cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-implant left ventricular apex position predicts risk of HeartMate II pump thrombosis.

Background Thrombosis within a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a devastating complication that often necessitates device exchange. Few studies have evaluated the relationship between patient anatomy and pump thrombosis. We hypothesize that lateral displacement of the left ventricular (LV) apex increases risk for pump thrombosis. Methods All patients who underwent primary implantation of a HeartMate II (HM2) device (Thoratec, Pleasanton, CA) at a single center (2009-2015) were evaluated. Operative mortalities and patients without imaging were excluded. The angle of the LV apex relative to the midline was measured on preoperative computed tomography scans by two independent surgeons. Pump thrombosis was defined as lactic dehydrogenase >700 with clinical symptoms of hemolysis or LVAD malfunction. Univariate and Cox Proportional Hazards analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of LV apex angle on long-term freedom from pump exchange for thrombosis. Results Of 122 patients who met inclusion criteria for this study, 16 (13.1%) underwent exchange for presumed pump thrombosis. Of these patients, six (37.5%) required more than one exchange. Patients undergoing exchange for thrombosis had greater LV angle (43.8 ± 9.7 vs 49.5 ± 11.2, p = 0.037) with LV apex angle being a significant predictor of LVAD exchange for thrombosis (hazard ratio = 1.047, P = 0.046). Additionally, when surgeon measurements were compared there was good inter-observer reliability (Pearson Correlation = 0.89). Conclusion A laterally displaced left ventricular apex correlates with a higher risk of pump thrombosis in patients undergoing HM2 implantation. LV apex angle is an easily obtained, reproducible measurement that should be considered when selecting a ventricular assist device.
Λ(α)-Bases and Nuclear Spaces

IN A STUDY of the properties of bases in nuclear Frechet spaces, Dynin and Mitiagin [5] proved that in such spaces every Schauder basis is an absolute basis; another proof of this interesting result was given by Mitiagin [7]. Replacing the sequence space l 1 in the definition of nuclear maps by the nuclear sequence space Λ(α) of power series the second author initiated, in [10], a study of Λ(α)- nuclear spaces and this study is presented in greater depth in a recent paper of the authors [3]. In this paper we introduce the notion of Λ(α)-basis in locally convex spaces.
BIG DATA IN BUSINESS

ABSTRACT Business has always desired to derive insights from big data in order to make better, smarter, data-driven decisions. Big data refers to data that are generated at high volume, high velocity, high variety, high veracity, and high value. It has fundamentally changed the way business companies operate, make decisions, and compete. It can create value for businesses. This paper provides a brief introduction to how big data is being used in businesses.
Rescuing Hidden Ecological Data to Tackle Emerging Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Worldwide, mosquito transmitted infectious diseases result in approximately 679,000 deaths annually. In the Americas, mosquitoes transmit Yellow Fever, malaria, West Nile virus, Dengue virus, Chikungunya virus, and most recently Zika virus. Municipalities throughout the US have independently created mosquito control agencies which aim to limit mosquito populations and carefully monitor mosquito abundance. Here we reveal > 1000 mosquito control agencies in the US and demonstrate that collectively, their high spatiotemporal resolution—historical and real-time—data comprise the richest long-term ecological surveillance of any animal taxon. These agencies are geographically dispersed and house an enormous trove of data: weekly/monthly snapshots of mosquito abundance for up to eight genera simultaneously. Unfortunately, much of these data are hidden among many independent data silos. Here we propose a simple low-cost policy solution: the creation of a nationally-coordinated open-access database to collate mosquito data. The proposed database would, for the first time, provide scientific and public health communities with readily accessible data on arboviral disease vectors. This would empower new interventions and insights by leveraging pre-existing human efforts and operational infrastructure already being paid for by taxpayers.
Recently integrated Alu insertions in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri) lineage and application for population analyses

The evolution of Alu elements has been ongoing in primate lineages and Alu insertion polymorphisms are widely used in phylogenetic and population genetics studies. Alu subfamilies in the squirrel monkey (Saimiri), a New World Monkey (NWM), were recently reported. Squirrel monkeys are commonly used in biomedical research and often require species identification. The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) Perform locus-specific PCR analyses on recently integrated Alu insertions in Saimiri to determine their amplification dynamics, and 2) Identify a subset of Alu insertion polymorphisms with species informative allele frequency distributions between the Saimiri sciureus and Saimiri boliviensis groups. PCR analyses were performed on a DNA panel of 32 squirrel monkey individuals for 382 Alu insertion events ≤2% diverged from 46 different Alu subfamily consensus sequences, 25 Saimiri specific and 21 NWM specific Alu subfamilies. Of the 382 loci, 110 were polymorphic for presence / absence among squirrel monkey individuals, 35 elements from 14 different Saimiri specific Alu subfamilies and 75 elements from 19 different NWM specific Alu subfamilies (13 of 46 subfamilies analyzed did not contain polymorphic insertions). Of the 110 Alu insertion polymorphisms, 51 had species informative allele frequency distributions between Saimiri sciureus and Saimiri boliviensis groups. This study confirms the evolution of Alu subfamilies in Saimiri and provides evidence for an ongoing and prolific expansion of these elements in Saimiri with many active subfamilies concurrently propagating. The subset of polymorphic Alu insertions with species informative allele frequency distribution between Saimiri sciureus and Saimiri boliviensis will be instructive for specimen identification and conservation biology.
SHARD: a framework for sequential, hierarchical anomaly ranking and detection

