cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pairing camera traps and acoustic recorders to monitor the ecological impact of human disturbance

Abstract Over the past two decades, the use of camera traps and acoustic monitoring in the investigation of animal ecology have grown rapidly, with each technique enhancing broad-scale wildlife surveying. Camera traps are a cost-effective, noninvasive means of sampling communities of mid-to large-terrestrial species, and acoustic recording devices capture human sounds and sound-producing animals, including species of mammals, birds, anurans, and insects. Rarely are these techniques combined, despite the advantages of merging their respective strengths. Namely, camera traps paired with acoustic recorders can evaluate the abundance, distribution, and behavior of multiple guilds and trophic levels across landscapes while concurrently monitoring multiple human stressors in real time. Moreover, integrating these approaches enhances detection accuracy and strengthens statistical inference at multiple survey scales. We conducted a literature review, and found only 13 studies that combine camera traps and acoustic recorders, 8 of which either compared the ability of each technique to detect species of interest or discussed the advantages of each technique. We outline potential questions that can be addressed by pairing acoustic recorders and camera traps, including enabling the simultaneous assessment of noise pollution and its impacts on mammal and avian communities. Furthermore, we discuss how the analysis of data from each technique face similar challenges; thus, simultaneous innovation offers the ability to apply solutions to both techniques and amplify their respective strengths. Digital technologies and big data are changing nature conservation in increasingly profound ways and integration of camera traps and acoustic recorders will facilitate new, transformative discoveries to meet modern conservation challenges.
A 35-Year-Old Woman With Shock, Pulseless Electrical Activity Arrest, and Hemodynamic Collapse

Case Presentation A 35-year-old woman presented with 2 days of nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. On the day of presentation, her abdominal pain worsened, she developed progressive somnolence, and had several bouts of nonbloody, nonbilious emesis. She denied prior headache, rashes, and toxic or illicit ingestions. The patient had a medical history of diabetes mellitus type 2, hyperlipidemia, and mild cognitive delay (highly functional, maintaining a job, home, and medication responsibilities). She reported taking only simvastatin and short-acting insulin. She had an unknown adverse reaction to metformin. She was a nonsmoker and denied history of drug and alcohol use.
Fish jumps over the dragon gate: an eastern image of a western scholar’s career trajectory

This autobiographical narrative inquiry uses an ascribed, stock Chinese metaphor to make sense of my career trajectory. My thinking with the metaphor reaches back to my childhood, follows how vario...
Lack of response to treatment with levetiracetam in extreme preterm infants with seizures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of monotherapy with levetiracetam (LEV) in achieving seizure cessation in a retrospective cohort of extreme preterm infants with seizures. Charts of infants with a diagnosis of neonatal seizures admitted to the NICU between 2013 and 2017 were reviewed. Seizures were diagnosed using continuous video electroencephalography. All infants were initially started on LEV and reached a dose of 80 mg/kg/day. Other ASMs were added to LEV if seizures continued after 2 days. Data on additional clinical variables were collected for each infant. Sixty-one infants born <28 weeks of gestation met inclusion criteria. Seventy-four percent of patients did not respond to LEV monotherapy and required additional medications. LEV monotherapy stopped seizures in only a small portion of cases.
Aeroelastic behavior of a flag in ground effect

Abstract The aeroelastic behavior of a flexible plate subjected to a uniform axial flow is investigated in the presence of a rigid plane set parallel to the plate. It is shown that the ground effect reduces the flutter inflow velocity and strengthens the possibility of using the flag for extracting energy from winds and currents. The numerical analysis is carried out assuming that both the unsteady potential incompressible flow and the plate can be described with 2D models, i.e., a lumped vortex panel method and a nonlinear Euler–Bernoulli beam model, respectively, without losing the essential features of the fluid–structure interaction. Asymmetry of post-critical behavior (limit-cycle oscillations) and sensitivity of the results to the main flag parameters (distance from the ground, mass ratio and damping) are also considered, including also the energy distribution over the identified proper orthogonal modes. The investigated reduction of the flutter velocity in ground effect has been also confirmed with experimental tests relative to a polypropylene flag with and without the rigid panel mimicking the presence of the ground.
Algorithms first

An approach to teaching introductory programming is discussed in which substantial time is devoted to the discussion of algorithms before introducing the programming language. The approach, called "algorithms first", was tried in an introductory course of programming in C. Algorithms were written by students during the first seven weeks of the course in an executable algorithm language called Genesis. During the last seven weeks students translated algorithms into C. The overall results seem to favor the approach. Strengths and weaknesses of the approach are discussed along with suggestions for adapting this technique to a variety of course structures.
Dissecting Particle Uptake Heterogeneity in a Cell Population Using Bayesian Analysis.

