cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of patch connectivity and arrangement on animal metapopulation dynamics: a simulation study

Abstract We constructed a simulation model of metapopulation dynamics consisting of two or three habitat patches using STELLA. our simulations show that, given the assumptions of the deterministic model, the metapopulation is doomed to global extinction with or without interpatch immigration when all local populations are below minimum viable population (MVP) size. This suggests that for a cluster of scattered small populations, it is preferable to focus on augmenting individual population sizes rather than enhancing interpatch immigration. In the case when at least one of the subpopulations is above the MVP size, there is a critical size for that subpopulation above which the metapopulation persists and otherwise collapses. Also, when a metapopulation system is composed of more than two patches, the spatial configuration in terms of patch connection and the relative position of the above-MVP subpopulation will have significant effects on metapopulation dynamics and persitence. All simulation results from the three-patch animal metapopulation model suggest that both the number of interpatch connections and the magnitude represented by them are crucial for overall patch connectivity. The magnitude of interpatch immigration is positively related to the minimum size of the above-MVP subpopulation in both the two- and three-patch metapopulation systems due to population sink effect. The phenomenon is especially significant when subpopulations in sink patches are well below MVP. Appropriate introduction of stochastic components into the model may increase its realism especially for the cases where all subpopulations are well below MVP. Although the current version of the model involves no more than three patches, it may serve as a general conceptual framework and a specific simulator for modeling metapopulation dynamics incorporating a variety of spatial arrangements of habitat patches.
Three-dimensional optical data storage in a fluorescent dye-doped photopolymer

We propose a new, to our knowledge, monolithic multilayer optical storage medium in which data may be stored through the diffusional redistribution of fluorescent molecules within a polymer host. The active portion of the medium consists of a photopolymer doped with a fluorescent dye that is polymerized at the focal point of a high-numerical-aperture lens. We believe that as fluorescent molecules bond to the polymer matrix they become more highly concentrated in the polymerized regions, resulting in the modulated data pattern. Since data readout is based on detection of fluorescence rather than index modulation as in other photopolymer-based memories, the problems of media shrinkage and optical scatter are of less concern. An intensity threshold observed in the recording response of this material due to the presence of inhibitor molecules in the photopolymer allows for the three-dimensional confinement of recorded bits and therefore multilayer recording. The nonlinear recording characteristics of this material were investigated through a simple model of photopolymerization and diffusion and verified experimentally. Both single-layer and multilayer recordings were demonstrated.
Techno-economics of advanced biofuels pathways

Techno-economic analysis enables researchers to quickly and inexpensively assess the technical and economic feasibility of biorenewable pathways. This mini-review article covers Iowa State University's techno-economic analyses since 2007, which includes two distinct methodologies: one based on adapting existing analyses found in the literature and the other based on constructing detailed process models.
Poverty and Education

In this article, R. W. Connell reexamines the schooling of children in poverty in several industrial countries. He suggests that major rethinking is due that draws on two assets that have not been considered by policymakers in the past: the accumulated practical experience of teachers and parents with compensatory programs, and a much more sophisticated sociology of education. Connell uses these assets to question the social and educational assumptions behind the general design of compensatory programs, to propose an alternative way of thinking about children in poverty that is drawn from current practice and social research, and to explore some larger questions about the strategy of reform this rethinking implies. He goes on to demonstrate that compensatory programs may even reinforce the patterns that produce inequality, since they function within existing institutions that force children to compete although the resources on which they can draw are unequal. At the core of this process, according to Conn...
SEASONAL VARIATION IN SIN NOMBRE VIRUS INFECTIONS IN DEER MICE: PRELIMINARY RESULTS

The proportion of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) with recently acquired Sin Nombre virus (SNV) infections is an indicator of epizootic intensity and may be key in predicting outbreaks of hantavirus cardio-pulmonary syndrome in humans. We investigated whether incidence of recent infections was related to season, sex, reproductive status, or habitat disturbance. In May and September, 2006, we sampled 912 deer mice at six sites in Utah. We determined SNV antibody prevalence and estimated the number of recent infections with an avidity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody prevalence in adults (n5735) was 22%, and putative maternal antibody prevalence in juveniles (n5177) was 7%. Sampling period explained a significant amount of the variance in the probability of recent infections, which were two times more common in May versus September. Additionally, prevalence of high-avidity maternal antibodies (i.e., from dams with older infections) in juveniles did not correspond to the antibody avidity patterns in adult females. In May, no juveniles had high-avidity antibodies compared to adult females (49%); in September, avidity could not be measured in juveniles because none were seropositive, despite large sample sizes (n584) and an 11% seroprevalence in adult females. Based on the results, coupled with those from the literature, we speculate that the majority of new infections may occur predominantly in the spring and that SNV may impair reproductive output of females.
Reactions to graphic health warnings in the United States

