cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meat's Place on the Campaign Menu: How U.S. Environmental Discourse Negotiates Vegetarianism

Given the impact of America's food choices, particularly animal-based foods, on life-sustaining systems, to what extent is the environmental movement making meat-based diets an issue? This research analyzes websites of 15 US environmental advocacy organizations (EOs) to examine how they negotiate the question of animal versus plant-based diets and propose solutions for food producers and consumers. EOs proposed that industrial agriculture and commercial fishing/aquaculture severely limit destructive practices to more sustainably meet consumer demand for animal products. EOs offered consumers choices, including: (1) replacement of much industrial food with local, organic, and/or sustainable animal or plant foods, (2) reduction of animal products, and, to a lesser degree, (3) vegetarianism. To consistently promote justice for all animals, the author recommends environmental discourse more explicitly critique animal agriculture/fishing as a primary source of environmental problems, consider food needs not ju...
Nucleation of the α → β and β → α transformations in unalloyed plutonium

Nucleation and growth of the α → β and the β → α allotropic transformations in unalloyed plutonium have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry for different-sized specimens cycled many times through the transformations. For the β → α reaction the nucleation rate is very low and apparently random. In general, the smaller the specimen, the greater the difficulty for nucleation. The rate of growth of the alpha phase is found to increase with decreasing temperature. The growth rate is 1.6 mm/min at 30°C. For the reverse reaction, α → β, the specimens transform simultaneously independent of size. Also, the reaction nucleates at a lower temperature but grows more slowly on the first cycle. These nucleation effects are considered to be primarily due to residual stresses caused by prior transformations. The value measured for the heat of the transformation, 13.6 ± 0.2 J/g, is lower than previously reported, and this is shown to be because the last 5 to 10% of the β → α reaction requires up to 1000 min and occurs as a continuation of the reaction that is too slow to be measured by the calorimeter.
Physical and mathematical structure determine convergence rate of iterative techniques

The use of various iterative techniques used to solve the moment-method equation is discussed. The conjugate gradient method has previously been used to solve moment-method problems. Since the moment-method matrix (theoretically) has a positive definite Hermitian part, the generalized conjugate residual (GCR) method can also be used. Sample calculations show that the GCR has superior convergence, especially when the moment-method discretization preserves the abovementioned matrix property. >
Candidate risk factors for temporomandibular pain and dysfunction syndrome: Psychosocial, health behavior, physical illness and injury

The purpose of this paper is to identify potential risk factors for the temporomandibular pain and dysfunction syndrome (TMPDS). The investigation focuses on the relations of TMPDS to personal, social and recent experiential factors, especially health behaviors and physical illnesses and injuries, that contribute to life stress. The data come from a retrospective case-control study of 151 TMPDS patients and 139 healthy controls. Results show that cases and controls are similar on most measures of personality characteristics although cases are somewhat more external in locus of control expectancy and appear far more distressed than do controls. There are no case/control differences in reports of desirable and undesirable life events that do not involve physical illness and injury. The social situations of cases and controls differ in that cases have fewer sources of emotional support than controls. No differences were found in the proportion of cases and controls who reported that they ever ground or clenched their teeth, although cases were told they do so more frequently by dentists than were controls. Excluding never married women, cases were less likely than controls to have children. This could not be explained on the basis of birth control and may provide a clue to a biologic base for the much higher rates of women than men who are treated for TMPDS. Cases reported more past pain-related illnesses, more life-threatening physical problems and more recent events involving injury and non-pain-related physical illnesses. There was no difference between cases and controls in reports of physical problems prior to age 13. TMPDS patients appear to be unusually distressed individuals who are beleaguered by physical illnesses and injuries as well as by pain, who tend to attribute their fate to external factors, and who have fewer sources of emotional support.
Perioperative Management of Ventricular Assist Devices in Children and Adolescents

Ventricular assist devices are an integral part of therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. Devices can either bridge to recovery or to transplantation. Options for ventricular assist devices include those that are centrifugal, pulsatile, and new rotary/axial devices. Care of the patient on a ventricular assist device is multifaceted, involving pharmacologic or mechanical support of the right ventricle, management of systemic vascular resistance, and manipulation of the hematologic system to avoid bleeding or thrombosis. In addition, care of these patients involves support of all end organs and avoidance of infectious complications. Care of these patients is complex, requiring a highly integrated team for optimal outcome.
Multivariate statistics applied to phytoplankton data from two Gulf Stream warm core rings1

