cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advanced networking services for distributed multimedia streaming applications

Increased network speeds coupled with new services delivered via the Internet have increased the demand for intelligence and flexibility in network systems. This paper argues that both can be provided by new hardware platforms comprised of heterogeneous multi-core systems with specialized communication support. We present and evaluate an experimental network service platform that uses an emergent class of devices--network processors--as its communication support, coupled via a dedicated interconnect to a host processor acting as a computational core. A software infrastructure spanning both enables the dynamic creation of application-specific services on the network processor, mediated by middleware and controlled by kernel-level communication support. Experimental evaluations use a Pentium IV-based computational core coupled with an IXP 2400 network processor. The sample application services run on both include an image manipulation application and application-level multicasting.
A location aware role and attribute based access control system

In this paper, we follow the role-based access control (RBAC) approach and extend it to provide for the dynamic association of roles with users. In our framework, privileges associated with resources are assigned depending on the attribute values of the resources, attribute values associated with users determine the association of users with privileges, and a location mapping function between physical and logical locations allows to enable/disable roles depending on the logical location of the users and thus preserve the privacy of the location. We use Semantic Web technologies and a graphical user interface based on the Google Maps API.
ICAM-1 expressed on hepatic stellate cells plays an important role in immune regulation

The authors have demonstrated a strong T-cell inhibitory activity of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which may participate in the establishment of hepatic tolerance. The underlying mechanism is not completely understood. This study showed that intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was constitutively expressed on HSC, and up-regulated upon activation. ICAM-1 knockout mice was used to analyze the role of ICAM-1 expressed on HSC, and showed that deficiency in ICAM-1 expression partially reverses HSC immune inhibitory activity both in vitro and in vivo, but did not significantly affect their capacity to induce T-cell apoptosis.
Surface properties of Vibrio vulnificus

Aims: Vibrio vulnificus adheres to a diverse range of surfaces, ranging from the chitinous exoskeleton of mollusks to human tissue. To determine whether environmental and human clinical isolates exhibit different adhesion traits, we studied the ability of 10 environmental isolates and 10 clinical isolates to adhere to human epithelial cells and hydrocarbons with log P values ranging from 3·1 to 8·2. Methods and Results: All isolates adhered to varying levels to epithelial cells, and were inhibited to various extents from adherence by mannose and fructose. There was a lack of correlation between adherence to either hydrocarbons or cells and colony opacity. Adherence to hydrocarbons was optimal for solvents with a log P < 8·2. Conclusions: Vibrio vulnificus clinical and environmental isolates exhibit differential adherence to epithelial cells and hydrocarbons. Significance and Impact of the Study: The differential adherence of organisms to hydrocarbons based on log P may have utility in drug design and enhancement of food safety.
Experimental evaluation of adaptive identifiers

Transient response and tracking characteristics of three adaptive identifiers are illustrated and compared experimentally through digital simulation. Focus is placed on series-parallel (SP) identifiers, with and without auxiliary error signals. The identifiers are algorithms which have adjustable coefficients and are designed to follow the process output. At each computational cycle, the coefficients of the identifier (and the error signals) are updated in response to the tracking error between the process and identifier outputs. The process is simulated on an EAI TR-20 analogue computer, and the identification algorithms are implemented on a PDP-11/40 minicomputer. Testing is distributed over three processes commonly encountered by the control engineer. Variable adaptation gains, which are positive functions of the absolute value of the tracking error, accelerate the convergence of the identifiers. The experimental results are summarized in terms of the computational requirements of the identifiers.
Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms by primer extension and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

A method for typing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) is described, in which a mass-tagged dideoxynucleoside triphosphate is employed in a primer extension reaction in place of an unmodified dideoxynucleoside triphosphate (ddNTP). The increased mass difference due to the presence of the mass-tag greatly facilitates the accurate identification of the added nucleotide, and is particularly useful for typing heterozygous samples. Twenty commercially available mass-tagged dideoxynucleoside triphosphates were screened for amenability to incorporation by AmpliTaq FS and ThermoSequenase DNA polymerases in single nucleotide primer extension (SNuPE) reactions. Several sample preparation and purification methods were also examined and compared. Float dialysis was found to be a simple, versatile, and effective method for purification of the extension products. High specificity and sensitivity were obtained, and all six possible biallelic SNP heterozygotes were determined accurately using a 44-mer synthetic oligonucleotide target DNA as a model system. Further validation of the method was demonstrated in the analysis of five single-base mutations in exon IV of the human tyrosinase gene. Single nucleotide variations within 182-bp PCR amplicons amplified from three plasmid and three human genomic DNA samples were genotyped at five variable positions, with results in 100% concordance with conventional sequencing. Genotypes were determined accurately at five sequence-tagged sites (STSs). Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The DNA Translocating ATPase of Bacteriophage T4 Packaging Motor

