cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring Interface Strength in Single Fiber Composites: The Effect of Stress Concentrations

Fiber-matrix interface strength is known to be a critical factor in controlling the long-term performance of structural composites. This parameter is often obtained by using the average fragment length data generated from the single-fiber fragmentation test (SFFT). The interfacial shear strength is then determined by using this data in a micro-mechanics model that describes the shear-stress transfer process between the matrix and the fiber. Recently, a non-linear viscoelastic micro-mechanics model was developed to more accurately account for the matrix material properties. This new model indicates that the interface strength is dependent on the testing rate. Experimentally, it has been shown that the final fragment length distribution in some systems is dependent on the testing rate. However, data analysis using the new model indicates that the distribution change with testing rate is promoted by the presence of high stress concentrations at the end of the fiber fragments. From the model, these stress concentrations were found to exist at very low strain values. Experimentally, the fragment distributions obtained from specimens tested by different testing rates were found to be significantly different at strain values well below the strain values required to complete the test. These results are consistent with the research of Jahankhani and Galiotis and finite element calculations performed by Carrara and McGarry. These authors concluded that stress concentrations can promote failure of the fiber-matrix interface on the molecular level. Our results support this conclusion. In addition, our research results suggest that altering the SFFT testing rate can lower the magnitude of these stress concentrations and minimize failure of the fiber-matrix interface.
A Case Report of Recurrent Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Patient during Myasthenia Crisis.

Introduction. Patients with myasthenia crisis can develop Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (SC) due to emotional or physical stress and high level of circulating catecholamines. We report a patient who developed recurrent Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during myasthenia crisis. Coexisting autoimmune disorders known to precipitate stress cardiomyopathy like Grave’s disease need to be evaluated. Case Report. A 69-year-old female with seropositive myasthenia gravis (MG), Grave’s disease, and coronary artery disease on monthly infusion of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), prednisone, pyridostigmine, and methimazole presented with shortness of breath and chest pain. Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed ST elevation in anterolateral leads with troponemia. Coronary angiogram was unremarkable for occlusive coronary disease with left ventriculogram showing reduced wall motion with apical and mid left ventricle (LV) hypokinesis suggestive of Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy. Her symptoms were attributed to MG crisis. Her symptoms, ECG, and echocardiographic findings resolved after five cycles of plasma exchange (PLEX). She had another similar episode one year later during myasthenia crisis with subsequent resolution in 10 days after PLEX. Conclusion. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be one of the manifestations of myasthenia crisis with or without coexisting Grave’s disease. These patients might benefit from meticulous fluid status and cardiac monitoring while administering rescue treatments like IVIG and PLEX.
Quantum light-matter interfaces based on rare-earth ions and nano-photonics

I present our progress towards developing on-chip quantum light-matter interfaces like quantum memories and quantum transductors based on nanophotonic resonators coupled to rare-earth ions (Neodymium, Erbium, Ytterbium) in crystals.
Fine-structure resolved rotational transitions and database for CN+H2 collisions

Abstract Cross sections and rate coefficients for CN+H2 collisions are calculated using the coupled states (CS) approximation. The calculations are benchmarked against more accurate close-coupling (CC) calculations for transitions between low-lying rotational states. Comparisons are made between the two formulations for collision energies greater than 10 cm−1. The CS approximation is used to construct a database which includes highly excited rotational states that are beyond the practical limitations of the CC method. The database includes fine-structure resolved rotational quenching transitions for v = 0 and j ≤ 40, where v and j are the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers of the initial state of the CN molecule. Rate coefficients are computed for both para-H2 and ortho-H2 colliders. The results are shown to be in good agreement with previous calculations, however, the rates are substantially different from mass-scaled CN+He rates that are often used in astrophysical models.
Classroom Management for Early Childhood Music Settings

Classroom management is a common concern for preservice teachers and can be a key to success for in-service teachers. In this article, I discuss six strategies for classroom management: design and ...
Risk Factors Associated With the Development of Acquired Airway Disease After Congenital Heart Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective. In this single-center, retrospective review, we sought to determine the risk factors associated with the development of severe acquired airway disease (AAD; vocal cord paralysis [VCP] or...
A Superpower Transformed: The Remaking of American Foreign Relations in the 1970s: Sargent, Daniel J. New York: Oxford University Press 456 pp., $24.95, ISBN 978-0190672164 Publication Date: April 2017

Based on the titles of the early scholarship of the 1970s, such as Peter N. Carroll's It Seemed Like Nothing Happened: The Tragedy and Promise of America in the 1970s (Holt, Rinehart and Winston 19...
Backlash: Who Does it, When, and Why?

