cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel Hierarchical Molecular Structure Estimation

Determining the structure of biological macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids is an important element of molecular biology because of the intimate relation between form and function of these molecules. Individual sources of data about molecular structure are subject to varying degrees of uncertainty. Previously we have examined the parallelization of a probabilistic algorithm for combining multiple sources of uncertain data to estimate the three-dimensional structure of molecules and also predict a measure of the uncertainty in the estimated structure. In this paper we extend our work on two major fronts. First we present a hierarchiacal decomposition of the original algorithm which reduces the sequential computational complexity tremendously. The hierarchical decomposition in turn reveals a new axis of parallelism not present in the "flat" organization of the problems, as well as new parallelization problems. We demonstrate good speedups on two cache-coherent shared-memory multiprocessors, the Stanford DASH and the SGI Challenge, with distributed and centralized memory organization, respectively. Our results point to several areas of further study to make both the hierarchiacal and the parallel aspects more flexible for general problems: automatic structure decomposition, processor load balancing across the hierarchy, and data locality management in conjunction with load balancing. Finally we outline the directions we are investigating to incorporate these extensions.
Towards Reliable Modular Programs

Software is being applied in an ever-increasing number of areas. Computer programs and systems are becoming more complex and consisting of more delicately interconnected components. Errors surfacing in programs are still a conspicuous and costly problem. It's about time we employ some techniques that guide us toward higher reliability of practical programs. The goal of this thesis is just that. This thesis presents a theory for verifying programs based on Dijkstra's weakest-precondition calculus. A variety of program paradigms used in practice, such as exceptions, procedures, object orientation, and modularity, are dealt with. The thesis sheds new light on the theory behind programs with exceptions. It develops an elegant algebra, and shows it to be the foundation on which the semantics of exceptions rests. It develops a trace semantics for programs with exceptions, from which the weakest-precondition semantics is derived. It also proves a theorem on programming methodology relating to exceptions, and applies this theorem in the novel derivation of a simple program. The thesis presents a simple model for object-oriented data types, in which concerns have been separated, resulting in the simplicity of the model. To deal with large programs, this thesis takes a practical look at modularity and abstraction. It reveals a problem that arises in writing specifications for modular programs where previous techniques fail. The thesis introduces a new specification construct that solves that problem, and gives a formal proof of soundness for modular verification using that construct. The model is a generalization of Hoare's classical data refinement. However, there are more problems to be solved. The thesis reports on some of these problems and suggests some future directions toward more reliable modular programs.
The incidental ecotourist: measuring visitor impacts on endangered howler monkeys at a Belizean archaeological site

SUMMARY Conservationists are missing opportunities to protect species at mass tourism sites where wildlife itself is not the main tourist attraction. At such locations are ‘incidental ecotourists’, i.e. tourists with multiple interests who encounter wildlife or fragile ecosystems inadvertently. A case study from Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, Belize, reveals the motivations of incidental ecotourists and their impact on an endangered primate species, the black howler monkey, Alouatta pigra. Four hundred and seventy-one visitors were surveyed to assess their travel goals, conservation commitments, and reactions to viewing howler monkeys. Data were also collected on the behaviour of tourists and monkeys during encounters. More intense tourist interactions with howler monkeys were correlated with the number of tourists and the duration of the encounter; guided parties interacted more intensely than unguided parties. Tourists were largely unaware that these interactions may harm the howler monkeys. Qualitative observations of howler response to tourists suggest short- and long-term negative impacts. These impacts could be mitigated through more effective guide training, limiting tourist group size, and increasing entrance fees at the Reserve. Improving environmental education may reduce impacts and motivate some tourists to become advocates for conservation of endangered species.
Contour-based multisensor image registration

A contour-based multisensor image registration scheme which uses region boundaries and other strong edges as matching primitives is presented. Chain code correlation and other shape similarity criteria such as moments are used to match closed contours. For the open contours, salient segments such as corners are detected first and then used in the matching process. Experimental results on several sets of Landsat, SPOT, and Seasat images indicate that this approach is quite robust in matching the images with large rotation. >
Combining causal and similarity-based reasoning

Everyday inductive reasoning draws on many kinds of knowledge, including knowledge about relationships between properties and knowledge about relationships between objects. Previous accounts of inductive reasoning generally focus on just one kind of knowledge: models of causal reasoning often focus on relationships between properties, and models of similarity-based reasoning often focus on similarity relationships between objects. We present a Bayesian model of inductive reasoning that incorporates both kinds of knowledge, and show that it accounts well for human inferences about the properties of biological species.
Sonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Femur Length in the Chinese Population: Are the Established Charts Reliable for the Prediction of Gestational Age?