This work explores unsupervised anomaly detection within sequential, hierarchical data. We present a flexible framework for detecting, ranking and analyzing anomalies. The framework 1) allows users to incorporate complex, multidimensional, hierarchical data into the anomaly detection process; 2) uses an ensemble method that can incorporate multiple unsupervised anomaly detection algorithms and configurations; 3) identifies anomalies from combinations of categorical, numeric and temporal data at different conceptual resolutions of hierarchical data; 4) supports a set of anomaly ranking schemes; and 5) uses an interactive tree hierarchy visualization to highlight anomalous regions and relationships. Using both synthetic and real world data, we show that standard anomaly detection algorithms, when plugged into our framework, maintain a high anomaly detection accuracy and identify both micro-level, detailed anomalies and macro-level global anomalies in the data.
Fluvial architecture of the Burro Canyon Formation using unmanned aerial vehicle-based photogrammetry and outcrop-based modeling: Implications for reservoir performance, Escalante Canyon, southwestern Piceance Basin, Colorado

AbstractThe Cretaceous Burro Canyon Formation in the southern Piceance Basin, Colorado, represents low sinuosity to sinuous braided fluvial deposits that consist of amalgamated channel complexes, a...
Nationhood and neighbourhood: the Lodge-Wilson quarrel and the question of progress

Underlying the Lodge-Wilson quarrel of 1919 was not the question of ‘isolationism’ versus ‘internationalism’ but questions on which conservatives and progressives had been divided long before Armistice Day and remain divided even now: Is history destined to culminate in a condition of perpetual peace? And is it in statesmen’s power to hasten the advent of this condition? Wilson’s optimistic answers to these questions are of a piece with that of nineteenth-century British Radical John Bright, while Lodge’s scepticism is akin to that of Bright’s contemporary Robert Cecil, Third Marquess of Salisbury. This essay discusses the views of these statesmen in order to show that the progressive-optimistic attitude of Bright and Wilson invites a foreign policy that dismisses the significance of nationhood and international neighbourhood.
A Conversation with Milton Hatoum

Acclaimed author Milton Hatoum is originally from a part of the world that has become the center of debates concerning our planetary survival: the Amazon. In this interview—the first extensive interview published in English—he describes how he transforms his experiences of living, traveling, and reading into the written word, and presents a beautiful and specific definition of the reader as a "stationary traveler." Based on questions sent in by e-mail by scholars from all over Brazil and other parts of the world, Hatoum speaks about several of his novels and describes the differences between documentary-based and experimental literary production.
Protein Kinase C Mu (PKC Mu) interacts with E-Cadherin and Beta-catenin in prostate cancer (PC) in vitro and in vivo

5147 We had earlier demonstrated that PKC Mu, a novel isozyme of the PKC family of signal transduction proteins, is down regulated in androgen independent (AI) PC. Because PKC Mu is uniquely constitutively membrane bound compared to other members of the PKC family, we explored its interaction with the membrane associated cadherin-catenin complex of proteins, which are involved with tumorogenesis and metastasis. We studied the interaction in androgen dependent (AD) LNCaP prostate cancer cells by Immunofluorescence (IF) and Immunoprecipitaion (IP) assays. In Vivo IF assay was done by culturing cells on glass coverslips for 48h, permeabilized with cold methanol, incubated with PKC Mu (C-20) and E-cadherin (HECD1) or Beta-catenin (6F9) antibodies, treated with FITC-conjugated secondary antibodies and analyzed with a LSM 510 laser scanning microscope. For IP assays, protein lysate was obtained from 80% confluent cells, immunoprecipitated with PKC Mu (C-20) and immunoblotted with E-cadherin (HECD1) or Beta-catenin (6F9) antibodies. Reciprocal IP was done with E-cadherin (HECD1) and immunoblotted with PKC Mu (C-20) antibodies. Confocal microsocopy demonstrated that PKC Mu localized to the cell membrane and cytoplasm in the peri-nuclear areas. PKC Mu co-localized with E-cadherin and Beta-catenin at cell-to-cell junctional areas. Both IP and reciprocal IP experiments confirmed that PKC Mu interacted with E- cadherin and IP assay confirmed that PKC Mu also interacted with Beta-catenin. Because E-cadherins are well known to strongly interact with Beta-catenin, the PKC Mu may interact either directly or indirectly with the members of the cadherin-catenin complex of proteins. Our studies have identified a novel interaction between PKC Mu and cadherin-catenin complex of proteins in vivo and in vitro. The functional significance of PKC Mu in PC is currently unclear. It is conceivable that dysregulation of PKC Mu expression in PC may contribute to PC progression by its interaction with the cadherin-catenin complex of proteins, which are well established markers of cancer progression in other malignancies.
Clinical Manifestations of Cannabis Use Disorder

