cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3-D floorplanning: simulated annealing and greedy placement methods for reconfigurable computing systems

Advances in programmable hardware have led to new architectures where the hardware can be dynamically adapted to the application to gain better performance. There are still many challenging problems to be solved before any practical general-purpose reconfigurable system is built. One fundamental problem is the placement of the modules on the reconfigurable functional unit (RFU). In reconfigurable systems, we are interested both in online placement, where the arrival time of tasks is determined at run time and is not known a priori, and in offline placement, in which the schedule is known at compile time. In the case of offline placement, we are willing to spend more time during compile time to find a compact floorplan for the RFU modules and utilize the RFU area more efficiently. In this paper, we present offline placement algorithms based on simulated annealing and greedy methods, and show the superiority of their placements over the ones generated by an online algorithm.
Group identity in social and cultural systems

The research in this paper analyzes the common characteristics shared between social organizations of varied type and how personal and group identity within these groups is derived from the identification with common contextual artifacts. This analysis is performed through survey questions concerning markers of cultural identity posed to the Armenian Diaspora, a relatively small, geographically disparate, cultural group. Due to geographic dispersion, this group serves as a useful representative for illustrating common artifacts as well as divergences in markers of personal identity. Social systems are composed of an agglomeration of groups of this type, cultural and social, that are central in the formation of personal identity within a larger societal context. Groups identify themselves through self-imposed artifacts or by artifacts imposed by virtue of their identification within a given social or cultural group. These markers of identity sometimes serve as a unifying principle within varied social structures, but often serve a different purpose, as a dividing principal within organizations as well as cultural groups. The conflict resulting from this type of interaction serves as an impediment to organizational efficiency. Integration in corporate structures and similarly interorganizational attempts to broker coexistence between cultural groups sharing common geography or other binding characteristics are commonly challenged by issues of object identity resulting in strife derived from identification of cultural artifacts.
Drosophila Goosecoid requires a conserved heptapeptide for repression of Paired-class homeoprotein activators

Goosecoid (Gsc) is a homeodomain protein expressed in the organizer region of vertebrate embryos. Its Drosophila homologue, D-Gsc, has been implicated in the formation of the Stomatogastric Nervous System. Although there are no apparent similarities between the phenotypes of mutations in the gsc gene in flies and mice, all known Gsc proteins can rescue dorsoanterior structures in ventralized Xenopus embryos. We describe how D-Gsc behaves as a transcriptional repressor in Drosophila cells, acting through specific palindromic HD binding sites (P3K). DGsc is a ‘passive repressor’ of activator homeoproteins binding to the same sites and an ‘active repressor’ of activators binding to distinct sites. In addition, D-Gsc is able to strongly repress transcription activated by Pairedclass homeoproteins through P3K, via specific proteinprotein interactions in what we define as ‘interactive repression’. This form of repression requires the short conserved GEH/eh-1 domain, also present in the Engrailed repressor. Although the GEH/eh-1 domain is necessary for rescue of UV-ventralized Xenopus embryos, it is dispensable for ectopic induction of Xlim-1 expression, demonstrating that this domain is not required for all Gsc functions in vivo. Interactive repression may represent specific interactions among Prd-class homeoproteins, several of which act early during development of invertebrate and vertebrate embryos. SUMMARY
The Development of Accommodation

We investigated the roles that blur, proximity and vergence cues play in the development of accommodation. Accommodative responses to targets incorporating one or more of these cues were measured for four adults and eight infants at 1.5 and 3 months of age using eccentric photorefraction. Adults showed accurate accommodation to blur cues, and variable accommodation with proximity cues alone. Some infants at both ages showed fixed accommodative responses to all stimulus conditions. Others responded consistently in the correct direction for pattern targets at different distances, but made poorer responses when blur was presented in conflict with distance. Binocular viewing improved the accommodative responses in only some infants.
Gametogenesis, Fertilization and Ookinete Differentiation of Leucocytozoon smithi

Abstract Development of Leucocytozoon smithi during gametogenesis, fertilization, and ookinete differentiation was studied by light and electron microscopy. Gametogenesis occurred rapidly, within 1–2 min after gametocytes were ingested by black flies. Usually one axoneme, but not infrequently two, was observed in microgametes. The macrogamete nucleus was characteristically elongated and fragmented, with a convoluted nuclear envelope. Fertilization occurred within five min after ingestion of gametocytes by the vector. The entire axoneme and nucleus of the microgamete entered the cytoplasm of the macrogamete. Zygote differentiation resembled sporozoite formation in that a thickened inner membrane and subpellicular microtubules developed beneath the plasmalemma, followed by cytoplasmic protrusion or evagination to form the anterior end. Extension of the inner thickened membrane continued as the zygote elongated. Development of sausage-shaped ookinetes was completed within 6–8 h after ingestion of a blood mea...
Advances in molecular imaging for breast cancer detection and characterization