Sonograms of 128 Chinese fetuses scanned between 16-20 weeks' gestational age, with last menstrual period and average sonographic age corresponding by ± 10 days, were evaluated retrospectively. The...
A Low-Power Frequency Synthesizer with Quadrature Signal Generation for 2.4 GHz Zigbee Transceiver Applications

A frequency synthesizer for a 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4/Zigbee compliant transceiver is presented. The VCO has a 15.2% tuning range from 4580-5275 MHz with 135 MHz/V sensitivity. IQ generation for transceiver applications is performed through frequency division at the output of VCO. Frequency dividers employ hybrid circuit styles including CML and TSPC logic. The synthesizer is implemented in TSMC 0.18 mum CMOS technology. It occupies an area of 0.9 by 0.7 mm2 only and consumes a total of 15mW from supply voltages of 3V, 1.8V and 1.3V.
Backscattering Interferometry for Low Sample Consumption Molecular Interaction Screening

Backscattering interferometry (BSI), which uses a simple optical train comprising a He—Ne laser, a microfluidic channel, and a position sensor, has now enabled the measurement of both tethered and free-solution, label-free, molecular interactions within just nanoliters of sample. The simple macro-to-micro interface allows for a highly efficient assay work flow, which has been used to interrogate molecular binding interactions between proteins, ions and protein, and small molecules and proteins, with a high dynamic range of dissociation constants (KD) and unmatched sensitivity. With this technique, the equilibrium KD for several different binding partners was determined, typically using just picomole—micromole quantities of the binding pair at physiologically relevant concentrations.
The Poetry of Growing Up a Girl: Excerpts from a Spoken Word Performance

–For Eliana and All the Girls Some girls are so tall that the tips of their heads brush at the sky And their ponytails flap through the clouds, While others are much tinier in size And can sneak un...
Recognition and Collective Identity Formation in International Politics

Applying the model of `recognition politics' to international relations can help to explain the identity-based elements of international conflicts that rationalist models leave out. This article us...
Effects of Sputtering and Plasma Etching on the Surface Reactivity of Graphite

The surfaces of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) samples were treated using two different methods, exposure to an energetic oxygen ion beam and immersion in an oxygen ion plasma, and the reactions which occur during treatment were characterized using high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Both surface treatments result in similar oxidation species. The results of this investigation provide spectroscopic evidence for the presence of semiquinone functionalities on sputtered and oxidized HOPG. STM images are presented to quantify the increase in defect sites after oxygen ion sputtering and to correlate defect site density with reactivity
The Woodwasp Genus Eriotremex (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), a Review and a New Species from Malaysia

Eriotremex magnificus, n. sp., from Malaysia is described and illustrated. Current information, including some new distributional records, is given for the other 12 species currently placed in the genus, and a revised key to species is provided.
Effect of the women’s health initiative on prescription anti-osteoporosis medication utilization

Summary Publication of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) resulted in a 39% reduction in hormone therapy utilization and a 29% increase in the use of new anti-osteoporosis medications. Overall, the prevalence of prescription anti-osteoporosis medication use declined following the WHI. This has important implications for osteoporosis prevention and treatment.
Reciprocating Influence Strategies in Interstate Crisis Bargaining

The findings of a quantitative analysis of the effectiveness of reciprocating influence strategies in militarized interstate crises (MICs) suggest that the success of reciprocating strategies in MICs is related to (1) withholding cooperative initiatives until after the reciprocating party has demonstrated its resolve, (2) the use of carrot-and-stick influence attempts and responses combining firmness with flexibility, and (3) overcoming ambiguity through overt communication of intentions. Reciprocating influence strategies are most likely to be employed by democratic states either defending the status quo or following a change in the status quo in their favor through a fait accompli. When reciprocating strategies are employed against different types of influence strategies, the outcomes are consistent with the intersection of the decision rules of the influence strategies employed by the two sides.
Efficient Implicit–Explicit Time Stepping Scheme With Domain Decomposition for Multiscale Modeling of Layered Structures

An efficient time-domain technique is proposed for multiscale electromagnetic simulations of layered structures. Each layer of a layered structure is independently discretized by finite elements, and the discontinuous Galerkin method is employed to stitch all discretized subdomains together. The hybrid implicit-explicit Runge-Kutta scheme combined with subdomain-based Gauss-Seidel iteration is employed for time stepping. The block Thomas algorithm is utilized to accelerate time stepping for block tri-diagonal systems, which are frequently encountered in discretized layered structures. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method is efficient in simulating multiscale layered structures.
G1 phase growth arrest and induction of p21(Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1) in IB3-1 cells treated with 4-sodium phenylbutyrate

