cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
lightweight, high-opacity paper by fiber loading: filler comparison

SUMMARY:To comparetheeffects ofcommercialcalciumcar­ bonate fillers on handsheet properties with that of fiber loading, we obtained rhombohedral and scalendrohedral precipitated cal­ cium carbonates (PCCs) and wet and dry ground calcium carbo­ nates (GCCs). These commercial calcium carbonate fillers were selected to cover a wide range of particle diameter and shape. The properties of fiber-loaded handsheets, at 25% filler level, were compared to that of five commercial calcium carbonate samples at the same filler level for two fully bleached market pulps, eucalyptus and pine kraft pulps. Fiber-loaded pulps were shown to be stronger than similar direct -loaded pulps at the same calcium carbonate levels as a result of (1) precipitation of calci­ um carbonate within the fiber wall and lumen and (2) the low energy input refining of the pulp at high pH and consistency. Our results show that fiber loading results in somewhat higher free­ ness values than does direct loading along with higher strength. Brightness values were slightly lower or the same for fiber-loa­ ded handsheets compared to direct-loaded handsheets. Opacity and scattering coefficients were slightly lower for fiber-loaded handsheets, but the higher strengths of fiber-loaded pulps permit an increase in the filler level in the fiber -loaded pulps. Production of fiber-loaded PCC (FLPCC) pulp can be a key factor in develo­ ping lightweight, high-opacity printing papers.
Specific aldosterone binding in rat kidney and parotid

The specific intracellular binding of [3H]-aldosterone was studied in tissue slices of kidney and parotid from adrenalectomized rats. Specific aldosterone binding proteins were isolated from (1) cytosol by G-50 Sephadex chromatography, (2) nuclei by an initial osmotic shock procedure (2.2 M sucrose followed by extraction with 0.1 M tris-3 mM CaCl2 and 50% (NH4)2SO4 precipitation = “soluble nuclear”) and (3) nuclei by a subsequent 04 M KCl-3 mM CaCl2 extraction and 50% (NH4)2SO4 precipitation (“chromatin bound”). In both tissues, the time course of uptake into the three intracellular compartments was studied by incubation at 25°C for 0–4 h with 5.2 × 10−9 m [3H]-aldosterone. Both kidney and parotid show the same three-step time sequence of specific intracellular binding—first cytosol, then soluble nuclear, and then chromatin bound. The time course and extent of [3H]-aldosterone binding in kidney slices was unaffected by concentrations of cycloheximide sufficient to lower protein synthesis by 67%. Cytosol binding proteins in kidney and parotid have an identical affinity for aldosterone but their concentration per g wet weight tissue in the kidney is twice that in the parotid. Despite this difference in cytosol donor concentration, and the presumed identity of active sites, levels of intranuclear [3H]-aldosterone-protein complexes are considerably higher in parotid than in kidney (soluble nuclear × 2, chromatin bound × 15).
Radiation therapy and sorafenib: Clinical data and rationale for the combination in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Sorafenib, an inhibitor of multiple tyrosine kinases including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and Raf/mitogen-activated protein kinase, increases progression-free survival in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) compared with placebo. The efficacy and toxicity of combined sorafenib and radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of RCC are unknown. This is a retrospective report of 3 consecutive patients with metastatic or locally recurrent RCC treated with palliative RT while undergoing sorafenib therapy. All 3 patients experienced disease progression on sorafenib and remained on the drug without dose reduction during the RT plus sorafenib regimen. They were followed for toxicity and response by clinical history, physical examination, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans. Soon after completion of palliative RT, all 3 patients experienced complete pain relief without the need for narcotic pain medication. Posttreatment imaging revealed partial response with > 50% regression of tumor in all patients. None reported significant acute or late side effects at follow-up of 3, 6, and 8 months after RT and sorafenib. In the 3 patients with recurrent or metastatic RCC in this report, the combination of RT and sorafenib was well tolerated and resulted in excellent clinical and radiologic responses. This combination is promising and requires further study.
Re-seeing race in a post-Obama age: Asian American studies, comparative ethnic studies, and intersectional pedagogies

Focused on comparative ethnic studies and intersectionality, the author commences with a discussion about Barack Obama's historic inauguration and the Asian American literature classroom. Such historical and educational frames foreground a deeper discussion about the possibilities and challenges associated with cross-cultural, cross-racial pedagogies within Asian American studies and ethnic studies.
MICROBIAL STABILIZATION OF INTERMEDIATE MOISTURE FOOD SURFACES III. EFFECTS OF SURFACE PRESERVATIVE CONCENTRATION AND SURFACE pH CONTROL ON MICROBIAL STABILITY OF AN INTERMEDIATE MOISTURE CHEESE ANALOG