Advances in our ability to assay molecular processes, including gene expression, protein expression, and molecular and cellular biochemistry, have fueled advances in our understanding of breast cancer biology and have led to the identification of new treatments for patients with breast cancer. The ability to measure biologic processes without perturbing them in vivo allows the opportunity to better characterize tumor biology and to assess how biologic and cytotoxic therapies alter critical pathways of tumor response and resistance. By accurately characterizing tumor properties and biologic processes, molecular imaging plays an increasing role in breast cancer science, clinical care in diagnosis and staging, assessment of therapeutic targets, and evaluation of responses to therapies. This review describes the current role and potential of molecular imaging modalities for detection and characterization of breast cancer and focuses primarily on radionuclide-based methods.
The Effects of Participation in High School Athletics and the National Honor Society on Future Earnings

The purpose of the present study is to determine the effects of two select types of high school extracurricular activities on future earnings: athletics and the National Honor Society. Utilizing data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth and a two-stage least squares estimation technique, the results of the present study indicate that high school athletes earn more in later years than honor society students. In fact, after controlling for academic achievement, honor society students earned no more in later years than non-honor society students. Finally, in examining the impact of participation in extra-curricular activities on future earnings, results of the present study suggest that participation in such activities increases earnings later in life.
Self-Enhancement: A Neglected Dimension of Self-Concept Theories

This study points out the two important dimensions of Self Theory -- maintenance and enhancement as the fundamental constructs of self-concept theories. It suggests that self-enhancement has been unduly neglected by the self-concept theorists in consumer research. Self-enhancement is insinuated as an additional construct of self-concept theories. This position has also been empirically demonstrated in the study.
Cost-effectiveness of HIV and syphilis antenatal screening: a modelling study

Objectives The WHO called for the elimination of maternal-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and syphilis, a harmonised approach for the improvement of health outcomes for mothers and children. Testing early in pregnancy, treating seropositive pregnant women and preventing syphilis reinfection can prevent MTCT of HIV and syphilis. We assessed the health and economic outcomes of a dual testing strategy in a simulated cohort of 100 000 antenatal care patients in Malawi. Methods We compared four screening algorithms: (1) HIV rapid test only, (2) dual HIV and syphilis rapid tests, (3) single rapid tests for HIV and syphilis and (4) HIV rapid and syphilis laboratory tests. We calculated the expected number of adverse pregnancy outcomes, the expected costs and the expected newborn disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for each screening algorithm. The estimated costs and DALYs for each screening algorithm were assessed from a societal perspective using Markov progression models. Additionally, we conducted a Monte Carlo multiway sensitivity analysis, allowing for ranges of inputs. Results Our cohort decision model predicted the lowest number of adverse pregnancy outcomes in the dual HIV and syphilis rapid test strategy. Additionally, from the societal perspective, the costs of prevention and care using a dual HIV and syphilis rapid testing strategy was both the least costly ($226.92 per pregnancy) and resulted in the fewest DALYs (116 639) per 100 000 pregnancies. In the Monte Carlo simulation the dual HIV and syphilis algorithm was always cost saving and almost always reduced DALYs compared with HIV testing alone. Conclusions The results of the cost-effectiveness analysis showed that a dual HIV and syphilis test was cost saving compared with all other screening strategies. Updating existing prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programmes in Malawi and similar countries to include dual rapid testing for HIV and syphilis is likely to be advantageous.
Diminished responsiveness of human platelets to platelet-activating factor during pregnancy.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF; PAF-acether) is a phospholipid that is synthesized and released by a number of inflammatory cells and is a potent inducer of platelet aggregation and secretion. In ...
Interrupted Reading and Working Memory Capacity

Long-term working memory (LT-WM; Ericsson and Kintsch, 1995) theory claims that the “transient portion of working memory is not necessary for continued comprehension” (pp. 225–226) and that “reading can be completely disrupted for over 30 s with no observable impairment of subsequent text comprehension” (p. 232). Follow-up research testing claims made by LT-WM report conflicting, indirect evidence for and against the theory. The goal for this research was to use individual differences in working memory capacity (WMC) to provide support for or against the theory that activation of information in working memory is necessary for successful comprehension of text. By extension, this tests predictions made by Ericsson and Kintsch's (1995) LT-WM theory. Thirty six participants with either high or low WMC (18 in each group) read prompts while interrupted or not interrupted (control), then answered recognition and comprehension questions. We found that interruptions disrupted both the recognition and comprehension of text following interrupted reading for individuals with low WMC, but not for individuals with high WMC. These results support the view that the activation of information in working memory is necessary for successful recognition and comprehension of information and argue against LT-WM theory. We also provide initial evidence that working memory capacity may have a greater effect for interrupted reading compared to uninterrupted reading.
Cytosolic NADH-NAD(+) Redox Visualized in Brain Slices by Two-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Biosensor Imaging.

