cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Ecosystems and Biodiversity Buzzwords

Several increasingly popular paradigms in conservation remove organismal information and life- histoty requirements from management planning with claims that species-specific information is not neces- sary to the understanding and management of "ecosystem function" and may therefore be discarded. Al- though several authors have called attention to the fact that ecosystem management has not yet been articu- lated sufficiently to comprise an adequate paradigm for wildlife protection, there has been a series of suggestions paralleling ecosystem management's popularity that the perceived or imagined emergent proper- ties of communities should be at the root of conservation planning. Such reductions most commonly take the form of abstracted species diversity measures that may be irrelevant or misleading with respect to site-specific planning and to the monitoring of specific management treatments. Following earlier examinations of eco- system management, I emphasize that several of its apparent outgrowths may be too vague to inform specific recommendations, that the historical mechanics of "ecosystem processes" are essentially unknovwable, and that anecdotal definitions of ecosystems allow one to justify virtually any protocol as management. The pri- macy of process-dependent, landscape-functional considerations in conservation planning is specious in the absence of species- and population-specific information, which shouldform the foundation for understclnding such processes in the first place. Only by viewing nature in terms of the relationships between processes and organisms, rather than in terms of emergent properties of organismal assemblages or abiotic factors divorced from organismal data, can conservation plans claim to protect biological elements.
Code of Ancient Peruvian Knotted Cords (Quipus)

Because these archaeological artefacts have been interpreted numerically, they are of interest in the history of mathematics. If, as alleged, the numbers record stellar and planetary movements, they are of interest in the history of astronomy. This article shows that the code of the quipu is richer than previously believed, and the astronomical hypothesis is re-examined in this light.
The assessment of risky decision making: a factor analysis of performance on the Iowa Gambling Task, Balloon Analogue Risk Task, and Columbia Card Task.

Researchers and clinicians frequently use behavioral measures to assess decision making. The most common task that is marketed to clinicians is the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), thought to assess risky decision making. How does performance on the IGT relate to performance on other common measures of decision making? The present study sought to examine relationships between the IGT, the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), and the Columbia Card Task (CCT). Participants were 390 undergraduate students who completed the IGT, BART, and either the "hot" or "cold" CCT. Principal components factor analysis on the IGT, BART, and CCT-cold (n = 112) indicated that the IGT measures a different component of decision making than the BART, and the CCT-cold weakly correlated with early IGT trials. RESULTS of the exploratory factor analysis on the IGT, BART, and CCT-hot (n = 108) revealed a similar picture: the IGT and BART assessed different types of decision making, and the BART and CCT-hot were weakly correlated. A confirmatory factor analysis (n = 170) indicated that a 3-factor model without the CCT-cold (Factor 1: later IGT trials; Factor 2: BART; and Factor 3: early IGT trials) was a better fitting model than one that included the CCT-cold and early IGT trials on the same factor. Collectively, the present results suggest that the IGT, BART, and CCT all measure unique, nonoverlapping decision making processes. Further research is needed to more fully understand the neuropsychological construct of decision making. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Concentration of Multivariate Polynomials and Its Applications

are independent random variables which take values either 0 or 1, and Y is a multi-variable polynomial in 's with positive coefficients. We give a condition which guarantees that Y concentrates strongly around its mean even when several variables could have a large effect on Y. Some applications will be discussed.
College Students' Evaluation of Police Performance: A Comparison of Chinese and Americans

Abstract Public evaluations of the police are equally important in the East and West as police legitimacy resides in the views of the public. Using survey data from over 800 college students in China and the U.S., this study compares and contrasts Chinese and American college students' global satisfaction with the police and specific evaluations of police demeanor, integrity, and effectiveness. Three groups of predictors, including demographic characteristics, crime and criminal justice experiences, and locality were used to explain these perceptions. It was found that Chinese college students generally viewed the police less positively than Americans. Some factors such as media influence and college major had a consistent effect on perceptions of the police across the two countries, while other factors such as victimization and fear of crime had varied effects depending on specific evaluative areas. Implications for future research and policy are provided.
REMAINING COMPETITIVE AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL: DEVELOPING A LOCAL AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY

Aquaculture industry development has been recognized to be an important step in improving a state's economy. However, local producers are facing significant competition from international, national, and other state producers. In this paper, the focus is on competition among local producers. The objective is to examine how interactions among industry participants determine prices and profitability of individual fish growers. The application involves the trout sector of the West Virginia aquaculture industry. Using a game theoretic framework, the Bertrand oligopoly model, and a combination of data from primary and secondary sources, price competition among producers is modeled under different supply and demand scenarios. Factors such as production volume and cost, location relative to market outlets, supply dependability, and proximity to other competitors and markets influence the profitability and competitive position of individual producers. Results also show that, as expected, the entrance of new grower...
Traits of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in school-age children who stutter

