cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Stimulus Bandwidth on the Imitation of English Fricatives by Normal-Hearing Children

Purpose Recent studies from the authors' laboratory have suggested that reduced audibility in the high frequencies (because of the bandwidth of hearing instruments) may play a role in the delays in phonological development often exhibited by children with hearing impairment. The goal of the current study was to extend previous findings on the effect of bandwidth on fricatives/affricates to more complex stimuli. Method Nine fricatives/affricates embedded in 2-syllable nonsense words were filtered at 5 and 10 kHz and presented to normal-hearing 6- to 7-year-olds who repeated words exactly as heard. Responses were recorded for subsequent phonetic and acoustic analyses. Results Significant effects of talker gender and bandwidth were found, with better performance for the male talker and the wider bandwidth condition. In contrast to previous studies, relatively small (5%) mean bandwidth effects were observed for /s/ and /z/ spoken by the female talker. Acoustic analyses of stimuli used in the previous and the ...
The public health risks of media violence: a meta-analytic review.

Objective To conduct a meta-analytic review of studies that examine the impact of violent media on aggressive behavior and to determine whether this effect could be explained through methodological problems inherent in this research field. Study design A detailed literature search identified peer-reviewed articles addressing media violence effects. Effect sizes were calculated for all studies. Effect sizes were adjusted for observed publication bias. Results Publication bias was a problem for studies of aggressive behavior, and methodological problems such as the use of poor aggression measures inflated effect size. Once corrected for publication bias, studies of media violence effects provided little support for the hypothesis that media violence is associated with higher aggression. The corrected overall effect size for all studies was r=.08. Conclusions Results from the current analysis do not support the conclusion that media violence leads to aggressive behavior. It cannot be concluded at this time that media violence presents a significant public health risk.
Cyclic near-tip fields for fatigue cracks along metal-metal and metal-ceramic interfaces

Abstract Finite element analyses were conducted with the objective of determining the cyclic near-tip fields ahead of a stationary tensile fatigue crack lying along the interface between two dissimilar solids. The model systems analyzed are (i) a metal-metal bimaterial whose components have the same elastic properties but different plastic deformation characteristics, and (ii) a metal-ceramic bimaterial. In both cases, monotonic loading to the peak tensile load results in a predominantly mode I field ahead of the crack. However, unloading in one or both components of the bimaterial with prior plastic deformation generates mixed-mode conditions at the crack tip. The mode mixity persists during a significant portion of the next loading phase and is gradually removed upon reloading to the peak stress. The cyclic plastic zone size directly ahead of the fatigue crack is approximately one-fifth the size of the monotonic plastic zone. The residual compressive stresses within the cyclic plastic zone are computed. The implications of reversed yielding and mixed-mode near-tip fields to constant-amplitude and variable-amplitude fatigue fracture are discussed.
Frustrated drift of an anchored scroll-wave filament and the geodesic principle.

We investigate anchored scroll-wave filaments in an excitable medium whose diffusivity matrix, including its determinant, is spatially nonuniform. The study is motivated by cardiological applications where scroll-wave behavior in the presence of diffusivity gradients is believed to play an important role in the development of severe arrhythmias. A diffusivity gradient is expected to make the filament drift, unless drift is prevented ("frustrated") by anchoring to localized defects in the propagation medium. The resulting stationary filament is a geodesic curve, as demonstrated here in the case of a nonzero but constant gradient. That is, the diffusivity matrix has a determinant that varies in space, in contrast to what was assumed in earlier work. Here, we show that the filament shape results from a metric tensor of the form (det D)D{-1} , where D is the diffusivity tensor. The filament's shape is solely determined by the diffusivity tensor and is independent of the equation's reaction terms. We derive the analytic solution for the filament and determine conditions for the existence of that solution. The theory is in excellent agreement with numerical simulations.
International career articles: A content analysis of four journals across 34 years

Abstract This study included a review and content analysis of international career articles published in four major U.S. vocational/career journals over a 34-year time period. Three hundred and twenty-six articles were identified, constituting 2.4% of the total number of articles published in these journals during this time. The results showed an increasing number of international career articles being published over time and that most of them are empirically based, with adult professionals as the most common sample type. The two most common content areas identified were Career Issues Related to a Specific Culture, Country, or Population and Academic and Vocational Attitudes. Further, a substantial amount of these publications originated from institutions in Israel. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Fosaprepitant (MK-0517): a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a distressing and common adverse event associated with cancer treatment. Updated anti-emetic guidelines were published in 2007 by the National Com...
THE MECHANISM OF THE METHYLASPARTATE AMMONIA-LYASE REACTION: DEUTERIUM EXCHANGE.

