cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ensemble canonical correlation prediction of surface temperature over the United States

Abstract The ensemble canonical correlation (ECC) prediction method is used to predict summer (July–September) and winter (January–March) seasonal mean surface temperature (Tsurf) over the United States. The predictors are the global sea surface temperature (SST), sea level pressure over the Northern Hemisphere Tsurf, and soil moisture over the United States from one to two seasons lead, as well as the model outputs from the NCEP seasonal forecast model. The canonical correlation analysis (CCA) prediction is performed for each variable separately. The predicted Tsurf fields form an ensemble. The ensemble forecast is the weighted average of its members. Both the simple ensemble forecast and the superensemble forecast are tested. The simple ensemble mean is the equally weighted average of its members. The weighting function for the superensemble forecast is determined by linear regression analysis. Overall, both ensemble forecasts improve skill. On average, the superensemble gives the best performance. For ...
The GDP Growth-Rates Of Countries With The Highest Production Of Patents

The generation of patents reflects a significant part of the economical development of a country, and is an activity that is intrinsically related to the intellectual capital of an organization. This article focuses on the relationship between the growth rate of the gross domestic product (GDP) and the production of patents, based on annual data during the period 2005-2010 for the three countries around the world with the highest level in production of patents: USA, China, and Japan. A nonparametric correlation method (named Spearman's rank correlation) was selected (whose justification is explained) to estimate the correlation coefficient (p-value<0.01); an economical variable: the external debt measured in US$ billions was incorporated in the analysis, due to its significant correlation (p-value<0.01), which since 2004 has been growing and reaching an unsuspected upper extreme margin.
Tandem laser ablation synthesis in solution-galvanic replacement reaction (LASiS-GRR) for the production of PtCo nanoalloys as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts

Abstract We have developed tandem laser ablation synthesis in solution-galvanic replacement reaction (LASiS-GRR) technique as a facile, green yet, efficient route to synthesize spherical PtCo NAs with varied sizes, compositions and degrees of alloying. The transformative concept here is the ability to design these nanostructured alloys by tuning the high-energy physico-chemical conditions emerging from liquid-confined, laser-induced plasma, and the solution-phase reaction pathways dictated by pH conditions and precursor salt concentrations. The resultant NAs exhibit uniformly alloyed cores with a Pt-rich shell of a few nanometers, as demonstrated by the electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping. Such core–shell structure along with high degrees of alloying in these PtCo NAs promote their outstanding electrocatalytic ORR activities in acid electrolytes. Specifically, compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts, the PtCo NAs with Co molar ratio of 22.1% indicate a c.a. 3 and 6-fold increase in mass and specific activities respectively. Such enhanced ORR activities are attributed to the efficacy of tandem LASiS-GRR route to rationally tune size distributions/compositional ratios and alloying degrees of the NAs without the use of any surfactants or reducing agents that are otherwise indispensable in chemical synthesis methods, but harmful for catalytic performances.
Genetic Signals and Nucleotide Sequences in Messenger RNA

Today every schoolchild learns that DNA makes RNA and RNA makes protein. He is further taught that a messenger RNA molecule is like a string of beads consisting of A, C, G, and U residues. The genetic information is read out (like any written code) in a linear fashion, here in groups of three. Such imagery immediately engenders the notion that RNA functions purely as a one-dimensional structure and that all of its secrets are locked in its sequence of bases. Of course, the latter concept is, in essence, true. Just as the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide chain ultimately determines the three-dimensional folding of a protein, so does the sequence of nucleotides in an RNA molecule dictate its potential for forming internal Watson—Crick base pairs (RNA secondary structure) which may further interact specifically with each other (RNA tertiary structure). Indeed, it has long been accepted that tRNA molecules utilize both base pairing and intramolecular bonds of other types to assume a quite defined shape which allows their specific recognition by ribosomes, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and so on. However, it is a more recent realization that messenger RNAs and ribosomal RNAs can form thermodynamically stable secondary and tertiary structures as well.
Connections Between Prenatal Physical Activity and Breastfeeding Decisions

Women who engage in prenatal physical activity give themselves, and their child, an advantage over women who did not engage in prenatal physical activity; not only are there significant health benefits for mothers, but there are also great benefits for the unborn child. Breastfeeding is another important decision parents make that can affect the mother and her child. There has been extensive research on the benefits of both prenatal physical activity and breastfeeding, but the connection between the two is unclear. The purpose of this grounded theory article was to identify potential connections between factors influencing women's decisions to engage in prenatal physical activity and breastfeeding among mothers in a medium-sized city in Tennessee. Responses from mothers revealed numerous themes related to both prenatal physical activity and breastfeeding. Connections between prenatal physical activity and breastfeeding, in addition to an overarching theme that captured the women's collective experience, were identified.
Estradiol and Chlordecone (Kepone) Decrease Adenosine 3′5′-Cyclic Monophosphate Concentrations in the Ovariectomized Immature Rat Uterus:

Adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) has been repeatedly shown to mimic some actions of estrogen in the rat uterus. However, the relationship between estrogens and uterine cAMP remains controversial. The effect of chronic exposure (3 days) to a biologically potent, long-acting estrogen, estradiol benzoate (EB), or the xenoestrogen chlordecone (Kepone), which has a long half-life in the circulation, was examined in ovariectomized immature rats. Both compounds, when administered in doses that provided equal increases in uterine weight, produced equivalent decreases in uterine cAMP content. Although the decrease in cAMP was apparent within 48 hr, it was more pronounced at 72 hr. There was no reduction in cAMP produced in response to direct stimulation of uterine adenylyl cyclase by forskolin, indicating that loss of the enzyme was not a factor in the lowering of cAMP content. The pure anti-estrogen ICI-182,780, in a dose-dependent fashion, prevented the action the estradiol benzoate and chlordecone, suggesting that the lowering of cAMP was dependent on an estrogen receptor. The physiological significance of reduced uterine cAMP with chronic estrogen treatment remains to be determined.
A Donor Influenced by Local Dynamics: Unintended Consequences of Capacity Building in China

This article explores the relations between a foreign aid donor and local actors in the context of the dissemination of development discourses and practices in an authoritarian context. It addresses the question “To what extent may the local dynamics alter the original goals of a donor and lead to unintended consequences?” Based on archival research, interviews, and secondary literature, this case study examines the Yunnan Uplands Management Project (YUM) in 1990–95, the Ford Foundation9s first grant program on rural poverty alleviation in China. While the Foundation did not attain its main goal of making YUM a national model for poverty alleviation, the local actors were able to use YUM to develop individual capacities and to build roles for themselves as development actors in the form of associations and nongovernmental organizations, resulting in further support from the Foundation. The study contributes to our understanding of donor-local actor dynamics by highlighting the gaps between the original goals of a donor and the perspectives and motivations of local actors. The study suggests that local dynamics may influence the goals of donors and the ways they seek to disseminate development discourses and practices to local actors, despite the common conception of donors as hegemonic or culturally imperialistic.
[18F](2S,4S)-4-(3-Fluoropropyl)glutamine as a Tumor Imaging Agent

Although the growth and proliferation of most tumors is fueled by glucose, some tumors are more likely to metabolize glutamine. In particular, tumor cells with the upregulated c-Myc gene are generally reprogrammed to utilize glutamine. We have developed new 3-fluoropropyl analogs of glutamine, namely [(18)F](2S,4R)- and [(18)F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 3 and 4, to be used as probes for studying glutamine metabolism in these tumor cells. Optically pure isomers labeled with (18)F and (19)F (2S,4S) and (2S,4R)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine were synthesized via different routes and isolated in high radiochemical purity (≥95%). Cell uptake studies of both isomers showed that they were taken up efficiently by 9L tumor cells with a steady increase over a time frame of 120 min. At 120 min, their uptake was approximately two times higher than that of l-[(3)H]glutamine ([(3)H]Gln). These in vitro cell uptake studies suggested that the new probes are potential tumor imaging agents. Yet, the lower chemical yield of the precursor for 3, as well as the low radiochemical yield for 3, limits the availability of [(18)F](2S,4R)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 3. We, therefore, focused on [(18)F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4. The in vitro cell uptake studies suggested that the new probe, [(18)F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4, is most sensitive to the LAT transport system, followed by System N and ASC transporters. A dual-isotope experiment using l-[(3)H]glutamine and the new probe showed that the uptake of [(3)H]Gln into 9L cells was highly associated with macromolecules (>90%), whereas the [(18)F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4, was not (<10%). This suggests a different mechanism of retention. In vivo PET imaging studies demonstrated tumor-specific uptake in rats bearing 9L xenographs with an excellent tumor to muscle ratio (maximum of ∼8 at 40 min). [(18)F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4, may be useful for testing tumors that may metabolize glutamine related amino acids.
Effects of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) Meal on Broiler Performance

Abstract The effects of replacing soybean meal with different varieties of winged bean meal on broiler performance were determined in a series of two experiments. Defatted winged bean meal was prepared from whole beans autoclaved while submerged in water for 30 min at 121 C. In Experiment 1, soybean meal was replaced by winged bean meal at 0, 19, 44, 74, and 95% on a protein basis. No statistically significant differences were observed among the different rations in metabolizable energy, nitrogen retention, and broiler performance as measured by gain in weights and feed conversion (feed/gain), although there was an indication of adverse effects at 95% replace ment. To confirm these results, a second experiment using more birds per treatment was undertaken. In Experiment 2, replacement at 75% and 100% decreased metabolizable energy and led to poorer broiler performance. Broilers on winged bean diets gained 14% less weight, and the feed conversion was 22% poorer compared to the soybean control. Nitrogen retention by the broilers on winged bean diets was lower but not statistically significant. The hulls in the winged bean may have caused the decrease in metabolic energy that led to the poorer response of the broilers.
Polyethylenimine Carbon Nanotube Fiber Electrodes for Enhanced Detection of Neurotransmitters