This study reports consumer reactions to the graphic health warnings selected by the Food and Drug Administration to be placed on cigarette packs in the United States. We recruited three sets of respondents for an experimental study from a national opt-in e-mail list sample: (i) current smokers aged 25 or older, (ii) young adult smokers aged 18-24 and (iii) youth aged 13-17 who are current smokers or who may be susceptible to initiation of smoking. Participants were randomly assigned to be exposed to a pack of cigarettes with one of nine graphic health warnings or with a text-only warning statement. All three age groups had overall strong negative emotional (s = 4.7, P < 0.001 for adults; s = 4.6, P < 0.001 for young adults and s = 4.0, P < 0.001 for youth) and cognitive (s = 2.4, P < 0.001 for adults; s = 3.0, P < 0.001 for young adults and s = 4.6, P < 0.001 for youth) reactions to the proposed labels. The strong negative emotional and cognitive reactions following a single exposure to the graphic health warnings suggest that, with repeated exposures over time, graphic health warnings may influence smokers' beliefs, intentions and behaviors.
Regional Climate Change Evidenced by Recent Shifts in Chironomid Community Composition in Subalpine and Alpine Lakes in the Great Basin of the United States

Abstract Chironomids (nonbiting midges) are used to develop centennial length temperature reconstructions for six subalpine and alpine lakes in the central Great Basin of the United States. Faunal turnover, assessed by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), indicate that substantial compositional change in the midge communities has occurred during the past 100 years. Although the changes in composition are site-specific, increases in Dicrotendipes and decreases in Procladius characterize the late 20th century at a majority of the sites. Notable faunal turnover in midge community composition is observed at five of the six sites beginning at approximately A.D. 1970. Application of a chironomid-based mean July air temperature inference model (r 2 jack = 0.55, RMSEP = 0.9 °C) to the subfossil chironomid assemblages provides site-specific quantitative reconstructions of past temperature variability for the 20th and 21st centuries. Midge-inferred temperature estimates indicate that four of the six lakes were ...
PR-QMF design with Bernstein polynomials

A generalized, parametric PR-QMF (perfect reconstruction quadrature mirror filter) design technique based on the Bernstein polynomial approximation is developed. The parametric nature of this solution provides very useful insights into the PR-QMF problem. Several well-known orthonormal wavelet filters, PR-QMFs, are shown to be the special cases of the proposed technique. The energy compaction performance of a few popular signal decomposition techniques is presented for AR(1) signal sources. It is shown that the QMF filter banks considered here outperform the block transforms, as expected. >
DURABILITY CHOICE AND THE PIRACY FOR PROFIT OF GOODS

We explore the impact of durable goods piracy in a simple two-period durability choice setting where an originator faces a future for-profit pirate that clones or duplicates copies of the durable good. We find that a social planner, as well as a monopoly originator, may well engage in a sort of ‘reversed planned obsolescence’. In other words, they manufacture a product that is more durable than the first-best cost-minimizing level, if they cannot directly control the pirate. We show this occurs even in rental or committed sales settings, indicating Swan's market independence result does not hold here.
Leaf starch accumulation and seed set at phloem-isolated nodes in soybean

Abstract There is usually a linear relationship between pod and seed number per unit area and assimilate supply in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) communities. In contrast, the relationship is curvilinear at single phloem-isolated nodes. To further investigate this curvilinear relationship, we evaluated photosynthesis, leaf starch levels and pod and seed number at phloem-isolated nodes of cultivar Elgin 87 in three greenhouse experiments. The main stem was girdled between the fifth and sixth nodes (unifioliolate node was node one) when the first flowers opened at the sixth node. The main stem above the sixth node was removed and defoliation (five or six levels from 0 to 100%) created a range in assimilate supply. Girdling increased leaf starch levels 3- to 7-fold over non-girdled plants within 7 days. In two experiments starch decreased to control levels within 14–27 days after girdling, but in a third experiment the increase was maintained for 28 days. Defoliation reduced leaf starch levels, with 66–91% defoliation lowering it to the level in the non-girdled controls. Pod and seed number were directly related to assimilate supplies at low levels of assimilate availability when there was no accumulation of starch. There were only relatively small increases in pod and seed number at high levels of assimilate availability, but there were large accumulations of starch in the leaves. Flower and pod abortion was always above 50%, so pod set was not limited by flower availability. The failure of pod and seed number to respond to high levels of assimilate availability suggests that there may be other processes involved in determining pod and seed number at isolated nodes in soybean.
Estimation of intracellular sugar phosphate concentrations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