4-Sodium phenylbutyrate (4-PBA) has been used for many years in the treatment of urea cycle defects and has recently been studied as a chemotherapeutic agent for certain malignancies. 4-PBA has been shown to cause growth arrest, cellular differentiation, and apoptosis in certain malignant cells. Recently, it was shown that IB3-1 cells (a cystic fibrosis cell line, Δ508/W128X) treated with 4-PBA demonstrated a partial correction of the cystic fibrosis chloride channel defect. We were interested in evaluating the effect of 4-PBA on cell growth and cell cycle regulation in IB3-1 cells treated with 2 to 10 mM concentrations. We found that cells treated with 2 mM concentrations of 4-PBA for 96 h underwent a significant decrease in cell growth ( P < .007). Using flow cytometry, we were able to demonstrate that growth arrest occurred at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. This was detected as early as 24 h in IB3-1 cells treated with 5 mM 4-PBA ( P < .03). Furthermore, the percentage of IB3-1 cells with less than a 2N DNA content increased with higher concentrations of 4-PBA, although this was not associated with an increase in apoptosis. Finally, p21 Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 protein levels were induced in IB3-1 cells receiving 2 and 5 mM concentrations of 4-PBA as early as 24 h of exposure, suggesting that G1 phase growth arrest in IB3-1 cells treated with 4-PBA is regulated through the p21 Waf1/Cip1/Sdi1 pathway.
Early Microvascular Recruitment Modulates Subsequent Insulin-Mediated Skeletal Muscle Glucose Metabolism During Lipid Infusion

OBJECTIVE To test whether early, insulin-mediated microvascular recruitment in skeletal muscle predicts steady-state glucose metabolism in the setting of physiological elevation of free fatty acid concentrations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We measured insulin’s microvascular and metabolic effects in 14 healthy young adults during a 2-h euglycemic insulin clamp. Plasma free fatty acid concentrations were raised (Intralipid and heparin infusion) for 3 h before the clamp and maintained at postprandial concentrations during the clamp. Microvascular blood volume (MBV) was measured by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) continuously from baseline through the first 30 min of the insulin clamp. Muscle glucose and insulin uptake were measured by the forearm balance method. RESULTS The glucose infusion rate (GIR) necessary to maintain euglycemia during the clamp varied by fivefold across subjects (2.5–12.5 mg/min/kg). The early MBV responses to insulin, as indicated by CEU video intensity, ranged widely, from a 39% decline to a 69% increase. During the clamp, steady state forearm muscle glucose uptake and GIR each correlated significantly with the change in forearm MBV ( P V o 2max in a subset of eight subjects. Fitness ( V o 2max ) correlated significantly with the GIR, the forearm glucose uptake, and the percentage change in MBV during the insulin clamp ( P CONCLUSIONS Early microvascular responses to insulin strongly associate with steady state skeletal muscle insulin-mediated glucose uptake. Physical fitness predicts both metabolic and vascular insulin responsiveness.
Mental health of those directly exposed to the World Trade Center disaster: Unmet mental health care need, mental health treatment service use, and quality of life

Mental health service utilization several years following a man-made or natural disaster can be lower than expected, despite a high prevalence of mental health disorders among those exposed. This study focused on factors associated with subjective unmet mental health care need (UMHCN) and its relationship to a combination of diagnostic history and current mental health symptoms, 5-6 years after the 9-11-01 World Trade Center (WTC) disaster in New York City, USA. Two survey waves of the WTC Health Registry, after exclusions, provided a sample of 36,625 enrollees for this analysis. Important differences were found among enrollees who were categorized according to the presence or absence of a self-reported mental health diagnosis and symptoms indicative of post-traumatic stress disorder or serious psychological distress. Persons with diagnoses and symptoms had the highest levels of UMHCN, poor mental health days, and mental health service use. Those with symptoms only were a vulnerable group much less likely to use mental health services yet reporting UMHCN and poor mental health days. Implications for delivering mental health services include recognizing that many persons with undiagnosed but symptomatic mental health symptoms are not using mental health services, despite having perceived need for mental health care.
A Survey of Security Concepts for Common Operating Environments

As newer software engineering technologies, such as Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), become the basis for mission-critical systems, they must include security as a foundational capability. This paper highlights security concepts relevant to using SOA as a foundation for a Common Operating Environment (COE), i.e., a set of infrastructure and common services for developing and executing applications across multiple platforms. We present and motivate security needs, tradeoffs, and solutions in the various layers of a SOA-based COE, including 1) the network, 2) computational platforms, and 3) the common software infrastructure consisting of a SOA stack, common services, and applications. We also discuss cross cutting aspects of security such as survivability, transparency, flexibility, specificity, reuse, and assurance. We then explore security standards and requirements for mission-critical systems developed on top of a SOA-based COE and security technologies that are candidates for satisfying the requirements. The paper closes with a set of recommendations and steps forward for both research into and implementation of security in a SOA-based COE.
Computational Development of a Gas to Liquid Heat Exchanger With a Breathing Operation

Thermal conditioning of a gas during compression and expansion processes requires rapid transfer of heat. Proposed is a thin flexible membrane with a biologically-inspired, lung-like structure characterized by branching tubes, massive surface area, and low overall pressure drops. By forcing the working gas into contact with the large surface area of a thin membrane, rapid heat transfer may be achieved across the membrane and into a liquid bath. Inspiration and expiration of the gas is driven by volume changes in the liquid bath. A computational approach is taken to the design of the lung-like structure. First, Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is run to optimize elemental geometries for minimum pressure drop and maximum heat transfer. In the initial case, 2D elements are passed through Gambit and Fluent to evaluate the fitness function. Here, we present the results of the elemental optimization. In the future, 3D elements will be analyzed and connected in an optimal way to generate a 3D lung-like structure.
Early Mathematics Assessment: Validation of the Short Form of a Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Mathematics Measure.