Abstract 1. 1. The mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by methylaspartate ammonia-lyase ( l -threo-3- methylaspartate ammonia-lyase, EC 4.3.1.2) has been investigated using deuterium. Nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy was used for deuterium analysis. 2. 2. l -threo-3- Methylaspartate which is formed enzymically from mesaconate and ammonia in 2H2O contains deuterium exclusively at C-3. 3. 3. The enzyme catalyzes a 3-deuterium exchange reaction with solvent when [3-2H]3-methylaspartate is the substrate. The properties of this exchange reactions are similar to those of the overall reaction insofar as its requirement for Mg2+ and K+ and its inhibition by Ca2+ are concerned. 4. 4. A carbanion mechanisms is consistent with the data obtained thus far. It is pointed out, however, that the data are not necessarily unique to the carbanion mechanism.
Phytohemagglutinin skin test: A possible in vivo measure of cell-mediated immunity*

The usefulness of in vivo skin reactivity to phytohemagglutinin to assess cell-mediated immunity was investigated in 25 individuals without disease, including ten premature infants. Intradermal injection of 2 μg of phytohemagglutinin produced erythema and induration within 24 to 48 hours. Cutaneous reactivity to phytohemagglutinin was present in the premature infants despite absence of response to intradermal monilia extract and to intradermal streptokinase-streptodornase (SK-SD). In 14 of 16 patients with sarcoidosis and two of three patients with congenital rubella syndrome—diseases associated with altered cell-mediated immunity—2 μg of phytohemagglutinin intracutaneously produced erythema and induration at 48 hours despite the presence or absence of cutaneous reactivity to other skin test antigens. Patients with sarcoidosis responded to phytohemagglutinin in vivo and in vitro, although their in vitro responses were uniformly depressed.
Comments on the thermal efficiency of an ideal shape-recovery cycle

The thermal efficiency of the shape recovery phenomena associated with the martensite-parent phase transformation was studied. Mathematical analysis of the phenomena are given. (FS)
Detecting sensitive data exfiltration by an insider attack

Detecting and mitigating insider threat is a critical element in the overall information protection strategy. By successfully implementing tactics to detect this threat, organizations avoid the loss of sensitive information and also potentially protect against future attacks. Within the broader scope of mitigating insider threat, we focus on detecting exfiltration of sensitive data through the high speed network. We propose a multilevel approach that consists of three main components: 1) network level application identification, 2) content signature generation and detection, and 3) covert communication detection. The key scientific approach used for all the above components is applying statistical and signal processing techniques on network traffic to generate signatures and/or extract features for classification purposes. We provide a summary of the approaches used in network level application identification and content signature generation and detection and briefly describe our approach in detecting covert communications. This paper touches on these issues and outlines overall directions for our research.
Instructing pharmacy students with interactive clinical cases.

In traditional case-based pharmacy instruction, the profile of a patient and all of the relevant information about his or her disease at a single point in time is given in a condensed and logically laid-out summary.[1][1] Some perceived deficiencies with this type of case approach are (1) students
Collaborative strategic decision making in school districts

Purpose – The dual purpose of this paper is to determine how superintendents in US school districts work with stakeholders in the decision‐making process and to learn how different choices superintendents make affect decision outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – This multiple case study of three school districts employs qualitative methodology to address specific research questions. Interview and observation data are analyzed using data codes applied to text through NVivo8.Findings – The paper finds that superintendents respond to accountability pressure by working with committees in different ways, yet all three tend to achieve the strategic decision outcomes they favor. Despite superintendents' substantial efforts to engage in collaborative strategic decision making, collaboration virtually ends once the decision is made and these districts shift into implementation.Research limitations/implications – The multiple case study approach employed here is useful for understanding the details of strategic d...
Root response to CO2 enrichment and nitrogen supply in loblolly pine

This paper examines how elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N) supply affect plant characteristics of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) with an emphasis on root morphology. Seedlings were grown in greenhouses from seeds during one growing season at two atmospheric CO2 concentrations (375 and 710 µL L−1) and two N levels (High and Low). Root morphological characteristics were determined using a scanner and an image analysis program on a Macintosh computer. In the high N treatment, elevated CO2 increased total plant dry weight by 80% and did not modify root to shoot (R/S) dry weight ratio, and leaf and plant N concentration at the end of the growing season. In the low N treatment, elevated CO2 increased total dry weight by 60%. Plant and leaf N concentration declined and R/S ratio tended to increase. Nitrogen uptake rate on both a root length and a root dry weight basis was greater at elevated CO2 in the high N treatment and lower in the low N treatment. We argue that N stress resulting from short exposures to nutrients might help explain the lower N concentrations observed at high CO2 in other experiments; Nitrogen and CO2 levels modified root morphology. High N increased the number of secondary lateral roots per length of first order lateral root and high CO2 increased the length of secondary lateral roots per length of first order lateral root. Number and length of first order lateral roots were not modified by either treatment. Specific root length of main axis, and to a lower degree, of first order laterals, declined at high CO2, especially at high N. Basal stem diameter and first order root diameters increased at high CO2, especially at high N. Elevated CO2 increased the proportion of upper lateral roots within the root system.
Two-Dimensional Heat Transfer Effects on Vacuum and Reflective Insulations:

