cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the number of founders of an invasive pest insect population: the fire ant Solenopsis invicta in the USA

Determination of the number of founders responsible for the establishment of invasive populations is important for developing biologically based management practices, predicting the invasive potential of species, and making inferences about ecological and evolutionary processes. The fire ant Solenopsis invicta is a major invasive pest insect first introduced into the USA from its native South American range in the mid-1930s. We use data from diverse genetic markers surveyed in the source population and the USA to estimate the number of founders of this introduced population. Data from different classes of nuclear markers (microsatellites, allozymes, sex-determination locus) and mitochondrial DNA are largely congruent in suggesting that 9–20 unrelated mated queens comprised the initial founder group to colonize the USA at Mobile, Alabama. Estimates of founder group size based on expanded samples from throughout the southern USA were marginally higher than this, consistent with the hypothesis of one or more secondary introductions of the ant into the USA. The rapid spread and massive population build-up of introduced S. invicta occurred despite the loss of substantial genetic variation associated with the relatively small invasive propagule size, a pattern especially surprising in light of the substantial genetic load imposed by the loss of variation at the sex-determination locus.
System usage behavior as a proxy for user satisfaction: an empirical investigation

Organizations are increasingly recognizing that user satisfaction with information systems is one of the most important determinants of the success of those systems. However, current satisfaction measures involve an intrusion into the users’ worlds, and are frequently deemed to be too cumbersome to be justified financially and practically. This paper describes a methodology designed to solve this contemporary problem. Based on theory which suggests that behavioral observations can be used to measure satisfaction, system usage statistics from an information system were captured around the clock for 6 months to determine users’ satisfaction with the system. A traditional satisfaction evaluation instrument, a validated survey, was applied in parallel, to verify that the analysis of the behavioral data yielded similar results. The final results were analyzed statistically to demonstrate that behavioral analysis is a viable alternative to the survey in satisfaction measurement. # 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Sphereo: Determining Depth Using Two Specular Spheres And A Single Camera

This paper proposes a method for determining the depth of points in a three-dimensional scene. The concept is to use two spheres with highly specular surfaces to obtain two different perspectives of the scene. Both spheres are viewed by a single stationary camera, and each sphere reflects the world around it into the camera. Correspondence between points on the two spheres is established by matching features such as edges and image intensities, as in traditional stereopsis. Depth is recovered from each pair of corresponding points by triangulation. The use of a single fixed camera avoids the undesirable complexities that characterize the stereo calibration procedure. The measurable range of the system is greatly enhanced by the use of specular spheres and is not limited by the field of view of the camera. Experiments were conducted to determine the accuracy in depth measurement and the feasibility of practical implementation. The technique presented in this paper has been named "SPHEREO" as it uses two SPHeres, rather than two cameras, to emulate stEREOpsis.
Charismatic Rhetoric in the 2008 Presidential Campaign: Commonalities and Differences

For all of the attention given to charisma in media accounts of presidential campaigns, there is surprisingly little systematic research on the use and effect of charismatic rhetoric, even though researchers outside of political science have attempted to deconstruct and analyze the different components of rhetorical speech. We draw from this scholarship to explore the use of different forms of charismatic rhetoric throughout the entire 2008 presidential campaign season. We use DICTION 5.0, a content analysis program designed specifically for political discourse, to explore the use of rhetoric in the campaign. We begin by mapping the prevalence of different types of rhetoric and then move on to examine the impact of partisanship and electoral context (primary vs. general election) on rhetorical choices.
Robust Pole Assignment and Robust Stabilization for Systems with Parameters

This paper deals with the problems of Robust Pole Assignment and Robust Stabilization for systems described by matrix fraction representations which involve a structured parametric type uncertainty. In the case of Pole Assignment necessary and/or sufficient conditions are formulated for accomplishing it. For stabilization, pole assignment based methods are suggested for choosing an apropriate compensator from a class of proper compensators, in a manner which guarantees robust stability.
MEDIATED PEER COACHING FOR TRAINING PRESERVICE TEACHERS

A form of peer coaching was used with preservice special educators using The Scale for Coaching Instructional Effectiveness (SCIE; Hasbrouck, 1994). Eleven pairs of preservice teachers (PTs) engaged in a preliminary demonstration study of a “mediated” form of peer coaching, facilitated by seven experienced consulting teacher/mediators. The PTs designed and implemented lessons for children enrolled in a 4-week skills-remediation program. The 22 PTs participated in three peer coaching sessions across the 4 weeks of the program. Analysis of data from 132 observations and three case studies indicated that the PTs improved their (a) interrater reliability across the three observations and (b) teaching skills (i.e., planning and organization, instruction, and classroom management) as measured by the SCIE. In questionnaires completed after training, participants also reported that using the SCIE for peer coaching enhanced their teaching skills, self-confidence, and sense of professionalism.
Acoustic shadowing impairs accurate characterization of stenosis in carotid ultrasound examinations.