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore whether parents of CWS reported the presence of ADHD symptoms that would warrant a referral to a psychologist to rule out the disorder. This study also aimed to describe the characteristics of the sample in terms of gender, family history of stuttering, presence of neurological impairment, concomitant diagnoses, and stuttering severity. Finally, this study sought to explore the possible statistical relations among these same variables. Methods Participants were 36 school-age CWS (32 males and 4 females) between the ages of 3.9 and 17.2 years (M = 10.4, SD = 4.0). Parent responses on the ADHD Rating Scale ( Power et al., 2001 ) were collected via a retrospective chart review. Results For this sample 58% (n = 21), of the participants met criteria for needing referral for additional evaluation for symptoms related to ADHD. A strong positive relation (r = .720, p Conclusion The results of the present study demonstrate the need for further training and education for SLPs working with CWS regarding ADHD. Educational objectives: The reader will be able to (1) describe the main characteristics of ADHD, (2) discuss the evidence suggesting a possible relationship between ADHD and stuttering and (3) discuss how ADHD characteristics could impact clinical outcomes for CWS.
Unified theory of oscillator phase noise with application to optoelectronic oscillators

We present a general theory of phase noise for white noise perturbation that can be applied to any oscillator. Our theory agrees well with phase-noise measurements of a hybrid optoelectronic oscillator.
A combined power and cooling cycle modified to improve resource utilization efficiency using a distillation stage

A combined power and cooling cycle is being investigated. The cycle is a combination of a Rankine cycle and an absorption refrigeration cycle. The vapor exiting the turbine in this cycle is cold enough to extract refrigeration output. This combined cycle is being proposed for application with lower temperature heat sources such as solar, geothermal, and industrial waste heat with the primary objective of producing power. In this paper, the goal is to optimize the cycle configuration for maximum resource utilization efficiency (RUE). Based on an exergy analysis, the cycle configuration has been modified to improve the RUE. A thermal distillation scheme, similar to those found in some Kalina cycles has been implemented in the cycle. An optimization method is used to maximize the RUE of the modified configuration. A significant improvement in the efficiency of more than 25% was achieved with the improved configuration. Larger pressure ratios are obtained across the turbine. Increased efficiencies can also be obtained for the cases where only work output is desired.
On the Saturation of $n$ -Detection Test Generation by Different Definitions With Increased $n$

An n-detection test set contains different tests for each target fault. The value of is typically determined based on test set size constraints, and certain values have become standard. Appropriate values for are investigated in this paper by considering the saturation of the n-detection test generation process. As is increased, eventually, the rate of increase in test set quality starts dropping. Saturation occurs when the increase in test set quality with drops below a certain level. Three parameters of an n-detection test set are introduced to measure the saturation of the test generation process: 1) the fraction of faults detected times or less by the test set; 2) the fraction of faults detected fewer than times by the test set; and 3) the test set size relative to the size of a one-detection test set. It is demonstrated that the behavior of each one of these parameters follows a unique pattern as is increased, and certain features of this behavior can be used to identify saturation. All the parameters can be efficiently computed during the test generation process.
Family factors associated with the peer social competence of young children with mild delays.

Abstract A model addressing family influences on the peer-related social competence of young children with mild developmental (cognitive) delays was developed and tested. Constructs representing ch...
Centralizing the Experiences of LGB People of Color in Counseling Psychology 1Ψ7

This article introduces the Major Contribution on centralizing the experiences of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people of color in counseling psychology. The roles of LGB people of color in LGB sociopolitical movements and their invisibility in the psychological literature are discussed as a context for this series of articles. This article also discusses the overall aims of the Major Contribution and presents an overview of each of its three component articles.
A study of the distribution and retention of cadmium-115 in the albino rat.

Abstract 1. 1. A single oral dose of cadmium administered as cadmium nitrate was absorbed only to a small extent, and over 90% of the ingested dose was excreted by way of the gut in 15 days. The largest fraction of the small amount absorbed is found in kidney and liver tissues. 2. 2. After a single intravenous injection of cadmium nitrate, over 65% of the total administered cadmium was found in the liver tissue. Kidney tissue also contained an appreciable amount of cadmium. Whereas liver and kidney tissues retained cadmium for long periods of time, the cadmium content of lung tissue decreased. Approximately 20% of the original intravenous dose was excreted by way of the feces in the first 72 hr. after injection, but little or no excretion by way of the urine was observed.
Large-margin classification in infinite neural networks

We introduce a new family of positive-definite kernels for large margin classification in support vector machines (SVMs). These kernels mimic the computation in large neural networks with one layer of hidden units. We also show how to derive new kernels, by recursive composition, that may be viewed as mapping their inputs through a series of nonlinear feature spaces. These recursively derived kernels mimic the computation in deep networks with multiple hidden layers. We evaluate SVMs with these kernels on problems designed to illustrate the advantages of deep architectures. Compared to previous benchmarks, we find that on some problems, these SVMs yield state-of-the-art results, beating not only other SVMs but also deep belief nets.
Application of Prospective Analysis and Cluster Analysis as a Tool to Aid in the Design of Rural Development Policies: the Case of Andalusia