Despite the popular misperception that cannabis is not addictive nor very harmful, cannabis use does indeed develop into a cannabis use disorder (CUD) in a substantial number of individuals. CUD manifests in similar phenomena and consequences as other substance use disorders. For example, both adults and youth with CUD report cannabis-associated problems that include inability to cut down or quit, withdrawal symptoms when they discontinue use, work/school, relationship and financial problems, guilt related to use, and neglect of responsibilities. Moreover, as with other substance use disorders, those with CUD commonly experience co-occurring psychiatric disorders that further contribute to suboptimal psychosocial functioning. Of additional concern is the risk of frequent cannabis use on neurodevelopment among youth with CUD. CUD treatment cases comprise a substantial portion of the total of adults enrolled in outpatient treatment for substance use disorders. For youth, CUD is the primary substance problem in the great majority of treatment cases. The effectiveness of interventions for CUD is similar to that of most other substance use disorders indicating that it is difficult to treat. The development of more effective strategies for prevention and treatment of CUD warrants strong consideration as a priority target for public health efforts.
Application of quantum dot sensitization on two-dimensional semiconductors for improved light harvesting (Conference Presentation)

Atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors boast numerous intriguing enhanced material properties for various potential electronic device applications. For optoelectronic devices, such as photodetectors and photovoltaics, an efficient light harvesting is highly demanded, and the relatively low absolute optical absorption of 2D semiconductors can, therefore, limit associated device performances, including photodetector responsivity and solar cell power conversion efficiency. Recently, the sensitization by quantum dots (QDs) has shown promises for improving the optical absorption in 2D semiconductors. In this talk, I will highlight our recent efforts towards utilizing QD sensitization for improving the photo-response of 2D semiconductor field-effect transistor (FET) photodetectors. The first example demonstrates a 500% enhancement in photocurrent response by the application of energy transfer from CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs in 2D SnS2, a model 2D system with indirect band gap nature. Also detailed is the case of 2D MoS2, where we show that the light-intensity-dependent photo-response characterized by scanning photocurrent microscopy (SPCM) can distinguish two fundamental modes of interfacial interaction between QDs and 2D materials, namely energy and charge transfers, which are extremely difficult to distinguish under typically optical interrogation methods. I will try to discuss the potential implication of these two modes towards the optoelectronic application of QD-2D hybrid materials.
Patient Outcomes After Hospital Discharge to Home With Home Health Care vs to a Skilled Nursing Facility.

Importance Use of postacute care is common and costly in the United States, but there is significant uncertainty about whether the choice of postacute care setting matters. Understanding these tradeoffs is particularly important as new alternative payment models push patients toward lower-cost settings for care. Objective To investigate the association of patient outcomes and Medicare costs of discharge to home with home health care vs discharge to a skilled nursing facility. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cohort study used Medicare claims data from short-term acute-care hospitals in the United States and skilled nursing facility and home health assessment data from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2016, on Medicare beneficiaries who were discharged from the hospital to home with home health care or to a skilled nursing facility. To address the endogeneity of treatment choice, an instrumental variables approach used the differential distance between the beneficiary’s home zip code and the closest home health agency and the closest skilled nursing facility as an instrument. Exposures Receipt of postacute care at home vs in a skilled nursing facility. Main Outcomes and Measures Readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge, death within 30 days of hospital discharge, improvement in functional status during the postacute care episode, and Medicare payment for postacute care and total payment for the 60-day episode. Results A total of 17 235 854 hospitalizations (62.2% women and 37.8% men; mean [SD] age, 80.5 [7.9] years) were discharged either to home with home health care (38.8%) or to a skilled nursing facility (61.2%) during the study period. Discharge to home was associated with a 5.6-percentage point higher rate of readmission at 30 days compared with discharge to a skilled nursing facility (95% CI, 0.8-10.3;P = .02). There were no significant differences in 30-day mortality rates (−2.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 0.8-10.3;P = .12) or improved functional status (−1.9 percentage points; 95% CI, –12.0 to 8.2;P = .71). Medicare payment for postacute care was significantly lower for those discharged to home compared with those discharged to a skilled nursing facility (−$5384; 95% CI, –$6932 to –$3837;P Conclusions and Relevance Among Medicare beneficiaries eligible for postacute care at home or in a skilled nursing facility, discharge to home with home health care was associated with higher rates of readmission, no detectable differences in mortality or functional outcomes, and lower Medicare payments.
Effectiveness of dual external direct current cardioversion for initial cardioversion in atrial fibrillation