The backlash effect is a well-documented negative reaction toward women who are perceived as counter-stereotypical because they engage in "masculine" behaviors during the performance of their jobs. In four negotiation studies we explore the backlash effect in greater depth than previous studies by identifying key factors that affect the propensity for backlash against female negotiators. In particular, our results suggest that executives, who have salient mental models of assertive, successful women, use those exemplars as referents when evaluating the behavior of others. This exemplar is consistent with expectations that women are assertive, thus we find that executives tend not to backlash against assertive women. On the other hand, students in whom this exemplar is less salient, rely on core gender stereotypes in the evaluation of targets, and thus we find that they tend to backlash against assertive women for behaving counter-stereotypically. We then demonstrate that these schemas can be reversed in both populations. By imposing threat we induce executives to draw upon core gender stereotypes leading them to backlash against assertive behavior in women. By making the successful businesswoman exemplar salient in students we observe them using this exemplar as a referent and subsequently accepting the assertive behavior of women.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies. What can and should be done

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies provides an opportunity to prepare and counsel parents. It can lead to pregnancy termination; to a change in timing, mode, or location of delivery; or, in some cases, to prenatal intervention. Families with an affected fetus are best managed by a cohesive medical team. This article outlines the principles used to manage these cases.
Fitness Landscape of the Immune Compromised Favors the Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance can come at a high cost, both in terms of fitness for the pathogen and poorer outcomes for patients. The fitness landscape encountered by bacterial pathogens varies greatly throughout patient populations in terms of host immunity as well as the duration and spectrum of antibiotics encountered. Severely immunocompromised patients present a favorable environment for antibiotic resistance to emerge due to lack of immune-mediated competition and increased opportunities to evolve both on-target and compensatory mutations. Such patients may present unique pathways for antibiotic resistance to emerge.
Contraceptive utilization among new exotic dancers: a cross-sectional study

Female exotic dancers are a population at high risk of unintended pregnancy. The objective of this study is to describe the reproductive health needs and contraceptive utilization of exotic dancers. New exotic dancers (< 6 months dancing) from 26 clubs in Baltimore City/County completed a one-time survey. Of 117 participants, 96 (82%) had current contraceptive need. The mean age was 24 years, and 55% were black. Sex work (45%), alcohol use disorder (73%), illicit (44%; e.g., heroin, crack, cocaine), and injection drug use (8%) were common. The majority (66%) reported contraception use in the prior 6 months. Condoms were reported by 46% whereas 45% reported non-barrier methods, most commonly hormonal injection. Consistent condom use was rare (3%), and only 11% used a long-acting reversible method. Despite their unique reproductive health vulnerabilities, female exotic dancers have unmet contraceptive needs. Targeted harm reduction strategies are needed to fill this gap.
Acute exposure to a glyphosate-containing herbicide formulation inhibits Complex II and increases hydrogen peroxide in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.

Glyphosate-based herbicides, such as Touchdown (TD) and Roundup, are among the most heavily-used herbicides in the world. While the active ingredient is generally considered non-toxic, the toxicity resulting from exposure to commercially-sold formulations is less clear. In many cases, cell cultures or various model organisms exposed to glyphosate formulations show toxicity and, in some cases, lethality. Using Caenorhabditis elegans, we assessed potential toxic mechanisms through which a highly-concentrated commercial formulation of TD promotes neurodegeneration. Following a 30-min treatment, we assayed mitochondrial electron transport chain function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Initial oxygen consumption studies indicated general mitochondrial inhibition compared to controls (*p < 0.05). When Complex II activity was further assessed, inhibition was observed in all TD-treated groups (*p < 0.05). Complex IV activity, however, was not adversely affected by TD. This electron transport chain inhibition also resulted in reduced ATP levels (*p < 0.05). Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide levels, but not other ROS, were increased (*p < 0.05). Taken together, these data indicate that commercially-available formulations of TD may exert neurotoxicity through Complex II (succinate dehydrogenase) inhibition, decreased ATP levels, and increased hydrogen peroxide production.
Cognitive Distortions in Disordered Gambling

Cognitive distortions are a central feature in the development and maintenance of gambling disorder, despite not being a diagnostic criterion. A substantial clinical literature confirms that targeting distortions in the context of cognitive behavioral treatment adds efficacy in individual and group settings, across demographics. Several current instruments measure illusion of control, gambler’s fallacy, and other distortions. However, they are subject to criticism such as lack of content validity through incompleteness or including noncognitive factors such as emotion or excessively broad cognitive factors such as cognitive bias, lack of factor analytic confirmation, and lack of measurement invariance confirmation. We advocate that the next step is to clarify what is and what is not a contributing cognitive distortion in gambling disorder, including clarification of illusion of control and other concepts with multiple definitions. It is concluded that a next generation of instruments, improved on these metrics, will contribute to increased understanding and treatment efficacy.
Design tensions: interaction criticism on Instagram's mobile interface

