cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Species groups in Proechimys (Rodentia: Echimyidae) as indicated by karyology and bullar morphology

The genus Proechimys is divisible into four groups of species on the basis of bullar septal patterns. Each of the four groups can be further characterized by distinctive distributions and karyotypes. The subgenus Trinomys and the guairae species group each are comprised of phylogenetically closely-related species. The semispinosus - and brevicauda -groups, although generally distinctive on the basis of bullar septa, are not phylogenetically equivalent to the first two groups. The brevicauda -group, for example, consists of at least three separate species complexes. The taxonomy used in this report reflects several nomenclatural changes from that used in the recent literature. In addition, previously unreported karyotypes are described for P. quadruplicatus, P. gularis, P. decumanus, P. oris, P. oconnelli , and P. mincae .
Demo: Tracking transit with EasyTracker

EasyTracker is an automated system that assists small public or private transit agencies in deploying bus tracking and arrival time prediction. This demo will showcase how data from GPS sensors embedded in smartphones can be automatically processed in order to accurately estimate routes, bus stop locations, schedules, and make annotated maps with real-time bus tracking and arrival time predictions. We will also demonstrate a website portal which transit agencies can use to further interact with their bus transit systems.
NOTES AND NEW RECORDS OF FLEAS (INSECTA: SIPHONAPTERA) FROM BIRDS AND MAMMALS COLLECTED IN SOUTHERN CHINA

Abstract During 2004–2007, 1,222 birds comprising 184 species and 540 small mammals comprising 61 species were examined for ectoparasites as part of a broader biodiversity survey and inventory program conducted in Guangxi and Guizhou Provinces in southern China. A collection of 87 fleas was obtained. They included eight species representing seven genera and four families: Dasypsyllus gallinulae gallinulae (Dale), Macrostylophora jiangkouensis Li and Huang (Ceratophyllidae); Palaeopsylla incurva Jordan, Palaeopsylla remota Jordan (Ctenophthalmidae); Nycteridopsylla iae Beaucournu and Kock, Thaumapsylla breviceps Rothschld (Ischnopsyllidae); and Aviostivalius klossi Jordan and Rothschild, and Lentistivalius insolli Traub (Pygiopsyllidae). Illustrations are provided to supplement those in the original description of M. jiangkouensis. The host preference for L. insolli for passerine birds is established with certainty and its derivation and distribution are discussed. The potential impact of predatory ants on...
Electrical conductivity of a strongly coupled plasma

This is the first in a series of papers concerning the electrical and thermal transport properties of dense plasmas. Temperatures and densities considered range approximately from room temperature to ${10}^{4}$ eV and from ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ to ${10}^{4}$ times compressed. In the present work we describe theoretical calculations of electrical conductivities using the t-matrix version of the Ziman theory with various self-consistent ionic potential models and realistic structure factors. The theoretical basis is described, and illustrative results are given.
Synthesis of high-quality monolayer and bilayer graphene on copper using chemical vapor deposition

Abstract The mechanisms determining the growth of high-quality monolayer and bilayer graphene on Cu using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were investigated. It is shown that graphene growth on Cu is not only determined by the process parameters during growth, but also substantially influenced by the quality of Cu substrate and how the Cu substrate is pretreated. It is found that the micro-topography of the Cu surface strongly affects the uniformity of grown graphene while the purity of the Cu film determines the number of synthesized graphene layers at low pressure conditions. On the other hand, a minimum partial pressure of hydrocarbon is required for graphene to cover the Cu surface during graphene growth. The optimized bilayer graphene exhibits a maximum hole (electron) mobility of 5500 cm2V–1s–1 (3900 cm2V–1s–1). A new growth mode resulting in tetragonal shaped graphene domain, which is different from the known lobe structure (for monolayer) or hexagonal (for few layer) mode, is also discovered under our experimental conditions. Furthermore, high resolution transmission electron microscopy has revealed the non-ideal nature of CVD graphene structure for the first time, indicating an important cause of electron/hole mobility degradation that is typically observed in CVD graphene. This observation could be crucial for optimization of the CVD process to further improve the quality of graphene.
Energy futures for oil-importing developing countries

Abstract A number of energy proposals for oil-importing developing countries (OIDCs) are presented in outline, pointing out strengths and weaknesses. Taking the analysis of the proposals further, the paper then discusses the broader political and economic factors that shape the nature of demand. In essence, it shows that energy proposals formulated on the basis of short-term economic considerations while ignoring how demand is moulded by political and economic structures, unnecessarily narrow the energy options. In conclusion, some criteria for an equitable energy policy are presented.
Polymer crystalline structure and morphology changes in nylon‐6/ZnO nanocomposites