Multivariate statistical techniques were used on data from two cruises to Gulf Stream warm core rings to reveal patterns and relationships between phytoplankton species abundance and environmental parameters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on each cruise separately and on the combined data to help delineate groups of stations, depths, and species. A ring center station with high numbers of diatoms and a Slope Water station formed separate groups. Deep samples from all the stations grouped together. We consistently observed strong similarities in phytoplankton abundance and species composition between fall samples from the two rings. Inverse analysis was performed using presence or absence data, and the values of the first three principal components were then used in a cluster analysis to determine species co-occurrences. This analysis resulted in separate groupings of a large number of diatom species found at the center of the rings, of deep species, and of the most abundant and the most frequently observed taxa. Simple correlations, multiple regressions, and canonical correlations were performed with the phytoplankton log abundance data and the environmental data. The canonical coefficients and correlations suggest that high numbers of dinoflagellates and other algae are associated with lower salinity in the Slope Water and at the ring edge, and that higher temperatures and low values of silica (dissolved) are reflected in higher numbers of diatoms and coccolithophorids at ring center.
The effect of pruning and compression on graphical representations of the output of a speech recognizer

Large vocabulary continuous speech recognition can benefit from an efficient data structure for representing a large number of acoustic hypotheses compactly. Word graphs or lattices have been chosen as such an efficient interface between acoustic recognition engines and subsequent language processing modules. This paper first investigates the effect of pruning during acoustic decoding on the quality of word lattices and shows that by combining different pruning options (at the model level and word level), we can obtain word lattices with comparable accuracy to the original lattices and a manageable size. In order to use the word lattices as the input for a post-processing language module, they should preserve the target hypotheses and their scores while being as small as possible. In this paper, we introduce a word graph compression algorithm that significantly reduces the number of words in the graphical representation without eliminating utterance hypotheses or distorting their acoustic scores. We compare this word graph compression algorithm with several other lattice size-reducing approaches and demonstrate the relative strength of the new word graph compression algorithm for decreasing the number of words in the representation. Experiments are conducted across corpora and vocabulary sizes to determine the consistency of the pruning and compression results.
MicroRNA regulation of intestinal epithelial tight junction permeability.

Background & Aims Defects in the intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier contribute to intestinal inflammation. A tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α–induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability contributes to the intestinal TJ barrier defect in inflammatory disorders. We investigated the mechanisms by which TNF-α induces occludin depletion and an increase in intestinal TJ permeability. Methods We assessed intestinal TJ barrier function using intestinal epithelial model systems: filter-grown Caco-2 monolayers and recycling perfusion studies of mouse small intestine. Results TNF-α caused a rapid increase in expression of microRNA (miR)-122a in enterocytes, cultured cells, and intestinal tissue. The overexpressed miR-122a bound to a binding motif at the 3′-untranslated region of occludin messenger RNA (mRNA) to induce its degradation; mRNA degradation depleted occludin from enterocytes, resulting in increased intestinal TJ permeability. Transfection of enterocytes with an antisense oligoribonucleotide against miR-122a blocked the TNF-α–induced increase in enterocyte expression of miR-122a, degradation of occludin mRNA, and increase in intestinal permeability. Overexpression of miR-122a in enterocytes using pre–miR-122a was sufficient to induce degradation of occludin mRNA and an increase in intestinal permeability. Conclusions TNF-α regulates intestinal permeability by inducing miR-122a–mediated degradation of occludin mRNA. These studies show the feasibility of therapeutically targeting miR-122a in vivo to preserve the intestinal barrier.
Prediction of electron beam cold plasma decomposition of CCl4 on the basis of G-value considerations

Abstract The earlier experimental results of electron beam cold plasma decomposition of CCl4 in dry air are supported by the current theoretical results on the basis of G-value considerations and selected first principles of chemical kinetics. These first principles represent the bimolecular dissociative electron attachment which is responsible for the decomposition of CCl4. In addition to using the theoretical results for prediction of the CCl4 concentration as a function of the electron beam dose, using these results for chemical dosimetry, i.e. measurement of the electron beam dose as a function of the CCl4 concentration, appears very promising as well.
A direct method for minimizing the Yang-Mills functional over 4-manifolds

A direct method is employed to minimize the Yang-Mills functional over a 4-dimensional manifold. The limiting connection is shown to be Yang-Mills, but in a possibly new bundle. We show that a topological invariant of the bundle is preserved by the minimizing process. This implies the existence of an absolute minimum of the Yang-Mills functional in a wide class of bundles.
Who Speaks with a Forked Tongue

At the dawn of molecular phylogenetics, much was made of the conflict between results from morphological and molecular data sets. Although molecular data have rarely changed our understanding of the major multicellular groups of the evolutionary tree of life, they have suggested changes in the relationships within many groups, such as the evolutionary position of whales in the clade of even-toed ungulates ( 1 ). Further investigation has usually resolved conflicts, often by revealing inadequacies in previous morphological studies. This has led to a presumption by many in favor of molecular data, but a recent morphological analysis by Gauthier et al. ( 2 ) argues persuasively that we should reconsider whether DNA is always inherently superior for inferring life's history.
EPR and optical absorption studies of a VO2+ -doped Co(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O single crystal: Spin-lattice relaxation time of the host Co2+ ions and systematics of EPR spectra in VO2+ -doped M(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O (M = Co, Zn, Cd, Mg, Fe) single crystals

