cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping Can Benefit from Segregation Distortion

Segregation distortion is a phenomenon that has been observed in many experimental systems. How segregation distortion among markers arises and its impact on mapping studies are the focus of this work. Segregation distortion of markers can be considered to arise from segregation distortion loci (SDL). I develop a theory of segregation distortion and show that the presence of only a few SDL can cause the entire chromosome to distort from Mendelian segregation. Segregation distortion is detrimental to the power of detecting quantitative trait loci (QTL) with dominance effects, but it is not always a detriment to QTL mapping for additive effects. When segregation distortion of a locus is a random event, the SDL is beneficial to QTL mapping ∼44% of the time. If SDL are present and ignored, power loss can be substantial. A dense marker map can be used to ameliorate the situation, and if dense marker information is incorporated, power loss is minimal. However, other situations are less benign. A method that can simultaneously map QTL and SDL is discussed, maximizing both use of mapping resources and use by agricultural and evolutionary biologists.
Environmental controls on food web regimes: A fluvial perspective

Abstract Because food web regimes control the biomass of primary producers (e.g., plants or algae), intermediate consumers (e.g., invertebrates), and large top predators (tuna, killer whales), they are of societal as well as academic interest. Some controls over food web regimes may be internal, but many are mediated by conditions or fluxes over large spatial scales. To understand locally observed changes in food webs, we must learn more about how environmental gradients and boundaries affect the fluxes of energy, materials, or organisms through landscapes or seascapes that influence local species interactions. Marine biologists and oceanographers have overcome formidable challenges of fieldwork on the high seas to make remarkable progress towards this goal. In river drainage networks, we have opportunities to address similar questions at smaller spatial scales, in ecosystems with clear physical structure and organization. Despite these advantages, we still have much to learn about linkages between fluxes from watershed landscapes and local food webs in river networks. Longitudinal (downstream) gradients in productivity, disturbance regimes, and habitat structure exert strong effects on the organisms and energy sources of river food webs, but their effects on species interactions are just beginning to be explored. In fluid ecosystems with less obvious physical structure, like the open ocean, discerning features that control the movement of organisms and affect food web dynamics is even more challenging. In both habitats, new sensing, tracing and mapping technologies have revealed how landscape or seascape features (e.g., watershed divides, ocean fronts or circulation cells) channel, contain or concentrate organisms, energy and materials. Field experiments and direct in situ observations of basic natural history, however, remain as vital as ever in interpreting the responses of biota to these features. We need field data that quantify the many spatial and temporal scales of functional relationships that link environments, fluxes and food web interactions to understand how they will respond to intensifying anthropogenic forcing over the coming decades.
Reflections on Education and Learning in Occupational Therapy for the 21st Century

(2002). Reflections on Education and Learning in Occupational Therapy for the 21st Century. Occupational Therapy In Health Care: Vol. 15, No. 1-2, pp. 209-213.
Seasonal Variations of Snow Depth on Mars

Using topography collected over one martian year from the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter on the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft, we have measured temporal changes in the elevation of the martian surface that correlate with the seasonal cycle of carbon dioxide exchange between the surface and atmosphere. The greatest elevation change (1.5 to 2 meters) occurs at high latitudes ( above 80 degrees ), whereas the bulk of the mass exchange occurs at lower latitudes (below 75 degrees N and below 73 degrees S). An unexpected period of sublimation was observed during northern hemisphere autumn, coincident with dust storms in the southern hemisphere. Analysis of MGS Doppler tracking residuals revealed temporal variations in the flattening of Mars that correlate with elevation changes. The combined changes in gravity and elevation constrain the average density of seasonally deposited carbon dioxide to be 910 +/- 230 kilograms per cubic meter, which is considerably denser than terrestrial snow.
Ranking-based business information processing: applications to business solutions and eCommerce systems

Extracting crucial information in high volume business data efficiently are critical for enterprises to make timely business decisions and adapt accordingly. This paper proposes a novel ranking-based system that applies knowledge models and utility functions. In a case study for monitoring and analyzing automotive failures in aftermarket services, we shed a light on our ranking mechanism that combines objective business metrics and "subjective" domain knowledge. Our experiments using real-world data demonstrate that our methodology is capable of capturing macro view about business performance issues from a small but important fraction of information.
Measuring Voice in Poetry Written by Second Language Learners

There is increasing usage of creative writing in the ESL/EFL classroom based on the argument that this pedagogy develops writer’s voice, emotional engagement, and ownership. Within the context of t...
Free-Rider Problems in the Production of Collective Goods

