cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk analysis of quarantine station performance: a case study of the importation of equine infectious anemia virus-infected horses into California

We examined the risk of importing and mistakenly releasing equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV)-infected horses into California. A computer simulation model was constructed to evaluate current and alternative quarantine station procedures; 150,000 iterations were performed to simulate 15 different scenarios of 10,000 horses imported into the state over a 14-year period. Simulation results showed that under current conditions of low EIAV prevalence in exporting countries, increasing the quarantine period would not decrease the number of EIAV-infected horses mistakenly released from quarantine. In a worst case scenario of high EIAV prevalence in exporting countries, the model predicted 10 EIAV-infected horses would be imported, of these 1 or none would escape detection and would be released mistakenly if quarantine duration were 3 or 14 days, respectively. This model may be applied to other quarantine station situations for evaluating the importation risk for EIAV and other diseases.
An Asymptotic χ2 Test for the Equality of Two Correlation Matrices

Abstract An asymptotic χ2 test for the equality of two correlation matrices is derived. The key result is a simple representation for the inverse of the asymptotic covariance matrix of a sample correlation matrix. The test statistic has the form of a standard normal theory statistic for testing the equality of two covariance matrices with a correction term added. The applicability of asymptotic theory is demonstrated by two simulation studies and the statistic is used to test the difference in the factor patterns resulting from a set of tests given to retarded and non-retarded children. Two related tests are presented: a test for a specified correlation matrix and a test for equality of correlation matrices in two or more populations.
CONTROL OF TRANSCRIPTION TERMINATION IN PROKARYOTES

A growing number of genetic systems have been shown to be controlled at the level of premature termination of transcription. Genes in this class contain transcription termination signals in the region upstream of the coding sequence. The activity of these regulatory termination signals is controlled through a variety of mechanisms. These include modification of RNA polymerase to a terminator-resistant, or terminator-prone form, and alterations in the structure of the nascent transcript, to determine whether the stem-loop structure of an intrinsic terminator or an alternate antiterminator is formed. Structural alterations in the transcript can be controlled by the kinetics of translation of the RNA, by binding of specific regulatory proteins, and by mRNA-tRNA interactions. This review describes a number of variations on the termination control theme that have been uncovered in prokaryotes.
Zinc chelation enhances thyroid hormone induction of growth hormone mRNA in GH3 cells

Abstract The effects of restriction and addition of zinc on thyroid hormone responsiveness of the growth hormone gene were investigated in GH3, rat pituitary tumor cells. Addition of diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA), a membrane-impermeable chelator, resulted in up to 10-fold increases in GH mRNA in the presence of 10 nM T3, with half-maximal induction at 50 μ M DTPA. Only minor effects were seen in the absence of T3. Addition of zinc inhibited the stimulatory effect of DTPA in a dose-dependent manner. Equimolar concentrations of other divalent cations could not substitute for zinc, though inhibitions of the DTPA effect were observed at higher concentrations. In the absence of DTPA, exogenous zinc (100 μ M) inhibited T3-induced GH mRNA by ≈33%. Addition of DTPA or zinc did not affect T3 binding to its nuclear receptor. DTPA also enhanced the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone on GH mRNA. The results demonstrate that restricted zinc availability positively affects T3 induction of the GH gene in GH3 cells.
Autonomic pervasive computing based on planning

Pervasive computing envisions a world with users interacting naturally with device-rich environments to perform various kinds of tasks. These environments must, thus, be self-managing and autonomic systems, receiving only high-level guidance from users. However, these environments are also highly dynamic $the context and resources available in these environments can change rapidly. They are also prone to failures - one or more entities can fail due to variety of reasons. The dynamic and fault-prone nature of these environments poses major challenges to their autonomic operation. In this paper we present a paradigm for the operation of pervasive computing environments that is based on goal specification and STRIPS-based planning. Users as well as application developers can describe tasks to be performed in terms of abstract goals and a planning framework decides how these goals are to be achieved. This paradigm helps improve the fault-tolerance, adaptability, ease of programming and usability of these environments. We have developed and used a prototype planning system within our pervasive computing system, Gaia.
Categorical exceptions to party autonomy in private international law

While history records resistance, choice-of-law and choice-of-forum clauses enjoy widespread enforcement in the United States and Europe today as a recognition of the value of party autonomy in transactions increases. Yet not all such clauses can be enforced -- imagine a murder-for-hire contract that attempted to circumvent strong forum policy against murder through a choice-of-law clause. The methods by which the United States and Europe determine whether such clauses should be unenforceable differ, and their substantive results are also diverging. As a general matter, European courts will not enforce a party's choice to evade so-called "mandatory rules," to deprive a consumer of the benefit of his home state's laws, or to deprive an employee of his home state's protections. Historically, American courts recognized similar exceptions but eschewed categorical exceptions in favor of a flexible and case-by-case "public policy" exception. Today, American courts are increasingly willing to enforce clauses even if they fall within what could be termed categorical exceptions to party autonomy in Europe.
Isometric classification of Sobolev spaces on graphs