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based microelectrodes have been investigated as alternatives to carbon-fiber microelectrodes for the detection of neurotransmitters because they are sensitive, exhibit fast electron transfer kinetics, and are more resistant to surface fouling. Wet spinning CNTs into fibers using a coagulating polymer produces a thin, uniform fiber that can be fabricated into an electrode. CNT fibers formed in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) have been used as microelectrodes to detect dopamine, serotonin, and hydrogen peroxide. In this study, we characterize microelectrodes with CNT fibers made in polyethylenimine (PEI), which have much higher conductivity than PVA-CNT fibers. PEI-CNT fibers have lower overpotentials and higher sensitivities than PVA-CNT fiber microelectrodes, with a limit of detection of 5 nM for dopamine. The currents for dopamine were adsorption controlled at PEI-CNT fiber microelectrodes, independent of scan repetition frequency, and stable for over 10 h. PEI-CNT fiber microelectrodes were resistant to surface fouling by serotonin and the metabolite interferant 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). No change in sensitivity was observed for detection of serotonin after 30 flow injection experiments or after 2 h in 5-HIAA for PEI-CNT electrodes. The antifouling properties were maintained in brain slices when serotonin was exogenously applied multiple times or after bathing the slice in 5-HIAA. Thus, PEI-CNT fiber electrodes could be useful for the in vivo monitoring of neurochemicals.
Input error sensitivity of hardness and elastic modulus evaluated from indentation load-displacement records by Oliver and Pharr method

Due to its straightforwardness and the ease of implementation the Oliver-Pharr method [1] has been used in the analysis of load-displacement records for more than a decade now. This paper provides analytical expressions relating the errors in the hardness and elastic modulus obtained by this method to systematic calibration errors of measured depth, force and frame compliance for spherical and sharp indentation. While in systems with zero frame compliance the sensitivity ratios for depth and force measurement were found to be constant, in systems with a finite frame compliance the error sensitivity changes with the absolute values of applied force and measured depth. The analytical predictions are compared with the true variation in derived materials parameters and the ranges of validity of the expressions are established. The error sensitivity with respect to different input variables and its implications for the actual measurement are discussed.
Label-free Confocal Reflectance and 2-photon Microscopy of Myelinated Axons and Microvasculature in Live Mice

We will discuss the use of spectral confocal relfectance microscopy (SCoRe) for imaging individual myelinated axons and the use of 2-photon microscopy for structural and functional imaging of the brain microvasculature and mural cells in living mice.
Soil-applied Insecticidal Control of Scirtothrips dorsalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Pepper, 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of several conventional and novel soil-applied insecticides against a new invasive thrips pest, chilli thrips (CT), Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood), in pepper under greenhouse condition. The trial was conducted at Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, FL, to find an alternative to standard effective chemistries used in thrips control. The peppers were grown in Fafard 2 Mix (Canadian Formula; Conrad Fafard, Inc., Agawam, MA 01001-2907) from seed in seedling trays and transplanted in 1 gal plastic pot when seedlings were 7-wk …
Protein Amyloidose Misfolding

A variety of diseases result because of misfolded protein that deposits in extracellular space in the body. These deposits can be amorphous (disordered) or fibrillar (ordered). Inclusion bodies are an example of amorphous aggregates, and amyloid fibril is an example of fibrillar or ordered aggregates. In this chapter, we discuss a class of diseases caused by fibrillar aggregate deposits or amyloid fibrils called amyloidosis. We also review mechanisms by which different proteins misfold to form amyloid fibrils. Each amyloid fibril formed from a different protein causes a different disease by affecting a different organ in the body. However, the characteristics of different amyloid fibrils, namely structure and morphology, observed by electron microscopy and X-ray fiber diffraction appear to be quite similar in nature. We present therapeutic strategies developed to eliminate amyloid fibril formation. These strategies could possibly avert a whole class of fatal diseases caused by amyloid fibril deposition owing to similar characteristics of the amyloid fibrils.
Neuropsychological Function in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) Compared to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Forty-nine men, 25 with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and 24 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), were evaluated with a standard 8-hour nocturnal polysomnogram, multiple sleep latency test the following day and a neuropsychological test battery. The OSAS patients had more respiratory disturbances per hour of sleep, more stage 1 sleep and greater daytime sleepiness than COPD patients. The OSAS patients were as impaired as the COPD patients in neuropsychological test functioning, with the pattern of impairment nonspecific as to hypoxemic-sensitive versus sleepiness-sensitive tasks, with two exceptions. The OSAS patients performed more poorly on a test requiring sustained attention and considered sensitive to sleepiness, whereas the COPD patients performed more poorly on a test requiring motor skills and sensitive to hypoxemia. These deficits in psychomotor and attention appear to be specifically related to patients group (OSAS vs. COPD), but the other deficits found in complex reasoning and memory are nonspecific.
The Nature of God and Arguments for the Existence of God

