cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whose Authority? Perceptions of Science Education in Black and Latino Churches

Recent scholarship argues that beliefs in biblical literalism might keep conservative Protestants out of STEM. Two of the groups that are most underrepresented in STEM, black Americans and Latinos, are also two of the most religious populations in the United States, and specifically overrepresented in theologically conservative Christian traditions. Yet, prior work also suggests that churches help promote positive educational outcomes. To interrogate the potential relationship between STEM educational aspirations and religious faith, we explore how black and Latino Christians perceive the potential impact of science education on religious faith. Analysis of 40 interviews reveals that both black Americans and Latinos have concerns about science teachers being biased. Yet, the groups differ in their assessment of the danger of anti-religious bias. Black Americans put confidence in the Christian community to incubate children from harm to their faith; therefore, they believe the effect of science education on religious faith is either neutral or positive. Latinos, however, raise concerns about the authority of science educators, rather than science curriculum. Overall, the results shift the conversation on conservative religion and science education from solely discussing content to exploring issues of bias and authority.
Suppression of Rotational Twins in Epitaxial B12P2 on 4H-SiC

B12P2 was grown epitaxially on (0001) 4H-SiC using two different substrate miscuts: a standard 4° miscut toward the [1120] and a custom miscut 4° toward the [1100]. Epitaxy on substrates miscut to the [1120] resulted in highly twinned B12P2 films with a rotational twin density of approximately 70% twin orientation I and 30% twin orientation II. In contrast, epitaxy on substrates tilted toward the [1100] produced films of >99% twin orientation I. A H2 etch model is used to explain the 4H-SiC surface morphology for each miscut prior to epitaxy and demonstrate how the surface steps influence the nucleation of B12P2 twin orientations. Surface steps on substrates miscut to the [1120] tend to be zig-zagged with steps rotated 60° from one another producing B12P2 crystals that nucleate in orientations rotated by 60°, hence forming rotationally twinned films. Steps on substrates tilted to the [1100] tend to be parallel resulting in crystallographically aligned B12P2 nucleation.
Patient's specific integration of OAR doses (D2 cc) from EBRT and 3D image-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

The objective of this study was to assess the recommended DVH parameter (e.g., D2 cc) addition method used for combining EBRT and HDR plans, against a reference dataset generated from an EQD2-based DVH addition method. A revised DVH parameter addition method using EBRT DVH parameters derived from each patient's plan was proposed and also compared with the reference dataset. Thirty-one biopsy-proven cervical cancer patients who received EBRT and HDR brachytherapy were retrospectively analyzed. A parametrial and/or paraaortic EBRT boost were clinically performed on 13 patients. Ten IMRT and 21 3DCRT plans were determined. Two different HDR techniques for each HDR plan were analyzed. Overall D2 cc and D0.1 cc OAR doses in EQD2 were statistically analyzed for three different DVH parameter addition methods: a currently recommended method, a proposed revised method, and a reference DVH addition method. The overall D2 ccEQD2 values for all rectum, bladder, and sigmoid for a conformal, volume optimization HDR plan generated using the current DVH parameter addition method were significantly underestimated on average -5 to -8% when compared to the values obtained from the reference DVH addition technique (P 0.099). When PM boosts were considered, there was an even greater average underestimation of -8~-10% for overall OAR doses of conformal HDR plans when using the current DVH parameter addition technique as compared to the revised DVH parameter addition. No statistically significant differences were found between the 3DCRT and IMRT techniques (P > 0.3148). It is recommended that the overall D2 cc EBRT doses are obtained from each patient's EBRT plan.
AXONAL PLASTICITY AND REGENERATION IN THE INJURED SPINAL CORD

ABSTRACT The field of spinal cord injury research has made remarkable progress in the last 20 years, with elucidation of several mechanisms that underlie axonal growth failure in the adult CNS. This progress in turn has led to the identification of several potential means of enhancing axonal plasticity and regeneration in the adult CNS. This chapter will review progress in the field of spinal cord injury regeneration research, with a particular emphasis on the influences of growth factors and combinatorial therapies in maximizing the growth capacity of injured axonal systems.
Light Sensitivity in Cones is Affected by the Feedback from Horizontal Cells

We examined the effect of annular illumination on resetting of the I-R relation measured intracellularly in the tiger salamander cones. Our results suggest that peripheral illumination contributes to the cellular mechanism of adaptation. This is done by a neural network involving feedback synapse from horizontal cell to cones. The effect is to unsaturate the membrane potential of a fully hyperpolarized cone, by “instantaneously” shifting cone’s I-R curves along intensity axis to be in register with ambient light level of the periphery. An equivalent electrical circuit with three different transmembrane channels, (leakage, photocurrent and feedback) was used to model static behavior of a cone. SPICE simulation showed that interactions between feedback and the light sensitive conductance can shift the I-R curves along the intensity domain, provided that phototransduction mechanism is not saturated during maximally hyperpolarized light response.
Lufengpithecus and Hominoid Phylogeny

