cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing decentralized software for a wireless network environment: evaluating patterns of mobility for a mobile agent swarm

Designing decentralized software applications for a wireless network environment offers harsh challenges to the software engineer. All of the usual difficulties associated with a distributed system are present, but are amplified by the inherent dynamics and uncertainty of the wireless network. This paper takes an agent-oriented software engineering perspective in considering how to design decentralized software systems for a mobile ad hoc network (MANET) of resource-constrained devices. Specifically, the authors codify within the context of a software design pattern the concept of an agent swarm. Swarms of mobile agents have been used in the development of applications to support coordination and collaboration in a live MANET test bed. Work is underway to transition some of this technology into use by public protectors as part of the Philadelphia area urban wireless network testbed. The objectives of this paper include motivating the need for a swarm-based approach to distributed software for wireless environments and discussing the critical issues involved with mobile agents swarming on a MANET. For example, one such design issue is the selection of migration patterns for use by the swarming agents. Several different types of itinerary patterns are evaluated within the context of a mobile agent swarm.
Ethnic Group Differences in Educational Achievement in Fiji

Over 600 Form IV (tenth grade) students in Fiji were tested on measures of achievement orientation, self-esteem, sex typing, and certain demographic variables to determine why ethnic Fijians have relatively low educational achievement compared to other ethnic groups. Although ethnic Fijians scored relatively high on Competitiveness, Mastery, and Work Orientation, and relatively low on Personal Unconcern and Self-Esteem, none of the variables adequately predicted scores on the Fiji Junior Exam, taken seven months later, for the native groups. It is likely that factors relating to the meaning of achievement are more important in understanding ethnic group differences in achievement in Fiji than are measures of individual achievement orientation.
ABSTRACTION AND THEORY MARX'S METHOD FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE

Les sciences sociales sont caracterisees methodologiquement chez Marx par la methode de l'abstraction: il leur revient de construire des hypotheses contredisant les apparences, afin de decrire la structure non observable du mode de production capitaliste, la "realite interne" du systeme social. L'A. presente et discute cette caracterisation, montrant son interet pour une "emancipation des sciences sociales" par rapport aux criteres traditionnels d'adequation empirique.
The role of the bow shock in solar wind-magnetosphere coupling

Abstract. In this paper we examine the role of the bow shock in coupling solar wind energy to the magnetosphere using global magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction with southward IMF. During typical solar wind conditions, there are two significant dynamo currents in the magnetospheric system, one in the high-latitude mantle region tailward of the cusp and the other in the bow shock. As the magnitude of the (southward) IMF increases and the solar wind becomes a low Mach number flow, there is a significant change in solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. The high-latitude magnetopause dynamo becomes insignificant compared to the bow shock and a large load appears right outside the magnetopause. This leaves the bow shock current as the only substantial dynamo current in the system, and the only place where a significant amount of mechanical energy is extracted from the solar wind. That energy appears primarily as electromagnetic energy, and the Poynting flux generated at the bow shock feeds energy back into the plasma, reaccelerating it to solar wind speeds. Some small fraction of that Poynting flux is directed into the magnetosphere, supplying the energy needed for magnetospheric dynamics. Thus during periods when the solar wind flow has a low Mach number, the main dynamo in the solar wind-magnetosphere system is the bow shock.
Symmetric k-factorizations of hypercubes with factors of small diameter

The links of the hypercube Q/sub n/ can be partitioned into multiple link-disjoint spanning subnetworks, or factors. Each of these factors could simulate Q/sub n/. We therefore identify k-factorizations, or partitions of the links of Q/sub n/ into factors of degree k, where (1) the factorization exists for all values of n such that n mod k=0, (2) k is as small as possible, (3) the n/k factors have a similar structure, (4) the factors have as small a diameter as possible, and (5) the factors host Q/sub n/ with as small a dilation as possible. In this paper, we give an (n/2)-factorization of Q/sub n/, where n is even, generated by variations on reduced and thin hypercubes. The two factors are isomorphic, and both of the factors have diameter n+2. The diameter is an improvement over the best result known. Both of the factors also host Q/sub n/ with /spl Theta/(1) dilation.
PERSPECTIVE-NEUTRAL INTRINSIC VALUE

Is it possible to do a good thing, or to make the world a better place? Some argue that it is not possible, because perspective-neutral value does not exist. Some argue that ‘good’ does not play the right grammatical role; or that all good things are good ‘in a way’; or that goodness is inherently perspective-dependent. I argue that the logical and semantic properties of ‘good’ are what we should expect of an evaluative predicate; that the many ways of being good don't threaten the thesis that some ways are perspective-independent; and that there are clear examples of perspective-independent goodness.
Comparison of SAR-derived wind speed with model predictions and ocean buoy measurements