X-band (∽9.5 GHz) EPR (117–413 K) and optical absorption (295 K) measurements have been carried out on a single crystal of VO2+ -doped Tutton salt Co(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O. The impurity model of a [VO(H2O)5]2+ complex has been found to explain the EPR data well. The bonding coefficients of the [VO(H2O)5]2+ complex have been estimated using both the EPR and optical absorption data recorded presently. The spin-lattice relaxation times (τ) of the host ions, Co2+, have been estimated at various temperatures from the EPR line widths of the impurity ion, VO2+. The temperature dependence of τ has been exploited to deduce the predominance of the direct process of relaxation. The present and previously-reported EPR studies on VO2+ -doped single crystals of the isostructural M(NH4)2(SO4)2·6H2O (M = Co, Zn, Cd, Mg, Fe) have been analyzed in order to unravel the systematics of the properties of the VO2+ ion in these Tutton salts.
Structural plasticity can produce metaplasticity.

Background: Synaptic plasticity underlies many aspect of learning memory and development. The properties of synaptic plasticity can change as a function of previous plasticity and previous activation of synapses, a phenomenon called metaplasticity. Synaptic plasticity not only changes the functional connectivity between neurons but in some cases produces a structural change in synaptic spines; a change thought to form a basis for this observed plasticity. Here we examine to what extent structural plasticity of spines can be a cause for metaplasticity. This study is motivated by the observation that structural changes in spines are likely to affect the calcium dynamics in spines. Since calcium dynamics determine the sign and magnitude of synaptic plasticity, it is likely that structural plasticity will alter the properties of synaptic plasticity. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study we address the question how spine geometry and alterations of N-methyl-Daspartic acid (NMDA) receptors conductance may affect plasticity. Based on a simplified model of the spine in combination with a calcium-dependent plasticity rule, we demonstrated that after the induction phase of plasticity a shift of the long term potentiation (LTP) or long term depression (LTD) threshold takes place. This induces a refractory period for further LTP induction and promotes depotentiation as observed experimentally. That resembles the BCM metaplasticity rule but specific for the individual synapse. In the second phase, alteration of the NMDA response may bring the synapse to a state such that further synaptic weight alterations are feasible. We show that if the enhancement of the NMDA response is proportional to the area of the post synaptic density (PSD) the plasticity curves most likely return to the initial state. Conclusions/Significance: Using simulations of calcium dynamics in synaptic spines, coupled with a biophysically motivated calcium-dependent plasticity rule, we find under what conditions structural plasticity can form the basis of synapse specific metaplasticity.
Nitrification and Denitrification Response to Varying Periods of Desiccation and Inundation in a Western Kansas Stream

Changing environmental conditions and increased water consumption have transformed many historically perennial stream systems into intermittent systems. Multiple drying and wetting events throughout the year might impact many stream processes including nitrification and denitrification, key components of the nitrogen (N) cycle. During summer 2007, an experimental stream was used to dry and then rewet stream sediments to determine the effects of desiccation and rewetting of stream sediment on nitrification and denitrification potentials. Mean (±SE) nitrification and denitrification rates in sediment not dried (controls) were 0.431 ± 0.017 μg NO3 −–N/cm2/h and 0.016 ± 0.002 μg N2O–N/cm2/h, respectively. As sediment samples dried, nitrification rates decreased. Rates in sediments dried less than 7 d recovered to levels equal or greater than those in the controls within 1 d of being rewetted. Denitrification rates were not affected by 1 d of drying, but samples dried greater than 1 d experienced reduced rates of denitrification. Denitrification in sediments dried 7 d or less recovered by day seven of being rewetted. Nitrification and denitrification processes failed to fully recover in sediments dried more than 7 d. These results demonstrate that alterations in stream’s hydrology can significantly affect N-cycle processes.
Worst shapes of imperfections for space trusses with many simultaneously buckling members

Abstract Optimally designed truss type structures whose joints do not transmit moments often have a large number of coincident buckling modes. Each mode corresponds to the buckling of an individual member. Due to the interaction between various simultaneous modes, such trusses can be sensitive to imperfections. This problem is analysed using the Lyapunov-Schmidt-Koiter decomposition and asymptotic expansion technique. The shape of the imperfection that maximizes the load drop is determined from the postbifurcated equilibrium branch of the perfect structure on which the load drops most rapidly. It is shown that this branch is obtained by minimizing a homogeneous quadratic form subject to linear inequality constraints. The general theory is illustrated by several examples involving two- and three-dimensional trusses.
Crack propagation in a strip of material under plane extension