The influence of ZnO nanoparticles on the crystalline structures of nylon-6 under different crystallization conditions (annealing at different temperatures from the amorphous solid, isothermal crystallization from the melt at different temperatures, and crystallization from the solution) has been examined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared. ZnO nanoparticles can induce the γ-crystal-line form in nylon-6 when it is cooled from the melted state and annealed from the amorphous solid. This effect of ZnO nanoparticles increases with decreasing particle size and changes under different crystallization conditions. The effects of ZnO nanoparticles on the crystallization kinetics of nylon-6 have also been studied with DSC. The results show that ZnO nanoparticles have two competing effects on the crystallization of nylon-6: inducing the nucleation but retarding the mobility of polymer chains. Finally, the melting behavior of the composites has been investigated with DSC, and the multiple melting peaks of composites containing ZnO nanoparticles and pure nylon-6 are ascribed to the reorganization of imperfect crystals.
Concurrent variable-ratio schedules: Implications for the generalized matching law

Rats' responses were reinforced on concurrent variable-ratio variable-ratio schedules in which responses on one lever incremented the ratio counter and responses on a second lever changed the schedule and correlated stimulus. The relative frequency of reinforcement was varied from .10 to .99. In one set of conditions, responding on the main lever incremented both ratio counters, but reinforcement required a response in the presence of the stimulus correlated with the ratio that had been completed. In a second set of conditions, responses on the main lever incremented only the ratio correlated with the stimulus that was currently present. When main-lever responses incremented both ratio counters, subjects distributed responding and time in a manner consistent with the generalized matching law. When responses on the main lever incremented only the schedule currently in effect, the rats responded almost exclusively on the schedule producing the higher frequency of reinforcement. These results extend the applicability of the generalized matching law to dependent ratio schedules.
Contradictory assumptions in the minimum-wage workplace: A focus on immigrants, the American-born, and employer preferences in Brooklyn, New York

A study of fast-food restaurants in Brooklyn, New York, examines factors contributing to inner-city racial minorities' underrepresentation in lowwage consumer-service jobs. Stressing the importance of “geocultural context” and workplace social relations, it helps broaden the framework around other qualitative studies attempting to understand race and ethnic patterns in the growing service-based economy. Findings demonstrate a hiring preference for the foreign-born, shaped by factors rooted in both the neighborhood context and the workplace. In-depth assessment of workplace interactions and conflicts reveals a set of contradictory assumptions between managers and employees, contributing to a “self-fulfilling prophecy” and reduced employment rates among American-born racial minorities.
Direct Displacement-Based Design: Use of Inelastic vs. Elastic Design Spectra

Abstract Direct displacement‐based design requires a simplified procedure to estimate the seismic deformation of an inelastic SDF system, representing the first (elastic) mode of vibration of the structure. This step is usually accomplished by analysis of an “equivalent” linear system using elastic design spectra. In this paper, an equally simple procedure is developed that is based on the well‐known concepts of inelastic design spectra. We demonstrate that the procedure provides the following: (1) accurate values of displacement and ductility demands, and (2) a structural design that satisfies the design criteria for allowable plastic rotation. In contrast, the existing procedure using elastic design spectra for equivalent linear systems in shown to underestimate significantly the displacement and ductility demands. The existing procedure is shown to be deficient in yet another sense; the acceptable value of the plastic rotation, leaving an erroneous impression that the allowable plastic rotation constra...
New Measurement of the Electron Magnetic Moment and the Fine Structure Constant

A measurement using a one-electron quantum cyclotron gives the electron magnetic moment in Bohr magnetons, g/2=1.001 159 652 180 73 (28) [0.28 ppt], with an uncertainty 2.7 and 15 times smaller than for previous measurements in 2006 and 1987. The electron is used as a magnetometer to allow line shape statistics to accumulate, and its spontaneous emission rate determines the correction for its interaction with a cylindrical trap cavity. The new measurement and QED theory determine the fine structure constant, with alpha{-1}=137.035 999 084 (51) [0.37 ppb], and an uncertainty 20 times smaller than for any independent determination of alpha.
Improving long term outcome for diabetic patients undergoing surgical revascularization by use of the radial artery conduit: a propensity matched study

Background: Diabetes predicts worse outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) We hypothesized that a strategy using radial artery (RA) conduit(s) would improve outcomes and long term survival for diabetic patients undergoing CABG with Left Internal Thoracic Artery (LITA) and RA grafts, with or without additional saphenous vein (SV) when compared with outcomes for patients bypassed with LITA and SV but no RA. Methods: A propensity matched study of long term survival in diabetic patients who had isolated first time CABG from January 1995 to June 2010 at an urban academic medical center in New York City. Our primary endpoint was all cause mortality determined from the Social Security Death Index in December 2010. Results: We compared our 15 year outcomes in diabetic patients after isolated, primary CABG: 642 patients received LITA + RA +/� SV (RA group) vs. 1201 patients who had LITA + SV only (SV group). Propensity scoring for multiple preoperative and operative variables matched 409 patients from each group: 68% were male with an average age of 61 years and ejection fraction averaged 47%. Average grafts per patient was 3.7 for both groups with 2.3 arterial grafts per patient for the RA group. Operative (30 day) mortality was 0.1% RA vs. 1.9% SV, (p 2.5mg/dl and low ejection fraction but only RA use predicted better survival [HR 0.683, CI 0.507- 0.920, p=0.0122]. Conclusion: For diabetic patients having CABG with LITA, use of radial artery conduit adds a substantial and sustained survival advantage compared to LITA and vein. Optimal revascularization for diabetics with multi vessel disease is redefined.
Exploiting architectural style to develop a family of applications

