cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of E-64, a Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitor, on Cowpea Weevil Growth, Development, and Fecundity

E-64, a specific inhibitor of cysteine proteinases, was incorporated into artificial seeds at low levels (0.01-0.25% by weight). It prolonged developmental time and increased mortality of the larval cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), in direct proportion to its concentration in the artificial seeds. The fecundity of females emerging from the artificial seeds was significantly decreased by E-64 concentrations of 0.06% and higher. These observations are compatible with the hypothesis that the midgut cysteine proteinase in C. maculatus is essential for normal growth and development.
Economic Policy and Human Rights: Holding Governments to Account

Radhika Balakrishnan and Diane Elson, eds. Economic Policy and Human Rights: Holding Governments to Account Zed Books, London, UK, 2011, ISBN: 978 1 8481 3874 2, 256 pp. In the acknowledgements to ...
HYPONATRENIIA AND ADH SECRETION IN TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN

The following report is to provide evidence that ADH hypersecretion is not a part of the causation of hyponatremia in TBC meningitis. Over a 13 month period at Downstate Medical Center, there have been 3 children admitted with hyponatremia in conjunction with TBC meningitis. In all the 3 children we measured the plasma ADH levels by using a radio immune assay. The significant findings in the patients at the time of admission are as shown in the table. The above findings clearly show no increased ADH response in children with TBC meningitis presenting with hyponatremia. In 1952 we (J.C.I. 31:300) showed that in TBC meningitis there is a disturbance of mechanism governing ionic equilibrium between cells and extracellular fluid resulting in hyponatremia. This study supports the concept that ADH hypersecretionis not ongoing in these patients and that ADH may well be unrelated to the hyponatremic state in TBC meningitis.
Clinical and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis

Background There is scarce evidence on the epidemiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Objective We employed stepwise logistic regression to examine the association between ADHD diagnosis and selected patient characteristics. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of inpatient and outpatient billing data for Medicaid beneficiaries with CF ages 3–18 years to obtain ADHD diagnosis prevalence and incidence estimates from 1999–2006. Results Annual ADHD prevalence increased 1.55-fold from 5.26% (95% CI: 5.25–5.27) to 8.16% (8.15–8.17), and annual ADHD incidence rose slightly from 1.70% (1.70–1.71) to 2.01% (2.00–2.01). As in the general population, males were significantly more likely to have a diagnosis of ADHD compared with females (odds ratio: 1.97 [CI: 1.49–2.60]), as were children with recent diagnoses of anxiety, emotional disorder, depression, adjustment disorder, and learning, motor, and communication disorders. Patients with ADHD diagnoses were also more likely to be in foster care (odds ratio = 4.36 [CI: 2.26–8.40]). Except for recent DNase use (odds ratio = 0.64 [CI: 0.43–0.93]), CF severity indicators and medications including pancreatic enzymes, inhaled tobramycin, inhaled or oral corticosteroids, inhaled bronchodilators, and oral antibiotics had no association with ADHD diagnosis. Conclusion ADHD prevalence in CF increased during the study period. Clinical and sociodemographic determinants of ADHD diagnosis were similar to the general population, whereas treatment and severity of CF appeared to have little influence. Our findings warrant future research evaluating diagnostic protocols and assessment of safety and efficacy of ADHD treatment in children with CF.
Net adenosine diphosphate accumulation in mitochondria.

Abstract In addition to the adenine nucleotide exchange translocator, corn mitochondria possess a transport mechanism for the net accumulation of [3H]ADP. The accumulation is energy linked and requires the presence of phosphate and Mg2+. Inhibition of the adenine nucleotide exchange translocator with carboxyatractyloside does not block ADP accumulation; rather, accumulation is slightly promoted. Mersalyl, by inhibiting the influx of phosphate or the efflux from phosphate-loaded mitochondria, very effectively blocks ADP accumulation. The data suggest that the net uptake of ADP is in exchange for accumulated phosphate by means of a mersalyl-sensitive transporter. Magnesium promotes phosphate accumulation, but it may have an additional role in facilitating ADP accumulation.
A Case for Consumer Social Responsibility (CnSR): Including a Selected Review of Consumer Ethics/Social Responsibility Research

The literature is replete with articles emphasizing the importance of corporate social responsibility. However, few, if any, of these articles discuss the role of the consumer in achieving corporate social responsibility. It is the premise of the current paper that it may be difficult for corporate social responsibility to succeed without the assistance of consumers. That is, for corporate social responsibility to flourish, it needs to be accompanied by consumer social responsibility (CnSR). This paper examines this proposition, makes the distinction between consumer ethics and CnSR, and presents research in these two expanding areas of inquiry, examining literature which supports the role of CnSR in complementing corporate social responsibility.
Flexible and Cd free CIGS solar cell yielding 13.37% efficiency producing by non-vacuum process

