cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technical Note---Factors Influencing the Selection of Preference Model Form for Continuous Utility Functions in Conjoint Analysis

In conjoint analysis, a consumer's utility function for a continuous attribute is usually estimated using a part worth function. However, one may also use continuous functions. The purpose of the paper is to investigate through simulation the combined influence of the number of degrees of freedom, the nature of the “true” utility function and the amount of error in the data on the selection of a utility function. The focus is on functions that are known or expected to be monotone within the range of attribute levels of interest. One can then choose among linear, quadratic and part worth functions. The results show a that estimation procedures with monotonicity constraints should be used, and b that it is best to use quadratic or part worth functions rather than linear functions to minimize potential losses in predictive validity.
Oral Treatment of Rodents With Fipronil for Feed-Through and Systemic Control of Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli is the vector of Leishmania major (Yakimoff & Schokhor), which is maintained in populations of burrowing rodents. The purpose of this study was to conduct a laboratory study to determine the efficacy of oral treatment of rodents with fipronil for control of sand flies that feed on rodent feces as larvae or on rodent blood as adults. We determined through larval bioassays that fipronil was eliminated in feces of orally-treated hamsters at a level that was significantly toxic to sand fly larvae for 21 d after the hamsters had been withdrawn from a fipronil-treated diet. Through bloodfeeding bioassays, we also found that fipronil was present in the peripheral blood of hamsters at a concentration that was significantly toxic to bloodfeeding adult female sand flies for 49 d after the hamsters had been withdrawn from their treated diet. The results of this study suggest that fipronil acts as well as or better than feed-through or systemic insecticides that previously have been measured against sand flies, and is particularly promising because this single compound acts against both larvae and bloodfeeding adults. An area-wide approach using rodent baits containing a fipronil could suppress vector populations that originate in the vicinity of rodent reservoirs, and could be used to eliminate the most epidemiologically important part of the vector population: female sand flies that take bloodmeals on rodent reservoirs.
Students Teach Students with the West Point Bridge Designer

This is a continuing series of quarterly articles on lessons learned and best practices in civil engineering education. The intent of the series is to reinforce good practices, describe new or developing practices, and provide a forum for what works well and what does not. It is hoped that this series will be an important quarterly read for all civil engineering educators and all those interested in what’s going on in civil engineering education today. Writers and topics will vary from issue to issue. Contact the column editor, Steve Ressler, if you wish to contribute to an upcoming issue.
Serial Cohabitation and the Marital Life Course

Using cohort data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, this paper tracks the experiences of serial cohabitors. Results indicate that only a minority of cohabiting women (about 15% – 20%) were involved in multiple cohabitations. Serial cohabitations were overrepresented among economically disadvantaged groups, especially those with low income and education. They also were less likely than single-instance cohabiting unions to end in marriage rather than dissolve. If serial cohabitors married, divorce rates were very high — more than twice as high as for women who cohabited only with their eventual husbands. The results suggest the need to balance the government’s current preoccupation with marriage promotion with greater support of “at risk” unions that marriage promotion initiatives have helped create.
Continuous In Vitro Evolution of Ribozymes That Operate Under Conditions of Extreme pH

Continuous in vitro evolution methods were used to study the behavior of an evolving population of RNA ligase ribozymes in response to selection pressures involving conditions of extreme pH. The starting population consisted of randomized variants of a ribozyme that had been optimized for activity at pH 8.5. The ribozymes were subjected to repeated rounds of selective amplification under progressively more acidic or more alkaline conditions. The two final evolved populations of ribozymes were able to operate at either pH 5.8 or pH 9.8, respectively. Representative individuals from the two final populations were isolated and characterized. The low-pH ribozyme exhibited a 10-fold increase in catalytic rate at pH 5.8 compared to the starting molecule. The high-pH ribozyme retained its structural integrity and activity at pH 9.8, whereas the starting molecule was denatured under this condition. These findings demonstrate that a population of functional macromolecules can adapt to stringent environmental conditions through the acquisition of relatively few mutations. The results establish continuous in vitro evolution as a useful model system for exploring the evolution of enzymatic function in extreme environments.
Reductive cleavage of the disulfide bonds of the collagen IV noncollagenous domain in aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate: absence of intermolecular nondisulfide cross-links.