Reuse of large-grain software components offers the potential for significant savings in application development cost and time. Successful reuse of components and component substitutability depend both on the qualities of the components reused as well as the software context in which the reuse is attempted. Disciplined approaches to the structure and design of software applications offer the potential of providing a hospitable setting for such reuse. The authors present the results of a series of exercises designed to determine how well ‘off-the-shelf’ constraint solvers could be reused in applications designed in accordance with the C2 software architectural style. The exercises involved the reuse of SkyBlue and Amulet's one-way formula constraint solver. The authors constructed numerous variations of a single application, i.e. an application family. The paper summarises the style and presents the results from the exercises. The exercises were successful in a variety of dimensions; one conclusion is that the C2 style offers significant potential for the development of application families.
Catastrophic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Resulting from Ruptured Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia: Case Report

Objective and importance Two patients with vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia sustained massive fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage from rupture of the basilar artery wall. Hemorrhage from this entity is not widely known to occur during its natural history and may be exacerbated by systemic anticoagulation. Clinical presentation Two patients presented with ischemic events of the brain stem, which were attributed to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. The diagnosis was made on the basis of computed tomography and subsequent angiography. Intervention Both patients were treated with systemic anticoagulation with heparin and subsequently experienced massive fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Autopsy results confirmed the cause of hemorrhage to be frank rupture of the basilar artery wall. Conclusion Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a formidable structural entity afflicting the posterior circulation, which is generally thought to cause symptoms as a result of either compression of the adjacent brain stem and/or cranial nerves or ischemic events caused by thrombosis and perforator occlusion. Our experience with these two patients indicates that some lesions can hemorrhage, which is a factor that must be weighed when considering treatment alternatives.
Nuclear DNA synthesis in vitro is mediated via stable replication forks assembled in a temporally specific fashion in vivo

A cell-free nuclear replication system that is S-phase specific, that requires the activity of DNA polymerase alpha, and that is stimulated three- to eightfold by cytoplasmic factors from S-phase cells was used to examine the temporal specificity of chromosomal DNA synthesis in vitro. Temporal specificity of DNA synthesis in isolated nuclei was assessed directly by examining the replication of restriction fragments derived from the amplified 200-kilobase dihydrofolate reductase domain of methotrexate-resistant CHOC 400 cells as a function of the cell cycle. In nuclei prepared from cells collected at the G1/S boundary of the cell cycle, synthesis of amplified sequences commenced within the immediate dihydrofolate reductase origin region and elongation continued for 60 to 80 min. The order of synthesis of amplified restriction fragments in nuclei from early S-phase cells in vitro appeared to be indistinguishable from that in vivo. Nuclei prepared from CHOC 400 cells poised at later times in the S phase synthesized characteristic subsets of other amplified fragments. The specificity of fragment labeling patterns was stable to short-term storage at 4 degrees C. The occurrence of stimulatory factors in cytosol extracts was cell cycle dependent in that minimal stimulation was observed with early G1-phase extracts, whereas maximal stimulation was observed with cytosol extracts from S-phase cells. Chromosomal synthesis was not observed in nuclei from G1 cells, nor did cytosol extracts from S-phase cells induce chromosomal replication in G1 nuclei. In contrast to chromosomal DNA synthesis, mitochondrial DNA replication in vitro was not stimulated by cytoplasmic factors and occurred at equivalent rates throughout the G1 and S phases. These studies show that chromosomal DNA replication in isolated nuclei is mediated by stable replication forks that are assembled in a temporally specific fashion in vivo and indicate that the synthetic mechanisms observed in vitro accurately reflect those operative in vivo.
FAILED INTUBATION IN OBSTERTIC ANAESHESIA

A case of failed tracheal intubation before emergency Caesarean section is described, with a safe and rapid mcunn of proccedinff with general anaesthesia.
Changes in aggressive behavior during withdrawal from long-term marijuana use.

Rationale: Even though marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States, it is still undetermined whether withdrawal after chronic use results in changes in aggressive behavior in humans. Objective: The present study investigated the pattern and duration of changes in aggressive behavior in long-term marijuana users during a 28-day abstinence period verified by daily urines. Methods: Chronic marijuana users who had smoked marijuana on at least 5000 occasions (the equivalent of smoking daily for approximately 14 years) and who were smoking regularly when recruited were studied on days 0 (when they were still smoking), 1 (during acute withdrawal), 3, 7 and 28 of a 28-day detoxification period. Aggressive behavior was measured using the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm. Results: Compared to controls and to the pre-withdrawal data, chronic marijuana users displayed more aggressive behavior on days 3 and 7 of marijuana abstinence. These increases in aggressive responding returned to pre-withdrawal levels after 28 days and were paralleled by small, non-significant changes in depression and anxiety scores. Conclusions: Our findings confirm previous reports of an abstinence syndrome associated with chronic marijuana use and suggest that aggressive behavior should be an additional component of this syndrome.
Recurrent selection for physiological resistance to white mould in dry bean.