Abstract Individual cells in a solution display variable uptake of nanomaterials, peptides, and nutrients. Such variability reflects their heterogeneity in endocytic capacity. In a recent work, we have shown that the endocytic capacity of a cell depends on its size and surface density of endocytic components (transporters). We also demonstrated that in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, the cell-surface transporter density (n) may decay with cell radius (r) following the power rule n ∼ rα, where α ≈ −1. In this work, we investigate how n and r may independently contribute to the endocytic heterogeneity of a cell population. Our analysis indicates that the smaller cells display more heterogeneity because of the higher stochastic variations in n. By contrast, the larger cells display a more uniform uptake, reflecting less-stochastic variations in n. We provide analyses of these dependencies by establishing a stochastic model. Our analysis reveals that the exponent α in the above relationship is not a constant; rather, it is a random variable whose distribution depends on cell size r. Using Bayesian analysis, we characterize the cell-size-dependent distributions of α that accurately capture the particle uptake heterogeneity of MDA-MB-231 cells.
Efficient Hyperspectral Target Detection and Identification With Large Spectral Libraries

Numerous hyperspectral algorithms have been developed to detect both full and subpixel solid target materials. Target signatures are obtained from spectral libraries that contain both target and nontarget materials. When the library is large and contains many potential targets, it is inefficient to run an individual detector for each material of interest. Additionally, such an approach produces numerous false alarms (i.e., multiple detections per pixel) due to spectral similarity among targets. In this article, we present an efficient approach for detecting multiple targets within large spectral libraries while mitigating false alarms. We first group spectrally similar materials within the library into a hierarchy of clusters. From each cluster containing a target material, a single detector is obtained. Each detector represents multiple library spectra, so an identification step is needed for detected pixels. Detected pixels are modeled as a mixture between their local in-scene background and candidate library spectra. Candidates are chosen from adjacent library clusters. The candidate model providing the best fit is chosen to report. Use of local background spectra provides a physically meaningful mixing model that adapts to detected pixels. Clustering the library reduces the computational complexity of modeling detected pixels. We demonstrate detection and false alarm mitigation performance of our proposed algorithm with a real hyperspectral dataset.
Improved LOLA elevation maps for south pole landing sites: Error estimates and their impact on illumination conditions

Abstract We present new high-resolution topographic models of 4 high-priority lunar south pole landing sites based exclusively on the laser altimetry data acquired by the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. By iteratively adjusting the LOLA tracks to the LOLA-based digital elevation model (LDEM) in a self-consistent fashion, we reduce the orbital geolocation errors by over a factor of 10 such that the new ground track geolocation uncertainty is ~10–20 ​cm horizontally and ~2–4 ​cm vertically over each 16 ​× ​16 km region. These new and improved 5 ​m/pix LDEMs will be useful to constrain higher-resolution topographic models derived from imagery, which are not as well controlled geodetically and which can be hindered by shadows. We developed a method to estimate surface height uncertainty in the new LDEMs, which accounts for the reduced orbital errors and interpolation errors by assuming a fractal behavior for the short-scale topography. The LDEM surface height and slope uncertainties have typical RMS values of ~0.30–0.50 ​m and ~1.5–2.5°, respectively. Finally, we examine how height uncertainties propagate to variations in horizon elevation and thus the predicted illumination conditions at these polar latitudes, and we show how this error characterization can inform landing site studies.
Long-Term Effects of a Cult Childhood on Attachment, Intimacy, and Close Relationships: Results of an In-Depth Interview Study

Cults are religious organizations requiring total commitment and submission from their members. They form a highly controlling environment with rigid structures to suppress individuality. Being born and raised within a cultic community has a significant impact on the life course of those affected. Especially after exit or exclusion, second generation ex-members commonly have to face different challenges. This study aimed to investigate these cultic childhood experiences and their long-term effects on the individual development and the further lives of those affected. Former cult members (n = 16) who were born and raised in cultic groups participated in an in-depth qualitative interview study. The findings indicate that growing up in a family belonging to a cult is often associated with serious restrictions, burdens and even traumatization. Later in life, this may lead to the development of self-esteem problems, mental disorders, and difficulties in intimate relationships. Individual life experiences should be taken into account when providing help for those who have grown up in a cult and managed to get out of it. Based on the study results, recommendations for psycho-social practice are presented in this paper.
Facility of Origin Predicts Mortality After Colonic Perforation.

