cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Instructions to disregard potentially useful information: The effects of pragmatics on evaluative judgments and recall

Abstract In two experiments, subjects given impression formation instructions heard descriptions of a person (Experiment 1), or a company contract (Experiment 2). Information was presented in one of four conditions: (a) no-presentation—a basic set; (b) no-disregard—the basic set plus an additional set; (c) confidential—the basic and additional sets, but the additional set was to-be-disregarded because it was confidential; and (d) mistake—the basic and additional sets, but the additional set was to-be-disregarded because it was incorrect. In both experiments, recall was not affected by the form of the disregard instruction. However, evaluative judgments were differentially affected: subjects in the confidential condition used the additional information in forming impressions, whereas subjects in the mistake condition did not. These results argue against directed forgetting as a general explanation of the effect of explicit cues to segregate relevant and irrelevant information.
A Pulse Coupled Neural Network Segmentation Algorithm for Reflectance Confocal Images of Epithelial Tissue

Automatic segmentation of nuclei in reflectance confocal microscopy images is critical for visualization and rapid quantification of nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio, a useful indicator of epithelial precancer. Reflectance confocal microscopy can provide three-dimensional imaging of epithelial tissue in vivo with sub-cellular resolution. Changes in nuclear density or nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio as a function of depth obtained from confocal images can be used to determine the presence or stage of epithelial cancers. However, low nuclear to background contrast, low resolution at greater imaging depths, and significant variation in reflectance signal of nuclei complicate segmentation required for quantification of nuclear-to-cytoplasmic ratio. Here, we present an automated segmentation method to segment nuclei in reflectance confocal images using a pulse coupled neural network algorithm, specifically a spiking cortical model, and an artificial neural network classifier. The segmentation algorithm was applied to an image model of nuclei with varying nuclear to background contrast. Greater than 90% of simulated nuclei were detected for contrast of 2.0 or greater. Confocal images of porcine and human oral mucosa were used to evaluate application to epithelial tissue. Segmentation accuracy was assessed using manual segmentation of nuclei as the gold standard.
Use of Lichen as a Roosting Substrate by Perimyotis subflavus, the Tricolored Bat, in Nova Scotia

Abstract: An apparently disjunct population of tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) exists in southwest Nova Scotia. During the summers of 2003–2004 and 2007–2008 we trapped bats in mist nets set at a bridge over the Mersey River in Kejimkujik National Park. In total we captured 42 tricolored bats (41 female and 1 male) and fitted 32 females and the single male with radio transmitters and tracked them to their roost sites daily. Characteristics of roost sites were compared to those of randomly selected, potentially available roost sites using an a priori—selected candidate set of models and ranked using AICC for model selection. In total we found 99 unique roost trees in 9 spatially distinct (8 female, 1 male) roosting areas. On average, bats spent 2.5 d in a roost tree. While conspecifics from other parts of the species' range typically roost in tree foliage, maternity colonies of tricolored bats in Nova Scotia roosted exclusively in Usnea trichodea lichen, typically in conifers (of which 91% were spru...
Tiagabine for social anxiety disorder.

Tiagabine, a selective gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) reuptake inhibitor was evaluated for the treatment of patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Adults with SAD received open-label tiagabine 4–16 mg per day for 12 weeks. Intent-to-treat data are available for 54 patients with improvement demonstrated in Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Clinician Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and -Improvement (CGI-I), Social Phobia Inventory, and Sheehan Disability Scale scores. In all, 40.7% (22/54) of the intent to treat sample and 63.0% (17/27) of the completer sample were considered CGI responders (CGI-I score of one or two). Tiagabine was generally well tolerated. Results of this pilot study suggest that tiagabine may be an option for the treatment of patients with SAD. Larger, controlled studies are required to fully elucidate the potential of tiagabine for the treatment of SAD. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A clean air continuous flow propulsion facility

Consideration is given to a contaminant-free, high enthalpy, continuous flow facility designed to obtain detailed code validation measurements of high speed combustion. The facility encompasses uncontaminated air temperature control to within 5 K, fuel temperature control to 2 K, a ceramic flow straightener, drying of inlet air, and steady state continuous operation. The air heating method provides potential for independent control of contaminant level by injection, mixing, and heating upstream. Particular attention is given to extension of current capability of 1250 K total air temperature, which simulates Scramjet enthalpy at Mach 5.
Finite-SNR Diversity&#8211;Multiplexing Tradeoff for Correlated Rayleigh and Rician MIMO Channels