Localized surface condensations affect microbial stability of intermediate moisture foods (IMF). Two surface modifications previously reported were tested for their ability to improve microbial surface stability; control of surface preservative concentration and reduced surface pH. The effectiveness of a high surface sorbic acid concentration controlled by a zein coating was confirmed in Staphylococcus aureus S-6 surface challenge experiments under extreme testing conditions. Samples with bulk water activity (aw) of 0.88, stored at 30°C under constant 88% relative humidity (RH) remained stable for over 16 days. Uncoated controls were stable for only 2 days. Samples with bulk aw = 0.85, exposed to cycles of 12 h at85% RH and 12h at 88% RH, remained stable for more than 28 days. Uncoated controls were stable for only 3 days. The reduced surface pH approach to microbial stability required the formulation of an IMF model with low total electrolyte concentration which was coated with a deionized mixture of λ-carrageenan and agarose. The effectiveness of the resulting 2.5 fold increase in the surface availability of the active form of sorbic acid as compared to food bulk was confirmed in a challenge test with S. aureus S-6. In a test with samples at aw = 0.88, stored at RH = 88% and 30°C, we found a stability period of about 20 days and it seems possible to increase it.
Channeling effects on the energy loss of high energy (20–80 MeV) 79Br and 127I ions in gold

Abstract Channeling effects on the energy losses of 20–80 MeV Br and I ions in thin (0.4 um) gold single crystals were investigated. When low-index crystal directions were aligned with the beam, a single energy loss group was observed which was significantly less than that obtained for polycrystalline gold of the same thickness. The fractional loss varied from 50 to 85% of the polycrystalline loss, depending on the energy, the species of the bombarding particle, and the crystal direction. With low-index planes parallel to the beam direction, two energy loss groups appeared, one having the normal loss and the other having a lower loss. Both the fraction of the ions channeled and the acceptance aperture into the channel were found to decrease with increasing ion energy. The fact that two distinct groups were observed implies that most of the channeled particles were focused almost immediately upon entering the crystal and remained in these channels during the remainder of their trajectories through the solid.
POSTERIOR THALAMIC AND SEPTAL INFLUENCE UPON PALLIDAL AND AMYGDALOID SLOW-WAVE AND UNITARY ACTIVITY.

Abstract Stimulation of the magnocellular medial geniculate nucleus evoked slow-wave responses in the globus pallidus, amygdala, temporal cortex, and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. The stimulation discharged units after a 3 to 9-msec latency in the globus pallidus and after 12 to 23-msec latency in the basal nuclei of the amygdala. Pallidal units that fired both spontaneously and upon stimulation of the nucleus were facilitated by 100 per sec stimulation, while similarly characterized units in the amygdala were inhibited. Spontaneously active amygdaloid cells responded to auditory stimulation with a decrease in firing rate, while a nasal air puff caused an increased firing rate. Units affected by sensory stimulation were not confined to any particular amygdaloid nucleus.
Water vapor retrieval using the FLAASH atmospheric correction algorithm

FLAASH (Fast Line-of-sight Atmospheric Analysis of Spectral Hypercubes) is a first-principles atmospheric correction algorithm for visible to shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral data. The algorithm consists of two main steps. The first is retrieval of atmospheric parameters, visibility (which is related to the aerosol type and distribution) and column water vapor. The second step is solving the radiation transport equation for the given aerosol and column water and transformation to surface reflectance. The focus of this paper is on the FLAASH water vapor retrieval algorithm. Modeled radiance values in the spectral region of one water vapor absorption feature are calculated from MODTRAN 4 using several different water vapor amounts and are used to generate a Look-Up Table (LUT). The water band typically used is 1130 nm but either the 940 or 820 nm band may also be used. Measured radiance values are compared to the LUT to determine the column water vapor amount for each pixel in the scene. We compare the results of water retrievals for each of these bands and also the results of their corresponding reflectance retrievals.
A polydrix model for air pollution

The state of a portion of the atmosphere divided into a number of blocks is described by a polydrix and the effect of polluting agents by higher order polydrices. The model which is still of the input-output type is a generalization of the vector-matrix model introduced earlier.
Are commonly used resident measurements associated with procedural skills in internal medicine residency training

Acquisition of competence in performing a variety of procedures is essential during Internal Medicine (IM) residency training. Determine the rate of procedural complications by IM residents; determine whether there was a correlation between having 1 or more complications and institutional procedural certification status or attending ratings of resident procedural skill competence on the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) monthly evaluation form (ABIM-MEF). Assess if an association exists between procedural complications and in-training examination and ABIM board certification scores. We retrospectively reviewed all procedure log sheets, procedural certification status, ABIM-MEF procedural skills ratings, in-training exam and certifying examination (ABIM-CE) scores from the period 1990–1999 for IM residency program graduates from a training program. Among 69 graduates, 2,212 monthly procedure log sheets and 2,475 ABIM-MEFs were reviewed. The overall complication rate was 2.3/1,000 procedures (95% CI: 1.4–3.1/1,000 procedure). With the exception of procedural certification status as judged by institutional faculty, there was no association between our resident measurements and procedural complications. Our findings support the need for a resident procedural competence certification system based on direct observation. Our data support the ABIM’s action to remove resident procedural competence from the monthly ABIM-MEF ratings.
Brief Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 Treatment of Glucocorticoid-inhibited MC3T3-E1 Osteoblasts Rescues Commitment-associated Cell Cycle and Mineralization without Alteration of Runx2