Abstract Aim: Cytosolic NADH-NAD+ redox state is central to cellular metabolism and a valuable indicator of glucose and lactate metabolism in living cells. Here we sought to quantitatively determine NADH-NAD+ redox in live cells and brain tissue using a fluorescence lifetime imaging of the genetically-encoded single-fluorophore biosensor Peredox. Results: We show that Peredox exhibits a substantial change in its fluorescence lifetime over its sensing range of NADH-NAD+ ratio. This allows changes in cytosolic NADH redox to be visualized in living cells using a two-photon scanning microscope with fluorescence lifetime imaging capabilities (2p-FLIM), using time-correlated single photon counting. Innovation: Because the lifetime readout is absolutely calibrated (in nanoseconds) and is independent of sensor concentration, we demonstrate that quantitative assessment of NADH redox is possible using a single fluorophore biosensor. Conclusion: Imaging of the sensor in mouse hippocampal brain slices reveals that as...
Integrated Predictive Diagnostics: An Expanded View

In a previous paper (Hansen et al., 1995), a conceptual framework for developing a true prognostic or predictive diagnostic capability was described. The current paper expands on this framework by describing micro-mechanical and dynamic models, sensors and data fusion, signal processing, approximate reasoning, distributed architecture, and human factors research and development being conducted to provide such a capability for a broad range of applications. These include both autonomous and man-in-the-loop decision making about maintenance actions and local and geographically distributed monitoring and data analysis architectures.© 1996 ASME
Impact of Chemoradiotherapy on CSF Leak Repair after Skull Base Surgery.

Background Transnasal endoscopic resection (TER) has become the treatment of choice for many skull base tumors. A major limitation of TER is the management of large dural defects and the need for repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, particularly among patients who are treated with chemotherapy (CTX) or radiotherapy (RT). The objective of this study is to determine the impact of CTX and RT on the success of CSF leak repair after TER. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of a single-institution experience of TER from 1992 to 2011. Results We identified 28 patients who had endoscopic CSF leak repair after resection of malignant skull base tumors. Preoperative RT was utilized in 18 patients, and 9 had undergone CTX. All patients required CSF leak repair with rotational flaps after cribriform and/or dural resection. CSF leak repair failed in three patients (11%). A history of RT or CTX was not associated with failed CSF leak repair. Conclusion Adjuvant or neoadjuvant CTX or RT is not associated with failed CSF leak repair. Successful CSF leak repair can be performed in patients with malignant skull base tumors with an acceptable risk profile.
Sequential Study on the Influence of Adriamycin on Cell Proliferation and Ultrastructure of Cultured Mammary Tumor Cells

The time-dependent cytocidal and growth inhibitory effects of Adriamycin (ADM) on monolayer cultures of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumor cells were analyzed. The inhibitory effect on cell proliferation was assessed by colony formation in soft agar. Growth inhibition and [3H]thymidine labeling indices clearly demonstrate a dose-dependent antimitotic and cytotoxic effect of the drug. At low concentrations (10(-9)-10(-8) M), 90-100% of cells survived 24-hr exposure. At a higher concentration (10(-5) M), 75-80% of cells survived after 8-hr exposure; by 72 hr only 20-30% of the cells remained. Autoradiographic examination of the pulse-labeled cultures demonstrated no change in the proportion of cells in S-phase during the first 4 hr of treatment. Subsequently DNA synthesis was completely abolished and remained inhibited for the duration of the experiment (72 hr). Clonogenic assay revealed a complete arrest of growth in cells exposed to 10(-5) M ADM and greater than 60% inhibition of cell proliferation at 10(-7) M. Ultrastructural changes were not observed in cells during the first 4 hr of treatment; however, after 8 hr most surviving cells exhibited alterations in nuclear chromatin. The surviving cells showed mitochondrial degeneration, myelin body formation, and vacuolization of the endoplasmic reticulum. This study shows the potential usefulness of the primary culture system in drug evaluation. In addition, serial observation of the effects of ADM revealed a cell subpopulation of the primary culture with differential sensitivity to the drug.
Factors Affecting Pheromone Production by Female Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) (Lep.: Pyralidae)

Bioassays with male Hypsipyla grandella show that virgin females produce pheromones shortly after eclosion with peak production in 2–3 days, declining thereafter. Pheromone production is maximum during the scotophase; lab-reared virgin females call with similar frequencies as wild moths; and the presence or absence of Cedrela odorata foliage has no influence on female calling behavior.
Chance-Constrained System of Systems Based Operation of Power Systems