As part of the Alaska synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Demonstration Project in 1999 and 2000, wide-swath RADARSAT SAR imagery has been acquired on a regular basis in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea. During 1998 and 1999, similar data were acquired off the East Coast of the United States as part of the StormWatch Project. The radar cross section measurements from these images were combined with wind direction estimates from the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System model to produce high-resolution maps of the surface wind speed. For this study, 2862 SAR image frames were collected and examined. Averaged wind estimates from this data base have been systematically compared with corresponding wind speed estimates from buoy measurements and model predictions, and very good agreement has been found. The standard deviation between the buoy wind speed and the SAR estimates is 1.76 m/s. Details of the SAR wind extraction procedure are discussed, along with implications of the comparisons on the C-band polarization ratio.
Finding a new vaccine in the ricin protein fold

Previous attempts to produce a vaccine for ricin toxin have been hampered by safety concerns arising from residual toxicity and the undesirable aggregation or precipitation caused by exposure of hydrophobic surfaces on the ricin A-chain (RTA) in the absence of its natural B-chain partner. We undertook a structure-based solution to this problem by reversing evolutionary selection on the 'ribosome inactivating protein' fold of RTA to arrive at a non-functional, compacted single-domain scaffold (sequence RTA1-198) for presentation of a specific protective epitope (RTA loop 95-110). An optimized protein based upon our modeling design (RTA1-33/44-198) showed greater resistance to thermal denaturation, less precipitation under physiological conditions and a reduction in toxic activity of at least three orders of magnitude compared with RTA. Most importantly, RTA1-198 or RTA1-33/44-198 protected 100% of vaccinated animals against supra-lethal challenge with aerosolized ricin. We conclude that comparative protein analysis and engineering yielded a superior vaccine by exploiting a component of the toxin that is inherently more stable than is the parent RTA molecule.
WITHDRAWN SPIN‐OFFS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

We examine market reaction to corporate spin-offs that are eventually withdrawn. These spin-offs do not experience the significant positive share price response reported for spin-offs generally. The overall market reaction to both the initial spin-off announcement and the withdrawal announcement is not significant. When a reason is provided for withdrawing a spin-off, there is a significant positive market reaction; otherwise, there is a significant negative reaction. Firms that withdraw a spin-off without stating a reason experience significant deterioration in industry-adjusted operating performance in the three years following the withdrawal. These results indicate the market can anticipate the viability of withdrawn spin-offs at the time of the initial announcement. JEL classification: G34
Abnormal origins of the coronary arteries from the aortic root.

Anomalous origin of a coronary artery from the aorta is a potentially serious anomaly that occurs in about 0.1–0.2% of the population. This percentage is small; however, it translates into about 4000 annual births with these anomalies. The clinical presentation of these anomalies is rare, and hence most are and will remain asymptomatic. The various anatomic anomalies are described, with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery that then passes between the aorta and pulmonary artery being the most serious of these anomalies. The pathophysiology resulting from these anomalies is described, as are methods for identifying those who require treatment; however, we still do not know the best methods of determining which patients need treatment.
Measuring middle Pleistocene erosion rates with cosmic‐ray‐produced nuclides in buried alluvial sediment, Fisher Valley, southeastern Utah

Cosmic-ray-produced 10 Be and 26 Al in riverborne quartz sediment are commonly used to estimate average catchment-scale erosion rates. Likewise, the concentrations of these nuclides in ancient sediments, stored in a depositional basin, carry a record of past erosion rates in the sediment source area. This is important because such a record could be compared to records of climate change or tectonic events to elucidate relationships between climate, tectonics and erosion. If the sediments are shielded from the cosmic-ray flux after deposition, for example in deep water, their nuclide concentrations need only be corrected for radioactive decay since deposition in order to determine past erosion rates. Where sediment is deposited subaerially and buried relatively slowly, on the other hand, the additional nuclide concentration that builds up during sediment accumulation and storage must be reconstructed and subtracted in order to recover the initial nuclide concentrations in the sediment and thence the past erosion rates. We describe an example of this process for an early to middle Pleistocene section of alluvial sediment in Fisher Valley, Utah. We use stratigraphic observations as well as an independently known age model for the sediment section to: (a) subtract post-depositional nuclide concentrations and reconstruct past erosion rates between 0·7 and 0·6 Ma; and (b) estimate the uncertainty in the results that arises from imperfect dating of the section and the natural variability in accumulation rates. The present basinaveraged erosion rate in Fisher Valley is near 125 m Ma −1 , and middle Pleistocene basinaveraged erosion rates varied between 80 and 220 m Ma −1 . Changes in the erosion rate over time do not appear to be connected to glacial‐interglacial climate changes, but may be related to episodic subsidence of the basin. Uncertainties are small in the case of low erosion rates and high sediment accumulation rates, and large in the opposite situation. In this example, we could reduce the uncertainties by increasing the sampling density or by better relating our sample locations to the small-scale stratigraphy of the sedimentary section. In general, future attempts to reconstruct past erosion rates from cosmogenic-nuclide concentrations in ancient alluvium will be most successful in situations where post-depositional nuclide accumulation is minimized, for example in lakes or marine basins. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss-of-function mutations in the LIM-homeodomain gene, LMX1B, in nail-patella syndrome