Abstract The problem of a uniformly propagating finite crack in a strip of elastic material is solved using the dynamic equations of elasticity in two-dimensions. Two specific conditions of loading on the strip with finite width are discussed. In the first case, the rigidly clamped edges are pulled apart in the opposite directions. The second case considers equal and opposite tractions applied to the crack surface. By varying the strip width to the crack length ratio, the amplitude of the dynamic stresses ahead of the running crack is determined as a function of the crack velocity. The local dynamic stresses are found to be lower than the corresponding static values for the displacement loading condition and higher for the stress loading condition. This effect becomes increasingly more important as the crack length to strip width ratio is enlarged. Numerical results for the dynamic crack opening displacement are also presented.
Geographic disparity, area poverty, and human papillomavirus vaccination.

Background A human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use among women/girls in 2006. Since that time, limited research has examined HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls and no studies have examined the role of geographic disparities in HPV vaccination. Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine geographic disparity in the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and to examine individual-, county-, and state-level correlates of vaccination. Methods Three-level random intercept multilevel logistic regression models were fitted to data from girls aged 13–17 years living in six U.S. states using data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and the 2000 U.S. census. Results Data from 1709 girls nested within 274 counties and six states were included. Girls were predominantly white (70.6%) and insured (74.5%). Overall, 34.4% of girls were vaccinated. Significant geographic disparity across states (variance=0.134, SE=0.065) and counties (variance=0.146, SE=0.063) was present, which was partially explained by state and county poverty levels. Independent of individual-level factors, poverty had differing effects at the state and county level: girls in states with higher levels of poverty were less likely whereas girls in counties with higher poverty levels were more likely to be vaccinated. Household income demonstrated a similar pattern to that of county-level poverty: Compared to girls in the highest-income families, girls in the lowest-income families were more likely to be vaccinated. Conclusions The results of this study suggest geographic disparity in HPV vaccination. Although higher state-level poverty is associated with a lower likelihood of vaccination, higher county-level poverty and lower income at the family level is associated with a higher likelihood of vaccination. Research is needed to better understand these disparities and to inform interventions to increase vaccination among all eligible girls.
Imaging spectrograph for interstellar shocks (ISIS): a far-ultraviolet narrow-band imaging rocket payload

We present a new instrument for narrow band imaging without the use of conventional interference filters. This instrument will image the OVI doublet at 103.2 and 103.8 nm, the brightest astrophysical emission line from diffuse gas at 300,000 degrees. Gases at this temperature, formed mostly by supernovae blast waves, are key to understanding the energy budget of the galaxy. To date, there are no high spatial resolution narrow-band images of OVI, although some low spatial resolution narrow maps have been acquired with conventional spectrographs. Using the imaging power of a conventional two-optic Gregorian telescope in conjunction with aberration-corrected holography, we can acquire narrow band images with subarcsecond spatial resolution. An aberration-corrected holographically ruled grating in place of the secondary optic is used to diffract the ultraviolet light to stigmatic focus. Additionally, the use of few optical surfaces minimizes the light loss from poor reflectivity of materials in the far ultraviolet (FUV), thereby maximizing instrument sensitivity. This instrument is the first to use aberration-corrected holographic gratings to produce a narrow-band imaging capability in this fashion. We are now developing a rocket payload to demonstrate the power of this technique with particular application to non-radiative shocks in the interstellar medium. We present the optical design, instrument performance, and relevant scientific simulations.
Promotion of Nursing Student Civility in Nursing Education: A Concept Analysis

Purpose Substantive research into the development of civility within nursing education is long overdue. Behaviors learned by nursing students while in the school of nursing transfer to the work environment and culture of nursing. This paper reveals a concept analysis of civility within nursing education using Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis method. Conclusion Civility is defined to provide clarity for the current terminology of civility within nursing education. Nurse educators must set socially acceptable behavioral expectations in the learning environment, establishing positive interpersonal relationships with students, maintaining moral and academic integrity, and role model civil behaviors. Suggestions are included to help nurse educators outline acceptable behaviors in the learning environment and promote the development of civility. Practice Implications The development of civil behaviors in nursing students will carry into professional practice after graduation. Civility is necessary to establish meaningful interpersonal relationships, supportive communication, and optimum learning environments to ensure quality patient care with optimum outcomes.
Synergistic effect of ecdysterone on morphogenetic activity of juvenile hormone analogues.