A nonasymptotic framework is presented to analyze the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff of a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) wireless system at finite signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). The target data rate at each SNR is proportional to the capacity of an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel with an array gain. The proportionality constant, which can be interpreted as a finite-SNR spatial multiplexing gain, dictates the sensitivity of the rate adaptation policy to SNR. The diversity gain as a function of SNR for a fixed multiplexing gain is defined by the negative slope of the outage probability versus SNR curve on a log-log scale. The finite-SNR diversity gain provides an estimate of the additional power required to decrease the outage probability by a target amount. For general MIMO systems, lower bounds on the outage probabilities in correlated Rayleigh fading and Rician fading are used to estimate the diversity gain as a function of multiplexing gain and SNR. In addition, exact diversity gain expressions are determined for orthogonal space-time block codes (OSTBC). Spatial correlation significantly lowers the achievable diversity gain at finite SNR when compared to high-SNR asymptotic values. The presence of line-of-sight (LOS) components in Rician fading yields diversity gains higher than high-SNR asymptotic values at some SNRs and multiplexing gains while resulting in diversity gains near zero for multiplexing gains larger than unity. Furthermore, as the multiplexing gain approaches zero, the normalized limiting diversity gain, which can be interpreted in terms of the wideband slope and the high-SNR slope of spectral efficiency, exhibits slow convergence with SNR to the high-SNR asymptotic value. This finite-SNR framework for the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff is useful in MIMO system design for realistic SNRs and propagation environments
Emerging antidepressants to treat major depressive disorder

Depression is a common disorder with an annual risk of a depressive episode in the United States of 6.6%. Only 30-40% of patients remit with antidepressant monotherapy, leaving 60-70% of patients who do not optimally respond to therapy. Unremitted depressive patients are at increased risk for suicide. Considering the prevalence of treatment resistant depression and its consequences, treatment optimization is imperative. This review summarizes the latest treatment modalities for major depressive disorder including pharmacotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and psychotherapy. Through advancements in research to better understand the pathophysiology of depression, advances in treatment will be realized.
T-transformation: Traversability analysis for navigation on rugged terrain

In order to maneuver autonomously on rough terrain, a mobile robot must constantly decide whether to traverse or circumnavigate terrain features ahead. This ability is called Obstacle Negotiation (ON). A critical aspect of ON is the so-called traversability analysis, which evaluates the level of difficulty associated with the traversal of the terrain. This paper presents a new method for traversability analysis, called T-transformation. It is implemented in a local terrain map as follows: (1) For each cell in the local terrain map, a square terrain patch is defined that symmetrically overlays the cell; (2) a plane is fitted to the data points in the terrain patch using a least-square approach and the slope of the least-squares plane and the residual of the fit are computed and used to calculate the Traversability Index (TI) for that cell; (3) after each cell is assigned a TI value, the local terrain map is transformed into a traversability map. The traversability map is further transformed into a traversability field histogram where each element represents the overall level of difficulty to move along the corresponding direction. Based on the traversability field histogram our reactive ON system then computes the steering and velocity commands to move the robot toward the intended goal while avoiding areas of poor traversability. The traversability analysis algorithm and the overall ON system were verified by extensive simulation. We verified our method partially through experiments on a Segway Robotics Mobility Platform (RMP), albeit only on flat terrain.
Survival of Patents with Metastases from Uveal Melanoma

The authors evaluated a series of 145 consecutive patients with metastases from uveal melanoma, after proton beam irradiation, to assess the effect of early diagnosis and treatment for metastases on survival. Metastases were diagnosed between 7 weeks and 8.3 years (median, 2.4 years) after proton beam irradiation. Most patients (n = 94) were symptomatic before diagnosis; the remainder were first detected during screening examination. Liver involvement was documented in nearly all patients (n = 136). The majority of patients had died from metastases by the close of the study (n = 137). Significantly longer survival occurred among patients diagnosed during screening examination (P = 0.004) and among young patients (P = 0.03). The majority of patients received some form of treatment for metastases (69%). Median survival was 2.0 months for patients receiving no treatment compared with 5.2 months for those receiving treatment for metastases (P = .0001). However, the overall 1-year survival rate was poor (13%). Prophylactic adjuvant therapy could be explored as a means to increase disease-free survival in patients with uveal melanoma.
A recommended error control architecture for ATM networks with wireless links

This paper provides performance results through analysis and simulation for key error control problems encountered in using wireless links to transport asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells. Problems considered include the forward-error correction (FEC) and interleaving at the physical layer, the impact of wireless links on the ATM cell header-error control (HEC) sand cell delineation (CD) functions, the application of data link automatic repeat-request (ARQ) for traffic requiring reliable transport, and the impact of the choice of end-to-end ARQ protocol for reliable service. We conclude that it is very important to make the physical layer as SONET-like as possible through the use of powerful FEC, interleaving, and ARQ. These additional error control measures are especially necessary for disturbed channels because of the degrading effects of the channel on higher-layer functions. A recommended error control architecture is given with tradeoffs.
AGE-RELATED SURVIVAL AND BEHAVIOR OF SNOWY PLOVER CHICKS