Nail‐patella syndrome (NPS) is an inherited developmental disorder most commonly involving maldevelopment of the fingernails, kneecaps and elbow joints. NPS exhibits wide variation in phenotypic expression within and among families with respect to these features. Other skeletal abnormalities such as hip dislocation and club foot have also been reported in some individuals with NPS. There is an association between NPS and renal disease, and between NPS and open-angle glaucoma (OAG), but it is not known whether mutations in a single gene cause the observed skeletal, renal and ophthalmic abnormalities. Recently, LMX1B, a transcription factor of the LIM-homeodomain type with homologs that are important for limb development in vertebrates, was mapped to the same general location as NPS at 9q34. We sequenced a large segment of LMX1B from the genomic DNA of probands from four families with NPS and OAG, and identified four mutations: two stop codons, a deletion causing a frameshift and a missense mutation in a functionally important residue. The presence of these putative loss-of-function mutations in the DNA of individuals with NPS indicates that haploinsufficiency of LMX1B underlies this disorder. These findings help to explain the high degree of variability in the NPS phenotype, and suggest that the skeletal defects in NPS are a result of the diminished dorsoventral patterning activity of LMX1B protein during limb development. The results further suggest that the NPS and OAG phenotypes in the families studied result from mutations in a single gene, LMX1B.
Synthesizing contact sounds between textured models

We present a new interaction handling model for physics-based sound synthesis in virtual environments. A new three-level surface representation for describing object shapes, visible surface bumpiness, and microscopic roughness (e.g. friction) is proposed to model surface contacts at varying resolutions for automatically simulating rich, complex contact sounds. This new model can capture various types of surface interaction, including sliding, rolling, and impact with a combination of three levels of spatial resolutions. We demonstrate our method by synthesizing complex, varying sounds in several interactive scenarios and a game-like virtual environment. The three-level interaction model for sound synthesis enhances the perceived coherence between audio and visual cues in virtual reality applications.
The Influence of G&H on Nonlinear Dynamics

This paper describes the place of the book by Guckenheimer and Holmes (Nonlinear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems and Bifurcations of Vector Fields, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1983) in the research and literature on nonlinear dynamics.
Epinephrine regulates aquaglyceroporin HC-3 expression and subcellular localization in cultured erythrocytes from the freeze-tolerant treefrog, Hyla chrysoscelis (1099.5)

Cope’s gray treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis, accumulates and distributes glycerol as a cryoprotectant in anticipation of freezing. Transmembrane glycerol and water flux in H. chysoscelis erythrocytes li...
The Stardust Mission: Analyzing Samples from the Edge of the Solar System

Comet samples returned to Earth by the NASA Stardust mission have provided a surprising glimpse into the nature of early Solar System materials and an epiphany on the origin of the initial rocky materials that once filled the cold regions of the solar nebula. The findings show that the cold regions of the early Solar System were not isolated and were not a refuge where interstellar materials could commonly survive. Wild 2, the sampled comet, appears to be a typical active Jupiter family comet, and yet most of its sampled micron and larger grains are familiar high-temperature meteoritic materials, such as chondrule fragments, that were transported to cold nebular regions. The rocky components in primitive asteroids and comets may differ because asteroid formation was dominated by local materials, whereas comets formed from mixed materials, many of which were transported from very distant locations.
Detecting and tracking eyes by using their physiological properties, dynamics, and appearance

Reliable detection and tracking of eyes is an important requirement for attentive user interfaces. In this paper, we present a methodology for detecting eyes robustly in indoor environments in real-time. We exploit the physiological properties and appearance of eyes as well as head/eye motion dynamics. Infrared lighting is used to capture the physiological properties of eyes, Kalman trackers are used to model eye/head dynamics, and a probabilistic based appearance model is used to represent eye appearance. By combining three separate modalities, with specific enhancements within each modality, our approach allows eyes to be treated as robust features that can be used for other higher-level processing.
Selection during crop diversification involves correlated evolution of the circadian clock and ecophysiological traits in Brassica rapa

Crop selection often leads to dramatic morphological diversification, in which allocation to the harvestable component increases. Shifts in allocation are predicted to impact (as well as rely on) physiological traits; yet, little is known about the evolution of gas exchange and related anatomical features during crop diversification. In Brassica rapa, we tested for physiological differentiation among three crop morphotypes (leaf, turnip, and oilseed) and for correlated evolution of circadian, gas exchange, and phenological traits. We also examined internal and surficial leaf anatomical features and biochemical limits to photosynthesis. Crop types differed in gas exchange; oilseed varieties had higher net carbon assimilation and stomatal conductance relative to vegetable types. Phylogenetically independent contrasts indicated correlated evolution between circadian traits and both gas exchange and biomass accumulation; shifts to shorter circadian period (closer to 24 h) between phylogenetic nodes are associated with higher stomatal conductance, lower photosynthetic rate (when CO2 supply is factored out), and lower biomass accumulation. Crop type differences in gas exchange are also associated with stomatal density, epidermal thickness, numbers of palisade layers, and biochemical limits to photosynthesis. Brassica crop diversification involves correlated evolution of circadian and physiological traits, which is potentially relevant to understanding mechanistic targets for crop improvement.
Trade and Development Agreements for Human Rights