In double-stranded DNA bacteriophages the viral DNA is translocated into an empty prohead shell by a powerful ATP-driven motor assembled at the unique portal vertex. Terminases consisting of two to three packaging-related ATPase sites are central to the packaging mechanism. But the nature of the key translocating ATPase, stoichiometry of packaging motor, and basic mechanism of DNA encapsidation are poorly understood. A defined phage T4 packaging system consisting of only two components, proheads and large terminase protein (gp17; 70 kDa), is constructed. Using the large expanded prohead, this system packages any linear double-stranded DNA, including the 171 kb T4 DNA. The small terminase protein, gp16 (18 kDa), is not only not required but also strongly inhibitory. An ATPase activity is stimulated when proheads, gp17, and DNA are actively engaged in the DNA packaging mode. No packaging ATPase was stimulated by the N-terminal gp17-ATPase mutants, K166G (Walker A), D255E (Walker B), E256Q (catalytic carboxylate), D255E-E256D and D255E-E256Q (Walker B and catalytic carboxylate), nor could these sponsor DNA encapsidation. Experiments with the two gp17 domains, N-terminal ATPase domain and C-terminal nuclease domain, suggest that terminase association with the prohead portal and communication between the domains are essential for ATPase stimulation. These data for the first time established an energetic linkage between packaging stimulation of N-terminal ATPase and DNA translocation. A core pathway for the assembly of functional DNA translocating motor is proposed. Since the catalytic motifs of the N-terminal ATPase are highly conserved among >200 large terminase sequences analyzed, these may represent common themes in phage and herpes viral DNA translocation.
Ni superficie ni fondo, sino todo lo contrario

El continente sumergido. Jose Libardo Porras. Editorial El Propio Bolsillo. Medellin, 1990.
Higher harmonic generation and parametric instabilities in left-handed nonlinear transmission lines

Negative-index materials (NIM), also known as left-handed (LH) media, are becoming an exciting reality, Here we present experimental results for harmonic generation and parametric generation in a short left-handed nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) that confirms the general predictions of Kozyrev et al. (2005).
Dot/Icm Type IVB Secretion System Requirements for Coxiella burnetii Growth in Human Macrophages

Central to Q fever pathogenesis is replication of the causative agent, Coxiella burnetii, within a phagolysosome-like parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in mononuclear phagocytes. C. burnetii modulates PV biogenesis and other host cell functions, such as apoptotic signaling, presumably via the activity of proteins delivered to the host cytosol by a Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system (T4BSS). In this study, we utilized a C. burnetii strain carrying IcmD inactivated by the Himar1 transposon to investigate the requirements for Dot/Icm function in C. burnetii parasitism of human THP-1 macrophage-like cells. The icmD::Tn mutant failed to secrete characterized T4BSS substrates, a defect that correlated with deficient replication, PV development, and apoptosis protection. Restoration of type IVB secretion and intracellular growth of the icmD::Tn mutant required complementation with icmD, -J, and -B, indicating a polar effect of the transposon insertion on downstream dot/icm genes. Induction of icmDJB expression at 1 day postinfection resulted in C. burnetii replication and PV generation. Collectively, these data prove that T4BSS function is required for productive infection of human macrophages by C. burnetii. However, illustrating the metabolic flexibility of C. burnetti, the icmD::Tn mutant could replicate intracellularly when sequestered in a PV generated by wild-type bacteria, where Dot/Icm function is provided in trans, and within a phenotypically similar PV generated by the protozoan parasite Leishmania amazonensis, where host cells are devoid of Dot/Icm T4BSS effector proteins.
Determination of Total Acid in Palygorskite Chemically Modified by N-Butylamine Thermodesorption

The acid properties of palygorskite clay (R1) were studied using n-butylamine as probe molecule. A comparison was made of these properties in palygorskite clay (R1), in an acidified palygorskite (R2) and in acid palygorskite loaded with 2% of lanthanum (R3). The total acid properties were determined by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) and TG-DTA (thermogravimetry). The acidity increased as follows: R3>R2>R1. The acid strength sites were classified as physisorbed, weak, medium and strong. The acid treatment did not change the site distribution, apparently only removing channel impurities. The introduction of lanthanum created many more acid sites and increased the specific area. Both weak and strong sites, which increased significantly, were considered new active acid sites produced by the lanthanum.
Issues Associated with Expiration of Galvanic Anodes on Marine Structures