With 1 figure and 5 tables Abstract White mould (WM) [caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary] is a widespread disease of dry and green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in North America and elsewhere. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of recurrent selection (RS) for pyramiding WM resistance from Andean, Middle American and inter-specific breeding lines. Two double-cross populations, Pop I = USPT-WM-1/CORNELL 601//USPT-CBB-1/92BG-7 and Pop II = ‘Chase’/I 9365–25//ABL 15/A 195 were developed. Each double-cross comprised 848 F1 plants for RS cycle one (C1). Twenty six WM-resistant plants from each double-cross were used to produce RS cycle two (C2). To measure the gain for WM resistance, 13 selected S2 families from each of C1 and C2 of each population and their four parents (C0) were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in two greenhouse environments in 2008. Two separate inoculations on each plant one week apart using a cut-stem method were made. The WM reaction was scored at 16, 23 and 33 days post inoculation (DPI) using a 1 (no disease symptoms) to 9 (severely diseased or dead plants) scale. The effects of environment were significant (P = 0.05), but replicate and population effects were not significant (P > 0.05). The RS was effective in changing the mean WM score of selected families from C0 to C1 and C2, but the gain between C1 and C2 was not significant in Pop I. The gain in WM resistance for Pop I was 12%. Selection gain in Pop II was 5%, but no significant differences in mean WM scores of C0, C1 and C2 were found. However, selected S2 families had WM scores similar to those of the best parent and selected families from Pop I. Thus, one cycle of RS applied to double-cross populations was adequate for improving WM resistance in common bean.
CD40 induces human multiple myeloma cell migration via phosphatidylinositol 3–kinase/AKT/NF-κB signaling

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow and their egress into peripheral blood with progression to plasma cell leukemia. Our previous study defined a functional role of CD40 activation in MM cell homing and migration. In this study, we examine signaling events mediating CD40-induced MM cell migration. We show that cross-linking CD40, using either soluble CD40L (sCD40L) or anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb), induces phosphatidylinositol 3–kinase (PI3K) activity and activates its downstream effector AKT in MM.1S cells. CD40 activation also activates the MAP kinase (MEK) pathway, evidenced by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK), but not c-jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Using pharmacologic inhibitors of PI3K and MEK, as well as adenoviruses expressing dominant-negative and constitutively expressed AKT, we demonstrate that PI3K and AKT activities are required for CD40-induced MM cell migration. In contrast, inhibition of ERK/MEK phosphorylation only partially (10%-15%) prevents migration, suggesting only a minor role in regulation of CD40-mediated MM migration. We further demonstrate that CD40 induces nuclear factor (NF)–κB activation as a downstream target of PI3K/AKT signaling, and that inhibition of NF-κB signaling using specific inhibitors PS1145 and SN50 completely abrogates CD40-induced MM migration. Finally, we demonstrate that urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), an NF-κB target gene, is induced by CD40; and conversely, that uPA induction via CD40 is blocked by PI3K and NF-κB inhibitors. Our data therefore indicate that CD40-induced MM cell migration is primarily mediated via activation of PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling, and further suggest that novel therapies targeting this pathway may inhibit MM cell migration associated with progressive MM.
Toxicity of two insecticides to california, USA, anurans and its relevance to declining amphibian populations

Contaminants have been associated with population declines of several amphibian species in California (USA). Pesticides from the Central Valley of California are transported by winds into the Sierra Nevada Mountains and precipitate into wet meadows where amphibians breed. The present study examined the chronic toxicity of two of the insecticides most commonly used in the Central Valley and found in the mountains, chlorpyrifos and endosulfan, to larval Pacific treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla) and foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) and discusses the implications of this toxicity to declining amphibian populations. Larvae were exposed to the pesticides from Gosner stages 25 to 26 through metamorphosis. The estimated median lethal concentration (LC50) for chlorpyrifos was 365 microg/L in P. regilla and 66.5 microg/L for R. boylii. Time to metamorphosis increased with concentration of chlorpyrifos in both species, and cholinesterase activity declined with exposure concentration in metamorphs of both species at Gosner stages 42 to 46. For endosulfan, the estimated LC50 was 15.6 microg/L for P. regilla and 0.55 microg/L for R. boylii. All R. boylii exposed to concentrations of greater than 0.8 microg/L died before they entered metamorphosis. Pseudacris regilla remains relatively abundant and is broadly distributed throughout California. In contrast, R. boylii is among the species experiencing severe population declines. The present study adds to the increasing evidence that pesticides are very harmful to amphibians living in areas that are miles from sources of pesticide application.
Quantification of Phosphorus Sources to a Small Watershed: A Case Study of Graywood Gully, Conesus Lake, NY