Theism is characterized by belief in a God that possesses a unique set of characteristics or attributes. The theistic conception of God that is formed by the combination of these attributes has been troublesome through the centuries and has given rise to many questions and criticisms — by theists and nontheists alike — both of the individual attributes and the collective set of attributes. These problems persisted throughout the twentieth century and intensified in the last few decades. Some of the issues concerning the attributes are old ones revisited in light of our changing knowledge of the natural world as a result of the development of science. Others are logical issues that have been given new “twists” by contemporary scholars, quite independently of contingent matters. The coherence of the attributes that comprise the concept of God is fundamental to theism since the viability of theism must begin with the viability of the concept of God. Sorting through the difficulties surrounding the traditional attributes of the theistic deity is such a fundamental problem that Richard Swinburne devotes approximately two-thirds of what many consider his seminal work, The Coherence of Theism, to an explanation and defense of the coherence of these attributes. Although there are many disagreements among theists that need to be explored, I shall take Swinburne’s view as typical of the traditional theistic concept of God: namely, “that there exists eternally an omnipresent spirit, free, creator of the universe, omnipotent, omniscient, perfectly good, and a source of moral obligation.”1
Salado Cultural Development in the Tonto Basin and Globe-Miami Areas, Central Arizona

The history of research relevant to the development of the Salado culture concept is reviewed. A summary of the prehistoric cultural-historical sequence for the area is presented. l'urther discussi...
Fátima and the Politics of Devotion

Zimdars-Swartz examines devotions in and associated with the apparition of the Virgin Mary at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917. She examines how the apocalyptic “secret” that was published in the midst of the Second World War provided a narrative framework that became a key to interpreting the historical crises of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. In the divine drama codified by this secret, the performance of the devotions commanded by the Virgin has both religious and political consequences. Zimdars-Swartz demonstrates how the devotions in the Fatima messages—praying the Rosary, fasting and making reparation for sin—became politicized and even militarized in subsequent apparitions like those at Amsterdam, Lipa, Necedah and Medjugorje.
Calling Attention to the Importance of Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Victimization

ABSTRACTMost of the research focusing on sexual victimization on college campuses has focused on females as victims. This attention is warranted given that studies have consistently found that females are at more risk of experiencing victimization compared to males. However, a drawback of this emphasis is that laypersons may incorrectly believe that men cannot be victims too. This belief is directly challenged by various findings that indicate college men are also sexually assaulted. In order to draw attention to this under researched topic, we used data from a recent climate survey conducted at a mid-sized rural institution of higher education. The results of this study indicated that males, in addition to females, experienced various types of sexual victimization in this setting.
Lucking into science.

Before I embarked on my Ph.D. journey in cancer genomics, I had never thought of a career as a scientist. I had dreamed of becoming a physician for as long as I could remember. But the Fulbright scholarship I won to pursue Ph.D. training in the United States was the chance of a lifetime to continue
State and Local Governments

In Chapter 1, we analyzed some of the fundamental aspects of how the Constitution structures our government, including the principle of separation of powers between the three branches of government and the principle of federalism, under which states retain a substantial measure of sovereignty. The fact that separated powers and federalism are built into the system of government provides checks and balances against the risk that excessive power will be concentrated in any one location. Emergencies pose some of the biggest challenges to this protection.
Generations of Advantage: Multigenerational Correlations in Family Wealth

Inequality in family wealth is high, yet we know little about how much and how wealth inequality is maintained across generations. We argue that a long-term perspective reflective of wealth's cumulative nature is crucial to understand the extent and channels of wealth reproduction across generations. Using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics that span nearly half a century, we show that a one-decile increase in parents' wealth position is associated with an increase of about four percentiles in their offspring's wealth position in adulthood. We show that grandparental wealth is a unique predictor of grandchildren's wealth, above and beyond the role of parental wealth, suggesting that a focus on only parent-child dyads understates the importance of family wealth lineages. Second, considering five channels of wealth transmission-gifts and bequests, education, marriage, homeownership, and business ownership-we find that most of the advantages arising from family wealth begin much earlier in the life course than the common focus on bequests implies, even when we consider the wealth of grandparents. We also document the stark disadvantage of African American households in terms of not only their wealth attainment but also their intergenerational wealth mobility compared to whites.
Arterial kink and damage in normal segments of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries abutting nitinol stents--a common cause of late occlusion and restenosis? A single-center experience.