In the 1970s, the first specimens of the large-bodied hominoid now referred to as Lufengpithecus lufengensis (Fig. 1) were discovered in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan, at the Shihuiba colliery site, which lies 9 km north of the town of Lufeng. The site, which is characterized by lignite deposits, is late Miocene (ca. 8 Ma) and thus approximately coeval with Sivapithecus sites in Turkey (Andrews and Tekkaya, 1980) and Indo-Pakistan (Pilbeam, 1982) and perhaps a few million years younger than the Dryopithecus sites in Hungary (Kordos, 1987; Kretzoi, 1975) and Spain (Moya-Sola and Kohler, 1993).
Isospectral potentials on a surface of Genus 3

Let S be a compact Riemann surface, carrying a metric of constant curvature −1, and let Δ denote the Laplace-Beltrami operator on S.
Effects of Lumbar Facet Nerve Block on Standing Balance among Lower Back Pain Patients

Lower Back Pain is one of the leading causes of disability globally. Its degradation to patients’ standing stability has been reported in the past. The goal of the current study was to evaluate the influence of immediate pain relief enabled by a lumbar facet joint anesthetic injection on patients’ standing stability. A total of 91 chronic LBP patients were recruited, each patient performed standing balance tests both before and after a lumbar facet nerve block treatment while their dynamic center of pressure data were recorded and compared. Results of our study showed that after the injection, participants showed 10% smaller total excursion and up to 30% smaller sway area. These results suggested patients’ balance might be used as an objective measurement to evaluate pain reduction among LBP patients.
Enhanced Delta-tolling: Traffic Optimization via Policy Gradient Reinforcement Learning

In the micro-tolling paradigm, a centralized system manager sets different toll values for each link in a given traffic network with the objective of optimizing the system's performance. A recently proposed micro-tolling scheme, denoted $\Delta$ -tolling, was shown to yield up to 32% reduction in total travel time when compared to a no-toll scheme. $\Delta$ -tolling, computes a toll value for each link in a given network based on two global parameters: $\beta$ which is a proportional parameter and $R$ which controls the rate of toll change over time. In this paper, we propose to generalize $\Delta$ -tolling such that it would consider different $R$ and $\beta$ parameters for each link. a policy gradient reinforcement learning algorithm is used in order to tune this high-dimensional optimization problem. The results show that such a variant of $\Delta$ -tolling far surpasses the original $\Delta$ -tolling scheme, yielding up to 38% reduced system travel time compared to the original $\Delta$ -tolling scheme.
THE LAB: Well-Worked Plan Results in Efficient Blood Bank Layout

(1963). THE LAB: Well-Worked Plan Results in Efficient Blood Bank Layout. Hospital Topics: Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 71-73.
Machine deep learning accurately detects endoleak after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to develop a machine deep learning algorithm for endoleak detection and measurement of aneurysm diameter, area, and volume from computed tomography angiography (CTA). Methods Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine files representing three-phase postoperative CTA images (N = 334) of 191 unique patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with a variety of commercial devices were used to train a deep learning pipeline across four tasks. The RetinaNet object-detection convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture was trained to predict bounding boxes around the axial CTA slices that were then stitched together in two dimensions into a smaller region containing the aneurysm. Multiclass endoleak detection and segmentation of the AAA, endograft, and endoleak were performed on this smaller region. Segmentations on a single randomly selected contrast from each scan included 33 full and 68 partial segmentations for endograft and AAA and 99 full segmentations for endoleak. A modified version of ResNet-50 CNN was used to detect endoleak on individual axial slices. A three-dimensional U-Net CNN model was trained on the task of dense three-dimensional segmentation and used to measure diameter and volume with a specially designed loss function. We made use of fivefold cross-validation to evaluate model performance for each step, splitting training and testing data at each fold, such that multiple scans from the same patient were preserved with the same fold. Algorithm predictions for endoleak were compared with the radiology report and with a subset of CTA images independently read by two vascular specialists. Results The localization portion of the network accurately predicted a region of interest containing the AAA in 99% of cases. The best model of binary endoleak detection obtained an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.94 ± 0.03 with an optimized accuracy of 0.89 ± 0.03 on a balanced data set. An introduced postprocessing algorithm for determining maximum diameter was used on both the predicted AAA segmentation and ground truth segmentation, predicting on average an absolute diameter error of 2.3 ± 2.0 mm by 1.4 ± 1.7 mm for each measurement, respectively. The algorithm measured AAA and endograft volume accurately (Dice coefficient, 0.95 ± 0.2) with an absolute volume error of 10.1 ± 9.1 mL. The algorithm measured endoleak volume less accurately, with a Dice score of 0.53 ± 0.21 and an average absolute volume error of 1.2 ± 1.9 mL. Conclusions This machine learning algorithm shows promise in augmenting a human's ability to interpret postoperative CTA images and may help improve surveillance after endovascular aneurysm repair. External validation on larger data sets and prospective study are required before the algorithm can be clinically applicable.
Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTL) is an aggressive peripheral T-cell lymphoma with specific localization to the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. It preferentially affects young adults with a male predominance. A small subset of cases occur in the setting of iatrogenic immunosuppression and treatment with thiopurines and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) inhibitors. Morphologically, HSTL cells infiltrate the sinuses and cords of the red pulp of the spleen. It shows sinusoidal infiltrate pattern in the liver and bone marrow. The HSTL cells are typically medium sized with mature chromatin and no cytoplasmic granules. But cytological variation is not uncommon. Most cases of HSTL are γδ T-cells with double-negative CD4/CD8, loss of CD5, and expression of CD56 and TCL1. A minority of cases of HSTL are αβ T-cells. There is no significant clinical or prognostic difference between γδ and αβ HSTLs. The HSTL cells show a characteristic inactivated cytotoxic T-cell phenotype with expression of TIA1 and negative granzyme B and perforin. The most common recurrent cytogenetic finding is isochromosome (7q). Commonly mutated genes in HSTL include STAT3 and STAT5b. Given the sinusoidal infiltrate pattern, the differential diagnosis includes T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia, which can be resolved by a combination of clinical, histologic, and cytogenetic analysis.
Alterations in STK11 to limit response to immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer.