INTRODUCTION Colonic perforation often requires emergent intervention and carries high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine whether nonclinical factors, such as transition of care from outpatient facilities to inpatient settings, are associated with increased risk of mortality in patients who underwent emergent surgical intervention for colonic perforation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the 2006-2015 ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, we identified adult patients who underwent emergent partial colectomy with primary anastomosis ± protecting ostomy or partial colectomy with ostomy with intraoperative finding of wound class III or IV for a diagnosis of perforated viscus. The outcome of interest was 30-day postoperative mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were performed. RESULTS 4705 patients met criteria, of which 841 (17.9%) died. Univariate analysis showed that patients who died after emergent surgery for perforated viscus were more likely to present from a chronic care facility (13.4% vs. 4.4%, P < .0001) and had longer time from admission to undergoing surgery (mean 4.1 vs. 2.0 days, P < .0001. Logistic regression demonstrated that septic shock vs. none (OR 3.60, P < .0001), sepsis vs. none (OR 1.57, P = .00045), transfer from chronic care facility vs. home (OR 1.87, P < .0001), and increased time from admission vs. operation (OR 1.01, P = .0055) were independently associated with increased risk of death. DISCUSSION Transfer from a chronic care facility was independently associated with increased mortality in patients undergoing emergent surgery for perforated viscus.
Oratory and Rhetoric: Praise Poetry

Many of the ethnic groups located in sub-Saharan Africa are well noted for their impressive mastery over words. Oratory in Africa is often accomplished through basic traditions and creative cultural processes that regulate and control the day-to-day behavior of the people within the communication systems of the various ethnic groups. This chapter explores the verbal artistry and expressive cultural heritage of the peoples located in Africa south of the Sahara, and royal praise performance among the Akan people is used as a case study, focusing on the role of indirection.
Presidential Tax Transparency

Whether the public should have access to the tax returns of the President of the United States, and those who seek the office, is the focus of acute attention and debate. President Donald Trump’s refusal to disclose his tax returns throughout his campaigns and presidency has fueled multiple legislative public disclosure proposals. In March 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation as part of the For the People Act of 2021 that would require Presidents, Vice Presidents, and nominees to publicly disclose several years of their tax returns through the Federal Election Commission. Dozens of state legislatures have considered similar requirements for candidates who seek to appear on state primary and general election ballots. Proponents of these measures argue that public disclosure of tax returns could expose conflicts of interest, reveal the President’s and candidates’ annual tax liability and tax rates, and, most importantly, enable the public to observe whether the President or candidates have engaged in tax evasion, pursued tax shelters and other tax avoidance, and participated in audits or tax controversies with the IRS. This Article intervenes in the disclosure debate by exploring whether, and to what extent, mandatory public disclosure of tax returns would achieve the policy objective of enabling voters to observe candidates’ and elected officials’ compliance with the tax law. To consider this question, the Article examines information presented in federal income tax returns and reviews the publicly disclosed tax returns of Presidents, Vice Presidents, and major party candidates from President Richard Nixon through President Joseph Biden. The primary claim of this Article is that mandatory public disclosure of an elected official’s or candidate’s federal income tax returns alone would provide the public with only a partial and one-sided view of that individual’s tax compliance. This incomplete image is due to the structure of the federal income tax and tax returns themselves and opportunities for strategic reporting and disclosure by elected officials and candidates. At the same time, the Article argues that public disclosure of tax compliance, if it were possible, could provide valuable information to the electorate, increase public understanding of the tax system, and enable oversight of the taxing authority. To enhance the public’s ability to evaluate tax compliance, the Article presents an alternative model of mandatory public disclosure that would include public disclosure not only of tax returns, but also of documents and processes that would highlight tax actions of both candidates and elected officials and the IRS.
Tocqueville’s Politics of Grandeur:

In his defenses of empire, Alexis de Tocqueville emphasized the need to achieve grandeur for France, and his writings on Algeria have shaped our understanding of his political career. In pursuing e...
Abstract 400: Blood Pressure Effect Of Aldosterone Increased With Age

Aldosterone often plays a central role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) by acting on the distal nephron to promote sodium and water retention. As people age, levels of aldosterone and renin tend to decrease. It is unclear how these changes affect BP. To investigate, we examined the temporal changes in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin activity (PRA) in a cohort of healthy blacks and whites (ages: 7 - 38 years). We examined the relationship between PAC and BP at different ages. Our data showed that while blacks on average had lower PRA levels than whites at any given age (p
Effects of freeze-preservation on some pollen enzymes. II. Freezing and freeze-drying stresses.

Abstract The isozymes of lily and corn pollen esterases and acid phosphatase were studied in relation to freeze-drying and vacuum-drying. Fresh samples of Lilium longiflorum L. and Zea mays L. pollen were frozen at rates ranging between 200 and 100 °C/min and freeze-dried at temperatures from 0 to −70 °C for approximately 48 to 70 hr. Freeze-dried samples were rehydrated slowly (10% relative humidity) and rapidly (90% relative humidity). Vacuum-drying was performed at room temperature (22 °C). Soluble pollen enzymes were analyzed by disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels stained with substrate specific reagents. The stained gels were evaluated by densitometry for migration rate, isozyme pattern, and relative activity. The numerical data generated in this manner were then statistically analyzed. The following conclusions resulted from this study: (i) freeze-drying and freeze-thawing treatments were comparable except for corn esterases; (ii) freeze-drying induced alterations in enzyme activity except for corn acid phosphatase; (iii) the freezing rate, the final freezing temperature, and exposure to various relative humidities produced few changes in freeze-dried material; (iv) freeze-drying was less detrimental than vacuum-drying to the enzyme characteristics of corn; (v) freeze-drying yielded higher viabilities than vacuum-drying; and (vi) acid phosphatase alterations appeared to be related to pollen viability in most cases.
Mechanical ventilation in a dog with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor toxicosis