Precocial young often experience high mortality prior to achieving flight, especially in the first days after hatching. We quantified relationships between chick age, survival, behavior, and response to natural and anthropogenic danger for the threatened Western Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) in coastal northern California, USA. Plover chicks were most likely to die in the first three days of their 28-day prefledging period, especially on sandy ocean beaches compared to coarser substrates of river habitats. Chick survival in both habitats increased across the ,120-day chick-rearing period. Improved survival of older chicks coincided with an age-related reduction in brooding and increased distance from the tending parent, which was not related to season. Lower survival of younger chicks was correlated with a tendency to lie motionless when approached by humans; nearly all older chicks responded to human approach by running to evade danger. Chicks of all ages were more likely to lie motionless when potential avian predators flew nearby. Age-dependent survival of Snowy Plover chicks paralleled a trend of increasing development, thermal independence from adults, and capability of evading predators.
Confidence and `A' and `B' Allowable Factors for the Weibull Distribution

s-Confidence and `A' and `B' allowable factors for sample sizes 2-30, obtained by Monte Carlo techniques, for populations whose property measurements can be represented by a 2-parameter Weibull distribution are developed. The factors for the Weibull case are presented here in graphical form which allows practical engineering application and readily shows sample size effects. A numerical example illustrates the use of the factors.
Fast dual-vdd buffering based on interconnect prediction and sampling

This paper presents fast algorithms for power-optimal interconnect synthesis based on interconnect prediction and sampling considering dual Vdd buffers. We present three pruning techniques including interconnect prediction based pruning (pre-buffer slack pruning and predictive min-delay pruning) and sampling (3D sampling), of which 3D sampling is effective but the other two improve both efficiency and accuracy of sampling. We also show that the key to runtime reduction is to reduce the number of propagated options, while the sophisticated data-structures which have good amortized complexity do not necessarily reduce runtime. We obtain an empirically linear time algorithm with less than 1% of delay and power increase but over 50x speedup compared with the most efficient algorithm for dual Vdd buffer insertion. In addition, we further enhance the power-optimal buffered tree construction by introducing routing grid reduction. We apply our speedup techniques to buffered tree construction algorithm. Experimental results show that we obtain over 100x speedup compared with the most efficient existing algorithms for dual Vdd buffered tree construction.
Si 3 N 4 extrinsic defects and capacitor reliability

The capacitors implemented in RF/microwave MMICs seem to dominate the reliability in many cases, rather than the active devices (pHEMTs or HBTs) themselves. We have examined MIMCAP extrinsic defect density by extracting it from published data available in the open literature. The methodology for extracting defect densities from probability plots of times to breakdown or of ramped breakdown voltages is shown. We have noted that the extrinsic densities are quite varied across the dozen sets of data compiled. We also contributed data using Hg-dot-formed capacitors. Using this industry-wide data we provide some design charts for the sizing of capacitors in MMICs based upon their extrinsic reliability.
Transfection of a reporter plasmid into cultured cells by sonoporation in vitro

Cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells were exposed to 2.25-MHz ultrasound in sterile 4.5-mL polyethylene chambers and tested for cell lysis, sonoporation and DNA transfection. Ten percent of Albunex, a gas-body-based ultrasound contrast agent, was added to ensure cavitation nucleation, and the chambers were rotated at 60 rpm to promote cavitation activity during the 1-min exposures. Uptake of large fluorescent dextran molecules by some cells was observed for spatial peak pressure amplitudes as low as 0.1 MPa, which indicates transient permeabilization and resealing, i.e., sonoporation, of these cells during exposure. Significant lysis occurred for 0.2 MPa, and increased rapidly for exposures above the apparent cavitation threshold (using the H2O2 production test) of about 0.4 MPa spatial peak pressure amplitude. In the DNA transfection tests, 20 micrograms/mL luciferase reporter plasmid was added to the suspension during exposure, and cells were assayed for proliferation ability and luciferase gene expression 2 days after exposure. Cell proliferation was greatly reduced above the cavitation threshold. Luciferase production was significant for 0.20-MPa exposure, and reached 0.33 ng per 10(6) cells at 0.8-MPa exposure. The luciferase production was great for cells exposed in medium supplemented with serum than for cells exposed in serum-free medium. Cells harvested for exposure either in the log phase or in the stationary phase of culture gave similar proliferation and transfection results. The effects essentially disappeared when the Albunex was omitted from the suspension and the tube was not rotated. Thus, sonoporation by ultrasonic cavitation in the rotating tube system yields plasmid transfection with subsequent transient gene expression.
Hydrogen peroxide contrast echocardiography

