cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intra-population variation in the natal origins and wing morphology of overwintering western monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus

Understanding the natal origins of migratory animals is critical for understanding their population dynamics and conservation. However, quantitative estimates of population recruitment from different natal habitats can be difficult to assess for many species, especially those with large geographic ranges. These limitations hinder the evaluation of alternative hypotheses about the key movements and ecological interactions of migratory species. Here, we quantitatively investigated intra-population variation in the natal origins of western North American monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus using spatial analyses of stable isotope ratios and correlations with wing morphology. A map of hydrogen isotope values in western monarch butterfly wings (δ2Hm) was estimated using a transfer function that relates the δ2Hm values of monarch butterfly wing keratin to a long-term dataset of precipitation isotope (δ2Hp) values across the western United States. Isotopic analyses of 114 monarch butterfly wings collected at four California overwintering locations indicated substantial individual variation in natal origins, with most recruitment coming from broad regions along the Pacific coast, the southwestern US and the northern intermountain region. These observed patterns may partially resolve and reconcile several past hypotheses about the natal origins of western monarch butterflies, while also raising new questions. More negative δ2Hm values (associated with longer migratory distance) were significantly correlated with larger forewing sizes, consistent with expectations based on the aerodynamic and energetic costs of long-distance migration, while analyses of wing shape suggest potential differences in the movement behaviors and constraints observed in the western range, compared with previous observations in eastern North America. Taken together, the results of this study indicate substantial individual variation in the natal origins of overwintering western monarch butterflies, suggesting both local and long-distance movement to overwintering sites.
Obesity and Placental Function

An increasing number of women of reproductive age are obese which affects the continuum of pregnancy and is associated with an increased incidence of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including preeclampsia, preterm birth, stillbirth, congenital anomalies, and macrosomia. Maternal obesity is associated with an increased incidence of metabolic and cardiovascular disease later in life in the mother and in the offspring who are developmentally programed by the obese pregnancy environment. The placenta transduces and mediates the effect of the adverse maternal environment to the fetus. The obese maternal environment is characterized by hyperlipidemia and an exaggerated state of inflammation and oxidative stress compared with normal pregnancy. Heightened inflammation and oxidative/nitrative stress are found in the placenta in association with placental dysfunction. We have described reduced mitochondrial respiration and ATP generation in trophoblast isolated from placentas of obese compared with lean women, again suggesting compromised placental function. In utero development exhibits sexual dimorphism with the male fetus at greater risk of poor outcome. We have shown dimorphism in inflammation-mediated regulation of trophoblast mitochondrial respiration. There is also increasing evidence that the obese in utero environment may cause epigenetic changes in placenta leading to altered function.
Representations in language processing: why comprehension is not “brute-causal”

AbstractI defend a claim, central to much work in psycholinguistics, that constructing mental representations of syntactic structures is a necessary step in language comprehension. Call such representations “mental phrase markers” (MPMs). Several theorists in psycholinguistics, AI, and philosophy have cast doubt on the usefulness of positing MPMs (Devitt, 2006; Rohde, 2002; Schank & Birnbaum, 1984). I examine their proposals and argue that they face major empirical and conceptual difficulties. My conclusions tell against the broader skepticism that persists in philosophy—e.g., in the embodied cognition literature (Hutto & Myin, 2012)—about the usefulness of positing mental representations in psychological models. Using my discussion of sentence parsing as a case study, I propose several conditions on an appropriate appeal to mental representations. Finally, I point out that the familiar arguments from productivity, systematicity, and inferential coherence suffice to establish that MPMs themselves have a c...
Increasing progesterone levels are associated with smoking abstinence among free-cycling women smokers who receive brief pharmacotherapy.

Introduction Preclinical and human laboratory research suggests that (a) progesterone may decrease drug reward, craving, and smoking behavior, and (b) estradiol may enhance drug reward and smoking behavior. A modest majority of treatment research examining the relationship between menstrual cycle phase and outcomes suggests that the luteal menstrual phase, with its uniquely higher progesterone levels, is associated with better cessation outcomes. However, no studies to date have examined the effects of naturally occurring variation in progesterone and estradiol levels on medication-assisted smoking cessation. The present study sought to fill this notable gap in the treatment literature. Methods Weekly plasma progesterone and estradiol levels were obtained from nicotine-dependent female smokers enrolled in a 4-week cessation trial. Participants (N = 108) were randomized to receive a 4-week course of either varenicline (VAR) tablets and placebo patches or placebo tablets and nicotine patches. Plasma samples were obtained 1 week before their cessation attempt and weekly during medication administration. Abstinence was assessed weekly. Results Weekly hormone data replicated commonly observed menstrual cycle patterns of progesterone and estradiol levels. Importantly, increases in progesterone level were associated with a 23% increase in the odds for being abstinent within each week of treatment. This effect was driven primarily by nicotine patch-treated versus VAR-treated females. Conclusions This study was the first to identify an association between progesterone level (increasing) and abstinence outcomes in free-cycling women smokers who participated in a medication-based treatment. Furthermore, the potential benefits of progesterone may vary across different pharmacotherapies. Implications of these findings for smoking cessation intervention are discussed.
The immune system and the aging process in man.