Isometric Sobolev spaces on finite graphs are characterized. The characterization implies that the following analogue of the Banach-Stone theorem is valid: if two Sobolev spaces on 3-connected graphs, with the exponent which is not an even integer, are isometric, then the corresponding graphs are isomorphic. As a corollary it is shown that for each finite group G and each p which is not an even integer, there exists n 2 N and a subspace L ' n whose group of isometries coincides with the direct product G ◊Z2.
Selection for increased mass-independent maximal metabolic rate suppresses innate but not adaptive immune function

Both appropriate metabolic rates and sufficient immune function are essential for survival. Consequently, eco-immunologists have hypothesized that animals may experience trade-offs between metabolic rates and immune function. Previous work has focused on how basal metabolic rate (BMR) may trade-off with immune function, but maximal metabolic rate (MMR), the upper limit to aerobic activity, might also trade-off with immune function. We used mice artificially selected for high mass-independent MMR to test for trade-offs with immune function. We assessed (i) innate immune function by quantifying cytokine production in response to injection with lipopolysaccharide and (ii) adaptive immune function by measuring antibody production in response to injection with keyhole limpet haemocyanin. Selection for high mass-independent MMR suppressed innate immune function, but not adaptive immune function. However, analyses at the individual level also indicate a negative correlation between MMR and adaptive immune function. By contrast BMR did not affect immune function. Evolutionarily, natural selection may favour increasing MMR to enhance aerobic performance and endurance, but the benefits of high MMR may be offset by impaired immune function. This result could be important in understanding the selective factors acting on the evolution of metabolic rates.
Dose-Dependent Increase in Intratesticular Testosterone by Very Low-Dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Normal Men with Experimental Gonadotropin Deficiency

Context and Objective: In men with infertility secondary to gonadotropin deficiency, treatment with relatively high dosages of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulates intratesticular testosterone (IT-T) biosynthesis and spermatogenesis. Previously we found that lower dosages of hCG stimulated IT-T to normal. However, the minimal dose of hCG needed to stimulate IT-T and the dose-response relationship between very low doses of hCG and IT-T and serum testosterone in normal men is unknown. Design, Setting, Patients, and Intervention: We induced experimental gonadotropin deficiency in 37 normal men with the GnRH antagonist acyline and randomized them to receive one of four low doses of hCG: 0, 15, 60, or 125 IU sc every other day or 7.5 g daily testosterone gel for 10 d. Testicular fluid was obtained by percutaneous aspiration for steroid measurements at baseline and after 10 d of treatment and correlated with contemporaneous serum hormone measurements. Results: Median (25th, 75th percentile) baseline IT...
Adrenomedullin and the integrative physiology of fluid and electrolyte balance.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is hypothesized to be a physiologically relevant regulator in fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. AM acts within the central nervous system to inhibit both water and salt intake. The peptide has direct actions in the hypothalamus to decrease vasopressin secretion and in the pituitary gland to inhibit ACTH release. AM decreases production and release of aldosterone from the adrenal glands and acts directly in the kidneys to increase renal blood flow and cause diuresis and natriuresis. Whether or not these complementary actions in brain, pituitary, adrenal gland, and kidney reflect coordinated regulatory mechanisms is currently unknown. Development of molecular tools to determine the physiologic role of endogenous AM will greatly enhance our understanding of AM and its regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.
On not missing the boat: A processual method for inter/cultural understanding of idioms and lifeworld

Abstract Idioms, culturally saturated symbols, often cause communication breakdowns between people from different lifeworlds. Based on Bateson's theory of logical types and double‐descriptive principle, and Bakhtin's dialogical translinguistics, this essay proposes a performance‐oriented, processual method to attack idiom problems. New forms of communication, including linguistic and comparative‐relational metatalk, are introduced.
Multistatic adaptive active sonar signal processing

Multistatic active sonar systems involve the transmission and reception of multiple probing sequences, which provide a basis for extraction of target information in a region of interest. Since the multiple probing sequences act as interferences to one another, adaptive receiver filters are needed for interference suppression. Two adaptive receiver designs, namely the iterative adaptive approach and the sparse learning via iterative minimization method, are considered for range-Doppler imaging via multistatic active sonar. The effectiveness of the proposed multistatic active sonar techniques is verified using numerical examples.
Approximations in Optimization of Damage Tolerant Structures