Abstract The subunits of the collagen IV hexameric, noncollagenous NC1 domain obtained from bovine aorta, glomerular basement membrane, alveolar basement membrane and placental basement membrane are predominantly dimers. A large fraction of the dimers had been thought to be linked by nondisulfide bonds because they were resistant to cleavage by 5% (v/v) 2-mercaptoethanol, 2% (w/v) SDS, at 100°C. However, if an unusually high concentration of 2-mercaptoethanol, e.g., 40% (v/v), is used, complete conversion of dimers into monomers is achieved, indicating the lack of intersubunit nondisulfide cross-links. Electrophoresis patterns indicate that some of the intermolecular disulfide bonds of the dimers are more resistant to reduction in aqueous SDS than are some of the intramolecular disulfide bonds.
On the structure of polyamidoamine dendrimer monolayers

Abstract Monolayers of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers (generations 3.5 through 10) are prepared via electrostatic self-assembling from water solutions. Their thickness, morphology and mechanical stability are studied by scanning probe microscopy (SPM). A conformational state of dendritic macromolecules is discussed and compared to polymer scaling in the solution and recent molecular dynamics simulation results. The proposed model of molecular ordering assumes highly deformed (compressed along the surface normal) ellipsoidal shape for macromolecules in condensed monolayers. The molecular dimensions (thickness) versus molecular mass dependence is described by a scaling law with the exponent α = 0.28 being in-between values typical for dendrimer solutions and for a globular state.
Hmong Diaspora of the Post-War Period:

The fear of retaliation, retribution and persecution, combined with alleged forcible re-education by the post-war socialist government of Laos have forced half of the 300,000 Hmong of Laos to flee the country since the Secret War ended in 1975. The majority of these Hmong refugees were resettled in the United States. By 2003 they had established a Hmong American community comparable in size with the current Hmong community in Laos. The rest of these Hmong refugees settled in Australia, Argentina, Canada, Germany, France and French Guyana. Their post-war diasporic experience includes forced dispersion to at least two foreign countries, struggling to maintain a collective memory of their homeland, and maintaining a Hmong ethnic consciousness. Some have experienced difficult relationships with host societies, while others have adapted better, and learned to develop a more tolerant attitude toward diversity. Additionally, a small group of the Hmong in the West continues to support the resistance movement in Laos, where Hmong ethnic oppression is still said to exist. This paper is an attempt to explore the Hmong Diaspora in the Post-Secret War Period. It focuses on two communities in 2003: the Hmong in Laos and Hmong Americans
Propositions, Truth and Belief: The Wittgenstein-Russell Dispute

: Russell's 1913 manuscript Theory of Knowledge was not published until 1984. He supposedly abandoned the main part of the manuscript, while publishing the first six chapters as articles in The Monist, due to Wittgenstein's criticisms of his “multiple relation” analysis of belief. There have been numerous unsuccessful and erroneous attempts to interpret the manuscript, including those of D. Pears and G. Landini. The paper explores the Russell-Wittgenstein “controversy” and shows the radical way Russell altered his earlier versions of his analysis of belief and the connections the changes had to his new, and very important, analyses of relational order, of truth as correspondence, and of propositions. Russell's analysis of relational order reveals the first recognition by a correspondence theorist of a fundamental problem the correspondence theory faces as well as a long overlooked and unappreciated application Russell made of his theory of definite descriptions.
Abundance and survival of a seed-infesting weevil, Pseudanthonomus hamamelidis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), on its variable-fruiting host plant, witch-hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana )

The relative importance of seed abundance and of mortality factors in the population biology of Pseudanthonomus hamamelidis, a host- specific predispersal seed predator on Hamamelis virginiana, is evaluated by analysis of weevil life tables and abundance estimates in three years with markedly different magnitudes of fruit production. 2. Fruit production of marked Humamelis individuals averaged 3361n-~ in 1978, increased three- to four-fold in 1979, and declined again in 1980. More individuals fruited in 1979 than in the other two years. 3. The early larval stage of P.hamamelidis incurred the greatest mortality, with 42-58% dying from often undeterminable causes. Losses in the egg stage ranged from 22% to 31%. Three parasitoid species each accounted for minor mortality. Generation survival was similar in d three years, ranging from 21% to 28%. 4. The percentage of Hamamelis fruit crops infested by Rhamamelidis was high in 1978, averaging 76%, but was much lower in 1979, the year of abundant fruit. In 1980, when fruit were less abundant again, infestation was nearly com- plete. Egg densities on fruits were lower in 1979 than in the other two years. 5. The fluctuating fruit crops of Hamamelis are responsible for limitation of P.hamamelidis numbers during poor fruiting years. The occasional highly pro- ductive fruiting year results in satiation of weevil populations and concomitant seed escape by Hamamelis. Mortality factors appear less important in influencing weevil population dynamics.
RECQ1 interacts with FEN-1 and promotes binding of FEN-1 to telomeric chromatin.