Abstract As marine infrastructure and, particularly, petroleum production platforms and pipelines age, cathodic protection system retrofits become necessary in order that corrosion control might continue. An important aspect of such retrofitting is determining when such action should take place. The assessment of cathodic protection systems upon both space frame structures and pipelines is normally performed based upon potential measurements. As galvanic anodes waste, their size decreases; and this, in turn, causes a resistance increase and a corresponding decrease in polarization. In the present research, models have been constructed for the depolarization history that should occur in response to anode depletion for a fixed structure and for a pipeline. Critical issues for such depolarization are discussed with regard to foreseeing and projecting when retrofitting should be performed.
Spectral reflectance technique for retinal blood oxygen evaluation in humans

Retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, vein occlusion and optic nerve atrophy are associated with abnormal oxygen tension and bloodflow in surface vessels of the retina. Visible reflected light spectroscopy has in the past been applied to hemoglobin oxygen saturation measurements from the body surface, as with measurements from skin and wounds, from intact brain vessels during surgical intervention, and as well, from the retinal vessels and other ocular structures inside the body. All of these measurements are complicated by lack of visible light penetration, interference from secondary chromophores, specular return of light and wavelength-dependent penetration to different layers in different structures. We present spectral reflectance curves obtained with a prism-grating-prism (PGP) spectrographic camera from structures producing hemoglobin signatures, including the retinal artery and vein, the pigmented retina and the optic disk, as well as from the macular area which is free of this signature. Oxygen-dependent changes in the hemoglobin signature are determined from vessels and tissue surround.
The Political Economy of Terrorism: The Dilemma of Liberal Democracies

A liberal democracy rules by the mandate and wishes of its citizens. Periodic elections place candidates into legislative and executive offices based on some voting rule, such as a simple majority or plurality of votes cast. The political system may be two-party majoritarian, proportional representation, or some similar system. The “liberal” adjective underscores that the system preserves the civil and political rights of citizens and foreign residents (see Doyle, 1997). In a well-functioning liberal democracy, the political and civil rights of the minority are protected by the ruling government. The press is allowed to report the news, and everyone has the right to express his or her views. As a result, people can criticize the government and its policies without fear of reprisals. Suspected criminals have civil rights – for example, to be charged with a crime, to obtain counsel, and to have a fair trial. Election results are tallied in an open and accurate fashion. When a government loses an election, it relinquishes office and allows for a peaceful and orderly transition of power. An essential requirement of a liberal democracy is the protection of its people’s lives and property. A government that fails to provide this security will lose support and be voted out of office. If, for example, a liberal democracy is unable to control a terrorist campaign that murders innocent individuals on city streets or on public transit, then the government will appear inept and lose popularity. Ironically, a liberal democracy protects not only its citizens and residents but also the terrorists who engage in attacks on its soil. The political and civil freedoms that define a liberal democracy provide a favorable environment in which to wage terrorist campaigns. To date, evidence indicates that liberal democracies are more likely to be plagued by transnational terrorism than their autocratic counterparts, even though grievances may be greater in autocracies (Drakos and Gofas, 2006; Eubank and Weinberg, 1994, 2001; Li, 2005; Li and Schaub, 2004; Savun and Phillips, 2009; Weinberg and Eubank, 1998).
The VP35 protein of Ebola virus impairs dendritic cell maturation induced by virus and lipopolysaccharide.

Ebola virus causes rapidly progressive haemorrhagic fever, which is associated with severe immuosuppression. In infected dendritic cells (DCs), Ebola virus replicates efficiently and inhibits DC maturation without inducing cytokine expression, leading to impaired T-cell proliferation. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we report that Ebola virus VP35 impairs the maturation of mouse DCs. When expressed in mouse immature DCs, Ebola virus VP35 prevents virus-stimulated expression of CD40, CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex class II. Further, it suppresses the induction of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor α and alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β). Notably, Ebola VP35 attenuates the ability of DCs to stimulate the activation of CD4+ T cells. Addition of type I IFN to mouse DCs only partially reverses the inhibitory effects of VP35. Moreover, VP35 perturbs mouse DC functions induced by lipopolysaccharide, an agonist of Toll-like receptor 4. Deletion of the amino terminus abolishes its activity, whereas a mutation in the RNA binding motif has no effect. Our work highlights a critical role of VP35 in viral interference in DC function with resultant deficiency in T-cell function, which may contribute to the profound virulence of Ebola virus infection.
Transportation: Getting around town: Automatic urban transit: Prospects for personal and group rapid transit hinge on technology, safety, politics, and economics

Prospects for personal and group rapid transit in terms of technology, safety, politics, and economics.
Ultrawideband Multi-Static Scattering Analysis of Human Movement Within Buildings for the Purpose of Stand-Off Detection and Localization

An efficient and accurate method for the analysis of human backscatter response to ultrawideband near-field UHF radar systems is presented. The method combines a full-wave analysis of a human body model with a PO-like indoor propagation code known as “brick-tracing.” This method allows for the analysis of radar detection and tracking of humans within a realistic building environment. Using this method multi-static radar imaging of a human in buildings is evaluated and certain special features are pointed out. The simulation results are validated with actual radar measurements of a mannequin in a lab environment. A viable method for real time detection and localization of moving human inside buildings is then applied to the simulated and measured data and the building effects on the detection and localization are discussed.
Genome duplication, subfunction partitioning, and lineage divergence: Sox9 in stickleback and zebrafish.