AbstractLife span appears to be under genetic control. Genes linked to the major histocompatibility complex are associated with life span. These genes also play a major role in regulating immune reactivity and suggest that immunological factors may be determinants in the length of life. Many of the immune functions which change with age can be related to the involution of the thymus gland and the decline in thymic hormone levels. Impaired proliferation of T cells from old individuals may be the cellular basis of certain changes in immunological reactivity seen with age. Lymphocytes like arterial smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts from elderly donors appear to have an impaired capacity to proliferate in culture.
Thermotropic Polyesters Containing Carbonyl Or Ether Linkages

In an assembly of aligned, thermotropic polyester macromolecules, such as a fiber, the flexibility and deviations from rectilinearity occasioned by in-chain ArCOAr or ArOAr units are reflected sensitively by overall stiffness (initial modulus) and elasticity (elongation at break). The influence of frequency and placement of these units, as well as the effect of ring substituents, is discussed. In a few cases where carbonyl or other units are regularly placed at suitable intervals along the chain, the latter apparently is extended as a low amplitude, regular helix which, in terms of physical properties, approximates to a straight, rod-like conformation. In situations where the angulation created by a carbonyl unit is immediately cancelled by an adjacent m -phenylene ring, the extended macromolecule is virtually rectilinear and, though marginally liquid crystalline, may provide some of the strongest organic fibers known.
Photophysical Properties of Near-Infrared Phosphorescent π-Extended Platinum Porphyrins

A comprehensive photophysical study is reported on a family of π-extended platinum(II) porphyrin complexes. The platinum(II) complexes are synthesized from the corresponding free base porphyrins by treatment with platinum(II) acetate in hot benzonitrile, affording the complexes in considerably higher yield than by reaction with platinum(II) chloride. A quantitative study of the absorption and luminescence properties of the metalloporphyrins is presented. A series including tetraarylbenzo-, tetraarylnaphtho-, and tetraarylanthroporphyrin exhibits efficient phosphorescence at 773, 890, and 1020 nm in the near-infrared region, with quantum yields of 0.35, 0.15, and 0.08, respectively. The triplet lifetimes and phosphorescence yields decrease with increasing emission wavelength, consistent with energy gap law behavior. A set of six Pt-tetrabenzoporphyrins (TBPs) with different meso-substituents were examined. The Pt-TBPs exhibit efficient phosphorescence with λmax ∼ 770 nm and with a quantum yield ranging fro...
Assays of Serum Testosterone

The diagnosis of male hypogonadism depends on an assessment of the clinical signs and symptoms of hypogonadism and serum testosterone level. Current clinical laboratory testosterone assay platforms include immunoassays and mass spectrometry. Despite significant advances to improve the accuracy and precision of the currently available assays, limited comparability exists between assays at the lower and upper extremes of the testosterone range. Because of this lack of comparability, there is no current gold standard assay for the assessment of total testosterone levels.
Analysis on Surveillance of Disinfection Effects in Medical Institutions in district Yaohai District of Hefei in 2005-2006

Objective To analyze disinfection quality of medical institutions in Yaohai in 2005-2006,identify problems in disinfection management,so as to provide basis for iatrogenic infection prevention and control.Methods According to "disinfect technical specifications" requirements,disinfection quality of all medical institutions at various levels in the region was monitored.Results General qualified rate of disinfection quality was 85.82%.Qualified rate of health care worker hand and table surface in 2005,2006 was 93.42% and 98.75% respectively.Qualified rate of pressure steam sterilizer were 88.52% and 100%.Qualified rate of medical staff hands,material form(χ2 = 5.99,P=0.014 0.05),pressure steam sterilizer(P=0.006 0.05,fisher exact) in 2006 was higher than that in 2005.Qualified rate of air,health care workers' hand,table,disinfectant solution,preservation solution,pressure steam sterilizer,ultraviolet lights were 55.7%,96.2%,100%,94.4%,80.30% respectively.There were significant differences between different detection items(χ 2 = 198.45,P0.001).There were also significant differences of air qualified rate at various medical institutions(P=0.049 0.05).Conclusions Medical institutions in Yaohai District still have inadequate disinfection management.Disinfection training and supervision should be strengthened.
The effects of stress and social support on health: a research challenge for family medicine

Family physicians frequently encounter patients who have recently experienced stressful life changes and who have weak social supports. Since an accumulation of evidence indicates that these psychosocial profiles are associated with health impairment, further investigation of these factors is of importance to family medicine. This paper reviews conceptual and methodologic issues involved in the assessment of the health effects of stress and social support and identifies particular questions and directions appropriate for family medicine research. The ultimate goal of research inquiry in this area is to develop effective clinical and public health strategies that prevent or minimize adverse health consequences.
Will they recycle? Design and implementation of eco-feedback technology to promote on-the-go recycling in a university environment