Objective To identify a new angiographic parameter associated with poor short- and long-term outcomes with nitinol stenting in the larger infrainguinal arteries. Background Nitinol stents have proven to be useful and safe, but imperfect, tools for treating claudication and limb-threatening ischemia. Primary and secondary patency in superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions treated with nitinol stents are up to 80% at 1 year, but restenosis is between 40-50% at 2 years. The causes of SFA and popliteal restenosis remain unclear. Stent fracture has been implicated in some cases of restenosis, but this is clearly the minority. Chronic mechanical trauma to the arteries caused by native vessel-stent interaction, intensified by limb motion over time, appears to be a more plausible explanation. Methods Presented here are 2 cases of restenosis apparently caused by acute and chronic trauma to the native vessel from interaction of the artery with the ends of relatively rigid nitinol stent systems. Results The source of some future restenotic and occlusive events are not apparent using routine angiography techniques. Conclusion The additional step of an on-table leg bend test at 80-90 degrees will allow the interventionalist to visualize many cases of negative interaction between the native artery and the stents that will occur during routine movement. This allows the operator to potentially avoid stent-induced arterial trauma.
Preoperative frailty is a risk factor for non-home discharge in patients undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer.

Abstract Objective Our objective was to examine the association of the modified frailty index (mFI) and non-home discharge in patients undergoing surgery for endometrial cancer (EMCA). Methods Patients who underwent surgery for EMCA from 2011 to 2012 were identified from the American College of Surgeons - Nastional Surigical Quality Improvement Project (ACS-NSQIP) database. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes were used to identify surgical characteristics. We excluded patients who were already living in a non-home facility. To determine frailty, we used the NSQIP frailty index. For analysis purposes, patients with an mFI score ≥0.18 were defined as frail. Patients were divided into groups based on discharge destination. Logistic regression were used to identify predictors of post-operative non-home discharge. Results 1216 patients were identified. 26 (2.1%) were discharged to a non-home facility. On multivariate analysis, patients who were discharged to a non-home facility were older (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04–1.14, p Conclusion Frailty is associated with increased risk of non-home discharge in patients undergoing surgery for EMCA. The mFI can be easily calculated using patient characteristics that are readily available pre-operatively. This information can be used for pre-op counseling and to facilitate appropriate and timely discharge planning.
Der erste Anfang

In diesem Kapitel mochten wir Sie in erster Linie mit dem Rechner vertraut machen, d.h. wie wir ihn anwenden und nach welcher Methode wir diese Anwendung beschreiben.
Parent Education by Mail

Cooperative extension family life specialists in 10 states investigated the value of a series of parent education booklets for parents of infants. The program was assessed by an evaluation question...
Genetic analysis of African lions (Panthera leo) in Zambia support movement across anthropogenic and geographical barriers.

The Luangwa Valley in eastern Zambia is a transverse offshoot of the Great Rift Valley system. This region appears to have an isolating effect as evidenced by suspected endemic subspecies, such as the Cookson’s wildebeest and Thornicroft’s giraffe. Recent mitochondrial DNA studies demonstrated that African lions in Zambia consist of two highly diverse eastern and western sub-populations. Herein, we report nuclear and mitochondrial DNA results from 409 lions that support this population substructure across Zambia but proposes only partial isolation of the Luangwa Valley with more movement between the populations than previously thought. Population assignment analysis identifies two populations with little evidence of admixture assigning lions to either the eastern or western sub-populations. A high occurrence of private alleles and clear evidence for a Wahlund effect further justify the presence of a highly structured population. But, while mitochondrial DNA analysis still shows little to no matrilineal gene flow (FST = 0.53) between sub-populations, microsatellite analysis suggests there is gene flow (FST = 0.04) with low but significant isolation-by-distance and an average of 6 migrants per generation. Evidence of isolation-by-distance is also found in factorial correspondence analysis with the Lower Zambezi National Park and eastern corridor clusters overlapping isolated clusters of the Luangwa Valley and western sub-population. From this evidence, the Luangwa Valley appears separated from the western sub-population with some dispersal through the southern regions of the eastern sub-population. Both the eastern and western sub-populations have high heterozygosity (0.68 and 0.69, respectively) and genetic diversity (0.47 and 0.50, respectively) values, indicative of genetically healthy populations.
Cross Talk between SigB and PrfA in Listeria monocytogenes Facilitates Transitions between Extra- and Intracellular Environments

The foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes can modulate its transcriptome and proteome to ensure its survival during transmission through vastly differing environmental conditions. While L. monocytogenes utilizes a large array of regulators to achieve survival and growth in different intra- and extrahost environments, the alternative sigma factor σB and the transcriptional activator of virulence genes protein PrfA are two key transcriptional regulators essential for responding to environmental stress conditions and for host infection. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that the shift from extrahost environments to the host gastrointestinal tract and, subsequently, to intracellular environments requires regulatory interplay between σB and PrfA at transcriptional, posttranscriptional, and protein activity levels. Here, we review the current evidence for cross talk and interplay between σB and PrfA and their respective regulons and highlight the plasticity of σB and PrfA cross talk and the role of this cross talk in facilitating successful transition of L. monocytogenes from diverse extrahost to diverse extra- and intracellular host environments.
Bridging the praxis of hazards and development with resilience: A case study of an engineering education program

Abstract Losses from hazard events disproportionately affect long-term development trajectories and activities of communities in the Global South. For this reason, researchers often discuss the growing intersections in hazards and development work. However, despite longstanding considerations of the interrelated nature of these fields, the integration of hazards and development in application and practice remains a challenge. This is particularly true as it relates to the organization of hazards- and development-related education and training programs. A growing number of ‘engineering-for-development’ or ‘humanitarian engineering’ programs aim to depart from the traditional disciplinary canon by providing interdisciplinary training in the engineering, development, and hazards fields. We studied one such program to explore how understandings and practices of hazards work are shaped in a development-focused engineering training program. Through in-depth interviews with program participants and observations of program events, we found that while students working in this area have a broad understanding of the linkages between hazards and development, they identify limitations to the integration of these fields in their educational training and experience in practice. Knowledge gained from students working at the boundaries of the hazards and development fields offers insight into the ongoing frictions of integrating work across these areas. Conceptualizations of ‘resilience’ offer individuals working at the boundaries of these fields an opportunity to make connections between hazards and development. We argue that an increased focus on connecting development and hazards work through resilience can serve as a useful tool to better train future cohorts of students working in hazards and development.
Lewis Acid-Activated Reactions of Silyl Ketenes for the Preparation of α-Silyl Carbonyl Compounds

Silyl-substituted ketenes are attractive molecular building blocks due to their stability and ease of storage, as opposed to unstable alkyl and aryl ketenes. To better understand the reactivity of silyl ketenes and, in turn, their use in the preparation of highly functionalized small molecules, the reaction of silyl ketenes with different nucleophiles was studied. The addition of alcohol, amine, or thiol nucleophiles to the central carbon of silyl ketene, followed by proton transfer afforded α-silyl ester, amide, or thio-ester, respectively. Catalytic amounts of Lewis acid greatly increase the rate of the reaction, and the impact of nucleophile, Lewis acid, and silyl substituent are evaluated. The small molecules produced from these reactions give insight into the use of silyl ketenes as building blocks for complex molecular structures.
Lyapunov spectrum of the separated flow around the NACA 0012 airfoil and its dependence on numerical discretization

Abstract We investigate the impact of numerical discretization on the Lyapunov spectrum of separated flow simulations. The two-dimensional chaotic flow around the NACA 0012 airfoil at a low Reynolds number and large angle of attack is considered to that end. Time, space and accuracy-order refinement studies are performed to examine each of these effects separately. Numerical results show that the time discretization has a small impact on the dynamics of the system, whereas the spatial discretization can dramatically change them. Also, the finite-time Lyapunov exponents associated to unstable modes are shown to be positively skewed, and quasi-homoclinic tangencies are observed in the attractor of the system. The implications of these results on flow physics and sensitivity analysis of chaotic flows are discussed.
Aquatic and riparian ecosystem recovery from debris flows in two western Washington streams, USA

An exceptionally powerful storm struck southwestern Washington in December 2007 causing large debris flows in two adjacent streams. The two affected streams had been studied prior to the storm, providing a rare opportunity to examine ecosystem recovery. We monitored the streams and their riparian zones for six years after the disturbances to determine whether recovery rates of biota, physical habitat, and water temperature differed, and if so, what factors affected resilience. Along both streams, the debris flows removed wide swaths of soil, rock, and coniferous riparian forests, widening the active channel and increasing solar exposure and summer water temperatures. Initially depauperate of vegetation, after four years red alder trees dominated the riparian plant communities. The warmer water, greater solar radiation, and unstable substrates likely contributed to variable benthic insect and tailed frog tadpole densities over time, although benthic insect communities became more similar after three years. The debris flows also decreased channel slopes and removed channel step barriers such that cutthroat trout were able to rapidly occupy habitats far upstream, but sculpins were slower to recolonize and both fish species exhibited some differences in recovery between the two streams. Crayfish were severely impacted by the debris flows; this may be due to attributes of their life history and the timing of the flows. Overall, we found that recolonizing aquatic species exhibited varying levels of resilience and recovery after the disturbances being related to the influence of physical habitat conditions, species dispersal ability, and the presence of nearby source populations.
Diurnal Primates: Estimates and Conservation Issues