Background To describe a case of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) toxicosis with ventilatory failure that was successfully treated with mechanical ventilation (MV). Key Findings A 7-year-old, female spayed German Short-haired Pointer, presented with acute onset ptyalism, generalized muscle tremors, and diarrhea. Physical examination findings included evidence of muscarinic overstimulation in the parasympathetic nervous system (eg, diarrhea, ptyalism, lacrimation), and nicotinic overstimulation in the sympathetic nervous system (tachycardia), central nervous system (agitation), and the neuromuscular junction (eg, diffuse muscle fasciculations, tetraparesis). Point-of-care testing demonstrated hyperlactatemic metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis (hypoventilation). Hypoventilation progressed to respiratory failure and the dog lost its gag reflex necessitating emergency endotracheal intubation and MV. Additional treatments included atropine, parenteral antimicrobials (for aspiration pneumonia), pralidoxime, and supportive care. Weaning from the ventilator was achieved in 4 days. The dog was administered supplemental oxygen for 24 hours, and discharged 48 hours later with improved neurologic function and normal respiratory drive. Whole blood acetylcholinesterase activities measured on day 0, 2, and 4 and were consistent with AChEI toxicity. New or Unique Information Provided Specific AChEI toxicity (ie, carbamate and organophosphate) has been reported in the veterinary literature with good prognosis for survival and hospital discharge. While the existing veterinary literature suggests that ventilatory failure is rare in this disease syndrome, consideration for treatment with MV must be made for patients that develop respiratory failure (associated with hypoventilation, bronchoconstriction, bronchorrhea, or aspiration pneumonia).
Al2TiO5–Al2O3–TiO2 nanocomposite: Structure, mechanical property and bioactivity studies

Abstract Novel biomaterials are of prime importance in tissue engineering. Here, we developed novel nanostructured Al 2 TiO 5 –Al 2 O 3 –TiO 2 composite as a biomaterial for bone repair. Initially, nanocrystalline Al 2 O 3 –TiO 2 composite powder was synthesized by a sol–gel process. The powder was cold compacted and sintered at 1300–1500 °C to develop nanostructured Al 2 TiO 5 –Al 2 O 3 –TiO 2 composite. Nano features were retained in the sintered structures while the grains showed irregular morphology. The grain-growth and microcracking were prominent at higher sintering temperatures. X-ray diffraction peak intensity of β-Al 2 TiO 5 increased with increasing temperature. β-Al 2 TiO 5 content increased from 91.67% at 1300 °C to 98.83% at 1500 °C, according to Rietveld refinement. The density of β-Al 2 TiO 5 sintered at 1300 °C, 1400 °C and 1500 °C were computed to be 3.668 g cm −3 , 3.685 g cm −3 and 3.664 g cm −3 , respectively. Nanocrystalline grains enhanced the flexural strength. The highest flexural strength of 43.2 MPa was achieved. Bioactivity and biomechanical properties were assessed in simulated body fluid. Electron microscopy confirmed the formation of apatite crystals on the surface of the nanocomposite. Spectroscopic analysis established the presence of Ca and P ions in the crystals. Results throw light on biocompatibility and bioactivity of β-Al 2 TiO 5 phase, which has not been reported previously.
Environmental Indicators of Agroecosystems

Conventional production agricultural practices are partly responsible for intensifying the degradation of productive lands throughout the world. In monitoring the impacts of these practices, a variety of biological, physical, chemical, landscape, and economic measures are being used as indicators of environmental change. This chapter is largely a review of both common and uncommonly used environmental indicators of agricultural systems. Soil organic matter content is discussed in detail as a candidate environmental indicator. A ranking scheme is proposed for the use of multiple indicators in decision-making applications.
An Investigation of the Religious Accommodation Education Gap: Corporate and Workforce Misconceptions and Ignorance Abound

Today’s workforce is becoming more diversified in ethnicity, culture,language, and religion. Religion plays animportant role in the values people hold; however, many businesses would prefer religion not have a place in their workenvironment. Formost individuals work dominates a large part of their life and it isdifficult, if not impossible, to separate one’s religious beliefs from theworkplace. Organizations are asked towalk the fine line between these conflicting preferences by offering policieswhich accommodate religious beliefs while maintaining a productive, yet discrimination-free, atmosphere. Companies develop and disseminate discrimination andharassment policies to their employees, assuming they are protecting theiremployees’ religious beliefs and the companies’ welfare from employeelitigation and complaints. Weinvestigated the awareness and understanding of religious accommodationpolicies and the relationship to both employee retention and potentiallitigation. Companies not only need to be aware of the critical nature ofdelivering religious accommodation and discrimination policies to theiremployees, but also ensure corporate and employee understanding of thesepolicies. To not do so can result in both litigation and loss of employees.
Fingering in porous media