Phosphorus sources within the Graywood Gully watershed impact water quality within the stream and receiving waters of Conesus Lake, New York. A mass balance approach was instructive in demonstrating the semi-quantitative impact of nonpoint and point nutrient sources on downstream aquatic systems and provided a mechanism to assist in targeting and prioritizing structural best management practices (BMPs) for agricultural areas. The identification and quantification of these sources reveal substantial sources coming from outside the topographic watershed boundary due to the overprint of the built environment on natural surface runoff pathways. The analysis of water sources and phosphorus loading indicated the importance of critical source areas in the watershed and adjacent areas and the effect of the built environment, including drain systems and road ditches, on changing critical hydrological pathways. The impact of BMPs within the watershed was masked by the external contributions from the “extended” watershed, adding over 40% of the total P load to Conesus Lake. This result suggests that the lack of significant decrease in dissolved phosphorus observed in the heavily managed Graywood sub-watershed is a result of not considering the “extended” watershed.
Electromagnetically coupled microstrip ring-type antennas of arbitrary shape

Microstrip antennas have been used widely with advanced MIC/MMIC technology. This paper focuses on the modeling of microstrip elements of arbitrary shape in multilayered media. Emphasis is placed on the impact of the excitation mechanism on the circuit performance. To avoid the soldered probe-feed excitation, electromagnetically coupled (EMC) microstrip feedlines are preferred in this analysis. The change in resonant frequency due to the presence of proximity coupling from the embedded microstrip line is presented. Several microstrip ring-type antennas of arbitrary configuration are considered including circular, elliptical, polygonal and other arbitrarily-shaped rings. The mixed potential integral equation (MPIE) method combined with the triangular angular expansion function is developed to model general microstrip geometries. This method starts from meshing the whole microstrip geometry with small triangular faces. An evolution of the algorithm developed by McKinzie (see Ph.D. dissertation, UCLA, 1992) is used in this analysis. Both spatial-domain Green's functions, as obtained from vector and scalar potentials respectively, are evaluated by computing a Sommerfeld-type integral. By means of the moment method (MM) a matrix equation can be set up. Several numerical techniques are applied to speed up calculation. They are discussed and several examples are shown.
Toward a unified theory of voice production and perception

At present, two important questions about voice remain unanswered: When voice quality changes, what physiological alteration caused this change, and if a change to the voice production system occurs, what change in perceived quality can be expected? We argue that these questions can only be answered by an integrated model of voice linking production and perception, and we describe steps towards the development of such a model. Preliminary evidence in support of this approach is also presented. We conclude that development of such a model should be a priority for scientists interested in voice, to explain what physical condition(s) might underlie a given voice quality, or what voice quality might result from a specific physical configuration.
An opportunity for radiology: recommendations from the educational summit.

Introduction In my perspective article entitled An Opportunity for Radiology, published in the February 2006 issue of Radiology (Ref), I suggest that radiologists have three principal attributes (clinical acumen, mastery of technology, and dedication to safety and quality) that characterize the practice of their discipline, and that serve as a barrier to intrusion into the practice by other medical specialties. I also suggested that the first and third of these attributes, clinical acumen and dedication to safety and quality, are derivatives of the second attribute, mastery of technology. I then make the case that the technology of radiology cannot be mastered without a firm grasp of the physics principles and applications underlying the technology. Finally, in the article I explore the divergence between the expanding complexity of technology in radiology, and the diminished time and effort radiologists in training devote to understanding physics and its integration into the technologies so important to the practice of radiology. This divergence exposes radiology to the risk of usurpation of radiological procedures (at least those that provide a positive net income) by other specialists who control the patients needing the procedures. The Radiology paper ends with a proposal to revamp the education and certification of radiologists in order to reverse the divergence between physics education in radiology and the complexity of technologies used in the practice of radiology. This proposal is intended to convert divergence into convergence, so that radiologists entering the profession would be able to exert mastery over the technologies they employ in the service of patients.
THREE-DIMENSIONALLY PRESERVED SPECIMENS OF AMPLEXOGRAPTUS (ORDOVICIAN, GRAPTOLITHINA) FROM THE NORTH AMERICAN MID-CONTINENT: TAXONOMIC AND BIOSTRATIGRAPHIC SIGNIFICANCE