Introduction Dual external direct current cardioversion (dual-DCCV) is a rhythm control strategy for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), involving simultaneous delivery of two shocks from two defibrillators. The long-term effectiveness of this approach has not been studied in the biphasic cardioversion era. Methods Seventy-seven consecutive patients at a single center were identified to receive dual-DCCV at the time of their initial cardioversion for AF, when maximum output standard external direct current cardioversion failed in two vectors. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors for dual-DCCV in a historical control group of 77 patients undergoing standard cardioversion and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare time to AF recurrence. Results The dual-DCCV group had a significantly larger body mass index (BMI), but similar AF duration and left atrial size as controls. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that BMI and absence of prior paroxysmal AF were risk factors for dual-DCCV (P .999). Conclusion Dual-DCCV appears to be a safe and effective cardioversion strategy for patients with AF. The need for dual-DCCV in the treatment of AF appears to be influenced more by body habitus than atrial substrate.
Infiltration of diesel exhaust from a loading dock into a nearby building

Abstract A loading dock is a common functional component of modern commercial and institutional buildings where substantial amount of air pollutants might be emitted by diesel trucks. This study aims to determine whether pollutants in a loading dock could infiltrate into nearby indoor environments through mechanic ventilation systems. We measured the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and black carbon (BC), and particle size distributions at a loading dock and inside three offices of a nearby building. We observed increased levels of PM2.5 and BC both at the loading dock and in the offices due to trucking activities. The infiltration factors (Fin), defined as the equilibrium fraction of outdoor particles that penetrates indoors, were greater for BC (range: 0.20–0.24) as compared with PM2.5 (range: 0.02–0.13) and were greater for larger particles in the size range of 7.64–289 nm. To reduce human exposures to those particles, an anti-idling policy was implemented at the loading dock as part of the study. As a result, the levels of PM2.5 and BC were significantly (p
Self-presentation on Instagram and friendship development among young adults: A moderated mediation model of media richness, perceived functionality, and openness

Abstract The present study examined the underlying mechanism of self-presentation on emerging social networking sites (SNSs) where features facilitating simulation of real-life communication are plenty. Although previous scholars have examined self-presentation on social media, very few have investigated the combined influences of extrinsic media features and intrinsic personality trait in orchestrating self-presentation on Instagram, a platform that is highly popular among young adults. Specifically, based on the concepts from media richness theory and survey data collected from 671 young adults, our study showed that perceived media richness of Instagram was positively associated with the young adults’ self-presentation on the platform, which, in turn, enhanced their friendship development. Mediation analyses demonstrated that perceived functionality mediated the association between perceived media richness and self-presentation on Instagram. Additionally, tests of moderated mediation indicated that the indirect effect was stronger for young adults who were low on openness. Results underscore the importance of identifying the underlying processes that moderate the mediation between perceived media richness and self-presentation.
Interference Channels with Confidential Messages: Leveraging OFDM Transmission to Scale up Secure Degrees of Freedom with No CSIT

We consider the problem of K-user interference channel with confidential messages (IC-CM) with intersymbol interference (ISI). The main contribution of this paper is to show that sum-secure degrees of freedom (SDoF) can be made to linearly increase with the number of users K in the absence of channel state information at the transmitters (CSIT). The proposed scheme entails three main ingredients : a) leveraging the simple channel matrix structures resulting from the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) type transmission technique in order to eliminate interference and allow coherent decoding of each message at its respectively intended receiver. b) exploiting the inherent heterogeneity in channel impulse response (CIR) lengths between the transmitters and the receivers (which results from the wireless multipath propagation), and c) injection of artificial noise into the transmitted signal from a strategically chosen small number of transmitters J that act as cooperative jammers in order to preserve full confidentiality of the messages at the unintended receivers. This is the first work showing that the SDoF of the K-user IC-CM with ISI can linearly increase with the number of users without CSIT.
When FinTech Competes for Payment Flows

We study the impact of FinTech competition in payment services when a bank uses payment data to learn about consumers' credit quality. Competition from FinTech payment providers disrupts this information spillover. The bank’s price for payment services and its loan offers are affected. FinTech competition promotes financial inclusion, may hurt consumers with a strong bank preference, and has an ambiguous effect on the loan market. Both FinTech data sales and consumer data portability increase bank lending, but the effects on consumer welfare are ambiguous. Under mild conditions, consumer welfare is higher under data sales than with data portability.
Developmental Patterns in Problem Solving and Divergent Thinking Abilities in Gifted Elementary School Children

Development of problem solving and divergent thinking skills in intellectually gifted children was examined through administration of experimental tasks to 233 second through sixth graders. Differe...
Characterization of stilbene’s scintillation anisotropy for recoil protons between 0.56 and 10 MeV

Abstract The scintillation anisotropy of the single-crystal organic scintillator trans-stilbene was characterized for recoil protons between 0.56 and 10 MeV. The light output and pulse shape anisotropies were measured at 11 distinct recoil proton energies for over 168 recoil proton trajectories relative to the crystal axes. The measurements were performed using a neutron scatter kinematic measurement system and quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams produced by the tandem Van de Graaff accelerator at Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL). The extensive recoil proton directional coverage enables interpolation over both energy and direction to form a complete response function of stilbene’s scintillation anisotropy for the measured energy range.
Experiences of Home Health Care Workers in New York City During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis.