CIGS solar cell has yielded the high efficiency beyond 20% on glass substrate [1], but some drawbacks such as heavy, not portable, toxic and costly need to be met for future manufacture. In this study, ZnS(O,OH)/CIGSeS solar cells were fabricated on flexible stainless steel substrate by low-cost nano-particle printing process. The flexible and non-toxic CIGSeS solar cell shows the efficiency as high as 13.37% without anti-reflection layer. The high efficiency was attributed to good thin film quality in absorption layer and buffer layer. Besides, the ZnS(O,OH) buffer layer with thickness only 15 nm shows good coverage, which enhances photocurrent and leads to high efficiency. Moreover, the CIGSeS solar cells were placed to dark room for 3 days to test light soaking effects, the results show that only 0.14% efficiency decay was measured. The results implies that the non-toxic and flexible CIGSeS solar cells prepared by nanoparticle printing process shows high potential for portable power source and building integrated photovoltaic system.
The effect of fluconazole on the clinical pharmacokinetics of methadone

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pharmacokinetic and safety trial was conducted to determine the effect of fluconazole on methadone disposition. Volunteers receiving methadone maintenance therapy were randomized to receive either 200 mg/day oral fluconazole (n = 13) or placebo (n = 12). After 14 days there was a 35% average increase in serum methadone area under the curve relative to baseline among patients receiving fluconazole (p = 0.0008). At the same time, mean serum methadone peak and trough concentrations increased by 27% (p = 0.0076) and 48% (p = 0.0023), respectively, and oral clearance of methadone was reduced by 24% (p = 0.0007). In contrast, the pharmacokinetics of methadone were unaltered in the placebo group. Renal clearance of methadone was not significantly affected by fluconazole or placebo therapy. Although exposed to increased concentrations of methadone, patients treated with fluconazole did not exhibit signs or symptoms of significant narcotic overdose.
Community Property: Digital Music and the Economic Modalities of Transmission and Ritual Modes of Communication

Using the evolution of the peer-to-peer music-sharing phenomenon as a spring-board, this article explores the economic modalities inherent in two different but not mutually exclusive theoretic constructs of communication advanced by James Carey. The transmission mode of communication theorizes that communication is the transmission of information from one point to another. The ritual mode of communication theorizes forms of communication whose primary purpose is to strengthen communal bonds by sharing communication/communal experiences. Religious ceremonies and music are two prime examples of communication experiences whose primary purpose is not to transmit information. This article examines the role digital recording technologies, the Internet, and the World Wide Web play in pointing out the economic conflicts inherent in these two modes of communication. The recent spate of lawsuits initiated by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) against music swapping and file sharing over the Intern...
The Deadly Quartet: Upper-Body Obesity, Glucose Intolerance, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Hypertension

• The contribution of obesity to cardiovascular risk has not been adequately appreciated because of a failure to recognize the involvement of upper-body predominance of body weight with hypertension, diabetes, and hypertriglyceridemia even in the absence of significant overall obesity. This article examines the evidence that upper-body obesity, as usually induced by caloric excess in the presence of androgens, mediates these problems by way of hyperinsulinemia. Because of these interrelationships, there is a need to identify and prevent upper-body obesity or, failing that, to provide therapies that will control the associated problems without aggravating hyperinsulinemia. ( Arch Intern Med . 1989;149:1514-1520)
Molecular Structures and Energetics Associated with Hydrogen Atom Addition to the Guanine-Cytosine Base Pair.

The radicals generated by hydrogen-atom addition to the Watson−Crick guanine−cytosine (G−C) DNA base pair were studied theoretically using an approach that has proved effective in predicting molecular structures and energetics. All optimized structures were confirmed to be minima via vibrational frequency analysis. The dissociation energies of the base-pair radicals are predicted and compared with that of the neutral G−C base pair. The lowest-energy base-pair radical is that with the hydrogen atom attached to the C8 position of guanine, resulting in the nitrogen radical designated G(C8)−C. In this, the most favorable radical, the G−C pair C8N7 distance of 1.310 A increases to 1.453 A when the π bond is broken upon hydrogen-atom addition. This radical has a dissociation energy of 28 kcal/mol, which may be compared with 27 kcal/mol for neutral G−C. The other (GC + H)• radical dissociation energies range downward to 8 kcal/mol. Significant structural changes were observed when the hydrogen was added to the s...
When shorter is better