Approximations for structural response and design sensitivities signie cantly reduce the computational cost of structural optimization. To be useful, the approximation must be accurate and computationally efe cient. Damage tolerant design puts even more stringent computational demands on optimization procedures and approximations duetothelargestructuralchangesinherentindamage.Arobustapproximationisevaluatedandextendedtoinclude design sensitivities. It is implemented in an optimization procedure and tested. It is shown that this approximation is accurate and efe cient for damage tolerant optimum design of complex structural models. Last, a qualitative measure is developed and tested that estimates the computational savings using these approximations.
Boundary Value Problems

In this section, we discuss two point boundary value problems for the nonhomogeneous equation (32.2) and obtain results of the “Fredholm alternative” type. With these results, applications to weakly nonlinear problems can be obtained in the standard, manner.
One-step polymerization of polytrithiocarbonate using phase-transfer catalyst

A series of aliphatic and aromatic polytrithiocarbonates was prepared using a novel “one-pot” synthesis procedure employing a phase-transfer catalyst. The starting reagents were either an aliphatic or an aromatic dihalide and an excessive amount of carbon disulfide. The effects of the phase-transfer catalyst and reaction conditions on yield were studied. The structure and composition of the polymers and reaction side-products were determined from infrared, ultraviolet, 1H-NMR spectra, and elemental analyses. The polymers were further characterized by viscosity measurement and thermal analysis. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
IEEE 1588 style synchronization over wireless link

We present a technique for synchronizing clocks over a wireless link between a pair of resource constrained nodes. A Kalman filter is used as a pre-processor to a PI controller to mitigate the effects of packet-losses and attenuate noise spikes. This Kalman filter directly tracks the skew, which is the rate of change of offset, between a pair of nodes. The PI controller accepts this skew as input and disciplines the clock on the follower node. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of this technique over a single hop. In the future, this technique can be extended to multihop systems and improve determinism in networked embedded systems.
Three-Reflection Polarizers Using Dielectric-Coated Metallic Mirrors

Design considerations for three-reflection polarizers that maintain collinearity of the input and out-put beams, and that consist of three mirrors made of the same metallic substrate and coated by the same dielectric film, are discussed. An illustrative example is included of dielectric-coated titanium D- and s- suppressing polarizers at wavelength X=4im.
A micro-RNA expression signature for human NAFLD progression

The spectrum of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) describes disease conditions deteriorating from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to cirrhosis (CIR) to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From a molecular and biochemical perspective, our understanding of the etiology of this disease is limited by the broad spectrum of disease presentations, the lack of a thorough understanding of the factors contributing to disease susceptibility, and ethical concerns related to repeat sampling of the liver. To better understand the factors associated with disease progression, we investigated by next-generation RNA sequencing the altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in liver biopsies of class III obese subjects (body mass index ≥40 kg/m2) biopsied at the time of elective bariatric surgery. Clinical characteristics and unbiased RNA expression profiles for 233 miRs, 313 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and 392 miscellaneous small RNAs (snoRNAs, snRNAs, rRNAs) were compared among 36 liver biopsy specimens stratified by disease severity. The abundances of 3 miRNAs that were found to be differentially regulated (miR-301a-3p and miR-34a-5p increased and miR-375 decreased) with disease progression were validated by RT-PCR. No tRNAs or miscellaneous RNAs were found to be associated with disease severity. Similar patterns of increased miR-301a and decreased miR-375 expression were observed in 134 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) samples deposited in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Our analytical results suggest that NAFLD severity is associated with a specific pattern of altered hepatic microRNA expression that may drive the hallmark of this disorder: altered lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The three identified miRNAs can potentially be used as biomarkers to access the severity of NAFLD. The persistence of this miRNA expression pattern in an external validation cohort of HCC samples suggests that specific microRNA expression patterns may permit and/or sustain NAFLD development to HCC.
Beyond Daytime Sleepiness: Medical, Behavioral, Psychiatric, and Sleep Co-morbid Conditions Associated with Pediatric Narcolepsy

Pediatric narcolepsy can be challenging to diagnose and manage given a broad range of co-morbidities only recently described in the literature. These co-morbidities are broad in scope and span medical, psychiatric, and sleep disorders. Such associated conditions highlight potential novel effects of hypocretin deficiency on metabolic and neural functioning. Clinically, medication treatments for narcolepsy have the potential to alter co-morbid symptoms for better or worse and may guide individual treatment plans. Furthermore, sleep physicians may need to ally with other health care providers in endocrinology and psychiatry to optimize the care of pediatric patients with narcolepsy.
Active Remote Dynamic Absorber

An active remote dynamic absorber (ARDA) is proposed for the vibration suppression of beams. The technique is an extension of the remote dynamic absorber method (RDA) that has been proposed recently. Both techniques (RDA and ARDA) are remote. That is, no direct attachment of the dynamic absorber beam to the primary beam is needed. In the RDA technique, the RDA beam is electromechanically coupled to the primary beam via piezoelectric elements. The technique is purely passive, however, it has a very narrow effective frequency range of operation, which limits its practicability. Though most passive dynamic absorber techniques are narrowband, the RDA is too narrowband to be practical. In the ARDA technique, the electric signals emanating from the RDA to the primary beam and vise versa are amplified, which widens the effective frequency range of operation and renders the technique active. In this work, the fundamental working principle of the ARDA technique is presented using two-degree-of-freedom lumped systems. And a thorough investigation of the technique, using the finite element, method, is presented.
Body Mass Index and Perception of Cancer Risk: An Opportunity for Behavioral Education?