There has been a persistent tendency to identify what is called “the freerider problem” in the production of collective (or public) goods with the prisoner's dilemma. However, in this article I want to challenge that identification by presenting an analysis of what are in fact a variety of collective action problems in the production of collective goods. My strategy is not to consult any intuitions about what the free-rider problem is; rather I will be looking at the problematic game-theoretic structures of various situations associated with the production of different types of collective goods, thereby showing what sorts of difficulties a community concerned with their voluntary production would face. I call all of these dilemmas free-rider problems because in all of them certain individuals find it rational to take advantage of others' willingness to contribute to the good in a way that threatens its production. Some readers may feel that the term ‘free-rider problem’ is so identified with the prisoner's dilemma that my extension of the term in this way “jars”; if so, I invite them to coin another word for the larger phenomenon. My aim is not to engage in linguistic analysis but to attempt at least a partial analysis of the complicated structure of collective good production.
Western Blot Analysis of the Antibody Response of Patients with AIDS and Toxoplasma Encephalitis: Antigenic Diversity Among Toxoplasma Strains

We used immunoblotting to ascertain if toxoplasma encephalitis in disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could be diagnosed by the appearance of characteristic antibodies recognizing specific Toxoplasma antigens. The profile of antibodies to Toxoplasma was examined in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid from patients with chronic and acute toxoplasmosis with or without HIV infection. Many Toxoplasma antigens were recognized by all sera; the majority were presumably surface proteins, as determined by 125I labeling. All sera recognized antigens at 38, 35, 28, and 26 kilodaltons. No specific antibody or pattern of antibodies distinguished between groups of patients. A 120-kilodalton antigen recognized by sera from Atlanta was not, however, seen in most sera from New York. Study of the recognition of the antigens of different strains of Toxoplasma gondii (RH, C56, T100) by the same human sera demonstrated strain-specific antigenic differences. These strain variations may account for the antibody diversity among the patients studied.
Motion Planning With Dynamics by a Synergistic Combination of Layers of Planning

To efficiently solve challenges related to motion-planning problems with dynamics, this paper proposes treating motion planning not just as a search problem in a continuous space but as a search problem in a hybrid space consisting of discrete and continuous components. A multilayered framework is presented which combines discrete search and sampling-based motion planning. This framework is called synergistic combination of layers of planning ( SyCLoP) hereafter. Discrete search uses a workspace decomposition to compute leads, i.e., sequences of regions in the neighborhood that guide sampling-based motion planning during the state-space exploration. In return, information gathered by motion planning, such as progress made, is fed back to the discrete search. This combination allows SyCLoP to identify new directions to lead the exploration toward the goal, making it possible to efficiently find solutions, even when other planners get stuck. Simulation experiments with dynamical models of ground and flying vehicles demonstrate that the combination of discrete search and motion planning in SyCLoP offers significant advantages. In fact, speedups of up to two orders of magnitude were obtained for all the sampling-based motion planners used as the continuous layer of SyCLoP.
On robustness bounds in linear control system design

A recent technique developed by L.R. Pujara (1989) is examined and illustrated by two somewhat realistic design examples. More precisely, a nominal model of a plant with some uncertain parameters with their possible ranges of variation is discussed. A control system is designed to stabilize the nominal model, and then the stability robustness of the the closed-loop system is examined using this technique. >
Linear spatial stability of pipe Poiseuille flow

A theoretical study of the spatial stability of Poiseuille flow in a rigid pipe to infinitesimal disturbances is presented. Both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric disturbances are considered. The coupled, linear, ordinary differential equations governing the propagation of a disturbance that has a constant frequency and is imposed at a specified location in the fluid are solved numerically for the complex eigenvalues, or wavenumbers, each of which defines a mode of propagation. A series solution for small values of the pipe radius is derived and step-by-step integration to the pipe wall is then performed. In order to ascertain the number of eigenvalues within a closed region, an eigenvalue search technique is used. Results are obtained for Reynolds numbers up to 10000. For these Reynolds numbers it is found that the pipe Poiseuille flow is spatially stable to all infinitesimal disturbances.
MicroRNA-146a in autoimmunity and innate immune responses

MicroRNA (miRNA) are approximately 22 nucleotide single-stranded RNA that regulate the stability of target messenger RNA by selective binding to specific sites at the 3′-untranslated regions (UTR). This triggers repression in translation and mRNA degradation. It has been estimated that approximately 60% of all mRNA are under the control of miRNA. Among the known hundreds of miRNA, some are considered master regulators controlling either a single or multiple cellular pathways. Some miRNA are known to affect development and cell differentiation, while others are implicated in immunity and autoimmune diseases. A very interesting example is miR-146a, which has been reported to be downregulated in systemic lupus erythematosus and upregulated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Several groups have recently focused their attention on miRNA in the pathogenesis of RA. Interestingly, the expression of miR-146a is upregulated in different cell types and tissues in RA patients. miRNA in RA could also be considered as possible future targets for new therapeutic approaches. This discussion will focus on the current understanding in the function of miR-146a in endotoxin tolerance and cross-tolerance, and how it may contribute to modulate the overproduction of known pathogenic cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor α.
Factors associated with patient satisfaction with chiropractic care: survey and review of the literature.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to review the recent literature on satisfaction with chiropractic care and offer a multivariate analysis of a national household survey data to understand which aspects of care and behavior contribute most to patient satisfaction with chiropractors. Methods A national phone survey of households was done to measure attitudes, utilization, and health practices of chiropractic users and nonusers. A 73% response rate was achieved. Satisfaction with chiropractic services is analyzed using both descriptive and multivariate methods. Results Satisfaction levels with chiropractic care are quite high (83% of persons are satisfied or very satisfied). High satisfaction is related to several factors, including whether the chiropractor orders and interprets laboratory tests, whether the chiropractor displays concern about patient's overall health, and the extent to which the chiropractor explains the condition and the treatment. Conclusions The evidence about the factors that underlie high levels of chiropractic satisfaction is not consistent. Communication quality seems to be a consistent predictor of patient satisfaction with chiropractors. More research is needed to understand the role of perceived effectiveness of treatment, intensity of use, accessibility, and financing issues in determining patient satisfaction levels.
Toward General Rules for the Design of Battery Electrodes Based on Titanium Oxides and Free of Conductive Additives