A systematic procedure has been formulated for estimating the relative intracellular concentrations of sugar phosphates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae based upon (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The sugar phosphate region of the (31)P NMR spectrum is first decomposed by computer analysis, and the decomposition consistency and identification of individual sugar phosphate resonances are established based on in vitro chemical shift calibrations determined in separate experiments. Numerous evaluations of intracellular S. cerevisiae compositions for different strains and different cell environments provide the basis for in vivocorrelations of inorganic phosphate chemical shift with the chemical shifts of 3-phosphoglycerate, beta;-fructose 1,6-diphosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, and glucose 6 phosphate. Relative intracellular sugar phosphate concentrations are obtained by correcting peak areas for partial saturation during transient in vivo experiments. In vivo concentrations estimated by this method agree well with estimates for similar systems based on other techniques. This approach does not require costly la belled compounds, and has the advantage that other important metabolic state variables such-as internal and external pH and intracellular levels of phosphate, ATP, ADP, NAD(H), and polyphosphate may be determined from the same (31)P spectrum. Extension of this strategy to other cellular systems should be straightforward.
Effects of Uncertainty in TRMM Precipitation Radar Path Integrated Attenuation on Interannual Variations of Tropical Oceanic Rainfall

Considerable uncertainty surrounds the issue of whether precipitation over the tropical oceans (30 deg N/S) systematically changes with interannual sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies that accompany El Nino (warm) and La Nina (cold) events. Time series of rainfall estimates from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM Precipitation Radar (PR) over the tropical oceans show marked differences with estimates from two TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) passive microwave algorithms. We show that path-integrated attenuation derived from the effects of precipitation on the radar return from the ocean surface exhibits interannual variability that agrees closely with the TMI time series. Further analysis of the frequency distribution of PR (2A25 product) rain rates suggests that the algorithm incorporates the attenuation measurement in a very conservative fashion so as to optimize the instantaneous rain rates. Such an optimization appears to come at the expense of monitoring interannual climate variability.
Accurate and scalable reliability analysis of logic circuits

Reliability of logic circuits is emerging as an important concern that may limit the benefits of continued scaling of process technology and the emergence of future technology alternatives. Reliability analysis of logic circuits is NP-hard because of the exponential number of inputs, combinations and correlations in gate failures, and their propagation and interaction at multiple primary outputs. By coupling probability theory with concepts from testing and logic synthesis, this paper presents accurate and scalable algorithms for reliability analysis of logic circuits. Simulation results for several benchmark circuits demonstrate the accuracy, performance, and potential applications of the proposed analysis technique.
Evolution and Petroleum Potential of Mesozoic Marine Province of Northwestern Great Basin: ABSTRACT

The Mesozoic marine province of the northwestern Great Basin consists of late Early Triassic through Early Cretaceous volcanic, terrigenous clastic, and carbonate rocks. The rocks were deposited in a basin that was probably open to the north and bound on the west by the Sierran arc and on the east and south by continental uplands. Basin configuration was controlled by an enclave of noncontinental crust whose areal distribution and mechanical properties localized development of marine conditions in the region. The deep axial region of the basin progressively shoaled during the Triassic and regionally extensive shallow marine carbonates and easterly derived clastics migrated westerly, overlapping deep marine clastics and subaerial to shallow marine volcanics interbedded with carbonates. In the Early Jurassic, depositional patterns changed. Basins, possibly related to regional extension, formed and accumulated locally derived coarse clastics and craton-derived quartz sandstones. Later, during continued synorogenic deposition, volcanogenic rocks were introduced in the west and migrated easterly. Several hundred kilometers of stratal shortening associated with the Luning-Fencemaker thrust belt formed in response to northwest-southeast regional contraction, which began in the Middle or Late Jurassic and continued through the Early Cretaceous. Rocks deposited on the western flank of the basin did not experience northwest-southeast contraction and were separated from the thrust belt by a northwest-striking left-lateral transpressional fault, the Pine Nut fault. At about 100 Ma, thrusting ceased and transpressional motion reversed and became right-lateral. Source-rock evaluation of thick, regionally extensive Upper Triassic carbonates has yielded TOC values ranging from 0.20 to 0.48 and conodont color indices (CAI 3.5-4.5) indicating paleotemperatures of about 180° to 250°C. Kerogen analysis indicates that the dominant organic matter is sapropelic to amorphous and in one area suggests the presence of the oil window. Hydrocarbon generation within the carbonate is a distinct possibility. End_of_Article - Last_Page 944------------
Practical robust adaptive control: Benchmark example

A novel disturbance rejection solution for a benchmark mass-spring-damper (MSD) system is presented. The proposed design, adaptive mixing control (AMC,) is a deterministic multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) approach that mixes candidate controllers by monitoring real-time estimates of an unknown parameter. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to compare the performance of the AMC scheme with a stochastic robust MMAC (RMMAC) scheme, as well as a nonadaptive mixed-mu compensator.
Brief condom interventions targeting males in clinical settings: a meta-analysis ☆