Importance Home health care workers care for community-dwelling adults and play an important role in supporting patients with confirmed and suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who remain at home. These workers are mostly middle-aged women and racial/ethnic minorities who typically earn low wages. Despite being integral to patient care, these workers are often neglected by the medical community and society at large; thus, developing a health care system capable of addressing the COVID-19 crisis and future pandemics requires a better understanding of the experiences of home health care workers. Objective To understand the experiences of home health care workers caring for patients in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, setting, and participants From March to April 2020, a qualitative study with 1-to-1 semistructured interviews of 33 home health care workers in New York City was conducted in partnership with the 1199SEIU Home Care Industry Education Fund, a benefit fund of the 1199 Service Employees International Union United Healthcare Workers East, the largest health care union in the US. Purposeful sampling was used to identify and recruit home health care workers. Main outcomes and measures Audio-recorded interviews were professionally transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory. Major themes and subthemes were identified. Results In total, 33 home health care workers employed by 24 unique home care agencies across the 5 boroughs of New York City participated. Participants had a mean (SD) age of 47.6 (14.0) years, 32 (97%) were women, 21 (64%) were Black participants, and 6 (18%) were Hispanic participants. Five major themes emerged: home health care workers (1) were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic but felt invisible; (2) reported a heightened risk for virus transmission; (3) received varying amounts of information, supplies, and training from their home care agencies; (4) relied on nonagency alternatives for support, including information and supplies; and (5) were forced to make difficult trade-offs in their work and personal lives. Conclusions and relevance In this qualitative analysis, home health care workers reported providing frontline essential care, often at personal risk, during the COVID-19 pandemic. They experienced challenges that exacerbated the inequities they face as a marginalized workforce. Interventions and policies to better support these frontline health care professionals are urgently needed.
Patterns and predictors of opioid use among migraine patients at emergency departments: A retrospective database analysis.

ObjectivesTo compare medication use and health resource utilization between migraineurs with evidence of opioid use at emergency department visit versus no opioid use at emergency department visit,...
Nonlinear System Identification for the Prediction of Unsteady Vertical Plane Hydrodynamic Forces on a Planing Hull

Abstract A method to derive a nonlinear model of the vertical plane hydrodynamic forces and moments on a planing hull using forced motion Unsteady RANSE CFD simulations and nonlinear system identification is investigated. The use of forced motion simulations on the fully three-dimensional hull form allows three-dimensional effects to be included in the nonlinear force model which have previously been neglected by strip theory or approximated by 2D+T theory. Nonlinear system identification allows the most significant dynamic terms in the hydrodynamic model to be included in the model without over regressing the response. The process of identifying the nonlinear model is investigated in detail to determine the best collection of forced motion simulations to derive an adequate model. This methodology is intended to provide higher fidelity predictions of vertical plane motions of planning hulls than previous methods while requiring a lower computational expense than a comprehensive CFD evaluation in waves. The final nonlinear model, developed for the Generic Prismatic Planing Hull (GPPH), is validated against static and dynamic simulations not included in the system identification and is found to produce a promisingly accurate model of the hydrodynamic forces and moments When used to predict the heave force and trimming moment of a forced coupled heave and trim motion, the selected nonlinear model is found to predict the heave force and trimming moment with an average absolute error of 3.9% of the maximum force and 5.5% of the maximum moment respectively.
Antiracism: Development and validation of a measure designed to identify White Americans who proactively fight to end discrimination toward Black Americans:

Despite reductions in traditional racial prejudice among non-Hispanic and non-Latino White Americans, Black Americans regularly experience discrimination. We argue that bias persists because althou...
Constituents of Biological Membranes

An understanding of any one process that occurs within the matrix of a biological membrane requires some knowledge of the constituent elements that comprise this structure. Moreover, information regarding the nature of permissible interactions that occur between membrane constituents may lead to insight into the functioning of membrane-associated multicomponent complexes. For these reasons, we initiate our discussion of biological membranes with a consideration of the nature of the structural and catalytic elements that comprise these macromolecular complexes. Just as the functioning of a cell is dependent on its structure, structure must have evolved to accommodate all essential functions.
Friend or Foe? The Relationship Between Facebook Use and Satisfaction and Jealousy in Long-Distance Dating Relationships