The functionality of several titanium oxides as active materials in electrodes free of any conductive additive was evaluated and rationalized. Correlations were established between the phase transformation during lithiation and both utilization and durability. Ramsdellite-type Li2Ti3O7 was found to perform well, enabled by the small, isotropic volume change that accompanies lithium intercalation. In contrast, the anatase and rutile polymorphs of TiO2 suffered losses, to different extents. Rutile could be fully lithiated, which resulted in a significant reduction of crystallinity. Changes in the voltage profile suggest that an amorphous fraction existed that was mainly responsible for a very stable activity upon subsequent cycling. In contrast, anatase electrodes could not be fully lithiated, probably due to kinetic limitations imposed by the transformation, and underwent severe decay upon cycling. Both utilization and stability could be improved to some extent by mixing this phase with Li4Ti5O12, which could provide a mechanically stable scaffold during operation. Our work identifies rules and suggests pathways for the design of high-energy-density electrodes based on these phases through the elimination of additives such as high-surface-area carbons.
Magnetic resonance imaging of childhood Guillain-Barre syndrome.

To describe the spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in children with Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) and to investigate the correlation with the clinical/laboratory findings. Clinical/laboratory findings of 40 children (mean age 5.7 years; range, 3 months–15 years) who had a final diagnosis of GBS were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical severity was graded according to Hughes classification. Electromyogram and cerebrospinal fluid analysis of the patients were recorded. All patients had a contrast-enhanced spinal MRI. The contrast enhancement pattern was determined, and the diameters of anterior and posterior spinal nerve roots were measured. The clinical/laboratory findings were correlated with the MRI findings. Twenty-eight patients had an electromyogram examination, and 25 of them revealed findings consistent with GBS. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis of 37 out of 40 patients showed albumino-cytologic dissociation. All but two patients had thickening and contrast enhancement of the nerve roots and cauda equina on spinal MRI. The most common MRI finding was enhancement of both the anterior and the posterior nerve roots of cauda equina which was prominent anteriorly. The mean anteroposterior diameter of the anterior nerve roots was 2.19 mm (range, 1.38–3.30 mm) and the posterior nerve root was 1.80 mm (range, 1.07–2.97 mm). Spinal MRI is a reliable imaging method for the diagnosis of GBS as it was positive in 38 of 40 patients. The severity on MRI does not correlate with severity of the clinical condition. MRI can be used as a supplementary diagnostic modality to clinical and laboratory findings of GBS.
Conservative treatment reduced pain and was as effective as sutures in hand lacerations.

Question: In patients with short lacerations of the hand, is conservative treatment as effective as suturing to close wounds? Design: Randomized (allocation concealed), blinded (primary outcome only), controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up. Setting: The emergency department of a university hospital in San Francisco, California, United States. Patients: 95 patients (mean age, 39 years; 54% men) who had hand lacerations distal to the volar wrist crease. Exclusion criteria were lacerations that were >2 cm long; presentation >8 hours after the injury; inability …
An Analysis Of Factors Impacting The Value-Relevance Of SFAS No. 107 Fair Value Disclosures

This study examines the impact of hypothesized factors on the value-relevance of SFAS No. 107 fair value disclosures. These factors include firm size, the relative magnitude of the difference between the fair value and the historical cost measurements for each financial instrument, firm financial condition, and the quality of a firm’s financial statement audit. A pooled valuation model is employed on the sample of 867 firm years for banks and bank holding companies during the period of 1996 and 1997. The results indicate that the SFAS No. 107 fair value disclosures for investment securities, net loans, and long-term debt are value-relevant in explaining the market value of common equity for the sample banks. With respect to the hypothesized factors, firm size was found to have a statistically significant impact on the value-relevance of the disclosures for net loans and long-term debt. Additionally, the relative magnitude of the difference between the fair value and historical cost had a statistically significant effect on the value-relevance of the disclosure for investment securities and long-term debt. Finally, firm financial condition and the quality of a firm’s audit were found to have a statistically significant impact on the fair value disclosure for net loans. The results of this study are descriptive of the behavior of financial statement users with respect to these fair value disclosures. The implications of this study’s findings are useful for both accounting standard-setters and preparers of financial statements. Taken together, these findings suggest that the market does not respond to the SFAS No. 107 fair value disclosures at their face value alone or without considering their context. Specifically, it appears to look to other factors that may impact the relevance and/or reliability of these disclosures.
Time Varying Risk Aversion, Familiarity Bias, and Portfolio Concentration During Market Uncertainty