User interfaces are continually evolving. Contemporary interfaces, particularly mobile interfaces, have developed their own design language as they have discarded skeuomorphs and metaphorical representations to support their design and introduced features not available before in desktop interfaces. Despite the pervasiveness of mobile interfaces, researchers have neglected the development of theory that accounts for how they still connect with or deviate from early interface design constructs. This paper adapts the notion of metaphorical tension to formulate and explore a new construct, design tension, which scopes an exercise of interaction criticism on Instagram's interface. As a result, this paper argues that design tension is useful to account for how interface components introduce features that are discordant to interface standards and best practices, things from the real world, and the user's belief system. It also suggests that both the method and construct can be applied to other communication design artifacts distinct from interfaces to produce intermediate-level knowledge.
GP170 A series of serious sequelae – a collection of cases of chickenpox complications

Aim Primary infection with Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) results in ‘chickenpox’ - an acute illness involving a vesicular rash, fever and systemic symptoms. It is usually a disease of childhood and the majority of cases are benign and self-limiting. However, complications can be related to the virus or due to secondary bacterial infection. These complications can be associated with a high morbidity and high healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to review admissions for complications secondary to VZV infection over a six month period (January - July 2017) in a Dublin paediatric hospital. The VZV vaccine is currently available in Ireland but not included on the childhood universal immunisation programme. Method Patients who were admitted to Children’s University Hospital Temple Street (CUHTS) with complications secondary to VZV infection were identified. These patients’ demographics, symptoms and management were recorded and analysed. Results Thirteen children were admitted to CUHTS between January and July 2017 as a result of complications of chickenpox infection. Five children were male. The ages ranged from 27 weeks to 7 years (median=1.5 years). All children were previously well, with no history of immunodeficiency. All patients had commenced the routine vaccination schedule but none had received the VZV vaccine. Complications included cellulitis, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, encephalitis, toxic shock syndrome, sepsis, and intracranial abscess. Some patients had several complications at once. The length of time from VZV infection to onset of complication ranged from no history of chickenpox (but VZV identified on CSF PCRs) to 17 days after the rash had crusted over (median=4.5 days). Six children (46%) had Group A Streptococcus identified as a causative organism for their complication. The length of hospital stay ranged from 1 day to 27 days (median=6). One child was admitted to PICU for 9 days. Two patients required surgery (orthopaedic, ENT and neurosurgery). Four patients required >6 weeks of antibiotics. All children have had varying levels of outpatient follow up and treatment. Conclusion While the majority of VZV cases are mild and self-limiting, there is significant patient morbidity and healthcare costs associated with severe or complicated varicella infections. Permanent disability occurs particularly with intracranial and orthopaedic complications. There is an added economic impact for parents taking time off work to be with their sick child. We believe that universal VZV vaccination needs to be reconsidered.
Immune recognition of microbial metabolites.

Mucosal immunology research continues its fascination with microbial metabolites. In 2019, researchers uncovered extended functions for microbial metabolites in immunity, deepening our understanding of the regulation and function of metabolite-reactive immune cells, and revealed the receptors by which immune cells can recognize bioactive microbial metabolites. In the past year, researchers have gained a deeper understanding of the interactions between immune cells and microbially derived metabolites. Wendy Garrett describes the new insights into the receptors, immune cells and pathways triggered by microbial metabolites.
Multiple Stakeholder Perspectives on School-Based Responses to Student Suicide Risk in a Diverse Public School District.

Schools across the US have implemented suicide prevention procedures to detect risk among students and facilitate linkage to mental health services. Yet, many students at risk for suicide do not access mental health treatment, and significant racial/ethnic disparities in service utilization persist. Quality improvement of suicide prevention procedures is needed to enhance care for suicidal youth. The present study examined perspectives of multiple stakeholders involved in school-based suicide prevention procedures through a qualitative design, in order to generate a set of quality improvement targets. Participants included school staff, students assessed for suicide risk at school, and their caregivers. Results indicated points of commonality and divergence across stakeholder groups. Students and parents described feelings of exclusion from decision-making processes, perceptions of rigid and disciplinary assessment procedures, traumatic experiences with crisis intervention, and practical barriers and facilitators to follow-up services. Staff perspectives highlighted positive regard for standardized protocols, efforts to reduce negative student experiences with assessment procedures, prioritization of student safety, and potential practical and attitudinal barriers and facilitators to follow-up care. Given these findings, a set of quality improvement targets is proposed and discussed, with a focus on family-centered interventions to promote engagement.
Long-term health-related quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors receiving proton radiotherapy at <4 years of age.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this analysis is to report long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among brain tumor survivors treated with proton therapy (PRT) at a very young age. METHODS Fifty-nine children <4 years old received PRT between 2000 and 2011. Forty families participated. HRQoL was assessed by child self-report (CSR; age ≥5) and parent proxy report (PPR; age 2+) using the PedsQL Core. RESULTS The median age was 2.5 years (range, 0.3-3.8) at PRT and 9.1 years (5.5-18) at last follow-up. The most common diagnoses were ependymoma (n = 22) and medulloblastoma (n = 7). Median follow-up is 6.7 years (3-15.4). Follow-up mean CSR and PPR scores were: total core (78.4 and 72.9), physical (82.9 and 75.2), psychosocial (76.0 and 71.6), emotional (74.4 and 70.7), social (81.2 and 75.1), and school (72.4 and 69.9). Parent-reported HRQoL fell within a previously defined range for healthy children in 37.5% of patients, and for children with severe health conditions in 45% of patients. PPR HRQoL was stable from baseline to last follow-up among all domains except for social functioning. History of gastrostomy tube was significantly associated with poorer CSR and PPR HRQoL on multivariable analysis. Ninety percent of children functioned in a regular classroom, 14 (36%) used a classroom aid, 9 (23%) used an outside tutor, and 18 (46%) had an individualized education plan. CONCLUSION Long-term HRQoL among brain tumor survivors treated with PRT at a very young age is variable, with over a third achieving HRQoL levels commensurate with healthy children. KEY POINTS 1. One third of survivors reported long-term HRQoL scores comparable to those of healthy children.2. Treatment for hydrocephalus or a feeding tube was associated with significantly lower HRQoL.3. Total core HRQoL scores remained stable from baseline to last follow-up.
Preparing international cooperation on pandemic prevention for the Anthropocene.