RecQ helicases are a family of highly conserved proteins that maintain genomic stability through their important roles in replication restart mechanisms. Cellular phenotypes of RECQ1 deficiency are indicative of aberrant repair of stalled replication forks, but the molecular functions of RECQ1, the most abundant of the five known human RecQ homologues, have remained poorly understood. We show that RECQ1 associates with FEN-1 (flap endonuclease-1) in nuclear extracts and exhibits direct protein interaction in vitro . Recombinant RECQ1 significantly stimulated FEN-1 endonucleolytic cleavage of 5′-flap DNA substrates containing non-telomeric or telomeric repeat sequence. RECQ1 and FEN-1 were constitutively present at telomeres and their binding to the telomeric chromatin was enhanced following DNA damage. Telomere residence of FEN-1 was dependent on RECQ1 since depletion of RECQ1 reduced FEN-1 binding to telomeres in unperturbed cycling cells. Our results confirm a conserved collaboration of human RecQ helicases with FEN-1 and suggest both overlapping and specialized roles of RECQ1 in the processing of DNA structure intermediates proposed to arise during replication, repair and recombination. Abbreviations: BER, base excision repair; EXO-1, exonuclease-1; FEN-1, flap endonuclease-1; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; γH2AX, phospho-histone H2AX; HU, hydroxyurea; IP, immunoprecipitation; KD, knockdown; MMS, methyl methanesulfonate; PCNA, proliferating-cell nuclear antigen; qPCR, quantitative PCR; RPA, replication protein A; TCEP, tris-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine; TRF2, telomere repeat factor 2
Drawing-to-Learn: A Framework for Using Drawings to Promote Model-Based Reasoning in Biology

The drawing of visual representations is important for learners and scientists alike, such as the drawing of models to enable visual model-based reasoning. Yet few biology instructors recognize drawing as a teachable science process skill, as reflected by its absence in the Vision and Change report’s Modeling and Simulation core competency. Further, the diffuse research on drawing can be difficult to access, synthesize, and apply to classroom practice. We have created a framework of drawing-to-learn that defines drawing, categorizes the reasons for using drawing in the biology classroom, and outlines a number of interventions that can help instructors create an environment conducive to student drawing in general and visual model-based reasoning in particular. The suggested interventions are organized to address elements of affect, visual literacy, and visual model-based reasoning, with specific examples cited for each. Further, a Blooming tool for drawing exercises is provided, as are suggestions to help instructors address possible barriers to implementing and assessing drawing-to-learn in the classroom. Overall, the goal of the framework is to increase the visibility of drawing as a skill in biology and to promote the research and implementation of best practices.
Approximating optimal place sensor selection for structural observability in discrete event systems modeled by Petri Nets

In this paper, we study place sensor selection problems in discrete event systems modeled by Petri nets with outputs (i.e., Petri nets with transition and place sensors). Our goal is to place a minimal number of sensors so as to maintain the property of structural observability, i.e., the ability to uniquely determine the system state based on sensor information (and knowledge of the system model and initial state). The place sensor selection problem has been shown to be NP-complete and this paper proposes two efficient algorithms to approximate its solution. Simulations suggest that the two methods run faster and can find reasonably good solutions compared to methods that are based on linear integer programming solvers.
Island biogeographic theory and conservation practice: Species-area or specious-area relationships?

Abstract We present statistical techniques to evaluate species-area regressions and models of faunal and floral collapse and apply these techniques to several recent examples from the literature. The application of these models to the design of nature reserves is unwarranted. These models have low explanatory power; they typically explain only half the variation in species number. Their parameter estimates are sensitive to particular cases. Consequently, estimates from these models range over several orders of magnitude following the deletion of a single observation. Species-area and faunal collapse models give unreliable estimates; 95% prediction intervals and inverse prediction intervals routinely span two or more orders of magnitude. These models should be subordinate to autecological considerations in policy formulation.
In situ transient study of polymer film growth via simultaneous correlation of charge, mass, and ellipsometric measurements

Using three synchronized, in situ, nonintrusive, real-time characterization tech- niques to conduct transient observations, we revealed mechanistic details of a polymer film growth. A thin methylene green (MG) polymer coating (of the order of 35 nm) was used as a model system in this electrochemical microgravimetric imaging ellipsometry (EmIE) in- vestigation. The direct correlation of changes in mass (via quartz crystal microbalance, QCM), ellipsometric angles (via imaging ellipsometry) with electrochemical conditions (in cyclic voltammetry, CV) provides discrete temporal and spatial information to help us deci- pher the underlying steps, from which we were able to separate adsorption, reduction, oxi- dation, desorption, and polymerization regimes involved in the deposition process. The evi- dence revealed in this study could have broad impact on the general understanding regarding how a film is deposited onto a metal surface.
Resource allocation for multimedia traffic flows using rate variance envelopes