In recent years, there has been increased interest in improving early mathematics curricula and instruction. Subsequently, there has also been a rise in demand for better early mathematics assessments, as most current measures are limited in their content and/or their sensitivity to detect differences in early mathematics development among young children. In this article, using data from two large samples of diverse populations of prekindergarten and kindergarten children, we provide evidence regarding the psychometric validity of a new theory-based early mathematics assessment. The new measure is the short form of a longer, validated measure. Our results suggest the short form assessment is valid for assessing prekindergarten and kindergarten children’s numeracy and geometry skills and is sensitive to differences in early mathematics development among young children.
Integrin-Linked Kinase Plays a Key Role in Coxsackievirus Replication

See related article, pages 354–361 Viral infection may be a major cause of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, but little is known about how viruses enter the cardiac myocyte and damage it. Understanding the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis will lead to new strategies for the treatment and prevention of heart failure. In this issue of Circulation Research , Esfandiareiet al show that the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) plays a key role in the lifecycle of the cardiotropic virus Coxsackievirus.1 More than 100 000 patients in the United States have a nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and this disease accounts for 45% of all heart transplants.2,3 More than 25% of the nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy cases may be caused by viral infections.4 The virus that most commonly infects the heart is Coxsackievirus, a small RNA virus (picornavirus) spread through the fecal–oral route.5 Coxsackievirus infection causes a viral prodrome of fever and myalgias, followed by diarrhea. Approximately 2 weeks after the onset of infection, direct viral injury of cardiac myocytes in combination …
Tracking natal origins of salmon using isotopes, otoliths, and landscape geology

The inability to identify natal origins (i.e., individual rivers and hatcheries) of adult Pacific salmon in the ocean has impeded our understanding of their ocean ecology and the management of mixed-stock fisheries. Strontium isotope (87Sr : 86Sr) ratios recorded in otoliths of fall-run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from all major natural and hatchery spawning sites in the California Central Valley can be used as natural tags to identify natal origins with high accuracy (82%) and improved when additional otolith markers identified fish to hatchery (98%) or naturally spawned (94%) sources. A spatial baseline of 87Sr : 86Sr signatures was developed by targeting 87Sr : 86Sr within juvenile portions of otoliths accreted in natal streams and hatcheries using laser ablation and a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The availability and analyses of known-origin coded wire tagged adults provides a rare test of this technique to reconstruct early life-histories of adults (90% correct classification). By quantifying the area of watershed influenced by granitic rocks using hydrologic and geologic data layers, we explained 94% of the geographic variability in 87 Sr : 86 Sr in salmon otoliths. Creating a spatial map in geographic information systems relating landscape geology to Sr isotopes is a useful framework for evaluating the efficacy of Sr isotopes to track the natal origin and movement of salmonids in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments to better understand how processes occurring in these habitats influence the growth, survival, and reproductive success of anadromous fishes.
Dentist communication with the dental laboratory for prosthodontic treatment using implants

Purpose: A questionnaire was sent to U.S. dental laboratories to evaluate the level of communication between dentists and laboratory technicians and to determine trends in procedures and materials used in fixed and removable implant restorations. Methods and Materials: Dental laboratories were randomly chosen from the National Association of Dental Laboratories for each of the 50 states. The questionnaire was mailed to the laboratory directors for 199 dental laboratories. One hundred fourteen dental laboratories returned the survey, yielding a response rate of 57%. Of those laboratories, 37 indicated that they did not participate in the fabrication of fixed implant restorations, yielding a response rate of 39%. Forty-two dental laboratories indicated that they did not participate in the fabrication of implant-retained overdenture prostheses, yielding a response rate of 36%. Results: Results from this survey show inadequate communication by dentists in completing work authorization forms. Custom trays are used more frequently for implant-retained overdenture impressions and stock trays for impressions of fixed implant prostheses. Poly(vinyl siloxane) is the material most commonly used for both fixed and removable implant-supported prostheses. Two implants with stud attachments are used more widely than those with bar attachments for implant-retained overdentures. Conclusions: Most laboratories working on implant prosthodontic cases report inadequate communication between the laboratory and dentists related to materials and techniques used in fabrication of implant restorations.
Work/family attitudes of computing graduate students