### Summary box The COVID-19 pandemic has centred zoonotic viruses in nearly every discipline’s efforts to reckon with modernity. This has been particularly highlighted in environmental policy, given the rise of paradigms like ‘One Health’ that centre the interconnectedness of human health and the environment, and that have given conservation organisations a seat at the table in global health. For those communities of practice, COVID-19 has underscored issues with the sustainability and safety of contact between humans and wildlife, and concerns about how unsustainable practices could contribute to the future emergence of novel coronaviruses or similar pandemic threats.1–3 More broadly, these conversations have pointed to a broader need to address the upstream drivers of poor health and disease burden outside of pandemic settings. In the One Health or planetary health tradition, pandemics can be viewed the product of several proximate drivers (eg, climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation), all of which share an ultimate cause: the explosion of consumption, and destruction of the natural world, caused by capitalism, globalisation, colonialism and neoliberal economic policies. Insufficiently addressed by national and international policies to date (and, possibly, by proposed solutions for future sustainable growth),4 this process has pushed civilisation outside of a narrow zone that safely balances human well-being and economic growth against environmental preservation and long-term sustainability.5 6 This …
Cell-size control: Chromatin-based titration primes inhibitor dilution.

Summary Cell growth can drive progression into the cell cycle by diluting a diverse set of cell-cycle inhibitors in yeast, animal, and plant cells. Inhibitor dilution mechanisms implement cell-size control when large and small cells inherit a similar number of inhibitor molecules, and new work shows that these mechanisms in plant cells include specific degradation and chromatin-partitioning components.
Local and Systemic Plant Defensive Responses to Infection

Plants are subject to infection by a wide range of pathogen types that include fungi, protists, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes (Agrios, 1988). Although many thousands of plant pathogens exist in nature, only a few are capable of successfully infecting and establishing a disease-causing compatible (susceptible) interaction with any specific type of plant. However, in many cases where the compatible interaction is established, devastating epidemics resulting in large losses of plants and plant products can develop. One only needs to consider the potato blight that caused serious losses and famine in Ireland and Europe in the 1840s to realize how severe plant disease can become.
Toeplitz Determinants, Random Matrices and Random Permutations

In this article we describe how Toeplitz determinants arise in the theory of random matrices (the distribution of eigenvalues of a random unitary matrix) and in a problem concerning random permutations (the length of the longest increasing subsequence in a random permutation). In the first case the connection is direct and in the second case the connection is indirect, via some highly nontrivial combinatorics. In all examples the problem can be recast as one of determining the asymptotics of large Toeplitz determinants with variable symbol.
Which Is Best for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Treatment with Chronic Renal Insufficiency: Endovascular Aneurysm Repair or Open Repair?

� Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) should be the first-line therapy for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with moderate renal dysfunction (30 mL/min < estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min) because of better outcomes compared with open repair. � ElectiverepairofAAAinpatientswithsevererenaldysfunction(eGFR<30mL/min) should be avoided because of significant risk of postoperative renal failure/dialysis with either EVAR or open repair. � Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and CO2 arteriograms should be used for the initial EVAR procedure to minimize contrast nephrotoxicity. � Follow-up protocols after EVAR should include color duplex ultrasound and abdominal radiograph to prevent further decline of renal function due to multiple CT angiograms (CTAs).
Single-dose pharmacokinetics of the DNA-binding bioreductive agent NLCQ-1 (NSC 709257) in CD2F1 mice.