In this paper, a chance-constrained system of systems (SoS) based decision-making approach is presented for stochastic scheduling of power systems encompassing active distribution grids. Based on the concept of SoS, the independent system operator (ISO) and distribution companies (DISCOs) are modeled as self-governing systems. These systems collaborate with each other to run the entire power system in a secure and economic manner. Each self-governing system accounts for its local reserve requirements and line flow constraints with respect to the uncertainties of load and renewable energy resources. A set of chance constraints are formulated to model the interactions between the ISO and DISCOs. The proposed model is solved by using analytical target cascading (ATC) method, a distributed optimization algorithm in which only a limited amount of information is exchanged between collaborative ISO and DISCOs. In this paper, a 6-bus and a modified IEEE 118-bus power systems are studied to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Hormonal Factors Related to the Incidence of Testicular Tumors in Male Pseudohermaphrodite Rats

Pieces of testicular tumor from male pseudohermaphrodite (tfm) rats were transplanted between the skin and body wall musculature of 4-day-old female, male, and tfm hosts and to the anterior chambers of the eyes of gonadectomized and intact adult tfm, female, and male hosts. These transplants grew in all hosts except normal males. To determine whether these tumors were hormone-dependent, the levels of circulating gonadotropins were measured in all host types to ascertain which were low in the males and high in all of the others. Prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured in intact and castrated normal and tfm rats. Normal males had low levels of prolactin, estrogen, LH, and FSH; however, transplants grew well in other hosts with low titers of these hormones. Except for normal males, all hosts had high serum levels of LH. Thus, testicular tumors in tfm rats appear to be LH-dependent.
Synthetic biology: Bacteria synchronized for drug delivery

A synthetic genetic circuit that mimics the quorum-sensing systems used by bacterial populations to coordinate gene expression enables bacteria to deliver drugs to mouse tumours in repeated and synchronized cycles. See Letter p.81 There is growing interest in using bacteria as living therapeutics, although the complications due to host responses and long-term effectiveness remain to be established. Omar Din et al. have now engineered a quorum-sensing clock into a strain of Salmonella known to target solid tumours by releasing a tumour-targeting toxin. The clock drives periodic lyses of the bacterial colony, thereby controlling the bacterial population and ensuring sustained anti-tumour toxin delivery in a mouse cancer model. Although the system as it stands does not represent an effective cure, this work indicates that synthetic biology can be harnessed to achieve dynamic and sustained delivery of therapeutics in vivo.
Transcription-Coupled DNA Repair Overview

Maintenance of genome integrity is essential for normal cellular function. However, cells are continually exposed to DNA damage caused by a multitude of endogenous and environmental sources. Persistence of DNA damage in the cell may generate deleterious mutations in the genetic material that may cause deregulation of gene expression and may result in human disease and cancer. As a result, several dedicated DNA repair pathways have evolved in all organisms to remove DNA lesions from the genome. A unique problem arises when DNA damage is located in transcribed regions of the genome. Some lesions may pause the elongation process while others may represent absolute blocks to translocation of the RNA polymerase. Arrest of transcription at sites of DNA damage represents a strong signal for apoptosis. To prevent accumulation of transcription complexes arrested at sites of damage, cells have evolved a specialized nucleotide excision repair pathway called ‘transcription-coupled DNA repair’, dedicated to removal of transcription blocking lesions from the transcribed strands of expressed genes.
Market-reaction-adjusted optimal central bank intervention policy in a forex market with jumps

Impulse control with random reaction periods (ICRRP) is used to derive a country’s optimal foreign exchange (forex) rate intervention policy when the forex market reacts to the interventions. This paper extends the previous work on ICRRP by incorporating a multi-dimensional jump diffusion process to model the state dynamics, and hence, enhance the viability of the extant model for applications. Furthermore, we employ a novel minimum cost operator that simplifies the computations of the optimal solutions. Finally, we demonstrate the efficacy of our framework by finding a market-reaction-adjusted optimal central bank intervention (CBI) policy for a country. Our numerical results suggests that market reactions and the jumps in the forex market are complements when the reactions increase the forex rate volatility; otherwise, they are substitutes.
Varieties of Virtue Ethics

Virtue ethics has been diverse in several ways, offering divergent lists of virtues, presupposing different metaphysical backgrounds, especially of fundamental anthropology, understanding differently the relation between the virtues and emotions, having divergent understandings of the broad conceptual structure of morality, some being aretaically monistic while others are pluralistic. Others offer monisms that make some dimension of the moral life other than virtue fundamental, and derive their concept of virtue from this other single foundation. And finally, the purpose of the activity of virtue ethics can be variously conceived.
Whither the Research Anticommons

Fifteen years ago, the “tragedy of the anticommons” article warned that excessive patenting of biotech products and research methods could deter rather than stimulate invention, but little evidence was offered. Here, subsequent changes in patent law, public research support, and surveys of researchers are summarized. Results indicate the anticipated anticommons has not materialized significantly, and while ongoing monitoring is warranted, declining public research funding may necessitate more patenting to stimulate private investment.
The effect of lender and loan type on a borrowing firm’s equity return