Objective Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) has been the mainstay for diagnosing carotid artery stenosis and is often the sole diagnostic modality used prior to intervention. Highly calcified plaque, however, results in an acoustic shadow (AcS) that obscures the vessel lumen and inhibits the sonographer's ability to obtain Doppler velocity measurements. It is unknown whether DUS can accurately determine the degree of carotid stenosis in these settings. Methods From July 2012 to December 2013, all patients with AcS on DUS measuring ≥5 mm in the longitudinal axis were cross-referenced with multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MD-CTA) images of the neck to define the study population. After standardizing the MD-CTA windows, percent stenosis was determined by cross-sectional area reduction using two separate previously described methods based on North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and European Carotid Surgery Trial (ECST) criteria. DUS waveform parameters in the internal carotid artery near the AcS were then compared with these MD-CTA measurements to determine the accuracy of DUS in characterizing the severity of carotid stenosis. Results During this period, 8517 DUS studies were performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital, 550 of which had AcS, for an incidence of 6.45%. There were 92 lesions with a concomitant MD-CTA; however, seven were excluded because of poor study quality, because ≥6 months had elapsed between DUS and MD-CTA, or because the patient had undergone carotid reconstruction between studies. Of the 85 remaining lesions, DUS characterized 17 as severe (peak systolic velocity [PSV] >250 cm/s), 31 as moderate (PSV = 151-250 cm/s), and 37 as mild (PSV ≤150 cm/s) stenoses using PSV criteria. PSV weakly correlated with CTA-NASCET ( r = 0.361; P = .004) and CTA-ECST ( r = 0.306; P = .004) percent stenosis. Using PSV >250 cm/s as the predictor of >70% stenosis, and a ≥70% cutoff by both CTA-ECST and CTA-NASCET methods as the reference measure, DUS sensitivity ranged from 22.7% to 32.5%, specificity from 89.4% to 91.1%, positive predictive value from 88.2% to 76.4%, and negative predictive value from 25% to 60.2%. A subgroup analysis of lesions identified as non-severe by DUS revealed that waveforms with lower deceleration were associated with severe stenosis on CTA. Conclusions In the presence of AcS, DUS alone is inadequate to accurately determine the degree of carotid stenosis with sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values far below that needed for clinical decision-making. MD-CTA may be necessary for improved characterization of plaque in these AcS lesions. Further studies are needed to determine DUS parameters that may identify patients who should undergo further evaluation with MD-CTA to characterize the true severity of the stenosis.
The potential use of human recombinant erythropoietin in orthopedic surgery

Human recombinant erythropoietin has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of anemia due to chronic renal failure or malignancy and in zidovudine-treated patients with the human immunodeficiency virus. It is highly effective in reducing the anemia commonly seen in these patients, with minimal adverse effects. Approximately 20% of patients undergoing elective orthopedic procedures are not able to donate adequate amounts of autologous blood prior to surgery. Additionally, patients who cannot donate 3 or more units of blood prior to large procedures are at increased risk for receiving a homologous transfusion despite the use of intraoperative and postoperative blood conservation techniques. Investigational use of this drug as an adjuvant to autologous blood donation has been shown to increase the amount of blood donated by patients prior to surgery and, therefore, will decrease homologous blood transfusions after surgery. Perioperative use of this drug, dosage, route of administration, and clinical indications are currently being evaluated in multicenter clinical trials.
Periodismo cívico. Reconstruyendo los fundamentos de la democracia

Among the main newspaper in the United States only the Boston Globe has no reported a decline on their sales. Less than a third of the women between 18 and 34 read newspapers. Civic Journalism is an answer to reduce the gap between massive news and the public.
Death by Bluebook, Book Review of 'the Law Review'

This review considers a novel about life (and death) on the University of Chicago Law Review, where editors and associates seem to do little but have sex, connive to get ahead, have sex, kill (with Gunther's con law casebook, no less), and have sex. The reviewer, who didn't attend the U of C law school, believes it all.
Comment on Kim, Petrocik, and Enokson: The American States' Impact on Voter Turnout