Fingering is the phenomena which occurs when an attempt is made to displace a fluid saturating a porous medium by injecting another immiscible fluid of smaller viscosity. In this case, it is well known that the injected fluid tends to advance by sending out fingers and a fraction of the original fluid is left behind in the pores and interstices of the medium. A problem of major interest is to understand how the amount left behind and its spatial distribution depends upon the properties of the fluids and the medium. One difficulty is that the fingering occurs on two scales, the microscopic and the macroscopic. The microscopic scale describes the motion of the interface in the pores and crevices. Unless the speeds are high, the viscosity small or the porosity large, the viscous forces dominate and the problem is essentially that of low Reynolds number (Stokes) flow of two immiscible fluids in a region of irregular geometry. The real problem is impossibly hard, but the fluid dynamical processes can be exemplified by motion in a capillary tube, where it is imagined the more viscous fluid wets the walls and that a finger of the less viscous fluid advances along the axis of the tube displacing the original more viscous fluid but ieaving a film of it adhering to the wall. This flow is not too difficult to set up experimentally and experiments were carried out by Fairbrother & Stubbs (1935) and more extensively by Taylor (1961) and Cox (1962). On dimensional grounds, it is expected that the fraction of viscous fluid left behind, m say, is a function only of ~u/T and ~/~i' where u is the velocity of the tip of the finger, V is the viscosity of the displaced fluid, ~i is the viscosity of the displacing fluid, and T is the interfacial tension. Since the inertia forces are assumed negligible and the flow is governed by a balance between viscous and surface tension forces, the size of the c~pillary does not enter and
Renal malakoplakia mimicking a malignant renal carcinoma: a patient case with literature review

Malakoplakia, a medical, surgical, pathological and radiological enigma, is an infrequent chronic inflammatory condition that can affect many organ systems, including the gastrointestinal tract, integument, skeletal system and genitourinary tract. Review of the literature has shown that malakoplakia presents in paediatric as well as adult populations, and that it is associated with impaired immune function. Variable clinical manifestations as well as the sometimes non-specific radiological findings of malakoplakia can be misleading, making diagnosis quite difficult. We present a clinical case of renal malakoplakia mimicking a malignant renal carcinoma in a 62-year-old woman. This report highlights the importance of awareness of malakoplakia in the differential diagnosis for renal masses and renomegaly. This case can serve as a reminder that things are not always what they seem, and it reinforces the idea that unusual disease entities should be explored to aid in achieving a correct diagnosis and, thus, potentially avoid unnecessary treatment.
Butterfly Spotting: An Industrial Real Estate Perspective on Globalization and Transnational Economies

As national economies are becoming ever more global and interconnected, this paper addresses the need for real estate investors to develop new, efficient ways to assess how variables and phenomena central to economic globalization (e.g. outsourcing) might impact their domestic portfolios and investment decisions. By focusing on a set of globalization-driven processes affecting industrial properties, the paper proposes several innovative concepts that can be used to capture linkages between direct real estate assets and their global economic environment. It first describes the concept of Transnational Property, i.e. a property which, although physically located in the US, is at the core of complex transnational flows. In essence, a transnational property implies a non-spatial definition of location, a notion modeled after economic geography's positionality. The paper encapsulates these concepts by a measure of globalization at the property level called Transnational Coefficient. It also stresses the need for an update of the Economic Base Theory to account for global interconnectedness of national economies and proposes the concept of Global Economic Base Category (GEBC). It concludes by explaining how these new tools could concretely be used by real estate investors faced with the challenges of transnational economies.
Relationships of barometric pressure and environmental temperature with incidence of parturition in beef cows.