ABSTRACTPast empirical studies appear to support the idea that banks and finance companies do not differ in their ability to resolve adverse selection problems associated with issuing new debt. In this article, we find there is a difference. More specifically, using an event study we find larger abnormal returns for secured loan disclosures to lower quality borrowers when the lender is a finance company versus a bank. This suggests the market views finance companies as more effective than banks in evaluating/monitoring lower quality borrowers obtaining secured loans. We posit this is due to finance companies’ greater expertise in this type of lending, resulting from specialization. Our findings extend the literature on how lender identity can influence signals about firm value from loan disclosures. Our results also support recent findings that positive abnormal returns to borrowing firms may not be a general feature across the loan population, but may be restricted to smaller, lower quality borrowers. Fi...
Universal liquid chromatography methods : IV. Use of 190-mm full gradients by adjustment of eluent ultraviolet absorbance and pH with gases

The full-gradient “universal liquid chromatography” methods are extended to 190 nm detection for even greater sensitivity and detection of more components than shown previously at 210 nm. Universal liquid chromatography offer major time/costs savings by increasing problem solving throughout. Further, at 190 nm, simple molecules such as aliphatic alcohols are detected and 254-nm detectable species are quantified to much lower levels. Universal liquid chromatography “elutes-all” in a first wide-polarity, full gradient run and “detects-all” with low wavelength (less than 214 nm) UV and permits easy resolution changes. A single universl method replaces many different tailored isocractic runs for first-run-problem-solving of most mixtures. These methods eliminate method development for each new problem and also permit unattended runs of totally different separation problems. Universal methods permit rapid product, mix, or raw material comparisons of good vs. bad, new vs. old, or starting vs. purified materials while signaling new components that might not be seen in the narrow polarity window of isocratic runs. “Injection loading” of ion-pairing agent is also extended to 190 nm. This allows rapid run-to-run change in selectivity and exploration of ion-pairing effects plus determination of charges of ionic species. A new “gas baseline adjustment” method allows very simple eluent preparation to fix pH and give flat, ghost-peak-free baselines. A new method is given to calibrate detectors at all wavelengths and a simple “linear mixer” eliminates short-term baseline noise.
Spin-lock imaging of exogenous exchange-based contrast agents to assess tissue pH.

Purpose Some X-ray contrast agents contain exchangeable protons that give rise to exchange-based effects on MRI, including chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST). However, CEST has poor specificity to explicit exchange parameters. Spin-lock sequences at high field are also sensitive to chemical exchange. Here, we evaluate whether spin-locking techniques can detect the contrast agent iohexol in vivo after intravenous administration, and their potential for measuring changes in tissue pH. Methods Two metrics of contrast based on R1ρ, the spin lattice relaxation rate in the rotating frame, were derived from the behavior of R1ρ at different locking fields. Solutions containing iohexol at different concentrations and pH were used to evaluate the ability of the two metrics to quantify exchange effects. Images were also acquired from rat brains bearing tumors before and after intravenous injections of iohexol to evaluate the potential of spin-lock techniques for detecting the agent and pH variations. Results The two metrics were found to depend separately on either agent concentration or pH. Spin-lock imaging may therefore provide specific quantification of iohexol concentration and the iohexol-water exchange rate, which reports on pH. Conclusions Spin-lock techniques may be used to assess the dynamics of intravenous contrast agents and detect extracellular acidification. Magn Reson Med 79:298–305, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Green inclusions in neutrophils—a case report and review of literature

Green refractile inclusions in neutrophils are a very rare peripheral smear finding with few reported cases in literature. They were thought to be a marker of impending death with a very high mortality rate in the immediate hospitalization period. They were often seen in critically ill patients and often related to liver injury. Clinical and pathophysiologic characterizations of these inclusions are limited due to the rarity of this finding. We describe the case of a 42-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis and recent renal transplantation who was critically ill due to pneumonia and had elevation of liver enzymes. She was found to have green refractile inclusions on peripheral blood smear on the third day of hospitalization. The patient improved rapidly with treatment and was discharged in 5 days. It appears that prognostic value of these inclusion bodies is doubtful. We also highlight the need to conduct further studies to clarify the link between hepatic injury and the presence of these inclusions.
Life Cycles as Hierarchical Relations

In this paper the development of a theory is attempted, in which the important features of life cycles can be described and the relationships between the various life cycles can be exhibited.
The distribution, variation, natural history, and relationships of porthidium barbouri (viperidae)