In the Spring of 1974, Herbert Jacob of Northwestern University suggested to me that the main source of state impact might not be found in average state differences but might instead occur as an internal redistribution of value among citizens. That is, while states might all treat their "average" citizen about the same, some states might favor the poor over the rich or whites over blacks while other states did not. If Professor Jacob was correct, a good deal of previous work, including my own, was missing the main state impact. While I thought this unlikely, given a limited exploration of the problem earlier, the question was worth addressing directly. Edward Tufte of Princeton University pointed out that if individual-level data could be found for a variety of states, state discrimination would be evident as an interaction effect following a consistent pattern. For example, turnout among Mississippi black people and poor people which was lower than would be expected from the average national turnout of black and poor people and from the average Mississippi turnout would be interaction showing that Mississippi differed from other states in racial and economic discrimination. I wanted to address the interaction question and also, because I believed that we had been actually overestimating rather than underestimating the impact of states, I wanted data which could test whether the measured state "impact" actually traveled along the theoretical causal paths or was spurious. For reasons outlined below, the best data to address these questions were those from the Census Bureau's 1972 national election survey. By the beginning of the summer, computer printout in hand, I had the answers and was writing them up when I found Professors Kim, Petrocik, and Enokson's article on a similar topic listed for publication. Pleasantly surprised by what they had done, I asked the authors and the Editor if I could postscript their findings with mine in a comment. They graciously consented. My remarks are in two distinct parts. First, I comment on the authors' approach, pointing out its contribution in three areas and illustrating what remains to be done in those areas. Second, I present the results of my own investigation into the interaction impact of states and into the causal paths of state influence on turnout. The link between the two parts lies in the use by Professors Kim, Petrocik, Enokson and myself of individual-level data to understand the role of states in voting.
The Material Evidence of Ancient Maya Sculpture

This essay discusses ancient Maya monumental stone sculptures and the images and texts carved on them c. 600—900 CE, focusing not on the moment of their creation but over time, examining particularly how the ancient Maya used sculptures to interact with their past and its personae, stories, and material remains. Following ancient Maya sculptures and their treatment over time reveals the importance of the materiality of these images and objects, which the Maya seem to have valued not simply as bearers of information but also as relics that allowed contact with sacred ancestors, with the material and experiential aspects of image and object intertwined with any pictorial or textual content. The author concludes that a consideration of the realm of the material along with the pictorial, narrational, or informational is instructive, if not essential, in investigating the use of images as evidence in any culture and time.
Relationship between Chromosomal Abnormalities and Prognosis in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Objective To investigate the relationship of chromosomal abnormalities to curative efficacy and prognosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL).Methods The chromosome karyotype was assessed in bone marrow or peripheral blood cells from 155 ALL patients and the curative effect was observed.Results Among the 155 ALL patients,63(40.65%) had normal karyotype,92(59.35%) had abnormal karyotype,48(52.17%) had structural chromosomal abnormalities,and 39(42.39%) had numerical chromosomal aberrations.In addition,6 children(3.87%) had t(9;22) translocation(a marker of poor prognosis).Twenty-nine children(18.71%) had t(12;21) translocation(a marker of good prognosis),which was the most common chromosomal abnormality in ALL childhood.Hyperdiploid karyotype was a favorable prognostic indicator,but other numerical and structural abnormalities were markers of poor prognosis.Conclusion Children with ALL have a higher frequency of chromosome abnormalities.Karyotype analysis plays an important role in guiding treatment and prognosis of ALL.
Crystalline IgG protein in multiple myeloma: identification effects on coagulation and on lipoprotein metabolism.

Abstract Plasma and serum of a patient with myeloma were found to contain a crystalline immunoglobulin protein, IgG of the Kappa type, MW (molecular weight) 158,200. Defects in coagulation were noted with delayed polymerization of fibrinogen and impaired platelet function. Protein-mediated anti-heparin activity could be shown in vivo and in vitro. Intravenous heparin (100 U. per kilogram) failed to prolong the patient's clotting time (6 minutes prior to injection, 9 minutes, 1 hour postinjection). A similar dose consistently prolonged clotting times of controls to at least 3 times the initial base line values. Using heparin 10 U. per kilogram, plasma postheparin lipolytic activity (PHLA) and monoglyceride hydrolase (MGH) were depressed below normal levels. Using high dose heparin (100 U. per kilogram) PHLA and MGH were elevated to 0.3 μEq per milliliter per minute and 3.57 mm. per milliliter per hour, normal range being, respectively, 0.5 to 0.75 and 9.3 to 13.1 on a similar dose of heparin. This heparin resistance was mediated by the patient's IgG. When heparin was preincubated with the patient's IgG, and the mixture then added to a rat adipose tissue lipase preparation, lipase activity was reduced from a control value of 42.2 μEq per free fatty acid per gram of wet tissue per hour to 9. Normal IgG showed no inhibitory effect. Interaction of heparin and IgG was tested directly by incubating 3 mg. of IgG with 1 unit of 3 H-heparin. Intact IgG bound 73 per cent of tritiated heparin, while normal IgG bound 20 per cent or less. The binding activity of the patient's IgG was apparently confined to the Fab portion of the molecule. The myeloma protein provides another example of antibody activity and a new specificity for myeloma proteins. Its crystalline structure makes it a unique protein for the study of immunoglobulin structure and antibody activity.
Methods to Detect Apoptotic-Like Cell Death in Filamentous Fungi