Several agents are used as echocardiographic contrast agents, but their unreliability discourages routine clinical use. Studies from the early 1960s suggest that dilute hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a safe intravascular agent. Its use was evaluated in contrast echocardiography. To obtain dense opacification reliably, H2O2 (3%) was passed through a sterile 0.2 micron Millipore filter and diluted with heparinized saline solution to make a 0.1 to 0.2% solution. A drop of blood was withdrawn from an indwelling peripheral venous needle into a syringe containing 0.5 to 2.0 ml of the dilute H2O2 and the contents injected. Studies in dogs, normal adults and 36 patients with noncyanotic congenital and acquired cardiac disorders produced dense opacification with no complications. In vitro mixture of H2O2 (0.3%) with leukocyte-poor blood or plasma produced only a few microbubbles, while addition to whole blood or buffy coat produced many, suggesting a role for leukocyte peroxidase. H2O2 contrast echocardiography is simple, inexpensive, and reliably provides dense, sustained opacification. This study and previous studies suggest that intravenous injection of 0.2% H2O2 can be done safely. Great caution should be exercised in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension or large right-to-left shunts because little clinical experience with H2O2 is available.
Less advanced disease at initiation of salvage androgen deprivation therapy is associated with decreased mortality following biochemical failure post-salvage radiation therapy

Background: The optimal clinical context for initiation of salvage androgen deprivation therapy (SADT) following the biochemical recurrence of localized prostate cancer remains controversial. We chose to investigate if disease burden at time of SADT initiation is associated with clinical outcomes following biochemical failure (BF) post-salvage radiation therapy (SRT). Methods: Medical records of 575 patients receiving SRT at a single institution from 1986–2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Of 250 patients experiencing BF post-SRT, 172 had a calculable prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) prior to SADT initiation. These patients comprise the analyzed cohort and were divided into four groups based on characteristics at SADT initiation: those with PSADTs >3 months without distant metastasis (DM) (group 1 [less advanced disease], n = 62), those with PSADTs <3 months without DM (group 2 [more advanced disease], n = 28), those with DM (group 3 [more advanced disease], n = 32), and those not receiving SADT during follow-up (group 4, n = 50). Endpoints included prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) and overall mortality (OM). Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate survival, and Cox proportional hazards models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Median follow-up post-SRT was 7.9 years. Patients starting SADT with more advanced disease were at significantly increased risk for PCSM (hazard ratio [HR]:2.8, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–5.6, p = 0.005) and OM (HR:1.9, 95% CI: 1.0–3.5, p = 0.04) compared to those receiving SADT with less advanced disease. PCSM and OM did not significantly differ between groups 1 and 4 or groups 2 and 3. Of note, patients in group 4 had very long PSADTs (median = 27.0 months) that were significantly longer than those of group 1 (median = 6.0 months) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis including groups 1–3 found a pre-SADT PSADT <3 months to be the most significant predictor of PCSM (HR:4.2, 95% CI: 1.6–11.1, p = 0.004) and the only significant predictor of OM (HR:2.9, 95% CI: 1.3–6.7, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Less advanced disease at initiation of SADT is associated with decreased PCSM and OM following BF post-SRT; however, observation may be reasonable for patients with very long PSADTs. A PSADT <3 months prior to SADT initiation significantly predicts an increased risk of PCSM and OM in this patient demographic.
Symmetric Sub-Pixel Stereo Matching

Two central issues in stereo algorithm design are the matching criterion and the underlying smoothness assumptions. In this paper we propose a new stereo algorithm with novel approaches to both issues. We start with a careful analysis of the properties of the continuous disparity space image (DSI), and derive a new matching cost based on the reconstructed image signals. We then use a symmetric matching process that employs visibility constraints to assign disparities to a large fraction of pixels with minimal smoothness assumptions. While the matching operates on integer disparities, sub-pixel information is maintained throughout the process. Global smoothness assumptions are delayed until a later stage in which disparities are assigned in textureless and occluded areas. We validate our approach with experimental results on stereo images with ground truth.
“When We Do Sit Down Together” Family Meal Times in Low-Income African American Families With Preschoolers

Regular family meal times have been associated with enhanced family cohesion and positive developmental outcomes for children–youth, especially in White and/or middle-class families. Less is known about the meal time experiences of low-income African American families. Guided by a family resilience perspective, this study examines meal times among a sample of low-income African American caregivers of preschoolers in an inner-city neighborhood. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews and a photo elicitation interview with 11 low-income African American caregivers about their family meal time experiences. We found that caregivers valued family meal times and acknowledged their benefits for family life. However, competing demands such as family schedules, household configurations, chores, time pressures, fast food restaurants, and low-wage work affected the schedule and structure of meal times. This study adds to discussions of family meal times among low-income African American families and provides su...
Managing psychological stress in the multiple sclerosis medical visit: Patient perspectives and unmet needs

Psychological stress can negatively impact multiple sclerosis. To further understand how stress is addressed in the multiple sclerosis medical visit, 34 people with multiple sclerosis participated in focus groups. Transcripts were analyzed by inductive thematic analysis. The majority of participants did not discuss stress with their provider, citing barriers to communication such as lack of time, poor coordination between specialties, physician reliance on pharmaceutical prescription, and patient lack of self-advocacy. Participants recommended several ways to better manage psychological well-being in the clinical setting. These findings provide a foundation for future studies aimed at minimizing the detrimental effect of stress in multiple sclerosis.
QFD application to a software-intensive system development project