The high peak intensity of ultrafast lasers has allowed a wide variety of applications such as material processing, multiphoton imaging, and several spectroscopic technologies. Because ultrafast lasers are sensitive to the environment and the pulses are broadened by optics, commercial applications seldom use sub-100 fs pulses. This talk will explain how the theoretical concept of coherent control allowed our research group to revolutionize how femtosecond laser pulses are characterized and compressed. With MIIPS (multiphoton intrapulse interference phase scan) we are now able to deliver to the target transform limited pulses with pulse durations as short as 4.6 fs. The performance parameters of more than 16 different commercial lasers systems using MIIPS will be presented. Micromachining, two-photon microscopy, and standoff detection measurements from our group will be used to illustrate advantages realized by consistent delivery of ultrafast pulses through complex focusing optics.
AASHTO DRAINAGE COEFFICIENTS FOR FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS

A method for determining AASHTO drainage (m) coefficients for flexible pavements is presented. In essence, m coefficients were developed as ratios of the layer coefficients of the AASHO road test granular base material under any given drainage and climate condition to the layer coefficient of the road test base material under road test site conditions. The layer coefficients were calculated from resilient moduli determined for various conditions by use of elastic layered analysis. The moduli were varied by changing subgrade and base moisture conditions for any given time of year. The base material moisture sensitivity (effect on θ model constants k1 and k2) was determined, in part, by the resilient modulus laboratory testing of granular materials. The result of the preceding analysis was the creation of a set of tables that guide the designer to a choice of m coefficients. The new m values can be used to provide a rational measure of the influence of pavement drainage on pavement performance.
Molecular analysis of AMPA-specific receptors: subunit composition, editing, and calcium influx determination in small amounts of tissue.

Glutamate activates three distinct classes of ionotropic receptors: AMPA, kainate and NMDA. AMPA receptors (AMPARs) are of particular importance as they mediate the majority of fast excitatory synaptic transmission and are implicated in a variety of neurological disorders [B. Bettler, C. Mulle, AMPA and kainate receptors, Neuropharmacology 34 (1995) 123-139]. Functional AMPARs are believed to be a heteromer comprising a combination of four closely related subunits, GluRs1-4 [B. Bettler, C. Mulle, AMPA and kainate receptors, Neuropharmacology 34 (1995) 123-139]. Diversity of AMPARs is obtained through multiple combinations of AMPAR subunits, by alternative splicing of subunits at the flip/flop and/or C-terminal sites, and by mRNA editing of a single amino acid at multiple sites [M. Hollmann, M. Hartley, S. Heinemann, Ca2+ permeability of KA-AMPA-gated glutamate receptor channel depends on subunit composition, Science 252 (1991) 851-853; B. Sommer, K. Keinanen, T.A. Verdoorn, W. Wisden, N. Burhashev, A. Herb, M. Kohler, T. Takagi, B. Sakmann, P.H. Seeburg, Flip and flop: a cell-specific functional switch in glutamate-operated channels in the CNS, Science 249 (1990) 1580-1585; B. Sommer, M. Kohler, R. Sprengel, P.H. Seeburg, RNA editing in brain controls a determinant of ion flow in glutamate-gated channels, Cell 67 (1991)]. The subunit combination, editing status, and splice variant expression have profound effects on channel kinetics and can serve as predictors of the channel's properties [M. Hollmann, M. Hartley, S. Heinemann, Ca2+ permeability of KA-AMPA-gated glutamate receptor channel depends on subunit composition, Science 252 (1991) 851-853; B. Sommer, K. Keinanen, T.A. Verdoorn, W. Wisden, N. Burhashev, A. Herb, M. Kohler, T. Takagi, B. Sakmann, P.H. Seeburg, Flip and flop: a cell-specific functional switch in glutamate-operated channels in the CNS, Science 249 (1990) 1580-1585; B. Sommer, M. Kohler, R. Sprengel, P.H. Seeburg, RNA editing in brain controls a determinant of ion flow in glutamate-gated channels, Cell 67 (1991)]. In this manuscript, we detail procedures for profiling AMPAR composition, namely: relative subunit ratios, expression of flip/flop isoforms, Q/R and R/G editing status, and Ca2+ permeability using small amounts of cDNA from identified cell populations.
Significance of lamination in Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) shales from Yorkshire, Great Britain

Abstract Lamination in shales is an important feature useful in providing clues to ancient sedimentary environments and processes. Variations in types of lamination in Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) shales of Yorkshire, Great Britain are related to changes in sedimentary processes. X-radiography, petrography, and scanning electron microscopy techniques reveal three lamination types in the dark grey (Grey Shales) and black (Jet Rock and Bituminous Shales) Jurassic shales. Fine lamination is produced in deeper, more offshore anaerobic conditions in which suspension settling dominates. Thick lamination indicates the influence of bottom flowing currents in shallow water. Wavy lamination is produced by benthic microbial mats. The Toarcian transgressive shale sequence shows a progressive change from thick to wavy to fine lamination relating to progressive changes in the sedimentary processes operating in the environment. The examples of various unique macro- and microfabrics associated with lamination type offer a useful frame of reference for interpretation of conditions of shale formation.
In Situ Measurements of OH and HO_2 in the Upper Troposphere and Stratosphere