It is well established that international portfolios are far substantially under-diversified, contrary to predictions of traditional finance theory. Even after controlling for market segmentation and “investability” of foreign markets, portfolio under-diversification remains a puzzle. I study global portfolio under-diversification during periods of varying market uncertainty. My empirical hypotheses are based on a psychological theory that relates uncertainty in the markets to increases in investors’ risk aversion which in turn increases investors’ proneness to familiarity bias. I hypothesize that during heightened market uncertainty, investors become more under-diversified and focus their holdings in familiar markets. I indeed show that in addition to “flight to quality” there exists a strong “flight to familiarity” effect, when global volatility is high. The average home bias and country concentration of investors’ foreign holdings are of 8-10% larger during periods of heightened market uncertainty. In addition, familiarity variables that affect portfolio allocation, such as common language, culture, and geographical distance become more significant drivers of equity allocation.
Influence of DNA on volatile generation from Maillard reaction of cysteine and ribose.

A number of studies utilizing various analytical techniques in recent years have revealed some very important aroma compounds imparting meat flavor perception (Mottram and Madruga, 1994; Hofmann and Schieberle, 1995; MacLeod, 1986). Out of more than 1000 volatiles identified from cooked meats, a few have been characterized as meaty flavor impact compounds. In general, thiol-substituted furans and thiophenes and related disulfides possess strong meat-like and/or roast aromas with low odor threshold values. For instances, 2-methyl-3-furanthiol and its disulfide bis-(2-methyl-3-furyl)- disulfide were identified as major contributors to the meaty aroma of cooked beef, chicken, and pork (Gasser and Grosch, 1988; Gasser and Grosch, 1990) while 2-furfurylthiol was identified as a contributor to roasty and coffee-like notes (MacLeod, 1998).
Moral dimensions of human–wildlife conflict

Despite increasing support for conservation globally, controversy over specific conservation policies persists among diverse stakeholders. Investigating the links between morals in relation to conservation can help increase understanding about why humans support or oppose policy, especially related to human-wildlife conflict or human conflict over wildlife. Yet the moral dimension of human-wildlife conflict has mostly gone unconsidered and unmeasured; thus, policy and programmatic efforts to reduce controversy may be missing a key part of the equation. We conducted a web-based survey (n = 1239 respondents) in Michigan (U.S.A.) to investigate cognitive and emotional influences on the value-behavior relationship. Respondents were identified by their interest and involvement in Michigan wolf management. The survey consisted of questions about values, emotions, cognitions, and behaviors relative to wolves in Michigan. We used path analysis to explore whether emotions and cognitions mediated the relationship between value and behavior. Most respondents attributed intrinsic value to wolves (n = 734) and all life (n = 773) and engaged in behaviors that benefited wolf populations and ecosystems regardless of stakeholder group (e.g., environmentalist, farmer). Attributing intrinsic value to wolves was positively related to favorable emotions toward wolves and cognitive assessments that hunting and trapping of wolves is unacceptable. Despite similarities in attribution of intrinsic value, groups differed in emotions and cognitions about wolf hunting. These differences provide a useful way to predict stakeholder behavior. Our findings may inform interventions aimed at increasing support for wolf management policies and positive interactions among stakeholders and wildlife. Leveraging agreement over intrinsic value may foster cooperation among stakeholders and garner support for controversial conservation policy.
A Trustee's View: Inside the Campus

(1949). A Trustee's View: Inside the Campus. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 20, No. 8, pp. 438-439.
An inhibitor of trypsin-like activity in rat liver.

SummaryInhibitors of lysosomal and tryptic hydrolysis of benzoyl-dl-arginine-β-naphthylamide (BANA) were shown to be present in the microsomal and 100,000g supernatant fractions of rat liver homogenates. The 100,000g soluble inhibitor was shown to be: (1) capable of inhibiting tryptic digestion of casein and BANA; (2) insoluble at pH 4.0 but soluble at neutral or basic pH values; (3) nondialyzable; and (4) heat-stable. The inhibitor was maximally active at pH 7.4 and above during lysosomal hydrolysis of BANA.
THE EVOLUTION OF PHENOTYPIC VARIANCE WITH ITEROPARITY.