Teleosts are the most species-rich group of vertebrates, and a genome duplication (tetraploidization) event in ray-fin fish appears to have preceded this remarkable explosion of biodiversity. What is the relationship of the ray-fin genome duplication to the teleost radiation? Genome duplication may have facilitated lineage divergence by partitioning different ancestral gene subfunctions among co-orthologs of tetrapod genes in different teleost lineages. To test this hypothesis, we investigated gene expression patterns for Sox9 gene duplicates in stickleback and zebrafish, teleosts whose lineages diverged early in Euteleost evolution. Most expression domains appear to have been partitioned between Sox9a and Sox9b before the divergence of stickleback and zebrafish lineages, but some ancestral expression domains were distributed differentially in each lineage. We conclude that some gene subfunctions, as represented by lineage-specific expression domains, may have assorted differently in separate lineages and that these may have contributed to lineage diversification during teleost evolution.
Trends and Seasonality of Reproductive Performance in Florida and Georgia Dairy Herds from 1976 to 2002

Abstract Trends in reproductive performance from 1976 to 2002 were studied for dairy farms located in Florida and Georgia using 2,897,517 Dairy Herd Improvement Association lactation records of Holstein cows. One-half of the 1552 herds in the final edited records had measures for at least 8 yr. Measures of reproductive performance changed significantly over time. Days to first service increased from a low of 84 d in 1983 to 104 d in 2001. Cows that calved during spring had 9.2 (1983) to 33.2 (1999) more days to first service than cows that calved during fall. Annual pregnancy rates (PR) for 71 to 364 d since last calving (DSC; PR 71–364 ) decreased from 21.6% in 1977 to 1979, to 12% in 2000 to 2002. The greatest PR 71–364 was observed during winter and the lowest during summer (15.8 vs. 5.6% in 2002, respectively). The absolute difference between PR 71–364 during winter and summer remained similar over time at 11 percentage units. Pregnancy rates in the early stages since calving (71 to 133 d) showed greater decreases over time than PR in the later stages since calving. From 1998 to 2002, PR in the later stages since calving (134 to 364 d) was on average 11.5%. Pregnancy rate from 71 to 133 DSC remained greater (13.4%). In the winter, the decrease in PR 71–364 was primarily due to a large decrease in PR 71–91 . Average days to conception increased from a low of 121 in 1982 to a high of 167 in 1998. The average difference between cows that calved during spring and fall increased from 22 d in 1976 to 47.5 d in 1986, but remained constant at 39.1 d from 1985. Average calving interval increased from 399 d in 1976 to 429 d in 2000. Average days dry between 1976 and 2001 remained similar at 69 d. Days to culling of nonpregnant cows after 182 DSC increased from 341 in 1983 to 415 in 1998. Season of calving had no clear association with average days to culling. The last milk yield recorded less than 1 mo before culling of nonpregnant cows after 182 DSC decreased by DSC to approximately 1 yr since calving, after which it remained constant at an average of 12.3 kg/d. The last known milk yield of cows culled during spring was 1.6 kg/d greater than those culled during fall. This difference did not significantly change over time. Increases in actual 305-d herd milk production were associated with increased days to first service, days to conception, and calving interval, but also with increased PR 71–364 . Herd size did not have a clear association with reproductive efficiency.
Zeta-Proteobacteria Dominate the Colonization and Formation of Microbial Mats in Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Vents at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii

In situ colonization experiments were performed to study the pioneer populations of bacteria at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii. Over a ten-year sampling period, 41 microbial growth chambers (MGCs) were deployed and recovered in Pele's Pit and the surrounding area after short-term (4–10 days) and long-term (∼1–6 years) incubations in the flow of hydrothermal effluent. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA) revealed that the short-term MGC communities exhibited a low number of represented populations when compared to the long-term MGC communities and naturally occurring microbial mats. Cluster analysis of T-RFLP fingerprints showed the short-term MGC communities all had similar richness but were separated into three distinct groups with different arrays of colonizing populations. Clone library analysis showed that cooler vents (T ave = 40°C) were primarily colonized by Mariprofundus ferrooxydans, a neutrophilic Fe-oxidizing ζ −Proteobacteria whi...
Gladstone and Women – By Anne Isba

The interests, accomplishments, and significance of William Ewart Gladstone [1809–1898], four‐time British prime minister, are so extensive and varied that no one study can capture the whole. Hence...
Tenderization of semitendinosus muscle using high intensity ultrasound