Abstract Application of 0.5 to 1 μg of ecdysterone simultaneous with low doses of Cecropia juvenile hormone and some of its analogues, ethyl trimethyl dodecadienoate, methylenedioxyphenoxy-6-epoxy 3-ethyl 7-methyl 2-nonene and dodecyl methyl ether, enhances their morphogenetic activity in 8±2 hour old Tenebrio pupae. Physiological basis for the synergistic effect of ecdysterone on juvenile hormone (JH) compounds is discussed. This synergistic effect may be of importance in the use of JH analogues as insecticides.
An Analysis of Near‐Bottom Magnetic Anomalies: Sea‐Floor Spreading and the Magnetized Layer

Summary Near-bottom magnetic data over six oceanic ridge segments in the East Pacific are inverted, giving magnetization solutions with alternate positive and negative bands which correspond to geomagnetic field reversals. We estimate the average half-width of the crustal formation zone to be 2-3 km, based on the transition widths between these bands. The solutions show a narrow region of high magnetization centred directly over the centre of spreading, superimposed on a more gradual decrease of magnetization amplitudes with age. Both features are attributed to weathering of highly magnetized pillow lavas. We demonstrate that the short wavelength (<3 km) anomalies are largely due to topography. Distances to reversal boundaries give distance us age curves for each ridge which show that spreading changes occur as sudden accelerations typically separated by several million years of very constant motion. These rate changes are probably accompanied by shifts in the locations of poles of relative motion, which are necessary in a system of more than two interacting plates. Palaeomagnetic data and reversal boundary locations from near-bottom and surface data are combined to give spreading half-rates and a refined time scale for the past 6 My. Widespread spreading rate variations occurred at 2-3 MyBP and about 5 MyBP, possibly as a response to large scale changes in the plate pattern.
A Space Efficient Dynamic Allocation Algorithm for Queuing Messages

A simple dynamic allocation algorithm is described for queuing variable length messages in memory. The algorithm makes use of the ability of many operating system to increase and decrease available memory as required. Some results describing its efficiency are presented.
Retrospective review of cancer patients ≥80 years old treated with chemotherapy at a comprehensive cancer center

Context The percentage of cancer patients ≥80 years old is expected to increase in the next few years. However data on the use of chemotherapy in these patients are limited.
Models and methods for determining induced ELF and VLF electromagnetic fields in the human body: a critical study

When the human body is near a 50-60 Hz high-voltage power line or a high-power VLF transmitter, electric fields and currents are induced in the different organs. Their interaction with cellular processes can only be studied if their directions and magnitudes are accurately known. This paper examines models and methods that have been used to determine them.
HTG prediction algorithm for SoC design

Efficient design methodology is the key toward success for System-on-a-Chip (SoC) design. In this paper, we proposed a design methodology based on the Hot-Task Group (HTG) to improve the design efficiency. The method is using a fitness function to collect the valuable functionality task of applications, and then extracts the best HTG for hardware design consideration. This method not only significantly reduces the design complexity but also avoid the design traps that traditional methods encountered. A study case of H.264 encoder reveals the design efficiency.
Timing of endovascular repair of blunt traumatic thoracic aortic transections

Background Patients with blunt traumatic thoracic aortic transection (BTTAT) just distal to the takeoff of the left subclavian artery typically have concomitant injuries that make open emergent surgical repair highly risky. Over the past decade, endovascular repair of the injured thoracic aorta with commercially available and custom-made covered stents has developed as a viable option, with reported decreases in short-term morbidity and mortality. If active extravasation of contrast from the injured thoracic aorta is not appreciated on chest computed tomography scan, other concurrent injuries of the head, abdomen, and extremities can often be repaired with careful control of blood pressure. The timing of endovascular repair of the traumatic thoracic aortic transection, however, often comes into question, particularly with the presence of fever, pneumonia, or bacteremia. We sought to identify a time frame during which endovascular repair of BTTAT could safely be performed. Methods Age, concomitant injuries, time from trauma to repair, type of device, and major outcomes were recorded. Results Over a 5-year period (January 2000 to March 2005), 51 patients presented with BTTAT. Twenty-seven (52.9%) patients with BTTAT died shortly after arrival. Of the remaining 24, 9 underwent emergent open repair, with 1 intraoperative death. Two delayed open repairs were performed. Thirteen patients with BTTAT underwent delayed endovascular repair. Successful endovascular repair of BTTAT was performed in all 13 patients, with no intraoperative deaths. Seven patients were treated with commercial devices and six with custom-made covered stents. None of the repairs was performed emergently. The timing of repair ranged from 1 day to 7 months (median, 6 days), and all patients were treated aggressively with β-blockade before surgery. One patient was discharged from the hospital and underwent elective repair at a later date. Three patients died in the postoperative period (30 days): two from multisystem organ failure and one from iliac artery complications encountered at the time of device deployment. The remaining 10 patients were successfully discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Conclusions The opportunity to successfully perform endovascular repair of BTTAT may be possible many days after the initial injury in the hemodynamically stable trauma patient.
Toward a Unified Stratification Theory: Structure, Genome, and Status across Human Societies*

While social scientists and geneticists have a shared interest in the personal characteristics instrumental to status attainment, little has been done to integrate these disparate perspectives. Thi...
No-nonsense guide to CSAB/CSAC accreditation