Recent aircraft and balloon borne measurements of OH and HO_2 are reviewed. The authors demonstrate the ability of the laser-induced fluorescence technique to provide accurate, high signal to noise ratio measurements of OH throughout the upper troposphere and stratosphere. HO_2 is measured as OH after gas phase chemical titration with nitric oxide. The addition of the HO_x measurement capability to the suite of instruments aboard the NASA ER-2 aircraft has provided a wealth of new information about the processes that determine the concentration of ozone in the lower stratosphere. These simultaneous, in situ measurements provide a unique test of our understanding of the mechanisms that control the odd-hydrogen chemistry of the lower atmosphere.
Energy release rate and stress intensity factors for delaminated composite laminates

Abstract A procedure of total energy release rate and stress intensity factors is developed for general non-homogeneous laminated composite laminates. The total energy release rate is obtained by using the J -integral for a one dimensional model of plane stress, plane strain and cylindrical bending. Decomposition of it into mode I and mode II, by which the mode mixity calculation is carried out, is based on the assumption of equivalent orthotropic properties through the laminate thickness. The process is straightforward and can be used as a criterion for delamination onset and growth of one dimensional structural model under general loading in the pre- and post-buckling states.
Improving software pipelining with unroll-and-jam

To take advantage of recent architectural improvements in microprocessors, advanced compiler optimizations such as software pipelining have been developed. Unfortunately, not all loops have enough parallelism in the innermost loop body to take advantage of all of the resources a machine provides. Unroll-and-jam is a transformation that can be used to increase the amount of parallelism in the innermost loop body by making better use of resources and limiting the effects of recurrences. We demonstrate how unroll-and-jam can significantly improve the initiation interval in a software-pipelined loop. Improvements in the initiation interval of greater than 40% are common, while dramatic improvements of a factor of 5 are possible.
Seeking Professional Help

In the Pathways Model, Level Three treatment planning calls for the use of health professionals for specific interventions. Finding a reliable, skilled professional to deliver a specialized intervention is a challenge. Physicians and pastors can often provide a referral. Physicians and behavioral health professionals can also coach patients to become active well-informed consumers of health-care services. Patients can learn to use online search pages to find specialists for therapies such as clinical hypnosis, biofeedback, acceptance and commitment therapy, life and health coaching, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness training. Communication skills also can assist patients to verify provider skills and training, and to take an active role in treatment planning.
Training obstetrics and gynecology residents to be effective communicators in the era of the 80-hour workweek: a pilot study.

Background: To ensure optimal patient care, physicians must establish effective patient-physician relationships and thoughtfully incorporate their patients’ perspectives into their counseling. Historically, these skills are acquired with increasing clinical experience. However, given increasing work-hour restrictions, OB/GYN residents have fewer opportunities to develop these skills. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if an interactive learning method is an effective tool by which to teach OB/GYN residents how to communicate with complicated patients. Methods: An experiential simulation model was developed to teach OB/GYN residents effective communication skills for dealing with patients experiencing a pregnancy-related complication. A simulated patient interaction was designed for first-year residents. Specific scenarios were constructed based on challenging clinical scenarios identified by second-year residents. Non-judgmental communication, culture competency awareness and reflective listening were key skills that were taught as part of the clinical scenarios. Both acceptability and utility of the exercise with the first-years was assessed by a follow-up survey. Results: Seven first-year residents participated in the education session consisting of four physician-patient interactions with specific learning objectives for each. These first-year residents all indicated that they would employ the skills practiced during the intervention into their future practice of medicine, and that their comfort level in caring for complex obstetric patients had increased. Moreover, all first-year residents endorsed that this educational strategy was potentially applicable to other aspects of their training. Conclusions: Simulated patient exercises can be utilized in multiple arenas to teach OB/GYN residents communication skills, while simultaneously addressing their clinical knowledge deficits. Early implementation of such a curriculum in an OB/GYN residency will lay the foundation for the development of empathetic and culturally competent physicians.
An analysis on the effect of image features on lossy coding performance

When a variety of multimedia images of different types (natural, synthetic, compound, medical, etc.) are compressed using a fixed wavelet filter, it is observed that the peak SNR (PSNR) values for a given compression ratio vary widely by as much as 30 dB from image to image. In this letter, it is shown that most of the gray-level histogram statistics of the images do not have any direct effect on the lossy coding performance, and image activity measure (IAM) is the only feature that has a negative correlation with the PSNR value. We determine the best measure of such image activity and show that one of these IAMs is not only very effective in differentiating between various images but also correlates well with the PSNR. We establish this relationship in the form of the IAM-PSNR equation.
Fungal Skn7 stress responses and their relationship to virulence.