Fungi are capable of undergoing apoptotic-like cell death, and display many of the characteristic features of apoptosis observed in multicellular organisms. These features include nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, translocation of phosphatidylserine from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular side of the plasma membrane, and increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Several assays can be used to detect apoptotic cells, and here we describe adaptations of assays such as TUNEL, Annexin V, and Evan's Blue for the investigation of apoptotic-like cell death in fungal hyphae. We also present approaches for monitoring nuclear condensation and production of ROS.
Isolated Renal Artery Dissection Secondary to Medial Degeneration

AbstractRenal artery aneurysms can have variable presentations, often resulting in a therapeutic dilemma to the clinician. We review the causes, clinical features, pathological conditions and treatment options for this problem. We report a case of a thrombus in 1 of 2 left renal arteries, which resulted in uncontrollable hypertension. At nephrectomy the angiographically normal vessel had medial degeneration, demonstrating the diffuse nature of this disease. Conservative renal-sparing management should be considered whenever possible.
Evaluating the efficiency of even-aged and uneven-aged stand management

Etude d'une part d'un modele d'investissement general pour une gestion forestiere. Avec classification des diametres et des donnees sur les densites de plantation. Et d'autre part, etude de l'application de ce modele sur une plantation de Pinus ponderosa Laws
Levothyroxine bij neonaten en kinderen met een voedingssonde

De behandeling van hypothyreoidie op de zuigelingen- en peuterleeftijd, en bij kinderen met een sonde, kan problemen opleveren doordat levothyroxine in Nederland alleen in tabletvorm in de handel is. Bij het verpulveren van deze tabletten en menging in water lost de levothyroxine slecht op en de ontstane suspensie laat resten achter in de voedingssonde of op het lepeltje. Dit kan leiden tot een verminderde beschikbaarheid en een praktisch moeizame inname van de levothyroxine. In sommige Europese landen is levothyroxine in druppelvorm in de handel. Daarom pleiten wij voor het gebruik van levothyroxine in druppelvorm voor zuigelingen, peuters en patienten met voedingssondes.
Morphology: Words and Their Parts

This chapter is divided into two sections. Section 2.1 focuses on word classes and includes a brief introduction to some of the basic parts of speech to aid in understanding the next section. Section 2.2 focuses on morphology, the structure and form of words.
Reusable Meta-Models for Crowdsourcing Driven Elastic Systems (Invited Paper)

Elastic systems utilize both human and machine working units to accomplish tasks that are eligible for crowdsourcing. The quality in the results of work completed by either type of computing unit is tantamount on the characteristics they bear. In this paper we draw parallels from our previous work into looking at the suitability of working units in completing viable tasks in crowdsourcing. We seek to understand characteristics for modeling tasks and workers within these types of systems. Based on our experiments and lessons learned in related literature, we propose a dynamic worker-task information meta-model with a corresponding operational workflow model that can be used in a variety of problem domains involving crowdsourced tasks to provide support in making this decision.
How consumer physical activity monitors could transform human physiology research

A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity are well-established risk factors for chronic disease and adverse health outcomes. Thus, there is enormous interest in measuring physical activity in biomedical research. Many consumer physical activity monitors, including Basis Health Tracker, BodyMedia Fit, DirectLife, Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One, Fitbit Zip, Garmin Vivofit, Jawbone UP, MisFit Shine, Nike FuelBand, Polar Loop, Withings Pulse O2, and others have accuracies similar to that of research-grade physical activity monitors for measuring steps. This review focuses on the unprecedented opportunities that consumer physical activity monitors offer for human physiology and pathophysiology research because of their ability to measure activity continuously under real-life conditions and because they are already widely used by consumers. We examine current and potential uses of consumer physical activity monitors as a measuring or monitoring device, or as an intervention in strategies to change behavior and predict health outcomes. The accuracy, reliability, reproducibility, and validity of consumer physical activity monitors are reviewed, as are limitations and challenges associated with using these devices in research. Other topics covered include how smartphone apps and platforms, such as the Apple ResearchKit, can be used in conjunction with consumer physical activity monitors for research. Lastly, the future of consumer physical activity monitors and related technology is considered: pattern recognition, integration of sleep monitors, and other biosensors in combination with new forms of information processing.
Spaceflight Procedures and Operations Utilized During the Seedling Growth Experiments