Porthidium barbouri es una vibora rara, conocida por me- nos de dos docenas de ejemplares. Esta especie ha sido colectada en dos regiones elevadas en la parte centra! del estado de Guerrero, Mexico. Ambas regiones estan situadas al oeste de Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Esta especie vive en bosques de niebla y en bosques de abetos, pinos y encinos que se encuentran de 2,400 a 3,300 msnm. Probablemente la distribucion vertical que alcanza esta especie es mayor que la de los otros miembros del genero. El numero de escamas ventrales y subcaudales no tiene mucha variacion entre los sexos. los machos tienen entre 130-138 (x = 134.2) ventrales y 27-31 (x = 29.8) subcaudales, y las hembras tienen entre 129-145 (x = 138.7) ventrales y 26-31 {x = 28.4) subcaudales. la variacion en el tamano y la disposicion de las placas (escamas) dorsales cefalicas es mayor que en cualquier otra especie de culebra. Algunos ejemplares tienen placas dorsales cefalicas muy agrandadas con un complemento total de once escamas, estos especimenes tienen una sola placa frontal entre los supraoculares. Por otra parte, otros ejemplares tienen escamas muy pequenas hasta con 5 escamas intersupraoculares. Porthidium barbouri tiene pocas hileras de escamas dorsales comparada con otras especies de viboras del Nuevo Mundo. Por lo general, tienen 21-17-15 o 21-19-15 hileras de escamas en el cuerpo. Analisis del contenido de los estomagos indican que el alimento mas frecuente de esta culebra lo constituyen roedores y lagartijas de la familia de los anguidos {Barisia gadovii). Observaciones en el campo sugieren que esta especie es diurna. Existen muy pocos datos sobre la reproduccion de P. barbouri. En cautiverio, una hembra dio a luz 6 crias el 20 de noviembre de 1976. las crias tenian un promedio de longitud total de 154 mm y un peso promedio de 3.70 g. Una hembra colectada el 12 de junio de 1953 tenia siete foliculos ovaricos agrandados, y un juvenil que tenia una longitud total de 202 mm fue colectado a fines de diciembre. Estos datos indican que el numero de crias que tiene esta especie probablemente es muy bajo y que nacen durante la epoca de lluvias. Tres especies, P. barbouri, P. godmani y P. tzotzUorum, evidentemente tienen un parentesco semejante y se derivaron de un progenitor que estaba mas extensamente distribuido.
Goal Understanding and Achievement for Humanoid Assistive Robots

Nowadays robots can recognize their environment in a limited way. Future robots designed for operations in a natural environment and for communicating with humans in a natural way must understand the goals a user wants to be met, navigate in a natural environment and develop a strategy to achieve the goals.
Efficiency of Bacterial Protein Synthesis and Methanogenesis During Anaerobic Degradation

During methanogenesis in anaerobic environments degradable organic matter is converted to CH4 and C02. During this process, most of the available energy is retained in the CH4 produced with a relatively low yield of microbial cells (1). Little information exists on bacterial growth on complex, heterogeneous substrates where it is difficult to distinquish microbial and other proteins in substrate and effluent. An 15NH3-N tracer technique was used to measure microbial protein synthesis (2, 3). Efficiency of methanogenesis was also measured.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an independent predictor for 30-day readmissions following 1- to 2-level posterior lumbar fusions

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Past literature has demonstrated that patients with COPD are at an increased risk of post-operative complications. We assessed the impact of COPD on 30-day outcomes following a 1- to 2-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF). Methods: The 2012–2016 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes 22612, 22630 and 22633 to identify patients undergoing PLFs. Only patients undergoing a 1- to 2-level PLF for degenerative spine pathologies were included. Results: In total, 1,123 (4.8%) of 23,481 patients undergoing an elective PLF had a diagnosis of COPD at the time of the surgery. Following adjusted logistic regression analysis, COPD was significantly associated with a longer length of stay of >3 days [odds ratio (OR), 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32–1.48; P=0.008], shorter total operative time (OR, 0.83; 95% CI: 0.73–0.94; P=0.003), discharge to skilled nursing care or rehabilitation facility (OR, 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09–1.51; P=0.002), pneumonia (OR, 2.53; 95% CI: 1.62–3.97; P Conclusions: Patients with COPD are more likely to have a longer length of stay, discharge to nursing care/rehabilitation facility, and higher risk of pneumonia and readmissions within 30-days following 1- and 2-level PLF. Our analysis of a large national cohort of patients highlights the importance of pre-operative and post-operative medical optimization in these high-risk patients.
Remodeling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipids regulates prpCD during acid growth arrest