Libya, Yemen, North Korea, Syria — human rights are at the forefront of international politics these days. Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the world’s values have changed. Today, almost all states have ratified the UN Charter and one or more of the seven international agreements that form the core of international human rights law. This regime, which charts out principles for the promotion of wellbeing everywhere, has received wide recognition.
Woody Host Plants of the Sugarcane Root Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Florida Sugarcane

Abstract A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate adult sugarcane root weevil (Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.)) residence (location), feeding damage, and oviposition choice on 4 sugarcane varieties and 5 weed species found in Florida sugarcane. Sugarcane varieties were CP 89 - 2143, CP 88 - 1762, CP 80 - 1743, and CP 78 - 1628. Weed species were common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.), spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus L.), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby), and coffee senna (Senna occidentalis (L.) Link). Adult residence was highest on coffee senna followed by spiny amaranth, sicklepod, and common purslane. Few adults were observed on sugarcane varieties and common lambsquarters. Adults caused feeding damage on all weed species. Coffee senna, spiny amaranth, and sicklepod had the highest feeding damage whereas common lambsquarters had the least damage. Little feeding damage was observed on sugarcane varieties. Oviposition of D. abbreviat...
Oxygen distributions within R3230Ac tumors growing in dorsal flap window chambers in rats

R3230Ac mammary tumors were grown in transparent window chambers implanted into the dorsal skin flap of 250 g Fischer 344 rats (see Dewhirst et al, 1992). The oxygen pressure distributions in the tumor and host tissue were measured by the oxygen dependent quenching of phosphorescence (see Vinogradov et al, 1996) after injection of Oxyphor R2 (7 mg, 0.3 ml) into the tail vein. The oxygen pressure maps show the R3230Ac tumors to be hypoxic relative to the surrounding tissue. The excitation spectrum for the phosphor has peaks at 419 nm (blue light) and at 524 nm (green light), and the emitted phosphorescence spectrum and lifetime are independent of the wavelength at which the phosphor is excited. The absorption by tissue is much greater for blue light than green light, due to intrinsic chromophores such as cytochromes, hemoglobin, myoglobin etc. Thus, blue excitation measures the oxygen pressures in a much thinner, superficial, surface layer (< 50 microns) than does green excitation, allowing “optical sectioning” of tissue oxygenation. The tissue can be further optically sectioned by making measurements from both sides of the window. Viewed from the tumor side, the superficial layers (blue excitation) of these tumors were hypoxic whereas the host tissue was well oxygenated. The oxygen pressures in the growing edge of the tumors are lower than those in the central core of the tumor, and much lower than those of the host tissue. This result is in agreement with the micro-oxygen electrode measurements of perivascular oxygen pressures reported by Dewhirst and coworkers (1992).
Developmental Rate of the Sooty Strain of Pectinophora gossypiella

The rate of development of the larval and pupal stages of 4 strains of the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lep.: Gelechiidae), were compared at constant temperatures from 16.7° to 38°C. Two of the strains carried the dominant autosomal mutation, sooty (S); the other 2 were wild-type. Both sooty strains and a closely related wild-type strain developed significantly faster than the wild-type laboratory strain. The comparisons indicated that the differences in developmental times were due to genetic differences caused by adaptation of the insects to different rearing regimes rather than to direct effects of the sooty locus on developmental rates. The use of the sooty strain in mass rearing insects is discussed.
The Impact of Job Level and Sex Differences on the Relationship Between Life and Job Satisfaction

Questionnaire data were collected from 411 university employees at three job levels to test two hypotheses relative to differences in the relationship between job and life satisfaction for male and...
Evaluation of Five Turbulence Models for Accurate Numerical Simulation of 2D Slot Nozzle Ejector

Accurate numerical simulation of high speed ejector flow is critical for design and optimization of nozzle ejector systems. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of the turbulent mixing of a high speed jet with subsonic flow requires a turbulence model that can predict the flow field with an acceptable accuracy. In this paper, we consider five turbulence models – one equation Spalart-Allmaras (SA) model, two-equation k-e and Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω models, four equation Transition SST k-ω turbulence model and Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS) SST k-ω model. The accuracy of these models is evaluated by comparing the CFD predictions against the experimental data available from NASA for a 2D slot nozzle ejector in a variable area mixing section. In addition the effect of two boundary conditions at the nozzle inlet – the pressure condition and the mass flow rate condition, on solution accuracy is investigated. It is shown that the SST k-ω and the Transition SST k-ω turbulence models give the best overall agreement with the experimental data.
Effect of Pulmonary Vascular Pressures on Long-Term Outcome in Patients With Primary Mitral Regurgitation