e21503Background: The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) drastically transformed the treatment of lung cancer. However, a variety of response rates have been observed in patients due to int...
Few-Shot Semantic Segmentation Augmented with Image-Level Weak Annotations.

Despite the great progress made by deep neural networks in the semantic segmentation task, traditional neural network-based methods typically suffer from a shortage of large amounts of pixel-level annotations. Recent progress in few-shot semantic segmentation tackles the issue by utilizing only a few pixel-level annotated examples. However, these few-shot approaches cannot easily be applied to utilize image-level weak annotations, which can easily be obtained and considerably improve performance in the semantic segmentation task. In this paper, we advance the few-shot segmentation paradigm towards a scenario where image-level annotations are available to help the training process of a few pixel-level annotations. Specifically, we propose a new framework to learn the class prototype representation in the metric space by integrating image-level annotations. Furthermore, a soft masked average pooling strategy is designed to handle distractions in image-level annotations. Extensive empirical results on PASCAL-5i show that our method can achieve 5.1% and 8.2% increases of mIoU score for one-shot settings with pixel-level and scribble annotations, respectively.
A Scoping Review to Develop a Framework of Asynchronous Technology Competencies for Psychiatry and Medicine

Asynchronous technologies like mobile health, e-mail, e-consult, and asynchronous video telepsychiatry are effective modes of service delivery to a variety of settings and populations. To ensure quality care, clinicians need skills, knowledge, and attitudes for these technologies. This scoping review was based on the research question, “What skills are needed for clinicians and trainees to provide quality care asynchronously have been published, and how can they be made measurable and reproducible to teach and assess them?” A key word search was done in 9 databases based on five concept areas: (1) competencies; (2) asynchronous technologies; (3) synchronous video; (4) clinical therapeutic relationship; and (5) consultation to primary care. From a total of 4812 potential references, two authors found a total of 86 papers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical studies rarely discuss specific skillsets or competencies. Existing publications on video, social media, and mobile health were used to build an asynchronous technology competency set according to the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education framework. Training, faculty development, and administrative changes to service delivery and workplace culture are suggested as part of institutional competencies. Research is needed on how to implement and evaluate asynchronous competencies for clinical care and training as part of organizational change to build a positive e-culture. Research is also needed across cultures and across user’s health, lifestyle, and clinical care experiences.
Die Scheinauslandsgesellschaft in der Krise – Gläubigerschutz zwischen Gesellschafts- und Insolvenzstatut

Privilegierte Scheinauslandsgesellschaften, insbesondere solche aus dem EU- und EWR-Ausland, sind nach ihrem Grundungsrecht zu beurteilen. Dies gilt jedoch nur fur ihr Gesellschaftsstatut: Ihr Insolvenzstatut folgt zumeist dem Inlandsrecht. Dies wirft die Frage auf, wie Institute im Graubereich zwischen Gesellschafts- und Insolvenzrecht, vor allem: insolvenznahe Glaubigerschutznormen, international zu qualifizieren sind. Der Beitrag widmet sich dem Problem zunachst mit einer Fundamentalkritik der bestehenden dogmatischen Ansatze. Darauf aufbauend wird die Parallelverfolgung von Minderheitenschutz und Glaubigerschutz als Spezifikum genuin gesellschaftsrechtlichen Glaubigerschutzes dogmengeschichtlich herausgearbeitet und als Losungsansatz der Qualifikationsfrage an den Einzelinstituten des Glaubigerschutzes entwickelt.
A preliminary analysis of computer-based training to teach classroom behavior management strategies