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of brief clinic-based condom skills interventions that target males. Study design We searched PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsychInfo for studies published from January 1980 through September 2014, using relevant search terms. We included studies if interventions taught about condoms lasting 60min or shorter, used randomized or quasiexperimental design, were conducted in a clinical setting and targeted males. Two investigators sequentially reviewed abstracts. We abstracted and reviewed data from 16 studies that met the selection criteria. Where outcomes were poolable, we conducted meta-analyses using a random-effects model and I 2 index to assess heterogeneity. Outcome measures included condom knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/human immunodeficiency virus and unintended pregnancy. Results Across studies, teaching about condoms was nested within sexual risk reduction curricula. Most interventions were one on one and conducted in STI clinics. Pooled analyses indicated that intervention receipt was associated with increases in percent of sex acts with condoms (standardized mean difference=0.29 [0.18, 0.41]; 0.19 [0.06, 0.33]) and reductions in STIs at 12-month follow-up or longer {odds ratio (OR)=0.82 [95% confidence interval: 0.67, 0.99]}. One study assessed unintended pregnancy and did not find an intervention effect. Conclusions Study findings hold promise for considering brief condom skills interventions in clinical settings that can result in improvements in males' condom behaviors and possibly biological outcomes.
On the stability of jump-linear systems driven by finite-state machines with Markovian inputs

This work presents two mean-square stability tests for a jump-linear system driven by a finite-state machine with a first-order Markovian input process. The first test is based on conventional Markov jump-linear theory and avoids the use of any higher-order statistics. The second test is developed directly using the higher-order statistics of the machine's output process. The two approaches are illustrated with a simple model for a recoverable computer control system.
Effect of parallel velocity shear on the excitation of electrostatic ion cyclotron waves

The effect of a magnetic field aligned plasma flow with a transverse velocity gradient (parallel velocity shear) on the excitation of electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) waves was investigated experimentally in a Q machine. The role of parallel velocity shear was studied for EIC waves excited in a single-ended cesium plasma, in the usual manner, by drawing an electron current to a disk electrode having a diameter less than the diameter of the plasma column. Observations indicate that EIC waves were excited when both electron current and parallel velocity shear were present. However, EIC waves were never excited when shear was present in the absence of current. Experiments were also performed in a double-ended Q machine configuration to further investigate the role of shear.  2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
HDAC inhibitors stimulate viral transcription by multiple mechanisms.

Background: The effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) treatment on SV40 transcription and replication were determined by monitoring the levels of early and late expression, the extent of replication, and the percentage of SV40 minichromosomes capable of transcription and replication following treatment with sodium butyrate (NaBu) and trichostatin A (TSA). Results: The HDACi treatment was found to maximally stimulate early transcription at early times and late transcription at late times through increased numbers of minichromosomes which carry RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription complexes and increased occupancy of the transcribing minichromosomes by RNAPII. HDACi treatment also partially relieved the normal downregulation of early transcription by T-antigen seen later in infection. The increased recruitment of transcribing minichromosomes at late times was correlated to a corresponding reduction in SV40 replication and the percentage of minichromosomes capable of replication. Conclusion: These results suggest that histone deacetylation plays a critical role in the regulation of many aspects of an SV40 lytic infection.
An instructional communication program for in‐service teachers

This article explores the coordination, evolution, and expansion of the Communication in Instruction Master of Arts Program that is taught throughout the state of West Virginia. The article describes the program—its development goals, course offerings and structure, and evaluation techniques used to assess its effectiveness.
S-Vinyl homocysteine, an analog of ethionine that is highly mutagenic for S.typhimurium TA100

Abstract S-Vinyl homocysteine was synthesized as a possible proximate carcinogenic metabolite of ethionine. Unlike ethionine, S-vinyl homocysteine and its N-acetyl methyl ester were directly mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium TA100; they induced 15–20 and 0.2 revertants/nanomole, respectively. Microsome-cytosol preparations from rat liver increased the mutagenicity of the amideester derivative but not that of S-vinyl homocysteine. Methionine inhibited the mutagenic action of S-vinyl homocysteine; other inhibitors of ethionine carcinogenesis did not. Neither ethionine analog was mutagenic for S. typhimuirium TA98.
469PPARALLEL PHASE I STUDIES OF TWO SCHEDULES OF BKM120 PLUS CARBOPLATIN AND PACLITAXEL FOR PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED SOLID TUMORS

