cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoperiodic disruption of photorefractoriness in the ewe.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the duration of exposure to a long-day or short-day photoperiod required to disrupt photorefractoriness to short-day and long-day photoperiods, respectively. In Experiment 1, 4 groups of Suffolk breed ewes-designated Bi, B2, B3, and B4-were placed in photochambers one day before the winter solstice, exposed to a 16L:8D photoperiod for 0, 30, 60, or 90 days, and then exposed to a 1OL:14D photoperiod until the time of the summer solstice. Blood samples taken by venipuncture thrice weekly were analyzed for progesterone concentrations. The interval between start of the study and cessation of estrous cycles did not differ significantly between groups (p>0.05). All 6 ewes in Group Bl then remained in anestrus for the duration of the study. Four of the 6 ewes in Group B2, and all ewes in Groups B3 and B4 resumed cycles after exposure to the 1OL:14D photoperiod. In Experiment 2, 4 groups of ewesdesignated Al, A2, A3, and A4-were placed in photochambers one day before the summer solstice, exposed to a 1OL:14D photoperiod for 0, 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively, and then exposed to a 16L:8Dphotoperiod. Ewes in Group Al started estrous cycles at a time not significantly different from ewes kept outdoors. However, onset of cycles was significantly advanced (p<0.O5) in ewes exposed to JOL:14D. After ewes were returned to the 16L:8D photoperiod, estrous cycles were suppressed in 5 of 6 ewes in Group A2 and in all ewes in Groups A3 and A4. Ewes in Group Al cycled as long as ewes kept outdoors. In summary, results indicate that 30 days of exposure to a l6L:8D photoperiod starting at the winter solstice was sufficient to restore responsiveness to short days in most ewes. Similarly, 30 days of exposure to a 1OL:14D photoperiod starting at the summer solstice restored responsiveness to long days in 5 of 6 ewes. It remains to be determined whether the rate at which photoresponsiveness is restored depends on the length of the daily light phase.
The Structure of Irisin Reveals a Novel Intersubunit β-Sheet Fibronectin Type III (FNIII) Dimer IMPLICATIONS FOR RECEPTOR ACTIVATION

Irisin was recently identified as a putative myokine that is induced by exercise. Studies suggest that it is produced by cleavage of the FNDC5 (fibronectin domain-containing protein 5) receptor; irisin corresponds to the extracellular receptor ectodomain. Data suggesting that irisin stimulates white-to-brown fat conversion have led to the hypothesis that it does so by binding an unknown receptor, thus functioning as a myokine. As brown fat promotes energy dissipation, myokines that elicit the transformation of white to brown fat have potentially profound benefits in the treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders. Understanding the molecular basis for such exercise-induced phenomena is thus of considerable interest. Moreover, FNDC5-like receptors are highly conserved and have been shown to be critical for neuronal development. However, the structural and molecular mechanisms utilized by these proteins are currently unknown. Here, we describe the crystal structure and biochemical characterization of the FNDC5 ectodomain, corresponding to the irisin myokine. The 2.28 A structure shows that irisin consists of an N-terminal fibronectin III (FNIII)-like domain attached to a flexible C-terminal tail. Strikingly, the FNIII-like domain forms a continuous intersubunit β-sheet dimer, previously unobserved for any FNIII protein. Biochemical data confirm that irisin is a dimer and that dimerization is unaffected by glycosylation. This finding suggests a possible mechanism for receptor activation by the irisin domain as a preformed myokine dimer ligand or as a paracrine or autocrine dimerization module on FNDC5-like receptors.
Amine-quinone polyurethanes. I: Preparation of polyurethane block copolymers containing 2,5-bis(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-1,4-benzoquinone diol monomer

The amine-quinone monomer, 2,5–bis(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-1,4-benzoqui-none (AQM-1), was prepared by the multiple-step condensation of 2-(N-methylam-ino)ethanol with benzoquinone in the presence of oxygen. This crystalline monomer was used to prepare a series of amine-quinone polyurethanes by condensation polymerization, either in the melt or in solution (THF or DMF), with a diisocyanate (MDI, TDI, or IPDI) and an oligomeric diol [poly(caprolactone) or poly(1,2-butylene glycol)]. The amine-quinone functional group was stable under the polymerization conditions, and was incorporated into the main chain, giving red-brown polyurethanes that had molecular weights in the range of 11,000–90,000 and were soluble in THF, MEK, DMF, and DMSO. The thermal properties were consistent with a two-phase morphology with an amorphous soft segment, containing the oligomeric diol, and a microcrystalline hard segment, containing AQM-1. The polymers having a low hard segment content ( 50%) were thermoplastic (hard segment Tg>150°C). © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Security-conscious XML indexing

To support secure exchanging and sharing of XML data over the Internet, a myriad of XML access control mechanisms have been proposed. In the setting of node-level fine-grained access control, query evaluation is a process of locating XML nodes that (1) satisfy query constraints, and (2) do not violate security policies. In this regard, we propose and empirically validate a suite of XML indices for multi-level XML security model.
Electrophoretic detection of single-nucleotide polymorphisms