Abstract Recycling rates have plateaued and recycling in public spaces has been targeted as a component that can help increase overall recycling rates. Eco-feedback technology and environmental psychology were combined to study recycling in a semi-public space in multiple social environments. A low-cost, low-energy electronic recycling bin design (WeRecycle bin) uses human-computer interaction and social principles to provide behavior-changing eco-feedback. Using mixed-methods research, we tested the WeRecycle bin in three different experiments by varying social settings and time of exposure, documenting impacts for public recycling. Results show that simple low-energy, low-cost eco-feedback technology resulted in statistically significant increases in recycling activity and can be an important tool in the promotion of recycling activity outside the home.
Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt: In the Presence of the Gods

The Egyptians' gods were ever present – and not only as passive deities called to action by the prayers of their devotees. On the contrary, the Egyptians believed that their gods were active players who could – and did – interfere with affairs of daily life at any time. In order to make sense of the immediacy of the divine in Egyptian life, it is necessary to explore how the gods made their presence and will known. Texts indicate that Egyptians believed that they could sense the presence of a god through smell, sight, and intuition. For example, Queen Hatshepsut claimed that her mother, Ahmose, had determined that the figure who appeared to be her husband was in fact the god Amun by the sweet odor of incense that emanated from him. But more frequently, the presence of a god was conveyed through a vague sense that ill heath or some unfortunate event had been brought about by divine action. In many cases, a person who recorded an unpleasant encounter with a god admitted that some personal fault or action precipitated the god's action. While the divine–human encounters described in the previous chapter planned and invoked by worshippers were often positive, unsolicited meetings with a god could be a frightening event warning of the impending wrath of the deity on account of some personal misstep or shortcoming.
Modeling potential occupational inhalation exposures and associated risks of toxic organics from chemical storage tanks used in hydraulic fracturing using AERMOD.

Various toxic chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing fluids may influence the inherent health risks associated with these operations. This study investigated the possible occupational inhalation exposures and potential risks related to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from chemical storage tanks and flowback pits used in hydraulic fracturing. Potential risks were evaluated based on radial distances between 5 m and 180 m from the wells for 23 contaminants with known inhalation reference concentration (RfC) or inhalation unit risks (IUR). Results show that chemicals used in 12.4% of the wells posed a potential acute non-cancer risks for exposure and 0.11% of the wells with may provide chronic non-cancer risks for exposure. Chemicals used in 7.5% of the wells were associated with potential acute cancer risks for exposure. Those chemicals used in 5.8% of the wells may be linked to chronic cancer risks for exposure. While eight organic compounds were associated with acute non-cancer risks for exposure (>1), methanol the major compound in the chemical storage tanks (1.00-45.49) in 7,282 hydraulic fracturing wells. Wells with chemicals additives containing formaldehyde exhibited both acute and chronic cancer risks for exposure with IUR greater than 10-6, suggesting formaldehyde was the dominant contributor to both types of risks for exposure in hydraulic fracturing. This study also found that due to other existing on-site emission sources of VOCs and the geographically compounded air concentrations from other surrounding wells, chemical emissions data from storage tanks and flowback pits used in this study were lower than reported concentrations from field measurements where higher occupational inhalation risks for exposure may be expected.
Multifunctional Cellulolytic Enzymes Outperform Processive Fungal Cellulases for Coproduction of Nanocellulose and Biofuels

Producing fuels, chemicals, and materials from renewable resources to meet societal demands remains an important step in the transition to a sustainable, clean energy economy. The use of cellulolytic enzymes for the production of nanocellulose enables the coproduction of sugars for biofuels production in a format that is largely compatible with the process design employed by modern lignocellulosic (second generation) biorefineries. However, yields of enzymatically produced nanocellulose are typically much lower than those achieved by mineral acid production methods. In this study, we compare the capacity for coproduction of nanocellulose and fermentable sugars using two vastly different cellulase systems: the classical “free enzyme” system of the saprophytic fungus, Trichoderma reesei (T. reesei) and the complexed, multifunctional enzymes produced by the hot springs resident, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii (C. bescii). We demonstrate by comparative digestions that the C. bescii system outperforms the fungal ...
The binding of activated Gαq to phospholipase C-β exhibits anomalous affinity.