Abstract Glucocorticoids (GCs) inhibit bone formation in vivo. In MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, chronic administration of 1 μm dexamethasone (DEX) starting at confluency results in >98% inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) expression and apatite mineral deposition. Here, it is shown that brief exposure to recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2), as short as 6 h, is sufficient to induce irreversible commitment to mineralization in DEX-treated cultures. RhBMP-2 dose dependently rescued mineralization but not collagen accumulation in DEX-inhibited cultures. The selective restoration of mineralization was evident in the higher mineral to matrix ratios of DEX/rhBMP-2 co-treated cultures compared with control. We tested the involvement of the runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) in the DEX inhibition and rhBMP-2 rescue of mineralization. Surprisingly, DEX did not decrease Runx2 DNA binding activity, transactivation, or association with the endogenous osteocalcin gene promoter. Furthermore, the rhBMP-2 rescue did not involve Runx2 stimulation, suggesting an important role for factors other than Runx2 in BMP-2 action. Finally, we studied the differentiation-related cell cycle, which persists during commitment to mineralization in untreated cultures, but is inhibited along with mineralization in DEX-treated cultures. Although both rhBMP-2 alone and DEX alone were antimitogenic, rhBMP-2 stimulated this cell cycle in DEX-inhibited cultures. In conclusion, brief rhBMP-2 treatment restores mineralization in DEX-inhibited MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts via a mechanism different from Runx2 stimulation. This restoration may be functionally related to the accompanying rescue of the differentiation-related cell cycle. The efficacy of short term BMP-2 treatment supports the potential of short-lived BMP vectors for skeletal therapy in both traditional and gene therapeutic approaches.
Nonsaturable amino acid reabsorption in kidneys of normal and mercury-poisoned rabbits.

At high plasma concentrations, a high-capacity, low-affinity or nonsaturable flux (Jhc) accounts for a residual fractional reabsorption of cycloleucine, aspartate, and AIB of approximately 50% of the filtered load in rabbits; Jhc in micromoles per milliliter glomerular filtrate is reduced in Hg-poisoned animals. The nonsaturable flux of cycloleucine is character- ized by a transepithelial transit time (TET) of approximately 2 min in control animals; it was consistently much longer in Hg-poisoned animals. The clearance ratio of creatinine/inulin averaged 1 .O, and no Jhc could be demonstrated for glucose. We conclude that Jhc is a high-ca- pacity, low-affinity amino acid flux which passes through an intracellular solute pool, and which is sensitive to Hg at both the brush border and the basolateral cell membrane. If calcula- tion of the saturation constants of aspartate reabsorption is restricted to experiments in which U/P < 1 .O, i.e. where Jhc is unlikely to contribute greatly to reabsorption, values some 20% lower than those previously reported are obtained; the Hg inhibition still is apparently uncompetitive in nature. 0 1988 Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.
Escalation of irritable aggression: Control by consequences and antecedents

Two experiments demonstrated that rats could be trained in a negative reinforcement paradigm to display a shock-induced aggressive response on the first shock presented. Later, rats that had been submitted to the negative reinforcement training procedure displayed more shock-induced aggression than did control groups during a test session that was situationally different from the one used during training. A third experiment demonstrated that noxious antecedent events, if presented with sufficient rapidity, can combine to increase the probability of aggressive behavior. The three experiments together suggest that aversive antecedents and reinforcement contingencies could be involved in the escalation of irritable aggression.
Real-time imaging of crystallization in polylactide enantiomeric monolayers at the air-water interface.

A newly developed planar array infrared reflection−absorption spectrograph (PA-IRRAS) offers significant advantages over conventional approaches including fast acquisition speed, excellent compensation for water vapor, and an excellent capacity for large infrared accessories, e.g., a water trough. In this study, the origin of stereocomplexation in a polylactide enantiomeric monolayer at the air−water interface was investigated using PA-IRRAS. PA-IRRAS was used as a probe to follow the real-time conformational changes associated with intermolecular interactions of polymer chains during the compression of the monolayers. It was found that a mixture of poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA) and poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) (D/L) formed a stereocomplex when the two-dimensional monolayer developed at the air−water interface before film compression, indicating that there is no direct correlation between film compression and stereocomplexation. PA-IRRAS spectra of the stereocomplex exhibited distinct band shifts in crystallin...
Characterization of security levels for the dynamics of autonomous vehicle networks