Modele d'evolution de la variance phenotypique en fonction d'un environnement temporellement variable, effet de la survie parentale et de leur reproduction plus d'une fois dans le cycle evolutif
Marriage and Women's Health in Japan

In this study, we evaluate alternative hypotheses about the potentially harmful or beneficial effects of marriage on women's health and examine the factors underlying observed relationships between marriage and health. Using data from the Japanese Panel Survey of Consumers, an annual survey of a nationally representative sample of Japanese women (N = 1,610), our study advances current scholarship on marriage and health by focusing on a context characterized by a high degree of gender inequality. Results from models employing different approaches to the potential role of health-related selection into marriage consistently indicate that marriage is associated with better mental and physical health and that the lower levels of employment among married women play an important role in explaining this relationship. Our findings highlight the importance of considering how the specific pathways linking marriage and health may vary across societies with different gender and institutional contexts.
APPLYING THE LESSONS: IDEALS VERSUS REALITIES OF HAPPINESS FROM MEDIEVAL ISLAM TO THE “FOUNDING FATHERS”

The idea of happiness and its pursuit have been taken up by thinkers in many times and places. This article examines the role of happiness as a concept and goal in medieval Islamic thought and, especially, in the work of Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad al-Ghazālī and Abū Naṣr al-Fārābī. In examining Ghazālī's and Fārābī's perspectives on happiness, the article looks at the influence of Plato and Aristotle on these medieval Islamic thinkers and puts Islamic thought on happiness in conversation with the views of the American founders.
Analysis on 531.3 Epidemic Feature and Prevention Effect of Malaria in 1995～2007 in Huaiyuan County

Objective To understand factors and features of the malaria's prevalence and reemerging in Huaiyuan County in recent years so as to provide a scientific basis for evaluation of the prevention effect and formulating appropriate measures of prevention and control.Method Related data were collected and analyzed.Field survey of the sampled cases was conducted.Longitudinal monitoring of malaria vectors and vector prevention of population were made.Results In the period from 1995 to 1999,incidence of malaria in Huaiyuan County was under 2/100000.Reemerging of malaria occurred in 2000.The incidence reached the highest with a incidence of 189.54/100000.Then the incidence decreased year by year.Incidence decreased 74.04% compared with that in 2003.From 2000 to 2007,number of livestock was decreased by 33.62% annually.The average month temperature was 16.61~18.78 ℃.The average annual rainfall was 706.16 mm.From May to October,the average relative humidity was 71.43%.Only 26.21% person had mosquito nets.The utilization rate of mosquito nets was 38.98%.Timely rate of anti-malarial treatment was only 2.97%.The recurrence rate was only 2.61%.The average density of mosquitoes was 0.42 mosquitoes per net,with an average biting rate of 0.26 mosquitoes for one person every night.During the midnight,the average density of human bait in the mosquito net was 3.49 mosquitoes per hour.Average biting rate was 5.52 mosquitoes for each person.There was no significant difference of insecticide resistance for Cyfluthrin and deltamethrin between experimental group and control group.Prevalence season prolonged from 6~9 months to 9~11 months.Conclusion Causes of malaria reemerging included prolonged season,biological barrier breakdown,poor prevention,low timely diagnosis and treatment rates etc.Comprehensive measures,especially controlling infectious sources,proved successful to rollback malaria reemerging.
On-line boiler chemical cleaning technology

Comparing with routine chemical cleaning,on-line boiler chemical cleaning has many advantages such as descaling effect is better,safety and environmental protection,excellent economy and so on.This article summarized the principles,selection of cleaning agents,the main points of implement,cleaning monitoring and evaluation of cleaning effect.Practical application showed that the online boiler chemical cleaning technology has application value.
Pharmacological inhibition of NOX4 ameliorates alcohol-induced liver injury in mice through improving oxidative stress and mitochondrial function.

Abstract Background: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), however effective pharmacological treatment for oxidative injury is still lacking. The objective of this study was to determine whether inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity could reverse alcohol-induced liver injury via protecting mitochondrial functions. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were pair-fed with Lieber-DeCarli control or ethanol diet for four week with or without administration with 30 mg/kg/d GKT137831, a NOX4 inhibitor for the last two weeks. H4IIEC3 cells were transfected with scrambled or NOX4 shRNA. Cells were then treated with 200 mM ethanol for 48 h. Results: Alcohol exposure induced NOX4 expression in the liver and mitochondrial fraction. GKT137831 partially reversed alcohol-induced liver injury and elevation of serum H2O2. The levels of mitochondrial ROS, mitochondrial DNA, respiratory chain complex IV, and hepatic ATP were partially reversed by GKT137831 after alcohol exposure. Furthermore GKT137831 ameliorated alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and increased HNF-4α and β-oxidation enzymes. GKT137831 also decreased alcohol-induced apoptosis coupled with decreased insertion of Bax into mitochondria and decreased activation of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved PARP. Mechanistic study shows that ethanol induced expression of NOX4 in H4IIEC3 cells. Knockdown of NOX4 caused an increased mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased mitochondrial superoxide levels, reduced number of apoptotic cells, decreased lipid accumulation, and improved ATP levels and NAD +/NADH ratio after ethanol treatment. Conclusion: Pharmacological inhibition of NOX4 activity protects against alcohol-induced fat accumulation and activation of intrinsic apoptosis via improving mitochondrial function. General significance: Pharmacological inhibition of NOX4 could be a promising treatment for ALD.
Low cost phased array radar for applications in engineering education