AbstractBackground: Primary mitral regurgitation (MR) is a growing health problem due to the aging population.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of baseline pulmonary hy...
I Pity the Poor Immigrant: Stigma and Immigration

This chapter reviews the relationship between migration and stigma, addresses the way health-care providers and researchers can perpetuate stigma against migrant populations, and reviews what is required to address stigma against migrants in health-care settings.
Nicephorus Bryennius and Anna Comnena

The momentous reign of Alexius I Comnenus (1081–1118) was a promising subject for a dramatic narrative. Alexius left the empire larger, richer, and stronger than it had been at his accession, even if smaller, poorer, and weaker than it had been ten years before his accession. At the worst of the military emergency, early in Alexius’ reign, Byzantium had been in real danger of complete disintegration; but Alexius recovered almost everything that the empire had lost in the Balkans, as well as the most fertile and populous part of Anatolia. He also restored the stability of the Byzantine coinage, though not its full purity, and under him the Byzantine economy recovered from the disruptions caused by the Seljuk and Norman invasions. Since the mid-eleventh century, when the empire had enjoyed clear dominance over the eastern Mediterranean, it had acquired some troublesome new neighbors—the Seljuk sultanate in Anatolia, the Crusader states in Syria and Palestine, and the Norman state in Sicily and southern Italy—but none of these was as strong as Alexius’ Byzantium. Better still, the empire remained stable, strong, and prosperous during the long reigns of Alexius’ son and grandson. While Alexius might have done more—especially by increasing the size of the army and retaking the rest of Anatolia—he achieved a great deal.
Comparing the Effectiveness of a Novel Suction Set-up Using an Adult Endotracheal Tube Connected to a Meconium Aspirator vs. a Traditional Yankauer Suction Instrument

Abstract Background It has been suggested that an adult 8.0 endotracheal tube (ETT) connected to a neonatal meconium aspirator would improve suctioning during emergent endotracheal intubation compared to the Yankauer suction instrument, the standard tool used by emergency physicians. Objectives This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a Yankauer vs. an ETT-meconium aspirator set-up in suctioning liquids of different viscosities. Methods The Yankauer and ETT-meconium aspirator device underwent a head-to-head timed comparison, suctioning 250 mL of three different fluids, varying in viscosity. The first comparison test used tap water to represent simple oral secretions. The second comparison test used porcine whole blood as a proxy for human blood. The third comparison test used a coarsely blended mixture of a hamburger, French fries, and a soda to simulate emesis from a recently ingested meal. Five separate time trials were conducted for each liquid and for each suction device. Results The ETT-meconium aspirator device compared to the Yankauer suctioned faster in both the water comparison test (mean = 2.6 s vs. 3.4 s; p p = 0.0015). In the emesis trial, the Yankauer immediately clogged, whereas the ETT-meconium aspirator apparatus managed to suction an average of 90 mL prior to clogging. Conclusion Compared to the Yankauer, an adult 8.0 ETT connected to a meconium aspirator was superior in suctioning liquids of varying viscosities and should be considered when encountering a difficult airway due to copious secretions, blood, or emesis.
Risk Stacking of Pneumococcal Vaccination Indications Increases Mortality in Unvaccinated Adults with Streptococcus pneumoniae Infections

Abstract Background Several chronic disease states have been identified as pneumococcal vaccination indications due to their ability to increase pneumococcal disease development and subsequent mortality. However, the risk of mortality according to the number of these disease states present is unknown. We sought to determine the impact of concomitant, multiple risk factors (stacked risks) for pneumococcal disease on 30-day mortality in adults. Methods This was a national case-control study of unvaccinated older Veterans (≥50 years of age) admitted to Veterans Affairs medical centers from 2002 to 2011 with serious pneumococcal infections (pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis) based on positive S. pneumoniae blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or respiratory cultures, respectively. Cases were those not alive 30 days following culture, while controls were alive. Using logistic regression, we quantified risk of 30-day mortality among patients with stacked risk factors, including age ≥65 years, alcohol abuse, chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, immunodeficiency, and smoking. Results We identified 9730 serious pneumococcal infections, with an overall 30-day mortality rate of 18.6% (1764 cases, 7966 controls). Infection types included pneumonia (62%), bacteremia (26%), and bacteremic pneumonia (11%). Along with eight individual risk factors, we assessed 247 combinations of risk factors. Most cases (85%) and controls (74%) had at least two risk factors. Mortality increased as risks were stacked, up to six risk factors (one: OR 1.5, CI 1.08–2.07; two: OR 2.01, CI 1.47–2.75; three: OR 2.71, CI 1.99–3.69; four: OR 3.27, CI 2.39–4.47; five: OR 3.63, CI 2.60–5.07; six: OR 4.23, CI 2.69–6.65), with each additional risk factor increasing mortality an average of 55% (±13%). Conclusions Among adults ≥50 years with serious pneumococcal disease, mortality risk increased approximately 55% as vaccination indications present increased. Mortality with six stacked indications was double that of two indications.
Atrial Arrhythmias and Electroanatomical Remodeling in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices.