Increasingly, teams of self-coordinating autonomous vehicles are being used in lieu of manned transport in hostile environments, and hence characterizing the security and robustness of these autonomous vehicle networks (AVNs) from uncertainty and adversarial conduct is becoming paramount. Using a canonical double-integrator network model, we study security concepts for AVN dynamics; specifically, we characterize the ability of an adversary to estimate the full network dynamics, from noisy measurements of local vehicles' dynamics. We obtain several spectral characterizations of the estimability or security level, that highlight the role of the network's communication topology and control in security.
Interface effects on box-type reinforced concrete structures-I. Theory

Abstract A simplified interface model for studying the overall behavior of a soil-concrete interface, and the effects of the interface model on system responses are discussed. Theoretical aspects for the subject are presented in part I, and then followed by implementation and applications in part II. The paper concludes with a number of realistic examples with comparisons of the results with the others.
Computational Efficiency of Fang’s Fourth-Order FDTD Schemes

Fang’s fourth-order finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) schemes are compared with conventional second-order Yee’s FDTD scheme in terms of computational efficiency. A three-dimensional (3D) rectangular cavity partially filled with a dielectric material is considered for the numerical experiments. A set of numerical boundary conditions, constructed consistently with the higher order accuracy of the schemes, enables a realistic assessment of the computational efficiencies of Fang’s (4,4) and (2,4) schemes in the presence of metallic and dielectric boundaries. Numerical results show that both Fang’s (4,4) and (2,4) schemes are more efficient than Yee’s (2,2) scheme by more than two orders of magnitude in CPU time for a fixed error level in the L 2 norm. This comparative study verifies that Fang’s explicit fourth-order FDTD methods, complemented with the proposed numerical boundary conditions at planar material interfaces, yield very accurate and computationally very efficient time-domain solvers for the nume...
Zur Deckung des zukünftigen Spitzenbedarfs elektrischer Energie mittels elektrochemischer Energiespeicher

Die Zunahme des Energieverbrauchs erzeugt durch ein zugleich ubermasiges Wachstum des privaten Sektors einen Engpas in der Deckung des zukunftigen Spitzenleistungsbedarfs. Die Verwendung geeigneter elektrochemischer Speichersysteme konnte dazu beitragen, die Leistungskrise zu dampfen, fossile Brennstoffe fur Spitzenlastwerke einzusparen, die Grundlastanlagen wirtschaftlicher auszunutzen und sowohl die Umweltbeeintrachtigung als auch die Kosten der elektrischen Energie zu verringern. Eine kritische Beurteilung der Kenndaten verschiedener Sekundarbatteriesysteme anhand technischer und wirtschaftlicher Kriterien zeigt, das gewisse Hochtemperatur- und Redox-Losungssysteme zur Spitzenbedarfsdeckung benutzt werden konnen, ihr Platz in der Energieversorgung jedoch erst durch die kunftigen Entwicklungsergebnisse bestimmt wird.
Editor's Choice: Measuring Outcomes: Is the First-time, Full-time Cohort Appropriate for the Community College?:

This article discusses how the State University of New York and the U.S. Department of Education (VTEA programs) rely on a first-time, full-time cohort of entering students to measure the performance of community colleges through a review process that affects their funding. Data from a community college in upstate New York show that the use of this cohort misses roughly two thirds of the students enrolled in degree programs and should not be relied on when measuring overall institutional performance.
Economic Inequality, Family Disruption, and Urban Black Violence: Cities as Units of Stratification and Social Control

We examine the city-level relationship between income inequality,family disruption, and rates of violent crime among blacks by viewing communities as units of both stratification and social control. The former emphasizes socioeconomic variables, such as inequality, while the latter stresses social disorganization variables such as family disruption as determinants of violent crime. We find that income stratification within black communities (black-to-black inequality) has a strong positive effect on the rates of black violence, but the effect is indirect; income inequality increases family disruption, which elevates the rates of black violence. We argue that using a racially bounded indicator of income inequality has greater theoretical parsimony than using a measure of racial inequality (white-to-black) or overall (total) inequality. Thefailure in previous research both to employ theoretically appropriate measures of income inequality and to consider indirect as well as direct effects of inequality may explain why the evidence of a relationship between inequality and crime has been weak in previous studies.
Thermal characterization of eutectic alloy thermal interface materials with void-like inclusions

Void formation and growth is a major problem for solder interface materials, because they impede heat conduction from the silicon die to heat spreader/heat sink in semiconductor electronic devices. This work uses infrared microscopy to measure temperature distributions on the interfacial layer through the silicon die. Hot spots, with a 15 /spl deg/C temperature rise above average die temperature, are found right on top of void-like inclusions at a device power density above 50 W/cm/sup 2/. The technique presented in the manuscript, with a theoretical spatial resolution of 3-5/spl mu/m, is promising for thermal characterization of voids in interface solder layers.
A Fast RANSAC-Based Registration Algorithm for Accurate Localization in Unknown Environments using LIDAR Measurements