Upon activation by the Gq family of Gα subunits, Gβγ subunits, and some Rho family GTPases, phospholipase C-β (PLC-β) isoforms hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate to the second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. PLC-β isoforms also function as GTPase-activating proteins, potentiating Gq deactivation. To elucidate the mechanism of this mutual regulation, we measured the thermodynamics and kinetics of PLC-β3 binding to Gαq. FRET and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, two physically distinct methods, both yielded Kd values of about 200 nm for PLC-β3–Gαq binding. This Kd is 50–100 times greater than the EC50 for Gαq-mediated PLC-β3 activation and for the Gαq GTPase-activating protein activity of PLC-β. The measured Kd was not altered either by the presence of phospholipid vesicles, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and Ca2+, or by the identity of the fluorescent labels. FRET-based kinetic measurements were also consistent with a Kd of 200 nm. We determined that PLC-β3 hysteresis, whereby PLC-β3 remains active for some time following either Gαq–PLC-β3 dissociation or PLC-β3–potentiated Gαq deactivation, is not sufficient to explain the observed discrepancy between EC50 and Kd. These results indicate that the mechanism by which Gαq and PLC-β3 mutually regulate each other is far more complex than a simple, two-state allosteric model and instead is probably kinetically determined.
A Relative Toeplitz-Hausdorff Theorem

We prove an infinite dimensional variant of the Toeplitz-Hausdorff theorem which we found to be useful in the study of structured singular values. We think however that the result is of independent interest, and may find other applications.
Lyly's Midas as an Allegory of Tyranny

John Lyly's l rather it contributes to t he thematic development by depicting allegorically the ignorance of the divine order which caused Midas's tyranny. In the last act the repentant king submits to the divine order in a scene of Lyly's invention that underscores the allegorical theme. THE GRACEFUL WIT OF John Lyly's plays was for many years probed only by an occasional scholar in search of political allusions; to the general critic they remained little more than skillful comedies of manners. G. K. Hunter has begun a revaluation of Lyly that should establish him as a writer in the grand tradition of Renaissance humanism, but his study, for all its historical insight, did not demonstrate the thematic complexity that enriches Lyly's plays.' This article is intended to show that Lyly treated in his play Midas the nature of tyranny, a theme usually associated with the public theater. His use of allegory in depicting this theme is an informative example of the Elizabethan use of the allegorical mode for dramatic purposes. Midas is perhaps "a model of elegant speech and a mirror of manners," to use M. C. Bradbrook's terms, but Lyly is deprived of his due as an artist if the analysis of his plays is restricted to the ~urface.~
Structural Characterization of β-Agostic Bonds in Pd-Catalyzed Polymerization

β-agostic Pd complexes are critical intermediates in catalytic reactions, such as olefin polymerization and Heck reactions. Pd β-agostic complexes, however, have eluded structural characterization, due to the fact that these highly unstable molecules are difficult to isolate. Herein, we report the single-crystal X-ray and neutron diffraction characterization of β-agostic (α-diimine)Pd–ethyl intermediates in polymerization. Short Cα–Cβ distances and acute Pd–Cα–Cβ bond angles combined serve as unambiguous evidence for the β-agostic interaction. Characterization of the agostic structure and the kinetic barrier for β-H elimination offer important insight into the fundamental understanding of agostic bonds and the mechanism of polymerization.
Image Analysis for High-Throughput Materials Science

Imaging plays a key role in modern day materials science by providing a high-density format of data representation that can be visually interpreted or processed by the human brain in a fraction of a second. This efficient parallel processing makes imaging naturally amenable to data acquisition and interpretation in high-throughput or combinatorial approaches. To marry imaging and high-throughput methods, four main issues must be addressed: image collection, image processing, image analysis, and informatics.
The Wounded Man: Foxcatcher and the Incoherence of White Masculine Victimhood

ABSTRACTAmerican cinema has recently favored representations of white men as victims of socioeconomic and political change. Recent scholarship on white masculinity suggests that representations of male victimhood enable white men to disavow that hegemonic white masculinity still fundamentally structures society. This essay argues that Hollywood’s wounded man similarly provides white masculinity with stable footing. I illustrate how the unintelligibility of screen masculinity evades criticism and, further, how melancholic male dramas nurture a traumatic attachment to victimhood. Examining the film Foxcatcher (2014), I show how unmasked portraits of white male victimhood function as counterparts to the hard-bodied action hero. The filmmaker’s effort to parse the distinction between material and superficial wounds reifies the experience of noble suffering as a superlative expression of aggrieved white manhood. Foxcatcher’s fragmented portrayal of white masculinity illustrates the elasticity of victimhood eve...
Estimating the Value of Improved Distributed Photovoltaic Adoption Forecasts for Utility Resource Planning

Author(s): Gagnon, Pieter; Barbose, Galen L; Stoll, Brady; Ehlen, Ali; Zuboy, Jarett; Mai, Trieu; Mills, Andrew D | Abstract: Misforecasting the adoption of customer-owned distributed photovoltaics (DPV) can have operational and financial implications for utilities; forecasting capabilities can be improved, but generally at a cost. This paper informs this decision-space by using a suite of models to explore the capacity expansion and operation of the Western Interconnection over a 15-year period across a wide range of DPV growth rates and misforecast severities. The system costs under a misforecast are compared against the costs under a perfect forecast, to quantify the costs of misforecasting. Using a simplified probabilistic method applied to these modeling results, an analyst can make a first-order estimate of the financial benefit of improving a utility’s forecasting capabilities, and thus be better informed about whether to make such an investment. For example, under our base assumptions, a utility with 10 TWh per year of retail electric sales who initially estimates that DPV growth could range from 2% to 7.5% of total generation over the next 15 years could expect total present-value savings of approximately $4 million if they could reduce the severity of misforecasting to within ±25%. Utility resource planners can compare those savings against the costs needed to achieve that level of precision, to guide their decision on whether to make an investment in tools or resources.
Enhancing radiographic imaging of cementitious materials in composite structures with photon attenuating inclusions