Hands-on instruction in engineering education is beneficial to the development of a workforce that understands the complexity of building radar systems. Unfortunately, building phased array systems tends to be too costly to allow student access to the hardware necessary for developing these skills. This paper presents a low cost phased array based on a time-domain multiplexed, multiple-input, multiple-output (TDM-MIMO) approach that has been built for education. This array has been utilized in several free courses held at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology during the Independent Activity Period (IAP) between semesters. Students have built, tested, and taken home a number of these radars and continue to operate these on their own, either for recreation or as part of their undergraduate research activities.
VIDS: visual interpretation for device simulations

Visualization is an increasingly important aspect of device design to interpret simulation and empirical data; effective visualization tools can accelerate the design process. VIDS is a set of interactive tools for 2D and 3D device models, 2D process models, lithography data, 2D and 3D interconnect analysis, and empirical STM scans. VIDS features and several examples are presented. >
Modifying MCTS for human-like general video game playing

We address the problem of making general video game playing agents play in a human-like manner. To this end, we introduce several modifications of the UCT formula used in Monte Carlo Tree Search that biases action selection towards repeating the current action, making pauses, and limiting rapid switching between actions. Playtraces of human players are used to model their propensity for repeated actions; this model is used for biasing the UCT formula. Experiments show that our modified MCTS agent, called BoT, plays quantitatively similar to human players as measured by the distribution of repeated actions. A survey of human observers reveals that the agent exhibits human-like playing style in some games but not others.
Examining the Dose–Response Relationship in the Veterans Health Administration’s MOVE! ® Weight Management Program: A Nationwide Observational Study

For more than a decade, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has offered MOVE!, a comprehensive lifestyle intervention for weight management. However, there is limited knowledge to inform resource allocation decisions at the health system level—for example, the choice between reaching new veterans with weight management treatment, re-engaging veterans who have stopped attending, and/or increasing contact with current MOVE! participants. To inform VHA policy and planning, this VHA-wide study examines the relationship between MOVE! participation and weight outcomes. A longitudinal observational study of veterans across VHA who participated in MOVE!. Veterans who initiated their most recent episode of MOVE! care between 2004 and 2014. Weight measurements were abstracted from VHA electronic health records. The primary outcome was the proportion of veterans with clinically relevant weight loss. The predictor of interest was number of MOVE! contacts during the 12 months following MOVE! initiation. The cohort consisted of 237,577 veterans (87.4% male; mean age 54.4 years), who had 5.3 contacts on average in the 12 months following initiation. Veterans with 2–5 contacts had the same odds of achieving clinically relevant weight loss as veterans with only one contact (adjusted OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98–1.03). Veterans with 6–9, 10–13, 14–17, and 18 or more contacts had significantly higher odds of clinically relevant weight loss (adjusted OR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.13–1.20; adjusted OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.47–1.59; adjusted OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.74–1.94; adjusted OR: 2.21, 95% CI: 2.12–2.31, respectively). Veterans with ≥6 MOVE! contacts in the year following treatment initiation were significantly more likely to achieve clinically relevant weight loss than those with one contact, with greater participation further increasing the odds of clinically relevant weight loss. While further characterization of weight loss predictors is needed, the VHA should provide policy guidance that supports increasing participation among veterans who have initiated MOVE!.
Examining the effects of learner-learner interactions on satisfaction and learning in an online undergraduate course

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of learner-learner interactions on students' perceived learning, achievement, and satisfaction in an online undergraduate course. A quasi-experimental research design was conducted with 77 students registered into an online course. Two sections of the course were randomly assigned to control and treatment conditions. While students in the control group completed course assignments individually, students in the treatment group completed the assignments in small groups. The results of the study revealed that learner-learner interaction has a significant effect on students' achievement in an online course. Students working collaboratively achieved significantly higher than those working individually. Furthermore, students perceptions of online collaboration increased after being involved in online group activities. Learner-learner interaction does not impact student satisfaction in an online course.Interaction among learners significantly impacts student achievement in an online course.Peer contribution in group activities and students' satisfaction in an online course are significantly correlated.Students perceptions of online collaboration improved after being involved in online group activities.
ADDENDUM: MEASUREMENT OF HUMAN VARIATION: A TWO-STAGE MODEL