This paper describes the use of Quality Function Deployment /spl sim/QFD3, adapted to requirements engineering for a software-intensive system development project, and synthesizes the lessons learned from the application of QFD to the Network Control System (NCS) project of the Deep Space Network (DSN). The selection of QFD started by recognizing that "quality" means customer satisfaction with the product. The application of QFD to the front-end of the lifecycle was built upon the premise that it is an effective technique for incorporating customer requirements into product design, in such a way that a history of improved product-releases could be achieved and quantifiable relationships could be established between customer satisfaction and the high-level specifications of a communications-and-control system. Against this background the adaptation of the QFD technique focused mainly on exploring the measurements of software behavior (or, performance characteristics) and on assuring the degree of completeness (or appropriateness) of high-level specifications, while facilitating the analysis and design activities of the product-development team. Where needed, QFD was coupled with other techniques, such as Yourdon's methodology.
“I Get Along With Most of Them”: Direct Care Workers' Relationships With Residents' Families in Assisted Living

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to explore staff–family relationships in assisted living facilities (ALFs) as they are experienced by care staff and perceived by administrators. We identify factors that influence relationships and explore how interactions with residents’ families affect care staff’s caregiving experiences. Design and Methods: The data are drawn from a statewide study involving 45 ALFs in Georgia. Using grounded theory methods, we analyze qualitative data from in-depth interviews with 41 care staff and 43 administrators, and survey data from 370 care staff. Results: Care workers characterized their relationships with most family members as “good” or “pretty good” and aspired to develop relationships that offered personal and professional affirmation. The presence or absence of affirmation was central to understanding how these relationships influenced care staffs’ on-the-job experiences. Community, facility, and individual factors influenced the development of relationships and corresponding experiences. Insofar as interactions with family members were rewarding or frustrating, relationships exerted positive or negative influences on workers’ caregiving experiences. Implications: Findings suggest the need to create environments—through policy and practice—where both parties are empathetic of one another and view themselves as partners. Doing so would have positive outcomes for care workers, family members, and residents.
Space-time active rotation (STAR): a new layered space-time architecture

We propose space-time active rotation (STAR), a new layered space-time architecture for fading multiple-input multiple-output channels. The vertically layered V-STAR architecture is similar in spirit to the popular V-BLAST architecture, but by rotating the set of active antennas it achieves better performance with comparable complexity. We derive the outage probability and bounds on the diversity order of a V-STAR system. We propose an ordering algorithm that minimizes the outage probability of a successive cancellation decoder for the V-STAR system. Over a 4-input 4-output Rayleigh-fading channel, we show that V-STAR outperforms V-BLAST by 17.7 dB, and that V-STAR outperforms transmitter-optimized V-BLAST by 2.7 dB. The outage probability of V-STAR with successive cancellation decoding is only 1.4 dB away from the optimum outage probability achieved by an unconstrained decoder. This gap drops to 0.6 dB for an 8-input 8-output channel
Impact of the Career Style Interview on Individuals With Career Concerns

A total of 18 participants ranging in age from 20 to 55 were administered the career style interview (CSI) and completed a follow-up interview 2 weeks later. Consensual qualitative research analysis of follow-up interview data indicated that after completing the CSI, participants generally felt helped and also typically experienced awareness, self-confidence, direction, confirmation, and a sense of encouragement related to their career concern. Most participants' occupational narratives demonstrated a change from pre-CSI to post-CSI, moving toward more specification. Participants primarily recalled role models as the most meaningful aspect of the CSI, and integration of Holland code typology within the CSI produced higher rates of recall than previous studies. This study addresses implications of these findings for theory, practice, and research.
Effect of seminal oxidative stress on fertility after vasectomy reversal

Abstract Objective: To evaluate seminal oxidative stress in men after vasectomy reversal and to determine whether seminal oxidative stress could predict fertility after vasectomy reversal. Design: Measurement of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in normal donors, men who were fertile after vasectomy reversal, and men who were infertile after vasectomy reversal. Setting: A male infertility clinic of a tertiary care center. Patient(s): Thirty men who underwent vasectomy reversal and 17 normal donors. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Semen characteristics, seminal ROS, and TAC were measured with chemiluminescence assays in samples from donors and reversal patients. Result(s): Mean adjusted seminal ROS (log [ROS + 1]) was higher in infertile reversal patients (2.38 ± 0.25) than in normal donors (1.30 ± 0.14). Seminal ROS was also higher in all (fertile and infertile reversal combined) reversal patients than in donors. Total antioxidant capacity did not differ between groups. The ROS-TAC score, a composite index of seminal oxidative stress, was a significant predictor of fertility. A ROS-TAC score of 45 or greater had a positive predictive value of 73% in predicting fertility. Conclusion(s): Seminal oxidative stress is associated with vasectomy reversal. The ROS-TAC score is a possible predictor of infertility after vasectomy reversal.
Comment on "Spatio-temporal filling of missing points in geophysical data sets" by D. Kondrashov and M. Ghil, Nonlin. Processes Geophys., 13, 151-159, 2006