Objective Because healthy lifestyle has been associated with reduced risk of certain cancers, we examined differences in cancer-risk and weight-related perceptions by body mass index (BMI).
Proposed criteria for classifying potential dental emergencies in Department of Defense military personnel.

Dental emergencies have been well documented and evaluated. The results of dental emergencies have been lost duty time, decreased unit effectiveness, disruption of routine care, and hindrance to the military mission. The potential of dental emergencies to reduce combat effectiveness is still a major concern. The current U.S. Army and Department of Defense (DOD) military personnel dental classification system, as regulated by DOD Instruction 6410.1, places certain patients broadly into the potential emergency, class 3 category. Changes are needed to make this system more effective and predictive. In addition to various acute conditions, more emphasis should be focused on caries- and surgery-related problems to identify the majority of individuals at high risk for emergencies. Based on an extensive literature review, changes in the current system of classification are proposed.
Semiconductor Laser and Light-Emitting Diode Fabrication

This chapter focuses on the manufacturing issues of the optical sources: light-emitting diodes (LEDs), edge-emitting lasers, and vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) sources. In particular, the chapter concentrates on the fabrication of these laser sources. It is noted that edge-emitting laser diodes are extensively used for CD/DVD data storage, laser printing, bar code scanners, pointers, optical communications, and solid-state laser pumping sources. The chapter describes VCSEL manufacturing in detail, as it is an emerging field having potentially great impact on the data communication industry. However, it is noted that manufacturability and manufacturing cost relative to VCSELs are the two factors that often hinders their commercialization. Edge-emitting lasers are grown by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), or metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) techniques; whereas, VCSELs are generally grown by MBE or MOCVD techniques. Because, MOCVD offers the best growth throughput and excellent material quality, so it is predominantly used by all the commercial VCSEL manufacturers. Many edge-emitting laser manufacturers are also relying on the MOCVD technology for the high-volume production.
Probing the role of the backbone carbonyl interaction with the CuA center in azurin by replacing the peptide bond with an ester linkage

The role of a backbone carbonyl interaction with an engineered CuA center in azurin was investigated by developing a method of synthesis and incorporation of a depsipeptide where one of the amide bonds in azurin is replaced by an ester bond using expressed protein ligation. Studies by electronic absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques indicate that, while the substitution does not significantly alter the geometry of the site, it weakens the axial interaction to the CuA center and strengthens the Cu–Cu bond, as evidenced by the blue shift of the near-IR absorption that has been assigned to the Cu–Cu ψ → ψ* transition. Interestingly, the changes in the electronic structure from the replacement did not result in a change in the reduction potential of the CuA center, suggesting that the diamond core structure of Cu2SCys2 is resistant to variations in axial interactions.
Geothermal Power Plants in Turkey

All three of Turkey’s operating geothermal power plants lie in the one area of the country that has high-temperature resources, the Buyuk Menderes Graben in western Anatolia. The first plant discussed in the chapter is located at the Kizildere resource, which is a liquid-dominated reservoir that was discovered in the 1960s. The various wells and power units of this plant are described in detail, with maps, technical specifications, diagrams, and photos. The technical details of the two Salavatli binary plants, Dora I and Dora II, are discussed next. A description of the Germencik double-flash plant, the first double-flash plant in Turkey, follows. This plant came online very recently in 2009. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the environmental impact of the plants, specially the disposal of waste brine at the Kizildere plant, and a discussion of the current and future state of geothermal power in Turkey.
Predicting toluene degradation in organic Rankine-cycle engines

This paper describes the measurement of toluene degradation in dynamic loop tests that simulate operation of an organic Rankine-cycle engine. Major degradation products and degradation mechanisms are identified, and degradation is quantified. Results indicate that toluene is a stable fluid with benign degradation products, provided that oxygen is excluded from the engine. A means of predicting degradation in the engine is developed. 3 refs., 4 figs., 5 tabs.
From idea to prototype: Introducing students to entrepreneurship