NLCQ-1 (NSC 709257) is a weak DNA-binding bioreductive antiproliferative agent, with potent in vitro antiproliferative activity against rodent and human tumor cell lines under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Interest in this quinoline analog is based in part on its in vivo synergistic antitumor effect with radiotherapy or chemotherapy against mouse tumors and human xenografts. A sensitive, specific HPLC method was developed to measure NLCQ-1 in biological fluids. Calibration curves were linear in the range 10.4–667 ng/ml and the lower limit of quantitation was 10.4 ng/ml in plasma. NLCQ-1 was stable in organic solvents, buffered solutions and human plasma for 24 h at 37°C. NLCQ-1 was unstable in rodent and dog plasma when incubated for longer than 10 h. NLCQ-1 human plasma protein binding was high (about 99%), and included binding to both α1-acid glycoprotein and serum albumin. The plasma elimination of NLCQ-1 in mice after a 10-mg/kg intravenous bolus dose was described by a two-compartment open model with t1/2β, Vss, and ClTB values of 41.3 min, 2.04 l/kg and 69.9 ml/min per kg, respectively. NLCQ-1 had high (85%) intraperitoneal and modest (28%) oral relative bioavailability. Little of the administered NLCQ-1 dose (6.4%) was excreted in 24-h urine. The mouse pharmacokinetic data suggested that oral administration may achieve plasma concentration and systemic exposure similar to those observed after intravenous administration of NLCQ-1.
Automatic generation of data processing workflows for transportation modeling

Scientists, economists, and planners in government, industry and academia spend much of their time accessing, integrating, and analyzing data. However, many of their studies are one-of-a-kind with little sharing and reuse for subsequent endeavors. The Argos project seeks to improve the productivity of analysts by providing a framework that encourages reuse of data sources and data processing operations, and by developing tools to generate data processing workflows.In this paper, we present an approach to automatically generate data processing workflows. First, we define a methodology for assigning formal semantics to data and operations according to a domain ontology, which allows sharing and reuse. Specifically, we define data contents using relational descriptions in an expressive logic. Second, we develop a novel planner that uses relational subsumption to connect the output of a data processing operation with the input of another. Our modeling methodology has the significant advantage that the planner can automatically insert adaptor operations wherever necessary to bridge the inputs and outputs of operations in the workflow. We have implemented the approach in a transportation modeling domain.
The lack of effect of basic and acidic fibroblast growth factors on the naturally occurring death of neurons in the chick embryo

In vivo treatment of developing chick embryos with acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) failed to affect the differentiation and survival of several populations of developing neurons in the CNS and PNS. All of the neuronal populations examined are known to undergo naturally occurring cell death, and they include spinal and cranial motoneurons, dorsal root ganglia, sympathetic ganglia, nodose ganglia, ciliary ganglia, and sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the PNS, as well as the accessory oculomotor nucleus, the isthmo-optic nucleus, and the brainstem auditory nuclei laminaris and magnocellularis in the CNS. Despite the lack of effect of bFGF on neuronal survival and differentiation, in vivo treatment increased the serum levels of bFGF and stimulated the proliferation of non-neuronal cells in the spinal cord. Therefore, although the administration of exogenous FGF to the developing chick embryo in vivo clearly has some biological activity in the CNS, it was nonetheless ineffective in promoting neuronal survival or differentiation. These data do not support the idea that FGF is a physiologically relevant neurotrophic agent in the developing avian nervous system.
Calcium deprivation increases salt intake

Relative to rats fed chow or semisynthetic control diet, rats fed Ca2(+)-deficient diet increased daily "spontaneous" intake of 0.3 M NaCl solution by as much as eightfold. Intake of 0.3 M NaCl increased in monotonic relationship to the severity of Ca2+ deficiency, which was manipulated by both duration of depletion (0-32 days) and dietary Ca2+ content (0-50 mmol/kg Ca2+). The increased intake was specific to either Na+ or saltiness; relative to controls, Ca2(+)-deprived rats drank more of a wide range of NaCl solutions (0.05-0.50 M) but the same volume of 0.37 mM sucrose octaacetate (bitter), slightly more 2.5 mM citrate (sour), and significantly less 2.5 mM saccharin (sweet). Although urine volume of Ca2(+)-deprived rats was increased, total Na+ excretion was slightly decreased. Adrenal weights, hematocrit, and plasma concentrations of Na+, aldosterone, and angiotensin I were all normal. These results reveal that Ca2+ deficiency increases NaCl intake and thus challenge the notion that salt appetite is a specific response to perturbed Na+ homeostasis.
Improving High-Dimensional Indexing with Heuristics for Content-Based Image Retrieval

Most high-dimensional indexing structures proposed for similarity query in content-based image retrieval (CBIR) systems are tree-structured. The quality of a high-dimensional tree-structured index is mainly determined by its insertion algorithm. Our approach focuses on an important phase in insertion, that is, the tree descending phase, when the tree is explored to find a host node to accommodate the vector to be inserted. We propose to integrate a heuristic algorithm in tree descending in order to find a better host node and thus improve the quality of the resulting index. A heuristic criteria for child selection has been developed, which takes into account both the similarity-based distance and the radius-increasing of the potential host node. Our approach has been implemented and tested on an image database. Our experiments show that the proposed approach can improve the quality of high-dimensional indices without much run-time overhead.
Detecting tropical nocturnal birds using automated audio recordings