The relationship between barometric pressure (BARO) and maximum (MAX_T) and minimum (MIN_T) environmental temperatures with the incidence of parturition in beef cows was examined through exploratory data analysis. Spring- and fall-calving records from a 5-yr period (2005 through 2009) collected at the University of Arkansas, Livestock and Forestry Research Station (Batesville) and the Department of Animal Science Savoy Research Unit (Savoy, AR) were used. All cows were multiparous, predominantly Angus, and naturally bred. During this period, 2,210 calves were born over a cumulative 1,547 d. Local weather station BARO and MAX_T and MIN_T data were obtained from the Southern Regional Climate Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. The combined calving record and climate variables were used to determine differences in BARO, MAX_T, and MIN_T on d 0 (d of calving) and -1, -2, or -3 d, respectively, before calving occurred (CALFD) or did not occur (NOCALFD). Location and season also were included in the model. For fall-calving cows, BARO on d 0 and -1, -2, or -3 was not different between CALFD and NOCALFD (P > 0.10). For spring-calving cows, BARO on d 0, -1, -2, and -3 was greater (P 0.10). In the spring, a decreased MAX_T was associated with CALFD. Maximum environmental temperatures on d 0 (14.7 vs. 16.0°C), -1 (14.4 vs. 16.0°C), and -3 (14.0 vs. 15.7°C) were less for CALFD compared with NOCALFD (P 0.10). For fall, MIN_T was greater on d -1 (12.8 vs. 11.3°C), -2 (13.0 vs. 11.4°C), and -3 (13.1 vs. 11.7°C) for CALFD compared with NOCALFD (P < 0.05). In spring, MIN_T for d 0 (2.6 vs. 3.9°C), -1 (2.5 vs. 3.7°C), -2 (2.1 vs. 3.7°C), and -3 (1.8 vs. 3.8°C) were lesser (P < 0.05) for CALFD vs. NOCALFD. These data indicate that for spring-calving cows, a greater BARO and decreased MAX_T and MIN_T were associated with CALFD, whereas for fall-calving cows, an increase in MAX_T and MIN_T was associated with CALFD. Therefore, monitoring weather conditions may assist producers in preparing for the obstetric assistance of beef cattle.
Molecular Origin of Hydration Heat Capacity Changes of Hydrophobic Solutes: Perturbation of Water Structure around Alkanes

The heat capacities of hydration (ΔCp) of the first four of the linear alkane series, methane, ethane, propane, and butane, were calculated by a combination of Monte Carlo simulations and the random network model (RNM) of water. The contribution from the water−water interaction and the solute−water interaction accounted for about 45% and 20%, respectively, of the experimental values. The water−water contribution to ΔCp arises from distortions in the water structure in the hydration shell. The hydrogen bonds between the water molecules in the first hydration shell were shorter and less bent (had a smaller root-mean-square angle, θ) compared to those in pure water. In the case of propane and butane, the greatest decrease in θ was for waters hydrating the methyl groups, with a somewhat smaller decrease for waters hydrating the methylene groups. Thus the contribution to ΔCp per hydrogen bond from water around the methyl groups is a little larger than from water around the methylene groups. This also implies t...
Long-term therapy with NTBC and tyrosine-restricted diet in a murine model of hereditary tyrosinemia type I

In human patients with hereditary tyrosinemia type I (HT1) a combination therapy of 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-1,3 cyclohexane dione (NTBC) and dietary restriction of phenylalanine and tyrosine is currently widely used. We previously reported that the use of NTBC in a murine model of HT1 abolished acute liver failure but did not prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the setting of nonrestricted protein intake. Here we present the results obtained with higher doses of NTBC plus dietary tyrosine restriction on long-term follow up (>2 years). Liver function tests and succinylacetone levels were completely corrected with this regimen and cancer-free survival was improved when compared to historical controls. However, while no HT1 animals had HCC at age 13 months, the incidence was 2/16 (13%) at age 18 months and 1/6 (17%) after 24 months. Thus, even the most stringent therapy could not prevent the emergence of HCC in the mouse model of HT1, even when initiated prenatally.
Abstract B81: Racial differences in serum adiponectin and leptin before and after weight loss

Background: In vitro and in vivo data have shown that adiponectin is antiangiogenic and that leptin increases angiogenesis. The divergent roles that these two adipocytokines play in cancer biology may be underlying mechanisms for racial disparities in cancer severity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences in serum concentrations of adiponectin and leptin before and after weight loss in healthy premenopausal African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) women. Methods: Sixty-three African-American (AA) and 58 European-American (EA) premenopausal women were weight-reduced from body mass index (BMI) 27-30 kg/m2 to BMI≤24 kg/m2. Body composition measurements and fasting blood samples were collected before and after weight loss. Repeated-measures mixed models were used to assess the change in adiponectin and leptin from baseline to the weight-reduced state and whether there were racial differences after adjusting for covariates. Results: Following weight loss leptin significantly decreased and adiponectin significantly increased similarly in both racial groups. Mix-model analyses indicated that adiponectin differed with race after adjusting for age, time, intra-abdominal fat, interleukin-6, limb fat and trunk fat (p=0.039). Adjusted least squared means (mean 95% confidence interval) showed that AA women had lower adiponectin relative to EA women at baseline [7.64 (6.8, 8.59) µg/ml vs 9.59 (8.61, 10.7) µg/ml, p=0.011] and in the weight-reduced state [9.84 (8.77, 11.0) µg/ml vs 11.5 (10.3, 12.8) µg/ml, p=0.075]. Mixed-model analyses indicated that leptin differed with race after adjusting for age, time, total fat mass, estradiol, testosterone and insulin (p Conclusions: Weight reduction may reduce the risk for cancer severity and mortality through increased serum adiponectin and reduced leptin in both AA and EA women. However, AA women may have worse outcomes as a result of cancer compared to EA women due to differences in the serum concentrations of these adipocyte derived factors that influence tumor angiogenesis. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B81.
What is the complexity of ill-posed problems?

