cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonperturbative expansion method for a quantum system coupled to a harmonic-oscillator bath.

A method to determine the resolvent of a quantum system coupled to a harmonic-oscillator bath is derived by extending the continued-fraction theory of a Gaussian-Markovian bath that has been presented by Tanimura and Kubo [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 58, 101 (1989)]. The results are expressed in terms of continued fractions and apply to an oscillator bath with a general spectral density, corresponding to colored noise, at various temperatures. Exact values of the resolvent can be calculated for arbitrary strength of the system-bath interaction by making use of the convergence properties of the continued fractions. For the weak-interaction case these results agree with the quantum master equation. The physical meaning of the results is also discussed by a diagrammatic method. As an application, the result of the Gaussian-Markovian system is extended to the case of the low-temperature bath. Correlated (unfactorized) initial conditions are also discussed.
cAMP/CREB-mediated Transcriptional Regulation of Ectonucleoside Triphosphate Diphosphohydrolase 1 (CD39) Expression

CD39 is a transmembrane enzyme that inhibits platelet reactivity and inflammation by phosphohydrolyzing ATP and ADP to AMP. Cyclic AMP (cAMP), an essential second messenger, is particularly important in regulating genes controlling vascular homeostasis. These experiments test the hypothesis that cAMP might positively regulate the expression of CD39 and thereby modulate important vascular homeostatic properties. Cd39 mRNA was induced by 13.8- fold in RAW cells treated with a membrane-permeant cAMP analogue (8-bromo-cyclic AMP; 8-Br-cAMP), stimulation of adenylate cyclase, or prostanoids known to drive cAMP response. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting, immunofluorescence, and TLC assays demonstrated that both CD39 protein expression and enzymatic activity were increased in cells treated with 8-Br-cAMP but not in cells transfected with short hairpin RNA against CD39. This analogue drove a significant increase in transcriptional activity at the Cd39 promoter although not when the promoter's cAMP-response element sites were mutated. Pretreatment with cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), or ERK inhibitors nearly obliterated the cAMP-driven increase in Cd39 mRNA, protein expression, and promoter activity. 8-Br-cAMP greatly increased the phosphorylation of CREB1 (Ser133) and ATF2 (Thr71) in a PKA-, PI3K-, and ERK-dependent fashion. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that binding of phosphorylated CREB1 and ATF2 to cAMP-response element-like sites was significantly increased with 8-Br-cAMP treatment and that binding was reduced with PKA, PI3K, and ERK inhibition, whereas transfection of Creb1 and Atf2 overexpression constructs enhanced cAMP-driven Cd39 mRNA expression. Transfection of RAW cells with mutated Creb1 (S133A) reduced cAMP-driven Cd39 mRNA expression. Furthermore, the cAMP-mediated induction of Cd39 mRNA, protein, and phosphohydrolytic activity was replicated in primary peritoneal macrophages. These data identify cAMP as a crucial regulator of macrophage CD39 expression and demonstrate that cAMP acts through the PKA/CREB, PKA/PI3K/ATF2, and PKA/ERK/ATF2 pathways to control a key vascular homeostatic mediator.
Substrate supply, fine roots, and temperature control proteolytic enzyme activity in temperate forest soils.