Data were collected for a period of 38 weeks (9.5 months) covering both rainy and dry seasons to identify diurnal primate species, document group compositions, and to estimate both encounter rates δ and densities \(\overline{\varpi }\) at Malebo region. Three species were observed in six groups: De Brazza’s monkey, Mona monkey, and red tail monkey along a 10 km long trail. The mean relative abundance for all three species δ = 0.6 groups/km ± 0.2 (SD). The mean group sizes for red tail monkeys \(\overline{X} = 7.3\) individuals/group ± 0.12 (SE), larger than any of the three systematically monitored in the region and De Brazza’s monkey, with \(\overline{X} = 2.5\) individuals/group ± 0.23 (SE) had the smallest group size. The most encountered species was Mona monkey (sighting probability µ = 0.82 sightings/visit). The overall mean density \(\overline{\varpi } = 0.28\) individuals km−2, within the range = [0.13–0.38] individuals km−2. The red tail monkey was the most abundant (\(\overline{\varpi } = 0.38\) individuals km−2) followed by Mona monkey (\(\overline{\varpi } = 0.32\) individuals km−2) and De Brazza’s monkey (\(\overline{\varpi } = 0.25\) individuals km−2). Comparisons with other areas in Tropical Africa indicated that group sizes, relative abundance, and densities in this region were lower. Despite the potential of other ecological processes (e.g. differences in habitat types, food availability, etc.) in the region to deplete primate populations, bushmeat trade was arguably the main reason for lower primate abundance in this region. Immediate conservation actions were called upon to help conserve some of the most important forest galleries from hunting to preserve the primate populations.
Providing second-opinion interpretations of pediatric imaging: embracing the call for value-added medicine

The value of obtaining second-opinion interpretations by specialty radiologists has been established. In pediatric radiology, this has primarily been explored in general terms, comparing tertiary pediatric radiologists' interpretations to referral reads. In adults, second reads by subspecialty radiologists have been shown to yield changes in patient management, including in neuroradiology, musculoskeletal radiology and oncological radiology. Here, we examine second-opinion reads by pediatric radiologists by reviewing the pediatric and adult subspecialty literature. We also present our experience in providing subspecialty outside reads, summarizing lessons learned in implementing a system for outside interpretations into a pediatric radiology practice.
Epidemiologic distinctions between base of tongue and tonsil oropharyngeal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive tonsil and base of tongue (BOT) cancers have been considered together. However, important differences may exist. METHODS Demographic and tumor characteristics, and survival, were compared by oropharyngeal cancer subsite from 2004 to 2016 in the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Trends in tonsillectomy from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 were examined. RESULTS HPV-positive BOT (N = 13 081) were older than HPV-positive tonsil patients (N = 16 874; mean 61.5 vs. 58.4 years, p < 0.001), and individuals 70+ years were significantly more likely to have BOT tumors compared with individuals <50 (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 2.9, 95% confidence interval = 2.6-3.2). BOT patients were also more likely to be white, male, and have advanced tumor classification. Among 7418 NHANES participants, tonsillectomy was associated with older age and white race. CONCLUSIONS There are epidemiologic and tumor-related differences among HPV-positive tonsil and BOT carcinomas. Demographic differences may be attributable to tonsillectomy trends.
The association of parity and breastfeeding with anti-Müllerian hormone levels at two time points

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between parity and breastfeeding and anti-Mullerian hormone levels (AMH) and change in AMH levels over time. Furthermore, we examined whether AMH levels mediate the relation of parity and breastfeeding with age at menopause. Study design Observational, prospective cohort study. Main outcome measures AMH levels were assessed in a subset of premenopausal participants in the Nurses’ Health Study II, including 1619 women who provided a blood sample in 1996-1999 and an additional 800 women who provided a second premenopausal sample in 2010-2012. Results In multivariable linear regression models adjusted for parity, body mass index, smoking, and other factors, mean log AMH levels in 1996-1999 were 39% higher in women reporting ≥25 months of total breastfeeding vs. Conclusions Our results suggest that breastfeeding is associated with higher AMH levels and later onset of menopause, and support the hypothesis that observed relations of parity with AMH levels and menopause timing may be largely attributable to breastfeeding.
Data-Driven and SE-assisted AI Model Signal-Awareness Enhancement and Introspection