CSAB/CSAC provides professional accreditation of computer science bachelor's degree programs in the United States. As of October 2000, 159 institutions held this accreditation. By our count, over 80% of the accredited programs were offered by departments which also offer graduate programs in computer science. This means that few small colleges are represented. Our intent in this work is to give the small college audience an up-to-date guide to the recently-revised CSAB/CSAC accreditation standards. The guide is not comprehensive; we emphasize those issues we believe to be of greatest interest to small colleges and address them from the perspective we have gained from our own recent accreditation evaluation.
EFFECTS OF DISTANCE TO EDGE AND EDGE TYPE ON NESTLING GROWTH AND NEST SURVIVAL IN THE WOOD THRUSH

Many studies investigating edge effects on forest-nesting birds have focused on nest success. Fewer have examined edge effects on other components of fitness. Nestling growth rates have been positively correlated with food availability, which may differ at edges compared to the forest interior. However, previous work has not examined growth as a function of distance to edge and edge type. We investigated whether edge type, distance to edge, hatching date, brood size, brood parasitism, year, and site influenced growth rates of wings, tarsi, and mass of nestling Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina) using regression tree analyses. Simultaneously, we examined edge effects on daily nest survival. We conducted our study in southwestern Michigan in 2002 and 2003. We located 175 nests and measured nestlings from 61 nests. Contrary to expectations, tarsal and mass growth rates were more rapid near edges than in the forest interior and tarsal growth rates were more rapid near gradual edge types than near abrupt edge types. Wing chord growth rates were more rapid in the forest interior than at edges. Mass and tarsal growth rates were more rapid later in the breeding season, when brood sizes were smaller. We found no effect of edge type or distance to edge on nest survival. The influence of edge on nestling growth rate but not nest survival suggests nestling growth rates may indicate edge-interior and edge type differences in habitat quality, even when high regional fragmentation levels overwhelm potential edge-interior differences in nest survival.
Clinical descriptive measures of shoulder range of motion for a healthy, young and physically active cohort

The objective of this innovative research study was to describe clinical shoulder complex range of motion (ROM) measures for a young, healthy, and physically active population. This investigation represents a cross-sectional experiment conducted at a military academy-based sports medicine center. Military cadets with no history of shoulder complex injury were assessed within two months of enrollment in the academy; 548 men (18.8 ± 1.0 yr, 75.2 ± 12.2 kg, 178.3 ± 7.4 cm) and 74 women (18.7 ± 0.9 yr, 63.2 ± 8.9 kg, 165.2 ± 6.9 cm) participated. Descriptive measures included cross-body adduction (CAD), flexion (FLX), external rotation (ER0) with the shoulder complex in adduction and elbow flexed to 90°, internal and external rotation (IR, ER) with the shoulder complex at 90° of abduction and elbow flexed to 90° as well as arc (ARC) of IR-ER using standardized clinical quantification techniques. Bilateral and sex differences were evaluated using dependent and independent t-tests, respectively. Percentiles by arm dominance and sex were also calculated for all ROM measures. Data were normally distributed. Active and passive ROM measures indicated significant bilateral differences (P < 0.05) except for ARC. Sex differences (P < 0.05) were noted for active and passive CAD, FLX and ER0 for the dominant arm as well as active and passive CAD, FLX and ARC for the non-dominant arm. These original data provide descriptive measures for shoulder complex ROM excursions, assisting sports medicine practitioners in potentially identifying clinical deficiencies and functional outcomes following shoulder injury.
Nonlinear Balance in Terrain-Following Coordinates

Abstract Potential vorticity (PV) is a powerful concept in geophysical fluid dynamics. One property of PV that makes it so powerful is that it may be inverted under certain conditions, one of which is the imposition of a balance constraint. Previous studies have made use of a particular nonlinear balance constraint suited to isobaric coordinates as part of their inversion procedures. The present study constructs and tests a new nonlinear balance constraint that may be applied directly to the output of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model on its native terrain-following vertical coordinate. Output from the nonlinear balance operator is examined in the context of idealized and real-data WRF forecasts, and the results indicate that the simplifications necessary to derive the nonlinear balance operator are justified on the synoptic and meso-α scales. On the other hand, once the scales resolved by the model are small enough, neglected terms reach magnitudes on the order of the retained terms, even ...
Double trouble? The effects of sleep deprivation and chronotype on adolescent affect