Heat transfer in directions normal to the imposed temperature gradi ent can have an important influence on the overall performance of insulation systems. An analysis of two-dimensional heat transfe...
Inhibition of NADH-Linked Mitochondrial Respiration by 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal†

During the progression of certain degenerative conditions, including myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, mitochondria are a source of increased free-radical generation and exhibit declines in respiratory function(s). It has therefore been suggested that oxidative damage to mitochondrial components plays a critical role in the pathology of these processes. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of membrane lipids are prime molecular targets of free-radical damage. A major product of lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), is highly cytotoxic and can readily react with and damage protein. In this study, the effects of HNE on intact cardiac mitochondria were investigated to gain insight into potential mechanisms by which free radicals mediate mitochondrial dysfunction. Exposure of mitochondria to micromolar concentrations of HNE caused rapid declines in NADH-linked but not succinate-linked state 3 and uncoupled respiration. The activity of complex I was unaffected by HNE under the conditions of our experimen...
Stationary points on the potential energy surface of O2−HF and O2−H2O

The determination of minima and saddle points on the potential energy surfaces of the hydrogen bonded species O2−HF and O2−H2O is performed with unrestricted Hartree-Fock calculations. Geometries, electron density distributions, and relative energies for every stationary point are reported. Only one true minimum is found for O2−HF and for O2−H2O, and this approximately corresponds to a structure where the partially positive hydrogen atom is located along one of the superoxide ion electron lone-pair directions. Calculated ΔH, ΔS, and ΔG values for the reaction between O2− and H2O are in good agreement with experimental data.
Circuit delay calculation considering data dependent delays

Abstract Accurate detection of both maximun and minimum circuit delay times and the detection of input vectors that produce those delays are crucial tasks in the design and testing of high speed CMOS circuits. This is especially true for timing disciplines, such as single phase latching, wave pipelining, and asynchronous design, where combinational logic delays paths are designed to be nearly equal and timing constraints are very tight. For these design methodologies, traditional timing analysis based on gate delay models assuming single delay values forgates or delay values based only on gate inputs is not sufficient. For example, two input CMOS NAND gate delay can vary by as much as a factor of two based on whether one input is changing or both inputs are changing. This implies that, for accurate detection of maximum and minimum overall delay, sensitization of multiple paths must be considered to ascertain feasibility of multiple simulationeous input transitions at particular gates. This paper considers this problem beginning with a brief discussion of CMOS gate delays. An algorithm is then presented that accurately detects both maximum and minimum delays considering the effect of delay differences due to rising and falling transitions and due to single vs. multiple simultaneous signal changes at gate inputs. Results of this process are demonstrated in a prototype timing analyzer XTV .
Assessment of reader accuracy and recommendations to reduce subjectivity in age estimation

Abstract Historically, authors have stressed the importance of validating methods to estimate fish age. However, interpretation of annuli involves an element of subjectivity and individual readers using valid techniques can incorrectly estimate fish age. To assess the error resulting from this subjectivity, biologists and technicians (N = 36) who routinely estimate fish age for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Inland Fisheries Division were asked to estimate the ages of 50 known-age largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) using a validated otolith technique. Accuracy of individual readers was highly variable and differed among young (ages 0–3; 72–100%) and old (ages 4–14; 36–100%) fish. Most readers who aged less than 90% of the largemouth bass correctly also produced biased age estimates. Ages for young fish were as likely to be underestimated as overestimated, while ages for old fish were underestimated. Known-age reference structures allowed readers to assess accuracy and identify biases. Thus...
Detection of halofuginone residues in chicken serum by a monoclonal‐based immunoassay and high‐performance liquid chromatography

Halofuginone (Hal) is a coccidiostat used worldwide as a feed additive at a level of 3 ppm in the feed of broiler chickens. The analytical methods described in the literature to determine the levels of Hal in liver are very lengthy and time consuming. This study evaluated the usefulness of determining Hal in chicken serum with a competitive ELISA (cELISA). If a 4‐day withdrawal time could be determined by serum Hal levels, the method would greatly improve on the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods currently used for Hal detection in liver tissue. A modification of a previously developed HPLC method was used to validate the cELISA analysis of Hal in chicken serum. A serum matrix effect that afforded a higher sensitivity by the cELISA for the detection of Hal in chicken serum than in assay buffer or in highly diluted serum was observed. The sensitivity of the cELISA method improved when used in more concentrated serum. The chicken serum samples were evaluated by cELISA using a standard cur...
Quantitative simultaneous PET-MR imaging