Graptolites are relatively uncommon fossils in the Middle and Upper Ordovician carbonates of the North American mid-continent. With the notable exception of the Viola Springs Formation in Oklahoma, most units contain a single species, which occur within narrow stratigraphic intervals (often single beds). While uninteresting in terms of their diversity, these monospecific collections commonly yield excellent three-dimensionally preserved specimens that can be isolated from their matrix and studied. In particular, the large number of well-preserved specimens allows for accurate evaluations of intra-specific variation and reliable descriptions of taxa that are generally known from flattened or otherwise distorted material. Additionally, these graptolite collections can provide important biostratigraphic ties between disparate facies—shallow mid-continental limestones and the deeper-water black shales characteristic of continental margins. In this study, we recovered three-dimensionally preserved graptolite specimens from four collections of Middle Ordovician limestones made in the eastern and central United States. All four collections yielded mono-specific assemblages of specimens that belong to the genus Amplexograptus . Specimens isolated from the Lebanon Limestone of Tennessee are particularly noteworthy as they are referable to Amplexograptus perexcavatus (Lapworth)—the poorly known type species of Amplexograptus . The presence of three-dimensional graptolites in the Lebanon Limestone was previously mentioned in the literature (Hofstetter, 1965; Conkin and Conkin, 1992), but the specimens were not described. Two other collections, from the Upper Bromide Formation in Oklahoma and the Mifflin Member of the Platteville Formation in Illinois, yielded specimens of A. maxwelli (Decker). Our last sample, from the Kope Formation in Kentucky, yielded specimens of A. praetypicalis Riva. The purpose of this paper is to re-describe A. perexcavatus based on well preserved three-dimensional material, to quantitatively compare the morphology of A. perexcavatus to the better known species of Amplexograptus found in our other samples, and to discuss the biostratigraphic significance of these samples. …
Mucosally restricted antigens as novel immunological targets for antitumor therapy

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While surgery remains the mainstay of therapy, approximately 50% of persons who undergo resection develop parenchymal metastatic disease. Unfortunately, current therapeutic regimens offer little improvement in survival. Using immunotherapy to fill this therapeutic gap has enjoyed limited success, reflecting a paucity of tumor-associated antigens. In that context, there is a significant unrealized opportunity to exploit structural and functional immune system compartmentalization to generate a therapeutic immune response against metastatic colorectal tumors employing biomarkers whose expression is normally confined to intestinal epithelial cells and their derivative malignancies. This novel class of biomarkers, here termed cancer mucosa antigens, may fill the unmet therapeutic need for colorectal cancer-associated immune targets. As a concrete example, guanylyl cyclase C is an intestinal mucosa-specific biomarker ideally suited to test this hypothesis and serve as the first cancer mucosa antigen for colorectal cancer immunotherapy. Here, we discuss colorectal cancer immunity, immune compartmentalization and preliminary results targeting guanylyl cyclase C in mouse models of colorectal cancer, as well as the potential paradigm shift to employing cancer mucosa antigens in immunotherapy of colorectal cancer.
Inference of sparse gene regulatory network from RNA-Seq time series data

Inferring gene regulatory networks (GRNs) from transcriptomic data is a challenging problem in system biology. The advent of high-throughput sequencing technology like RNA-Seq has provided a more powerful platform to measure the gene expressions than the traditional microarrys. However, although many methods have been proposed to infer networks from microarray data, there is a need for the new methods capable of modeling the count-based and highly variable RNA-Seq data. The few recent RNA-Seq based methods have focused on the inference from non-temporal data, which only take snapshots of the system at one given time point. Time series data will provide a more thorough description of the physiological changes over time. In this paper, we proposed a novel algorithm for the inference of GRNs from the RNA-Seq time series data. We considered a log-linear model for the temporal evolution of the gene expressions, and modeled the gene expression levels by a negative binomial distribution. Furthermore, We added an 11 penalty to control the network sparseness. We evaluated the proposed algorithm using synthetic data obtained from randomly generated networks in different scenarios. In addition, we tested the algorithm on the in vivo time series data obtained during Nematostella vectensis development. The inferred network for the developing gut overlaps well with the same network derived from the fluorescent imaging of gene expressions.
A cost effective approach to laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a well described technique. However, mesh fixation with staples has been implicated as a cause of chronic groin pain. Recent studies have shown low rates of postoperative pain and hernia recurrence when using a self-adhesive mesh such as Parietex ProGripTM (Covidien, Dublin, Ireland). Owing to the adhesive nature of the mesh, manoeuvring it into the correct position can be challenging as it adheres to the tissue firmly. We describe a technique that allows easy positioning of the mesh, saving operative time and the use of staple fixation devices.
Laboratory Studies of the Seasonal Tolerance of the Potato Flea Beetle to DDT

During the period of 1954-58, field and laboratory studies of the erratic control of the potato flea beetle, Epitrix cucumeris (Harris), with DDT was shown to be a matter of vigor tolerance rather than resistance. With one generation of the insect present annually, overwintered beetles were found to succumb readily to small deposits of DDT in June and early July, while the new generation appearing in mid-July became progressively more tolerant of the insecticide as the season advanced. Less extensive investigations of dieldrin showed results similar to those of DDT, except that the insecticide was effective at levels considerably lower than DDT.
Analysis on CD_4~+ T lymphocyte counts before and after antiviral therapy in 96 HIV/AIDS patients