We describe results from a semester-long class taught by seven faculty at George Mason University, aimed at providing resources to engage students in idea generation, design cycle development, and finally elaboration of a business plan. This is intended to alleviate a perceived lack of access for students to commercialize their ideas. Undergraduate and graduate students are often left with unfinished class projects that do not turn into prototypes or products. Here we aim to avoid this outcome (often referred to as the “Valley of Death”). We recruited students with ideas for products as well as students with varied expertise. We have then formalized their engagement by offering a seminar class that met once every other week over a 15 week semester. After the class each team underwent a one-week intensive boot camp for a final demonstration and presentation of their product and business plan. Throughout the semester the teams solicited and received micro-grants, then used the financial support to acquire materials to prototype several iterations of their ideas. In this paper we present data from our preliminary analysis of two successful teams. Out of five teams who took the class, three completed, and two continued with their products beyond the class. We also discuss strategies to engage students, to form viable teams, to provide technical support, and to deliver content in a non-traditional environment, with students from different backgrounds (e.g., sociology, civil engineering, computer science) enrolled both in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Exploratory Study of the Teaching Practices of Novice Science Teachers Who Participated in Undergraduate Science Education Research

Research experiences for teachers have been shown to improve their knowledge and teaching practice. One type of research experience not as well studied is undergraduate science education research. Using qualitative research methodologies, the teaching practices and tools of seven novice teachers who participated in undergraduate science education research along with three novice teachers who did not participate in research were compared. Novice teachers with research experience included some similar practices and tools in their teaching—collecting student data, regularly using formative assessments, and employing questioning as a teaching tool—which novice teachers without the research experience did not. The results of this exploratory study suggest a positive impact of undergraduate science education research on teachers’ practices likely because it changes the preservice teachers’ learning community; however, more exploration is needed to understand the characteristics of the research experience which might have made it valuable to the preservice teachers’ learning.
Supply Chain Systems

Recall from the introductory chapter that a supply chain is a network of functional organizations that through their activities perform the logistics functions. These functions include procurement of materials, transformation of materials and intermediate products into intermediate and finished products, and distribution of finished products to the customers. Supply chains exist both in manufacturing and service organizations. Supply chains can differ greatly in complexity from industry to industry and from individual company to company. Because of the widespread prevalence and variety of supply chains, many alternative definitions of a supply chain exist. The term supply chain is somewhat of a misnomer because a supply chain is often not a single or simple chain but a complex network with many divergent and convergent flows. Because of the current focus of companies on their core competencies, there are usually many different organizations active in a supply chain.
Preventing and Treating Disease

This chapter explores the research literature that addresses the use of spiritual-religious practices, such as public religious activities, prayer, and various lifestyle approaches, in the prevention and treatment of physical disease. Hypothesized mechanisms of action that seek to explain the relationship between religion–spirituality and health-related outcomes are reviewed in the context of current scientific knowledge. Suggestions are provided for the integration of these research findings into social work practice with individuals, families, and communities.
Challenges and Opportunities for Understanding Non-economic Loss and Damage

A decision was made at the UNFCCC, COP-18 meeting in Doha in 2012 to create a work programme on loss and damage. Part of this programme was to include the production of a technical paper to enhance...
Consultation Practices: Multidisciplinary Settings

Abstract For behavioral practitioners to have the greatest impact, they typically must collaborate with individuals from other disciplines. These collaborations often occur in settings that are multidisciplinary in nature. This chapter describes practices to help behavior analysts establish and maintain successful collaborations with nonbehavioral colleagues. We provide examples of successful collaborations from the literature and our own experiences, suggest areas in which more research or information would be useful, and conclude with recommendations for practitioners who are interested in developing new multidisciplinary relationships. Along the way, we describe ways in which multidisciplinary collaborations can promote success for us as behavior analysts, our clients, and our collaborators. We highlight potential pitfalls in establishing and maintaining successful collaborations. We conclude with a series of checklists to assist practitioners design, develop, initiate, and troubleshoot multidisciplinary collaborations.
Factoring Chinese consumers’ risk perceptions into their willingness to pay for pork safety, environmental stewardship, and animal welfare

Abstract Consumers in China have grown increasingly concerned with the safety of their food as evidenced by the numerous media reports of foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. Consumer confidence in food purchases can be improved through better labeling on food packaging. Chinese consumers' risk perceptions and how it impacts the valuation of a product's attributes in terms of price premiums are explored in this study. As pork is a staple meat in China, a choice modeling approach was used to quantify the economic value of labeling on pork for food safety, country of origin, environment practices, and animal welfare. Risk perceptions of becoming ill from imported or domestic pork were incorporated and willingness to pay (WTP) values were quantified. Results reveal that food safety has the greatest premium among all of the attributes, and incorporating risk perceptions leads to generally higher WTP values. We find evidence that Chinese urban consumers in large cities show a genuine preference for animal welfare and environmental stewardship, independent of the believed better taste and safety of meat from such production practices. Results imply that consumers not only gain the greatest utility from this labeling but also suggest that there is a latent demand for this product characteristic from which foreign and domestic pork producers can benefit.
Probing minimal supergravity via the Extreme Universe Space Observatory