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the use of photon attenuating inclusions (PAI) for enhancing radiographic imaging of cementitious materials in composite structures. By targeting characteristic high attenuation regions in the photon energy spectrum, PAI can improve void detection in the parent material by increasing contrast in radiographic images. Radiographic imaging of cementitious grout specimens with 5% and 15% weight fractions of candidate PAI materials (Fe, BaCO3, BaSO4) was performed to characterize X-ray attenuation. Virtual radiography simulations were then conducted to evaluate the application of PAI to grout void detection in post-tensioned concrete construction. The simulations demonstrate that grout void detection is most effective when the high energy region of the emission spectrum is near the K-edge of the PAI material.
An empirical comparison of interpolation methods for MODIS 8-day land surface temperature composites across the conterminous Unites States

Abstract Eight-day composite land surface temperature (LST) images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Specroradiometer (MODIS) sensor are extensively utilized due to their limited number of invalid pixels and smaller file size, in comparison to daily products. Remaining invalid values (the majority caused by cloud coverage), however, still pose a challenge to researchers requiring continuous datasets. Although a number of interpolation methods have been employed, validation has been limited to provide comprehensive guidance. The goal of this analysis was to compare the performance of all methods previously used for 8-day MODIS LST images under a range of cloud cover conditions and in different seasons. These included two temporal interpolation methods: Linear Temporal and Harmonic Analysis of Time Series (HANTS); two spatial methods: Spline and Adaptive Window; and two spatiotemporal methods: Gradient and Weiss. The impact of topographic, land cover, and climatic factors on interpolation performance was also assessed. Methods were implemented on high quality test images with simulated cloud cover sampled from 101 by 101 pixel sites (1-km pixels) across the conterminous United States. These results provide strong evidence that spatial and spatiotemporal methods have a greater predictive capability than temporal methods, regardless of the time of day or season. This is true even under extremely high cloud cover (>80%). The Spline method performed best at low cloud cover (
Asian Financial Crisis.Prologue and the Case of Thailand

We suggest that the Asian financial crisis began because of theinconsistent exchange rate system and miss-management within Thailand. We showthat prior tothe Asian financial crisis the Thai Baht against the Yen followed the theoryofpurchasing power parity but the Baht against the U.S. Dollar did not. We givebriefsummaries of the papers included in this issue.
Microbial transformations of uranium in wastes and implication on its mobility

Uranium exists in several chemical forms in mining and mill tailings and in nuclear and weapons production wastes. Under appropriate conditions, microorganisms can affect the stability and mobility of U in wastes by altering the chemical speciation, solubility and sorption properties and thus could increase or decrease the concentrations of U in solution and the bioavailability. Dissolution or immobilization of U is brought about by direct enzymatic action or indirect non-enzymatic action of microorganisms. Although the physical, chemical, and geochemical processes affecting dissolution, precipitation, and mobilization of U have been extensively investigated, we have only limited information on the mechanisms of microbial transformations of various chemical forms of U in the presence of electron donors and acceptors.
Topographical effects of roughness on turbulence statistics in roughness sublayer

Current understanding of turbulence in the vicinity of surface roughness is mostly limited to narrow-scale or regular roughness geometries. A numerical analysis shows how various scales of a multiscale, realistic roughness affect friction, momentum balance, and turbulence production in the roughness sublayer.
Digital identities – overcoming visual bias through virtual embodiment

This study sheds new light on the role of identity in virtual environments when virtual representation of self is in support of disabled individuals and the potential impact of their virtual identi...
Dopamine and diet-induced obesity.

In 2010, Johnson and Kenny provided conclusive evidence that extended access to a Western-style diet promotes addictive-like behavior in rats by downregulating D2 receptors while promoting obesity. This focused attention on the parallels between drug addiction and overeating and fueled a decade of food addiction research.
NT‐proBNP as a Mediator of the Racial Difference in Incident Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