Background: Two understudied risk factors that have been linked to emotional difficulties in adolescence are chronotype and sleep deprivation. This study extended past research by using an experimental design to investigate the role of sleep deprivation and chronotype on emotion in adolescents. It was hypothesized that sleep deprivation and an evening chronotype would be associated with decreased positive affect (PA), increased negative affect (NA), and lower positivity ratios. Methods: Forty-seven healthy adolescents (aged 10–15 for girls, 11–16 for boys) participated in a sleep deprivation and a rested condition. A subsample of 24 adolescents was selected on the basis of extreme morningness or eveningness scores (based on outer quartiles of scores on the Children’s Morningness-Eveningness Preferences Scale). PA and NA were measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children, and positivity ratios were calculated by dividing PA by NA. Results: Participants reported less positive affect and lower positivity ratios when sleep deprived, relative to when rested. Evening chronotypes reported less positive affect and lower positivity ratios than morning chronotypes in both rested and sleep deprivation conditions. Conclusions: These findings extend previous research by suggesting that adolescents are adversely impacted by sleep deprivation, and that an evening chronotype might serve as a useful marker of emotional vulnerability. Early intervention and prevention strategies can focus on improving sleep and on using chronotherapy principles to reduce eveningness.
BioThesaurus: a web-based thesaurus of protein and gene names

BioThesaurus is a web-based system designed to map a comprehensive collection of protein and gene names to protein entries in the UniProt Knowledgebase. Currently covering more than two million proteins, BioThesaurus consists of over 2.8 million names extracted from multiple molecular biological databases according to the database cross-references in iProClass. The BioThesaurus web site allows the retrieval of synonymous names of given protein entries and the identification of protein entries sharing the same names. Availability: BioThesaurus is accessible for online searching at http://pir.georgetown.edu/iprolink/biothesaurus Contact: hfliu@umbc.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are accessible at http://pir.georgetown.edu/iprolink/biothesaurus/supplement/
Performance of the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale for caregiving research:

Objectives:The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale has been useful in a broad spectrum of health research on patient and population outcomes. A brief version is used when depre...
Abstract 110: B2 Cells Suppress Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Increase Peripheral Regulatory T Cells

Objective: Recent reports have documented abdominal aortic aneurysm (AA) rupture in patients receiving B cell depletion therapy. This highlights the importance of understanding the role of B cells (B1 and B2 subtypes) in the development of AA. We hypothesized that B2 cells are abundant in AA and aggravate experimental aneurysm formation. Methods: AAs were induced in WT (C57BL/6) mice by elastase perfusion of the abdominal aorta and harvested at 14 days. Aortic B1 and B2 cells were quantified, and, intracellular cytokine synthesis was determined using flow cytometry. Next, AAs were induced in B cell deficient (muMT) mice using either elastase perfusion or topical elastase application to determine the impact of loss of B cells in AA. Finally, adoptive transfer experiments were performed on muMT mice by tail vein injection of 25x10^6 isolated splenic B2 cells or saline. Regulatory T cell (Treg) population was identified as CD4+ T cell expressing Foxp3 (forkhead box P3). Results: B cells appeared in abdominal aortas at day 7 after elastase perfusion in WT mice and persisted at least till day 21. Compared to saline perfused or normal aortas, elastase perfused aortas had greater infiltration of mononuclear cells including B cells (3631±578 in elastase vs 1476±524 in saline, p=0.02) and T cells. B2 cells constituted 93% of total B cells in AA. Furthermore, B cells isolated from elastase and saline perfused aortas displayed high, but similar levels of intracellular IL-6 and IL-10 expression. Interestingly, in both experimental models of AA, muMT mice were prone to AA formation similar to WT mice as evidenced by elastin degradation or infiltration of T cells, neutrophils and macrophages. Contradicting our hypothesis, adoptive transfer of B2 cells suppressed AA formation (102.0±7.3% vs 75.2±5.5%, p=0.01) with concomitant increase in Treg cells in spleen (0.24±0.03% vs 0.92± 0.23%, p=0.02) and aorta (0.37±0.09% vs 1.09±0.38%, p=0.08), and decrease in aortic infiltration of mononuclear cells. Conclusions: Our data suggest that B2 cells constitute the largest population of B cells in experimental AA and participate in protecting aorta from aneurysm formation at least in part by increasing the Treg cell population.
Drug Metabolism and Homologous Recombination Repair in Radiosensitization with Gemcitabine

Gemcitabine (difluorodeoxycytidine; dFdCyd) is a potent radiosensitizer, noted for its ability to enhance cytotoxicity with radiation at noncytotoxic concentrations in vitro and subchemotherapeutic doses in patients. Radiosensitization in human tumor cells requires dFdCyd-mediated accumulation of cells in S phase with inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, resulting in ≥80% deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP) depletion and errors of replication in DNA. Less is known of the role of specific DNA replication and repair pathways in the radiosensitization mechanism. Here the role of homologous recombination (HR) in relationship to the metabolic and cell cycle effects of dFdCyd was investigated using a matched pair of CHO cell lines that are either proficient (AA8 cells) or deficient (irs1SF cells) in HR based on expression of the HR protein XRCC3. The results demonstrated that the characteristics of radiosensitization in the rodent AA8 cells differed significantly from those in human tumor cells. In the AA8 ce...
Atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus biological control of aflatoxin contamination: what is the mechanism?