The problem of accurate localization using only measurements from a LIDAR sensor is analyzed in this paper. The sensor is rigidly fixed on a generic moving platform, which moves on a plane. Practical on-line applications of localization algorithms impose constraints on the execution time, problem that is addressed in this paper and compared with other existing solutions. Due to the nature of the sensor adopted, the localization algorithm is based on a fast and accurate registration algorithm, which is able to deal with noisy measurements, outliers and dynamic environments. The proposed solution relies on the RANSAC algorithm in combination with a Huber kernel in order to cope with typical nuisances in LIDAR measurements. The robust registration is successively used in combination with an extended Kalman filter to track the trajectory of the LIDAR over time, hence to solve the localization problem. Simulations and experimental results are reported to show the feasibility of the proposed approach.
The Marginal Effects Of Consumer Characteristics On Internet Channel Choice

Multiple retail channels (e.g., retail stores and catalogs) have been available to consumers for more than a century, while consumer decision making and academic research focused on channel choice with regard to the Internet is limited. This research integrates and adapts relevant literatures to develop a model of channel choice based on demographics and for the first time explicitly measures consumer switching propensities between channels. The findings suggest that consumers with Internet access tend to switch from traditional direct response retailing to the Internet and that time pressured consumers tend to switch from physical retail stores to the Internet and vice versa for older consumers. Strategic implications are also provided.
Compiler-directed design space exploration for caching and prefetching data in high-level synthesis

Emerging computing architectures exhibit a rich variety of controllable storage resources. Allocation and management of these resources critically affect the performance of data intensive applications. In this paper we describe a synergistic collaboration between compiler data dependence analysis and execution modeling techniques to explore the application of data caching and software prefetching for hardware designs in high-level synthesis. We describe a design space exploration algorithm that selects between data caching and prefetching of array references along the critical paths of the computation with the objective of minimizing the overall execution time, while meeting the architecture's storage and bandwidth constraints. We present preliminary results of the application of the algorithm for a set of image/signal processing kernels on a commercial FPGA. The high precision of our execution model (average 94%) results in the selection of the fastest design in every case.
Skin colour: a barrier to early referral of infants with biliary atresia in the UK

Biliary atresia (BA) is a disease of infancy which, if untreated, is fatal. When diagnosed, an attempt is made to restore bile flow by excision of the affected biliary remnants and portoenterostomy.1 The baby's age at surgery is critical to the outcome, forestalling or removing the need for liver transplantation.2 BA presents as a combination of prolonged neonatal jaundice, pale stools and dark urine. Jaundice is a key clinical sign that is detectable first in the sclera and with increasing severity in the skin. Despite conventional clinical teaching that recommends scleral examination to demonstrate jaundice, healthcare professionals comment on …
Sphingosine-1-phosphate prevents permeability increases via activation of endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 in rat venules

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been demonstrated to enhance endothelial barrier function in vivo and in vitro. However, different S1P receptor subtypes have been indicated to play different or e...
Iron Oxide Enhanced Chlorine Decay and Disinfection By-Product Formation

This study investigates the interaction of natural organic matter with iron oxide (goethite) on chlorine decay, disinfection by-product (DBP) formation, and DBP compound speciation [total trihalomethanes (TTHM4) and haloacetic acids (HAA5)]. Batch experiments were conducted with goethite, multiple finished drinking waters, variable chlorine dose, and fixed pH 8. The overall objective was to assess natural organic matter (NOM) adsorption onto goethite and its effect on chlorine decay and DBP formation. Chlorine consumption always increased in the presence of goethite and is attributed to an increase in the reactivity and/or modification of adsorbed NOM. Adsorbed NOM also led to an overall increase in TTHM4, however, HAA5 formation was suppressed during the first 2 h. Chloroform was identified as the increasing species and dichloracetic acid was identified as the suppressed species. This study clearly shows that goethite, which is the predominant iron oxide of pipe deposits, alters both chlorine decay and DBP formation and should be considered when assessing water treatment plant operations and DBP monitoring site selection.
Patterns and Correlates of Emergency Department Use by Individuals With Diabetes

In the U.S., there has been a rapid increase in emergency department visits, and studies indicate that up to 50% of emergency department visits are for nonurgent problems (1,2). Several studies have suggested that individuals with diabetes are significantly more likely to use the emergency department than their nondiabetic counterparts (3–5). However, most of these studies did not adequately control for key factors that influence health utilization, and many did not explore potential predictors of emergency department use in individuals with diabetes. The objectives of this study were to use nationally representative data to 1 ) compare patterns of emergency department use in people with and without diabetes, 2 ) compare the odds of emergency department use in both groups while controlling for potential confounders, and 3 ) determine correlates of single and multiple emergency department use in people with diabetes. It was hypothesized that while controlling for known confounders, the odds of emergency department use would not differ significantly between people with and without diabetes. Data from the sample adult core of 1999 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (6) were analyzed. The NHIS is a nationally representative household survey of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years. The sample is selected by a complex sampling design involving stratification, clustering, and multistage sampling with a nonzero probability of …
Efficiency and regulation of recruitment during colony emigration by the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus

Recruitment helps insect societies by bringing individuals to places where work needs to be done, but it also imposes energetic and opportunity costs. The net effect depends both on recruitment efficiency and on the ease with which insects can find work sites on their own. This study examined both of these factors for colony emigration by the ant Temnothorax curvispinosus. Emigrations were organized by a corps of active ants who transported the rest of the colony. These active ants either found new sites independently or followed tandem runs led by successful scouts. Although most tandem runs broke apart before reaching their target, even lost followers found the new site faster than did unguided searchers. When the new site was near the old nest, tandem runs were rare and summoned only a small proportion of the transporter corps. When the new site was instead distant and inconspicuous, tandem runs were common and brought roughly one third of the transporters. This pattern likely results from the quorum rule used by individual scouts to decide when to switch from tandem runs to transports. By monitoring how many nestmates have already found the nest, the ants ensure that the costs of recruitment are born only when necessary.
Driving forces of tropical deforestation: The role of remote sensing and spatial models

Remote sensing technologies are increasingly used to monitor landscape change in many parts of the world. While the availability of extensive and timely imagery from various satellite sensors can aid in identifying the rates and patterns of deforestation, modelling techniques can evaluate the socioeconomic and biophysical forces driving deforestation processes. This paper briefly reviews some emerging spatial methodologies aimed at identifying driving forces of land use change and applies one such methodology to understand deforestation in Mexico. Satellite image classification, change analysis and econometric modelling are used to identify the rates, hotspots and drivers of deforestation in a case study of the southern Yucatan peninsular region, an enumerated global hotspot of biodiversity and tropical deforestation. In particular, the relative roles of biophysical and socioeconomic factors in driving regional deforestation rates are evaluated. Such methodological approaches can be applied to other regions of the forested tropics and contribute insights to conservation planning and policy.
Efficient and Accurate Approximation of Infinite Series Summation Using Asymptotic Approximation and Super Convergent Series

We present an approach for very quick and accurate approximation of infinite series summation arising in electromagnetic problems. This approach is based on using asymptotic expansions of the arguments and the use of super convergent series to accelerate the convergence of each term. It has been validated by obtaining very accurate solution for propagation constant for shielded microstrip lines using spectral domain approach (SDA). In the spectral domain analysis of shielded microstrip lines, the elements of the Galerkin matrix are summations of infinite series of product of Bessel functions and Green's function. The infinite summation is accelerated by leading term extraction using asymptotic expansions for the Bessel function and the Green's function and the summation of the leading terms is carried out using the super convergent series.
Relationship between tree nitrogen status, xylem and phloem sap amino acid concentrations, and apparent soil nitrogen uptake by almond trees (Prunus dulcis)

SummaryFour N application rates generated a range of tree N status as indicated by leaf N concentrations in six year old trees of `Mission' almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb). Leaf N concentrations were related positively with concentrations of amino acids - especially asparagine and glutamine - in phloem and xylem saps. A pulse of 1.25 kg N per tree was applied to trees previously receiving 0, 78, 157 or 313 g N per tree, annually. Apparent uptake of soil N into above-ground tree parts was determined over a 39 d period. N uptake was determined as the difference in the products of tree biomass and tissue N concentrations before and after the N pulse. Tissue N concentrations increased signi®cantly in trees previously receiving the two lowest N application rates, whereas trees previously receiving the high N treatments were unresponsive. Tree N contents (0 g N per year, and also 78 g N per year treatments) increased slightly in response to the N pulse, although statistical differences were not observ...
Fecundity of Female Oriental Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Effects of Methyl Eugenol-Fed and Multiple Mates

Females of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), show a strong mating preference for males that have fed previously on methyl eugenol, a compound occurring naturally in various plant families. The current study compared fecundity and fertility (proportion of eggs hatching) of individual females mated to methyl eugenol-deprived males (control) or methyl eugenol-fed males (treated). Based on data collected over an 8-wk period, no differences were detected in female survival, fecundity, or fertility between females mated to control or treated males. In a second experiment, female remating frequency was monitored, and the fecundity of singly versus multiply mated females was compared. Approximately 50% of females remated over 8 wk, and multiple maters laid significantly more eggs than did single maters. Possible explanations for the female preference for methyl eugenol-fed males and the difference in fecundity observed between singly and multiply mated females are discussed.
Runoff Curve Numbers with Varying Site Moisture

Runoff curve numbers (CN) as used to estimate runoff volume (Q) from storm rainfall (P), are usually modified by handbook methods to account for the influence of watershed wetness. An alternate technique, based on the SCS rainfall-runoff formula and conservation of mass, is developed, illustrated, and discussed. The expression developed is: CN\d2=1,200/(1,200/CN\d1) +ET-(P-Q). The methodology requires inputs of the interim evapotranspiration and drainage (ET), but is not unreasonably sensitive to estimates of them.
Is it dating violence or just "drunken behavior"? Judgments of intimate partner violence when the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol