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) establishes a state of non-replicating persistence when it is cultured at acidic pH with glycerol as a sole carbon source. Growth can be restored by spontaneous mutations in the ppe51 gene or supplementation with pyruvate, supporting that acid growth arrests is a genetically controlled, adaptive process and not simply a physiological limitation associated with acidic pH. Transcriptional profiling identified the methylcitrate synthase and methylcitrate dehydratase genes (prpC and prpD, respectively) as being selectively induced during acid growth arrest. prpCD along with isocitrate lyase (icl) enable Mtb to detoxify propionyl-CoA through the methylcitrate cycle. The goal of this study was to examine mechanisms underlying the regulation of prpCD during acid growth arrest. Induction of prpCD during acid growth arrest was reduced when the medium was supplemented with vitamin B12 (which enables an alternative propionate detoxification pathway) and enhanced in an icl mutant (which is required for the propionate detoxification), suggesting that Mtb is responding to elevated levels of propionyl-CoA during acidic growth arrest. We hypothesized that an endogenous source of propionyl-CoA generated during metabolism of methyl-branched lipids may be regulating prpCD. Using Mtb radiolabeled with 14C-propionate or 14C-acetate, it was observed that lipids are remodeled during acid growth arrest, with triacylglycerol being catabolized and sulfolipid and trehalose dimycolate being synthesized. Blocking TAG lipolysis using the lipase inhibitor tetrahydrolipstatin, resulted in enhanced prpC induction during acid growth arrest, suggesting that lipid remodeling may function, in part, to detoxify propionate. Notably, prpC was not induced during acid growth arrest when using lactate instead of glycerol. We propose that metabolism of glycerol at acidic pH may result in the accumulation of propionyl-CoA and that lipid remodeling may function as a detoxification mechanism. Importance During infection, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) colonizes acidic environments, such as the macrophage phagosome and granuloma. Understanding regulatory and metabolic adaptations that occur in response to acidic pH can provide insights int0 mechanisms used by the bacterium to adapt to the host. We have previously shown that Mtb exhibits pH-dependent metabolic adaptations and requires anaplerotic enzymes, such as Icl1/2 and PckA, to grow optimally at acidic pH. Additionally, we have observed that Mtb can only grow on specific carbon sources at acidic pH. Together these findings show that Mtb integrates environmental pH and carbon source to regulate its metabolism. In this study, it is shown that Mtb remodels its lipids and modulates the expression of propionyl-CoA detoxifying genes prpCD when grown on glycerol at acidic pH. This finding suggests that lipid remodeling at acidic pH may contribute to detoxification of propionyl-CoA, by incorporating the metabolite into methyl-branched cell envelope lipids.
Uptake, transport, and effects of nano-copper exposure in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo)

Numerous studies on short term effects of copper-based nanomaterials on plants have been published, however investigations with plants grown in a complex soil medium are lacking. In this study Grey Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) was grown in an environmental growth chamber using a 1:1 (v/v) potting mix native soil mixture amended with Kocide 3000, nCuO, bCuO, or Cu NPs. After 3 weeks Cu concentrations in the root, stem, and leaves of treated plants were significantly higher than control plants. This increase in Cu concentration did not adversely affect plant growth or chlorophyll production. The activity ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in the roots tissues of plants treated with Kocide 3000, nCuO, and bCuO decreased by at least 45%. Catalase (CAT) activity in root tissues of plants treated with 50 mg/kg of Cu NP decreased by 77%, while those treated at 200 mg/kg were reduced by 80%, compared to controls. The activity of APX and CAT in the leaves of all treated plants remained similar to control plants. Based on the endpoints used in this study, with the exception of a decrease in the accumulation of Zn and B in the roots, the exposure of zucchini to the tested copper compounds resulted in no negative effects.
Effects of Oral Meloxicam and Topical Lidocaine on Pain associated Behaviors of Piglets Undergoing Surgical Castration.

The objective of this study was to find a practical means of reducing pain associated with surgical castration by evaluating the effects of oral meloxicam and topical lidocaine, separately and in c...
Global positioning system tracking devices can decrease Greater Sage-Grouse survival

Reliable demographic estimates hinge on the assumption that marking animals does not alter their behavior, reproduction, or survival. Violations can bias inference and are especially egregious for species of high conservation concern. Global positioning system (GPS) devices represent a recent technological advancement that has contributed greatly to avian ecological studies compared with traditionally used very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitters, but may affect demographic rates differently than VHF transmitters. We compared survival between VHF (necklace attachment) and GPS (rump-mounted attachment) devices from >1,100 Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of high conservation concern, across multiple populations within California and Nevada. We found lower survival for GPS-marked compared to VHF-marked sage-grouse across most sex, age, and seasonal comparisons. Estimates of annual survival for GPS-marked sage-grouse were 0.55–0.86 times that of VHF-marked birds with considerable variation among sex and age classes. Differences in survival could be attributed to features associated with GPS devices, including greater weight, position of attachment (e.g., rump-mount harness), and a semi-reflective solar panel. In a post hoc analysis, we evaluated additive and interactive effects between device type (GPS vs. VHF) and transmitter mass as a proportion of body mass (PBM). While the device type effect alone was the best model, the PBM interaction also had support. For GPS devices, survival decreased with increasing PBM, whereas PBM effects were not found for VHF. We attributed differences in PBM effect to placement of transmitters on sage-grouse, as weight of GPS devices was positioned rearward. This information can help managers and researchers weigh costs and benefits of GPS-based monitoring. Our results indicate demographic data collected from GPS devices should be interpreted with caution, and use of these devices should be tailored to specific ecological questions. Future research aimed at investigating behavioral impacts and GPS designs that reduce adverse impacts on survival would be beneficial.
Development and Multi-Scale Validation of a Finite Element Football Helmet Model