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent the most prevalent class of genetic markers available for linkage disequilibrium or cladistic analyses. PCR primers may be labeled with fluorescent dyes and used to rapidly and accurately differentiate among alleles that are defined by a single-nucleotide differences. Here, we describe the primer-mediated detection of SNPs based on primer mismatch during allele-specific amplification of preamplified target sequences. Primers are labeled with different fluors at their 5' nucleotides, with their 3' termini at the transition mutation that defines allelic variation at the target locus. Each primer perfectly matches one of the two available alleles for each locus. Electrophoretic detection permits characterization of the product both by size and fluor. This report demonstrates some of the capabilities of this assay, including heterozygote determination and multiplexed analysis.
Fjord insertion into continental margins driven by topographic steering of ice

Fjords line mountainous continental margins where icesheets and glaciers once stood. A two-dimensional model simulation suggests that fjords can be eroded within one million years, primarily in response to topographic ice steering and erosion from ice discharge. Subsequent glaciers that form on these landscapes are smaller and exhibit greater responses to climate change.
Metriculator: quality assessment for mass spectrometry based proteomics

SUMMARY Quality control in mass spectrometry-based proteomics remains subjective, labor-intensive and inconsistent between laboratories. We introduce Metriculator, a software designed to facilitate long-term storage of extensive performance metrics as introduced by NIST in 2010. Metriculator features a web interface that generates interactive comparison plots for contextual understanding of metric values and an automated metric generation toolkit. The comparison plots are designed for at-a-glance determination of outliers and trends in the datasets, together with relevant statistical comparisons. Easy-to-use quantitative comparisons and a framework for integration plugins will encourage a culture of quality assurance within the proteomics community. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION Available under the MIT license at http://github.com/princelab/metriculator.
Learning conditional effects of actions for robot navigation

GINKO, an integrated learning and planning system that has been applied to an autonomous mobile robot domain, is described. The goal of GINKO's learning system is to partition the robot's configuration space into regions in which actions exhibit a uniform qualitative behavior. This partitioning is performed by an inductive learning algorithm that classifies regions of the configuration space with regard to the effects of the robot's actions when executed in those regions. GINKO's learning is driven by its attempts to perform tasks. Thus, the learned effects of actions are directly applicable to normal system performance. >
IS APOPTOSIS MEDIATED BY REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES

Apoptosis is a common mode of programmed cell death occurring during development as well as in many pathological conditions, in which the cell plays an active role in its own demise. Although the morphological and biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis are conserved across phyla and cell type, the mechanism(s) of apoptosis is unknown. However, data recently published demonstrate that expression of the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 decreases the net cellular generation of reactive oxygen species, and that reactive oxygen species serve as mediators of apoptosis in at least some cases.
Effects Of Revisions To The CRA In 1995 On Regulatory Enforcement

Revisions to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) enacted in 1995 were intended to focus greater regulatory attention on objective assessments of CRA-targeted lending. To determine the effectiveness of the revisions, we examine CRA regulatory practices, 1990 through 2000, utilizing a sample of 25,601 bank examinations. Our empirical evidence indicates that CRA examination scheduling reflected CRA ratings and real estate loan levels in the period before, but not after, enactment of the revisions, and that examination intervals, particularly for small banks, lengthened. For a subsample of banks with substandard CRA ratings, changes in loan levels influenced their odds of recovery to a satisfactory rating after, but not before, enactment of the revisions.
On the capacity of bounded rank modulation for flash memories

Rank modulation has been recently introduced as a new information representation scheme for flash memories. Given the charge levels of a group of flash cells, sorting is used to induce a permutation, which in turn represents data. Motivated by the lower sorting complexity of smaller cell groups, we consider bounded rank modulation, where a sequence of permutations of given sizes are used to represent data. We study the capacity of bounded rank modulation under the condition that permutations can overlap for higher capacity.
Communication Apprehension Among College Students in America, Australia, Japan, and Korea

Summary Considerable research has been completed in America on apprehension about oral communication, but little is known about its effects in other countries. This study investigated its prevalence among selected groups of male and female college students in America (N = 397), Australia (N = 219), Japan (N = 504), and Korea (N = 73), by means of the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension for College Students. The results indicated that the Americans had a significantly lower incidence of apprehension than the Japanese but a significantly higher incidence than the Australians and Koreans.
Identifying competence in the context of the pediatric anogenital exam.