4 **** Luis-Antonio Fernandez-Portillo 5 ***** Abstract 6 ****** The EU has promoted initiatives to develop its rural areas. In this research, we apply the last of those initiatives to Andalusia (southern Spain). These are the main aims pursued in this study: first, to present the methodology selected to identify the most influential variables that act as catalysts for development in each rural county of Andalusia; second, to identify rural county groups that show basic similarities in terms of the variables selected and third, to contribute to the integration of development strategies. To reach those objectives, it was applied the Prospective Structural Analysis as well as Cluster Analysis along with Discriminant Analysis to validate it. The results show the existence of four clearly differentiated clusters in the region.
PSF estimation using sharp edge prediction

Image blur is caused by a number of factors such as motion, defocus, capturing light over the non-zero area of the aperture and pixel, the presence of anti-aliasing filters on a camera sensor, and limited sensor resolution. We present an algorithm that estimates non-parametric, spatially-varying blur functions (i.e., point-spread functions or PSFs) at subpixel resolution from a single image. Our method handles blur due to defocus, slight camera motion, and inherent aspects of the imaging system. Our algorithm can be used to measure blur due to limited sensor resolution by estimating a sub-pixel, super-resolved PSF even for in-focus images. It operates by predicting a ldquosharprdquo version of a blurry input image and uses the two images to solve for a PSF. We handle the cases where the scene content is unknown and also where a known printed calibration target is placed in the scene. Our method is completely automatic, fast, and produces accurate results.
Rigorous model-based safety analysis for nonlinear continuous-time systems

Abstract A method is presented for the quantitative, model-based safety analysis of nonlinear continuous-time hybrid systems. This method uses the region-transition-model (RTM) framework of [Huang, H., Adjiman, C. S., & Shah, N. (2002). Quantitative framework for reliable safety analysis. AIChE Journal, 48, 78–96], together with a recently developed technique [Lin, Y., & Stadtherr, M. A. (2007). Validated solutions of initial value problems for parametric ODEs. Applied Numerical Mathematics, 57, 1145–1162] for the rigorous global analysis of nonlinear, continuous-time systems with uncertain initial conditions and/or parameters. Given an operating region described by bounds on possible initial conditions, inputs and model parameters, and a finite time horizon, the method can determine which operating subregions lead to safe operation. Numerical examples are presented that demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. This approach can supplement and complement the more qualitative techniques that are widely used for hazard identification and safety analysis.
Socket thermal testing procedure and correlation

CPU socket temperatures have recently been projected to approach, and even exceed, their thermal reliability limits. Up until now, the prediction of socket temperatures was performed only through modeling and simulation. The major drawback of modeling is that it requires a simplification of the motherboard, CPU, and socket construction, estimates of motherboard and CPU substrate power losses, estimates of motherboard and substrate thermal conductivities, and use of pre-silicon CPU powermaps. Ideally modeling methodologies would be supported with test data, however there has been no test data available to correlate with the modeling results. This paper describes the development of a testing methodology that allows for the direct measurement of socket contact temperatures, as well as determining the impact of the motherboard, CPU, and power delivery component temperatures. The test results were then compared to modeling results in order to validate and improve future predictive efforts.
Noninitiation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Women With Localized Breast Cancer: The Breast Cancer Quality of Care Study

Purpose For some women, adjuvant chemotherapy for nonmetastatic breast cancer decreases recurrences and increases survival; however, patient-physician decisions regarding chemotherapy receipt can be influenced by medical and nonmedical factors. Patients and Methods We used a prospective cohort design and multivariate modeling to investigate factors related to noninitiation of chemotherapy among women with newly diagnosed breast cancer recruited from three US sites. We interviewed patients at baseline and during treatment on sociodemographic, tumor, and treatment decision-making factors. Patients were categorized according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines as those for whom chemotherapy was definitely indicated, clinically discretionary, or discretionary based on age greater than 70 years. Results Of 1,145 patients recruited, chemotherapy was clinically indicated for 392 patients, clinically discretionary for 459 patients, discretionary because of age for 169 patients, and not indicated f...
Probing the Ring Size of Epothilones: Total Synthesis of [14]-, [15]-, [17]-, and [18]Epothilones A

Unfamiliar rings. The pharmocophore of epothilone A does not tolerate changes in ring size. The 14-, 15-, 17-, and 18-membered ring analogues 1 (n = 1, 2, 4, 5) of epothilone and their deoxy counterparts show only low levels of activity in tubulin polymerization assays, with the exception of [18]desoxyepothilone A. These findings underscore the high specificity of the tubulin receptor.
The Cataclysmic Variable GD552