This study examined the relationship between the social media site, Facebook, and long-distance dating relationships (LDDRs) among college students. As more and more college students choose to use sites such as Facebook to maintain and continue their romantic relationships, it is vital that scholars understand the effects. Many suggest that Facebook can help preserve the romantic relationship when face-to-face communication is limited. However the findings of this study propose that the use of Facebook can cause relational uncertainty, jealous, and dissatisfaction. A convenience/purposive sample of 74 collegiate students, who are currently or have recently been engaged in a long-distance relationship and possess an active Facebook, participated in a survey study to answer the three proposed hypotheses. Although the results were not strong enough to yield a significant conclusion, the findings showed that there was an increase in jealousy as one partner spent more time on Facebook than the other partner. The study concludes with the study’s limitations and suggestions for future research.
The Invasion Ecology of Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) in the New England Landscape

Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) has been characterized as one of the most widely known and planted exotic shrubs in the United States. It was first introduced to the US in the late 1800s. By 1920 the planting of Japanese barberry was encouraged as an ornamental shrub replacing the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris). Japanese barberry began spreading from cultivation in suburban and selected rural retreats by the 1920s, and had dispersed rapidly throughout the northeast by the 1960s. By the 1970s it was recognized as a problematic invasive in the northeast. It is readily dispersed primarily by birds. Fruit production varies with light level, but even under very low light levels (≤4% full sun) some seeds are produced. Fruits are dispersed in late fall through late winter. Seed dispersal curves are highly leptokurtic; most seedling are found under or adjacent to adults, but a small number may be found tens of meters from the nearest adult. Japanese barberry thrives under a broad range of light and soil moisture conditions. Significant variation in stem growth can be explained as a function of light level. Even at less than 1% full sun, some positive stem growth can occur. Survival is quite high at intermediate to high light levels, and only under the lowest light levels (<1% full sun) does survival drop significantly. Biomass of Japanese barberry in field plots can be largely explained as a function of light availability and soil moisture. The biomass of co-occurring species is suppressed by Japanese barberry, and recovery is slow in the first year following Japanese barberry removal except under high light levels. Glyphosate (Roundup) applied in early spring at first leaf out, when little else is in leaf, provides an effective means of eradicating Japanese barberry populations.
Electron tomography on γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic synapses reveals a discontinuous postsynaptic network of filaments

The regulation of synaptic strength at γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic synapses is dependent on the dynamic capture, retention, and modulation of GABA A-type receptors by cytoplasmic proteins at GABAergic postsynaptic sites. How these proteins are oriented and organized in the postsynaptic cytoplasm is not yet established. In order to better understand these structures and gain further insight into the mechanisms by which they regulate receptor populations at postsynaptic sites, we utilized electron tomography to examine GABAergic synapses in dissociated rat hippocampal cultures. GABAergic synapses were identified and selected for tomography using a set of criteria derived from the structure of immunogold-labeled GABAergic synapses. Tomography revealed a complex postsynaptic network composed of filaments that extend ∼100 nm into the cytoplasm from the postsynaptic membrane. The distribution of these postsynaptic filaments was strikingly similar to that of the immunogold label for gephyrin. Filaments were interconnected through uniform patterns of contact, forming complexes composed of 2-12 filaments each. Complexes did not link to form an integrated, continuous scaffold, suggesting that GABAergic postsynaptic specializations are less rigidly organized than glutamatergic postsynaptic densities.
Retrievals of vertical profiles of stratus cloud properties from combined oxygen A‐band and radar observations

[1] A synergetic algorithm of retrieving vertical distribution of cloud drop effective radius (Re), liquid water content (LWC), and optical depth has been developed by combining oxygen A-band spectral measurements with radar reflectivity. The underlying physics is to utilize the photon path length information from oxygen A-band measurements to constrain the retrievals of cloud microphysical properties from radar reflectivity. Through a radiation closure of the rotating shadowband spectrometer (RSS) diffuse-horizontal irradiances in the oxygen A-band (which is sensitive to vertical distribution of the 2nd moment of particle size distribution), vertical distributions of cloud microphysical property (the 3rd moment of particle size distribution) are optimized and retrieved from Millimeter Wave Cloud Radar (MMCR) reflectivity (the 6th moment of particle size distribution). The critical issues in the synergetic cloud retrievals of combining passive and active instruments are discussed and carefully taken into account. Evaluation and validation through case studies show that the retrieved column mean values of cloud optical depth, effective radius, and liquid water path agree well with independent measurements from the microwave radiometer (MWR) and independent retrievals from a combined algorithm of multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) and MWR and the column physical characterization (CPC) of MMCR. These studies demonstrate that this active-passive synergetic retrieval algorithm is feasible and accurate for retrievals of vertical distribution of cloud Re and LWC for stratus clouds.
Finite element analysis of torsional and torsional–flexural stability problems