PROBLEM Appraisals of and concerns about the pediatric anogenital exam in order to promote a better understanding of predisposing factors that may underlie some people's adjustment to these exceptional circumstances. METHODS Thirty-three girls ages 8–15 and 82 adult guardians rated their acute exam appraisals and concerns using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Data were collected immediately after the anogenital exam at a pediatric outpatient clinic specializing in medical evaluations following allegations of child sexual abuse. FINDINGS Participants reported relatively low levels of acute exam concerns as well as relatively high appraisals of the exam's importance and desirability, their ability to emotionally tolerate the exam, and optimism regarding the event's potential amelioration. CONCLUSIONS Data suggested the presence of specific competencies that may be instrumental in safeguarding children's and adult guardians' psychological well-being in the context of the pediatric anogenital exam.
Regulation of sodium transport in M-1 cells

The M-1 cell line, derived from the mouse cortical collecting duct (CCD), is being used as a mammalian model of the CCD to study Na+ transport. The present studies aimed to further define the role ...
Autonomous Mine Detection Sensors (AMDS)

The Autonomous Mine Detection Sensors (AMDS) program is developing a prototype autonomous mine-detection sensor suite designed to be mounted on a small robotic platform that can find buried anti-personnel mines. Over the past two years, CyTerra Corp. and NIITEK, Inc. have developed complementary senor suites using a variety of ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor configurations. The AMDS program is also working with industry and academia to develop automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithms. This paper provides a brief overview of evaluations that have been performed at Army facilities. Probability of Detection (Pd) and Probability of False Alarm (Pfa) results are provided for signal-to-noise type detection algorithms and also for promising pattern classification and neural network algorithms that were developed by Duke University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and the University of Florida. After an evaluation in October 2005, both contractors' sensors performed comparably (about 90% Pd and 40% Pfa) against low-metal anti-personnel mines at an Army test site seeded with typical clutter. In some cases, university-developed pattern classification and neural network algorithms have reduced the Pfa by a factor of two against these clutter sets.
Elements of Classical Mechanics

Based on d’Alembert’s principle, we formulate Hamilton’s integral principle by defining a function \(L = L(q_{i},\dot{q}_{i},t)\) such that for any mechanical system the variation of the integral \(\int _{t_{0}}^{t_{1}}L\) dt vanishes along any real path (Fig. 4.1) so that $$\displaystyle{ \delta \int _{t_{0}}^{t_{1} }L(t)\text{d}t = 0. }$$ (4.1)
Roles of chemosensory organs in food discrimination by larvae of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The role of five different peripheral chemosensory organs in food discrimination by Manduca sexta (Johan.) larvae was examined by determining the competence of each organ and its necessity to mediate this behavior. Various host and non-host plant species were used in food choice tests to examine whether the same or different chemosensory organs mediate food discrimination.
Severe First Trimester Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a disorder of defective bile acid transport that results in systemic accumulation of bile acids and typically presents in the third trimester of pregnancy with intense pruritus. A positive linear correlation exists between total bile acid level and poor pregnancy outcome, and labor is typically induced at 37 weeks gestation to prevent intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD). Case Study We present the most severe reported case of recurrent ICP presenting early in the first trimester. The patient was delivered by repeat cesarean section at 31 6/7 weeks gestation resulting in a viable female infant. Conclusion Iatrogenic preterm delivery may be indicated in early-severe recurrent ICP to prevent IUFD, but more research is needed.
A Buddhist Critique of, and Learning from, Christian Liberation Theology

This article is an exercise in comparative theology from a Buddhist perspective. Christian liberation theology and engaged Buddhism both seek to empower people by liberating them from causes of suf...
De Rham cohomology of manifolds containing the points of infinite type, and Sobolev estimates for the\(\bar \partial - Neumann\) problem

We consider smooth bounded pseudoconvex domains Ω in Cn whose boundary points of infinite type are contained in a smooth submanifoldM (with or without boundary) of the boundary having its (real) tangent space at each point contained in the null space of the Levi form ofbΩ at the point. (In particular, complex submanifolds satisfy this condition.) We consider a certain one-form α onbΩ and show that it represents a De Rham cohomology class on submanifolds of the kind described. We prove that if α represents the trivial cohomology class onM, then the Bergman projection and the $$\bar \partial - Neumann$$ operator on Ω are continuous in Sobolev norms. This happens, in particular, ifM has trivial first De Rham cohomology, for instance, ifM is simply connected.
The Effects of Standardization in All the Expanded Program on Immunization(EPI) Services Place in Haizhu District.

Objective In order to compare the EPI Services in Haizhu District between 2003 and 2006.Meth- ods Uses the epidemiology method to analyze the data from EPI services in Haizhu District during three years.Re- suits There are thirty eight EPI services place had passed through the proving from 2003 to 2006,The rate of qual- ification is 100%.the EPI services is standardization.Conclusion The quality and level of the EPI Services is eleva- tion,The effect is satisfactory.
Implementing an EMR system: one clinic's experience.