An analysis is carried out within mSUGRA of the estimated number of events originating from upward moving ultra-high energy neutralinos that could be detected by the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO). The analysis exploits a recently proposed technique that differentiates ultra-high energy neutralinos from ultra-high energy neutrinos using their different absorption lengths in the Earth's crust. It is shown that for a significant part of the parameter space, where the neutralino is mostly a Bino and with squark mass $\sim 1$ TeV, EUSO could see ultra-high energy neutralino events with essentially no background. In the energy range 10^9 GeV < E < 10^11 GeV, the unprecedented aperture of EUSO makes the telescope sensitive to neutralino fluxes as low as 1.1 \times 10^{-6} (E/GeV)^{-1.3} GeV^{-1} cm^{-2} yr^{-1} sr^{-1}, at the 95% CL. Such a hard spectrum is characteristic of supermassive particles' $N$-body hadronic decay. The case in which the flux of ultra-high energy neutralinos is produced via decay of metastable heavy particles with uniform distribution throughout the universe is analyzed in detail. The normalization of the ratio of the relics' density to their lifetime has been fixed so that the baryon flux produced in the supermassive particle decays contributes to about 1/3 of the events reported by the AGASA Collaboration below 10^{11} GeV, and hence the associated GeV gamma-ray flux is in complete agreement with EGRET data. For this particular case, EUSO will collect between 4 and 5 neutralino events (with 0.3 of background) in ~ 3 yr of running. NASA's planned mission, the Orbiting Wide-angle Light-collectors (OWL), is also briefly discussed in this context.
Geographic variation in pollen color is associated with temperature stress.

The evolution of flower color, especially petal pigmentation, has received substantial attention. Less understood is the evolutionary ecology of pollen pigmentation, though it varies among and within species and its biochemical properties affect pollen viability. We characterize the distribution of pollen color across 24 populations of the North American herb Campanula americana, and assess the degree to which this variation is genetically based. We identify abiotic factors that covary with pollen color and test whether germination of light and dark pollen is differentially affected by variable temperature and UV. Pollen color varies from white to deep purple in C. americana and is genetically determined. There was a longitudinal cline whereby pollen was darkest in western populations. Accounting for latitudinal variation, western populations experience elevated temperature and UV irradiance. Germination of light-colored pollen was reduced by 60% under high temperature, but dark pollen was unaffected. Exposure to UV reduced germination of light and dark pollen similarly. The cline in pollen color across the range may reflect adaptation to heat stress. This study supports thermal tolerance as a novel function of pollen pigmentation and contributes to growing evidence that abiotic factors can drive floral diversity.
TBK1 at the Crossroads of Inflammation and Energy Homeostasis in Adipose Tissue.

Summary The noncanonical IKK family member TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is activated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, but its role in controlling metabolism remains unclear. Here, we report that the kinase uniquely controls energy metabolism. Tbk1 expression is increased in adipocytes of HFD-fed mice. Adipocyte-specific TBK1 knockout (ATKO) attenuates HFD-induced obesity by increasing energy expenditure; further studies show that TBK1 directly inhibits AMPK to repress respiration and increase energy storage. Conversely, activation of AMPK under catabolic conditions can increase TBK1 activity through phosphorylation, mediated by AMPK's downstream target ULK1. Surprisingly, ATKO also exaggerates adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. TBK1 suppresses inflammation by phosphorylating and inducing the degradation of the IKK kinase NIK, thus attenuating NF-κB activity. Moreover, TBK1 mediates the negative impact of AMPK activity on NF-κB activation. These data implicate a unique role for TBK1 in mediating bidirectional crosstalk between energy sensing and inflammatory signaling pathways in both over- and undernutrition.
Experimental Approaches for Defining the Role of the Ca 2+ -Modulated ROS-GC System in Retinal Rods of Mouse