[Objective]By using highly active antiretroviral therapy(HARRT) in HIV/AIDS patients,to obverse the absolute CD+4 T lymphocyte count and CD+4/CD+8 T-cell ratio,and analyze the effect of antiviral therapy. [Methods]The absolute CD+4 T lymphocyte count and CD+4/CD+8 T-cell ratio before and after antiviral therapy were tested,and the statistical method was applied to the data processing. [Results]The CD+4 T lymphocyte count of 96 blood samples before and after antiviral therapy was(102.63±28.57) /μl and(249.41±23.95)/μl respectively,and the CD+4/CD+8 T-cell ratio was(0.23±0.19) and(0.42±0.23) respectively.The curative effect was significant in both male and female patients.The curative effect in patients with mild symptoms or no symptoms was better than that in severe patients. [Conclusion]The curative effect of HARRT is significant,and it can improve the proportion of antiviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients,delay disease progression and reduce mortality.
Three-phase approach to improve deep groundwater supply availability in the Elidar district of Afar region of Ethiopia

This study provides new evidence on the effectiveness of a combined remote sensing and hydrogeological investigation method for deep groundwater development in complex geologic and geomorphologic situations in Ethiopia. The study was undertaken in the Elidar district of the Afar region of Northern Ethiopia. Due to the water availability and vegetation in this district, the majority of the population (total population of 79,000 people and 647,000 head of cattle) are dependent on pastoralist livelihoods. The current ratio of available water supply facilities to number of beneficiaries is 1:2,323 people and 1:19,029 head of cattle. A joint UNICEF-UNESCO groundwater investigation pilot project with the objective of improving drilling success rates in the Elidar district considered a three-phase approach. In phase 1 and 2, an overlay method was developed that combined data from radar, optical remote sensing and ground measurement (geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, hydro-meteorology, and geophysics). The overlay model identified the most promising site to undertake well drilling, considering a probability of drilling wells with sufficient amount of water and permissible water quality (defined as Q = >2 L/s and EC < 2,000 μms/cm²). In phase 3, three production boreholes were drilled and the results showed a 92% accuracy against the overlay model.
Dynamic Traffic Simulation and Assignment: Models, Algorithms and Application to ATIS / ATMS Evaluation and Operation

This paper presents an overview of recent developments in traffic simulation and dynamic assignment models for real-time Advanced Traveler Information Systems / Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATIS / ATMS) applications, with particular reference to the author’s work at the University of Texas at Austin. Specifically, elements of an integrated system called DYNASMART-X, built around the DYNASMART (Dynamic Network Assignment-Simulation Model for Advanced Road Telematics) simulator, are presented. Intended to support control functions in a traffic network in a realtime setting, it incorporates several functional components, including network state prediction and algorithms for optimal route guidance and traffic control.
The wellness behavior interaction model

A cognitive-behavioral model for conceptualizing wellness is proposed consisting of situational/antecedent variables, person variables, and consequence variables which, taken individually or together, may serve to describe and explain wellness behavior. The model also is interactional in the sense that different categories of variables or factors within a category may impact on each other in a multidirectional fashion. A selective review of research relating to each variable is provided to demonstrate the need for such a multidimensional conceptual scheme for wellness.
Modeling and Optimal Control of the Growth of Wealth of Nations, with Austria, Australia,and Chinese Examples

Abstract Economic models of Austria, China, and Australia are constructed using the principle of supply and demand and of rational expectations. These are confronted with data from International financial Statistics Yearbook. The systems are stable and controllable with exciting implications.
Severe Hyperkalemia: Can the Electrocardiogram Risk Stratify for Short-term Adverse Events?

Introduction: The electrocardiogram (ECG) is often used to identify which hyperkalemic patients are at risk for adverse events. However, there is a paucity of evidence to support this practice. This study analyzes the association between specific hyperkalemic ECG abnormalities and the development of short-term adverse events in patients with severe hyperkalemia. Methods: Records of all adult patients with K+ ≥6.5 mEq/L in the hospital laboratory database from August 15, 2010 through January 30, 2015 were collected. A chart review identified patient demographics, concurrent laboratory values, ECG within one hour of potassium measurement, treatments and occurrence of adverse events within 6 hours of ECG. Adverse events were defined as symptomatic bradycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or death. Two emergency physicians blinded to study objective independently examined each ECG for rate, rhythm, peaked T wave, PR interval duration and QRS wave duration. Odds ratios were calculated to determine the association between specific hyperkalemic ECG abnormalities and short-term adverse events. Results: A total of 188 patients with severe hyperkalemia were included in the final study group. Adverse events occurred within 6 hours in 28 patients (15%): symptomatic bradycardia (n=22), death (n=4), ventricular tachycardia (n=2) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (n=2). All patients who had a short-term adverse event had a preceding ECG that demonstrated at least one hyperkalemic abnormality (100%, 95% CI: 85.7-100%). An increased likelihood of short-term adverse event was found for hyperkalemic patients whose ECG demonstrated QRS prolongation (OR 6.11, 95%CI 2.35-15.92), bradycardia (HR<50) (OR 60.27, 95%CI 17.28-210.18), and/or junctional rhythm (OR 25.24, 95%CI 7.24-88). There was no statistically significant correlation between peaked T waves and short-term adverse events (OR 0.73, 95%CI: 0.29-1.84). Conclusion: Our findings support the use of the ECG to risk stratify patients with severe hyperkalemia.
Synthesizing Obama: learning lip sync from audio