Spaceflight experiments offer a unique environment for fundamental research in biology. Utilization of microgravity environments has provided insights into how plants and animals perceive and respond to gravity, or the lack thereof. However, performing spaceflight experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) require years of planning and testing before execution. Development of the experimental timeline and programming of experimental equipment, testing hardware for biocompatibility, planning the logistics of sending samples to NASA or ESA centers for testing, as well as launching samples to the ISS are a few of the complex steps preceding the experiment. In this paper, using the Seedling Growth-2 spaceflight experiment as an example, we will cover the entire timeline leading up to a flight experiment. These events include the Schedule Test, the Operations and Validations Test, the Flight Build and Experiment, as well as the post-flight sample processing.
Combined Pauling Bond Valence-Modified Morse Potential (PBV-MMP) model for metals: thermophysical properties of liquid metals

ABSTRACTWe develop a new quasi-crystalline approach, combined Pauling Bond Valence-Modified Morse Potential (PBV-MMP), in which the Pauling’s classical relationship between bond valence (BV) and bond length (BL) is incorporated within a modified Morse Potential (MMP) description of the potential energy of interaction between two metal atoms in the bulk, along with the assumption that these interactions are limited to the nearest neighbours with a coordination number . This semi-theoretical approach only needs metal–metal bond energy for a specified valence to provide predictions. For the kinetic and diffusion steps, we utilise Eyring’s transition-state theory and free volume model to estimate entropy changes. The PBV-MMP approach for bulk liquid metals is in the spirit of Unity Bond Index-Quadratic Exponential Potential (UBI-QEP), which has been successful in predicting thermodynamics and kinetics of solid metal surface catalysed reactions. Our model reliably predicts self-diffusivity, viscosity, surface ...
Cost and Pricing Relationships in Water Supply

Governmental decision making in metropolitan areas is becoming increasingly concerned with finding comprehensive solutions to area-wide problems. Development of an adequate urban water supply system is such a problem. Although the price, cost, and quality of water supply offered by various civil subdivisions in a given metropolitan area may be widely divergent, the factors influencing this service are similar. This paper examines the costs associated with supplying drinking water to consumers, the factors affecting the price of water, and the elasticity of consumer demand based on the prices that they must pay. The cost analysis explores the costs by functional area and the costs of transporting water to the consumer. Factors that affect the price of water such as population density are examined, and the reaction of the consumer to increases in price levels is established.
Securing the Internet of Things: Best Practices for Deploying IoT Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought a wealth of new technologies both in homes and businesses onto IP networks not natively designed to securely support such myriad devices. Networks once hosting only computers and printers now routinely contain payment systems, Wi-Fi and mobile/wearable devices, VoIP phones, vending machines, sensor and alarm systems, servers, security cameras, thermostats, door locks and other building controls, just to name a few. This chapter analyzes current best practices for securing computer networks with special attention to IoT challenges, discusses selected major IoT security incidents, details selected IoT cyber attacks as proofs of concept, and presents a framework for securely deploying IoT devices in the enterprise and at home.
Sidekicks: Synaptic Adhesion Molecules that Promote Lamina-Specific Connectivity in the Retina

A major determinant of specific connectivity in the central nervous system is that synapses made by distinct afferent populations are restricted to particular laminae in their target area. We identify Sidekick (Sdk)-1 and -2, homologous transmembrane immunoglobulin superfamily molecules that mediate homophilic adhesion in vitro and direct laminar targeting of neurites in vivo. sdk-1 and -2 are expressed by nonoverlapping subsets of retinal neurons; each sdk is expressed by presynaptic (amacrine and bipolar) and postsynaptic (ganglion) cells that project to common inner plexiform (synaptic) sublaminae. Sdk proteins are concentrated at synaptic sites, and Sdk-positive synapses are restricted to the 2 (of ≥10) sublaminae to which sdk-expressing cells project. Ectopic expression of Sdk in Sdk-negative cells redirects their processes to a Sdk-positive sublamina. These results implicate Sdks as determinants of lamina-specific synaptic connectivity.
Vertical self-sorting behavior in juvenile Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ): evidence for family differences and variation in growth and morphology

Life history variation is fundamental to the evolution of Pacific salmon and their persistence under variable conditions. We discovered that Chinook salmon sort themselves into surface- and bottom-oriented groups in tanks within days after exogenous feeding. We hypothesised that this behaviour is correlated with subsequent differences in body morphology and growth (as measured by final length and mass) observed later in life. We found consistent morphological differences between surface and bottom phenotypes. Furthermore, we found that surface and bottom orientation within each group is maintained for at least one year after the phenotypes were separated. These surface and bottom phenotypes are expressed across genetic stocks, brood years, and laboratories and we show that the proportion of surface- and bottom-oriented offspring also differed among families. Importantly, feed delivery location did not affect morphology or growth, and the surface fish were longer than bottom fish at the end of the rearing experiment. The body shape of the former correlates with wild individuals that rear in mainstem habitats and migrate in the fall as subyearlings and the latter resemble those that remain in the upper tributaries and migrate as yearling spring migrants. Our findings suggest that early self-sorting behaviour may have a genetic basis and be correlated with other phenotypic traits that are important indicators for juvenile migration timing.
Foundations of Behavior Therapy