An account of the major issues involved in implementing an EMR system in a small outpatient residency practice. Examples include pre-planning, configuring software, training staff and redesigning work systems.
Abstract IA08: Hypoxia, metabolism, and tumor progression

Solid tumors typically develop hostile microenvironments characterized by irregular vascularization and poor oxygen (O2) and nutrient supply. Whereas normal cells modulate anabolic and catabolic pathways in response to changes in nutrient availability, cancer cells exhibit unregulated growth even under nutrient scarcity. Recent studies have demonstrated that constitutive activation of growth-promoting pathways results in dependence on unsaturated fatty acids for survival under O2 deprivation. In cancer cells, this dependence represents a critical metabolic vulnerability that could be exploited therapeutically. I will review how this dependence on unsaturated lipids is affected by the microenvironmental conditions faced by cancer cells. Citation Format: M Celeste Simon. Hypoxia, metabolism, and tumor progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2015 Oct 23-26; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA08.
Removal of nocturnal secretion of melatonin fails to reduce antibody synthesis and interleukin-2 production of lambs.

Crossbred ewe and wether lambs were used to evaluate the effects of a normal, nocturnal elevation in the concentration of melatonin in the serum on immunological functions. The nocturnal elevation in melatonin was eliminated by exposing half the lambs to constant light (LL), whereas the remainder received a 12-h light, 12-h dark cycle (LD). Immune function was challenged by treating half the lambs in LL and half of the lambs in LD with dexamethasone (DEX; .04 mg/kg); the remainder of the lambs received only a saline vehicle (SAL). The resulting treatment combinations were designated LD+SAL (n = 5), LD+DEX (n = 5), LL+SAL (n = 5), and LL+DEX (n = 5). Lambs were stanchioned individually in environmental rooms; photoperiod treatments commenced on that day (d -14). Also on d -14, lambs were given 1 mg ovalbumin/lamb in adjuvant. Lambs were given a booster injection of .5 mg ovalbumin/lamb on d 0. Treatments with DEX and SAL also began on d 0 and were repeated every 48 h through d 14. Catheters were placed in the jugular vein of all lambs on d 12; samples of plasma and serum were collected hourly from 0800 on d 14 to 0800 on d 15; plasma was assayed for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and serum was assayed for cortisol and melatonin. In addition, samples of serum obtained at 0800 on d 15 were used to evaluate antibody titers to ovalbumin. Samples of whole blood also were obtained at 0800 on d 15, and total and differential leukocyte numbers and production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by lymphocytes were determined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Planning an overseas extension program.

An educational program in another country established the mechanism for a variety of other possibilities. Faculty in the host country may provide the setting in which U.S. students can gain intercultural experience. Students may be able to conduct an independent study in the host country or, if sufficient numbers are available, a U.S. course may be adapted and offered in the host country. If ample funds exist, a two-way student and/or faculty exchange may be possible, thereby adding to the curricula of both schools. Opportunities for joint research and publishing may also become available. For example, long-term evaluation of the educational program and use of the program graduates in the host country would be of interest; research in the specialty areas of faculty may also be possible. The difficulties inherent in planning and implementing a program in another country are numerous; however, with foresight and ample time for planning, the benefits to both students and faculty in the host and home institutions can outweigh the drawbacks.
Biopsy of Apparently Normal Urothelium in Patients with Bladder Carcinoma

AbstractWe obtained 246 cold cup biopsies from pre-selected sites of apparently non-tumor-bearing bladder urothelium from 82 patients who presented with bladder cancer for the first time. Of 75 patients with transitional cell carcinoma 32 (43 per cent) suffered coincidental urothelial abnormalities, the most common being atypia. Significant abnormalities occurred more commonly (77 per cent) in association with high grade tumors than with low grade tumors (15 per cent).
Risk of Nontargeted Infectious Disease Hospitalizations Among US Children Following Inactivated and Live Vaccines, 2005-2014.

Background Recent studies have shown that some vaccines have beneficial effects that cannot be explained solely by the prevention of their respective targeted disease(s). Methods We used the MarketScan US Commercial Claims Databases for 2005 to 2014 to assess the risk of hospital admission for nontargeted infectious (NTI) diseases in children aged 16 through 24 months according to the last vaccine type (live and/or inactivated). We included children continuously enrolled within a month of birth through 15 months who received at least 3 doses of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine by the end of 15 months of age. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), stratifying by birthdate to control for age, year, and seasonality and adjusting for sex, chronic diseases, prior hospitalizations, number of outpatient visits, region of residence, urban/rural area of domicile, prematurity, low birth weight, and mother's age. Results 311663 children were included. In adjusted analyses, risk of hospitalization for NTI from ages 16 through 24 months was reduced for those who received live vaccine alone compared with inactivated alone or concurrent live and inactivated vaccines (HR, 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43, 0.57 and HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67, 0.91, respectively) and for those who received live and inactivated vaccines concurrently compared with inactivated-only (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58, 0.70). Conclusions We found lower risk of NTI disease hospitalizations from age 16 through 24 months among children whose last vaccine received was live compared with inactivated vaccine, as well as concurrent receipt compared with inactivated vaccine.
Offering a 'Hand-Up' Rather than a 'Handout'? Ethical Challenges in Employment-Based Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneurs adopt a variety of business models in their quest to alleviate social problems and create value for beneficiaries. Among these models, fundamental but largely unacknowledged differences exist between product-based ventures, which create value by producing goods and services and donate a portion of profits to beneficiaries, and employment-based ventures, which create value for beneficiaries through the provision of jobs. Employment-based social entrepreneurship is beginning to receive academic attention; however, the ethical decision points inherent in such models are particularly unclear. Using a qualitative, partially-inductive approach, this study examines several issues in employment-based social entrepreneurship including how entrepreneurs use employment as a solution to social problems, where such models stand relative to product-based models, and the ethical challenges involved in delivering value to beneficiaries through the provision of work. The study finds that engaging in employment-based social entrepreneurship creates unique ethical challenges associated with: the wages paid to beneficiaries, where goods and services are produced, and the collection and communication of beneficiaries’ narratives. The findings generate novel insights for social entrepreneurship and business ethics researchers and have concrete implications for practicing entrepreneurs.
Humanae Vitae and the Principle of Totality