AI modeling for source code understanding tasks has been making significant progress, and is being adopted in production development pipelines. However, reliability concerns, especially whether the models are actually learning task-related aspects of source code, are being raised. While recent model-probing approaches have observed a lack of signal awareness in many AI-for-code models, i.e. models not capturing task-relevant signals, they do not offer solutions to rectify this problem. In this paper, we explore data-driven approaches to enhance models' signal-awareness: 1) we combine the SE concept of code complexity with the AI technique of curriculum learning; 2) we incorporate SE assistance into AI models by customizing Delta Debugging to generate simplified signal-preserving programs, augmenting them to the training dataset. With our techniques, we achieve up to 4.8x improvement in model signal awareness. Using the notion of code complexity, we further present a novel model learning introspection approach from the perspective of the dataset.
Hepatitis C virus infection in a sexually active inner city population. The potential for heterosexual transmission

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors in an inner city sexually active heterosexual population participating in a prospective study for the evaluation of heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) were examined. Individuals with prior history of injection drug use or receipt of blood products were excluded from the study. Of 571 participants, 25 (4.4%) were seropositive for HCV, 39 (7%) for HIV, and 125 (22%) for hepatitis B virus (HBV). Multivariate analysis revealed that those with more than ten heterosexual partners in the past 5 years (OR=3.7; 95% CI=1.3, 10.2; P=0.01), engaging in sexual practices more than once per week (OR=3.3; 95% CI=1.1, 10.1; P=0.04), with antibody to hepatitis B core (HBc) antigen (OR=2.9; 95% CI=1.1, 7.4; P=0.03), and antibody to HIV-1 (OR=5.8; 95% CI=1.9; 17.6; P=0.002) were independently associated with HCV infection. These findings suggest that heterosexual transmission of HCV may occur in an inner city sexually active heterosexual population.
An Experimental Study of the Flow Field About Swept and Delta Wings with Sharp Leading Edges

A series of experiments was performed to define the flow field on the upper surface of high aspect ratio swept wings and narrow delta wings at high angles of attack. I t was found that near the root section of either type of wing the flow is conical. The edge of the vortex sheet which originates at the leading edge is a straight line whose position relative to the leading edge depends only on incidence. On swept wings, the vortex edge turns downstream as soon as the vortex sheet covers the front half of the wing chord, and the flow under the vortex sheet outboard of that turning point is uniform and parallel to the> leading edge of the wing. On narrow delta wings, the conical symmetry persists almost to the trailing edge.
Ion scattering spectroscopy intensities for supported nanoparticles: The hemispherical cap model

Abstract Nanoparticles of one element or compound dispersed across the surface of another substance form the basis for many materials of great technological importance, like catalysts, fuel cells, sensors and biomaterials. Nanoparticles also often grow during thin film deposition. The size and number density of such nanoparticles are important, often estimated with electron or scanning tunneling microscopies. However, these are slow and often unavailable with sufficient resolution for particles near 1 nm. Because the probe depth of low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS) with He + and Ne + is so shallow (less than one atom), it provides quantitative information on the fraction of the surface that is covered by such nanoparticles. Combined with the total amount per unit area, this fraction provides the average particle thickness. When the ions are incident or detected at some angle away from the surface normal, macroscopic screening effects cause interpretation of LEIS signals in terms of area fraction covered to be complicated. In this paper, we report a geometric analysis of particles with the shape of hemispherical caps so that LEIS signals obtained in any measurement geometry can also be used to quantitatively determine the area fraction, average particle thickness and diameter, or number density of particles.
The summer disease. An integrative model of the seasonality aspects of childhood lead poisoning.

Abstract Crises of childhood lead poisoning reach a peak each summer among industrial societies in the mid-latitudes of the world. Sources of environmental lead intoxication include household dust and paint, soil around houses, gutter dirt, lead in canned foods, and lead in the air. Lead concentrations are geographically concentrated in older residential areas and along traffic arteries. At the macrolevel, they generally correspond with the nexus of industrial conurbations. Weather factors may seasonally influence aerosol lead levels, but the paramount seasonal influence in human lead poisoning is solar radiation. This affects the mobilization of the body burden of lead, often precipitating a child into a summer crisis of lead-induced encephalopathy. An integrative model of seasonality factors is presented; different risk groups, notably black children, are recognized; and, importantly, implications for public health planning are emphasized.
Electronic Structure and Crystalline Coherence in Fe/Si Multilayers

Soft x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to examine the electronic structure of deeply buried silicide thin films that arise in Fe/Si multilayers. These systems exhibit antiferromagnetic (AF) coupling of the Fe layers, despite their lack of a noble metal spacer layer found in most GMR materials. Also, the degree of coupling is very dependent on preparation conditions, especially spacer layer thickness and growth temperature. The valence band spectra are quite different for films with different spacerlayer thickness yet are very similar for films grown at different growth temperatures. The latter result is surprising since AF coupling is strongly dependent on growth temperature. Combining near-edge x-ray absorption with the fluorescence data demonstrates that the local bonding structure in the silicide spacer layer in epitaxial films which exhibit AF coupling are metallic. These results indicate the equal roles of crystalline coherence and electronic structure in determining the magnetic properties of these systems.