This investigation examined the effects of a computer-based program designed to teach basic classroom behavior management skills to 9 undergraduate students via computer posttests, role-plays, and classroom observations. Posttests across three experiments showed increased knowledge of behavior-management strategies. Although participants in Experiments 1 reached criterion during role-plays on measures of correct responses to inappropriate behavior, participant-delivered requests, and participant-offered choices, most participants consistently delivered requests and provided choices incorrectly. To increase performances during role-plays, Experiment 2 procedures were modified to include videos depicting the correct application of the behavior management strategies. Significant differences were found at posttest for subjects whose training included videos, and percent change from baseline for participant-delivered requests and choices during role-plays increased 233% over baseline. In Experiment 3, we sought to replicate and extend the results to a preschool classroom, and the participant reached criterion for responses to inappropriate behavior at 5 sessions post-computer training
Role of Physical Activity and Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a standard treatment for several malignancies, and >50,000 HSCT are performed annually worldwide. As survival after HSCT improves, cardiovascular disease and associated risk factors have gained importance as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in this cohort. In this article, we detail the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and their impact in patients undergoing HSCT. Additionally, we critically review the data on the impact of physical exercise in patients undergoing HSCT. Although limited by significant heterogeneity in methodologies, small sample sizes, attrition, and lack of long-term cardiovascular follow-up, most of these studies reinforce the beneficial effects of physical activity and exercise in this patient population. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a structured exercise and lifestyle modification program that is typically instituted in patients who experience acute cardiovascular events. We review the data on CR in the oncologic and nononcologic populations with an aim of building a framework for use of CR in HSCT patients.
Systematically differentiating parametric discontinuities

Emerging research in computer graphics, inverse problems, and machine learning requires us to differentiate and optimize parametric discontinuities. These discontinuities appear in object boundaries, occlusion, contact, and sudden change over time. In many domains, such as rendering and physics simulation, we differentiate the parameters of models that are expressed as integrals over discontinuous functions. Ignoring the discontinuities during differentiation often has a significant impact on the optimization process. Previous approaches either apply specialized hand-derived solutions, smooth out the discontinuities, or rely on incorrect automatic differentiation. We propose a systematic approach to differentiating integrals with discontinuous integrands, by developing a new differentiable programming language. We introduce integration as a language primitive and account for the Dirac delta contribution from differentiating parametric discontinuities in the integrand. We formally define the language semantics and prove the correctness and closure under the differentiation, allowing the generation of gradients and higher-order derivatives. We also build a system, Teg, implementing these semantics. Our approach is widely applicable to a variety of tasks, including image stylization, fitting shader parameters, trajectory optimization, and optimizing physical designs.
Polyclonal Antibodies to Chlorosome Proteins as Probes for Green Sulfur Bacteria

We found that polyclonal antibodies raised against chlorosome polypeptides from green sulfur bacteria reacted to Chlorobium tepidum, Chlorobium limicola, and Chlorobium phaeobacteroides but not to Chloroflexus aurantiacus. These antibodies successfully labeled only green sulfur species in marine microbial mat samples. Our results suggest that these antibodies may be useful as immunohistochemical probes.
Systemic contact dermatitis in children: how an avoidance diet can make a difference.

: Systemic contact dermatitis is an under-recognized skin reaction that occurs secondary to systemic (oral, intravenous, intramuscular, inhaled, or subcutaneous) exposure to a hapten in a previously sensitized individual. Medicaments are the most common cause of SCD in the adult population, but other chemicals like nickel, cobalt, balsam of Peru, and formaldehyde have been implicated as well. Few reports in children exist to date. Dietary restriction has shown to be of some benefit in managing some adult patients. We present a case series of 8 pediatric patients diagnosed with SCD from the contact dermatology clinic, who showed marked improvement of their dermatitis after adequate dietary avoidance. We review common presentations of chemicals causing SCD in children and potential dietary modifications.
Application of polynomial techniques to multivariable control of jet engines

This paper describes a complete case study of the application of the theory of minimal design to multivariable control of jet engines. The minimal-design problem is approached from the viewpoint of polynomial modules, and computational experience with PL/I and FORMAC-PL/I software is discussed. The complete minimal-design solution exhibits flexibilities not apparent in early industry studies, and a matrix approach to pole assignment can be used to advantage in this situation.
Revisiting the usefulness of thromboxane-A2 modulation in the treatment of bronchoconstriction in asthma.

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the effector cell in the bronchoconstrictory pathway. It is believed that the bronchoconstriction present in asthma is associated with changes in the airway milieu tha...
Model management for group decision support

Since models play a critical role in human decision processes, model management is considered a very important function for decision support. This article examines how model management systems can be designed to support group problem-solving. First, basic concepts of model management and functional requirements for group model management systems are described. Then, an architecture for group model management systems design is presented. Finally, major implementation issues are discussed.
Parental depressive symptoms and children's sleep: the role of family conflict.