(1989). “Humanae Vitae” and the Principle of Totality. The Linacre Quarterly: Vol. 56, No. 2, pp. 58-67.
Leisure and positive psychology: Complementary science for health and well-being

Presents an overview of the articles appearing in The Journal of Positive Psychology's special issue on Leisure as well as a summary of the overlap between positive psychology and leisure studies.
Community archaeology and heritage in coastal and Western Kenya

ABSTRACTWe have conducted research on the histories of slaving in Kenya, the growth and demise of urban centres along the Kenya coast, and the origins of inter-ethnic conflict and warfare in the Mo...
Institutional Coordination, Transactions Costs, and World Trade

Institutional arrangements and the transactions costs associated with them are a primary determinant of the level and composition of world exchange. An impressive number of strong theoretical conjectures may be derived from this proposition. These can be fleshed out by judicious use of historical evidence and by looking at features of contemporary trading relationships. The institutional theory of intersocial transactions does not dislodge the standard, widely-held comparative advantage theory. Rather, the conventional model remains a special and rather uninteresting boundary case, where there are no institutional frictions associated with crossborder exchanges and transactions costs equal zero. Adams [1987] presents the institutional theory at length. Adams [1984] adumbrates institutional international economic policies. The paramount thrust here is to proffer a thorough menu of international transactions costs. A subsidiary but crucial intention is to make an initial bid to estimate the scale of intersocial transfer costs, to examine how their impact has changed over time, and to assess the consequences for a set of modern bilateral trade flows.
Ethnic Cultural Features in Organized Activities: Relations to Latino Adolescents' Activity Experiences and Parental Involvement.

Cultural responsiveness is a key aspect of the quality of organized activities, yet has rarely been examined. Based on developmental theories and a theoretical framework for culturally responsive activities, the current study investigated the prevalence and correlates of two ethnic cultural features (i.e., ethnic cultural content & ethnic cultural respect) in organized activities. Using data from 154 Latino adolescents (Mage = 12.36, SD = .53; 59% Female) and parents, we examined associations between adolescent perceptions of both ethnic cultural features and their activity experiences; and associations between parent perceptions of both ethnic cultural features and parental involvement in the activity. Latino adolescents and parents in general perceived lower than average ethnic cultural content and moderate to high ethnic cultural respect in the reported activity. Both adolescents and parents were more likely to perceive ethnic cultural content and respect in activities where Latino youth were the numerical ethnic majority than in activities where Latino youth were the numerical ethnic minority. Latino adolescents’ perceptions of ethnic cultural respect were associated with more positive activity experiences, whereas their perceptions of ethnic cultural content were associated with more negative feelings. Latino parents’ perceptions of ethnic cultural content predicted higher involvement. To design culturally responsive activities, ethnic cultural features should be incorporated in a thoughtful, meaningful way that reflects both adolescents’ and parents’ perspectives.
Coordination in large-scale agile software development: integrating conditions and configurations in multiteam systems

The importance of software is evident in almost every aspect of our lives. Although some computers can automatically generate code, most code is written by human programmers; for the near future, s...
Units of interaction, evolution, and replication: Organic and behavioral parallels

Organic and behavioral evolution both involve variation, selection, and replication with retention; but the individuals involved in these processes differ in the two kinds of evolution. In this paper, biological units of evolution, selection, and retention are compared with analogous units at the behavioral level. In organic evolution, natural selection operates on variations among organisms within a species, with the result of preserving in future generations of organisms those heritable characteristics that contributed to the organism’s survival and reproduction. Species evolve as characteristics of the population change as a result of past selection. Continuity in a lineage in the biosphere is maintained by replication of genes with retention of organismic characteristics across successive generations of organisms. In behavioral evolution, reinforcement operates on variations among responses within an operant, with the result of preserving in future responses those characteristics that resulted in reinforcement. Continuity in a behavioral lineage, within the repertoire of a given organism, appears to involve retention and replication, but the unit of retention and replication is unknown. We suggest that the locus of retention and replication is the nervous system of the behaving organism.
Positive Recurrence: Weakly Connected Ergodic Classes