ABSTRACT Aim: Carboplatin and paclitaxel are mainstays of treatment for metastatic solid tumors, and the PI3K/mTOR pathway is one of the most commonly dysregulated in cancers. The combination of PI3K inhibition and platinum-based chemotherapy may enhance anti-cancer effect. Methods: Patients with metastatic solid tumors were treated with two regimens: Group 1 received carboplatin AUC 5 and paclitaxel 175mg/m2, on day 1 of a 21 day cycle with pegfilgrastim support; Group 2 received carboplatin AUC 5 (day 1) and paclitaxel 80mg/m2 (days 1, 8 and 15) on a 28-day cycle without growth factor support. In both groups, the pan-PI3K inhibitor buparlisib (BKM120) was administered daily with dose escalation of 50, 80 or 100mg/day, with optional continuation of BKM120 until progression, after cessation of chemotherapy following Cycle 6. The primary endpoint was Recommended Phase II Dose (RP2D). Results: Between 5 Apr 2011 and 28 Jan 2013, 30 subjects were enrolled. Median age was 53 (range 23-71). The most common tumor types were non-small cell lung cancer (N = 5) and ovarian cancer (N = 5). 16 patients were treated in Group 1 and 14 in Group 2. The median number of cycles was 4.5 (Group 1) or 6 (Group 2). Dose reductions and treatment delays during all cycles were more common in Group 2. The most common adverse events (AE) of any grade in Group 1 were fatigue, hyperglycemia, alopecia, arthralgias, alkaline phosphatase elevation and thrombocytopenia. In Group 2, the most common AEs were hyperglycemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, fatigue and alopecia. The DLTs were elevated alkaline phosphatase (N = 1) and uncomplicated neutropenia (N = 2). The MTD for BKM120 was 100mg/d in Group 1 and 80mg/day in Group 2. Among 25 patients with measurable disease, the objective response rate was 28% (1CR, 4 PR, 2uPR). 5 patients with evaluable disease (not measurable by RECIST) experienced clinical benefit (clinical stability with no new radiographic lesions) for ≥ 10 cycles. Correlative studies in process include analysis of PIK3CA mutation status and PTEN expression status in pre-treatment tumor samples, and pharmacokinetic analysis of BKM120. Conclusions: BKM120 at 100 mg/d + carboplatin AUC 5 + paclitaxel 175mg/m2, both on day 1 of a 21 day cycle with growth factor support, is a well-tolerated regimen with promising activity in advanced solid tumors. Disclosure: M. Fury: MGF has served on an advisory board for Novartis within the last 12 months. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Effect of Chemical Protectants on the Action of Apholate to the House Fly

Compounds with active SH groups known to act as protectants against radiation were applied to specimens of Musca domestica L. in conjunction with apholate. Five protectants (2 mercapto ethanol (mercapto), 2,3 mercapto propanol (B.A.L., thiourea, L (+) cysteine-monohydrate, and glutathione) reduced the effect of apholate, consistent with the hypothesis of free radical reaction at the nucleic acid level. In a more detailed study with thiourea, the hatchability of eggs and fecundity of adults were significantly increased if the protectant was available before apholate reached the site of action. Thiourea was increasingly less effective in protecting house fly fecundity against apholate as treatment age increased from 1 to 3 days.
Geographic Variation in Mortality Among Children and Adolescents Diagnosed With Cancer in Tennessee. Does Race Matter

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death among children in the United States. Previous research has examined geographic variation in cancer incidence and survival, but the geographic variation in mortality among children and adolescents is not as well understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate geographic variation by race in mortality among children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in Tennessee. Using an innovative combination of spatial and nonspatial analysis techniques with data from the 2004-2011 Tennessee Cancer Registry, pediatric deaths were mapped and the effect of race on the proximity to rural areas and clusters of mortality were explored with multivariate regressions. The findings revealed that African American children and adolescents in Tennessee were more likely than their counterparts of other races to reside in rural areas with close proximity to mortality clusters of children and adolescents with a cancer. Findings have clinical implications for pediatric oncology nurses regarding the delivery of supportive care at end of life for rural African American children and adolescents.
Headache neuroimaging: Routine testing when guidelines recommend against them.

AimsThe aim of this article is to determine the patient-level factors associated with headache neuroimaging in outpatient practice.MethodsUsing data from the 2007–2010 National Ambulatory Medical C...
The Progression of Religious Education Since the Second Vatican Council as Seen Through Some Church Documents

Catholic Religious Education is a relatively new concept. Prior to the Second Vatican Council, religious education was more instructional, catechetical, and apologetic in nature. Since the close of the Council and its document, Gravissimum Educationis: Declaration on Christian Education, the Holy See’s Congregation for Catholic Education has published documents on Catholic education and religious education as understood from a universal perspective. In addition, the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Family and the recently established Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization have also provided rich texts that shape the understanding of religious education. Another universal document, of course, is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This chapter will examine the main educational and cultural documents to examine how the concept of religious education has evolved and developed since the close of the Council, particularly how religious education is understood for the Universal Church. Special attention will be paid to culture and first principles and how the Church must maintain an understanding of these concepts, universally understood, and, on the other hand, encourage a local and national understanding, thereby promoting true enculturation.
Interval estimation in multi-stage drop-the-losers designs