Background Blacks harbor more cardiovascular risk factors than whites, but experience less atrial fibrillation ( AF ). Conversely, whites may have a lower risk of heart failure ( CHF ). N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide ( NT -pro BNP) levels are higher in whites, predict incident AF , and have diuretic effects in the setting of increased ventricular diastolic pressures, potentially providing a unifying explanation for these racial differences. Methods and Results We used data from the CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study) to determine the degree to which baseline NT -pro BNP levels mediate the relationships between race and incident AF and CHF by comparing beta estimates between models with and without NT -pro BNP . The ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study was used to assess reproducibility. Among 4731 CHS (770 black) and 12 418 ARIC (3091 black) participants, there were 1277 and 1253 incident AF events, respectively. Whites had higher baseline NT -pro BNP ( CHS : 40% higher than blacks; 95% CI , 29-53; ARIC : 39% higher; 95% CI , 33-46) and had a greater risk of incident AF compared with blacks ( CHS : adjusted hazard ratio, 1.60; 95% CI , 1.31-1.93; ARIC : hazard ratio, 1.93; 95% CI , 1.57-2.27). NT -pro BNP levels explained a significant proportion of the racial difference in AF risk ( CHS : 36.2%; 95% CI , 23.2-69.2%; ARIC : 24.6%; 95% CI , 14.8-39.6%). Contrary to our hypothesis, given an increased risk of CHF among whites in CHS (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.20; 95% CI , 1.05-1.47) and the absence of a significant association between race and CHF in ARIC (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.07; 95% CI , 0.94-1.23), CHF -related mediation analyses were not performed. Conclusions A substantial portion of the relationship between race and AF was statistically explained by baseline NT -pro BNP levels. No consistent relationship between race and CHF was observed.
Predicting Near-Term Train Schedule Performance and Delay Using Bi-Level Random Forests:

Accurate near-term passenger train delay prediction is critical for optimal railway management and providing passengers with accurate train arrival times. In this work, a novel bi-level random fore...
Oxidative Generation of Boron-Centered Radicals in Carboranes

We report the first indirect observation and use of boron vertex-centered carboranyl radicals generated by the oxidation of modified carboranyl precursors. These radical intermediates are formed by...
Recent Progress in the Study of Polynomials with Constrained Coefficients

This survey gives a taste of the author’s recent work on polynomials with constrained coefficients. Special attention is paid to unimodular, Littlewood, Newman, Rudin-Shapiro, and Fekete polynomials, their flatness and ultraflatness properties, their Lq norms on the unit circle including Mahler’s measure, and bounds on the number of unimodular zeros of self-reciprocal polynomials with coefficients from a finite set of real numbers. Some interesting connections are explored, and a few conjectures are also made.
Clinical and epidemiological features of tibial tubercle avulsion fracture in Chinese adolescents

Background Tibial tubercle avulsion fracture is rare in children. Accumulated knowledge on clinical and epidemiological features of this fracture is of practical significance for clinical colleagues to deal effectively with such fractures. Methods Clinical and epidemiological parameters were reviewed retrospectively in 29 patients with tibial tubercle avulsion fracture that was treated in our hospital in the past 7 years. Results Totally, 29 children with 30 tibial tubercle fractures were enrolled. They were all boys; the average age was 13.8 (12–15) years, and the average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 26.4 (19.2–34.3). Statistically, 41.4% of injuries occurred during jumping activities, and 1 (3.4%), 12 (41.4%) and 16 (55.2%) patients were injured bilaterally, on the right and left sides, respectively. The patients were classified into type I (4), II (3), III (13) and IV (10) fractures. Two patients (three knees) with fractures of type IV received close reduction and cast immobilization for 6 weeks. One patient with fracture of type IV underwent close reduction and was fixed with two cannulated screws. The remaining 26 patients underwent open reduction and were fixed with two or three cannulated screws. The average follow-up time was 38 (14–98) months; no complication was noted. Twenty-seven patients had an excellent outcome. Conclusion In Chinese adolescents, the tibial tubercle avulsion fracture predisposes to boys with higher body weight; jumping is the most common cause of injury; treatments show satisfactory outcome regardless of fracture types.
Single-cell data and correlation analysis support the independent double adder model in both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis

Abstract The reference point for cell-size control in the cell cycle is a fundamental biological question. We previously reported that we were unable to reproduce the conclusions of Witz et al.’s eLife paper (Witz, van Nimwegen, and Julou 2019) entitled, “Initiation of chromosome replication controls both division and replication cycles in E. coli through a double-adder mechanism”, despite extensive efforts. In this ‘replication double adder’ (RDA) model, both replication and division cycles are determined via replication initiation as the sole implementation point of size control. Witz et al. justified the RDA model using a type of correlation analysis (the “I-value analysis”) that they developed. By contrast, we previously showed that, in both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, replication initiation and cell division are determined by balanced biosynthesis of key cell cycle proteins (e.g., DnaA for initiation and FtsZ for cell division) and their accumulation to their respective threshold numbers, which Witz et al. coined the ‘independent double adder’ (IDA) model. The adder phenotype is a natural quantitative consequence of these mechanistic principles. In a recent bioRxiv response to our report, Witz and colleagues explicitly confirmed two important limitations of the I-value analysis: (1) it is only applicable to non-overlapping cell cycles, wherein E. coli is known to deviate from the adder principle, and (2) it is only applicable to select biological models and, for example, cannot evaluate the IDA model. These limitations of the I-value analysis were not explained in the original eLife paper and were overlooked during the review process. In this report, we show using data analysis, mathematical modeling, and experiments why the I-value analysis - in its current implementation - cannot compare different biological models. Furthermore, the RDA model is incompatible with the adder principle and is not broadly supported by experimental data. For completeness, we also provide a detailed point-by-point response to Witz et al.’s response (Witz, Julou, and van Nimwegen 2020) in the Supplemental Information.
Continuous-flow LVAD exchange to a different pump model: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the outcomes.