The term ‘competitive exclusion’ involving physical blockage of growth or access of the toxigenic strain to the seed target has been used to describe the mechanism of biological control of aflatoxin contamination. However, recent evidence suggests that a form of intraspecific aflatoxin inhibition requiring growth of the competing strains together during the infection process in such a way that hyphae physically interact or touch is the trigger for preventing induction of aflatoxin synthesis. This direct touch-based inhibition of aflatoxin synthesis is posited to be the mechanistic basis of biological control in this system. Evidence for this idea comes from the published observations that co-culture of toxigenic and atoxigenic strains in a suspended disc system, in which the hyphae physically interact, prevents aflatoxin production. However, growth of the same strains in the same medium in the two compartments of a filter insert plate well system, separating the atoxigenic and toxigenic strains with a 0.4...
Projectors, laptops, and remotes, oh my!: taming the lions and tigers and bears of classroom technology-the UWF model

Research, teaching, and learning are the principle characteristics of higher education. The acquisition of knowledge in the researcher's laboratory and dissemination of knowledge in the classroom typify modern teaching and learning spaces; in other words, faculty research must be translated into pedagogical techniques that result in student learning. While selection of the most appropriate pedagogical technique is a fundamental component of student learning, instructors can use technology in the classroom to present multimedia that clarify concepts, teach students how to manage information, and help students develop higher-order, critical thinking skills.At The University of West Florida, the Academic Infrastructure Services group, which is part of the central Information Technology Services department, is responsible for managing more than forty "hi-tech" classrooms, twelve recently conceptualized "eClassrooms," and four Interactive Distance Learning studios; this group is also charged with providing instructors with tools that facilitate commonly used teaching methods. This presentation focuses on standardizing the classroom environment from design and development through end-user support. Key features of this process include: (1) support from the University Planning Council; (2) documentation and adherence to standards; (3) collaboration with other departments, including Facilities, Academic Affairs, and the Registrar's Office; (4) working with vendors and contractors; (5) and availability of a user-friendly support mechanism.
Conventional and Advanced Separations in Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics: Methodologies and Applications

Metabolomics is the quantitative analysis of all metabolites in a given sample. Due to the chemical complexity of the metabolome, optimal separations are required for comprehensive identification and quantification of sample constituents. This article provides an overview of both conventional and advanced separation methods in practice for reducing the complexity of metabolite extracts delivered to the mass spectrometer detector, and covers gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, supercritical fluid chromatography, and ion mobility spectrometry separation techniques coupled with mass spectrometry as both uni- and multidimensional approaches.
Incorporating Higher Moments into Financial Data Analysis

There is ample empirical evidence that the distribution of short-term security returns is non-normal. In spite of such evidence financial data analysis generally does not explicitly incorporate the higher statistical moments of skewness and kurtosis within a likelihood-based framework. In this paper Bayesian-based Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) re-sampling methods are used to estimate a non-normal likelihood function. After simulation studies to assess the methodology, new looks at the Capital Asset Pricing Model and the market risk premium show that estimation of a likelihood function incorporating all four statistical moments can give valuable new insight into the underlying return data-generating process.
Impact of Soil Insecticide Usage on Corn Production In Indiana: 1972–19741

The level of insect pest populations was determined in 234 Indiana cornfields (1972–74) which had not been treated with soil insecticides. Corn rootworm, Diabrotica spp., larvae were present in 34% of the test fields but caused economic loss in 3.4% of all fields. Yields averaged 174 liters/ha (2 bu/acre) higher and plant populations 988 plants/ha (400 plants/acre) lower in insecticide treated than in untreated portion of test fields. Comparison of data with a similar Illinos study (1953/1963 showed percentage of fields with stand-reducing insects declined from 79% in Illinois to 44% in Indiana.
Improving Discovery and Referring Rate of Tuberculosis Patient by Strengthening Cooperation Between Tuberculosis Control Institution and Hospital

Objective To raise the discovery and referring rate of tuberculosis patients by strengthening the cooperation between tuberculosis control institution and hospital and making use of the national infectious disease network-reporting system.Method We strengthened the cooperation between tuberculosis control instifution and hospital, effectively tracked and managed patients through the tuberculosis network-reporting system in all hospitals, and strengthened the work system and the measure of rewards and punishment.Results The registration rate of new smear-positive cases with pulmonary tuberculosis climbed up to 40/100 000 from 18.5/100 000, which increased nearly 116%. The referring rate of tuberculosis patients raised from 54% to 66%.Conclusion Because the cooperation between tuberculosis control institution and hospital was carried into execution, the patient discovery and referring rate was elevated effectively. The working condition of the tuberculosis control was improved by using the national infectious disease network-reporting system.