Background We used a multi-method and multi-informant design to identify developmental pathways through which parental depressive symptoms contribute to children’s sleep problems. Environmental factors including adult inter-partner conflict and parent–child conflict were considered as process variables of this relation.
Enhancing multiple testing: two applications of the probability of correct selection statistic

The calculation of PCS shows how likely it is that the populations chosen as “best” truly are the top populations, according to a well-defined standard. PCS is useful for the researcher with limited resources or the statisticians attempting to test the quality of two different statistics. This paper explores the theory behind two selection goals for PCS, G-best and d-best, and how they improve previous definitions of PCS for massive datasets. This paper also calculates PCS for two applications that have already been analyzed by multiple testing procedures in the literature. The two applications are in Neuroimaging and Econometrics. It is shown through these applications that PCS not only supports the multiple testing conclusions but also provides further information about the statistics used.
Is Body Mass Index or Percent Body Fat a Stronger Predictor of Health-Related Quality of Life in Rural Hispanic Youth?

The objective of the present study was to assess whether Body Mass Index or percent body fat was a stronger predictor of health-related quality of life in a community sample of rural Hispanic youth. The sample consisted of 219 Hispanic children and adolescents ages 8–19 years (54.8 % female). Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with demographics and obesity indicators (BMI, percent body fat) entered as independent variables. Each subscale and summary score of the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales was a separate dependent variable. Greater percent body fat was associated with lower social functioning in our sample of rural Hispanic youth. BMI percentile was not significantly associated with any of the PedsQL domains. These findings indicate that percent body fat may be more strongly associated with psychosocial functioning than BMI percentile in rural Hispanic youth.
Bau, a splice form of Neurabin-I that interacts with the tumor suppressor Bin1, inhibits malignant cell transformation.

Bin1 is a nucleocytoplasmic adaptor protein and tumor suppressor. A novel protein termed Bau was identified through its ability to interact with a region of Bin1 required to inhibit malignant cell transformation by certain oncogenes. Bau is a splice form of Neurabin-I, one of two related F-actin-binding proteins that are proposed to link cadherin-based cell-cell adhesion sites with the growth regulatory kinase p70S6K. Bau lacks actin- and p70S6K-binding domains found in Neurabin-1 but includes coiled-coil domains that are part of its central domain as well as additional sequences not found in Neurabin-1. Interaction with Bin1 requires the presence of the U3 region which is alternately spliced in muscle cells. Bau localizes to the nucleus and cytosol. Like Bin1, Bau can suppress oncogene-mediated transformation and inhibit tumor cell growth. We suggest that Bau may link Bin1 to the Neurabin-1/p70S6K system in muscle and other cells, perhaps providing a mechanism to influence adhesion-dependent signals whic...
Parasitism in Heavy Water of Low Concentration

THE first biological experiments1 with heavy water (May 1933) showed that a low concentration of diplogen (1 part in 2,000) may have a beneficial effect on forms such as Spirogyra (the average longevity of 355 cells, in filament sections of 10–50 cells, in the diplogen water was 7.6 days, and the average for 322 cells in ordinary water was 1.6 days). It was also reported2 that cell division in Euglena is increased in this dilute heavy water (density 1.00006). Meyer3 confirmed the dilute heavy water effect by demonstrating that mats of Aspergillus showed sixteen times the dry weight of controls.
The Segments of the World Population at Nutritional Risk

I find it useful to distinguish four aspects of "the problem of malnutrition": (a) the existence of people currently malnourished, (b) the existence of people in situations which are characterized by an unacceptable risk of malnutrition, (c) trends and forces which increase the numbers at risk of malnutrition, and (d) lack of sensitivity and/or effective response of society to the above realities. The four corresponding tasks include: (a) the identification and treatment of the malnourished, (b) the reduction of the number of people exposed chronically to the risk of malnutrition, (c) reducing or offsetting those forces which make for increase in the numbers at risk of malnutrition, and (d) improving the sensitivity and responsiveness of society to nutritional deprivation. While I frequently use this fourfold breakdown, I am constantly reformulating it. The present version is not offered as in any way definitive. This paper discusses aspects (b) and (c), though its concern is strongly with (d), the lack of society's sensitivity and effective response.
On component and composite flux of matter through natural systems

Comparison is made between the flux equation for migration of components in solutions or across boundaries and the flow equation for movement of composite fluids through media such as soils. The similarity between these is drawn, and seeming differences based on viewpoint are elucidated. A suggestion is made for common usage of a relative permeability coefficient applicable to both modes of approach.
Effects of piperonyl butoxide and DEF on the metabolism of methoprene by the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren

Abstract Studies are presented on the effects of two synergists, piperonyl butoxide and S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate, on the metabolism of methoprene [isopropyl (2E,4E)-11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate], an insect growth regulator, by the castes of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. In adults, but not in larvae, pharate pupae, and pupae, piperonyl butoxide, a microsomal enzyme inhibitor, reduced methoprene metabolism by blocking O-demethylation. S,S,S-Tributyl phosphorotrithioate, an esterase and microsomal oxidase inhibitor, was most effective in reducing methoprene metabolism in larvae. In toxicity studies, against pharate pupae, the O-demethylated methoprene metabolite (alcohol-ester) was shown to be more toxic than methoprene. Synergists may be useful in bait formulations used for imported fire ant control to extend the effectiveness of methoprene.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Swarms: The Design and Evaluation of Command and Control Strategies using Agent-Based Modeling

Unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs are being widely used for both military and civilian purposes. The advent of smaller, lighter, less expensive UAVs opens opportunities to deploy a large number of small, semi-autonomous UAVs in a cohesive group or "swarm". Swarms offer numerous advantages over single UAVs, such as higher coverage, redundancy in numbers and reduced long-range bandwidth requirements. Engineering a swarm requires designing the swarming behavior and finding effective ways to control the behavior so that the swarm can be directed to complete its mission. This paper presents an approach to developing UAV swarming behaviors and command and control C2 strategies to govern them. The agent-based modeling toolkit NetLogo is used to create two mission types: contaminant plume mapping and vessel tracking. Performance metrics are used to evaluate success as parameters are changed. This research demonstrates the potential usefulness of agent-based modeling in the engineering of UAV swarms.
Efficient low-bit-rate adaptive mesh-based motion compensation technique

This paper proposes a two-stage global motion estimation method using a novel quadtree block-based motion estimation technique and an active mesh model. In the first stage, motion parameters are estimated by fitting block-based motion vectors computed using a new efficient quadtree technique, that divides a frame into equilateral triangle blocks using the quad-tree structure. Arbitrary partition shapes are achieved by allowing 4-to-1, 3-to-1 and 2-1 merge/combine of sibling blocks having the same motion vector . In the second stage, the mesh is constructed using an adaptive triangulation procedure that places more triangles over areas with high motion content, these areas are estimated during the first stage. finally the motion compensation is achieved by using a novel algorithm that is carried by both the encoder and the decoder to determine the optimal triangulation of the resultant partitions followed by affine mapping at the encoder. Computer simulation results show that the proposed method gives better performance that the conventional ones in terms of the peak signal-to-noise ration (PSNR) and the compression ratio (CR).© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Momentum and the growth-free segment of a population

In the scenario of a sudden drop in fertility to replacement level, Preston (1986) argued that the population segment under age T, the length of generation, remained growth-free. Here we first present a new relationship for the momentum of any observed population as the ratio of 1) the proportion of the observed population under the mean age at childbearing to 2) the proportion of its life table population under that mean age. We then use that relationship to demonstrate Preston’s approximation. Growth factors for other population segments are also presented. When the initial population is stable, momentum can be approximated as a function of the net reproduction rate alone.
Management of Obesity Cardiomyopathy

Therapy of acute exacerbations of congestive heart failure associated with obesity cardiomyopathy consists of dietary salt restriction, inspired oxygen, diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or, if left ventricular systolic dysfunction is present, hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate. Digitalis may be indicated in selected cases. These measures may also be useful chronically in association with weight loss. Substantial weight loss is capable of reversing all of the hemodynamic abnormalities associated with obesity except elevation of left ventricular filling pressure. Substantial weight loss may also reduce left ventricular mass and improve left ventricular diastolic filling in those with left ventricular hypertrophy before weight loss. Left ventricular systolic function also improves after weight loss in those with impaired pre-weight-loss systolic function. These beneficial effects of weight loss occur partly because of favorable alterations in left ventricular loading conditions. Substantial weight loss in patients with congestive heart failure associated with obesity cardiomyopathy produces a reversal of many of the clinical manifestations of cardiac decompensation and improves New York Heart Association functional class in most patients.
Incorporation of polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane in chemically amplified resists to improve their reactive ion etching resistance

A chemically amplified (CA) methacrylate resist containing polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) has been synthesized by AIBN-initiated free radical polymerization. While the polymer of low POSS concentrations showed little improvement in reactive ion etching (RIE) resistance, incorporation of 20.5 wt % of the POSS monomer into methacrylate-based CA resists significantly improved their RIE resistance in the O2 plasma. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that the RIE resistance improvement was due to the formation of rectangular crystallite-constituting networks of the silica cages uniformly distributed within the polymer matrix.
The dataBASIC language: a data processing language for non-professional programmers