Semitendinosis muscle specimens, approximately 2.54-cm thick and weighing 200 g, were exposed to high-intensity ultrasound for periods of 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 min. Four specimens were used at each period for a total of 20 specimens. A magnetorestrictive transducer produced CW ultrasound at a frequency of 25.9 kHz in a stainless steel tank filled with degassed saline. The semitendinosus meat specimens were cut either cross-sectionally or longitudinally to the muscle fibers. The cross-sectional cuts of the meat specimens were exposed to the ultrasound for periods of 2, 4 and 8 min while the longitudinal cuts were exposed for periods of 2, 4, 8 and 16 min. Tenderness was measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force by removing six 1.3-cm-diameter cores from each meat sample. For the samples exposed for 2 and 4 min, there was a statistically significant decrease in Warner-Bratzler shear force, which indicates an increase in tenderness for these specimens. These results suggest that high-intensity ultrasound is capable of tenderizing meat as assessed by an objective shear force measurement. >
Field performance of STG06L-35-061, a new genetic resource developed from crosses between weed-suppressive indica rice and commercial southern U.S. long-grains

Weed control in rice is challenging, particularly in light of increased resistance to herbicides in weed populations including Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. Indica rice cultivars can produce high yields and suppress barnyardgrass, but have not been commercially acceptable in the U.S. due to inferior agronomic traits and grain quality. Our objectives were to combine high yield and weed-suppressive characteristics from indica cultivars with commercially acceptable grain quality and plant types from long-grain cultivars grown in the southern U.S. Crosses between indica and commercial tropical japonica (cv. Katy, and cv. Drew) rice were evaluated for weed suppression and agronomic traits in a breeding program. In some tests, the selection STG06L-35-061 was nearly as weed suppressive as PI 312777, the suppressive parent, and more suppressive than its tropical japonica parents. Its main crop yield is commercially acceptable, and intermediate between PI 312777 and Katy. Its milling quality and cooking quality are similar to long-grain commercial cultivars, and it has resistance to rice blast disease. Marker analyses identified introgressions from the indica parents on chromosomes 1 and 3 of STG06L-35-061 that require further analysis as possible sources of weed suppressive traits. STG06L-35-061 might be suitable for organic rice or reduced input conventional systems.
Cardioprotective Strategies to Improve Long-Term Outcomes Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background and Aim: Cardioprotective strategies implemented to prevent ischemic events in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease have decreased morbidity and prolonged survival. In this review, we have used evidence-based medicine and number-needed-to-treat (NNT) analyses to determine which interventions are most beneficial in minimizing ischemic events and prolonging survival following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: Therapeutic interventions available to minimize ischemic events in the post-CABG patient were analyzed using ACC/AHA Classifications and Level of Evidence Criteria. Based on these recommendations, NNT analyses were performed to determine the effectiveness of each intervention compared to the number of patients needed to be treated before a benefit was apparent. Results: The most beneficial intervention to improve mortality following CABG was the use of high tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, followed by statins and smoking cessation. Conclusions: NNT analyses and evidence-based medicine recommendations provide surgeons with cardioprotective strategies to improve long-term outcomes following CABG surgery.
Impaired neural response to internal but not external feedback in schizophrenia.

Background Accurate monitoring and integration of both internal and external feedback is crucial for guiding current and future behavior. These aspects of performance monitoring are commonly indexed by two event-related potential (ERP) components: error-related negativity (ERN) and feedback negativity (FN). The ERN indexes internal response monitoring and is sensitive to the commission of erroneous versus correct responses, and the FN indexes external feedback monitoring of positive versus negative outcomes. Although individuals with schizophrenia consistently demonstrate a diminished ERN, the integrity of the FN has received minimal consideration. Method The current research sought to clarify the scope of feedback processing impairments in schizophrenia in two studies: study 1 examined the ERN elicited in a flanker task in 16 out-patients and 14 healthy controls; study 2 examined the FN on a simple monetary gambling task in expanded samples of 35 out-patients and 33 healthy controls. Results Study 1 replicated prior reports of an impaired ERN in schizophrenia. By contrast, patients and controls demonstrated comparable FN differentiation between reward and non-reward feedback in study 2. Conclusions The differential pattern across tasks suggests that basic sensitivity to external feedback indicating reward versus non-reward is intact in schizophrenia, at least under the relatively simple task conditions used in this study. Further efforts to specify intact and impaired reward-processing subcomponents in schizophrenia may help to shed light on the diminished motivation and goal-seeking behavior that are commonly seen in this disorder.
Correlation of Soil Nutrient Characteristics and Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris Arundinacea: Poaceae) Abundance in Northern Illinois (USA)