Background: Previous research has shown a strong bias for laypersons to believe alcohol use and aggression to go hand-in-hand (see Quigley & Leonard, 2006). Furthermore, research has shown that alcohol use can be seen as a mitigating circumstance for aggression, resulting in a reduction of blame and accountability (Bullock, 2002; Katz & Arias, 2001; Tryggvesson, 2004). Objectives: The present study investigated observers’ judgments of intimate partner violence (IPV) when the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol. We hypothesized that participants would view violent behavior as more common and less abusive if they thought the perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol. Methods: College students (n = 79) viewed a video depicting an increasingly abusive interaction between college-age dating partners (see Witte & Kendra, 2010) and half of the participants were lead to believe that the perpetrator was drinking alcohol prior to the interaction. Participants rated the videotaped vignette at four ti...
THE ASSOCIATION OF LOW LEVELS OF HDL CHOLESTEROL AND ARTERIOGRAPHICALLY DEFINED CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Epidemiologic studies have found associations between low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increased risk of coronary artery disease, using myocardial infarction or angina pectoris as endpoints. However, since most studies have not correlated HDL cholesterol with the presence, severity, or location of anatomically proven coronary disease, the present study measured HDL cholesterol levels in 483 men and women undergoing coronary arteriography. Consistent and statistically significant trends of decreasing mean HDL cholesterol levels with increasing numbers of diseased coronary arteries were observed in both men and women and in younger and older age groups. Although women without coronary disease had much higher levels of HDL cholesterol than men without coronary disease, the differences between men and women with similar degrees of coronary disease were small. Low levels of HDL cholesterol were associated with left main coronary disease; patients with both triple vessel disease and left main disease had lower levels of HDL cholesterol than did patients with triple vessel disease without left main disease. These results were not explained by the possible associations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglycerides with HDL cholesterol. These findings suggest that low levels of HDL cholesterol are important risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis and that they may be useful for identifying patients at high risk of certain anatomic patterns of coronary artery disease.
Nutrient Density and Health: How to Develop Global Nutrient Density Metrics

Nutrient density of foods is a key element of preventive nutrition. Whereas nutrient-dense foods contain more nutrients than calories, energy-dense foods contain more calories than nutrients. Nutrient density of foods is normally calculated in terms of index nutrients per reference amount (100 g, 100 kcal, or per serving). The concept of nutrient density can be applied equally to individual foods, composite meals, and the total diet. The concept was recently extended to food affordability metrics, defined as nutrient density in relation to monetary cost, and to the environmental impact of foods, defined as nutrient density in relation to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs). The science of ranking foods by nutritional value has become known as nutrient profiling. For greatest efficacy, nutrient profile models need to be simple and transparent; preferably based on publicly available nutrient composition data, and should be validated against independent measures of a healthy diet. These rigorous scientific standards were applied in developing the nutrient-rich foods (NRF) family of profiles and the French SAIN,LIM system. Both profiling models balanced multiple nutrients to encourage: protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals, against three nutrients to limit: saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium. Already used as the scientific basis for product reformulation and front-of-pack labels, nutrient profile models can inform dietary recommendations and guidelines.
Comparing Counterpoise-Corrected, Uncorrected, and Averaged Binding Energies for Benchmarking Noncovalent Interactions.

High-quality benchmark computations are critical for the development and assessment of approximate methods to describe noncovalent interactions. Recent advances in the treatment of dispersion by density functional theory and also the development of more efficient wave function techniques to reliably address noncovalent interactions motivate new benchmark computations of increasing accuracy. This work considers focal point approximations to estimate the complete basis set limit of coupled-cluster theory through perturbative triples [CCSD(T)/CBS] and evaluates how this approach is affected by the use or absence of counterpoise (CP) correction or, as has recently gained traction, the average of those values. Current benchmark protocols for interaction energies are computed with all CP procedures and assessed against the A24 and S22B databases and also to highly converged results for formic acid, cyanogen, and benzene dimers. Whether CP correction, no correction, or the average is favored depends upon the the...
Abstract B09: Fetuin-A, an emerging biomarker for breast and prostate cancer