In order for networks to support the delay and loss requirements of interactive multimedia applications, resource management algorithms are needed that efficiently allocate network resources. In this paper, we introduce a new resource allocation scheme based on rate variance envelopes. Such envelopes capture a flow's burstiness properties and autocorrelation structure by characterizing the variance of its rate distribution over intervals of different length. From this traffic characterization, we develop a simple and efficient resource allocation algorithm for static priority schedulers by employing a Gaussian approximation over intervals and considering a maximal busy period. Our approach supports heterogeneous quality-of-service requirements via our consideration of prioritized service disciplines, and supports heterogeneous and bursty traffic flows via our general framework of traffic envelopes. To evaluate the scheme, we perform trace-driven simulation experiments with long traces of compressed video and show that our approach is accurate enough to capture most of the available statistical multiplexing gain, achieving average network utilizations of up to 90% for these traces and substantially outperforming alternate schemes.
A randomized trial comparing sevoflurane and propofol in children undergoing MRI scans

Summary Objectives: We compared three primary outcomes of pausing the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, emergence quality and respiratory complications. Aim: To measure and compare the quality between sevoflurane and propofol in children undergoing MRI scans. Background: No randomized controlled trial exists comparing the quality between sevoflurane and propofol for MRI. Methods/Materials: Two hundred unpremedicated children (18 months to 7 years) scheduled for brain MRI scans were recruited. After induction with sevoflurane, children were randomized to receive sevoflurane [general anesthesia with sevoflurane (GAS)] via laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or propofol [general anesthesia with propofol (GAP)] bolus and infusion for their scan. The three primary outcomes of pausing the MRI scan (P), agitation (A), and respiratory complications (R) were compared. Timeliness of care was also measured. Results: No MRI scan pauses were found in 92% and 80% in the GAS and GAP groups. The median and interquartile A scores were 3 (0, 7) in GAS and 0 (0, 4) in GAP groups respectively. There was no difference in respiratory complications between GAS and GAP (P = 0.62). The median and interquartile postanesthesia care unit (PACU) times were 25 (18, 34) for GAS and 31 (25, 44) for GAP (P = 0.0001). The median and interquartile total times were 78 (69, 90) for GAS and 88 (78, 100) for GAP (P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Our study compared the three primary outcomes of pausing, agitation, and respiratory complications between the two groups, and we found no difference in respiratory complications. However, the GAP group had more pausing and less agitation than the GAS group.
Flashing Inception in Flowing Liquids

The inception of net vaporization in flashing flows is examined. It is suggested that the flashing inception can be expressed as two additive effects. One is due to the static decompression which is a function of the initial temperature and also the expansion rate. The other effect which is a function of Reynolds number and flashing index, is due to the turbulent fluctuations of the flowing liquid. It is shown that by taking a three standard deviation band on the turbulent velocity fluctuations, an adequate representation of the inverse mass flux effect on flashing inception for existing data is obtained. The turbulence effects are combined with the correlation of Alamgir and Lienhard to provide predictive methods recommended for the case where both static and convective decompression effects exist.
Parent smoker role conflict and planning to quit smoking: a cross-sectional study

Background: Role conflict can motivate behavior change. No prior studies have explored the association between parent/smoker role conflict and readiness to quit. The objective of the study is to assess the association of a measure of parent/smoker role conflict with other parent and child characteristics and to test the hypothesis that parent/smoker role conflict is associated with a parent’s intention to quit smoking in the next 30 days. As part of a cluster randomized controlled trial to address parental smoking (Clinical Effort Against Secondhand Smoke Exposure— CEASE), research assistants completed exit interviews with 1980 parents whose children had been seen in 20 Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) practices and asked a novel identity-conflict question about “how strongly you agree or disagree” with the statement, “My being a smoker gets in the way of my being a parent.” Response choices were dichotomized as “Strongly Agree” or “Agree” versus “Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree” for the analysis. Parents were also asked whether they were “seriously planning to quit smoking in 30 days.” Chi-square and logistic regression were performed to assess the association between role conflict and other parent/children characteristics. A similar strategy was used to determine whether role conflict was independently associated with intention to quit in the next 30 days. Methods: As part of a RTC in 20 pediatric practices, exit interviews were held with smoking parents after their child’s exam. Parents who smoked were asked questions about smoking behavior, smoke-free home and car rules, and role conflict. Role conflict was assessed with the question, “Please tell me how strongly you agree or disagree with the statement: ‘My being a smoker gets in the way of my being a parent.’ (Answer choices were: “Strongly agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree.”) Results: Of 1980 eligible smokers identified, 1935 (97%) responded to the role-conflict question, and of those, 563 (29%) reported experiencing conflict. Factors that were significantly associated with parent/smoker role conflict in the multivariable model included: being non-Hispanic white, allowing home smoking, the child being seen that day for a sick visit, parents receiving any assistance for their smoking, and planning to quit in the next 30 days. In a separate multivariable logistic regression model, parent/smoker role conflict was independently associated with intention to quit in the next 30 days [AOR 2.25 (95% CI 1.80-2.18)]. Conclusion: This study demonstrated an association between parent/smoker role conflict and readiness to quit. Interventions that increase parent/smoker role conflict might act to increase readiness to quit among parents who smoke.
Rehearsal and recoding of information from visual sensory-memory.