Time-resolved spectroscopic observations of the proper motion star GD552 were made at Lick Observatory using the image-tube scanner of the Shane 120-inch telescope. Radial velocity variations were measured for the HP emission line. No velocity variations were detected, with an upper limit of 35 kilometers per second on the semi-amplitude of the K-velocity of the accretion disk. A strong ‘S-wave’ component was observed in the emission lines, and, as a result, the orbital period could be determined. The most likely orbital period is 1 hour 36 minutes, with a night-to-night cycle count uncertainty of ± 1.
Skiing, Snowboarding, and Sledding Injuries in a Northwestern State

Objective Winter sports continue to be a popular form of recreation, but few studies have focused on serious injuries. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the major morbidity associated with downhill skiing, snowboarding, and sledding and to determine the incidence of serious injuries sustained while downhill skiing and snowboarding. Methods State trauma registry data from the 1992–93 through 1998–99 ski seasons on all snow sports participants transported to tertiary trauma hospitals in Oregon were analyzed. Results Of 132 patients, 80% were male and 20% were female, with a mean age of 30.4±15.6 for skiers, 24.1±10.5 for snowboarders, and 18.8±11.9 for sledders. The mean Injury Severity Score was 12.3±7.6 for skiers, 10.3±7.4 for snowboarders, and 12.8±8.5 for sledders. Head injuries accounted for 55% of sledding injuries and 39% of all injuries. Skiers and snowboarders were less likely to have head injuries than sledders (odds ratio [OR]=0.45; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.98). A higher proportion of injuries sustained by snowboarders were due to falls from heights (29%) compared with injuries sustained by skiers or sledders (OR=4.8; 95% CI, 1.6 to 13.7). Sledders were more likely to be injured during collisions than were skiers or snowboarders (OR=16.7; 95% CI, 5.8 to 47.6). The incidence of serious skiing and snowboarding injuries was 6.4 injuries per million visits. There were 4 deaths (3%), 1 each from snowboarding and skiing (head injuries) and 2 from sledding (1 from head and 1 from head and thoracic injuries). Conclusions Serious snow sports injuries are rare but potentially debilitating. Head injuries account for the majority of deaths and functional impairment.
Going with the Grain in African Development

In view of the disappointing performance of the Good Governance agenda in Africa, policy-makers are asking whether better results could be obtained with approaches that attempt to ‘work with the grain’ of African societies. This article explores what this might mean. It identifies a core set of beliefs and values – concerning power, accountability and social morality – that have proved extremely durable and remain powerful drivers of behaviour across sub-Saharan Africa. It finds that, in general, Western institutions sit ill with these traditions. The question is, therefore, how to redirect development efforts so that they stop working against, and start to build upon, the extant notions of moral obligation and interpersonal accountability in the region.
Resection of Mediastinal Castleman's Disease: A Case Report

First described in 1956, Castleman's disease (CD) is an uncommon and poorly understood lymphoproliferative disorder, which can present as a solitary lesion or diffuse disease, and may present with ...
Label-Free CMOS Bio Sensor With On-Chip Noise Reduction Scheme for Real-Time Quantitative Monitoring of Biomolecules

We present a label-free CMOS field-effect transistor sensing array to detect the surface potential change affected by the negative charge in DNA molecules for real-time monitoring and quantification. The proposed CMOS bio sensor includes a new sensing pixel architecture implemented with correlated double sampling for reducing offset fixed pattern noise and 1/f noise of the sensing devices. We incorporated non-surface binding detection which allows real-time continuous monitoring of DNA concentrations without immobilizing them on the sensing surface. Various concentrations of 19-bp oligonucleotides solution can be discriminated using the prototype device fabricated in 1- μm double-poly double-metal standard CMOS process. The detection limit was measured as 1.1 ng/μl with a dynamic range of 40 dB and the transient response time was measured less than 20 seconds.
Barriers To Adopting Emerging Technologies in Education.

The purpose of this article is to examine barriers to technology adoption based on the literature and on data from two studies (the first with K-12 teachers and the second with higher education faculty in a state system). A product of this examination is a visual representation, a model of the interactions and the interdependence of elements that contribute to the construction of barriers to technology adoption. It is intended that the model will clarify internal and external obstacles, and serve as an aid to pre-service and in-service teacher education curriculum designers and developers as they plan for the successful infusion of newer technologies in the curriculum.
Sensitivity of neural stem cell survival, differentiation and neurite outgrowth within 3D hydrogels to environmental heavy metals