The histidine kinase-based phosphorelay has emerged as a common strategy among bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and plants for triggering important stress responses and interpreting developmental cues in response to environmental as well as chemical, nutritional, and hormone signals. The absence of this type of signaling mechanism in animals makes the so-called “two-component” pathway an attractive target for development of antimicrobial agents. The best-studied eukaryotic example of a two-component pathway is the SLN1 pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which responds to turgor and other physical properties associated with the fungal cell wall. One of the two phosphoreceiver proteins known as response regulators in this pathway is Skn7, a highly conserved stress-responsive transcription factor with a subset of activities that are dependent on SLN1 pathway phosphorylation and another subset that are independent. Interest in Skn7as a determinant in fungal virulence stems primarily from its well-established role in the oxidative stress response; however, the involvement of Skn7 in maintenance of cell wall integrity may also be relevant. Since the cell wall is crucial for fungal survival, structural and biosynthetic proteins affecting wall composition and signaling pathways that respond to wall stress are likely to play key roles in virulence. Here we review the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of different fungal Skn7 proteins and consider how each of these properties may contribute to fungal virulence.
Characterization of zebrafish intestinal smooth muscle development using a novel sm22α‐b promoter

Smooth muscle cells provide structural support for many tissues and control essential physiological processes, such as blood pressure and gastrointestinal motility. Relatively little is known about the early stages of intestinal smooth muscle development and its relationship to the development of the enteric nervous system, which regulates intestinal motility. Here, we report an evolutionarily conserved 523 base pair regulatory element within the promoter of the zebrafish sm22α-b (transgelin1) gene that directs transgene expression in smooth muscle cells of the intestine and other tissues. Comparative genomic analysis identified a conserved motif within this element consisting of two Serum Response Factor binding sites that is also present in the promoters of many mammalian smooth muscle genes. We established a stable line expressing GFP in smooth muscle cell and used this line to describe lineage relationships among cells within different intestinal smooth muscle layers and their co-development with the enteric nervous system (ENS). Developmental Dynamics 239:2806–2812, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
One-Electron Spectrum of Doubly Ionized Lutetium (Lu iii) and Nuclear Magnetic Dipole Moment of 175 Lu

Thirteen new terms of the 4f14(1S0)nl doublet system of Lu2+ have been found, comprising the ns series (7 ≤ n ≤ 10), the nf series (5 ≤ n ≤ 9), and the 5g, 6d, 7d, and 7p terms. Previously, only the 5d, 6s, and 6p terms were known. The ns series was used to derive an ionization energy of 169049±10 cm−1. From the completely resolved hyperfine structure (hfs) of 6s2S1/2, the value a(6s) = 0.436±0.002 cm−1 was obtained for the hyperfine splitting factor. With these data, the nuclear magnetic dipole moment μI was found to be 2.204±0.010μN, where the stated uncertainty includes only the experimental uncertainty for a(6s).
A multi-objective genetic algorithm using intermediate features of simulations

This paper proposes using intermediate features of traffic simulations in a genetic algorithm designed to find the best scenarios in regulating traffic with multiple objectives. A challenge in genetic algorithms for multi-objective optimization is how to find various optimal scenarios within a limited decision time. Typical evolutionary algorithms usually maintain a population of diversified scenarios whose diversity is measured only by the final objectives available at the end of their simulations. We propose measuring the diversity by also the time series of the objectives during the simulations. The intuition is that simulation scenarios with similar final objective values may contain different series of discrete events that, when combined, can result in better scenarios. We provide empirical evidence by experimenting with agent-based traffic simulations showing the superiority of the proposed genetic algorithm over standard approaches in approximating Pareto fronts.
Concurrent path sensitization in timing analysis

The authors describe a new two-step approach for determining the delay of the longest statically sensitizable path(s) in a combinational circuit. In the first step, the conditions for sensitizing all paths with the same path delay, D, are derived. In the second step, these conditions are checked for consistency by a Boolean satisfiability algorithm. This approach is unique in that it enumerates paths implicitly, giving it a decided performance edge over explicit path enumeration methods. The authors describe an implementation of this approach in an experimental timing analysis program, STA, and present preliminary results of its application to a representative set of benchmarks. >
Jet-Surface Interaction Test: Phased Array Noise Source Localization Results