Summary.-Consonant-vowel bigrams were presented in a modification of Sperling's (1960) partial-report procedure. Delay of recall and ability to rehearse were manipulated. The results showed that accuracy of recall was poorer with disrupted rehearsal and that errors in recall could be described in terms of the articulatory features of the consonants only when rehearsal was possible. The delay X rehearsal interacrion was not significant. The results indicate that the iconic image persists for at least 11 sec. and that its contents may be verbally recoded for rehearsal in short-term storage. When an array of letters is presented, errors made in the recall of this array often tend to be more closely related to the auditory than to the visual characceristics of the stimuli (Laughery & Harris, 1970; Hintzman, 1967; Conrad, 1964; Sperling, 1963). These characteristics can be specified in terms of a set of distinctive features (Gibson, 1969; Norman & Rumelhart, 1970). Some visual (graphemic) features are: verticality, diagonality, and curvature; some linguistic (articulatory-phonemic) features are: place of articulation, voicing, and nasality. Most speech sounds can be abstractly characterized by a small set of feature dimensions. For example, the phoneme /p/ is unvoiced and /b/ is voiced. In terms of the place of articulation dimension, /p/ is produced from the front of the mouth, whereas /k/ is produced much more from the back of the mouth. The psychological reality of phonemic distinctive features has been demonstrated in sntdies of speech perceprion (Miller & Nicely, 1955), reaction-times to speech sounds (McInish & Tikofsky, 1969), and paired-associate learning of trigrams (Jenkins, Foss, & Greenberg, 1968). When consonant-vowel (CV)
Validation of the Learning Machine

As Web-based courses become more prevalent, tools need to be created that go beyond electronic page turning. The tools should allow for easy development of Web-based interactive instruction. The Learning Machine is data-driven tutorial software that is based on behavioral education philosophy. Development and presentation use the same database, but separate scripts, so that changes to content do not require changes to the presentation script. This decoupling enables content providers to concentrate on course development. This paper validates the effectiveness of Learning Machine tutorials as compared with classroom lectures. The experiment conducted to validate the Learning Machine tutorials showed that the tutorials were at least as good as classroom lectures.
Schur Numbers, Geophysics and Inverse Scattering Problems

Schur numbers occur in one of the simplest mathematical models in geophysics, which is used by the petroleum industry to process seismic data. In this chapter we will give an introductory explanation of how Schur numbers naturally arise in certain layered medium models in geophysics. Then it is shown that computing the Schur numbers from the data (ao, ..., an−1) is equivalent to solving an inverse scattering problem.
National Identity, Crisis, and the Inaugural Genre: George W. Bush and 9/11

Presidential crisis research typically focuses on crises that are rhetorically constructed in order to justify a preexisting policy. However, the research makes a clear exception for that tendency in the case of military attacks. I argue that in such cases presidential crisis rhetoric is formally and functionally different because it must take into account the state of the audience. Bush’s speech after 9/11 is just such a case. In the speech, Bush carefully addresses the state of the audience by tapping into the elements of the inaugural as a means to restore national identity through American Exceptionalism.
Augmentation of cytokine-induced nitric oxide synthesis by hydrogen peroxide

The inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is induced upon stimulation of cells with cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Stimulation of rat pleural mesothelial cells with combinations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and LPS induced the synthesis of nitric oxide as measured by the oxidation products nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-). Addition of 25-50 microM H2O2 to the cytokines significantly augmented the synthesis of NO2- and NO3-. Stimulation with IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha plus H2O2 or IL-1 beta and LPS plus H2O2 increased the synthesis of NO2- and NO3- by 3.8- and 3.5-fold, respectively. These effects were inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and cycloheximide as well as by catalase. Immunoblotting demonstrated that H2O2 augmented cytokine-induced synthesis of iNOS protein. These effects were inhibited by certain antioxidants and metal chelators, suggesting that the hydroxyl radical may mediate the oxidant-induced effect. Northern blotting demonstrated that H2O2 greatly augmented steady-state levels of iNOS mRNA, suggesting that H2O2 acted in part at the transcriptional level.
A Brief History and Current Status of a Dental Therapy Initiative in the United States

Dear Dr. Alvares: As per your invitation, we are providing a brief review of the history of the current attempt to add a dental therapist to the dental team in the United States, as well as report on the status of the effort. In November 2000, Oral Health America sponsored a conference in Boca
Updated ILAE Review of Antiepileptic Drug Efficacy

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Subcommission on AED Guidelines reviewed the literature from July 2005 to March 2012 and combined results with previous analysis (2006) to provide a comprehensive update of level of AED efficacy as initial monotherapy with newly diagnosed or untreated epilepsy.
Swimming and Burrowing Activities of Mayfly Nymphs of the Genus Hexagenia