We investigated the sensitivity of embryonic murine neural stem cells exposed to 10 pM-10 μM concentrations of three heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Pb), continuously for 14 days within 3D collagen hydrogels. Critical endpoints for neurogenesis such as survival, differentiation and neurite outgrowth were assessed. Results suggest significant compromise in cell viability within the first four days at concentrations ≥10 nM, while lower concentrations induced a more delayed effect. Mercury and lead suppressed neural differentiation at as low as 10 pM concentration within 7 days, while all three metals inhibited neural and glial differentiation by day 14. Neurite outgrowth remained unaffected at lower cadmium or mercury concentrations (≤100 pM), but was completely repressed beyond day 1 at higher concentrations. Higher metal concentrations (≥100 pM) suppressed NSC differentiation to motor or dopaminergic neurons. Cytokines and chemokines released by NSCs, and the sub-cellular mechanisms by which metals induce damage to NSCs have been quantified and correlated to phenotypic data. The observed degree of toxicity in NSC cultures is in the order: lead>mercury>cadmium. Results point to the use of biomimetic 3D culture models to screen the toxic effects of heavy metals during developmental stages, and investigate their underlying mechanistic pathways.
Modulation of Dynamic Heating in the Winter Extratropics Associated with the Cross-Equatorial Hadley Circulation

Abstract The hypothesis that the cross-equatorial Hadley circulation can modulate the poleward heat transport in the winter extratropics is investigated using the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-1) GCM for 10 northern winter initial conditions. Three-month forecasts are compared with parallel runs from the same initial conditions but with a slightly perturbed radiative forcing in the Tropics. Analysis of the zonal-mean climates shows that, on timescales longer than a month, a persistent intensification in the winter Hadley circulation is positively correlated with increased dynamic cooling in the winter midlatitudes and warming at the high latitudes through-out the troposphere, signaling an increased beat transport toward the winter pole. While the heating anomaly can undergo significant transient fluctuations in the winter extratropics, the variance of the time-averaged dynamic heating anomaly is dominated by contributions from low zonal wavenumbers (particularly wavenumbers 1 and 2), with minor con...
Prevention of dialysis disequilibrium by use of CVVH

Objective.Dialysis disequilibrium occurs due to a rapid shift of osmols when hemodialysis is used in cases of extreme uremia. Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with citrate anticoagulati...
Abstract 16824: Fully Validated Mri-Based Computational Models of Swine Hearts With Post-Infarction Ventricular Tachycardia

Background: Identification of the optimal ablation sites in hearts with infarct related ventricular tachycardia (VT) remains difficult to achieve with the current catheter based mapping techniques. Limitations arise for ambiguities in determining the location(s) of reentrant pathways arising from the infarct zone. The goal of this study was to develop fully validated, individualized computer models of infarcted swine hearts that can be used to predict the characteristics of infarct related VT and where it is localized, and thus the optimal targets of ablation. Methods: In 5 pigs 10 weeks post infarction, VT was induced via programmed electrical stimulation. Epicardial sock electrodes were used to record electrical activity. The heart was then explanted and imaged using contrast enhanced MRI. The images were segmented to identify myocardium, semi viable gray zone (GZ), and scar based on pixel intensity. GZ was modeled as a region with longer APD and increased anisotropy, and scar as passive tissue. VT induction was simulated in the models following the experimental protocol. Results: All 5 pigs were inducible for VT with mean cycle length of 186±30 ms. In 3 pigs VT manifested as centrifugal activity; the other 2 pigs had epicardial reentry (Fig top row). Models were successfully constructed from MRI (2 nd row). The models were inducible for VTs with morphologies and cycle lengths (187±33 ms) that matched well with the experiment (3 rd row). Simulations also revealed that in the cases of centrifugal activity, the underlying VT reentrant circuits were located intramurally within the ventricular wall where they were not detectable from surface recordings alone (Fig A 4 th row). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that MRI-based computer models of hearts with myocardial infarction provide a unique opportunity to predict and analyze VT resulting for from specific infarct zone architecture, and thus may assist clinicians in identifying and ablating the reentrant circuit(s).
Plastid Targeting of the Enzymes Required for the Production of Polyhydroxybutyrate in Higher Plants.

In theory, the ideal subcellular location for the production of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) in plants is the plastid, since it is the location of high flux of carbon through acetyl-CoA, the precursor for PHB synthesis. In order to test whether the production of PHB in plastids is possible, the three genes of Alcaligenes eutrophus involved in PHB synthesis were genetically engineered to target the corresponding enzymes to the plant plastids. Preliminary results with transgenic plants of Arabidopsis which express these modified genes indicate that the enzymes are localized in the plastid and are enzymatically active. In oilseed plants, exclusive production of PHB in the plastids of developing seeds would be most advantageous. Therefore, similar constructs were also made for the seed-specific production of the modified phb enzymes.
Hadley Circulation Dynamics

The equations that govern the Hadley circulation are reviewed, and the observed circulation is described. Atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) simulations are used to evaluate the dominant zonally averaged momentum and thermodynamic balances within the Hadley regime.
Developmental DSP4 effects on cortical Arc expression