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect that a planar surface located near a jet flow has on the noise radiated to the far-field. Two different configurations were tested: 1) a shielding configuration in which the surface was located between the jet and the far-field microphones, and 2) a reflecting configuration in which the surface was mounted on the opposite side of the jet, and thus the jet noise was free to reflect off the surface toward the microphones. Both conventional far-field microphone and phased array noise source localization measurements were obtained. This paper discusses phased array results, while a companion paper discusses far-field results. The phased array data show that the axial distribution of noise sources in a jet can vary greatly depending on the jet operating condition and suggests that it would first be necessary to know or be able to predict this distribution in order to be able to predict the amount of noise reduction to expect from a given shielding configuration. The data obtained on both subsonic and supersonic jets show that the noise sources associated with a given frequency of noise tend to move downstream, and therefore, would become more difficult to shield, as jet Mach number increases. The noise source localization data obtained on cold, shock-containing jets suggests that the constructive interference of sound waves that produces noise at a given frequency within a broadband shock noise hump comes primarily from a small number of shocks, rather than from all the shocks at the same time. The reflecting configuration data illustrates that the law of reflection must be satisfied in order for jet noise to reflect off of a surface to an observer, and depending on the relative locations of the jet, the surface, and the observer, only some of the jet noise sources may satisfy this requirement.
Detecting irregularities in cyclic motion

Real cyclic motions tend not to be perfectly even, i.e., the period varies slightly from one cycle to the next, because of physically important changes in the scene. A generalization of period is defined for cyclic motions that makes periodic variation explicit. This representation, called the period trace, is compact and purely temporal, describing the evolution of an object or scene without reference to spatial quantities such as position or velocity. By delimiting cycles and identifying correspondences across cycles, the period trace provides a means of temporally registering a cyclic motion. In addition, several purely temporal motion features are derived, relating to the nature and location of irregularities. Results are presented using real image sequences and applications to athletic and medical motion analysis are discussed. >
Drucker as Business Moralist

In his 1981 article "What is 'business ethics'"? Peter Drucker maintains that the then current business ethics literature is a form of casuistry, and it provides an illegitimate argument for business apologists, while it also unjustly bashes business. I agree with W. Michael Hoffman's and Jennifer Mills Moore's criticisms of Drucker's article. However, by limiting themselves to this article, rather than considering Drucker's management works, they have missed an opportunity to benefit from his acknowledged practical wisdom. In this paper, I seize the opportunity to show that Drucker takes business ethics seriously, and I develop his position on business morality. His view of business management responsibility and the related notion of a just organization is seen to be essentially Platonic.
The synergy between stem cell factor (SCF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF): molecular basis and clinical relevance.

Stem cell factor (SCF), an essential growth factor in normal hematopoiesis, exerts potent effects when combined with cytokines. In particular, its synergy with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) results in important biologic responses. These include enhancement of ex vivo long-term expansion of human primitive hematopoietic cells and increased mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) for transplantation. Despite the clinical importance of the interaction between SCF and G-CSF, the absence of a model system in which it could be studied at the cellular level had impaired the ability to understand the basis of their co-operation. To overcome this impediment, a system was recently generated which recapitulates the biologic synergy between SCF and G-CSF. MO7e-G cells have allowed the identification of key events in the synergistic actions of these cytokines on proliferation and gene expression. Among the biochemical and molecular events mediated by these cytokines are the down-regula...
Rain Gutters Near High-Voltage Power Lines: A Study of Electric Field Induction

This paper discusses electric field induction on rain gutters located near high-voltage transmission lines. The study consists of analytic modeling, measurements under idealized conditions with gutters and downspouts suspended freely in an electric field, small-scale models, and measurements on houses near high-voltage lines. It is shown that a significant portion of the short-circuit current to ground results from charges induced on the house that are transferred to the rain gutter. A model is developed that can be used to predict induced current and spark discharge energy under realistic-case conditions. The equations make use of empirical scaling constants that are used as multipliers of idealized equations. The need for grounding is discussed.
Accommodating non-market values in evaluation of wildfire management in the United States: challenges and opportunities

Forests in the United States generate many non-market benefits for society that can be enhanced and diminished by wildfire and wildfire management. The Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy (1995, updated 2001), and subsequent Guidance to the Implementation of that policy provided in 2009, require fire management priorities be set on the basis of values to be protected (including natural and cultural resources), costs of protection, and natural resource management objectives (including beneficial fire effects). Implementation of this policy is challenging because those charged with executing the policy have limited information about the value that society places on non-market goods and services at risk. This paper reviews the challenges of accommodating non-market values affected by wildfire in social cost-benefitanalysisandproposesaneconomicresearchagendumtosupportmoreefficientmanagementofwildfireinthe United States.
Correlation analysis: from computational hardness to practical success