Background The incidence, predictors, and impact of atrial arrhythmias along with left atrial structural changes in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) remain undetermined. Methods and Results All patients who underwent LVAD implantation from 2008 to 2015 at the University of Chicago Medical Center were included. Electronic medical records, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and cardiac electrical device interrogations were reviewed. The association of arrhythmias and clinical covariates with survival was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses. A total of 331 patients were followed for a median of 330 days (range 0–2306 days). Mean age was 57.8±12.8 years, 256 participants (77.3%) were male, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 20±6.6%, and 124 (37.5%) had ischemic cardiomyopathy. Atrial arrhythmias (53.8%) were highly prevalent and frequently coexisted before LVAD implantation: atrial fibrillation (AF) in 45.9%, atrial flutter in 13.9%, atrial tachycardia in 6.9%, and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in 1.2%. New‐onset AF was documented in 14 patients (7.8% of patients without prior AF) after the first 30 days with an LVAD. Increasing age, renal insufficiency, and lung disease were predictors of new‐onset AF after LVAD implantation. Of patients with paroxysmal AF, 43% had no further AF after LVAD. Left atrial size and volume index improved with LVAD ( P Conclusions Atrial arrhythmias are significantly prevalent in patients who require LVAD and are associated with increased mortality; however, LVADs induce favorable atrial structural and electrical remodeling.
Myocardial oxidative stress correlates with left ventricular dysfunction on strain echocardiography in a rodent model of sepsis

Recognition of cardiomyopathy in sepsis can be challenging due to the limitations of conventional measures such as ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in the context of variable preload and afterload conditions. This study correlates myocardial function using strain echocardiography (SE) with cardiomyocyte oxidative stress in a murine model of sepsis. C57BL/6J mice were randomized into control (n = 10), sham (n = 25), and a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) (n = 33) model of sepsis. Echocardiography was performed pre-, 12, 24, and 48 h post-injury. Cardiac pro-inflammatory cytokines and mitochondrial redox scavenger expression were evaluated in a subset of each arm. To evaluate the influence of redox scavenger upregulation on oxidative injury and cardiac function, CLP was performed on mitochondrial catalase-upregulated C57BL/6J MCAT+/+ mice (n = 12) and wild-type (WT) animals for comparison. Septic C57BL/6J mice exhibited depressed longitudinal strain (LS) when compared to sham and control at 24 h (p < 0.01) and 48 h (p = 0.04) post-CLP despite having a preserved EF. Furthermore, there was a significant association between increased odds of mortality and depressed LS (OR = 1.23, p = 0.04). Septic C57BL/6J mice concomitantly demonstrated increased expression of cardiomyocyte pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased expression of redox scavengers at 24 and 48 h. When comparing C57Bl/6 MCAT +/+ mice and C57BL/6J WT mice, a significant decrease in LS was identified in the WT mice at 24 h (MCAT = −23 ± 5% vs. WT = −15 ± 4% p < 0.01) and 48 h (MCAT = −23 ± 7% vs. WT = −15 ± 4.3% p = 0.04) post-CLP which correlated with significant increase in the level of cardiac oxidative stress following CLP. In this sepsis model, SE identified cardiomyopathy despite normal EF. SE depression temporally coincides with upregulation of inflammatory cytokines and decreases expression of key mitochondrial ROS scavengers. Upregulation of redox scavenger (CAT) abrogates oxidative stress and cardiac dysfunction in this sepsis model.
Student Pharmacists’ Perceptions of the Difficulty of Topics and Preferences for Learning Tools for Incorporation in a Mobile Application for Reinforcement of the Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Course Content

There is interest in implementing new technology in the pharmacy professional curriculum. The objectives of this study were to: (1) assess the perceived level of difficulty of topics in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry in the Pharm.D programme; and (2) assess the student perceptions of what learning methods can be used to reinforce the course material. A 32 item questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale (least to most difficult) was administered to 240 professional students. Section A asked respondents to rate the level of difficulty of the topics taught in the course. Section B asked respondents to choose learning methods for reinforcing lectures. Protein structure and non-covalent bonding were rated easier while carbohydrates, glycolysis, cell signaling, RNA, DNA and biotechnology were rated as more difficult. Students chose practice quizzes for all topics. The results demonstrate that respondents perceive practice quizzes, animation, flash cards and 3D models as useful tools.
Assessing the nexus of sustainability and information & communications technology