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the two-stage model which is an add-on measurement of human variations. Measurement of human variation is an indispensable part of biological and behavioral research, both theoretical and applied. It is the main source of data in the studies of cognitive and affective development, in behavior genetics, and in other fields of psychology that seek to explain individual behavior. It is also the basis for selecting, counseling, instructing, and evaluating individuals when a case-by-case approach is taken to personnel decisions and behavioral interventions of all kinds, whether in industry or business, education or in clinical practice. In the measurement of human characteristics, the only tenable assumption is that the relationship of the data to attributes of the organism is statistical rather than deterministic. The outcome of the measurement operation necessarily reflects this short-run random variation in addition to the systematic individual differences that the measurement procedure aims at estimating.
Automatic SRAF printing detection based on contour extraction

Sub-Resolution Assist Feature (SRAF) printing detection is critical during SRAF model building. Currently, SRAF printing detection on silicon wafer is mainly through human judgement on CDSEM images, which is inefficient and error prone. Therefore, a robust automatic SRAF printing classification mechanism is essential to improve detection accuracy and efficiency. This paper presents a method of classifying SRAF printing based on a database-independent contour extraction algorithm. By size calculation on extracted contour SRAF feature printing classification can be made automatically. This flow has been demonstrated to be able to correctly classify SRAF printing with consistent performance thus avoid the subjectivity and inconsistency in human judgement.
Masquelet technique: The effect of altering implant material and topography on membrane matrix composition, mechanical and barrier properties in a rat defect model

Abstract The Masquelet technique is a surgical procedure to regenerate segmental bone defects. The two-phase treatment relies on the production of a vascularized foreign-body membrane to support bone grafts over three times larger than the traditional maximum. Historically, the procedure has always utilized a bone cement spacer to evoke membrane production. However, membrane formation can easily be effected by implant surface properties such as material and topology. This study sought to determine if the membrane’s mechanical or barrier properties are affected by changing the spacer material to titanium or roughening the surface finish. Ten-week-old, male Sprague Dawley rats were given an externally stabilized, 6 mm femur defect which was filled with a pre-made spacer of bone cement (PMMA) or titanium (TI) with a smooth (∼1 μm) or roughened (∼8 μm) finish. After 4 weeks of implantation, the membranes were harvested, and the matrix composition, tensile mechanics, shrinkage, and barrier function was assessed. Roughening the spacers resulted in significantly more compliant membranes. TI spacers created membranes that inhibited solute transport more. There were no differences between groups in collagen or elastin distribution. This suggests that different membrane characteristics can be created by altering the spacer surface properties. Surgeons may unknowingly effecting membrane formation via bone cement preparation techniques.
Single cell oil (SCO) production by Fusarium species using cheese whey as a substrate

In this study single cell oil (SCO) production by Fusarium species using deproteinized whey as carbon source was investigated. The total lipid accumulated in the biomass of the fungi examined ranged from 0.1467 to 0.8661 mg lipid per mg wet weight. Gas chromatography analysis of the synthesized microbial lipids from the Fusarium species revealed that the major constituents were palmitic acid (C16:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:1), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2). Therefore, the whey medium was found to be effective for promotion of the accumulation of substantial amounts of lipids by Fusarium species.
Long-term survival after traumatic brain injury: A population-based analysis

This population-based retrospective cohort study identified all Olmsted County, MN residents with any diagnosis indicative of potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the years 1985 to 2000. The complete community-based medical records of a random sample (n =7 ,175) were reviewed to confirm and characterize the event, and to determine vital status through 2002. The review identified 1,448 confirmed incident cases; 164 (11%) were moderate to severe; 1,284 were mild. The estimated 30-day case fatality rate was 29% for moderate to severe cases and 0.2% for mild cases. Comparison of observed mortality over the full period of follow-up with that expected revealed a risk ratio (95% CI) of 5.29 (4.11-6.71) for moderate to severe cases and 1.33 (1.05-1.65) for mild cases. Proportional hazards modeling showed the adjusted hazard of all-cause mortality for moderate to severe cases relative to mild cases was 5.18 (3.65-7.3) within six months of the event and 1.04 (0.57-1.88) for the remaining follow-up period. This analysis indicates that persons who experience mild TBI exhibit a small but statistically significant reduction in long-term survival compared to the general population. The case fatality rate for persons with moderate to severe TBI is very high, but among six-month survivors, long-term survival is similar to that for persons with mild TBI.
Tuning Lewis Acidity of Metal–Organic Frameworks via Perfluorination of Bridging Ligands: Spectroscopic, Theoretical, and Catalytic Studies