Work/family conflict is often cited as a concern for attracting and retaining talent in professional careers. STEM careers have been noted as particularly discouraging to professionals, especially women, for work/family concerns among other reasons. However, little research has explored the work/family attitudes of prospective professionals in these careers. This paper explores the work/family attitudes of graduate students in computing. Based on data from the Computing Research Association's (CRA) Center for Evaluating the Research Pipeline (CERP) 2011–12 nationwide survey of 1286 computing graduate students, our analysis explores at the aggregate and by sex, the connections between graduate computing education, work/family issues, and career expectations. The analysis of the data reveals work/family issues are important to those in advanced education planning careers in the field. Computing graduate students are strongly influenced by work/family issues in their decision-making regarding advanced computing education. Graduate computing students report high levels of knowledge of work/life strategies and express confidence about their abilities, and their likelihood, for balancing work and family. These findings should help graduate educators and prospective employers concerned with diversity understand the work/family concerns of computing students and future computing professionals.
A Constraint Dynamics Approach to Rubber Elasticity

Abstract The coupling model of relaxation is applied to crosslinked rubber, with a connection drawn between the dynamics of network junctions and statistical mechanics derived rubber elasticity theory. The suggestion that unifying concepts must underlie dynamical models and thermodynamic theories is shown to be supported by analyses of recent 31P NMR spectroscopy measurements by Shi, Dickinson, MacKnight and Chien on polytetrahydrofuran networks and of our mechanical relaxation data on stretched and unstretched polycarbonate.
Protein depletion and replenishment in mice: different roles of muscle and liver.

Fully grown male CD-1 mice, fed a protein-free diet for 3 days, received 1 g of starch with or without 300 mg casein by intragastric intubation. We surveyed the acute effects of these nutrients on ...
Conduct and Oppositional Disorders

Childhood antisocial behavior is a common problem with no single etiology or treatment. Estimates of prevalence rates range from 4% to 10%, and one third to one half of child and adolescent referrals to outpatient clinics include primary symptoms of antisocial, disruptive, or aggressive behaviors (Reeves, Werry, Elkind, & Zametkin, 1987; Rutter, Tizard, & Whitmore, 1970). Surveys of adolescent youth indicate that approximately 50% admit to theft, 35% admit to assault, 45% admit to property destruction, and as many as 60% admit to engaging in multiple antisocial acts (Kazdin, 1987a). Epidemiological studies indicate that antisocial behavior is stable over time and across generations and has a poor long-term prognosis (Huesmann, Eron, Lefkowitz, & Walder, 1984; Magnusson, Statlin, & Duner, 1983).
An optimized first-order method for image restoration

First-order methods are used widely for large scale optimization problems in signal/image processing and machine learning, because their computation depends mildly on the problem dimension. Nesterov's fast gradient method (FGM) has the optimal convergence rate among first-order methods for smooth convex minimization; its extension to non-smooth case, the fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm (FISTA), also satisfies the optimal rate; thus both algorithms have gained great interest. We recently introduced a new optimized gradient method (OGM) (for smooth convex functions) having a theoretical convergence speed that is 2× faster than Nesterov's FGM. This paper further discusses the convergence analysis of OGM and explores its fast convergence on an image restoration problem using a smoothed total variation (TV) regularizer. In addition, we empirically investigate the extension of OGM to nonsmooth convex minimization for image restoration with l 1 -sparsity regularization.
Elder Mistreatment and its Subtypes across Different Sociodemographic and Socioeconomic Groups among U.S. Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES To examine the risk of overall elder mistreatment (EM) and its subtypes in each sociodemographic and socioeconomic group based on different definitional criteria. METHODS In person interviews were conducted with 3,159 Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago Area from 2011 to 2013. Psychological mistreatment, physical mistreatment, sexual abuse, caregiver neglect, and financial exploitation were measured using definitional approaches from the least strict to the strictest criteria. RESULTS Physical, psychological mistreatment, and financial exploitation were closely correlated with each other, but caregiver neglect was not correlated with any other types of mistreatment. The risk of EM and its subtypes across sociodemographic groups differed by types and definitions of mistreatment. DISCUSSION Future longitudinal studies are needed to quantity the risk and protective factors associated with EM and its subtypes with consideration of definitional issues in Chinese aging populations.
Lack of Evidence of Increased West Nile Virus Disease Severity in the United States in 2012