Activity Regulated Cytoskeleton Associated Protein (Arc) is an immediate early gene that is critical to brain plasticity. In this study, norepinephrine's regulation of Arc expression was examined during different stages of postnatal development. Rats were injected with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine hydrochloride (DSP-4), a selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, during preadolescence (PND 0 or 13), adolescence (PND 23 or 48) or adulthood (PND 60). After each DSP4 treatment, brains were harvested later in development and Arc mRNA levels analyzed with in situ hybridization. Rats lesioned with DSP4 during preadolescence showed no differences in Arc level compared to saline treated controls. In contrast, adolescence was a time of changing Arc mRNA response to DSP4. Rats lesioned during early adolescence showed Arc expression increases, while rats lesioned during late adolescence showed dramatic Arc expression decreases. Decreases in Arc level caused by late adolescent DSP4 were similar to those found in lesioned adults. These findings highlight a qualitatively different regulation of Arc expression by norepinephrine according to developmental stage, and indicate that mature regulation is not intact until late adolescence. These data point to important developmental differences in norepinephrine's regulation of brain plasticity. These differences may underlie contrasting psychotropic responses in children and adolescents compared to adults.
The role of codetermination in shareholder oriented corporate governance reform: the case of executive remuneration disclosure

This paper examines the influence of employee representatives in German publicly listed firms' supervisory boards on the likelihood that firms adopt a corporate governance code provision that recommends the disclosure of individualised remuneration arrangements of top management team members. My theoretical perspective suggests that depending on the influence of labour representatives in the boardroom, labour influence and individualised top management team remuneration disclosure may be viewed as either complements or substitutes in firms' internal corporate governance structure. The results provide support for my theory and show that there exists an inverted U-shaped effect of the level of labour influence on the supervisory board on the likelihood that firms thoroughly reform their top management remuneration disclosure practices.
EFFECT OF PROBLEM VARIATION ON GROUP PROBLEM-SOLVING EFFICIENCY UNDER CONSTRAINED COMMUNICATION

Two experiments were conducted, using the common target game with three-man groups. Members could not communicate with each other and received feedback only on group, not individual performance. In Exp. I, the 18 groups that moved from one version of the problem to the next after only a single trial (moving target) achieved a solution system significantly more quickly than did the 19 groups that worked on each verson of the problem until they solved it before moving to a new version (fixed target). Exp. II, using a random arrangement of targets rather than the systematic arrangement of Exp. 1, replicated the results, on 7 and 9 groups, respectively. It is concluded that factors responsible for the superiority of moving target presentation are: (1) encouragement of a set to shift, (2) avoidance of a handicapping “response-hypothesis” orientation, and (3) emphasis on developing a system rather than solving a particular problem.
Challenges facing antimalarial therapy in Africa.

In Africa south of the Sahara, malaria remains the most prevalent disease with which individuals and health care systems must contend. The enormity of the impact of malaria on the quality of life and survival and on the socioeconomic development of African nations has created an urgent need for effective and sustainable control strategies [1,2]. To date, malaria control programs have evolved as an amalgam of existing practices, with considerable variations in application in different regions and countries. Experience reveals, however, that many malaria control practices are based on an epidemiologic understanding of malaria in Africa that is incomplete and certainly changing. South of the Sahara, Plasmodium falciparum, the most malignant of the four human malarias, constitutes 9096-95 96 of all malaria transmitted. The transmission of P. falciparum parasites is highly variable in these areas. Studies conducted in the 1980s in both East and West Africa have documented settings in which human populations are exposed to 200-300 infective mosquito bites annually, the most intense risk of infection ever documented [3,4]. Yet, while there are vast areas of Africa where P. falciparum transmission is intense and perennial, a substantial proportion of Africans live in settings where transmission risk is much lower and seasonally circumscribed. The encroachment of the Sahara has transformed extensive areas from regions of intense transmission to areas with transmission only in association with short and often unpredictable rainfall. Historically, malaria has been mainly a rural health problem in Africa, but larger urban areas are now increasingly plagued by malarial transmission [5]. A recent analysis illustrates the striking trend toward urbanization by African populations. By the year 2020, almost 5096 of the projected 1.1 billion Africans will live in urban areas [6]. Urban dwellers previously not at risk of malaria will have to contend with the full range of health consequences of P. falciparum infection.
Are We on the Same Page? Determinants of School Board Member Understanding of Group Accountability Perceptions

This article connects the accountability and small group dynamics literature by testing several hypotheses related to the link between perceived dynamics on American school boards and board member agreement on accountability perceptions. The authors conclude that board members who view their boards as productive, low-conflict, and active, are more likely to be in agreement with their fellow members’ perceptions of accountability. The results are of use to scholars seeking to understand the relationships between small group dynamics, accountability, and performance on governing boards.
Effect of atorvastatin on hyperlipoidemia rabbit's pulmonary vascular structure and pulmonary atery smooth muscle proliferation and muscularization