Despite improved outcomes of modern continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs), device exchange is still needed for various indications. While the majority of CF-LVADs are exchanged to the same model, exchange to a different pump model is occasionally warranted. In this meta-analysis, we sought to consolidate the existing evidence to better elucidate the indications and outcomes in these cases. A comprehensive systematic search of adult patient cohorts who underwent CF-LVAD exchange to a different CF-LVAD model was performed. Study-level data from 10 studies comprising 98 patients were extracted and pooled for analysis. Mean patient age was 58 (95% CI: 48-65) and 81% were male. Indication for initial CF-LVAD was ischemic cardiomyopathy in 45% (34-57). Initial device was HeartMate II LVAD (HMII) in 93 (94.9%) and HeartWare HVAD (HW) in 5 (5.1%) patients. After mean CF-LVAD support time of 18.8 (15.2-22.4) months, exchange indications included thrombosis in 71% (43-89), infection in 21% (8-47) and device malfunction in 12% (7-21). HMII to HW exchange occurred in 53 (54.1%) patients, HMII to HeartMate III (HM3) in 32 (32.7%), and HM II to either HW or HM3 in 13 (13.2%) patients. Postoperatively, right ventricular assist device was required in 16% (8-32). Overall, 20% (8-40) of patients experienced a stroke, while HW patients had a significantly higher stroke incidence than HM3 patients (HW: 21% (8-47) vs. HM3: 5% (1-24), P < .01). Overall 30-day mortality was 10% (6-17), while HW had a significantly worse 30-day mortality than HM3 (HW: 13% (7-24) vs. HM3: 5% (1-24), P = .03). Following device exchange from a different CF-LVAD model, HM3 is associated with lower stroke and higher survival when compared to HW.
Modeling Energy Consumption of Virtual Machines in DVFS-Enabled Cloud Data Centers

To cut back energy consumption of virtual-machine-powered data centers, we build an optimization model for virtual machines running in DVFS-enabled cloud data centers. With the model in place, cloud computing systems are equipped to keep track of dynamic power and static power of processors in virtual machines. Unlike existing dynamic voltage and frequency scaling schemes, our solution orchestrates frequency requirements rather than task execution times. The model makes it possible to obtain an optimal frequency ratio, which minimizes energy consumption of virtual machines. As a result, a data center’s energy efficiency is boosted by controlling CPU frequency to meet the optimal frequency ratio. We demonstrate a way of manipulating frequency ratios to pushing up energy efficiency without violating virtual machines’ frequency requirements. The experimental results unveil that our modeling approach offers a practical way of conserving the energy consumption of virtual machines running in data centers.
Developing Expert Leadership

Day, Harrison, and Halpin (2009) specified that leader development focuses on the three domains of expertise and expert performance, identity and self-regulation processes, and adult development; this precis explores the theoretical propositions they submitted toward developing expert leadership.
An Homage to Otto Stern

This chapter outlines an International Symposium held at Frankfurt on 1–5 September 2019. It marked the centennial of quantitative experiments with molecular beams, pioneered by Otto Stern. The European Physical Society declared Stern’s original laboratory a Historic Site, the fifth in Germany. As a graduate student in 1955, I learned about Otto Stern (1888–1969) and the impact of his molecular beams on quantum physics. I was intrigued and undertook crossed-beam experiments at Berkeley. In 1960 Otto came to a seminar that I gave. Later I met him, and heard some of his stories. The rest of the chapter describes his Nobel Prize and other Fests. In 1958 his long-term colleague, Immanuel Estermann, organized a celebration and Festschrift for Otto’s 70th birthday. In 1988, as a guest editor, I organized a Festschift for the centennial of Otto’s birth. That year, the German Physical Society established the Stern-Gerlach Prize as its highest award for experimental physics. Bretislav Friedrich and I wrote three papers about Stern. Since 2000, Horst Schmidt-Bocking at Frankfurt and colleagues have produced historical articles, along with a book about Otto, edited and bound all of his research papers into books, and diligently pursued letters to and from Otto, collecting them into large volumes.
Embodied cognition