The fact has already been established by bottom fauna studies (Adamstone, 1924; Rawson, 1930; Neave, 1932) that lake dwelling species of Hexagenia are inhabitors of soft, organic muds of deeper-water areas contiguous to the shallower sandy or rocky littoral region. Although specimens may be found on a sandy bottom or on a bottom of fine sand and mud intermixed, by far the greater numbers occur on bottoms of a distinctly soft, muddy character. As no investigations have been made on the ability of Hexagenia to burrow in various kinds of bottom, and since the character of the bottom is considered by the writer to be of primary importance as a factor influencing distribution of these nymphs as found in Douglas Lake, Cheboygan County, Michigan, a series of experiments was conducted.
Quantum plasmonic sensing

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors can reach the quantum noise limit of the optical readout field in various configurations. We demonstrate that two-mode intensity squeezed states produce a further enhancement in sensitivity compared with a classical optical readout when the quantum noise is used to transduce an SPR sensor signal in the Kretschmann configuration. The quantum noise reduction between the twin beams when incident at an angle away from the plasmonic resonance, combined with quantum noise resulting from quantum anticorrelations when on resonance, results in an effective SPR-mediated modulation that yields a measured sensitivity 5 dB better than that with a classical optical readout in this configuration. Furthermore, the theoretical potential of this technique points to resolving particle concentrations with more accuracy than is possible via classical approaches to optical transduction.
Using Trial Equation Method To Solve New Exact Traveling Wave Solutions to Jaulent-Miodek Equation

Using trial equation method,we reduced Jaulent-Miodek equation to elementary integral form and obtained its exact traveling wave solutions.These solutions conclude some new solutions,such as elliptic function double periodic solutions and rational function solutions,they cannot be obtained by using other methods.
Population surveillance of mosquitoes in Zhejiang province in 2006

Objective To explore the regularity of population distribution and seasonal fluctuation of mosquito in Zhejiang province. Methods Light trap was applied as the unified method. Results Culex pipiens pallens was the dominant species in most areas of Zhejiang. July, August and September were the peak months for the activity of mosquito. Conclusion Culex pipiens pallens was the dominant species in most cities in Zhejiang province,except that in Ningbo and Lishui Culex triaeniorhynchus was the dominant species. Aedes albopictus was distributed across the most areas in the province. The surveillance suggested that mosquito population reduction was rather important for the control of mosquito-borne infectious diseases.
[Cystic nephroma and mixed epithelial stromal tumor of kidney: evolution of terminology, controversies, pathologic features and differential diagnosis].

近年提出的"肾上皮和间质肿瘤(renal epithelial andstromal tumor,REST)"包括了囊性肾瘤(cystic nephroma)以及肾混合性上皮和间质肿瘤(mixed epithelial and stromatlllnor,MEST).囊性肾瘤和MEST之间在性别优势、年龄分布、上皮与间质成分的形态学和免疫组织化学表现方面均相似,但又在上述两种肿瘤的各自范畴内有所变异。
Comparison of the Microbial Quality of Raw Shrimp from China, Ecuador, or Mexico at Both Wholesale and Retail Levels

Aerobic plate counts (APC), Listeria spp., and Vibrio spp. and antibiotic resistance patterns of Vibrio spp. were determined for imported shrimp from China, Ecuador, and Mexico obtained from wholesale/frozen and retail/previously frozen markets. Statistically significant differences in APC were observed among source countries and wholesale/frozen versus retail/previously frozen samples. Wholesale/frozen shrimp products were consistently excellent quality with respect to APC; higher contamination levels were observed in retail/previously frozen samples. Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes were isolated from 16.7 and 6.7% of shrimp samples, respectively. Vibrio spp. were present in 63.3% of the samples, more often isolated from shrimp from Mexico or China than Ecuador. The majority of isolates were identified as V. parahaemolyticus (36.7%), V. alginolyticus (26.7%), or V. vulniftcus (16.7%), and 53.7% were resistant to at least one antibiotic. These data reveal that important differences in microbial quality occur in raw shrimp products as a function of source and between retail and Wholesale products.
Comprehensive survey on intrusion detection on various hardware and software

The growth of digital technology have dramatically increased the security threats for computer networks over the last decade. Intrusion detection and prevention systems are designed to prevent and avoid any malicious attempts into the systems employing different types of hardware, software and classifiers. There are numerous studies developed to identify the virus attacks, protect the system from unauthorized access, abnormal activities, and strengthen the cyber security of the critical systems. With the increase in the security mechanisms and its technology, there is a great need for a structured and a broad overview of extensive research on intrusion detection systems to identify the different approaches, different solutions along with its strengths and weakness. In this paper, we will focus and describe the greatest contributions to effective Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to provide as a basis for future researchers the present challenges and issues in designing an intrusion detection system that could provide high performance, inherent learning capability and yet consume low power.
Quality of life and recreational cannabis use.