To study the positive recurrence and ergodicity, one of the conditions used in Chapters 3 and 4 is that the states of the switching process belong to only one ergodic class. In this chapter, we further our study by treating a more general class of problems. We consider the case that the states of the discrete event process belong to several “ergodic” classes that are weakly connected. This notion is made more precise in what follows. A key idea is the use of two-time-scale formulation; see [176, 177] and many references therein.
Comparable Worth in Gender Studies

Comparable worth, also known as pay equity, corrects for the gender-based wage gap that stems from occupational segregation. Compensation practices are infused with cultural stereotypes about the value of male and female work. Pay equity combats wage discrimination by requiring that female and male jobs of equivalent worth to the employer are paid equally. Job evaluation orders jobs based on diverse content characteristics. It is the institutional mechanism that perpetuates wage discrimination. Evaluation systems are often corrupted by gender bias. Comparable worth requires gender neutral job evaluation systems that describe and evaluate all jobs systematically and consistently and that uncover aspects of female work that have historically remained invisible. Despite the technical gains made in the creation of gender neutral job evaluation systems, these systems are rarely used to achieve pay equity in the United States. Comparable worth opponents have been reasonably successful in containing the impact of pay equity to the detriment of women workers. In spite of this containment, hundreds of thousands of people performing women's work have benefited from significant wage adjustments since the introduction of pay equity.
Multilevel trust: A theoretical and practical imperative

Levels of analysis has long been identified as a key feature of trust (Rousseau, Sitkin, Burt, & Camerer, 1998; Schoorman, Mayer, & Davis, 2007). Trust, as a product and driver of a relationship, b...
Logistic Regression-based Geomorphological Mapping in the Arabian Platform: Implications for the Paleohydrology and the Paleoclimate of the Arabian Desert

Throughout the Quaternary, the Arabian Peninsula witnessed alternation between dry and wet periods. During the wet periods, annual precipitation significantly increased leading to recharging the fossil aquifers, elevation of the groundwater table and development of drainage systems and waterfalls along the Central Arabian Arch (CAA). Landforms that were left behind these periods provide valuable clues for deciphering the paleohydrology and paleoclimate of the Arabian Desert. Herein we used logistic regression modeling with topographic analysis to delineate theater-headed valleys (THV) along the CAA. These valleys have peculiar morphometry (e.g. theater-like heads, stubby-looking geometry, U-shaped profiles, occurrence along escarpments and propagation along fractures) and are largely attributed to groundwater sapping and/or megaflooding and water fall erosion. The model uses different topographic datasets including stream power index, plan and profile curvatures, stream density and slope gradient. The model results show that THV are abundant along the plateau escarpments and deep fluvially-incised valleys in the CAA. Additional geological, hydrological and field assessments are required to further characterize the origin of THV and examine the respective roles of groundwater processes and surface water activities in shaping the CAA landscape. This paper presents a novel mapping approach of landforms on a regional scale.
Selective Microwave Heating of Organic Reaction Mixtures

Research in the Dudley Lab contributes to the development of emerging and enabling technologies for chemical synthesis. This presentation will feature experiments and observations from a long-standing collaboration with A. E. Stiegman and colleagues at Florida State University on the use of microwave electromagnetic radiation to produce the thermal energy needed to accelerate dynamic chemical processes.
Selective Inhibition of Human Monoamine Oxidase B by Acacetin 7-Methyl Ether Isolated from Turnera diffusa (Damiana)

The investigation of the constituents that were isolated from Turnera diffusa (damiana) for their inhibitory activities against recombinant human monoamine oxidases (MAO-A and MAO-B) in vitro identified acacetin 7-methyl ether as a potent selective inhibitor of MAO-B (IC50 = 198 nM). Acacetin 7-methyl ether (also known as 5-hydroxy-4′, 7-dimethoxyflavone) is a naturally occurring flavone that is present in many plants and vegetables. Acacetin 7-methyl ether was four-fold less potent as an inhibitor of MAO-B when compared to acacetin (IC50 = 50 nM). However, acacetin 7-methyl ether was >500-fold selective against MAO-B over MAO-A as compared to only two-fold selectivity shown by acacetin. Even though the IC50 for inhibition of MAO-B by acacetin 7-methyl ether was ~four-fold higher than that of the standard drug deprenyl (i.e., SelegilineTM or ZelaparTM, a selective MAO-B inhibitor), acacetin 7-methyl ether’s selectivity for MAO-B over MAO-A inhibition was greater than that of deprenyl (>500- vs. 450-fold). The binding of acacetin 7-methyl ether to MAO-B was reversible and time-independent, as revealed by enzyme-inhibitor complex equilibrium dialysis assays. The investigation on the enzyme inhibition-kinetics analysis with varying concentrations of acacetin 7-methyl ether and the substrate (kynuramine) suggested a competitive mechanism of inhibition of MAO-B by acacetin 7-methyl ether with Ki value of 45 nM. The docking scores and binding-free energies of acacetin 7-methyl ether to the X-ray crystal structures of MAO-A and MAO-B confirmed the selectivity of binding of this molecule to MAO-B over MAO-A. In addition, molecular dynamics results also revealed that acacetin 7-methyl ether formed a stable and strong complex with MAO-B. The selective inhibition of MAO-B suggests further investigations on acacetin 7-methyl as a potential new drug lead for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease.
La conquista misógina en la memoria posfranquista: Los girasoles ciegos de Alberto Méndez.