Given audio of President Barack Obama, we synthesize a high quality video of him speaking with accurate lip sync, composited into a target video clip. Trained on many hours of his weekly address footage, a recurrent neural network learns the mapping from raw audio features to mouth shapes. Given the mouth shape at each time instant, we synthesize high quality mouth texture, and composite it with proper 3D pose matching to change what he appears to be saying in a target video to match the input audio track. Our approach produces photorealistic results.
Just-in-Time Feedback in Diet and Physical Activity Interventions: Systematic Review and Practical Design Framework.

Background: The integration of body-worn sensors with mobile devices presents a tremendous opportunity to improve just-in-time behavioral interventions by enhancing bidirectional communication between investigators and their participants. This approach can be used to deliver supportive feedback at critical moments to optimize the attainment of health behavior goals. Objective: The goals of this systematic review were to summarize data on the content characteristics of feedback messaging used in diet and physical activity (PA) interventions and to develop a practical framework for designing just-in-time feedback for behavioral interventions. Methods: Interventions that included just-in-time feedback on PA, sedentary behavior, or dietary intake were eligible for inclusion. Feedback content and efficacy data were synthesized descriptively. Results: The review included 31 studies (15/31, 48%, targeting PA or sedentary behavior only; 13/31, 42%, targeting diet and PA; and 3/31, 10%, targeting diet only). All studies used just-in-time feedback, 30 (97%, 30/31) used personalized feedback, and 24 (78%, 24/31) used goal-oriented feedback, but only 5 (16%, 5/31) used actionable feedback. Of the 9 studies that tested the efficacy of providing feedback to promote behavior change, 4 reported significant improvements in health behavior. In 3 of these 4 studies, feedback was continuously available, goal-oriented, or actionable. Conclusions: Feedback that was continuously available, personalized, and actionable relative to a known behavioral objective was prominent in intervention studies with significant behavior change outcomes. Future research should determine whether all or some of these characteristics are needed to optimize the effect of feedback in just-in-time interventions. [J Med Internet Res 2018;20(3):e106]
Neisseria zalophi sp. nov., isolated from oral cavity of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)

Three independent strains of Neisseria sp. were isolated from the oral cavity of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) that were admitted to The Marine Mammal Center facilities in California, USA. The strains were isolated from oral swabs by cultivation on Trypticase Soy agar with 5% sheep blood under aerobic conditions. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of these three strains shared 99% similarity, but demonstrated only 97–98% nucleotide similarity to the phylogenetically closest relatives such as N. canis, N. zoodegmatis, N. animaloris, and N. dumasiana. These three strains also shared 99% sequence similarity of their rplF, rpoB, and gyrB gene sequences. Based on the biochemical tests alone (i.e., without genetic analysis of housekeeping genes), it is difficult to discriminate this novel species from N. canis; however, it can be easily discriminated from all phylogenetically closely related species using the sequencing analysis of its housekeeping genes (e.g., rplF, rpoB, or gyrB genes). Thus, genetic testing is indispensable for accurate identification of this species in a routine laboratory practice. The species is an obligate aerobe and able to grow in Mueller–Hinton broth supplemented with 6% NaCl, but the phylogenetically closely related species (N. canis, N. zoodegmatis, N. animaloris, and N. dumasiana) were not. Based on these phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and phylogenetic data, we conclude that these new strains represent a novel species of the genus Neisseria, for which the name Neisseria zalophi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CSL 7565T (= ATCC BAA2455T = DSM 102031T).
Structural Intermediates in a Model of the Substrate Translocation Path in the Bacterial Glutamate Transporter Homologue GltPh

Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) are membrane proteins responsible for reuptake of glutamate from the synaptic cleft to terminate neurotransmission and help prevent neurotoxically high, extracellular glutamate concentrations. Important structural information about these proteins emerged from crystal structures of GltPh, a bacterial homologue of EAATs, in conformations facing outward and inward. These remarkably different conformations are considered to be end points of the substrate translocation path (STP), suggesting that the transport mechanism involves major conformational rearrangements that remain uncharted. To investigate possible steps in the structural transitions of the STP between the two end-point conformations, we applied a combination of computational modeling methods (motion planning, molecular dynamics simulations, and mixed elastic network models). We found that the conformational changes in the transition involve mainly the repositioning the “transport domain” and the “trimeriz...