Drop-the-losers designs have been discussed extensively in the past decades, mostly focusing on two-stage models. The designs with more than two stages have recently received increasing attention due to their improved efficiency over the corresponding two-stage designs. In this paper, we consider the problem of estimating and testing the effect of selected treatment under the setting of three-stage drop-the-losers designs. A conservative interval estimator is proposed, which is proved to have at least the specified coverage probability using a stochastic ordering approach. The proposed interval estimator is also demonstrated numerically to have narrower interval width but higher coverage rate than the bootstrap method proposed by Bowden and Glimm (Biometrical Journal, vol. 56, pp. 332-349) in most cases. It is also a straightforward derivation from the stochastic ordering result that the family-wise error rate is strongly controlled with the maximum achieved at the global null hypothesis.
Percutaneous Injuries on the “Front Line”: A Survey of Housestaff and Nurses

Our objective was to assess the frequency of work-related percutaneous injuries in two high-risk groups and to compare patterns of injury and reporting in these groups. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered survey distributed to all full-time nurses and housestaff. The survey results were compared to Employee Health Service records. Surveys were returned by 258 of 330 housestaff and 455 of 593 nurses for a response rate of 77% (housestaff = 78%; nurses = 76%). The respondents were highly representative of the nursing divisions and residency programs surveyed. The percentage of nurses who had ever sustained percutaneous injuries was 64.7%; for housestaff it was 74.1% (prevalence difference = -9.4%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -16.4%, -2.4%). The percentage of nurses who had sustained recent injuries was 34.6%; for housestaff it was 43.0% (prevalence difference = -8.4%, 95% CI = -15.9%, -0.9%). Injuries with syringe needles were the most common, followed by injuries with suture needles, scalpels, and then a variety of other sharp objects and instruments. The nurses were more likely to seek care as directed by hospital policy at the Employee Health Service (reporting difference = 29.7%, 95% CI = 19.5%, 39.9%) or the Emergency Room (reporting difference = 11.9%, 95% CI = 8.1%, 20.0%). Knowledge of policy increased the probability of reporting by nurses. The housestaff were more likely to evaluate injuries themselves (reporting difference = -16.7%, 95% CI = -26.8%, -6.6%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An organizational perspective on peer relations in maltreated children

In this chapter, we illustrate how a family context o f child maltreatment may adversely influence the development o f children’s peer relationships. The family provides the context out o f which peer relationships can emerge. An optimal familial environment includes a positive developmen­ tal history in each parent’s family o f origin, a harmonious contempo­ raneous marital relationship, and nurturant, sensitive, and predictable parent-child interactions (Belsky & Pensky, 1988; Caspi & Elder, 1988; Easterbrooks & Emde, 1988; Engfer, 1988; Main, Kaplan, & Cassidy, 1985; Sroufe & Fleeson, 1986, 1988). These conditions maximize the probabil­ ity that children in such families w ill form secure attachment relation­ ships with one or both caregivers (Belsky & Vondra, 1989; Cicchetti, 1990; Sroufe & Fleeson, 1988). This security reduces fear in novel situa­ tions and allows children to feel comfortable in exploring the en­ vironment.
Fundamental Solution and Integral Equation

In the mathematical terminology, a fundamental solution is a singular solution of a linear partial differential equation that is not required to satisfy boundary conditions. A Green’s function, on the other hand, is the singular solution tied to a certain domain geometry and boundary condition. For this reason, a fundamental solution is also called a free space Green’s function. Using the symbolism of a generalized function, known as the Dirac delta function, δ, a fundamental solution is a solution of linear partial differential equation with the Dirac delta as its right hand side. From physical considerations, Dirac delta can be used to approximate a forcing applied to a small region. For example, a fluid mass injected through an injection well, whose radius is small compared to the formation that it is flooding, can be considered as a point source. Similarly, a force acting on a small area can be considered as a point force, and a defect in crystal structure (dislocation) or a local slippage of a geological fault can be approximated as a displacement discontinuity, etc. Hence fundamental solution is not just an abstract mathematical construct; it has its root in physics and can be used to model physical phenomena. The use of fundamental solution to simulate a physical phenomenon and to solve mathematical problems can be traced to George Green (An essay on the application of mathematical analysis to the theories of electricity and magnetism, printed for the author, by T. Wheelhouse, Nottingham, 1828) (see Sect. F.7 for a biography). Green utilized the fundamental solution 1∕r of the Laplace equation to model the electrical and magnetic potential created by concentrated electrostatic and magnetic charges. The potential is a mathematical construct, whose derivative gives the force associated with the field. The use of fundamental solution to solve mathematical problems is closely tied to the integral equations known as Green’s identities. Particularly, the third identify, shown in its original form in the prologue of the chapter, provides the general solution to the boundary value problem known as the Dirichlet problem. In this chapter, we extend the classical work on fundamental solutions and integral equations for potential (satisfying Laplace equation) and elasticity problems to poroelasticity. We shall demonstrate that the several varieties of integral equations derived from different origins and the many different fundamental solutions are intricately related. The presentation begins with the integral equations for general anisotropic poroelastic materials. The fundamental solutions are then derived, but only for the case of isotropy. The presentation follows the work of Cheng and Detournay (Int J Solids Struct 35(34–35):4521–4555, 1998).
Mapping the Domain of Intercultural Communication: An Overview