Abstract The link between information and communications technology and sustainability has been discussed by many authors, yet a macro-level analysis of the link coupled with an examination of the link between new technology areas, human development and the interaction between all of these measures has not been fully explored. In this paper, we hypothesize the link between environmental sustainability, information and communication technology, and human development. We find that information and communications technology and human development have significant main and interactive effects on environmental sustainability. Our discussion section proposes further research into these areas to understand some of the micro-level interactions.
Revisiting equity and efficiency arguments for gender equality: a principled but pragmatic approach*

This article reviews the efficiency arguments made (or not made) with respect to gender educational equality, gender wage equality and unpaid care work. It problematises the concept and measures of...
Immune variation during pregnancy suggests immune component‐specific costs of reproduction in a viviparous snake with disparate life‐history strategies

Growing evidence suggests the existence of trade-offs between immune function and reproduction in diverse taxa. Among vertebrates, however, there is still a taxonomic bias toward studies in endotherms, particularly birds. We tested the hypothesis that reproduction entails immune-related costs in the viviparous garter snake, Thamnophis elegans, from populations that exhibit two life-history strategies, termed ecotypes, with contrasting paces of life. Between the two ecotypes, we predicted lower immune function in gravid than non-gravid females of both strategies, but with relatively larger immunity costs in the ecotype that generally invests more in current reproduction. Across individuals, we predicted greater immune costs for females investing more in the present specific reproductive event (i.e., higher fecundity) irrespective of their ecotype. We assessed leukocyte profiles and measured bactericidal capacity of plasma (innate immunity) and T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation (adaptive immunity) in gravid and non-gravid females in their natural habitats. We also collected data on reproductive output from these same gravid females brought into captivity. Gravid females of both ecotypes showed lower T-lymphocyte proliferation responses to concanavalin A than non-gravid females, but no differential costs were observed between ecotypes. The remaining immune variables did not vary between gravid and non-gravid females. Among gravid females within each ecotype, those with larger reproductive output showed lower total leukocyte counts, suggesting a fecundity-dependent trade-off. Our study contributes to the comparative ecoimmunology of vertebrates by highlighting the immune component-specificity of trade-offs between reproduction and immune function and showing that costs can be fecundity-dependent in some, but not all cases.
Duration of Bisphosphonate Therapy.

Oral bisphosphonates significantly reduce clinical fracture risk at four years in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (T-score less than −2.5). Treatment beyond five years is associated with further reductions in fractures in women with persistent femoral neck T-scores less than −2.5.
I saw TREE trees in the park: How to Correct Real-Word Spelling Mistakes

This paper presents a context sensitive spell checking system that uses mixed trigram models, and introduces a new empirically grounded method for building confusion sets. The proposed method has been implemented, tested, and evaluated in terms of coverage, precision, and recall. The results show that the method is effective.
Two Views of Capital Hours

What is the role of capital in explaining the growth of output? A common view used to be that increases in output over time could be explained largely by increases in employment and in capital per worker, but post-World War II research changed all that. In a growth-accounting framework, increases in capital per hour of labor input leave a good part of the output rise unexplained. Not only does the contribution of capital to growth appear much smaller than had been thought, but capital of the conventional kind-tangible capital in the form of buildings, equipment, inventories, and land-seems to have acquired a lesser role at the same time that other types of capital-intangible capital like human capital and what is referred to as “the stock of knowledge”-have become more prominent.
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: World Experience

Research into the incorporation of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy into treatment regimens for women with ovarian carcinoma has lagged behind that of other cancers causing peritoneal carcinomatosis despite the fact that ovarian cancer represents an excellent target for this modality of treatment. This chapter reviews experience with this technique from around the world, with the exception of France, and discusses future developments.
Feedback effect of crop raiding in payments for ecosystem services.

Payments for ecosystem services (PES) may alter dynamics in coupled human and natural systems, producing reciprocal feedback effects on socioeconomic and environmental outcomes. As forests recover following China’s two nation-wide PES programs, wildlife-related crop raiding has been increasingly affecting rural people’s livelihoods. We evaluate the feedback effect of crop raiding on people’s intention to convert their cropland plots into forests under different PES program scenarios in the Tianma National Nature Reserve. Increases in crop raiding, conservation payment amounts, and program duration significantly increased local people’s intention to enroll their cropland plots in future PES programs. Our results suggest that a substantial portion of economic benefit from the current PES programs was offset by the feedback effect of crop raiding promoted by these programs. Therefore, such complex human–environment interactions should be incorporated into the design and evaluation of China’s PES practices and other PES programs around the world.
271) Attitudes of Older Adults with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain towards Immersive Virtual Reality