Whole-body PET is currently limited by the degradation due to patient motion. Respiratory motion degrades imaging studies of the abdomen. Similarly, both respiratory and cardiac motions significantly hamper the assessment of myocardial ischemia and/or metabolism in perfusion and viability cardiac PET studies. Based on simultaneous PET-MR, we have developed robust and accurate MRI methods allowing the tracking and measurement of both respiratory and cardiac motions during abdominal or cardiac studies. Our list-mode iterative PET reconstruction framework incorporates the measured motion fields into PET emission system matrix as well as the time-dependent PET attenuation map and the position dependent point spread function. Our method significantly enhances the PET image quality as compared to conventional methods.
Determination of diabatic states through enforcement of configurational uniformity

. An electronic structure-based construction of diabatic states from adiabatic states is formulated that is applicable when individual diabatic states contain several dominant configurations. It is accomplished by maximizing the electronic uniformity of the diabatic states with respect to their dominant configurations throughout the entire nuclear coordinate region. The configurations are generated from unambiguously defined diabatization-adapted molecular orbitals. The orthogonal transformation from adiabatic to diabatic states is deduced by an intrinsic analysis of the adiabatic CI coefficients, without calculating matrix elements of additional, derivative or non-derivative operators. The practicality of the method is demonstrated by applying it to the conical intersection region of the 11 A 1 and 21 A 1 states of ozone.
The stress and strain fields in the neighbourhood of a notch in polyethylene

Abstract The stress and strain fields were determined in the neighbourhood of a sharp notch in a single edge-notched tensile specimen. The effects of notch opening, distance from the notch and unloading the specimen and the difference between plane stress and plane strain were investigated. From the measurements of the strain field, the stress was inferred directly from the stress-strain curve of the material. In general, the stress field is fairly uniform between the notch and the craze tip, in good conformity with the assumption of the Dugdale theory. Complexities in the strain field arise from the stress concentration at the corners of the bottom of the notch and from the characteristics of the craze.
Inhibition of histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity by HBZ extends beyond the p300/CBP HAT family

We previously reported that HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ) interacts with the cellular coactivator p300 in cells derived from ATL patients. We further determined that HBZ directly binds to the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of both p300 and its homologue CBP. HAT activity transfers an acetyl group to lysine residues on histone tails and transcription factors to generally upregulate transcription. We observed that the HBZ interaction with the HAT domain of p300/CBP inhibits acetylation of histones and of the tumor suppressor p53. In this study, we wanted to determine whether inhibition of HAT activity was limited to p300/CBP or extended to other HAT families. We focused on the GCN5/ p/CAF and MYST HAT families. We found that HBZ co-immunoprecipitates with both p/CAF and HBO1. These data support a recent finding that HBZ interacts with HBO1 in a yeast two-hybrid assay. Through in vitro HAT assays using recombinant proteins we found that HBZ inhibits acetylation of histone H3 and histone H4 by p/CAF and HBO1, respectively. Furthermore, HBZ reduces acetylation of p53 by p/CAF. Since both p300 and p/CAF acetylate p53 to increase its DNA-binding activity, we performed quantitative RT-PCR to evaluate expression of the p53 target genes, GADD45A and NOXA. We observed reduced mRNA levels of these genes when cells expressed HBZ. Overall these results suggest that HBZ inhibits the HAT activity of coactivators from different HAT families to contribute to transcriptional deregulation.
Methods For Analyzing Optical Guided Wave Structures

As optical fiber technology matures, complexity of optical waveguides and waveguide components also grows. Traditional techniques which may be used to analyze circular fibers are no longer adequate. An assessment of several modern analytical/numerical techniques which have been used successfully to treat problems of practical interests is given. Il-lustrative numerical examples are also presented.
Far infrared laser thermal spectroscopy of superconductors

An optically pumped far infrared laser provides fixed photon energies near the superconducting gap, making it possible to carry out experiments where the temperature is swept through Tc. Such thermal measurements in thin films of V3Si show both known and unexplained features, with some of the latter perhaps due to a second gap. The thermal technique shows potential for the study of superconductors.
Spline-based trajectory planning techniques for benthic AUV operations