In the United States, West Nile virus (WNV) causes annual seasonal outbreaks that fluctuate in size and scope. There was a large multistate outbreak of WNV in 2012, with more human disease cases reported nationally than any year since 2003. We evaluated national surveillance data to determine if the higher number of WNV cases reported in 2012 was associated with changes in the epidemiology or severity of disease compared with 2004–2011. Despite an increased incidence of neuroinvasive disease in 2012, national surveillance data showed no evidence of changes in epidemiology or increased disease severity compared with the previous 8 years.
Interaction of the Microsporidium Vairimorpha sp. with Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) and Cotesia marginiventris (Cresson) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Two Parasitoids of Heliothis zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Microplitis croceipes (Cresson) and Cotesia (= Apantales) marginiventris (Cresson) produced in Heliothis zea (Boddie) larvae infected with Vairimorpha sp. were compared with parasitoids produced in uninfected larvae. The criteria used for comparison were: percentage of hosts producing parasitoids, developmental time, longevity, and infection by the microsporidium. There was no significant difference in productivity of parasitoids in infected and control larvae. There was a small, though statistically significant, increase in the developmental time of M. croceipes reared in infected larvae. The number of parasitoids infected by Vairimorpha when produced in infected larvae was not significant. Transmission of Vairimorpha by parasitoids produced in infected larvae was not significant; however, M. croceipes females which were exposed to infected larvae for oviposition transmitted the pathogen to a significant number of subsequent larvae.
Inertial Survey System (ISS)

In April 1979, the National Geodetic Survey used an inertial survey system (ISS) to establish second-order horizontal control along the Louisiana Gulf Coast in support of hydrography. The ISS, successfully installed in a NOAA Bell 204 helicopter, established or checked the position of 106 stations along the coast in 6 days. This paper will discuss inertial technology, operational scenarios, various operational limitations, and how the inertial system was and could be utilized to support hydrographic operations.
Electrochemical Behavior of Europium(III) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium

The electrochemical behavior of EuCl3 in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chlorid([BMIM]Cl) has been investigated in the temperature range of 328 ～ 348 K by cyclic voltammetry.Influences of scan speed and temperature in [BMIM]Cl have been examined.The electrochemical window of [BMIM]Cl was-1.7 V ～ 0.80 V(vs.Ag/AgCl),when the working electrode was glassy carbon electrode.Eu3+ in[BMIM]Cl underwent a single step one-electron transfer reduction to Eu2 +,which is quasi-reversible reaction controlled by both electron transfer and diffusion of ions.The diffusion coefficient of Eu3 + in [BMIM]Cl increased with increase of temperature from 3.75 × 10-9 cm2 /s at 328 K to 1.32 × 10-8 cm2 /s at 348 K and the activation energy was found to be 62.6 kJ/mol.
Are alpha-glucosidase inhibitors effective for control of type 2 diabetes?

The use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors has a modest effect on intermediate diabetes-control endpoints such as postprandial blood glucose, postprandial insulin levels, and A1C levels. There is no evidence, however, of improvement in mortality, morbidity, or quality of life. In comparisons with sulfonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors had less effect on intermediate diabetes-control endpoints and had a greater incidence of adverse effects. The use of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors had no effect on plasma lipid levels or body weight.
Infantile Diarrhea and Neurologic Deficit

A “vicious triangle” links infantile diarrhea to brain damage, malnutrition to diarrhea, and may account for mental retardation among children far more frequently than is generally recognized. Much more research is needed to clarify the interrelated pathogenetic mechanisms of the triad, says Dr. Nelson, including research into the role of even relatively mild or marginal malnutrition.
Responses to Single Light Pulses. Part II: Diurnal Birds

A series of phase-shifting experiments based on single-pulse treatment of the circadian rhythms of diurnal birds has been published by Eskin (1971); he administered 6-h light stimuli to house sparrows. His results are graphed in Figure 11.1. It can be seen there that the nature of the birds’ responsiveness to single light stimuli differs in several conspicuous ways from that of nocturnal rodents. Phase shifts of up to 8 h were obtained, compared with a maximum of 3 to 4 h in the most sensitive of rodents12 (Fig. 10.3). These large phase shifts of the sparrow’s rhythm were obtained when light fell in the midst of the birds’ normally inactive time, some 14 to 18 h after activity onset — a timing at which a nocturnal rodent is completely unresponsive to light. With the birds, stimuli which overlapped normal onset of locomotor activity led to large phase advances, rather than modest delays as obtained with nocturnal rodents at that time. There was a very sharp “break point” between timing of stimuli which caused maximum phase delay (200 degrees, i.e., about 14 h after activity onset) and those which caused maximum phase advance, shortly thereafter; in the rodent data, no such discontinuity is evident.
Sigmatineurum puleloai (Diptera: Dolichopodidae), a new species from Pelekunu Stream, Moloka'i, Hawaiian Islands

Sigmatineurum puleloai, sp. nov. from the island of Moloka‘i in the Hawaiian Islands is described and illustrated. It is characterized by strong bristles on the middle ventral section of the midleg femur, flattened sternite 4 process, and conspicuous dark pollinose areas on the dorsolateral portions of the abdominal tergites.
The bald and the beautiful: hairlessness in domestic dog breeds.