Nocturnal bird assemblages are poorly known in most tropical locations, and information about their presence and behavior is often limited to the results of dawn or dusk surveys. We investigated the use of manual- and automatic-detection methods to identify nocturnal birds in acoustic recordings made at Soberania National Park, Republic of Panama. Five nocturnal species were detected in dusk recordings, and a sixth species (Great Potoo, Nyctibius grandis) was detected only after dark. Automatic data template detectors (DTD's) were developed and used to detect Crested Owls (Lophostrix cristata), Black-and-White Owls (Ciccaba nigrolineata), Vermiculated Screech-Owls (Megasops guatemalae), and Great Potoos. Manual analysis of 300 h of overnight recordings allowed us to quantify DTD performance. Sensitivity, the proportion of known calls of target species identified by DTDs, ranged from 0.17 for Black-and-White Owls to 0.79 for Vermiculated Screech-Owls. Positive predictive value, the proportion of detected sounds that corresponded to the target species, ranged from 0.39 for Black-and-White Owls to 0.60 for Crested Owls. Our results demonstrate that a combination of manual and automated analysis of audio recordings can provide a verifiable, systematic method to determine the presence of nocturnal birds in tropical forests, investigate temporal activity, and calculate detection probability. RESUMEN Los ensambles de aves nocturnas son poco conocidos en la mayoria de lugares tropicales, y la informacion sobre su presencia y su comportamiento es a menudo limitada a los resultados de muestreos realizados al amanecer o al atardecer. Investigamos el uso de metodos manuales y automaticos de deteccion para identificar las aves nocturnas en las grabaciones acusticas realizadas en el Parque Nacional Soberania, Republica de Panama. Cinco especies nocturnas se detectaron en las grabaciones realizadas en el ocaso, y una sexta especie (Nyctibius grandis) solo se detecto en la oscuridad. Detectores automaticos de datos en plantilla (DDP) fueron desarrollados y utilizados para detectar Lophostrix cristata, Ciccaba nigrolineata, Megasops guatemalae, y N. grandis. El analisis manual de 300 horas de grabaciones nocturnas nos ha permitido cuantificar el rendimiento de los DDP. La sensibilidad, cual es la proporcion de llamadas conocidas de las especies identificadas por los DDP, oscilo entre 0,17 para C. nigrolineata a 0,79 para M. guatemalae. El valor predictivo positivo (VPP), cual es la proporcion de los sonidos detectados que correspondia a la especie objetivo, oscilo entre 0,39 para C. nigrolineata a 0,60 para L. cristata. Nuestros resultados demuestran que una combinacion de analisis de grabacion de audio manual y automatizado puede proporcionar un metodo verificable y sistematico para determinar la presencia de aves nocturnas en los bosques tropicales, investigar su actividad temporal, y calcular la probabilidad de deteccion.
The Unintended Consequences of Measuring Quality on the Quality of Medical Care

It was midafternoon, and I was 30 minutes behind schedule. My next appointment was with a new patient, Mr. H., a 50-year-old man whose chief symptom was headaches. I spent more than the scheduled time with Mr. H., but the visit went well. I made a diagnosis of tension headaches, which he accepted after some explanation. As I put my hand on the doorknob to leave the room, now 40 minutes behind schedule (this wouldn't help my scores on surveys of patient and staff satisfaction), Mr. H. said, “Oh, by the way, sometimes I get a bit more short of . . .
Pressure broadening of methane lines in the 6190Åand 6825Åbands at room and low temperatures

Abstract Measurements of pressure broadened half-widths have been performed for one vibration-rotation line in the 6190Amethane band and one vibration-rotation line in the 6825Amethane band. Self-, nitrogen-, hydrogen- and helium-broadening have been measured over a temperature range of 77–295 K. Pressure broadening coefficients and temperature dependence indices have been obtained for each line and broadening gas.
Anticipated affective consequences of physical activity adoption and maintenance.

Objective: The expected emotional consequences of future actions are thought to play an important role in health behavior change. This research examined whether anticipated affective consequences of success and failure vary across stages of physical activity change and differentially predict physical activity adoption as compared to maintenance. Design: Using a prospective design over a 3-smonth period, a community sample of 329 healthy, middle-aged adults were assessed at 2 time points. Main Outcome Measures: Anticipated positive and negative emotions, stage of behavior change (precontemplation [PC], contemplation [C], preparation [P], action [A], maintenance [M]), and level of physical activity. Results: At baseline, anticipated positive emotions were greater in C versus PC, whereas anticipated negative emotions were greater in M versus A and in M versus P. Higher anticipated positive but not negative emotions predicted physical activity adoption and maintenance after 3 months. Conclusion: Although the expected affective consequences of future success and failure differentiated among individuals in the early and later stages of physical activity change, respectively; only the anticipated affective consequences of success predicted future behavior.
Information consumption by Reissner-Nordström black holes.