The application of behavioral principles to the problems of children has a long tradition in behavioral psychology (e.g.. Holmes, 1936; M. C. Jones, 1924a,b; Mowrer, 1938; J. B. Watson & R. Rayner, 1920; Weber, 1936); however, the focus on children as a specific population with unique needs is a relatively new development in clinical behavior therapy. A tradition that began with the treatment of childhood fears (M. C. Jones, 1924a,b) quickly changed its focus to the treatment of adult behavior disorders. Although occasional reports dealing with the treatment of child behavior disorders did appear in the literature before behavior therapy began to grow popular in 1960, it was not until operant techniques were used to treat dysfunctional behavior in severely disturbed children (e.g., Ferster & DeMeyer, 1962; Wolf, Risley, & Mees, 1964) that behavior therapy with children drew wide acclaim (A. O. Ross, 1980). Following these early reports, behavior therapists and researchers refocused their attention on the problems of children and the environments that nurtured those children, namely, families and schools.
Midface and upper airway dysgenesis in FGFR2-related craniosynostosis involves multiple tissue-specific and cell cycle effects.

Midface dysgenesis is a feature of more than 200 genetic conditions in which upper airway anomalies frequently cause respiratory distress, but its etiology is poorly understood. Mouse models of Apert and Crouzon craniosynostosis syndromes exhibit midface dysgenesis similar to the human conditions. They carry activating mutations of Fgfr2, which is expressed in multiple craniofacial tissues during development. Magnetic resonance microscopy of three mouse models of Apert and Crouzon syndromes revealed decreased nasal passage volume in all models at birth. Histological analysis suggested overgrowth of the nasal cartilage in the two Apert syndrome mouse models. We used tissue-specific gene expression and transcriptome analysis to further dissect the structural, cellular and molecular alterations underlying midface and upper airway dysgenesis in Apert Fgfr2+/S252W mutants. Cartilage thickened progressively during embryogenesis because of increased chondrocyte proliferation in the presence of Fgf2 Oral epithelium expression of mutant Fgfr2, which resulted in a distinctive nasal septal fusion defect, and premature facial suture fusion contributed to the overall dysmorphology. Midface dysgenesis in Fgfr2-related craniosynostosis is a complex phenotype arising from the combined effects of aberrant signaling in multiple craniofacial tissues.
Transformative Learning of Refugee Girls Within a Community Youth Organization Serving Southeast Asians in North Carolina

This article presents case study data from a 2-year ethnography of Southeast Asian youth engagement within a grassroots community organization that serves immigrants in North Carolina before, durin...
General Relativity: An Overview

This lecture is a brief introduction General Relativity. We begin with an outline of general coordinate covariance, tensor analysis, and Riemannian geometry. The Bianchi identities are derived and we include some comments on torsion, since torsion may arise when spinor fields are present. Classical General Relativity is then reviewed and the field equations are found from the Einstein-Hilbert action. The Palatini formalism is also discussed.
Spatio-temporal response of random media beyond ensemble averages

We demonstrate measurements of full spatio-temporal correlations between photon path lengths in highly scattering media. The dependence on the structural characteristics of the medium and the connection to memory-like phenomena are discussed. © 2019 The Author(s)
Permeabilities and selectivities in anisotropic planar membranes for gas separations

Abstract The use of membrane technologies for separation processes is an alternative approach to reduce the environmental impact and energy demand of separations. The development of new membrane materials plays a central role to overcome the limitations of membranes in terms of selectivity, permeability, and stability. Most membrane materials in the past have been engineered to control the relative magnitude of the flux of the species diffusing through the membrane. However, mass flux is a vector and controlling its direction can open new opportunities to design separation processes. In this paper we characterize the separation capabilities of metamaterial-inspired anisotropic planar membranes by studying the development of spatially dependent permeabilities and selectivities as a consequence of manipulating the flux direction within the membrane. Specifically, we show how the performance of anisotropic planar membranes for separations can be characterized in terms of permeability, selectivity, and the collected permeate proportion. In contrast to isotropic membrane materials, we show how the selectivity under single stage operation can be increased beyond the selectivities of the constituent materials by reducing the permeate proportion that is collected. Our work provides new opportunities for the design of alternative separation processes that take advantage of flux directional control within membrane materials.
On histogram-based regression and classification with incomplete data

We consider the problem of nonparametric regression with possibly incomplete covariate vectors. The proposed estimators, which are based on histogram methods, are fully nonparametric and straightforward to implement. The presence of incomplete covariates is handled by an inverse weighting method, where the weights are estimates of the conditional probabilities of having incomplete covariate vectors. We also derive various exponential bounds on the $$L_1$$ norms of our estimators, which can be used to establish strong consistency results for the corresponding, closely related, problem of nonparametric classification with missing covariates. As the main focus and application of our results, we consider the problem of pattern recognition and statistical classification in the presence of incomplete covariates and propose histogram classifiers that are asymptotically optimal.
Cross-lagged effects of posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity and cigarette smoking among OEF/OIF/OND veterans.