Objective To explore the effect of atorvastatin on hyperlipoidemia rabbit's pulmonary vascular structure and pulmonary atery smooth muscle proliferation and muscularization.Methods Hyperlipoidemia rabbits model were established,then intervented with atorvastatin,and 14 weeks later,the pulmonary vascular structure changes were observed with optical microscope,α-smooth muscle-actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) measured by histochemistry or HE stain.Results Hyperlipoidemia group showed apparente pulmonary vascular remodeling; media thickness,muscularization of small pulmonary vessels and pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation index were obviously decreased in atorvastatin group compared with hyperlipoidemia group.Conclusion Atorvastatin can inhabit hyperlipoidemia rabbit's pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation and muscularization,improving pulmonary vascular remodeling.
Fight for Your Right to Fruit: Psychosocial Outcomes of a Manga Comic Promoting Fruit Consumption in Middle-School Youth.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to a manga comic (Japanese comic art) with messages promoting fruit consumption influenced psychosocial variables associated with increased fruit intake in middle-school youth. A three-group, randomized, single-session study was conducted in two public middle schools in central North Carolina. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (a) comic (manga comic promoting fruit consumption, (b) newsletter (newsletter about fruit), or (c) attention-control (newsletter about ancient Greece). Participants included N = 263 youth, with a mean age of 13.18 years (SD = 1.12). Outcome expectations, self-efficacy, and knowledge related to fruit intake were measured at baseline and immediately after reading. Secondary outcomes included transportation (degree to which participants are immersed in their media) and enjoyment, measured at posttest. Data were analyzed using regression analyses. Comic group participants tended to have greate...
The effect of nicotine on in vitro sperm motion characteristics.

Men who are habitual smokers tend to have poor semen quality. We studied the effect of nicotine on sperm motility in vitro. Spermatozoa from 13 normal fertile nonsmoking donors, washed free of seminal plasma, were treated with medium alone (control); and, 10 mM, 5 mM, 1 mM and 0.1 mM nicotine (concentrations estimated to approximate residual concentrations of nicotine in the testes of heavy smokers). Computerized sperm motion analysis (CASA) was done at 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after incubation. Sperm motility, beat/cross frequency, linearity and maximum anterior lateral head displacement (ALH max.) were significantly decreased across nominal dosages (P < 0.001 by repeated measures analysis of variance). Of the concentrations tested, 0.1 mM had no effect; 1 mM significantly decreased sperm motility (P = 0.003) and linearity (P = 0.02); 5 mM decreased the beat frequency (P = 0.001) and linearity (0.02); and 10 mM markedly decreased motility (P = 0.0001), beat frequency (P = 0.0002), linearity (P = 0.02) and ALH max. (P = 0.02). The interactions between dose and time were insignificant. Nicotine at concentrations of ⩾1 mM significantly decreased sperm motion characteristics after different periods of incubation, whereas 0.1 mM concentration had the least effect.
Approximate Solution for Optimal Control of Continuous-Time Switched Systems

Two approximate solutions for optimal control of switched systems with autonomous subsystems and continuous-time dynamics are developed. The proposed solutions consist of online training algorithms with recursive least squares training laws. The first solution is the classic policy iteration algorithm which imposes heavy computational burden (full back-up). In order to relax the computational burden in the policy iteration algorithm, the second algorithm is presented. The convergence of the proposed algorithms to the optimal solution in online training is investigated. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the discussed algorithms.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Programming with Alice

This introductory workshop, designed for instructors with minimal to no prior experience with Alice, offers hands-on experience programming with Alice. Alice is a powerful program visualization tool enabling students to "see" objects and work with object-oriented programming. Participants will learn how to use Alice to build virtual worlds and how to use this approach in introductory-level computing courses (introductory programming for majors, programming for non-majors, computer literacy, etc.) at the college or highschool level.
A perspective on AKT 25-plus years after its discovery

Since its discovery more than 25 years ago, the kinase AKT has become a central figure in cell signaling. We highlight some of the landmark findings in those 25 years that contributed to our understanding of the regulation and function of AKT in directing cellular processes and behavior. Future progress toward fully understanding the roles of AKT in cell, tissue, and organismal biology will depend on technological innovations and the combination of in-depth reductionist analyses with systems-based strategies.
Bouffant vs Skull Cap and Impact on Surgical Site Infection: Does Operating Room Headwear Really Matter?