(ii) Except for neglecting the variations of the missing values around the imputed values and for an unusual order of iterations ‐ iteratively re-estimating individual principal components ‐ KG’s method is similar to the regularized EM algorithm exploiting spatial and stationary temporal covariability described in Schneider (2001). (A principal component technique similar to that of KG and Beckers and Rixen (2003) but with the more usual order of iterations ‐ iteratively re-estimating covariance matrices and all relevant principal components ‐ was presented by Everson and Sirovich (1995).) KG’s principal component technique for imputing missing values corresponds to an orthogonal or truncated total least squares (auto-)regression ( Fierro et al., 1997) and can be used in a regularized EM algorithm as discussed in Schneider (2001). As KG’s method, a regularized EM algorithm with truncated total least squares regression uses leading principal components based on the entire dataset, including all records and variables with missing and available values. An innovation in KG’s method is to make the time lag up to which temporal covariability is exploited an adaptive parameter. (iii) As a result of the similarity of KG’s method and a regularized EM algorithm exploiting spatio-temporal covariability with truncated total least squares regressions, several of KG’s claims of how their method differs from regularized EM algorithms are incorrect. For example, KG’s contrasting of their method as being “non-parametric” as opposed to the “parametric” regularized EM algorithm is incorrect. The EM algorithm for Gaussian data yields maximum likelihood estimates of mean values, covariance matrices, and missing values, with their attendant optimality properties, but it and its regularized variants can also be justified under weaker assumptions (as least squares methods or regularized variants). KG’s method is just as parametric as the regularized EM algorithm.
Ending food subsidies : nutritional, welfare, and budgetary effects

Governments faced with growing budget deficits are cutting many social expenditures including costly food subsidy programs that have provided benefits to the rich and poor alike. Since the poor spend a larger share of their income on food than do the rich, these cuts usually have negative distributional, welfare, and nutritional effects. This article discusses the methodological issues in estimating the effects of price and tax reforms in developing countries. The author applies a model that Deaton developed (1988) to estimate price elasticities from cross-section data, the only reliable and detailed data available in most developing countries. Measures of both real income and nutrition are used to evaluate the effects of changes in the Moroccan food subsidy program. The analysis suggests that subsidies on inferior foods not consumed by the wealthy would reduce the welfare costs to the poor and limit the budgetary expenditures required.
Hyaluronan contributes to the enlargement of hypertrophic lacunae in the growth plate

Histochemical staining of the epiphysial growth plate revealed that free hyaluronan (i.e. available to the staining probe) was restricted to the zone of hypertrophy, where it was located in the pericellular space between the chondrocytes and the edge of the lacunae. Furthermore, the amount of hyaluronan staining was directly proportional to the size of the lacunae. Autoradiographic analysis of growth plates cultured with isotopically labeled glucosamine indicated that at least a portion of this hyaluronan was newly synthesized by the hypertrophic chondrocytes. Since hyaluronan can adsorb large amounts of water, it is possible that it exerted a hydrostatic pressure on the surrounding territorial matrix and thereby caused the expansion of hypertrophic lacunae. To assess this possibility, segments of the growth plate were placed in organ culture under different conditions. Under normal culture conditions, a band of hyaluronan staining migrated across the segments coinciding with the enlargement of lacunae in these regions, and the segments, as a whole, increased in size. In contrast, when the segments were cultured in the presence of hyaluronidase, which degraded the pericellular hyaluronan, the lacunae did not undergo enlargement and the overall size of the segments did not increase. These results suggest that the production of hyaluronan contributes to the enlargement of hypertrophic lacunae which is important for determining both the body's stature and proportions.
Sufficient conditions for the existence of zeno behavior in a class of nonlinear hybrid systems via constant approximations

The existence of Zeno behavior in hybrid systems is related to a certain type of equilibria, termed Zeno equilibria, that are invariant under the discrete, but not the continuous, dynamics of a hybrid system. In analogy to the standard procedure of linearizing a vector field at an equilibrium point to determine its stability, in this paper we study the local behavior of a hybrid system near a Zeno equilibrium point by considering the value of the vector field on each domain at this point, i.e., we consider constant approximations of nonlinear hybrid systems. By means of these constant approximations, we are able to derive conditions that simultaneously imply both the existence of Zeno behavior and the local exponential stability of a Zeno equilibrium point. Moreover, since these conditions are in terms of the value of the vector field on each domain at a point, they are remarkably easy to verify.
Influence of feedstock source and pyrolysis temperature on biochar bulk and surface properties