AUVs increasingly are being used to collect data in the benthic environment. Many of these data collection tasks require that the AUV is able to follow the terrain at standoff distances on the order of meters (e.g. benthic imaging). However, terrain following with an AUV is a challenging problem when the terrain is rough, and the task becomes even more difficult when using motion-constrained vehicles such as torpedo-style AUVs. One option to improve the terrain-following capability of these vehicles is to incorporate a trajectory following control law. This requires, however, the generation of a trajectory. This paper presents a spline-based trajectory planning technique that exploits prior knowledge of terrain shape and explicitly takes motion constraints into consideration. Details of a the trajectory planning method are provided. The method forms terrain following trajectories by using a spline-based representation of the underlying terrain. A vehicle turning radius constraint along the trajectory is mapped to spline surface curvature constraints by leveraging the continuous nature of the spline-based terrain representation. A curvature-constrained spline surface is then fit to bathymetry by solving an optimization problem. If a feasible solution does not exist, the AUV is not able to survey the site under the specified turning radius constraint. Consequently, this method can also be used as a design tool to determine an AUV's actuation requirements to survey a given terrain. Examples of planned trajectories for an MBARI Dorado AUV over Monterey Bay bathymetry are provided.
Global convergence of local agent behaviors

Many multi-agent systems seek to reconcile two apparently inconsistent constraints. The system has a global overall objective. However, the agents have only local information to guide their actions. Such systems are presently more art than science. They often exhibit regularities (such as exponential convergence) that we do not understand, and we do not know how to improve their functioning in a disciplined manner. In this paper, we develop a simple statistical model for such systems that can enhance both our intuitions about their functioning and our ability to engineer them, and apply it to three systems that we have constructed.
DISPLAY AND ANALYSIS OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC DATA.

Abstract A review of the most common types of electrocardiographic display and analysis, including those developed more recently, was given. Advantages and disadvantages of scalar lead recordings, vector loop displays, curves of spatial magnitude, orientation and velocity, polar vectors and Eigenvectors were evaluated. Analysis of data from these displays was compared with analysis by digital computer, which is based almost exclusively on numerical terms. Since graphic display of numerical operations proved impractical, the question was raised, whether or not display of electrocardiographic data represents an unnecessary restraint for efficient analysis. A new method of differential electrocardiography is described. It is based on computed ranges of various diagnostic entities. Leads which discriminate best between diagnostic groups can be obtained by resolution of orthogonal leads. Some of the results of large scale computations can thus be incorporated in routine electrocardiography. Quantitative comparison of various analytical procedures showed a marked superiority of spatial parameters over scalar leads recorded in sequence. Rates of diagnostic recognition were best when a series of instantaneous vectors was available for QRS, S-T and T. The ventricular gradient, polar vectors, Eigenvectors and curves of spatial magnitude, orientation and velocity were found less efficient for diagnostic classification.
Experience and Technique for the Endovascular Management of Iatrogenic Subclavian Artery Injury

Background Inadvertent subclavian artery catheterization during attempted central venous access is a well-known complication. Historically, these patients are managed with an open operative approach and repair under direct vision via an infraclavicular and/or supraclavicular incision. We describe our experience and technique for endovascular management of these injuries. Methods Twenty patients were identified with inadvertent iatrogenic subclavian artery cannulation. All cases were managed via an endovascular technique under local anesthesia. After correcting any coagulopathy, a 4-French glide catheter was percutaneously inserted into the ipsilateral brachial artery and placed in the proximal subclavian artery. Following an arteriogram and localization of the subclavian arterial insertion site, the subclavian catheter was removed and bimanual compression was performed on both sides of the clavicle around the puncture site for 20 min. A second angiogram was performed, and if there was any extravasation, pressure was held for an additional 20 min. If hemostasis was still not obtained, a stent graft was placed via the brachial access site to repair the arterial defect and control the bleeding. Results Two of the 20 patients required a stent graft for continued bleeding after compression. Both patients were well excluded after endovascular graft placement. Hemostasis was successfully obtained with bimanual compression over the puncture site in the remaining 18 patients. There were no resultant complications at either the subclavian or the brachial puncture site. Conclusion This minimally invasive endovascular approach to iatrogenic subclavian artery injury is a safe alternative to blind removal with manual compression or direct open repair.
Second-order exchange interactions from spin wave resonance

Abstract The temperature variation of the ferromagnetic exchange parameter D in the spin wave dispersion relation E = Dk 2 has been measured to high precision by the spin wave resonance method in a 81-19 permalloy film. D was found to vary as T to the 2.5 ± 0.1 power from 0 to 80°K in accordance with the theory of spin wave interactions; at higher temperatures D follows a 3 2 temperature variation. The effects of thermal expansion are shown to be negligible. The value of D at 0°K from s.w.r. is 0.47 × 10 −28 erg cm 2 and from the Bloch law is 0.41 × 10 −28 erg cm 2 . On the assumption of a localized model, the respective exchange integral values are J = 277 k and J = 244 k .
The quantum dot spectrometer