Background The American College of Surgeons guidelines indicate that skull caps are acceptable, and the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses recommends bouffant caps. However, no scientific evidence has shown a significant advantage in surgical site infection (SSI) reduction with either cap. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of surgical cap choice on SSIs. Study Design Data from a previously published prospective randomized trial on the impact of hair clipping on SSIs were analyzed. Patients were grouped by the attending surgeons' preferred cap choice into either bouffant or skull cap groups. Results Overall, 1,543 patients were included in the trial. Attending surgeons wore bouffant caps in 39% and skull caps in 61% of cases. Prevalence of diabetes and tobacco use were similar between the groups. Bouffant caps were used in 71% of colon/intestinal cases, 42% of hernia/other cases, 40% of biliary cases, and only 1% of foregut cases. Overall, SSIs occurred in 8% and 5% of cases with a bouffant and skull cap, respectively (p = 0.016); with 6% vs 4% classified as superficial (p = 0.041), 0.8% vs 0.2% classified as deep (p = 0.12), and 1% vs 0.9% classified as organ space (p = 0.79); however, when adjusting for the type of operation, no significant differences in SSI rates were observed for skull caps vs bouffant caps. Conclusions Attending surgeon preference for bouffant vs skull cap does not significantly impact SSI rates after accounting for surgical procedure type. Future guidelines should consider these clinical outcomes data and surgeon preference should dictate operating room headwear.
Closure of a Post-Transplant Bronchial Dehiscence With Endobronchial Fibrin Sealant.

Airway complications after lung transplantation are well described and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment options for anastomotic dehiscence include expectant management, placement of endobronchial stents, or surgical repair. The use of fibrin sealant instilled by bronchoscopy to seal a dehiscence has not been well described. Our patient is a 57-year-old man who underwent orthotropic bilateral lung transplantation for end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was found to have a partial bronchial anastomosis dehiscence and was subsequently treated with endobronchial fibrin sealant glue instillation. This case illustrates the successful use of endobronchial fibrin sealant for bronchial anastomosis dehiscence.
Mysid shrimp dynamics in relation to abiotic and biotic factors in the coastal lagoons of Maryland, Mid-West Atlantic, USA

ABSTRACTThe distribution and densities of two mysid species, Neomysis americana and Americamysis bahia in the coastal lagoons of Maryland were investigated using data collected monthly from March 2012 to December 2013. Mysid density was higher in the northern than southern bays in 2013 for Americamysis (P = 0.043) and Neomysis (P = 0.004). Neomysis americana density was inversely correlated with temperature (P < 0.00001) and salinity (P < 0.01), but positively correlated with water depth in 2012 (P < 0.01). In the spring, total mysid and Neomysis densities (nos. m−2 ± S.E) were negatively related to the catch-per-unit effort (CPUE ± S.E) of fish predators (r = −0.40, −0.81; P = 0.051, 0.002, respectively). Mysid density was higher in winter (March, 1.3 ± 0.8 and spring, May, 1.4 ± 1.3) 2012, when the CPUE of bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) was relatively low (April: 5.8 ± 2.3; and May: 11.9 ± 4.5, 2012), than during summer (August, 0.003 ± 0.002 nos. m−2), when fish CPUE was relatively high (191.7 ± 66.5)....
Genetic approaches to the study of the regulation and actions of vasopressin.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes two animal models with hereditary diabetes insipidus (D.I.): (1) rats with hereditary hypothalamic D.I. and (2) mice with hereditary nephrogenic D.I. These two models have been useful in investigating major problems in renal and endocrine function and disease. The chapter discusses how these two models helped to elucidate questions in three major areas: (1) the production of neurohypophysial hormones and their carrier proteins, the neurophysins, (2) salt and water balance in some disease states, and (3) the cellular mode of action of vasopressin. Considerable evidence favoring the one neuron-one hormone hypothesis has been obtained in D.I. rats that cannot produce vasopressin but can produce oxytocin. At both light- and electron-microscopic levels, the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of these rats reveal two populations of neurons: one containing neurosecretory material and the other not. These findings have been supported by immunohistological studies in D.I. rats that show one group of perikarya reacting with antibody to neurophysin and another group of perikarya that does not. Furthermore, the presence of many reactive and nonreactive cells in both the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei strongly suggests that oxytocin and vasopressin are produced in both magnocellular nuclei. The growth of D.I. rats is retarded when compared to normal rats or to heterozygotes of the Brattleboro strain that produce an intermediate amount of vasopressin. The deficient growth can be largely corrected by exogenous growth hormone that does not influence the high rate of fluid turnover.
Determinants of Interorganizational Relationships: The Case of a Canadian Nonprofit Sport Organization

Interorganizational relationships have become increasingly important for sport organizations. The purpose of this study was to explore the determinants and conditions of partnership formation in a group of collaborating nonprofit, public, and private organizations. A conceptual framework that includes the determinants of legitimacy, stability, necessity, asymmetry, reciprocity, and efficiency were used. Conditions including interdependence and presence of an interpersonal network were also explored. This research employed qualitative methods to examine partners’ reasons for developing interorganizational relationships in a sport context. For the collaborating organizations, the determinants of legitimacy, stability, reciprocity, and efficiency prevailed as important motives for relationship formation. These findings help to refine and apply contemporary theory to sport management and can be used to help manage interorganizational relationships.