This paper deals with the optimal solution of ill-posed linear problems, i.e..linear problems for which the solution operator is unbounded. We consider worst-case ar,and averagecase settings. Our main result is that algorithms having finite error (for a given setting) exist if and only if the solution operator is bounded (in that setting). In the worst-case setting, this means that there is no algorithm for solving ill-posed problems having finite error. In the average-case setting, this means that algorithms having finite error exist if and only lf the solution operator is bounded on the average. If the solution operator is bounded on the average, we find average-case optimal information of cardinality n and optimal algorithms using this information, and show that the average error of these algorithms tends to zero as n→∞. These results are then used to determine the [euro]-complexity, i.e., the minimal costof finding an [euro]-accurate approximation. In the worst-case setting, the [euro]comp1exity of an...
An approximation for gaussian d-orbital exponents of second-row atoms for LCAO MO SCF studies☆

Abstract It is demonstrated that the radius corresponding to the shell of maximum electron density for molecularly optimized 3d orbitals of a second-row atom is approximately equal to the same radius for the atom-optimized 3p orbitals. An approximation for expanding a single gaussian d-orbital exponent into a larger set of exponents is also offered.
Knockdown of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) type Iα regulatory subunit in mouse oocytes disrupts meiotic arrest and results in meiotic spindle defects

In mammalian oocytes, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is responsible for maintaining meiotic arrest. We examined the role of the predominant regulatory subunit, RIalpha in regulating PKA activity during mouse oocyte maturation by knocking down the protein levels using an RNA interference approach. In oocytes in which RIalpha protein was reduced to non-detectable levels, compensatory decreases were also observed in the RIIalpha and catalytic (Calpha) subunit levels. These oocytes resumed meiosis, despite culture under conditions that maintain elevated intracellular cAMP levels, suggesting that the remaining Calpha was not sufficient to maintain meiotic arrest. The resulting eggs, however, displayed meiotic spindle abnormalities and abnormal cleavage planes leading to extrusion of large polar bodies. These results demonstrate that RIalpha is required for regulating PKA activity in maturing oocytes and that compensatory upregulation of RII does not occur. Furthermore, we implicate PKA as a modulator of spindle morphology and function during meiosis.
Testing the Theory of the New Class

This article tests the theory that a post-industrial economic order gives rise to an elite which has a class interest in the expansion of government: the New Class. Cluster analysis of large national surveys reveals the existence of such a group, identifiable by liberal policy preferences and a pattern of group identifications which clearly distinguish it from the traditional middle and working classes. This New Class is concentrated in the professions, and among those with high levels of education.
Utilization of a polyethylene enclosure for nerve tracing studies in the rat ovary.

Abstract A commonly used technique for mapping neuronal connections in the peripheral nervous system involves the injection of a tracer substance into a peripheral organ. The tracer is taken up by nerve terminals at the injection site and transported retrogradely to motor or sensory perikarya where it can be visualized. One of the pitfalls of this technique is that tracer may leak from the injection site, enter nerve terminals adjacent to the injection area and thus cause erroneous interpretations. Similarly, some tracers may enter blood vessels and be taken up by nerve cell bodies indiscriminately. In order to circumvent these potential problems in studies on the innervation of the rat ovary, a polyethylene enclosure for the organ was fabricated from a BEEM capsule. The retrograde tracer, True blue, was then applied topically on the ovarian surface inside the enclosure. In chronic experiments, specifically labeled ovarian nerve cell bodies were identified in dorsal root and preaortic ganglia. Utilization of this simple and effective enclosure eliminates the false-positive and non-specific labeling of perikarya due to diffusion and blood-borne transport of the tracer from the injection area.
Silent Prions Lying in Wait: A Two-hit Model of Prion/Amyloid Formation and Infection

Diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are associated with the formation of amyloid. The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, such as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, are believed to result from infectious forms of amyloid proteins termed prions. The ability of amyloid to initiate spontaneously and in the case of prions, to transfer successfully from one host to another, has been hard to fully rationalize. In this paper we use a mathematical model to explore the idea that it might be a combination of the presence of the prion/amyloid form and a change in the state of the host that allows the amyloid/prion to successfully initiate and propagate itself. We raise the intriguing possibility that potentially infectious amyloid may lie dormant in an apparently healthy individual awaiting a change in the state of the host or transmittal to a new more susceptible host. On this basis we make an analogy between prion/amyloid disease development and the two-hit model of cancer progression. We additionally raise the possibility that infectious amyloid strains may be characterized by a size distribution of length or radius.
Criterion for the Instability of a Uniformly Rotating Configuration in General Relativity

Uniformly rotating configurations in general relativity are considered, and a condition is obtained that they can be quasistatically deformed without violating any of the requirements for equilibrium. This condition extends, into the domain of the rotating stars, the criterion for the onset of dynamical instability (via a neutral mode of oscillation) that occurs by radial pulsations in nonrotating stars.
Capability requirements in a multimicro processor, hardware/software simulation environment

As part of the research into computer assisted development of microprocessor based systems, a set of target machine independent software tools have been developed for the PDP-11. This set of tools includes a general microassembler and simulator system. The development software adapts to target processors through the use of machine descriptions in a register transfer notation. This report discusses some of the requirements placed upon a simulator system in a multimicro processor, hardware/software simulation environment.
Success in Community College: Do Institutions Differ?