Head injury is a growing concern within contact sports, including American football. Computational tools such as finite element (FE) models provide an avenue for researchers to study, and potentially optimize safety tools, such as helmets. The goal of this study was to develop an accurate representative helmet model that could be used in further study of head injury to mitigate the toll of concussions in contact sports. An FE model of a Schutt Air XP Pro football helmet was developed through three major steps: geometry development, material characterization, and model validation. The fully assembled helmet model was fit onto a Hybrid III dummy head-neck model and National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) head model and validated through a series of 67 representative impacts similar to those experienced by a football player. The kinematic and kinetic response of the model was compared to the response of the physical experiments, which included force, head linear acceleration, head angular velocity, and carriage acceleration. The outputs between the model and the physical tests were quantitatively evaluated using CORelation and Analysis (CORA), amounting to an overall averaged score of 0.76. The model described in this study has been extensively validated and can function as a building block for innovation in player safety.
Impact of various postharvest wash water conditions on the performance of peracetic acid against Escherichia coli O157:H7 over time

Abstract The Produce Safety Rule, part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, mandates zero detectable generic Escherichia coli for certain agriculture wash water applications: hand-washing, food-contact surface washing, or any water which directly contacts produce, including ice. This requirement emphasizes the need to assess and propose mitigation strategies to control E. coli levels in agriculture wash water. As such, this study investigated the relationship between common sanitizers hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peracetic acid (PAA) at varying ratios and the influence of concentration, organic load, temperature, and pH on these sanitizers’ stability and efficacy against Escherichia coli O157:H7, including re-inoculation to simulate the reintroduction of pathogens during processing. Generally, sanitizers with PAA as the dominant component were more efficient at reducing E. coli O157:H7 levels over time, compared to those with H2O2 as the dominant component. Of all of the treatments tested, 50/50 H2O2/PAA at 80 ppm in the wash water was the most stable over time and had the highest efficacy against E. coli O157:H7 with organic load capacity below 750 mg/l chemical oxygen demand (COD). Organic loads at 750COD were not able to eliminate E. coli after 3.5 h of treatment, compared to all parameters tested. Based on the results of this study, sanitizer composition, concentration, presence of organic load, temperature and pH have the potential to significantly decrease the efficacy and stability of PAA systems over time, indicating that these parameters should be monitored in agriculture wash water utilization to ensure that water quality and safety are maintained.
To Study or to Sleep: How Seeing the Effect of Sleep Deprivation Changed Students’ Choices

Adequate sleep is essential for students to be able to solve challenging problems effectively. After many years of advising students to get enough sleep the night before their final exam, two studies were conducted with students in introductory physics classes to investigate their sleep habits. In the first previously published study, few students got adequate sleep and there was a significant positive correlation between hours of sleep and final exam score. In the second study the following semester, students were shown the results of the first study. Showing students the negative effect that sleep deprivation the night before a final exam had on exam scores in a prior class appears to have changed students’ sleep choices the night before their own final exam, based on students’ self-reports of sleep. Once students saw evidence that staying up all night studying for a final exam would likely hurt their score on the exam, class average hours of reported sleep significantly increased.
Should hearing targeted screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection Be implemented

Since 2013, after Utah became the first state to implement hearing targeted early CMV screening, a national debate has been percolating about whether this approach should be introduced nationally. Currently Utah, Iowa, Connecticut, and New York have passed legislation mandating early CMV screening, and over 100 birth hospitals across the United States have voluntarily implemented early CMV screening programs as part of their standard of care. We reviewed the evidence related to this approach and used the Wilson and Jungner (1968) criteria to evaluate this method of screening. Based on these criteria, there is substantial rationale and evidence to support a hearing targeted approach to screen for congenital CMV. Given this evidence, we currently recommend that infants who fail newborn hearing screen should undergo CMV screening.
Inactivation of Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio parahaemolyticus by Curcumin-Mediated Photosensitization and Nanobubble-Ultrasonication Approaches.

The antimicrobial efficacy of novel photodynamic inactivation and nanobubble technologies was evaluated against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas hydrophila as two important aquatic microbial pathogens. Photodynamic inactivation results showed that LED (470 nm) and UV-A (400 nm)-activated curcumin caused a complete reduction in V. parahaemolyticus at 4 and 22 °C, and a greater than 2 log cfu/mL reduction in A. hydrophila, which was curcumin concentration-dependent (p 0.05). However, a greater than 6 log cfu/mL A. hydrophila reduction and a greater than 3 log cfu/mL of V. parahaemolyticus reduction were achieved when nanobubble technology was combined with ultrasound (p < 0.05). The findings described in this study illustrate the potential of applying photodynamic inactivation and nanobubble-ultrasound antimicrobial approaches as alternative novel methods for inactivating fish and shellfish pathogens.