An extraordinary amount of genomic variation is contained within the chromosomes of domestic dogs, manifesting as dramatic differences in morphology, behaviour and disease susceptibility. Morpholog...
Is Readiness to Take Action Among Women in Violent Relationships a Catastrophic Phenomenon

Taking action among women in violent relationships appears to involve sudden changes and reversals after periods of building stress, suggesting that decision making is a "catastrophic" phenomenon. This study sought to determine whether readiness-to-change is best modeled as a cusp catastrophic (CCM) phenomenon among women in violent relationships. A total of 143 women who experienced violence in the previous month completed baseline and end-of-study interviews assessing her hope, coping strategies, social network, and readiness-for-action (seeking help, taking legal action, and leaving) concerning the violence. Daily assessments of his violent behavior, forgiveness sought and given, and her perceived need-for-action were collected via telephone Interactive Voice Response for 8 weeks. Using regression analysis, the impact of factor-analyzed asymmetry (violence burden) and bifurcation (hope and cope, support, forgiveness, and number of children) variables on the outcomes (readiness-for-help, legal action, and leaving) was modeled, comparing the CCM against linear models to determine which model accounts for the most variance in each outcome. Cusp catastrophe models for all three actions accounted for more variance than either linear model comparison, but violence burden was only relevant to readiness-for-help and different bifurcation variables were at work for each action. While forgiveness was an important bifurcation factor in readiness-for-help and number of children served as the bifurcation factor for readiness-for-legal-action, readiness-to-leave was more complex with both number of children and hope-and-cope as bifurcation factors. Not only should we expect sudden changes in readiness but efforts to facilitate decision making should focus on addressing the bifurcation factors that may distort her interpretation of reality.
Epinephrine Use during Newborn Resuscitation

Although Epinephrine use in the delivery room for resuscitation of the newborn is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Evidence for optimal dose, timing and route of administration of epinephrine during neonatal resuscitation comes largely from extrapolated adult or animal literature. In this review, we provide the current recommendations for use of epinephrine during neonatal resuscitation and also the evidence behind these recommendations. In addition, we review the current proposed mechanism of action of epinephrine during neonatal resuscitation, adverse effects and identify gaps in knowledge requiring urgent research.
Confidence Interval Coverage for Designed Experiments Analyzed with GLMs

There are many industrial experiments where the response variable is nonnormal. Traditionally, variance-stabilizing transformations are made on such a response in order to obtain properties needed to use ordinary least squares and analysis of variance. Generalized linear models (GLMs) offer a powerful alternative to data transformation. Specifically, the performance in response estimation and prediction for a GLM is often superior to the model built using data transformations. The confidence interval constructed around the estimate of the mean for each experimental run provides the experimenter with critical information about model quality. In generalized linear models, confidence intervals are based on asymptotic theory. As such, they are regarded as statistically valid only for large samples. Therefore, in order to use confidence intervals to compare models, it is essential to evaluate these asymptotic intervals in terms of coverage for sample sizes typically encountered in designed industrial experimen...
Abstract 17893: Reducing Radiation Exposure and Contrast Use in Pre-TAVR Evaluation by Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA): A Quality Improvement Project

Introduction: Aortic stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease with a prevalence of 13% in patients ≥75 years of age. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become a widely util...
Flipped Classroom Activity Using the PTA Model in an Introductory Sociology Course

This scaffolded writing-to-learn activity incorporates a number of Writing Across the Curriculum-based suggestions that draw upon the strengths of student reflection, the PTA (prioritization, translation, and analogization) model of concentric thinking, and the benefits of a flipped-classroom approach to learning. Thus, the purpose of this article is to explain what one model for structuring a flipped classroom that purposefully integrates writing in the PTA model looks like and to provide a concrete example of a flipped-classroom activity that I have utilized in numerous introductory sociology courses.
Measuring Employment Demand Using Internet Search Data

We are in a transitional economic period emphasizing automation of physical jobs and the shift towards intellectual labor. How can we measure and understand human behaviors of job search, and how communities are adapting to these changes? We use internet search data to estimate employment demand in the United States. Starting with 225 million raw job search queries in 2015 and 2016 from a popular search engine, we classify queries into one of 15 fields of employment with accuracy and F-1 of 97%, and use the resulting query volumes to estimate per-sector employment demand in U.S. counties. We validate against Bureau of Labor Statistics measures, and then demonstrate benefits for communities, showing significant differences in the types of jobs searched for across socio-economic dimensions like poverty and education level. We discuss implications for macroeconomic measurement, as well as how community leaders, policy makers, and the field of HCI can benefit.
Isolation and functional assessment of mouse skeletal stem cell lineage