Given a set of data objects, correlation computing refers to the problem of efficiently finding groups of strongly-related data objects in very large databases. Many important applications in business and science depend on efficient and effective correlation computing techniques to discover relationships within large collections of data. In spite of much attention to the development of traditional statistical correlation computing techniques, researchers and practitioners are facing increasing challenges to discover association patterns from data produced by emerging data-intensive applications. Indeed, the sizes of real-world data sets are growing at an extraordinary rate. Furthermore, these data can be multi-scale, multi-level, multi-source, and dynamic in nature. These characteristics may not be a critical issue for data analysis when the size of data is small. However, as data become very large, it becomes a real challenge for applying traditional statistical correlation computing techniques directly. In this dissertation, we first introduce an incremental solution for dynamic correlation computing. Along this line, we develop checkpoint-based algorithms, which can efficiently incorporate new transactions for correlation computing as they become available. The key idea is to exploit a checkpoint to establish a computation buffer, which can help us determine an upper bound for the correlation. This checkpoint bound can be used to identify a short list of candidate pairs, which will be maintained and computed for correlations as new transactions are added into the database. When the total number of new transactions goes beyond the buffer size, a new upper bound is computed for the next checkpoint, and a new list of candidate pairs is established. Experimental results on real-world data sets show that the checkpoint based algorithms can significantly reduce the correlation computing costs in dynamic data environments, and has the advantage of compacting the use of memory space. Furthermore, extending the pair-wise relationship, we examine confounding effects of additional items on the correlation of an item pair. Instead of searching for correlation patterns at the global level, we propose to efficiently find confounding effects attributable to local associations. Finally, we examine applications of correlation computing to solve two real-world problems. One application is correlation range query for a given item in recommender systems. The other application is in financial risk computing, which can serve as an example of time series data that are prone to noise and outliers.
A global perspective on Campanulaceae: Biogeographic, genomic, and floral evolution

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The Campanulaceae are a diverse clade of flowering plants encompassing more than 2300 species in myriad habitats from tropical rainforests to arctic tundra. A robust, multigene phylogeny, including all major lineages, is presented to provide a broad, evolutionary perspective of this cosmopolitan clade. METHODS We used a phylogenetic framework, in combination with divergence dating, ancestral range estimation, chromosome modeling, and morphological character reconstruction analyses to infer phylogenetic placement and timing of major biogeographic, genomic, and morphological changes in the history of the group and provide insights into the diversification of this clade across six continents. KEY RESULTS Ancestral range estimation supports an out-of-Africa diversification following the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event. Chromosomal modeling, with corroboration from the distribution of synonymous substitutions among gene duplicates, provides evidence for as many as 20 genome-wide duplication events before large radiations. Morphological reconstructions support the hypothesis that switches in floral symmetry and anther dehiscence were important in the evolution of secondary pollen presentation mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a broad, phylogenetic perspective on the evolution of the Campanulaceae clade. The remarkable habitat diversity and cosmopolitan distribution of this lineage appears to be the result of a complex history of genome duplications and numerous long-distance dispersal events. We failed to find evidence for an ancestral polyploidy event for this clade, and our analyses indicate an ancestral base number of nine for the group. This study will serve as a framework for future studies in diverse areas of research in Campanulaceae.
Dinutuximab: An Anti-GD2 Monoclonal Antibody for High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Objective: To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, dosage and administration, and formulary considerations for dinutuximab. Data Sources: MEDLINE was searched (1964 to January 2016) using the terms ch14.18, dinutuximab, immunotherapy, and neuroblastoma. Other information was identified from package insert, Biologics License Application, abstracts, news releases, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Identified English-language articles were reviewed. Selected studies included phase I through III. Data Synthesis: High-risk neuroblastoma is primarily a childhood cancer with 5-year survival rates of 40% to 50%. Treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma includes induction chemotherapy, surgery, myeloablative chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and radiation therapy. For patients achieving clinical remission, limited treatments exist for preventing relapse. Dinutuximab is a chimeric, human-murine, anti-GD2 monoclonal antibody approved in c...
Competition for food between two principal cone insects of red pine, Pinus resinosa

The red pine cone beetle ( Conophthorus resinosae ) and the webbing cone worm ( Dioryctria disclusa ) compete for cones of red pine ( Pinus resinosa ) on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, numbers of cones attacked by the cone beetle are often negatively correlated with those attacked by the cone worm. Moreover, when populations of both insects are high, each will attack cones already occupied by the other species. Different environmental conditions may permit one or the other to be competitively superior.
Dual Averaging with Adaptive Random Projection for Solving Evolving Distributed Optimization Problems