Older adults are especially susceptible to chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. Drugs provide inadequate relief and overuse can lead to adverse events. Immersive virtual reality (IVR), a computer-generated simulation of a 3-D image, can act as distraction therapy by drawing attention away from pain. The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes and treatment acceptability of older adults with chronic MSK pain towards IVR as distraction therapy for chronic pain exacerbations. The aims are: 1) describe attitudes of older adults suffering from chronic MSK pain towards IVR using focus groups; 2) describe IVR treatment acceptability and side effects using surveys. This is a descriptive, exploratory study using mixed methods and convergent parallel design. Inclusion criteria: 1) diagnosis of chronic MSK pain; 2) 65 and older; 3) residency at participating facility. Exclusion criteria: 1) cognitive impairment; 2) hearing/visual deficit. Treatment acceptability was measured with 8 items scored on a 5-pt Likert scale. Side effects to IVR were measured with Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ). Participation consisted of 2 visits. The first visit included the consent process, eligibility screening, survey completion, and 15-minutes of IVR and the second visit was a focus group. Data collection and analysis is ongoing, and the current sample size is 15. Most participants found IVR to be an acceptable way to manage pain (73.4%) and would be willing to use it for their pain (73.3%). 46.6% believed it would likely reduce their pain. Few experienced side effects (26%), such as general discomfort and eyestrain. Qualitative data suggests: 1) greater ease of use with sufficient practice; 2) a preference towards relaxation, meditation, or biofeedback simulations with realistic images; 3) an uncertainty of effectiveness with movement-evoked pain. The findings of this study will help optimize IVR as a therapy for chronic MSK pain.
Ontology-Based Security Recommendation for the Internet of Medical Things

Security and privacy are among the key barriers to adopting the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) solutions. IoMT adopters have to adhere to security and privacy policies to ensure that patient data remains confidential and secure. However, there is confusion among IoMT stakeholders as to what security measures they should expect from the IoMT manufacturers and whether these measures would comply with the adopter's security and compliance requirements. In this paper, we present a recommendation tool that models IoMT concepts and security issues in addition to successively recommending security measures. The presented tool utilizes semantically enriched ontology to model the IoMT components, security issues, and measures. The developed ontology is equipped with context-aware rules to enable reasoning in order to build a recommendation system that empowers users to make well-educated decisions. The recommendation tool classifies IoMT security threats faced by IoMT stakeholders and automatically recommends security controls that have to be enforced for each threat. We have experimented the proposed tool with respect to the completeness and effectiveness of its output (i.e., security issues and recommended security measures). The results show that the tool was effectively able to recommend necessary security measures.
Host-Controlled Restriction of Nodulation by Bradyrhizobium Japonicum Strain USDA 110 and Characterization of a Gene Regulating Nodulation

A major emphasis of recent dinitrogen fixation research has been the development of genetic engineering techniques for the construction of rhizobial strains with enhanced nitrogen fixation. However, faced with competition from indigenous rhizobial and bradyrhizobial populations, even highly efficient N2 fixing strains are destined to form few nodules and have a minimal effect upon N2 fixation. While most studies of competition among B. japonicum strains have focused on soil - rhizosphere ecology, the selection of more competitive strains, or improved inoculation techniques, comparatively little research has considered utilizing the genetic components of both Bradyrhizobium and the host plant to alter nodule occupancy.
Pyrethrin Biosynthesis: The Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase CYP82Q3 Converts Jasmolone To Pyrethrolone.

The plant pyrethrum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) synthesizes highly effective natural pesticides known as pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are esters consisting of an irregular monoterpenoid acid and an alcohol derived from jasmonic acid (JA). These alcohols, referred to as rethrolones, can be jasmolone, pyrethrolone, or cinerolone. We recently showed that jasmolone is synthesized from jasmone, a degradation product of JA, in a single hydroxylation step catalyzed by jasmone hydroxylase (TcJMH). TcJMH belongs to the CYP71 clade of the cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase family. Here, we used coexpression analysis, heterologous gene expression, and in vitro biochemical assays to identify the enzyme responsible for conversion of jasmolone to pyrethrolone. A further T. cinerariifolium cytochrome P450 family member, CYP82Q3 (designated Pyrethrolone Synthase; TcPYS), appeared to catalyze the direct desaturation of the C1–C2 bond in the pentyl side chain of jasmolone to produce pyrethrolone. TcPYS is highly expressed in the trichomes of the ovaries in pyrethrum flowers, similar to TcJMH and other T. cinerariifolium genes involved in JA biosynthesis. Thus, as previously shown for biosynthesis of the monoterpenoid acid moiety of pyrethrins, rethrolones are synthesized in the trichomes. However, the final assembly of pyrethrins occurs in the developing achenes. Our data provide further insight into pyrethrin biosynthesis, which could ultimately be harnessed to produce this natural pesticide in a heterologous system.
Impulsivity Mediates the Link between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Juvenile Incarceration among Low-Income African American Women

A history of childhood trauma has been found to have a robust influence on juvenile delinquency, and evidence suggests that childhood sexual abuse is particularly common among female youth involved...