We describe the simulations and experiments on an electrically-tunable spectrally-sensitive photodetector based on inhomogeneous absorption in a self-assembled quantum dot array and resonant tunneling through a coupled quantum well layer. The basic structure of our device, the quantum dot spectrometer (QDS) is given. The key components are the quantum dot layer, which produces spectrally sensitive absorption and the coupling layer, which reads out spectral information as a function of the applied voltage, V. The coupling layer consists of a pair of coupled quantum wells. For certain applied bias voltages across the quantum wells, resonant transfer from the quantum dot layer to the collector layer occurs. We have constructed a preliminary device based on these concepts using the InAs-GaAs-AlAs material system.
Estimates of effective stress beneath a modern West Antarctic ice stream from till preconsolidation and void ratio

Preconsolidation stress recorded in subglacial sediments provides important information about subglacial effective stresses. It is commonly used to reconstruct past effective stresses from sediments left after ice retreat. In this article, we use properties of sub-ice-stream till samples to estimate effective stresses beneath a modern West Antarctic ice stream. Two previous estimates of sub-ice-stream effective stress were derived for the Upstream B (UpB) area of Ice Stream B from shear wave velocities (50 ± 40 kPa, Blankenship et al 1987) and borehole water level measurements (63 ± 24 kPa, Engelhardt & Kamb 1997). However, geotechnical tests performed on samples of the UpB till have shown that if subjected to effective stress of 50–63 kPa this till would have significantly lower porosity (~0.32–0.35) and higher strength (~22–28 kPa) than it apparently has in situ (~0.4 and ~2kPa). We derive new estimates of sub-ice-stream effective stress using: (1) Casagrande's construction applied to the results of six confined uniaxial tests, and (2) a combination of void-ratio data for 51 till samples and 3 experimentally constrained equations describing compressibility of the UpB till under normal consolidation, overconsolidation and in the critical state. Casagrande's method yields an upper bound on effective stress of 25 kPa for four till samples and values of 13, and 4.4kPa for two other samples. The void-ratio approach gives 11.7 ± 2.6 (normal consolidation), 18.3 ± 4.4 (overconsolidation) and 2.0 ± 0.8 kPa (critical state). These new, lower estimates of effective stress are consistent with the low till strength that has been independently measured and inferred from recent theoretical ice-stream models. Our interpretation of data on till void ratio in terms of sub-ice-stream effective stress means that we can qualitatively evaluate the nature of the vertical distribution of this stress in the UpB till layer. We infer that in the sampled top 3 m of till the effective-stress distribution is non-hydrostatic, probably close to lithostatic. The results may be useful in future modeling of ice-stream behavior and may aid efforts to delineate paleo-ice streams based on their geologic record.
Building a Novel GP-Based Software Quality Classifier Using Multiple Validation Datasets

One problem associated with software quality classification (SQC) modeling is that the historical metric dataset obtained from a single software project are often not adequate to build robust and accurate models. To address this issue, multiple datasets obtained from different software projects are used for SQC modeling in recent research works. Our previous study has demonstrated that using multiple datasets for validation can achieve robust genetic programming (GP)-based SQC models. This paper further investigates the effectiveness of using multiple validation datasets. Moreover, a novel GP-based classifier consisting of training, multiple-dataset validation, and voting phases, is proposed. The experiments are carried out on seven NASA software projects. The results are compared with the results achieved by seventeen other data mining techniques. The comparisons demonstrate that the performance of our approach is significantly better by using multiple datasets from different software projects with similar reliability goals.
Error Correction and Clustering Algorithms for Next Generation Sequencing

Next generation sequencing (NGS) revolutionized genomic data generation by enabling high-throughput parallel sequencing, making large scale genomic data analysis a crucial task. To improve NGS data quality, we developed an efficient algorithm that uses a flexible read decomposition method to improve accuracy of error correction. We further proposed a statistical framework to differentiate infrequently observed sub reads from sequencing errors in the prevalence of genomic repeats. To enable the analysis of microbial organism composition in environmental samples, we developed a parallel solution for metagenomic sequence clustering integrating sketching, quasi-clique enumeration and MapReduce techniques.
A Review of CAM for Procedural Pain in Infancy: Part I. Sucrose and Non-nutritive Sucking

There is increasing concern regarding the number of painful medical procedures that infants must undergo and the potential risks of alleviating infant pain with conventional pharmacologic agents. This article is Part I of a two-part series that aims to provide an overview of the literature on complementary and alternative (CAM) approaches for pain and distress related to medical procedures among infants up to six weeks of age. The focus of this article is a review of the empirical literature on sucrose with or without non-nutritive sucking (NNS) for procedural pain in infancy. Computerized databases were searched for relevant studies including prior reviews and primary trials. The most robust evidence was found for the analgesic effects of sucrose with or without NNS on minor procedural pain in healthy full-term infants. Despite some methodological weaknesses, the literature to date supports the use of sucrose, NNS and other sweetened solutions for the management of procedural pain in infancy.
Accounting for incomplete ionization in modeling silicon based semiconductor devices