We hypothesized that fetuin-A, a liver derived glycoprotein would be a useful biomarker to follow for the progression of prostate and breast cancer particularly in African American patients. For many years, conflicting reports have appeared in the literature regarding the role of fetuin-A in the progression of a number of solid tumors. The majority of the studies have reported that the serum levels of fetuin-A drops as tumors progress, suggesting a tumor suppressive role for the protein. We on the other hand, demonstrated that it is a significant tumor growth promoter in vitro. In the recent past, a number of laboratories, including ours, have indicated that fetuin-A is actively synthesized by high grade tumors. In the present study, we investigated the appearance of fetuin-A autoantibodies in the sera of 12 prostate and breast cancer patients, 60% of whom were African Americans. We demonstrated the presence of fetuin-A auto antibodies in all except two of the tumor serum specimens. Blood of normal tumor free individuals do not show fetuin-A autoantibodies. We also subjected tissue microarrays of prostate and breast tumors to immune-histochemical analysis of fetuin-A. Our data show a dramatic increase in the synthesis of fetuin-A in the TMA particularly in high grade tumors. Taken together, these results suggest that as tumors become more aggressive they may synthesize fetuin-A which then presents as a new antigen in the blood that provokes the synthesis of auto-antibodies, which could be a biomarker of advanced or metastatic disease. Furthermore, the study suggests that fetuin-A itself could be a significant surrogate marker of aggressive tumors of the prostate or breast particularly in African Americans. Citation Format: Gladys Nangami, Josiah Ochieng, Ebenezer Appah, Philip E. Lammers. Fetuin-A, an emerging biomarker for breast and prostate cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B09.
Sports Economics: Misconduct and Discipline

Introduction We encountered two kinds of misconduct in the preceding chapters – gambling and cheating. In this chapter, we turn our attention to an array of misconduct on and off the field. Misconduct on the field can be relatively minor – excessive celebration, taunting opponents, and arguing with game officials are common examples. It can also be more serious and far more dangerous – helmet-to-helmet hits, stick-wielding incidents, kicking opponents, and starting brawls. Off the field, misconduct has taken many forms – dog fighting, domestic violence, DUIs by the dozen, weapons charges, drug dealing, and assaults. These forms of misconduct can have an adverse impact on the image and popularity of professional sports. If fans begin to think that athletes are thugs and criminals, the stars will no longer shine so brightly and no longer be heroes in fans’ eyes. When fans begin to turn away, the turnstile stops clicking, and the money stops flowing. As a result, sports leagues and organizations as well as the athletes themselves have an economic interest in controlling such behavior for the good of the game. In this chapter, we begin with the personal conduct policy of the NFL, which is representative of the other major sports leagues and organizations. Once again, we analyze the economics of deterring undesirable conduct. Following that, we examine several examples – fighting, excessive violence, off-field legal problems, and even some relatively minor forms of misconduct that may draw the ire of the league officials. In all of these examples, our focus is on punishment that is designed to deter others from misdeeds.
The Impact of Brand and Attention on Consumers’ Willingness to Pay: Evidence from an Eye Tracking Experiment

In the field of agricultural economics, willingness to pay (WTP) studies often do not include information regarding the brand of the product. Therefore, we conducted an auction examining consumer WTP for branded and unbranded energy drinks containing different sweeteners. Eye tracking was used to capture the magnitude of attention spent by participants on specific areas of interest regarding the energy drinks in the auction (e.g., brand). Results indicate that attention to brand, package attributes, and product information had a varying impact on WTP depending on the brand examined. Results show that the presence of brand had an impact on WTP for certain brands. Also, as more attention was paid to particular stimuli regarding the energy drinks, individuals were more likely to either increase or decrease their WTP. These results have implications for both marketers of branded food products as well as researchers eliciting consumers’ preferences and WTP values for products that can be branded in the marketplace. Les impacts des marques de commerce et de l'attention du consommateur sur la volonte de payer: les resultats d'une experience de suivi oculaire. Au sein de l'economie agricole, les etudes concernant la volonte de payer ne comprennent souvent pas les informations concernant les marques de commerce des produits. Nous avons donc mene une vente aux encheres pour examiner la volonte de payer des consommateurs pour des boissons energisantes de marque et sans marque. Le suivi oculaire a ete utilise afin de mesurer l'intensite de l'attention des participants sur certains centres d'interet concernant les boissons energisantes disponibles aux encheres (comme la marque). Les resultats demontrent que : l'attention portee a la marque de commerce, aux attributs de l'emballage et aux informations concernant le produit a un impact sur la volonte de payer pour certaines marques. De plus, une augmentation de l'attention pour un stimulus en particulier des boissons energisantes rendait l'individu plus apte a augmenter ou diminuer sa volonte de payer. Ces resultats ont des repercussions autant pour les specialistes du marketing des produits alimentaires de marque que pour les chercheurs voulant recueillir les preferences et la volonte de payer des consommateurs pour la commercialisation de produits destines au marche.
Monsters, Demons and Psychopaths: Psychiatry and Horror Film

Descriptions of monsters, vampires, demonic possessions, and psychopaths in horror films have been inspired by psychiatric knowledge about mental illness, leading to several stereotyped models of horror that have prevailed through decades. Some scholars have proposed that horror films can be a teaching tool for psychopathology, but for the most part the genre has been underutilized as a learning tool. This book explores the idea of relating horror films to psychiatric ideas as a way of engaging people in learning.