Introduction Cannabis is now the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States and use is increasing. Frequent cannabis use has been associated with adverse social and health effects. We sought to evaluate the relationship between recreational cannabis use and Quality of Life (QoL), a person-centered measure that characterizes the overall sense of health and wellbeing. We hypothesized that QoL would be unchanged or increased among recreational cannabis users, who did not meet criteria for a Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) and that QoL would be lower among those who met criteria for a CUD. Methods We conducted a systematic review, employing guidelines from Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The results were categorized into tables and identified trends. Results Fourteen studies met our pre-defined selection criteria. The studies were heterogeneous and their quality was low. With one exception, we did not identify any population for whom cannabis use was associated with improved QoL. QoL was lower in persons who used cannabis heavily, or who met criteria for CUD. However, this association was inconsistent and the magnitude was weaker than the relationship between QoL and use of other addictive substances (including tobacco and illicit drugs). Conclusion In this systematic review, heavy cannabis use or CUD was associated with reduced QoL. It is unknown whether reduced QoL drives cannabis use, or whether cannabis use can lead to reduced QoL. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the causal relationship between cannabis and QoL. Scientific Significance Furthering the understanding of the relationship between cannabis and QoL can inform public policy, prevention efforts, outcomes, and an objective understanding of the effects of cannabis users. (Am J Addict 2017;26:8–25)
Examining Flashing as a Potential Prey Lure in the ‘Disco’ Clam, Ctenoides ales

Abstract: The ‘disco’ clam Ctenoides ales (Finlay, 1927) is an Indo-Pacific bivalve with an unusual reflective flashing display. The function of the flashing is unknown. Ctenoides ales is a suspension-feeder, so experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the flashing acts as a lure for planktonic prey items that are phototactic. First, the reaction of C. ales to a plankton stimulus was analyzed. Exposure to a concentrated plankton mix was followed by a significant increase in flash rate (Hz) for 5s, after which the rate returned to pre-stimulus levels. Next, two experiments were conducted to determine if potential prey (mixed phototactic plankton species <500µm, which were collected from the bivalves' habitat) were attracted to a simulation of C. ales flashing. The first experiment tested whether there was higher phototactic plankton density inside artificial clams with flashing lights than inside artificial clams that had constant lights, or lights that were turned off, but there were no sign...
Design of Multivariable H∞-Based Steering Controllers for Vehicles with Modeled Time Delays

Abstract The lateral motion of a vehicle is controlled using a parameter-dependent controller. The primary objective of the designed controller is to keep the vehicle’s center of gravity close to the lane center. The measured outputs are the offset signal at a look-ahead point and the vehicle’s yaw rate. The control input is actuated by a motor installed on the steering rack. The system model exhibits a linear parametervarying behavior, the parameter being the longitudinal speed, with a fixed time delay in the actuator model and a longitudinal speed-dependent time delay in the offset sensor model. Based on H theory, controllers are designed for the infinite-dimensional linearized system models at selected operating conditions. Performances of the controllers are examined under various conditions via simulations, and robustness issues are discussed.
"What Hath Night to Do with Sleep?": The Caregiving Context and Dementia Caregivers' Nighttime Awakenings.

Objectives: Care provision for persons with dementia can be rewarding yet may disrupt caregiver’s sleep health. Using the National Health & Aging Trends Study and the National Study of Caregiving, ...
Abstract 3959: CCL18-recruited naïve CD4+T cells are converted to tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells in breast cancer and suppress antitumor immunity

Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a central role in tumor immunosuppression. However, it remains unclear whether they are directly recruited from peripheral blood or converted from infiltrating naive T cells. Here, full-length TCR α/β repertoire analysis of different T cell subsets from peripheral blood, primary tumors and draining lymph nodes in patents suggests that Tregs in human breast cancer are mainly converted from tumor-infiltrating naive CD4+ T cells. Infiltration of naive CD4+ T cells and Tregs are closely correlated, both indicating poor prognosis for breast cancer patients. Naive CD4+ T cells in the tumors are recruited by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) via CCL18. In addition, naive T cells and memory T cells exhibit distinctive chemotactic response due to different expression of regulator of G-protein signaling 1(RGS1). Specific silencing CCL18 receptor-PITPNM3 in naive CD4+ T cells using CD4 aptamer-siRNA blocks their chemotaxis, and thus reduces infiltrating Tregs and inhibits tumor progression in humanized mice. By comparison, silencing RGS1 in memory CD8+ T cells using CD8 aptamer-siRNA enhance their recruitment to tumors and anti-tumor immune response in vivo. These findings provide mechanistic insights for Treg enrichment in breast cancer and suggest that modification of the CCL18-PITPNM3-RGS1 signaling pathway may be an attractive strategy for anticancer immunotherapy. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Shicheng Su, Jianyou Liao, Jiang Liu, Qiang Liu, Erwei Song. CCL18-recruited naive CD4+ T cells are converted to tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells in breast cancer and suppress antitumor immunity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3959. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3959
Trends in Pathology Graduate Medical Education Programs and Positions, 2001 to 2017.