Embodied cognition is sweeping the planet. On a non-embodied approach, the sensory system informs the cognitive system and the motor system does the cognitive system’s bidding. There are causal relations between the systems but the sensory and motor systems are not constitutive of cognition. For embodied views, the relation to the sensori-motor system to cognition is constitutive, not just causal. This paper examines some recent empirical evidence used to support the view that cognition is embodied and raises questions about some of the claims being made by supporters.
Fictitious dividend cuts in the CRSP data

Abstract We compare CRSP dividend data to data from firms' financial statements in the SEC's EDGAR database. Data screens typically used in the extant literature produce a sample in which about half of the apparent reductions in dividends per share are not actually dividend cuts. Many of the fictitious cuts are due to CRSP misclassifying special dividends as regular dividends. We demonstrate that the fictitious cuts can affect point estimates and inferences in studies of the information content of dividends. We provide a simple filter that eliminates most of the fictitious cuts in our sample – remove dividend cuts from the sample that are preceded by a dividend increase in the prior quarter. This filter produces empirical results that are similar to our sample of true cuts.
Deep Brain Stimulation of the Ventral Intermediate Nucleus of the Thalamus in Writer's Cramp: A Case Report.

Background: Globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) and thalamotomy are interventions for writer’s cramp (WC). Ventralis intermedius nucleus (VIM) DBS is targeted for tremor, however, many aspects of VIM DBS remained underexplored in WC. Case Report: A 62-year-old man with WC underwent DBS. Dystonic tremor improved intraoperatively with ventralis oralis anterior (VoA)/ventral oralis posterior (VoP) and with subthalamic nucleus stimulation; although greatest benefit was obtained with VIM stimulation. Sustained benefit with VIM DBS at ten months post-operative was obtained. Discussion: This case demonstrates an intraoperative approach in target selection and supports benefits of VIM DBS for WC. Highlights: This case highlights the intraoperative approach and clinical effects of VIM DBS in the treatment of medically refractory writer’s cramp (WC). We contextualize our results from this case with previous reports of VoA/VoP stimulation for WC.
China Voyager: Gist Gee's Life in Science

1 A Problem and Its Solution, 1921 Part I 2 South Carolina Origins, 1876-1901 3 Western Education in China: Reformers and Missionaries, 1860-1901 4 Teaching Science in Suzhou: Dongwu University, 1901-1920 Part II 5 Mid-Life Changes, 1920-1923 6 Rockefeller Adviser in Beijing, 1922-1927 7 Bicultural Science in Beijing: Organizer and Researcher, 1924-1929 8 End of a Program, 1927-1932 9 New York, 1932-1935 Part III 10 Closing the Circle, 1935-1937
State Based Network Isolation for Critical Infrastructure Systems Security

The collision of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) networks has resulted in some significant security challenges. Cyber attacks are now taking place against critical infrastructures and the nature of industrial automation control systems equipment in OT networks makes traditional IT security measures more difficult if not impossible to employ. A new method of system isolation based on system state vice network traffic restrictions is presented as a means to protect critical systems from conventional IT based attacks. This new method of protection functions by isolating systems from the network, yet moving data in form of state transfer vice network message. This method improves reliability and provides a means of protection from most current IT based attack vectors.
Implementing quantitative schedule performance metrics at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

For the past several years, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Flight Projects Directorate (FPD) spearheaded the Business Change Initiative (BCI) to improve program planning and control practices to enhance cost and schedule performance. One outcome of the BCI is a renewed emphasis on schedule in the form of a directive to plan, assess, and measure schedule performance. A guideline with accompanying procedures was developed and released to institute the implementation and adoption of three essential schedule performance metrics: baseline execution index (BEI), hit-miss index (HMI), and current execution index (CEI). These metrics aid project management by quantifying schedule performance against both the schedule baseline as well as the current operating schedule.
Isotopic exchange reactions in liquid sulfur dioxide—VII: Catalysis by antimony pentafluoride of sulfur exchange between thionyl fluoride and sulfur dioxide

Abstract Radiosulfur exchange has been studied in liquid mixtures of thionyl fluoride and sulfur dioxide. While no exchange occurs between the two species alone, the addition of antimony pentafluoride leads to exchange, both observations being parallel to those observed with the analogous chlorine compounds. The kinetics of the exchange has been interpreted in terms of equilibria involving 1:1 adducts between catalyst and each solvent species as well as a polymeric antimony pentafluoride species. The rate-determining step consists of bimolecular interaction between either 1:1 adduct and the other solvent species. For the reaction between SO 2 . SbF 5 and SOF 2 the rate constant is k = 1·85 × 10 7 exp(−17,300/ RT )1. mole −1 sec −1 , ΔS ≠ = −27·3 ± 3·9 e.u.
The Point of Words: Children's Understanding of Metaphor and Irony

Metaphor and Irony in Communication Philosophical and Linguistic Approaches to Metaphor and Irony Measures of Metaphor Constraints on Metaphor Comprehension Early Metaphors in Spontaneous Speech Metaphor and Cognition How Children Misunderstand Irony Constraints on Irony Comprehension Why Children Understand Metaphor before Irony References Index