The dataBASIC Language is a terminal oriented data processing language which combines data base manipulation capabilities with a BASIC like procedural statements. The language is designed for use by a nonprofessional programmer. Emphasis is placed upon simplicity and ease of learning and remembering its syntax and rules. The language permits the storage, maintenance, retrieval, and output of data on a content addressable basis. Records of any size, containing from one field to hundreds of fields may be created without record descriptions. Records are self-defining and are processed on the basis of the field names and associated field values supplied by the user at the time of record storage. Records are retrieved for maintenance or output based on the selection logic specified by the user. Records selected are processed one at a time in accordance with processing statements specified.
Prevalence and distribution of regional scar in dysfunctional myocardial segments in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The segmental relationship between cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) peak circumferential strain (Ecc) and myocardial scar has not been well characterized in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and it is unknown whether echocardiography accurately measures Ecc in DMD. We assessed segmental Ecc and scar using CMR with myocardial tissue tagging and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients with DMD, then compared CMR with echocardiographic velocity vector imaging (VVI) for regional Ecc based on independent observer assessments. Participants enrolled (n = 16; age 8-23) had median left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction of 0.52 (range 0.28-0.69), and 156 basal and mid-cavity myocardial segments from the 13 patients completing the LGE protocol were analyzed for strain and scar. Segmental CMR Ecc in the most negative quartile (quartile 4) ruled out scar in that segment, but scar was present in 46% of segments in the least negative (most dysfunctional) Ecc quartile 1, 33% of Ecc quartile 2 segments, and 15% of Ecc quartile 3 segments. Overall scar prevalence in inferior, inferolateral, and anterolateral segments was eight times higher than in inferoseptal, anteroseptal, and anterior segments (p < 0.001). This increased proportion of scar in lateral versus septal segments was consistent across CMR Ecc quartiles (quartile 1: 76% versus 11%, p = 0.001; quartile 2: 65% versus 9%, p < 0.001; quartile 3: 38% versus 0%, p < 0.001). Echocardiographic analysis could be performed in 12 of 14 patients with CMR exams and had to be limited to mid-cavity slices. Echo segmental Ecc in the most negative quartile made scar by CMR in that segment highly unlikely, but the correlation in segmental Ecc between CMR and echo was limited (r = 0.27; p = 0.02). The relationship between scar and Ecc in DMD is complex. Among myocardial segments with depressed Ecc, scar prevalence was much higher in inferior, inferolateral, and anterolateral segments, indicating a regionally dependent association between abnormal Ecc and scar, with free wall segments commonly developing dysfunction with scar and septal segments developing dysfunction without scar. Although normal echocardiographic Ecc predicted absence of scar, regional echocardiographic Ecc by VVI has only a limited association with CMR Ecc in DMD.
The effect of acute Plasmodium falciparum infection on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ascorbic acid on Nigerian children.

The effect of acute plasmodium falciparum infection on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ascorbic acid (AA) were studied in 200 children infested with malaria between the ages of 0.5 – 5 years with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Healthy children (n = 200) matched for age and sex ratio served as control. MDA content was significantly higher (P Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 7(2) 2003:59-61
A Twin Study of Mathematics Disability

Although results obtained from recent twin and adoption studies suggest that individual differences in mathematics performance are due in part to heritable influences, no genetic analysis of mathematics disability (MD) has been previously reported. In this article we present data from the first twin sample ascertained for mathematics deficits (40 identical and 23 same-sex fraternal twin pairs in which at least one member had MD). When mathematics performance data from these twin pairs were subjected to a multiple regression analysis, evidence for a significant genetic etiology was obtained. However, tests for the differential etiology of MD as a function of reading performance level were nonsignificant. Results of this first twin study of MD indicate that the condition is significantly heritable, but data from additional twin pairs will be required to test hypotheses of differential etiology more rigorously.
Solid-phase synthesis of a selective αvβ3 integrin antagonist library

Solid-phase synthesis was used to generate a focused RGD peptide mimetic library in an effort to identify potent and selective αvβ3 integrin antagonists. Increased activity was observed for compounds possessing a urea linkage to piperazine, with the most active compound (28) exhibiting an IC50 = 1.1 nM in an αvβ3 ELISA assay.
SURVIVAL OF Clostridium perfringens IN REFRIGERATED AND FROZEN MEAT AND POULTRY ITEMS

Refrigerated and frozen meats and poultry products from a retail source were examined for incidence of Clostridium perfringens vegetative cells and spores. Foods included raw ground beef, beef and pork liver, and precooked frozen beef and poultry items. Inoculated samples were also frozen and stored for various periods up to 42 days at -29°C. Survival of C. perfringens spores in frozen food samples and in a bacteriological medium was high, but vegetative cells were virtually eliminated. Thawing at low temperature for 2 days caused further reduction of vegetative cells, but not of spores. Approximately 50% of 32 retail frozen precooked food samples were positive for vegetative cells, and about 15% demonstrated spores of C. perfringens.
Responses of Free‐ranging Rhesus Monkeys to a Natural Form of Social Separation. I. Parallels with Mother‐Infant Separation in Captivity