The US medical workforce is facing an impending physician shortage. This shortage holds special concern for pathologists, as many senior practitioners are set to retire in the coming years. Indeed,...
A Fully Characterized Test Suite for Genetic Programming

We present a family of related test problems for genetic programming. These test problems form a very simple test environment that nevertheless possesses some degree of algorithmic subtlety. We term this genetic programming environment plus-one-recall-store (PORS). This genetic programming environment has only a pair of terminals, 1 and recall, and a pair of operations, plus and store, together with a single memory location. We present an extensive mathematical characterization of the PORS environment and report experiments testing the benefits of incorporating expert knowledge into the initial population and into the operation of crossover. The experiments indicate that, in the test environment, expert knowledge is best incorporated only in the initial population. This is a welcome result as this is the computationally inexpensive choice of the two methods of incorporating expert knowledge tested.
Binding of the atomic cations hydrogen through argon to water and hydrogen sulfide

Water and hydrogen sulfide will bind with every atomic cation from the first three rows of the periodic table. While some atoms bind more tightly than others, explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory computations show that energy is required to be put into the system in order to dissociate these bonds even for noble gas atoms. The most promising systems have shallow entrance potential energy surfaces (PESs) that lie above deeper wells of a different spin. These wells are shown explicitly for H2OO+, H2SS+, and H2OS+ where relaxed PESs of the heavy atom bond lengths indicate that quartet states will cross more deeply-bound doublet states allowing for relatively easy association but much more difficult dissociation. In astrophysical regions that are cold and diffuse, such associations could lead to the formation of novel molecules utilizing water (or H2S) as the building blocks of more rich subsequent chemistry. Recent work has hypothesized that oxywater (H2OO) may be an intermediate in the formation of molecular oxygen in comets, and this work supports such a conclusion at least from a molecular cation perspective.
Cardiac Metastasis in a Patient with Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cardiac metastasis from a primary head and neck cancer is a rare finding. Most patients with cardiac metastases have nonspecific symptoms that may vary depending on the severity and location of the lesion. Due to the infrequency of reported cases, there are no clear guidelines for the diagnosis or management of cardiac metastasis in head and neck cancer patients. In this report, we discuss the case of a patient with a primary diagnosis of oral tongue cancer who developed a cardiac metastasis that was detected antemortem.
Guidance for Implementing Pediatric Procedural Sedation in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract Procedural sedation has become a routine pediatric practice in high-income countries with a goal to decrease procedural time and error rates while increasing patient, parent, and provider satisfaction. Unfortunately, procedural sedation is not commonly performed in resource-limited settings due to lack of training, provider availability, medication availability, monitoring and resuscitation equipment, and clinical practice guidelines specific for use in resource-limited settings. This article outlines the development of a pediatric sedation curriculum tailored specifically for use in low- and middle-income countries. This curriculum was piloted in Liberia for pediatric and surgical residents in 2016, and the challenges and next steps for broader implementation of such a curriculum are detailed here. Globally available pediatric procedural sedation is necessary to improve the health care and outcomes of children living in low- and middle-income countries.
Do no harm: how reintegration programmes for former child soldiers can cause unintended harm

Following participation in armed forces or armed groups, former child soldiers frequently need assistance that promotes their reintegration into families and communities. Although reintegration programmes for former child soldiers can have positive outcomes, they may also cause unintended negative consequences and violate the humanitarian imperative of ‘Do No Harm’. Aiming to bring ethical issues associated with reintegration programming out of the margins, this Chapter examines three broad categories of Do No Harm issues in regard to reintegration work: (1) discrimination, (2) imposition of outsider approaches, and (3) increase in child protection issues. Using examples from a variety of conflict settings, this Chapter examines unintended harms related to excessive targeting of former child soldiers for support; gender discrimination; stigma; violation of children’s participation rights; the marginalization of cultural understandings of mental health and psychosocial issues; the absence of measures for enabling the accountability of former child soldiers to local communities; raised expectations amidst short-term supports; labelling; re-recruitment; and the securitization of reintegration processes, with former child soldiers at times depicted as ‘terrorists’. This Chapter offers strategies for preventing or managing the harms.
Kū Kanaka: Stand Tall: A Conversation with Filmmaker Marlene Booth

In this short interview, filmmaker and educator Marlene Booth discusses her work on the documentary Kū Kanaka: Stand Tall about the life of Native Hawaiian activist Kanalu Young. She also discusses her friendship with Young as well as her own creative practice. Kū Kanaka: Stand Tall A Conversation with Filmmaker Marlene Booth by Raphael Raphael is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://rdsjournal.org. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.rds.hawaii.edu.