusable to enable any user to interface with the analytics framework. We also present a use case where we have used cloud services to develop a remote monitoring application for an energy system.
Caregiving as mobility constraint and opportunity: married daughters providing end of life care in northern Ghana

AbstractIn the global south where care services are sparse and familial care remains practically and socially important, end of life care often occurs within families. Furthermore, in health care related policy development, care is often assumed to be ensured by ‘traditional’ norms of extended family relationships. In this context, the demands of providing care may require care providers to relocate, as well as reorganize their everyday responsibilities. This article contributes to geographies of care by offering an examination of the mobility constraints experienced by married and externally-resident daughters seeking to provide end of life care to a parent in northern Ghana. Drawing on ethnographic research, I examine how particular familial relationships are embedded with socially constructed labour obligations, leading to conflicting responsibilities at a parent’s end of life. I then consider how a woman as a daughter works to overcome these constraints to provide end of life care. I conclude that und...
Structure of a CLC-Family Fluoride/Proton Antiporter

The CLC superfamily of anion transporters and channels has been studied for decades, but large swaths of the superfamily remain unexamined. One of those unstudied branches was recently found to be a family of fluoride/proton antiporters (CLCF), evolved to protect bacteria against intracellular fluoride accumulation. In addition to the clearly altered selectivity, these transporters also have a different transport stoichiometry from the chloride transporters (1 F- / 1 proton, vs 2 Cl- / 1 proton), suggesting a change in the transport mechanism. We have crystallized and solved the structure of CLCF-Eca, the fluoride CLC from Enterococcus casseliflavus, in complex with monobody crystallization chaperones at 3.28 A. To our knowledge this is the first structure of a fluoride CLC, and also the first structure of a non-chloride CLC-transporter. While some critical functional elements from the chloride CLCs remain, such as the external glutamate gate, other regions involved in both selectivity and ion coupling have been significantly altered.
Laparoscopy for Rectal Cancer

It is evident that the use of laparoscopy in the management of rectal cancer has gained popularity in the last few years. It is still, however, not widely accepted as the standard of care. Multiple randomized trials have shown that short-term outcomes and perioperative morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic proctectomy are equivalent to open surgery. However, data regarding long-term oncologic outcomes are still scarce, with only a few randomized trials reporting similar outcomes in both laparoscopic and open group. A more recent trial failed to replicate those results in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. In this article, we will look at the most recent evidence regarding the use of laparoscopy for patients with rectal cancer. We will also briefly discuss the different approaches and new minimally invasive techniques used in this field, and we will talk about the challenges facing the widespread adoption of laparoscopic surgery in the management of rectal cancer.
Microbial Germplasm Database: Facilitating Access to Microbial Germplasm through Electronic Networks

Microbial germpiasm is essential to agriculture and global ecosystems. The hundreds of thousands of organisms maintained in research collections cannot and should not be maintained in centralized collections. Access to them can be facilitated by a universally accessible database containing information on the location and characteristics of these organisms. Microbial Germpiasm Database has been developed using the world wide web and custom software to provide easy intuitive access to this information. An overview of that access is provided in this paper.