Abstract Eighteen biochar samples were produced from the pyrolysis of Douglas fir wood (DFW), Douglas fir bark (DFB), and hybrid poplar wood (HP) at six temperatures (623, 673, 723, 773, 823 and 873 K) in a lab scale spoon reactor. Changes in the bulk composition of the biochar produced were examined by elemental and proximate analyses. The mass fraction of volatiles, oxygen and the ratios of oxygen to carbon (O/C) and hydrogen to carbon (H/C) decreased linearly with pyrolysis temperature. Surface properties of all the biochars produced (SEM morphology, CO 2 and N 2 adsorption, XPS analysis, Boehm titration, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and ζ-potential) were also studied. The removal of volatiles resulted in the gradual creation of microporosity detectable by CO 2 adsorption but which was difficult to detect with N 2 adsorption, suggesting that the chars contain micropores mostly less than 1 nm in entrance dimension. The XPS and Boehm titration confirmed that most oxygenated surface functional groups (presence of carbonyl, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups) are gradually removed as pyrolysis temperature increases. The changes in surface charge were studied by ζ-potential measurements and were found to vary directly with the content of oxygenated functional groups. Properties that depend on both surface area and the surface oxygenated functional groups, such as the cation exchange capacity, showed a more complex behavior. The composition of the ash and associated properties such as pH and electric conductivity (EC) were also measured. The total alkaline content increases with pyrolysis temperature leading to higher pHs and ECs.
Beyond wrinkles: Multimodal surface instabilities for multifunctional patterning

Biological surfaces display fascinating topographic patterns such as corrugated blood cells and wrinkled dog skin. These patterns have inspired an emerging technology in materials science and engineering to create self-organized surface patterns by harnessing mechanical instabilities. Compared with patterns generated by conventional lithography, surface instability patterns or so-called ruga patterns are low cost, are easy to fabricate, and can be dynamically controlled by tuning various physical stimuli—offering new opportunities in materials and device engineering across multiple length scales. This article provides a systematic review on the fundamental mechanisms and innovative functions of surface instability patterns by categorizing various modes of instabilities into a quantitatively defined thermodynamic phase diagram, and by highlighting their engineering and biological applications.
Cytokine regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 IIIb in intestinal epithelial cells

Proliferation and function of the intestinal epithelium is modulated by a range of regulatory peptides, including cytokines and peptide growth factors. To define mechanisms integrating these regulatory systems, the effects of growth factors and cytokines on the expression of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor 3 (FGFR3) IIIb expressed on intestinal epithelial cells were examined in Caco-2 cells. Regulated expression of FGFR3 IIIb was associated with acquisition of the differentiated state. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), a ligand of another member of the FGF receptor family, enhanced expression of FGFR3 IIIb, but acidic FGF, the ligand for FGFR3 IIIb itself, had no effect. Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta also markedly enhanced FGFR3 IIIb expression in a different temporal pattern. In addition, FGFR3 IIIb expression was increased 10-fold by the cytokine interleukin-2. These studies demonstrate integration between cytokines and growth factor ligand-receptor systems in intestinal epithelial cells.
Immunopathogenesis of Psoriasis Skin and Nail

In this chapter, an overview will be presented of the current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of psoriatic skin disease, nail pathology, and the important clinical and therapeutic implications. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disorder with varying global prevalence and is associated with environmental triggers, including stress, trauma, medications, and infections.
Revision of Eutyphlus LeConte (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), with Description of a New Species and Phylogenetic Placement within the Tribe Trichonychini

Abstract Five previously described species of the North American genus Eutyphlus LeConte, 1880 are redescribed. Eutyphlus spiralis Owens and Carlton, new species (type locality: Macon County, North Carolina), is described based on characters of the male genitalia. A key to species, drawings and photographs of diagnostic characters, and distribution maps are provided. Intraspecific variation of male secondary sexual characters of Eutyphlus prominens Casey and Eutyphlus dybasi Park are documented for the first time. A morphology-based cladistic analysis of Eutyphlus species, putative related genera within the tribe Trichonychini, and numerous outgroup taxa was performed to test the monophyly of Eutyphlus and evaluate placement within genus-group taxa of Euplectitae. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis supports the monophyly of Eutyphlus, but highlights lack of resolution of genus-group taxa of the supertribe Euplectitae due to extensive homoplasy of characters used to diagnose taxa.
Non-linear microscope for imaging of the neural systems in live drosophila

A custom scanning engine is used for fast (22 frames/second, 512 x 480 pixels,115ns pixel dwell-time), non-linear optical microscopical images of neural system in d. melanogaster larvae. Design guidelines and resulting images presented.
Rearing Larvae of Pseudopityophthorus pruinosus and P. minutissimus on Ground Phloem Media