The authors review the approaches used to describe incomplete ionization quantitatively. They describe a simple approach that can easily be incorporated into device modeling programs and that appears to yield good results. At low doping concentrations, the model is equivalent to the incomplete ionization formulae presented in device engineering textbooks. At high doping concentrations, the model predicts that all impurities are ionized, as is observed experimentally. The model is a phenomenological one, with two parameters that make connections with physical parameters at low and high doping concentrations. A least-squares method that yields these parameters is discussed. Finally, the authors give some device simulation results and describe how incomplete ionization must enter into the current continuity equations for electrons and holes. >
Beyond the Ark

Beyond the Ark, written in 1994, weaves together anecdotes and personal reflections with illustrative detail from Nature Conservancy projects to present an introduction to land conservation planning and management, and to an ecosystem approach to conservation. It is a practical guide based on lived experiences with land conservation for biodiversity protection. It also contains some musings on conservation and people, as well as some early thinking on compatible development.
Giant piezoresistivity in polymer-derived amorphous SiAlCO ceramics

The piezoresistive behavior of polymer-derived amorphous SiAlCO ceramic is studied in a temperature range of 25–300 °C. It is shown that the material exhibits a giant gage factor of 7000–16,000, much higher than that for any reported high-temperature materials. The result also reveals that the material exhibits a positive temperature-dependent piezoresistive stress coefficient within the temperature range. The unusual piezoresistivity of the material was attributed to the structure of the SiAlCO, which consists of highly disordered graphene-like carbon nanoclusters dispersed within an amorphous matrix comprising of SiC x O4−x tetrahedra. The huge piezoresistivity, together with the processibility and low-cost, make the material very promising for high-temperature sensor applications.
Effect of method and timing of castration on newly arrived stocker cattle

ABSTRACT To determine the effects of castration method and timing on performance and morbidity of newly arrived beef stocker cattle, 271 crossbred calves (184 bulls, 87 steers; 210 ± 14.7 kg) were purchased at livestock markets in 3 groups (replicated trials). Upon arrival calves were weighed and, within arrival group, were assigned randomly to 1 of 8 pens. Within pens, calves were assigned to 1 of 5 treatment groups consisting of (1) calves that arrived as steers; calves that arrived as bulls and were castrated surgically on (2) d 0 or (3) 14; and calves that arrived as bulls and were castrated utilizing a bander on (4) d 0 or (5) 14. The following day, calves were processed and designated bull calves were castrated. On d 14, remaining bull calves were castrated. Calves surgically castrated on d 0 had the greatest ADG, with those surgically castrated on d 14 and band-castrated at d 0 gained the least for the 50-, 53-, or 43-d trial (trials 1, 2, and 3, respectively; method × castration day interaction, P
Gender dimorphic tissue perfusion response after acute hemorrhage and resuscitation: role of vascular endothelial cell function.

Proestrous female rodents are protected from the deleterious effects of trauma-hemorrhage that are observed in males. We hypothesized that the gender dimorphic outcome after trauma-hemorrhage might...
An Examination of Comparative and Noncomparative Television Commercials: The Effects of Claim Variation and Repetition on Cognitive Response and Message Acceptance:

A cognitive response approach is used to examine the effects of one- and two-sided comparative and noncomparative commercials seen over three levels of repetition. Results indicate qualitative diff...
Do Brands Compete or Coexist? Evidence from the Cola Wars

Marketers believe that competition and brand loyalty create a tug-of-war: consumers like competition since competing firms must innovate, improve quality, and lower prices, leading to increased consumer welfare. Brands prefer to minimize competition, as innovation requires costly development while competing on price reduces profitability. Rather, brands quasi-compete, using differentiated offerings to compete yet sustain profitability. We examine marketing’s dominant logic of the service-centered model of exchange (Vargo and Lusch 2004) by looking at brand loyal household purchasing patterns between two substantive brands. With the Cola Wars as our context, we use Markov chain switching probabilities of panel data for two product categories. Across three levels of the branded house (parent brand, category brand, and variety brand), we find that at all three levels between 90% and 95% of households that are brand loyal in one quarter continue to be loyal at each level in subsequent quarters. Despite the commonly held belief that brands compete, we find that brands coexist, competing at the consumption fringes (non-heavy users) instead.
Expanding Boundaries of Human Rights in (East) Africa

To what extent has politics in Uganda changed since the era of egregious human rights abuses under General Idi Amin? Using the new book on law and politics in Uganda under Museveni referenced below as focal point, this essay answers that question in a discussion that also sketches three themes, testimony to the plasticity of the human rights doctrine, including the expanding boundaries of human rights in (East) Africa.
CYP27A1 Loss Dysregulates Cholesterol Homeostasis in Prostate Cancer