Mas de ocho decadas despues de su estallido, la Guerra Civil espanola (1936-1939) es aun un punto de escision entre los espanoles. Desde mediados de los anos noventa se observa una oleada de memorias y novelas que han explorado los multiples tipos de violencia durante la dictadura desde la perspectiva de los que habian sido silenciados. En este ensayo, enfatizo el rol de los discursos misoginos en la represion politica de la posguerra y exploro su representacion literaria en la novela Los girasoles ciegos (2004) de Alberto Mendez (Madrid, 1941-2004). El texto es una respuesta imaginativa que, al ir mas alla de la critica de la violencia, ayuda a descifrar la manera en que los partidarios franquistas construyeron una version sesgada de la historia para defender implacablemente los valores patriarcales, nacionalistas, catolicos y coloniales. Con sus multiples narradores, complejidad tematica y organizacion fragmentaria el autor desnaturaliza las creencias misoginas del regimen y profundiza nuestra comprension de su papel en la represion de las mujeres republicanas. El texto nos invita a imaginar como tal acto de dominacion contribuyo a la meta politica mas amplia de colonizacion interna, que significo la restauracion de la hegemonia de los militares, la Iglesia Catolica y las elites economicas en la Espana de la posguerra. A traves de las estrategias narrativas propias de la literatura, Mendez interroga las formas en las cuales la Guerra Civil Espanola ha sido glorificada a traves de ciertas construcciones de masculinidad agresiva y asi hace visible el vinculo clave entre la violencia, el genero, y los discursos.
Does African American Women’s Racial Identity Mediate Gendered Racism on Anticipated Relationship Threat?:

The present study examined the question of whether racial identity among African American women mediated the relationship between gendered racism and anticipated relationship threat. Using the Mult...
Effect of Sleeve Gastrectomy on Ghrelin, GLP-1, PYY, and GIP Gut Hormones: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE To perform a structured systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate changes in ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) gut hormone levels in patients after sleeve gastrectomy. BACKGROUND Despite sleeve gastrectomy becoming the most common surgical weight loss procedure, weight loss mechanisms remain less clear. METHODS Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were performed through April 1, 2019, in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Randomized controlled trials and prospective observational studies evaluating pre and post-procedure hormones fasting ghrelin, postprandial GLP-1, postprandial PYY, and fasting GIP levels were included. Hedge g with random-effects models were used to determine pooled effect size and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS A total of 28 studies (n = 653; 29.56% male) were included. Mean age was 42.00 ± 5.48 years, with average follow-up of 11.70 ± 11.38 months. Pre-procedure body mass index (BMI) was 46.01 ± 4.07 kg/m with a postsleeve gastrectomy BMI of 34.07 ± 3.73 kg/m, representing total body weight loss of 25.13 ± 4.44% and excess weight loss of 57.48 ± 9.64% (P < 0.001). Ghrelin decreased (Hedge g -1.486, 95% CI -1.884 to -1.089, I = 91.95%), whereas GLP-1 and PYY increased post-procedure (Hedge g 1.095, 95% CI 0.509 to 1.642, I = 84.38%; and Hedge g 1.396, 95% CI 0.781 to 2.011, I = 84.02%, respectively). GIP did not significantly change (Hedge g -0.213, 95% CI -1.019 to 0.592, I = 79.65%). CONCLUSIONS Fasting ghrelin levels decreased, whereas postprandial GLP-1 and PYY increased after sleeve gastrectomy. Fasting GIP levels remained unchanged. Future studies are needed to assess the role of these gut hormones and relationship to weight loss and metabolic outcomes.
Asymptotics for Energy Minimizing Configurations on \(S^d\)

This chapter is devoted to large N asymptotic results for energy and point configurations on the multidimensional sphere \(S^d\) . We begin with a discussion of the property of uniform distribution on the sphere of a sequence of N-point configurations and provide necessary and sufficient conditions for such uniformity in terms of the notion of discrepancy.
Evaluating Hydraulic Habitat Suitability of Filamentous Algae Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler

AbstractThe hydraulic habitat preference of the nuisance benthic alga Cladophora glomerata was investigated in a shallow river using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and acoustic Doppler current pr...
MANIFESTAÇÕES PATOLÓGICAS NAS EDIFICAÇÕES DURANTE A PÓS-OCUPAÇÃO: ESTUDO DE CASO – ANÁLISE DAS OCORRÊNCIAS REGISTRADAS NO SETOR DE ASSISTÊNCIA TÉCNICA