Two ground phloem media were developed for rearing larvae of 2 species of oak bark beetles, Pseudopityophthorus pruinosus (Eichhoff) and P. minutissimus (Zimmerman). Larval survival averaged 88.1% with microbial inhibitors in the medium. Without microbial inhibitors, larval survival averaged 78.4%. The larvae were reared between two 4×4-in. glass plates which formed a “sandwich.”
Qualification of the NASA Super Pressure Balloon

The development and qualification by National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Balloon Program Office of a large pumpkin shaped Super Pressure Balloon is part of the longer term strategy to offering the capability of extended duration stratospheric flights of large science instruments at mid latitudes. The goal is to lift 900 kg of science to greater than 33 km on a balloon that will fly at a near constant pressure altitude for extended periods. Float altitude excursions can be reduced by an order of magnitude or more and would not require ballast for altitude stabilization to be flown, even in midlatitudes. Two ~532,200 m (18.8-MCF) pumpkin shaped Super Pressure Balloons were launched in the past few months, one from Antarctica in late 2014 and one from New Zealand in March of 2015. Each of these flight furthered the successes of this new flight capability for the NASA program. The goals of these test flights were to verify the balloon design through demonstration of balloon deployment and subsequent pressurization and flight of the structures. Details of the flight preparations, launches, and flight performance are presented in this paper. The Super Pressure Balloon launched from Wanaka, New Zealand was a record setting flight. This balloon flew at a near constant altitude for over 32 days, nearly circling the globe without the need to ballast during the flight. This has never been achieved before with this size payload at these altitudes for this duration. These flights represent critical steps in the process to qualify this balloon design as a standard flight offering by the NASA Balloon Program, and a new platform for the science community.
The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on cellular systems.

SummaryThe growth of HeLa cells was strongly inhibited by 2%, L-cells by 3%, and E. coli (in broth) by 12% DMSO. The growth of Mengo virus in L-cells, and bacteriophage T4 in E. coli was markedly inhibited by similar concentrations of DMSO. In vitro studies showed that DMSO slightly increased RNase and β-galactosidase activity and markedly decreased that of glycerol dehydrogenase. It is suggested that the in vivo effects of DMSO are primarily due to its ability to alter enzyme reaction rates.
Cyberspace as Sacred Space: Communicating Religion on Computer Networks

Le cadre theorique de l'analyse de l'A. s'appuie sur les travaux de Walter J. Ong. Celui qui etudie l'impact de l'evolution des technologies de la communication sur la religion ne peut se permettre d'ignorer cette theorie evolutionniste de la culture qui met l'accent sur les modes de conscience et les formes de la communalite. En analysant les evolutions dans les rapports entre parole et symbole dans la liturgie chretienne, l'A. veut demontrer que la culture electronique contemporaine peut transformer les croyances et les pratiques religieuses
Effect of Prevathon Insecticide on Dectes Stem Borers, Brown Stink Bugs, Grasshoppers, Lepidopteran Larvae, Minute Pirate Bugs, Spiders, and Nabids in Soybean, 2014

A study was conducted at the University of Nebraska South Central Agricultural Laboratory to evaluate the effect of Prevathon insecticide on several pest and beneficial arthropods in 2014. The study was conducted using an RCB design with four replications and two treatments, Prevathon (treated), and check (untreated). Areas within the field were treated as blocks. Plots were 24-rows wide by 100-ft long in 30-inch row spacing. The …
Model of Side Contact Layer and Wear Performance of CBN Wheel in Quick-point Grinding Process

Based on the principle and technical characteristcs of point grinding process, the function of the side contact area of the thin CBN point-grinding wheel in material removal process is discussed, and the geometry and parameters models of the side contact area are established. Mathematic modeling and analysis are carried out for the side contact layer parameters, such as the equivalent workpiece diameter, the geometric and dynamic contact arc length, cutting depth of single abrasive grain and average cross-sectional area of chips. The grinding experiment is carried out to study the mechanism of effect of side contact layer parameters on the quick point grinding process and the wear characteristic and rule of thin CBN point-grinding wheel. It is found that the material removal is mainly completed in the side contact layer and the maximum wear rate of the thin CBN point-grinding wheel occurs at the largest circumference of wheel side in the point grinding process.
The Effects of Low Self-Control and Desire-for-Control on White-Collar Offending: A Replication

ABSTRACTTo further our understanding of the similarities and differences between street-level and white-collar offending, two personality traits were used to predict offending intentions. The independent and joint roles of low self-control and desire-for-control on intentions to engage in embezzlement, credit card fraud, and shoplifting were assessed. Findings suggested that while low self-control was predictive of intentions to offend, the impact of desire-for-control varied based on the respondent’s level of self-control. In contrast to prior studies, desire-for-control reduced offending intentions, but only among those with high self-control. A discussion of these findings is offered, along with study limitations and future directions.