The low-energy scattering of charged fermions by extremal magnetic Reissner-Nordstrom black holes is analyzed in the large-N and S-wave approximations. It is shown that (in these approximations) information is carried into a causally inaccessible region of spacetime, and thereby effectively lost. It is also shown that there is an infinite degeneracy of quantum black hole ground states, or "remnants," which store, but will not reveal, the information. A notable feature of the analysis, not shared by recent analyses of dilatonic black holes, is that the key physical questions can be answered within the weak coupling domain. We regard these results as strong evidence that effective information loss occurs in our Universe.
Northern Iroquoian Sociopolitical Organization1

Data from seventeenth-century documents on the Iroquoian-speaking Hurons indicates that their sociopolitical organization was virtually identical to that of the ethno-graphically better-known Iroquois. The Hurons had a tribal and a clan organization both of which systems resembled the comparable Iroquois ones in the specific details known.
Surface electronic properties probed with tunnelling microscopy and chemical doping

Scanning tunnelling microscopy1–3 (STM) can provide atomic-resolution images of surfaces in vacuum4,5, air6 and liquids7,8. One of the most appealing aspects of such images is that they appear to reflect surface structure directly; these tunnelling images, however, contain contributions from both the structural and the electronic properties of a surface1–5. Although an understanding of these properties is essential to an understanding of the fundamental nature and reactivity of surfaces, few methods5 are available to separate them, especially in air and in liquids. Here we report a new approach to this problem that combines chemical modifications with tunnelling microscopy. Samples of the layered material tantalum disulphide (TaS2) have been substitutionally doped with titanium to prepare materials of the general form TixTa1–xS2. STM images of native TaS2 are dominated by a charge density wave state9–11. Using titanium doping, we have been able to perturb this unusual electronic feature systematically so that the surface structure can be imaged clearly. Such studies of chemically modified materials (prepared, for example by doping or intercalation) should lead to a better understanding of the features contained in STM images.
Regulatory Application of ELISA: Compliance Monitoring of Bromacil in Soil

California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Pesticide Regulation, Environmental Monitoring and Pesticide Management Branch, 1020 N Street, Sacramento, California 95814, USA Departments of Entomology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA Center for Analytical Chemistry, California Department of Food and Agriculture, 3292 Meadowview Road, Sacramento, California 95832, USA
Mixed hemangioma and lymphangioma of the jejunum: an unusual cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding

Mixed hemangioma and lymphangioma of the jejunum: an unusual cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
An ND-6 mitochondrial DNA mutation associated with leber hereditary optic neuropathy

A mitochondrial DNA mutation at nucleotide position 14,484 was found in 14 independent probands with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and in 0/250 controls. The 14,484 mutation, which changes methionine-64 to valine in a conserved domain of the ND-6 gene, occurred in association with a mitochondrial DNA haplotype that includes the 13,708 secondary mutation in 10/14 probands. An associated mutation at nucleotide position 3,394, which changes conserved tyrosine-30 to histidine in the ND-1 gene, was observed in 5/14 probands positive for the 14,484 mutation, all of whom harbored the same mitochondrial DNA haplotype. Multiple mitochondrial DNA mutations may interact in the pathogenesis of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and the 13,708 secondary mutation appears to play a central role in this process.
Relative importance of activation sequence compared to atrioventricular synchrony in left ventricular function

This study evaluated the relative hemodynamic importance of a normal left ventricular (LV) activation sequence compared to atrioventricular (AV) synchrony with respect to systolic and diastolic function. Twelve patients with intact AV conduction and AV sequential pacemakers underwent radionuclide studies at rest and Doppler echocardiographic studies at rest and during submaximal exercise, comparing atrial demand pacing (AAI) to sequential AV sensing pacing (DDD) and ventricular demand pacing (VVI). Studies at rest were performed at a constant heart rate between pacing modes, and the exercise study was performed at a constant heart rate and work load. Cardiac output was higher during AAI than during both DDD and VVI (6.2 +/- 1 vs 5.6 +/- 1 and 5.3 +/- 1 liters/min, p less than 0.05). LV ejection fraction was likewise higher during AAI (55 +/- 12 vs 49 +/- 11 vs 51 +/- 13, p less than 0.05). VVI with or without AV synchrony was associated with a paradoxical septal motion pattern, resulting in a 25% impairment of regional septal ejection fraction. In addition, LV contraction duration was more homogenous during AAI. Peak filling rate during AAI and VVI was higher than during DDD (2.86 +/- 1 and 2.95 +/- 1 vs 2.25 +/- 1 end-diastolic volume/s; p less than 0.05). During VVI, the time to peak filling was significantly shorter than during both AAI and DDD (165 +/- 34 vs 239 +/- 99 and 224 +/- 99 ms; p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Assessment and Accountability for Programs Serving Young Children with Disabilities