Community colleges are complex organizations and assessing their performance, though important, is difficult. Compared to 4-year colleges and universities, community colleges serve a more diverse population and provide a wider variety of educational programs that include continuing education and technical training for adults, and diplomas, associates degrees, and transfer credits for recent high school graduates. Focusing solely on the latter programs of North Carolina’s community colleges, we measure the success of each college along two dimensions: attainment of an applied diploma or degree; or completion of the coursework required to transfer to a 4-year college or university. We address three questions. First, how much variation is there across the institutions in these measures of student success? Second, how do these measures of success differ across institutions after we adjust for the characteristics of the enrolled students? Third, how do our measures compare to the measures of success used by the North Carolina Community College System? Although we find variation along both dimensions of success, we also find that part of this variation is attributable to differences in the kinds of students who attend various colleges. Once we correct for such differences, we find that it is not possible to distinguish most of the system’s colleges from one another along either dimension. Top-performing institutions, however, can be distinguished from the most poorly performing ones. Finally, our adjusted rates of success show little correlation either to measurable aspects of the various colleges or to the metrics used by the state.
Effect of depolarizing agents on accumulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in cerebral cortical slices.

Agents such as K+, NH4+, ouabain, batrachotoxin and veratridine, which are known to cause depolarization of electrically excitable membranes, cause an accumulation of cyclic 14C-AMP in incubated slices of cerebral cortex. The effect of depolarizing such agents on cyclic 14C-AMP formation and on 14C-acetyl choline release is blocked by 'membrane stabilizers' such as cocaine. The effects of batrachotoxin and veratridine are completely blocked by tetrodotoxin. The effect of increasing concentrations of K+ on accumulation of cyclic 14C-AMP correlates with changes in membrane potential, rather than with stimulation of cellular metabolism. The effect of veratridine on accumulation of cyclic 14C-AMP is not blocked under conditions where malonate inhibits stimulation of cellular metabolism. Ouabain, veratridine and batrachotoxin do not inhibit cyclic 3′, 5′-phosphodiesterase at the concentrations in which they are effective in causing accumulation of cyclic 14C-AMP. The data support the hypothesis that depolarizing agents elevate levels of cyclic AMP at least in part by a depolarization-evoked ‘release’ of adenosine, which then interacts with a regulatory unit for adenyl cyclase.
ON CLIMBING INFORMATION THEORY AND BAYESIAN ANALYSIS

The relationship between information theory and Bayesian decision theory is demonstrated for the purpose of determining the value of a quantity of information. This combination establishes a procedure by which a decision-maker can determine either the positive or negative value of the content of some message, and subsequently the price that he should be willing to pay for the message. The model developed is applied to a short-run hog pricing situation where the message is the price established in an early opening market. Le rapport entre le theorie de ľinformation el la theorie de decision bayesienne est demontre dans le but de determiner la valeur ďune certaine quantiteďinformation. Cette combinaison permel de developper un procede par lequel celui qui prend les decisions peut determiner la valeur, positive ou negative, du contenu ďun message, et par la suite, peut determiner ausse le prix qu'il devrait payer pour ce message. Le modele ainsi developpe est applique a la determination a court terme du prix des pores sur un marche. le message etant le prix elabli sur un marche qui ouore plus tot.
Synthesis of 2‐methyl and 2‐carboxymethyl derivatives of ornithine and arginine

Synthesis and characterization of a dozen derivatives of ornithine and arginine bearing 2-methyl or 2-carboxymethyl substituents are described. These substituents were introduced by dilithiation of 3-(4-methoxybenzylidineamino)-2-piperidinone with lithium diisopropylamide followed by regiospecific alkylation at C-3 with iodomethane or ethyl bromoacetate. 2-Methyl-d,l-ornithine was obtained in three steps from 3-amino-2-piperidinone in 68% overall yield, and 2-carboxymethyl-d,l-ornithine was isolated in 56% overall yield. 2-Methyl-and 2-carboxymethyl-d,l-arginine were obtained by mild acid hydrolysis to remove the 4-methoxybenzylidine group, N -acylation with 4-toluenesulfonyl chloride, mild alkaline hydrolysis of the lactam ring and the ester group, guanidination of the 5-amino group with O -methylisourea, and strong acid hydrolysis to remove the 4-tolunenesulfonyl group. Several of these compounds are inhibitors of carboxypeptidase B.