This essay takes a close look at the domain of intercultural communication and its subdomains, cultural and cross-cultural communication, and distinguishes intercultural communication from related areas such as international communication and cultural studies. Recent theoretical and research developments in the area are examined in terms of neopositivist, systems, interpretive, and critical methodological underpinnings. Five main themes of studies in intercultural communication are identified: intrapersonal processes in intercultural communication, intercultural communication competence, adaptation to a new culture, cultural identity in intercultural contexts, and power inequality in intercultural relations. In addition, studies of cultural and cross-cultural communication are examined in two categories: emic studies of cultural communication and etic studies of cross-cultural communication. The essay ends with a summary of key recent theoretical and research advancements in the aiea and a discussion of s...
Evaluation of Dietary Nutrients on Clinical Outcomes in Subjects with Chronic-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

ObjectiveTo identify components of a modified Paleolithic diet which may be related to patient outcomes in individuals with chronic-progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Outcomes evaluated were fati...
Substance Use Disorders Among Indigenous Youth in Developmental Perspective: Diversity, Diagnostic Tools, and Resilience

Taken together, the Greenfield, et al. and Copeland, et al. studies show us that different indigenous populations with distinct patterns of substance use and disorder may also share common stories of remarkable resilience. As new research grapples with dynamic patterns of disorders, which may derive from both changes in DSM definitions and true changes in behavior, these studies demonstrate how a developmental perspective can shine a light on emergent patterns and prevention opportunities.
Apply radiomics approach for early stage prognostic evaluation of ovarian cancer patients: A preliminary study

Predicting metastatic tumor response to chemotherapy at early stage is critically important for improving efficacy of clinical trials of testing new chemotherapy drugs. However, using current response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) guidelines only yields a limited accuracy to predict tumor response. In order to address this clinical challenge, we applied Radiomics approach to develop a new quantitative image analysis scheme, aiming to accurately assess the tumor response to new chemotherapy treatment, for the advanced ovarian cancer patients. During the experiment, a retrospective dataset containing 57 patients was assembled, each of which has two sets of CT images: pre-therapy and 4-6 week follow up CT images. A Radiomics based image analysis scheme was then applied on these images, which is composed of three steps. First, the tumors depicted on the CT images were segmented by a hybrid tumor segmentation scheme. Then, a total of 115 features were computed from the segmented tumors, which can be grouped as 1) volume based features; 2) density based features; and 3) wavelet features. Finally, an optimal feature cluster was selected based on the single feature performance and an equal-weighed fusion rule was applied to generate the final predicting score. The results demonstrated that the single feature achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.838±0.053. This investigation demonstrates that the Radiomic approach may have the potential in the development of high accuracy predicting model for early stage prognostic assessment of ovarian cancer patients.
Standardized Color in the Food Industry: The Co-Creation of the Food Coloring Business in the United States, 1870-1940

This working paper examines how, starting in the 1870s, food manufacturers in the United States began to use standardized color, achieved by synthetic dyes, as part of their marketing strategies. Food manufacturers along with dye makers and regulators co-created the food coloring business. Synthetic food dyes provided the food manufacturers with new tools for shaping and standardizing the color of foods, which had previously been colored with dyes extracted from natural plants and organic minerals, helping them to achieve the mass production and mass marketing. Color was easier to control, reproduce, and commoditize than other sensory factors such as smell and texture. The federal Food and Drug Act of 1906 further assisted the management of product color in the food businesses by regulating and endorsing the industry’s color control practices. By 1938, food dyes had achieved such widespread use, and had raised such public concern, that the federal government amended the 1906 Act to implement more stringent measures to regulate the industry.
Differences among avocado cultivars in susceptibility to polyphagous shot hole borer (Euwallacea spec.)

Polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) (Euwallacea spec.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) has recently invaded southern California, USA. Along with its associated fungi, the beetle causes branch dieback and tree mortality in more than 200 host tree species, including avocado (Persea americana Mill., Lauraceae) and many important native, urban landscape, and nursery stock trees. As PSHB spreads into the avocado-growing regions of southern California, there is a pressing need for more information for effective management of the insect/fungus complex. The objective of this study was to examine avocado cultivars to see whether there were differences in susceptibility to attack and gallery development from PSHB. We conducted choice and no-choice trials with cut branches in the laboratory, artificially infested avocado saplings with PSHB, and also surveyed attack rates for two cultivars of field-grown avocado subject to natural attack by PSHB. Laboratory and field trials showed similar patterns for preference among avocado cultivars indicated by beetle attack rates and gallery formation. Among the common commercial cultivars, Fuerte, Gwen, and Bacon most often had lower attack rates and lower rates of gallery formation. Zutano most frequently indicated high attack rates and much gallery formation, indicating that it may be the most susceptible to PHSB of the commercial cultivars.
Unanticipated effects of restricted stock on managers' risky investment decisions