States currently are in the process of developing child and family outcome measurement systems for young children with disabilities to meet federal data reporting requirements for the Part C (Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities) and Part B Preschool Grants program supported through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This article reviews issues related to the use of assessments in providing outcome data, discusses challenges raised in conducting valid assessments with young children for accountability purposes, and outlines decisions states must make related to assessment as they design and implement outcome measurement approaches. Considerations related to the standardized or curriculum-based measures are discussed along with other choices related to the use of assessment for accountability.
Measurement of the surface dilatational viscosity of aqueous gelatin-surfactant solutions

Abstract A new method for the measurement of the interfacial dilatational viscosity has been developed and was used to determine the surface dilatational viscosity of gelatin-surfactant solutions. The mathematical analysis and correlations of the results are included. Experimental results on interfacial dilatational viscosity are very limited, and there are no systematic studies available on the surfactant concentration and temperature dependence of interfacial dilatational viscosity. The surface dilatational viscosity of the phase interface formed between gelatin-surfactant solutions and air was determined as function of surfactant concentration at various temperatures by means of a bubble growth device, designed and constructed in our laboratory. The surface dilatational viscosity of the gelatin-surfactant solutions was found to increase with temperature and exhibited a minimum at the critical micelle concentration for all temperatures investigated. Although we assume negligible surface tension variation effects which may be utilized only in certain systems, the method does provide a direct measurement of the dilatational viscosity, not coupled with the surface shear viscosity.
The Actin-Bundling Protein Palladin Is an Akt1-Specific Substrate that Regulates Breast Cancer Cell Migration

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is frequently deregulated in cancer. Downstream of PI3K, Akt1 and Akt2 have opposing roles in breast cancer invasive migration, leading to metastatic dissemination. Here, we identify palladin, an actin-associated protein, as an Akt1-specific substrate that modulates breast cancer cell invasive migration. Akt1, but not Akt2, phosphorylates palladin at Ser507 in a domain that is critical for F-actin bundling. Downregulation of palladin enhances migration and invasion of breast cancer cells and induces abnormal branching morphogenesis in 3D cultures. Palladin phosphorylation at Ser507 is required for Akt1-mediated inhibition of breast cancer cell migration and also for F-actin bundling, leading to the maintenance of an organized actin cytoskeleton. These findings identify palladin as an Akt1-specific substrate that regulates cell motility and provide a molecular mechanism that accounts for the functional distinction between Akt isoforms in breast cancer cell signaling to cell migration.
Shear properties at the PyC/SiC interface of a TRISO-coating

The failure behavior of TRISO-coated fuel particles depends significantly on the shear strength at the interface between the inner pyrolytic carbon (PyC) and silicon carbide (SiC) coatings. In this study, a micro-indentation fiber push-out test was applied to measure the interfacial shear properties of a model TRISO-coated tube. Of particular emphasis is that this study developed a non-linear shear-lag model for a transversely isotropic composite material due to insufficiency in the existing isotropic models as applied to layered TRISO-coating systems. In the model, the effects of thermal residual stresses and the roughness-induced clamping stress were identified as particularly important. The rigorous model proposed in this study provides more reasonable data on two important interfacial parameters: the interfacial debond shear strength and the interfacial friction stress. The modified model coupled with experiments yields an interfacial debond shear strength of 240 ± 40 MPa. This high interfacial strength, though slightly lower than that obtained by the existing isotropic model (∼280 MPa), allows significant loads to be transferred between inner PyC and SiC in application. Additionally, an interfacial friction stress of 120 ± 30 MPa was determined. This high friction stress is attributed primarily to the roughness at the cracked interface rather than clamping effects due to differing coefficients of thermal expansion.
Mapping Echoes with TACT in the Old French Epic the Charroi de Nîmes1

Presentation du logiciel TACT capable d'analyser les constantes et les variantes dans les phenomenes de repetitions caracterisant la poesie epique medievale (cliche epique et oral formula). Exemple du Charroi de Nimes
Aromatase Expression in the Ovary: Hormonal and Molecular Regulation

Estrogens are synthesized by the aromatase enzyme encoded by the Cyp19a1 gene, which contains an unusually large regulatory region. In most mammals, aromatase expression is under the control of two distinct promoters a gonad- and a brain-specific promoter. In humans, this gene contains 10 tissue-specific promoters that are alternatively used in various cell types and tumors. Each promoter is regulated by a distinct set of regulatory sequences and transcription factors that bind to these specific sequences. The cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway is considered to be the primary signaling cascade through which the gonad Cyp19 promoter is regulated. Very interestingly, in rat luteal cells, the proximal promoter is not controlled in a cAMP dependent manner. Strikingly, these cells express aromatase at high levels similar to those found in preovulatory follicles, suggesting that alternative and powerful mechanisms control aromatase expression in luteal cells and that the rat corpus luteum represents an important paradigm for understanding alternative controls of the aromatase gene. Here, the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling the expression of the aromatase gene in granulosa and luteal cells are discussed.