Our ability to see is based on the activity of retinal rod and cone photoreceptors. Rods function when there is very little light, while cones operate at higher light levels. Photon absorption by rhodopsin activates a biochemical cascade that converts photic energy into a change in the membrane potential of the cell by decreasing the levels of a second messenger, cGMP, that control the gating of cation channels. But just as important as the activation of the cascade are the shut-off and recovery processes. The timing of shutoff and recovery ultimately affects sensitivity, temporal resolution and even the capacity for counting single photons. An important part of the recovery is restoration of cGMP through the action of rod outer segment membrane guanylate cyclases (ROS-GCs) and guanylate cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs). In darkness, ROS-GCs catalyze the conversion of GTP to cGMP at a low rate, due to inhibition of cyclase activity by GCAPs. In the light, GCAP enhances ROS-GC activity. Mutations in the ROS-GC system can cause problems in vision, and even result in blindness due to photoreceptor death. The mouse has emerged as a particularly useful subject to study the role of ROS-GC because the technology for the manipulation of their genetics is advanced, making production of mice with targeted mutations much easier. Here we describe some experimental procedures for studying the retinal rods of wild-type and genetically engineered mice: biochemical assays of ROS-GC activity, immunohistochemistry, and single cell recording.
Anion recovery from water by cross-linked cationic surfactant nanoparticles across dialysis membranes

Surfactant micelles combined with ultrafiltration can be used for removing specific ions (e.g., phosphate and nitrate) from water. An issue with implementing this technology is the significant and constant loss of surfactant monomers across the ultrafiltration membrane. To overcome this issue, a new cationic surfactant, a quaternary ammonium hydroxypropyl conjugated linoleic acid ester (QACLE), was synthesized that is easy to cross-link with UV light when it is present in aqueous micellar form, forming stable quaternary ammonium stearic acid ester (QASE) nanoparticles with high anionic exchange capacity. The selectivity coefficients of the QACLE micelles towards common anions in natural water were evaluated using a thermodynamic (equilibrium) ion exchange model, and were compared to selectivity coefficients measured for micelles composed of two commercially available cationic surfactants, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). The sequence of decreasing affinity for all three self-assembled micellar systems (i.e., QACLE, CTAB and CPC) was: CrO42− > SO42− > HPO42− > NO3− > Br− > NO2− > Cl− > HCO3− > H2PO4− ≈ F−. Using the necessary mass balance and ion exchange reactions, a model was developed to predict the distribution of all anions between the aqueous phase and micellar or nanoparticle phase. Comparing results of anion exchange on QASE nanoparticles to model predictions indicated that the cross-linking of the monomers in the micelles did not change the anion selectivity coefficients. Experimental results, using artificial and real surface waters, and model predictions indicate that the new nanoparticles have the potential for phosphate recovery from waters containing competing anions.
Cognitive attribution bias

Abstract The Social Information Processing (SIP) Model describes the sequence of events by which children encode, interpret, construct responses, evaluate responses, and enact behaviors in social settings. In this chapter, we describe the stages in the SIP Model and methods used to assess SIP. We review studies that examine how deficits and biases in SIP are associated with externalizing disorders and predict aggressive behavior. Relations with externalizing behavior and social maladjustment and problems in peer and parent interactions, which can be mediated by SIP, are also explored. We briefly review research examining the relationship between SIP and basic cognitive abilities and the etiology of SIP deficits and biases. Interventions designed to improve SIP, which have been shown to improve both externalizing behaviors and peer and parent interactions, are reviewed. Finally, limitations of existing literature and future directions in research on SIP and its links to social behavior are discussed.
Lonely Bowling and Other Critical Contexts

In a January 1996 episode of The Simpsons, Homer joins a bowling league. The episode aired one year after Robert Putnam published his essay, “Bowling Alone,” in which he laments the decline of civic participation in America, as evidenced by, for example, declining memberships in bowling leagues. This chapter links the visions of community presented on prime-time television in the nineties to the observations of American cultural critics like Putnam, Martin Luther King, Jr., Tom Wolfe, and Christopher Lasch. In the final decade before the American television audience became increasingly fragmented, TV shows were already depicting a fragmented community within an America which, itself, was in the midst of a fragmented age.
Comparison of several activated partial thromboplastin time methods.

Activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT’s) performed with a semi-automated electrical-conductivity type of clot timer on plasmas from patients with hepatic disease and intravascular coagulation, and on warfarin or heparin therapy, were significantly lower than when done on the same plasmas with either a manual optical method or an automated optical-endpoint instrument. Results of APTT’s done on normal plasmas by the three methods were not significantly different. Substitution of different activatorphospholipid reagents resulted in some variability in results, but these differences were less than those between the different types of methods. APTT’s done with both the electrical clot timer and the automated optical instrument on prepared plasmas containing 5.0 or 1.0% of factor II, V, VIII, IX, or X revealed shorter times with the electrical clot timer only in the case of factor II- and factor V-deficient plasmas. APTT’s done on normal plasmas to which 0.1 or 0.3 units per ml. of heparin had been added in vitro also were shorter with the electrical clot timer than with the automatic optical instrument. Prothrombin times done on normal and abnormal control plasmas and on a series of plasmas from patients on warfarin therapy showed no significant difference between the two methods.
Anion Charge Transfer in Biologically Active Systems