ABSTRACT Phalaris arundinacea L. (reed canarygrass) is an aggressive graminoid species that invades wetlands in much of the northern United States. In areas previously used for agriculture and other recently disturbed habitats, P. arundinacea out-competes the native flora and creates monocultures, which reduce biodiversity and alter ecosystem functioning. Much research has focused on the growth response of P. arundinacea to varying abiotic and biotic conditions in the lab or under controlled field conditions, but few studies have examined if these results are congruent with what is observed in natural settings. We examined the relationship between P. arundinacea abundance and soil nutrient characteristics at Glacial Park, USA, a conservation area in northeastern Illinois. We found significant positive relationships between P. arundinacea abundance and total inorganic nitrogen, calcium and cation exchange capacity in the soil. These results are consistent with controlled experiments showing increased P. ar...
Same Spiral, Different Day? Testing the Spiral of Silence Across Issue Types

Although research has tested the spiral of silence theory using a variety of issues, little attention is paid to how the nature of the issues affects the spiral of silence processes. This study adopts issue typologies provided by Yeric and Todd and recommended by Salmon and Glynn to test the theory using three issues: immigration (transitory), gay marriage (emerging), and abortion (enduring). Using a nationwide survey of Facebook users (N = 1,046), this study investigates how the nature of issues influences the dynamics of the spiral of silence processes. Results identify issue-specific differences, especially regarding the opinion congruency. Theoretical implications for future tests of the spiral of silence theory and public opinion research are discussed.
Hydrodynamic simulations of relativistic heavy-ion collisions with different lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations of the equation of state

Hydrodynamic calculations of ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions are performed using the iebe-vishnu 2+1-dimensional code with fluctuating initial conditions and three different parametrizations of the lattice QCD equations of state: continuum extrapolations for stout and HISQ/tree actions, as well as the s95p-v1 parametrization based upon calculations using the p4 action. All parametrizations are matched to a hadron resonance gas equation of state at $T=155$ MeV, at which point the calculations are continued using the urqmd hadronic cascade. Simulations of $\sqrt{{s}_{NN}}=200$ GeV Au+Au collisions in three centrality classes are used to quantify anisotropic flow developed in the hydrodynamic phase of the collision as well as particle spectra and pion Hanbury-Brown-Twiss (HBT) radii after hadronic rescattering, which are compared with experimental data. Experimental observables for the stout and HISQ/tree equations of state are observed to differ by less than a few percent for all observables, while the s95p-v1 equation of state generates spectra and flow coefficients which differ by $\ensuremath{\sim}10--20%$. Calculations in which the HISQ/tree equation of state is sampled from the published error distribution are also observed to differ by less than a few percent.
Bespoke Infrastructures

Infrastructure developed within an organization for its own internal use can take many forms. The obvious reason for creating a bespoke solution is that it can be tailored to fit an organization's unique needs, which offers many advantages: better performance, increased flexibility, and tactical or strategic advantages over the competition. However, such solutions are associated with a steep learning curve for newcomers, maintenance and support costs, and the risk of hijacking by groups with vested interests. Given that investment in bespoke infrastructures is a sunk cost and that these polarize the types of employees that stay in the organization, rational approaches for building an organization's infrastructure include customizing a general-purpose solution or adopting an open source tool and improving it to address the organization's requirements. The Web extra at http://youtu.be/n4TrVaA2VF8 is an audio podcast of author Diomidis Spinellis reading his Tools of the Trade column, in which he discusses rational approaches for building an organization's infrastructure, including customizing a general-purpose solution or adopting an open source tool and improving it to address the organization's requirements.
The Road to Yucca Mountain—Evolution of Nuclear Waste Disposal in the United States

The generation of electricity by nuclear power and the manufacturing of atomic weapons have created a large amount of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. There is a world-wide consensus that the best way to protect mankind and the environment is to dispose of this waste in a deep geologic repository. Initial efforts focused on salt as the best medium for disposal, but the heat generated by the radioactive waste led many earth scientists to examine other rock types. In 1976, the director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) wrote to the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), predecessor agency of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), suggesting that there were several favorable environments at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), and that the USGS already had extensive background information on the NTS. Later, in a series of communications and one publication, the USGS espoused the favorability of the thick unsaturated zone. After the passage of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (1982), the DOE compiled a list of nine favorable sites and settled on three to be characterized. In 1987, as the costs of characterizing three sites ballooned, Congress amended the Nuclear Waste Policy Act directing the DOE to focus only on Yucca Mountain in Nevada, with the proviso that if anything unfavorable was discovered, work would stop immediately. The U.S. DOE, the U.S. DOE national laboratories, and the USGS developed more than 100 detailed plans to study various earth-science aspects of Yucca Mountain and the surrounding area, as well as materials studies and engineering projects needed for a mined geologic repository. The work, which cost more than 10 billion dollars and required hundreds of man-years of work, culminated in a license application submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2008.
A Hybrid Reduced‐Order Model of Fine‐Resolution Hydrologic Simulations at a Polygonal Tundra Site