There are limited methods available to study skeletal stem, progenitor, and progeny cell activity in normal and diseased contexts. Most protocols for skeletal stem cell isolation are based on the extent to which cells adhere to plastic or whether they express a limited repertoire of surface markers. Here, we describe a flow cytometry-based approach that does not require in vitro selection and that uses eight surface markers to distinguish and isolate mouse skeletal stem cells (mSSCs); bone, cartilage, and stromal progenitors (mBCSPs); and five downstream differentiated subtypes, including chondroprogenitors, two types of osteoprogenitors, and two types of hematopoiesis-supportive stroma. We provide instructions for the optimal mechanical and chemical digestion of bone and bone marrow, as well as the subsequent flow-cytometry-activated cell sorting (FACS) gating schemes required to maximally yield viable skeletal-lineage cells. We also describe a methodology for renal subcapsular transplantation and in vitro colony-formation assays on the isolated mSSCs. The isolation of mSSCs can be completed in 9 h, with at least 1 h more required for transplantation. Experience with flow cytometry and mouse surgical procedures is recommended before attempting the protocol. Our system has wide applications and has already been used to study skeletal response to fracture, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, as well as hematopoietic stem cell-niche interactions in the bone marrow.
Affective Ankylosis and the Body in Fanon and Capécia

Frantz Fanon examines the function of affect to describe colonization as a mode of the production of the body. His idiosyncratic analysis adjusts prevailing conceptions of the body in affect theory...
A novel approach to tire parameter identification

Since they are believed to provide more reliable and accurate tire contact parameters, intelligent tires have been widely studied for the purpose of the performance enhancement of the vehicle contr...
Assessing the efficacy of peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs) in the treatment of opioid-induced constipation

We read with interest the recent systematic review and network meta-analysis on the efficacy of pharmacological treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC).1 The authors reviewed 27 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 9149 patients and concluded that naloxone was the best drug in patients with OIC, followed by naldemedine. We believe that several factors impacted the appraisal of relative efficacy and deserve discussion especially in network meta-analyses with no head-to-head drug trials. 1. Distribution and potential for opioid withdrawal: Naloxone is a lipophilic, non-selective and competitive opioid receptor antagonist. The oral formulation of naloxone has a bioavailability of ~2%; however, it is widely distributed, has a narrow therapeutic index and the oral doses required to treat OIC can increase the risk of opioid withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists such as naldemedine and …
Ambition Driven Strategy™ — Strategieentwicklung in Zeiten rasanten Wandels

Stillstand bei der Strategischen Planung? Der Eindruck konnte entstehen. Portfolios verschiedener Art, eindimensionale Punktschatzungen und extrapolierte Wachstumsraten — vielerorts begegnet man den neuen Anforderungen eines immer rasanteren Wandels unverandert mit traditionellen Werkzeugen. Den Folgen dieses Stillstands begegnen wir taglich: der Umsetzungsgrad von Strategien ist gering; viele Mitarbeiter bringen sich nicht mehr personlich in den Geschafts-Planungsprozess ein, sondern erachten diesen als notwendiges Ubel eines administrativen Planungsapparates, hochstens noch als Kampfstatte um interne Ressourcen; Strategien fuhren nicht zu durchgreifenden Veranderungen des Unternehmens. Vor dem Hintergrund einer wachsenden Dynamik des Umfelds macht sich Angst vor der Zukunft breit: „Wo sind die Innovationen und Wachstumstrager der Zukunft?“
Disjoint Conjugate Chains

New structures called disjoint conjugate chains are defined and introduced into the study of lattice-ordered groups. Restrictions on the length or breadth of such chains have important consequences for the theory of equationally defined classes of latticeordered groups.
The Ah locus, a multigene family necessary for survival in a chemically adverse environment: comparison with the immune system

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the drug-metabolizing enzyme systems, presents the Ah system, and provides data for multiple Ah-structural gene products. A cytosolic receptor is regarded as the major product of the Ah-regulatory genes. Sucrose-density gradient analysis following dextran–charcoal treatment is among the most reliable methods for characterizing an Ah receptor. The aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) fluorescent assay is simple and extremely sensitive. This assay, using benzo[α]pyrene as the substrate in vitro, is most commonly used as the biochemical marker for the Ah locus in laboratory animal and human studies. When males and females of four inbred strains were housed together and allowed to breed randomly for 46 to 48 months, the AHH inducibility by 3-methylcholanthrene of weanlings between 18 and 22 generations approximated the distribution found normally for out-bred or random-bred mouse strains. These data indicate the involvement of multiple Ah regulatory genes and a “natural selection” tendency of the induction process to “drift” toward lower intensity in populations having heterogeneous genetic input.
The Role of Surfaces in Superplasticity

The rate of neck growth in superplastic materials depends directly on surface irregularities and inversely on the strain rate sensitivity, m = (d lnσ/d lne). High values of m reflect a substantial contribution of diffusional creep, which is inversely related to a power function of the grain size. The characteristic maxima in the m versus log e curves is explained by the extension of the diffusional creep model to include a back stress, σo, which increases with impurity and inclusion content, and is greater in the rolling than in the transverse direction.