Structure of flexural members, analyzing torsional and lateral stability by finite element method and matrix formulation
DERMATITIS-PRODUCING ALGA LYNGBYA MAJUSCULA GOMONT IN HAWAII. I. ISOLATION AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE TOXIC FACTOR1,2

SUMMARY The toxic principle of dermatitis-producing Lyngbya majuscula Gomont has been purified by extraction of dried alga with organic solvents followed by column and thin-layer adsorption chromatography. The toxin is readily soluble in methanol, chloroform, acetone, diethyl ether, and ethanol; it is insoluble in water and slightly soluble in petroleum ether. Qualitative tests have shown no free alpha amino groups, phosphate, sugar, sterol, or quaternary amine. Sulfur and halogen are also absent. The infrared absorption spectrum indicates the presence of hydroxyl groups, CH, CC, and probably CN bonds. Ultraviolet irradiation results in a decrease in toxic activity as well as in bleaching of the pigment. The toxin is also inactivated by heat and by reduction or oxidation. A quantitative test for assay of toxicity has been developed with human amnion cells grown in tissue culture.
Phytoplankton assemblages, environmental influences and trophic status using canonical correspondence analysis, fuzzy relations, and linguistic translation

Abstract In a global assessment, canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and partial CCA were used to ordinate Lake Huron phytoplankton abundances from June and August 1991 and environmental variables. June taxa were associated with NO3 and chloride, while August taxa were associated with SiO2 and temperature, and to some degree, with TSP and NH3. Dominant taxa were Asterionella formosa, Fragilaria capucina, Fragilaria crotonensis, Tabellaria fenestrata, and Urosolenia eriensis in June, and Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cyclotella #6, Cyclotella comensis, Cyclotella michiganiana, and Cyclotella pseudostelligera in August reflecting seasonal change. From local analysis using results from CCA and partial CCA in fuzzy relational analysis, A. minutissimum and C. comensis were influential in June, while F. crotonensis was influential in August. From linguistic translation and trophic status assignment, F. capucina and T. fenestrata indicated eutrophy, A. formosa indicated mesotrophy, C. pseudostelligera indicated mesotrophy–eutrophy, F. crotonensis and U. eriensis indicated oligotrophy–eutrophy, Cyclotella #6 indicated oligotrophy–mesotrophy, and C. michiganiana indicated oligotrophy. A linguistic solution with respect to trophic status is useful for policy makers and others interested in understanding water quality and ways to develop decisions about remediation.
A simple exercise to enhance response to hypnotherapy for migraine headache

Abstract A common method of hypnotherapy for migraine headache utilizes suggestions of wannth for the hands and coldness for the head. This procedure reverses the abnormal pattern of vasodilatation and excess supply of blood in the head and decreased supply in the extremities associated with this type of headache, thereby relieving the pain. A simple exercise, utilizing centrifugal force to dramatically increase blood flow to the hands, is described. It promotes relief in itself and provides a vivid background experience to enhance production of this effect in hypnosis. It appears to be especially useful in patients exhibiting lesser degrees of trance capacity.
Chemistry of thienopyridines. XVII. Direct halogenation of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine

Thieno [2,3-b] pyridine (Ia) was converted into its 3-chloro, 3-bromo, and 3-iodo derivatives by means of elemental halogen, silver sulfate, and sulfuric acid. Bromine in a buffered chloroform solution of la also gave the 3-bromo compound (57% yield). Chlorine plus a refluxing mixture of Ia, chloroform, and water produced both the 3-chloro and the 2,3-dichloro derivatives. Various transformation products of these halothienopyridines (including the 2-nitro-3-halo compounds) are described and mass spectral fragmentation patterns are presented.
Particle size distributions in treatment processes: Theory and practice

The removal of particles from water and wastewater streams is essential and is usually accomplished through flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration. Understanding particle removal requires understanding of particle heterodispersity, especially with respect to size. A joint mathematical and experimental approach to studying changes in size distributions in these processes has proven quite insightful. Recommendations for analysts and manufacturers of particle size distribution analyzers based on mathematical principles are elucidated. Flocculation modeling is quite advanced and can be used predictively under certain well defined conditions, but a full description of changes in the size distribution is not available for all conditions encountered. Insights from flocculation modeling in the last ten years might make significant design and operational differences in the next ten years. Filtration modeling is not as advanced, inasmuch as filtration is a far more complex treatment process, but size distribution measurements have increased understanding enormously, and modeling has enabled design and operational changes in common practice to be understood.
Agricultural Economics: Principles And Policy

Agricultural economics :principles and policy , Agricultural economics :principles and policy , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
Short communications and case reports-Who cares?