Author(s): Liu, Y; Bisht, G; Subin, ZM; Riley, WJ; Pau, GSH | Abstract: High-resolution predictions of land surface hydrological dynamics are desirable for improved investigations of regional- and watershed-scale processes. Direct deterministic simulations of fine-resolution land surface variables present many challenges, including high computational cost. We therefore propose the use of reduced-order modeling techniques to facilitate emulation of fine-resolution simulations. We use an emulator, Gaussian process regression, to approximate fine-resolution four-dimensional soil moisture fields predicted using a three-dimensional surface-subsurface hydrological simulator (PFLOTRAN). A dimension-reduction technique known as “proper orthogonal decomposition” is further used to improve the efficiency of the resulting reduced-order model (ROM). The ROM reduces simulation computational demand to negligible levels compared to the underlying fine-resolution model. In addition, the ROM that we constructed is equipped with an uncertainty estimate, allowing modelers to construct a ROM consistent with uncertainty in the measured data. The ROM is also capable of constructing statistically equivalent analogs that can be used in uncertainty and sensitivity analyses. We apply the technique to four polygonal tundra sites near Barrow, Alaska that are part of the Department of Energy’s Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments (NGEE)-Arctic project. The ROM is trained for each site using simulated soil moisture from 1998-2000 and validated using the simulated data for 2002 and 2006. The average relative RMSEs of the ROMs are under 1%.
The present status of radical prostatectomy for stages A and B prostatic cancer.

SUMMARY The natural history of prostatic cancer is incompletely understood. Small cancers may have a very slow or rapid growth rate, and the majority are differentiated. Cells may leave the prostate by blood or lymph without penetrating capsule or invading the seminal vesicles. The prediction of latency or of biologic activity in any given case is impossible. Stage A cancer should be separated into A1 (focal) and A2 (diffuse). Stage A2 cancer that is low grade is best left alone. Stage A2 cancer and high grade cancer probably should be treated by megavoltage radiation. Stage B includes many cancers that are microscopically stage C. If this stage is separated into clinical stage B1 (tumors grossly involving less than one lobe), and B2 (tumors involving one lobe or more) the underestimation of microscopic extent in B1 will be less than in 10 per cent of the cases. In clinical stage B2 cancer, 50 per cent are microscopically stage C. Radical prostatectomy for cure should be limited to clinical B1 cases without distant spread. It is not a cure-all, but it provides the best 15-year survival rate more completely, more quickly, less expensively, and with fewer discomforts than other methods. The alternative options are no treatment, endocrine treatment, and radiation. The first is risky in many instances and may allow an active cancer to get out of control. The second rarely destroys all of the cells in the total cell population and gives one a false sense of security. The last should be reserved for cases well beyond stage B1, but without distant metastases, where its usefulness exceeds that of radical excision.
Laser cooling: Raman cooling in a semiconductor

The discovery that Raman scattering, with a little help from excitons, may be exploited to induce cooling of a solid-state material bodes well for new forms of optical refrigeration.
Personal Factors and Fast Food Consumption

Consumption of fast-food in Sri Lanka is becoming an increasingly important component of the food market. The aim of this study is to assess the personal factors that influencing on fast food consumption in relation to Burger King, KFC, McDonald’s, and Pizza Hut. To achieve the goals of this research, the data were collected from convenience sample of 200 customers in Colombo Divisional Secretariat Division. The respondents provided the data by means of a close-ended questionnaire. Pearson’s Correlation was used for testing the hypotheses. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Software. This study empirically examines the significant relationship between Personal Factors (PF) as the independent variable and Fast Food Consumption (FFC) as the dependent variable. The correlation coefficient between PF and FFC indicates that the PF is useful to explain the variation in FFC.
Tracheocutaneous fistula closure in children.