As patologias construtivas, muitas vezes, so sao verificadas e constatadas durante a pos-ocupacao e por isso se tornam um grande problema tanto para o cliente quanto para a construtora. Suas causas sao variadas e complexas. O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar e analisar as causas do aparecimento de patologias durante o periodo da pos-ocupacao de dois empreendimentos situados na cidade de Canoas - Rio Grande do Sul. Assim, foi desenvolvido inicialmente com uma pesquisa bibliografica. A seguir, foi apresentado um estudo de caso baseado na coleta de dados do setor de assistencia tecnica da construtora, em que foi possivel analisar os chamados ocorridos durante a pos-ocupacao e identificar principais ocorrencias nos empreendimentos. As informacoes obtidas foram organizadas de acordo com as origens das solicitacoes. Neste estudo foram avaliadas 298 solicitacoes, para as quais foram criados graficos dos principais grupos de servicos que possuiam os maiores indices de chamados no setor. Assim, os principais grupos de chamados efetuados no setor foram as ocorrencias sem procedencia, instalacoes hidrossanitarias, instalacoes eletricas, esquadrias-portas, revestimentos, infiltracoes/mofo, fissuras e esquadrias-janelas.
Violence Against Women: Representations, Interpretations, and Education:

Cultural representations of violence against women have been mystified, eroticized, and depicted as heroic, camouflaging, and trivializing acts of violence as a societal norm for thousands of years. This themed issue invites people to re/claim identities and power, and enter into a global cultural discourse connected with cross-disciplinary channels and creative work.
Mechanism of Soft Nanoparticle Diffusion in Entangled Polymer Melts

While there is an emerging good theoretical understanding of how hard impenetrable spherical nanoparticles diffuse in unentangled and entangled polymer liquids, the analogous problem for soft perme...
Miniature All-Sapphire Single-Crystal Fiber Fabry-Perot Sensor Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser Micro-Machining and CO 2 Laser Welding

This paper reports a miniature all-sapphire high temperature fiber sensor based on fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer fabricated by femtosecond laser micromachining and CO 2 laser welding. The sensor was tested to 1455°C with up to 5.38 nm/°C sensitivity.
Vigilance behaviors of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) reflect elevated risk of competitive interactions with vespine wasps

Interactions between hummingbirds and potentially dangerous or aggressive insects at shared food sources may result in interference competition and risk-avoidance behaviors. To examine the potential interplay between perceived risk and interference competition, we observed the vigilance behaviors of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) foraging at artificial feeders with and without visual obstruction in the presence and absence of 3 species of wasp (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae). Hummingbirds withdrew their bills from the visually obstructed feeder more rapidly than when feeding with a clear view of the surroundings. Wasps caused hummingbirds to spend a greater proportion of their visit vigilant, an effect positively correlated with the number of wasps at the feeding station. Aggressive competitive interactions at feeders were asymmetric. Hummingbirds avoided feeders with wasps and switched between available feeders more often and were never observed pursuing wasps away from the feeder. Instead, hummingbirds were chased by wasps or avoided foraging from feeders when wasps were present. Changes in hummingbird vigilance patterns in response to wasp aggression match those of other avian species whose antipredator vigilance patterns have been thoroughly examined. Thus, although interference competition inevitably occurs, vigilance patterns suggest that hummingbirds do perceive wasps as a potential threat and not solely as competitors.
A flagged or spam?: social media driven public interactions for natural disaster response and recovery

We investigate the interaction between citizens and the public agencies of urban infrastructures to determine how successfully they utilized social media to communicate regarding disaster response and recovery during the Uri winter storm in Texas. We analyze the search queries of Google during the period to understand the citizen side, while the Twitter accounts of public agencies are investigated to compare. Our results suggest that the electricity sector was the most impacted infrastructure type, which needs to overcome the temporal gap of communication for future disasters.
Driving Performance in a Simulator as a Function of Pavement and Shoulder Width, Edge Line Presence, and Oncoming Traffic

Driving simulation has primarily been used to study issues of driver distraction and to evaluate in-vehicle devices. The visualization and driver performance capabilities of simulators can be applied to more traditional traffic engineering problems as well. This project aims to demonstrate the usefulness of a driving simulator in evaluating geometric designs for two-lane roads. Paved surface width has been shown to be correlated with crash rates and travel speeds on two-lane rural roads throughout Texas. The current project examines how travel lane width, edge line striping, and shoulder width affect driver errors on these roadway types. Issues of simulator validity, scenario development, and simulator sickness are discussed.
NUISANCES Abatement of Nuisances Generally: Provide that a City or County Attorney or Solicitor-General May File an Action to Abate a Public Nuisance or a Drug-Related Nuisance; Provide that These Remedies are Cumulative of Other Remedies

The Act empowers city and county attorneys or solicitors-general to file an action to abate a public nuisance or a nuisance that is created by unlawful sexual or drug-related activity. Prior law provided that only a district attorney could bring such an action. The Act also provides that the Code section relating to drug- related nuisances is cumulative of other remedies and is not to be construed to repeal existing remedies for drug-related nuisances. The Act also empowers city and county attorneys and solicitors-general to civilly prosecute any public nuisance.