In this study, we used a bioinformatic approach to identify genes whose expression is dysregulated in human prostate cancers. One of the most dramatically downregulated genes identified encodes CYP27A1, an enzyme involved in regulating cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Importantly, lower CYP27A1 transcript levels were associated with shorter disease-free survival and higher tumor grade. Loss of CYP27A1 in prostate cancer was confirmed at the protein level by immunostaining for CYP27A1 in annotated tissue microarrays. Restoration of CYP27A1 expression in cells where its gene was silenced attenuated their growth in vitro and in tumor xenografts. Studies performed in vitro revealed that treatment of prostate cancer cells with 27-hydroxycholesterol (27HC), an enzymatic product of CYP27A1, reduced cellular cholesterol content in prostate cancer cell lines by inhibiting the activation of sterol regulatory-element binding protein 2 and downregulating low-density lipoprotein receptor expression. Our findings suggest that CYP27A1 is a critical cellular cholesterol sensor in prostate cells and that dysregulation of the CYP27A1/27HC axis contributes significantly to prostate cancer pathogenesis. Cancer Res; 77(7); 1662-73. ©2017 AACR.
Mechanisms of Endothelial Injury and Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Stroke

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) regulates CNS homeostasis and is the most significant obstacle to effective brain drug delivery. It possesses characteristics (i.e., tight junction protein complexes, influx and efflux transporters) that control permeation of circulating solutes including therapeutic agents. Ischemic stroke can cause injury to the brain microvascular endothelium at both the structural and functional level, which leads to considerable BBB dysfunction and significant CNS pathology. Several pathophysiological mechanisms (i.e., oxidative stress, inflammation) have been identified that can mediate BBB dysfunction during ischemic stroke. This chapter summarizes current knowledge in this area and highlights novel pharmacological approaches that can be utilized for protection against injury to brain microvascular endothelial cells in the setting of stroke.
Acquisition and extinction in the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris

Three groups of earthworms, Lumbricus terrestris, were run in a straight alley for 5 trials per day for 36 consecutive days. The groups were differentiated in terms of characteristics of the goal area, particularly the presence or absence of moist sphagnum moss. The level of illumination was constant and low for all goal conditions. The results indicated acquisition of a locomotor response to a goal box containing moist sphagnum moss and extinction of that response upon removal of the moss. It was concluded that the behavior changes could be considered to be learning and not phototactic responses. A fourth group of worms was run after 25 habituation trials. Their learning curve showed a more regular decline than other groups.
Planning for the Financial Aspects of Retirement

There are many opinions as to when it is best to start planning for your retirement, but the best strategy is to do so as soon as possible. As part of the PADD process, recognize that accumulating sufficient funds to retire comfortably should be your number-one financial goal. If you are married with children at the time of your planned retirement, having sufficient retirement funds will help you avoid becoming a burden to your family, and, as a result, will make your retirement years that much more enjoyable. Adequate retirement monies will also prevent you from becoming overly dependent on the Social Security system, which is heading for financial difficulty absent Congressional action.
Exome sequences of multiplex, multigenerational families reveal schizophrenia risk loci with potential implications for neurocognitive performance

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness, involving disruptions in thought and behavior, with a worldwide prevalence of about one percent. Although highly heritable, much of the genetic liability of schizophrenia is yet to be explained. We searched for susceptibility loci in multiplex, multigenerational families affected by schizophrenia, targeting protein-altering variation with in silico predicted functional effects. Exome sequencing was performed on 136 samples from eight European-American families, including 23 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. In total, 11,878 non-synonymous variants from 6,396 genes were tested for their association with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on gene-based test results, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and epistatic effects. Using a significance threshold of FDR < 0.1, association was detected for rs10941112 (p = 2.1 × 10−5; q-value = 0.073) in AMACR, a gene involved in fatty acid metabolism and previously implicated in schizophrenia, with significant cis effects on gene expression (p = 5.5 × 10−4), including brain tissue data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project (minimum p = 6.0 × 10−5). A second SNP, rs10378 located in TMEM176A, also shows risk effects in the exome data (p = 2.8 × 10−5; q-value = 0.073). PPIs among our top gene-based association results (p < 0.05; n = 359 genes) reveal significant enrichment of genes involved in NCAM-mediated neurite outgrowth (p = 3.0 × 10−5), while exome-wide SNP-SNP interaction effects for rs10941112 and rs10378 indicate a potential role for kinase-mediated signaling involved in memory and learning. In conclusion, these association results implicate AMACR and TMEM176A in schizophrenia risk, whose effects may be modulated by genes involved in synaptic plasticity and neurocognitive performance.
Timing and Predictors of Mild and Severe Heat Illness among New Military Enlistees.

ABSTRACTPurposeHeat illnesses are important and potentially fatal conditions among physically active individuals. We determined predictors of heat illness among enlistees in a large military population experiencing common physical activity patterns.MethodsWe estimated the adjusted odds of mild (MHI)