Objectives Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are known to smoke cigarettes at elevated levels in comparison to both veterans without PTSD and civilians. This study aims to elucidate how cigarette smoking and PTSD symptoms interact over time. Materials and methods This study examined the directionality and strength of the relationship between average daily cigarette smoking and PTSD symptom severity across three (T1-T3) time points in a large cohort (N = 851) of male and female Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn returning veterans who were either current or former smokers at T1 (mean age = 37.56; standard deviation = 10.10). We used cross-lagged panel analyses to evaluate their temporal relations. Results The analyses indicated that PTSD symptom severity at T1 significantly predicted cigarette smoking at T2, and this predictive association was maintained from T2 to T3. Conversely, smoking at T1 and T2 did not predict PTSD symptom severity at T2 and T3, respectively. Although effect sizes were small, PTSD symptom severity was cross-sectionally related to smoking at T1 and T2, but not T3. In addition, when analyses were examined by gender, the same results were found except these associations were stronger for women than for men cross-sectionally. Conclusion Our findings provide some evidence of a longitudinal association between PTSD symptom severity and tobacco use and highlight potential targets of intervention.
Effect of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Level on Twin-Screw Melt Granulation of Acetaminophen

This study investigated the effect of binder level on the physicochemical changes and tabletability of acetaminophen (APAP)-hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) granulated using twin-screw melt granulation. Even at 5% HPC level, the tablet tensile strength achieved up to 3.5 MPa. A minimum of 10% HPC was required for the process robustness. However, 20% HPC led to tabletability loss, attributable to the high mechanical strength of APAP granules. The over-granulated APAP granules had thick connected HPC scaffold and low porosity. Consequently, these granules were so strong that they underwent a lower degree of fracture under compression and higher elastic recovery during decompression. HPC was enriched on the surface of APAP extrudates at all HPC levels. Amorphous APAP was also observed on the extrudate surface at 20% HPC level, and it recrystallized within 24 h storage. To achieve a robust process and optimal improvement in APAP tabletability, the preferred HPC level was 10 to 15%.
The Pharyngolaryngeal Venous Plexus: A Potential Pitfall in Surveillance Imaging of the Neck.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Among patients undergoing serial neck CTs, we have observed variability in the appearance of the pharyngolaryngeal venous plexus, which comprises the postcricoid and posterior pharyngeal venous plexuses. We hypothesize changes in plexus appearance from therapeutic neck irradiation. The purposes of this study are to describe the CT appearance of the pharyngolaryngeal venous plexus among 2 groups undergoing serial neck CTs—patients with radiation therapy–treated laryngeal cancer and patients with medically treated lymphoma—and to assess for changes in plexus appearance attributable to radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this retrospective study of 98 patients (49 in each group), 448 contrast-enhanced neck CTs (222 laryngeal cancer; 226 lymphoma) were assessed. When visible, the plexus anteroposterior diameter was measured, and morphology was categorized. RESULTS: At least 1 plexus component was identified in 36/49 patients with laryngeal cancer and 37/49 patients with lymphoma. There were no statistically significant differences in plexus visibility between the 2 groups. Median anteroposterior diameter was 2.1 mm for the postcricoid venous plexus and 1.6 mm for the posterior pharyngeal venous plexus. The most common morphology was “bilobed” for the postcricoid venous plexus and “linear” for the posterior pharyngeal venous plexus. The pharyngolaryngeal venous plexus and its components were commonly identifiable only on follow-up imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Head and neck radiologists should be familiar with the typical location and variable appearance of the pharyngolaryngeal plexus components so as not to mistake them for neoplasm. Observed variability in plexus appearance is not attributable to radiation therapy.
Requirements for a System Model in the Context of Digital Engineering

The vision of achieving digital engineering in the US Department of Defense has instigated work on defining the information content and structure of the system model. However, few seem to have asked what are the requirements for the system model? In this paper, we use a requirements process to elicit and define the requirements for the system model. The system model is a digital artifact containing descriptions of all the essential objects, their properties, and the relationships between them for the system-of-interest (SoI). The paper describes the context of the system model in relationships to the other components of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) consisting of a modeling language, schema, model-based process, presentation framework, MBSE tools, and knowledgeable workforce. The paper describes how these components interact to provide effective MBSE. Requirements are stated for each component. The paper additionally derives information requirements for the system model according to the systems engineering process’s information needs by examining the inputs and outputs of each activity in the systems engineering process. Lastly, the paper derives the quality characteristics for the system model from the literature on ontologies, modeling languages, and semiotics. The result is a set of requirements for the system model to support MBSE and the digital thread.
Variability of Basal Meltwater Generation During Winter, Western Greenland Ice Sheet