The Lewis acidity of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has attracted much research interest in recent years. We report here the development of two quantitative methods for determining the Lewis acidity of MOFs—based on electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of MOF-bound superoxide (O2•–) and fluorescence spectroscopy of MOF-bound N-methylacridone (NMA)—and a simple strategy that significantly enhances MOF Lewis acidity through ligand perfluorination. Two new perfluorinated MOFs, Zr6-fBDC and Zr6-fBPDC, where H2fBDC is 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and H2fBPDC is 2,2′,3,3′,5,5′,6,6′-octafluoro-4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, were shown to be significantly more Lewis acidic than nonsubstituted UiO-66 and UiO-67 as well as the nitrated MOFs Zr6-BDC-NO2 and Zr6-BPDC-(NO2)2. Zr6-fBDC was shown to be a highly active single-site solid Lewis acid catalyst for Diels–Alder and arene C–H iodination reactions. Thus, this work establishes the important role of ligand perfluorination in enh...
Bilateral inferior vena cava in a patient with lymphoma - clinical anatomy and embryology

The development of the inferior vena cava (IVC) includes contributions from diverse embryonic venous precursors and involves major cross connections and left-to-right shunting. This complex process is vulnerable to errors. However, congenital malformations of the IVC are reported to be rare. Most of these malformations are accidental findings in chest and abdomen imaging. Anomalies of the IVC are compatible with life but are of major clinical importance. This paper describes a case of bilateral IVC in a male cadaver observed by dissection. The common iliac veins were found to continue superiorly as the IVC and fused together slightly cranial to the level of the origin of the superior mesenteric artery from the aorta. The left IVC received the left gonadal vein and, slightly superior to its union with the renal vein, it received the left suprarenal vein. It fused side-to-side with the left renal vein, crossed to the right side anterior to the aorta and fused with the right IVC to form the common IVC. The embryology and clinical relevance of this anomalous IVC are discussed. Currently there is little emphasis on the clinical implications of IVC anomalies in medical school anatomy and embryology teaching. The most widely used textbooks dismiss vena cava malformations with the indication “they are not common”. A lack of knowledge of possible vascular malformations might result in a misinterpretation of the radiologic images of anomalous veins, leading to surgical errors such as bleeding during retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Anatomy and embryology textbooks need to incorporate the findings that have emerged recently and are summarized here.
The World of Psychological and Symbolic Complexity: The Expressionist Style

The films that display oppositional stylistic tendencies to the dominant neorealism are examined under a general label of “expressionist style.” Instead of striving to present an external social reality, expressionist films explore the fundamentals of human nature and the abstract philosophical issues confronting the characters onscreen. Although the number of such Chinese expressionist films is limited, these films excel at their sophisticated narrative strategies, many of which reflect a certain modernist sensibility. Several notable films, including In the Heat of the Sun (1994), Lunar Eclipse (1999), Postman (1995), Read Beads (1993), and Rainclouds Over Wushan (1996), are analyzed to discuss the narrative highlights of expressionist style—the treatment of reality, psychological focus, and a fixation on the symbolic.
Genetic analyses of growth, real-time ultrasound, carcass, and pork quality traits in Duroc and Landrace pigs: I. Breed effects.

Knowledge of breed effects on carcass and pork quality traits is required to develop commercial crossbreeding programs that emphasize product quality. A 2 x 2 diallel mating system involving Landrace and Duroc pigs was used to estimate individual heterosis, direct breed effects and reciprocal cross differences for post-weaning growth, real-time ultrasound, carcass, and pork quality traits. Data from 5,649 pigs and 960 carcasses representing 65 and 49 sires, respectively, were analyzed assuming animal models. Duroc-sired pigs had 2.1 cm shorter carcasses with 7.3 mm less 10th rib backfat (BF), 4.4 cm2 larger longissimus muscle area (LMA), yielded 2.1 kg more estimated fat standardized lean (FSL), gained 16.5 g more estimated lean per day of age (LDOA), and had 1.0% less water (PWAT) and 1.9% more intramuscular fat (IMF) in the longissimus muscle than did Landrace-sired pigs (P less than .01), adjusted to an off-farm live weight of 111 kg. Reciprocal cross differences were detected for BF, LMA, FSL, LDOA and for subjective marbling, firmness, and muscling scores (P less than .01). Durocsired F1 barrows had 6.3 mm less BF and 5.9 cm2 larger LMA, yielded 3.2 kg more FSL, gained 22.3 g more LDOA, and had less marbling in the longissimus muscle and heavier ham muscling than reciprocal cross barrows. Heterosis estimates (P less than .05) were 27.6 g/d (3.2%) for ADG, -5.8 d (-3.6%) for off-test age, 2.7 cm (3.4%) for carcass length, 1.5 kg (7.2%) for FSL, 14.7 g (5.7%) for LDOA, -.07 (-3.6%) for muscle color, -.5% (-13.2%) for IMF, and .3% (.3%) for PWAT. Breed effects were not detected (P greater than .10) for muscle pH, cooking loss, shear value, and water-holding capacity or for eating quality traits. Reciprocal cross differences suggest an advantage in using the Duroc as a terminal sire, but improved carcass composition and higher intramuscular fat did not seem to affect eating quality traits.