Abstract We conduct a laboratory experiment to examine whether holding periods for stock compensation affect managers' willingness to take large risks for their firms in order to pursue personal gains. The theoretical lens through which we examine these issues involves the concepts of current-self (the person you are now) and future-self (the person you will be in the future). Results indicate that long holding requirements can decrease manager's feelings of connectedness to their future selves. This change in decision perspective increases managers' willingness to accept risks for their firms when the potential personal rewards of risk taking are high. The findings call into question the current view held by regulators and academics that long holding requirements will consistently reduce adverse consequences of performance-based executive compensation. We find that long holding requirements can actually increase managers' willingness to pursue investments with very low chances of success when large performance incentives are available.
Conclusions and Discussion for Future Research

It is widely accepted today that people do not always behave the way the well studied normative theories say they ought to behave (see, for instance, [Allais and Hagen, 1979], [Bell, et al., 1988], [Ellsberg, 1961], and Raiffa [1984]. Many decision theories (especially game theories) assume that the decision makers are always perfectly rational. Too often, however, important decisions are based on non-scientific clues (see, for instance, [Kadane and Larkey, 1982a; 1982b; and 1983], [McMillan, 1992], [Neale and Bazerman, 1991], [Raiffa, 1982], and [Sebenius, 1992].
N-acetyltransferase 2 Genotype-dependent N-acetylation of Hydralazine in Human Hepatocytes

Hydralazine is used in the treatment of essential hypertension and is under investigation for epigenetic therapy in the treatment of neoplastic and renal diseases. N -acetyltransferase (NAT) 2 exhibits a common genetic polymorphism in human populations. After recombinant expression in yeast, human NAT2 exhibited an apparent Lineweaver-Burk constant ( K­ m ) value (20.1 ± 8.8 μ M) for hydralazine over 20-fold lower than the apparent K­ m value (456 ± 57 μ M) for recombinant human NAT1 ( P = 0.0016). The apparent V max value for recombinant human NAT1 (72.2 ± 17.9 nmol acetylated/min/mg protein) was significantly ( P = 0.0245) lower than recombinant human NAT2 (153 ± 15 nmol acetylated/min/mg protein), reflecting 50-fold higher clearance for recombinant human NAT2. Hydralazine NAT activities exhibited a robust acetylator gene dose response in cryopreserved human hepatocytes both in vitro and in situ. Hydralazine NAT activities in vitro differed significantly with respect to NAT2 genotype at 1000 ( P = 0.0319), 100 ( P = 0.002), and 10 μ M hydralazine ( P = 0.0029). Hydralazine NAT activities differed significantly ( P NAT2 * 5B/ * 5B > NAT2 * 5B/ * 6A > NAT2 * 6A/ * 6A ). The in situ hydralazine N -acetylation rates differed significantly with respect to NAT2 genotype after incubation with 10 ( P = 0.002) or 100 µ M ( P = 0.0015) hydralazine and were higher after incubation with 100 μ M (10-fold) than with 10 μ M (4.5-fold) hydralazine. Our results clearly document NAT2 genotype–dependent N -acetylation of hydralazine in human hepatocytes, suggesting that hydralazine efficacy and safety could be improved by NAT2 genotype–dependent dosing strategies.
Influences on Perinatal Outcomes

The primary purpose of this chapter is to illustrate how the social and familial characteristics of the pregnant women in this sample were related to the perinatal outcomes of their children. Specifically, we will deal with the following outcomes: perinatal mortality, birth weight, and the physical and neurological status of the neonates. The main focus of the chapter will be on the impact of nonmedicai antecedent variables; however, the relative contributions of these variables to neonatal outcomes will be compared with those of medical antecedents.
Preservation of the Self in Old Age

The very old use unique psychological mechanisms to preserve the self. These mechanisms include reminiscence, whereby the past and present become interchangeable, and aggression and coping magicall...
SMS in Action

This section will describe a brief session with original version of SMS to illustrate some of its underlying theory. The version described is being enhanced to meet the goals set forth in the previous chapters. As mentioned in section 11.3, a set of sentential formalisms is processed in advance and saved as stored relations to be accessed by SMS when statements are entered into the database. The processing consists of constructing penumbras for the formalisms and of relating those penumbras to one another in precise ways. If an entering sentence bears a structure that matches a processed formalism, the sentence is accepted, but if not, the system pauses and processes the new structure before accepting the sentence into the database. Any subsequent entry bearing that structure does not have to be processed again and thus would not cause the system to pause.