Almost all psychotropic drugs contain ionic moieties neutralized in the solid state by anionic counter-ions. Investigation of representative models shows that such counter-ions can have a profound influence on charge transfer phenomena in these drugs. Ressults of our experiments are discussed in terms of the possible behaviour of the drugs in micelle formation, oxidation-reduction reactions, interactions with and transfer across membranes.
Gastric Mucosal Biopsy in Eosinophilic (Allergic) Gastroenteritis

Eosinophilic (allergic) gastroenteritis is a disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by protein-losing enteropathy, peripheral eosinophilia, and iron-deficiency anemia secondary to gastrointestinal blood loss, often accompanied by systemic allergy. The intestinal lesion is focal in distribution and may be nonspecific. Accordingly, we have studied 6 patients, ages 6 months to 15 years, to assess the value of gastric mucosal biopsy in establishing the diagnosis of eosinophilic (allergic) gastroenteritis. The gastric mucosa was abnormal in all cases, revealing marked eosinophilic infiltration and necrosis and regeneration of the epithelial cells. A single gastric biopsy proved diagnostic in all 6 cases and provided the primary diagnosis in 3. As expected, intestinal biopsies varied considerably in appearance even in the same patient, ranging from normal to villous shortening and crypt hyperplasia with epithelial cell necrosis. Other patients with peripheral eosinophilia alone or intestinal disease of other etiologies had normal gastric biopsies. Gastric mucosal biopsy appears to be of considerable aid in the diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis and should be routinely obtained. We also suggest that the gastric lesion may contribute to the protein loss, gastrointestinal bleeding, and iron-deficiency anemia observed in this condition.
Limb Salvage and Functional Outcomes following Free Tissue Transfer for the Treatment of Recalcitrant Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Background Recent evidence documenting high success rates following microvascular diabetic foot reconstruction has led to a paradigm shift in favor of more aggressive limb preservation. The primary aim of this study was to examine reconstructive and functional outcomes in patients who underwent free tissue transfer (FTT) for recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) at our tertiary referral center for advanced limb salvage. Methods Between June 2013 and June 2016, 29 patients underwent lower extremity FTT for diabetic foot reconstruction by the senior author (K.K.E.). In all cases, microsurgical reconstruction was offered as an alternative to major amputation for the management of recalcitrant DFUs. Overall rates of flap survival, limb salvage, and postoperative ambulation were evaluated. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) score was used to assess functional outcomes after surgery. Results Overall rates of flap success and lower limb salvage were 93 and 79%, respectively. Flap failure occurred in two patients with delayed microvascular compromise. Seven patients in this series ultimately required below-knee amputation secondary to recalcitrant infection ( n = 5), intractable pain ( n = 1), and limb ischemia ( n = 1). The average interval between FTT and major amputation was 8 months ( r , 0.2–15 months). Postoperative ambulation was confirmed in 25 patients (86%) after a mean final follow-up of 25 months ( r , 10–48 months). The average LEFS score for all patients was 46 out of 80 points ( r , 12–80 points), indicating the ability to ambulate in the community with some limitations. Conclusion FTT for the management of recalcitrant DFUs is associated with high rates of reconstructive success and postoperative ambulation. However, several patients will eventually require major amputation for reasons unrelated to ultimate flap survival. These data should be used to counsel patients regarding the risks, functional implications, and prognosis of microvascular diabetic foot reconstruction.
Mapping in the Wild: Toward Designing to Train Search & Rescue Planning

Search and rescue (SAR), performed to locate and save victims in disaster and other scenarios, primarily involves collaborative sensemaking and planning. To become a SAR responder, students learn to search within and navigate the environment, make sense of situations, and collaboratively plan operations. In this study, we synthesize data from four sources: (1) semi-structured interviews with experienced SAR professionals; (2) online surveys of SAR professionals; (3) analysis of documentation and artifacts from SAR operations on the 2017 hurricanes Harvey and Maria; and (4) first-person experience undertaking SAR training. Drawing on activity theory, we develop an understanding of current SAR sensemaking and planning activities, which help explore unforeseen factors that are relevant to the design of training systems. We derive initial design implications for systems that teach SAR responders to deal with mapping in the outdoors, collecting data, sharing information, and collaboratively planning activities.
Development of a biodosimeter for radiation triage using novel blood protein biomarker panels in humans and non-human primates.

Purpose: In a significant nuclear event, hundreds of thousands of individuals will require rapid triage for absorbed radiation to ensure effective medical treatment and efficient use of medical res...
The FTC and Deceptive Advertising in the 1980s: Are Consumers Being Adequately Protected?:

This paper uses the controversy surrounding the Federal Trade Commission's 1983 Policy Statement on Deception as a focal point for discussing whether consumers are adequately protected from decepti...