Abstract Objective Systematic review of surgical techniques for tracheocutaneous fistula closure in children and successful closure or development of adverse events. Data sources PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Review methods A medical librarian was utilized to perform a systematic review. Results Fourteen studies were identified. Eight studies reported outcomes for primary closure alone; one discussed results for secondary closure alone; and five included a combination of children who underwent either primary and secondary closure alone. No difference between surgical techniques was identified for effectiveness of closure (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.97 to 1.10) and major (RR = 1.68, 95% CI: 0.56 to 5.05) or minor complications (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.50 to 3.27). No mortalities were identified. Conclusions Both primary and secondary closure techniques for persistent tracheocutaneous fistulas in children are effective and associated with acceptable rates of complications. Given the available evidence, neither approach appears to be superior. Considerations for decision making in surgical approach may include family and social considerations, facility resource utilization, and cost differential. Further investigation may be directed at improving patient selection.
Colonisation with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and risk for infection among patients with solid or haematological malignancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Cancer patients are vulnerable to infections, including those with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE), and most of these infections are associated with colonisation of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal colonisation with ESBL-PE cancer populations and to determine the risk for subsequent bloodstream infection (BSI) with these pathogens. PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched from 1 January 1991 to 1 March 2016 to identify studies regarding ESBL-PE colonisation among patients with malignancies. Ten studies (out of 561 non-duplicate articles) were included, providing data on 2211 patients. The pooled prevalence of ESBL-PE colonisation was 19% [95% confidence interval (CI) 8-32%]. Stratifying per region, the pooled prevalence in Europe was 15% (95% CI 10-21%), whereas in Asia the pooled prevalence was 31% (95% CI 4-69%). In addition, the pooled prevalence was 15% (95% CI 7-24%) among patients with haematological malignancy, whereas no studies were identified that included solely patients with solid tumours. Notably, cancer patients with ESBL-PE colonisation were 12.98 times (95% CI 3.91-43.06) more likely to develop a BSI with ESBL-PE during their hospitalisation compared with non-colonised patients. We found that, overall, one in five patients with cancer is colonised with ESBL-PE and the incidence can be as high as one in three in Asia. This is important because colonisation was associated with an almost 13 times higher risk for developing BSI with ESBL-PE. Screening measures should be evaluated to identify their clinical benefit in patients with malignancy.
Coordinate Role for Proteoglycans and Integrins in Cell Adhesion

Cellular recognition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is fundamentally important for development, the maintenance of normal adult tissue architecture and function, and for the pathogensis of diesease. The ECM exerts its effects in large part, by serving as an exoskeleton for cells within tissues, thereby providing structural, and other, information to cells that serve to regulate normal cell fuction. Understanding subtle changes in the cellular recognition of the ECM that occur as a result of malignant cell transformation can provide important information regarding the altered biology of tumor celss and could lead to novel therapeutic and/or diagnostic strategies for the altered biology of tumor invasion and metastasis, two features of many malignancies that contribute to the mortality of cancer patients.
Effect of breastfeeding on postpartum depressive symptoms among adolescent and young adult mothers

Purpose: To describe the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depressive symptoms among a sample of adolescent and young adult mothers and to determine whether breastfeeding difficulty ...
Early intervention in cauda equina syndrome associated with better outcomes: a myth or reality? Insights from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2005–2011)

Abstract Background Context Evidence-based consensus on timing to surgical decompression following symptom onset in patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) is limited or widely debated. Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether timing to intervention in the management of patients with CES has an impact on outcomes. Study Design/Setting This is a retrospective cohort study. Patient Sample The patient sample included 4,066 adult patients with CES registered in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2005–2011) and undergoing elective decompression surgery. Outcome Measures The outcome measures are inpatient mortality, unfavorable discharge (discharge to rehabilitation), prolonged length of stay (LOS>75th percentile), and high hospital charges in patients undergoing decompression for CES. Methods The patients were stratified into three categories based on timing to surgical intervention: (1) within 24 hours (n=1,846, 45.6%); (2) between 24 and 48 hours (n=1,080, 26.6%), and (3) beyond 48 hours (n=1,130, 27.8%). Multivariable logistic regression fitted with generalized estimating equations using the sandwich variance-covariance matrix estimator to account for the clustering of similar outcomes within hospitals was used to examine the association of timing to surgical intervention categories with binary primary end points. For metric end points (charges), we used the ordinary least squares model to test the effect of timing to intervention. Results The mean age of the cohort was 50.19±17.55 years and 41% were female. In comparison to patients operated within 24 hours, increased likelihood of inpatient mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 3.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–9.85, p=.012), unfavorable discharge (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.87–2.66, p Conclusions Early intervention in CES, regardless of the subtype (complete or incomplete), has higher likelihood of improved inpatient outcomes. The odds of getting better were higher, however, with incomplete CES. The timing of intervention did not seem to matter in traumatic CES as compared with degenerative etiology. Prospective randomized controlled trials may further help elucidate the impact of early intervention on outcomes in patients with CES.
Geeking Out and Hulking Out: Toward an Understanding of Marvel Fan Communities

Bryan describes the process wherein the fan consumer constructs meaning for the larger public. Marvel’s success is predicated on its deep relationship with the fan community, both as a publisher and as a film studio. Bryan examines the interplay within modern superhero blockbusters, which grants the geek a degree of social power: Marvel’s use of the post-credits scene is indicative of the larger process, creating a ritual enacted by fans, who interpret the scene for the uninitiated. The fan is a producer and performer, an active participant within a larger media experience. The media is constructed, but the fan response is organic.