We study a sequential form of the distributed dual averaging algorithm that minimizes the sum of convex functions in a special case where the number of functions increases gradually. This is done by introducing an intermediate `pivot' stage posed as a convex feasibility problem that minimizes average constraint violation with respect to a family of convex sets. Under this approach, we introduce a version of the minimum sum optimization problem that incorporates an evolving design space. Proof of mathematical convergence of the algorithm is complemented by an application problem that involves finding the location of a noisy, mobile source using an evolving wireless sensor network. Results obtained confirm that the new designs in the evolved design space are superior to the ones found in the original design space due to the unique path followed to reach the optimum.
Developmental Rate, Weight, and Ovarian Parameters of Apple Aphids, Aphis pomi (Homoptera: Aphididae), Reared at One or Two Constant Temperatures, with Evidence of Residual Effects

Developmental rate, mature weight, number of eyed embryos, and size of the largest embryo of apple aphids, Aphis pomi (De Geer), reared at constant temperatures, were nonlinear functions of temperature, with gradual decline phases above optima that occurred at relatively moderate temperatures. Rearing experiments using paired combinations of high, moderate, and low temperatures demonstrated departures from expected values for these bionomic parameters, calculated by extrapolating results of single temperature rearings. These results suggest unequal responses to temperature by different developmental stages, residual effects, or both, including delayed acclimation and apparent non-reversible injury. Development, weight, and ovarian parameters of fundatrices, oviparae, and males are compared with those of viviparous apterae.
Improved Force Field for Molecular Modeling of Poly(3-hexylthiophene)

An ab initio-based improved force field is reported for poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in the solid state, deriving torsional parameters and partial atomic charges from ab initio molecular structure calculations with explicit treatment of the hexyl side chains. The force field is validated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of solid P3HT with different molecular weights including calculation of structural parameters, mass density, melting temperature, glass transition temperature, and surface tension. At 300 K, the P3HT crystalline structure features planar backbones with non-interdigitated all-trans hexyl side chains twisted ∼90° from the plane of the backbone. For crystalline P3HT with infinitely long chains, the calculated 300 K mass density (1.05 g cm–3), the melting temperature (490 K), and the 300 K surface tension (32 mN/m) are all in agreement with reported experimental values, as is the glass transition temperature (300 K) for amorphous 20-mers.
Seismic Refraction Tomography in an Urban Environment Using a Vibrator Source

In downtown Riverside, California, east of Los Angeles, is a former metal plating business that was a source of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) contamination of the subsurface. The Alark Hard Chrome site has been on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Superfund list for several years, but containment and clean-up have been slowed by complicating geological factors. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the EPA, and the clean-up contractor (MWH Global, Inc.) to investigate the water table and bedrock surfaces in this region. Using an Industrial Vehicles International (IVI) MiniVib II as a sweep-signature, vibrator source, seismic shot records were collected along five profiles following busy city streets and alleyways. The correlated vibrator shot records were calibrated for accurate timing with sledgehammer shot records. The calibrated first-arrival time picks on the long-offset vibrator records were used to create refraction tomography velocity images that were interpreted for depths to water table and bedrock. The final interpretation is interesting and useful in moving forward the effective clean-up plan.
Evaluation of an intervention to increase seat belt use.

People continue to travel without wearing seat belts despite their proven safety value. Numerous interventions in primary care physicians' offices to enhance the use of seat belts have met with limited success. In a rural neighborhood health center, an intervention using the language of self-responsibility was evaluated. Of 105 patients receiving the intervention, seat belt use increased from 20% before to 35.2% after the intervention (P less than .001). No change in seat belt use occurred in a control group of patients who did not receive the intervention.
Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections: Secular Trends, Treatment and Economics in a University Hospital

During a 71-month interval 3,024 nosocomial urinary tract infections were identified by prospective surveillance at our hospital. The annual attack rate varied between 2.0 and 3.1 per 100 admissions. Gram-negative bacilli caused 74 per cent of all urinary infections and recurrent infections in the hospital accounted for only 1 per cent. The most frequent pathogens were Escherichia coli (24 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8 per cent), Streptococcus faecalis (7 per cent), Klebsiella pneumoniae (6 per cent) and Proteus mirabilis (6 per cent). Candida species caused 10 per cent of the infections and may represent a hospital-acquired pathogen of increasing importance. The burn unit had a significantly higher proportion of Enterobacter infections (21 per cent) than any other service (p less than 0.05). The plastic surgery service had more Serratia infections (24 per cent), whereas obstetrics and gynecology had more Escherichia coli infections (47 per cent) relative to other hospital services. More than 99 per cent of the patients with nosocomial urinary tract infections received antimicrobial drugs; in 63 per cent the chart documented that drug therapy was prescribed specifically for treatment of the urinary infections. Hospital-acquired urinary infections added approximately 1 million dollars to hospital expenses during the study interval. Estimates were made of the economic benefits of successful control programs.