Abstract. Basal sliding in the ablation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet is closely associated with water from surface melt introduced to the bed in summer, yet melting of basal ice also generates subglacial water year-round. Assessments of basal melt rely on modelling with results strongly dependent upon assumptions with poor observational constraint. Here we use surface and borehole measurements to investigate the generation and fate of basal meltwater in the ablation zone of Isunnguata Sermia basin, Western Greenland. The observational data are used to constrain estimates of the heat and water balances, providing insights into subglacial hydrology during the winter months when surface melt is minimal or non-existent. Despite relatively slow ice flow speeds during winter, the basal meltwater generation from sliding friction remains many fold greater than that due to geothermal heat flux. A steady acceleration of ice flow over the winter period at our borehole sites can cause the rate of basal water generation to increase by up to 20 %. Borehole measurements show high but steady basal water pressure, rather than monotonically increasing pressure. Ice and groundwater sinks for water do not likely have sufficient capacity to accommodate the meltwater generated in winter. Analysis of basal cavity dynamics suggests that cavity opening associated with flow acceleration likely accommodates only a portion of the basal meltwater, implying a residual is routed to the terminus through a poorly connected drainage system. A forcing from cavity expansion at high pressure may explain observations of winter acceleration in Western Greenland.
The Baran Ratio, Investment, and British Economic Growth and Development

Investment in capital, new technology, and agricultural techniques has not been considered an endeavor worthwhile in a medieval economy because of a lack of strong property rights and no incentive on the part of lords and barons to lend money to or grant rights to peasant farmers. Therefore, the medieval economy and standards of living at that time often have been characterized as non-dynamic and static due to insufficient investment in innovative techniques and technology. Paul Baran’s concept of the economic surplus is applied to investment patterns during the late medieval, mercantile, and early capitalist stages of economic growth in England and the UK. This paper uses Zhun Xu’s Baran Ratio concept to try to develop general trends to demonstrate and to reinforce other historical accounts of these times that a productive and sufficient level of public and private investment out of accumulated capital income, taxation, and rents does not have a real impact on economic per capita growth until around the 1600s in Britain. This would also be about the time of capitalism’s ascent as the dominant economic system in England. Even then, dramatic increases in investment and economic growth do not appear until the late 18th Century when investment more consistently becomes more than one hundred percent of the level of economic surplus and takes in government spending. The types of investment, threshold amounts of investment out of profits and rents along with government spending seem to matter when it comes to a growth path raising GDP per capita and national income per capita to higher levels. Although much of this knowledge perhaps is embodied in current historical accounts, the Baran Ratio nicely summarizes and illustrates the importance of levels of investment to economic growth.
Social capital and small informal business productivity: the mediating roles of financing and customer relationships

How does an entrepreneur’s social capital improve small informal business productivity? Although studies have investigated this relationship, we still know little about the underlying theoretical mechanisms driving these findings. Using a unique Zambian Business Survey of 1971 entrepreneurs administered by the World Bank, we find an entrepreneur’s social capital facilitates small business productivity through the mediating channels of firm financing (i.e., credit from suppliers, credit to customers, loans from friends and family) and customer relationships (i.e., more customers). Our findings, thus, identify specific mechanisms that channel social capital toward an informal business’ productivity, which prior studies have overlooked. Small informal businesses are more productive when they build relationships with customers, extend credit to customers, and receive credit from suppliers and friends and family. Using a unique survey of 1,971 Zambian entrepreneurs administered by the World Bank, we observe that belonging to a business or social association enables these businesses to extend credit, receive credit, and build relationships. Our findings provide more specific mechanisms that channel social capital toward an informal business’ productivity, which prior studies have overlooked. Thus, our main policy recommendation is that entrepreneurs, especially from informal businesses and developing contexts, should focus on networking to foster customer and professional relationships and enhance access to capital, which can help foster firm productivity.
Historical Perspective of Vestibular Migraine

Although now considered one of the most prevalent neurotologic syndromes causing dizziness, vestibular migraine has been recognized only recently as a distinct diagnostic entity. This remarkable transformation from obscurity to wide recognition required many decades. This chapter will review briefly the evolution of thought regarding the interface between migraine and dizziness including a perspective from the history of medicine, a more modern perspective, the origins of the current diagnostic criteria for vestibular migraine, and a brief outline of concepts of the pathophysiology of vestibular migraine.