Jakob Nielsen1 described us as information foragers; that is, we decide how to consume information in a way that optimizes our benefits relative to the costs. For example, if a wolf is planning to hunt in a forest that is populated by large and small rabbits; which ones will the wolf go after? We would initially say: the “large rabbits” because they provide more meat. But if the large rabbits are faster and are harder to catch, the benefit decreases. It is much better to eat lots of small tasty bites if tiny bunnies are easier to nab (Jakob Nielsen, see footnote). The real question is therefore not which prey provides the most food, but how we get the most food with the least effort (Jakob Nielsen, see footnote). It is the same for us, informavores. A long article will contain more information, but it will take longer to read. Readers may abandon the article and read shorter, easier pieces elsewhere. In such a consideration, therefore, our new publication, the Leukemia Research Reports is committing to support an open access rapid online publication of case reports, brief communications, valuable perspectives and hypotheses. We sincerely hope that the hematology–oncology community will welcome and embrace this new forum.
Thermoelectric power of pure gallium. II. Size and impurity effects

The thermoelectric power as a function of specimen size for gallium single crystals and crystals doped with small percentages of indium has been measured along the three different directions of the orthorhombic lattice between 4.2 and 1.4 K by means of a superconducting potentiometer. From the observations of the temperature dependence of the size effects, evaluations were made of the derivative with respect to energy of the Fermi surface area and the mean free path along the three crystal axes. These data are tabulated. Along theA andB axes (∇ lnS F /∇E) E is about −0.65 eV−1, the negative sign indicating conduction by a band of holes, whereas along theC axis this derivative is positive, indicating conduction by a band of electrons of smaller dimensions. Among other information derived from measurement of the indium-doped samples was that the intrinsic contribution to the diffusion thermopower of In along theC axis of gallium is+2.7×10−8 T(V/K).
Electrophoretic Analysis of Immobilization Antigens of Paramecium aurelia

The isoelectric points of the immobilization antigens A, B, and D of strain 51 of Paramecium aurelia (variety 4) have been determined to be 4.0, 3.9, and 4.3, respectively.
Some observations on the operant behavior of desert pack rats (Neotoma lepida)

Four desert pack rats (Neotoma lepida) and four Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained in operant chambers continuously for 6 months and exposed to a variety of experimental conditions. Compared to the Sprague-Dawley rats, Neotoma required a lower food intake to maintain its body weight and emitted responses at a more uniform, distributed rate over 24-h periods. The unusual hoarding drive characteristic of Neotoma could be demonstrated in the operant chambers by dispensing glass beads in the pellet dispenser. However, there was no clear evidence that these “nonorganic rewards” were reinforcing.
Resonant-wave signature of an oscillating and translating disturbance in a two-layer density stratified fluid

We investigate the nonlinear wave signature of a translating and oscillating disturbance under the influence of ambient waves in a two-layer fluid. The main interests are the generation and features of the far-field waves due to nonlinear wave resonances. We show, using perturbation theory, that free waves on the surface and/or interface can be produced by triad-resonant interactions, a mechanism not obtained in a homogeneous fluid. These occur among the radiated waves due to the disturbance motion (disturbance waves); and between the disturbance waves and free ocean waves (ambient waves). Such resonance-generated waves can appear upstream or downstream, and may propagate away from or towards the disturbance. In realistic situations where ambient waves and disturbance oscillations contain multiple frequencies, numerous resonant and near-resonant interactions at second and higher orders may occur, making the theoretical analysis of the problem intractable. For this purpose, we develop a direct simulation capability using a high-order spectral method, which provides independent validation of the theoretical predictions. Our investigations show that, under specific but realistic conditions, resonance interactions may lead to significant far-field short waves that are more amenable to remote sensing. If the characteristics of the disturbance are known, we illustrate how nonlinear wave resonances provide a mechanism for more precise estimation of ocean stratification properties using surface wave measurements. Finally we show that when a moving disturbance oscillates at multiple frequencies, ensuing multiple resonances may lead to energy spreading across a broader spectrum, resulting in the loss of information about the body motion.
A reflection on culture over time by Baccalaureate nursing students.

The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to compare students’ reflective responses to a set question 18 months apart to determine if their understanding of nurses’ commitment to serve all clients regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation, or racial origin changed. One hundred and twenty-six reflections (63 pairs) were thematically analysed. Three themes were developed: equal treatment; commitment to serve all clients; and ‘it’s not easy’. Cultural competency, although not yet fully operationalized in the nursing profession, is a developmental process that goes across time. It is also more than learning about other cultures.
Incorporating cognitive aids into decision support systems: the case of the strategy execution process

Abstract This paper emphasizes the need to support decision makers in their execution of decision-making strategies. In particular, it discusses the specific cognitive requirements of the strategy execution process and uses the insights generated as the conceptual basis from which to guide the design of cognitive aids to be incorporated into decision support technology. The impact of such cognitive aids is then empirically tested. The results indicate that computerized cognitive aids can successfully be designed into DSS to support decision makers' strategy execution process and that such aids have a significant positive impact on both decision-making efficiency and effectiveness.