Observations of 23 free-ranging rhesus monkey infants on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, indicated that mothers' first postpartum estrous periods were marked by large increases in the amount of time infants were separated from their mothers, by disturbances in mother-infant relationships, and by increases in infant distress behavior. When their mothers resumed mating, most infants showed signs of agitation; a few briefly showed indications of depression. Male infants responded to their mothers' resumption of mating by playing more, whereas females engaged in less play and more allogrooming. The results suggest (a) that basic parallels exist between the behavioral responses of rhesus infants to their mothers' resumption of mating in the field and to forcible separation from their mothers in captivity and (b) that early separation experiences may play a role in the normal development or manifestation of sex differences in behavior.
Changes in surface charge density on liposomes induced by Escherichia coli endotoxin

Abstract Changes in surface charge density of liposomes induced by E. coli endotoxin were studied by microelectrophoresis. Endotoxin altered the surface charge of phosphatidylcholine liposomes from neutral to negative. The negative charge of the endotoxin-phosphatidylcholine complex was neutralized electrostatically by binding with Ca 2+ (2 mM). Phosphatidylcholine liposomes were made positive by addition of the positively charged detergent, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride. Endotoxin made the positively charged liposomes less charged. On the other hand, phosphatidylserine liposomes which were negatively charged became less charged in the presence of high concentration of endotoxin (8 mg/ml). The endotoxin effect on phosphatidylserine liposomes was abolished by EDTA (1 mM) but potentiated by CaCl 2 (0.1–2 mM). These results indicate that endotoxin interacts with liposomes both hydrophobically and electrostatically.
A Climatological Measure of Extreme Snowdrift Loading on Building Roofs

Abstract A physical model of snow transport and deposition is used in combination with historical climatological data to derive a climatological measure of extreme snowdrift loads on building roofs. The snowdrift metric used relies on hourly wind speed, temperature, and weather occurrence data and daily observations of snow water equivalent, snowfall, and snow depth. The model is applicable to both roof steps and gable roofs. On average, the maximum drift surcharge corresponds to 10%–20% of the snow on the upwind roof snow source area. There is some degree of spatial variation in this maximum drift surcharge. Values range from about 3% at stations that receive minimal snow to a maximum of 24% in the northern plains and eastern Great Lakes regions of the United States. The amount of drifting is strongly influenced by wind direction. For instance, under easterly winds, the drift-load ratio averages only 3% over all stations. These findings are in general agreement with current building-code provisions for r...
Petrology of a piemontite-bearing gneiss, San Gorgonio Pass, California

Equilibria between different valence states of Fe and Mn have been studied in a microcline-plagioclase-quartz gneiss which locally contains ferromagnesian minerals unusually high in Mn+3 and Fe+3 and low in Fe+2. The compositions of coexistent minerals have been determined by chemical and microprobe analyses. The minerals in some layers were formed under highly-oxidizing conditions, as indicated by extremely low Fe+2/Fe+3 ratios in the silicates, by the presence of hematite, and by the occurrence of piemontite, which requires Mn+3 for its formation. The minerals in other layers were formed under less-oxidizing conditions, as indicated by the fact that epidote, rather than piemontite, crystallized with Mn-rich garnet and by the presence of biotite rather than phlogopite. In the less-oxidized layers Mn+3 appears to be absent. The differences in oxidation of Fe and Mn occur between adjacent layers and probably reflect sedimentary differences preserved despite the metamorphism. Iron and manganese with different valences are sharply partitioned between the coexisting phases. In highly-oxidized layers, muscovite contains more iron (as Fe+3) than coexistent phlogopite; in piemontite most of the manganese is Mn+3, while in coexistent garnet most of the manganese is Mn+2. In less-oxidized layers, epidote contains no Mn+3 and contains less Mn+2 than coexistent garnet, biotite, or amphibole. Analytical data, crystal-chemical arguments, and characteristics of Fe and Mn L-spectra indicate that in coexistent garnet and piemontite, Fe+2, Fe+3, Mn+2, and Mn+3 are present, in spite of the fact that trivalent manganese strongly oxidizes divalent iron in aqueous solution under normal conditions.
Electric utility distribution analysis for extreme winds

Abstract The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the performance of an urban power delivery system during four winter storms and to compare the results with those provided in the literature for other systems subjected to extreme wind events such as hurricanes (Davidson et al., 2003. Electric power distribution system performance in Carolina hurricanes. Nat. Hazards Rev. February, pp. 36–45) and the French 1999 winter storms (Le Du, M., Rassineux, B., Cochet, P., 2002. The French Power Network Facing the 1999 Storms. Power Systems and Communication Infrastructures for the Future: Proceedings of the CRIS Conference, Beijing, September). A combined statistical–geographic information systems approach is used. Suggestions regarding the development of improved design criteria are provided.
Using multiple network analytic tools for a single social network

A variety of data analytic network tools are used to study the structure of a social network where the properties of these tools rest on specific conceptualizations of some aspect of structure. Further, these tools have, in structural terms, ill-defined operationalizations and algorithmic details. As a result, they can lead to distinct characterizations of structure. The appropriate task in using multiple methods is not the use them all to see what they converge on, but to select the structural properties of critical interest and use the tools most appropriate for those properties.