Temperature and substrate availability constrain the activity of the extracellular enzymes that decompose and release nutrients from soil organic matter (SOM). Proteolytic enzymes are the primary class of enzymes involved in the depolymerization of nitrogen (N) from proteinaceous components of SOM, and their activity affects the rate of N cycling in forest soils. The objectives of this study were to determine whether and how temperature and substrate availability affect the activity of proteolytic enzymes in temperate forest soils, and whether the activity of proteolytic enzymes and other enzymes involved in the acquisition of N (i.e., chitinolytic and ligninolytic enzymes) differs between trees species that form associations with either ectomycorrhizal or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Temperature limitation of proteolytic enzyme activity was observed only early in the growing season when soil temperatures in the field were near 4°C. Substrate limitation to proteolytic activity persisted well into the growing season. Ligninolytic enzyme activity was higher in soils dominated by ectomycorrhizal associated tree species. In contrast, the activity of proteolytic and chitinolytic enzymes did not differ, but there were differences between mycorrhizal association in the control of roots on enzyme activity. Roots of ectomycorrhizal species but not those of arbuscular mycorrhizal species exerted significant control over proteolytic, chitinolytic, and ligninolytic enzyme activity; the absence of ectomycorrhizal fine roots reduced the activity of all three enzymes. These results suggest that climate warming in the absence of increases in substrate availability may have a modest effect on soil-N cycling, and that global changes that alter belowground carbon allocation by trees are likely to have a larger effect on nitrogen cycling in stands dominated by ectomycorrhizal fungi.
Chronic exposure to a low dose of ingested petroleum disrupts corticosterone receptor signalling in a tissue-specific manner in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Stress-induced concentrations of glucocorticoid hormones (including corticosterone, CORT) can be suppressed by chronic exposure to a low dose of ingested petroleum. However, endocrine-disrupting chemicals could interfere with CORT signalling beyond the disruption of hormone titres, including effects on receptors in different target tissues. In this study, we examined the effects of 6 weeks of exposure to a petroleum-laced diet (1% oil weight:food weight) on tissue mass and intracellular CORT receptors in liver, fat, muscle and kidney (metabolic tissues), spleen (an immune tissue) and testes (a reproductive tissue). In the laboratory, male house sparrows were fed either a 1% weathered crude oil (n = 12) or a control diet (n = 12); glucocorticoid receptors and mineralocorticoid receptors were quantified using radioligand binding assays. In oil-exposed birds, glucocorti coid receptors were lower in one metabolic tissue (liver), higher in another metabolic tissue (fat) and unchanged in four other tissues (kidney, muscle, spleen and testes) compared with control birds. We saw no differences in mineralocorticoid receptors between groups. We also saw a trend towards reduced mass of the testes in oil-exposed birds compared with controls, but no differences in fat, kidney, liver, muscle or spleen mass between the two groups. This is the first study to examine the effects of petroleum on CORT receptor density in more than one or two target tissues. Given that a chronic low dose of ingested petroleum can affect stress-induced CORT titres as well as receptor density, this demonstrates that oil can act at multiple levels to disrupt an animal’s response to environmental stressors. This also highlights the potential usefulness of the stress response as a bioindicator of chronic crude oil exposure.
Thyrotropin receptor-DNA vaccination of transgenic mice expressing HLA-DR3 or HLA-DQ6b.

Graves' disease in Caucasians is associated with the major histocompatibility (MHC) antigen HLA-DR3. One approach to studying the role of susceptibility genes involves the use of mice that lack mur...
Simplicity Without Elegance: Features of Sentences in L1 and L2 Academic Texts

A quantitative analysis of 1,083 L1 and L2 academic texts establishes that advanced nonnative-English-speaking students in U.S. universities employ excessively simple syntactic and lexical constructions, such as be-copula as the main verb; predicative adjectives; vague nouns; and public, private, and expecting/tentative verbs, at median frequency rates significantly higher than those found in basic texts by native English speakers. An examination of substantial corpus analyses carried out in the past two decades indicates that these constructions are prevalent in conversational and informal discourse rather than written academic texts. Reasons for the prevalence of simple syntactic and lexical features of text in L2 academic essays are considered. In addition, instructional techniques are proposed to deal with shortfalls in naturalistic and communicative L2 learning and instructional methods for academically bound L2 students.
Adaptive feedforward/feedback architectures for multiuser detection in high data rate wireless CDMA networks

We consider the design and performance of nonlinear minimum mean-square-error multiuser detectors for direct sequence code-division multiple-access (CDMA) networks. With multiple users transmitting asynchronously at high data rates over multipath fading channels, the detectors contend with both multiple-access interference (MAI) and intersymbol interference (ISI). The cyclostationarity of the MAI and ISI is exploited through a feedforward filter (FFF), which processes samples at the output of parallel chip-matched filters, and a feedback filter (FBF), which processes detected symbols. By altering the connectivity of the FFF and FBF, we define four architectures based on fully connected (FC) and nonconnected (NC) filters. Increased connectivity of the FFF gives each user access to more samples of the received signal, while increased connectivity of the FBF provides each user access to previous decisions of other users. We consider three methods for specifying the FFF sampling and propose a nonuniform FFF sampling scheme based on multipath ray tracking that can offer improved performance relative to uniform FFF sampling. For the FC architecture, we capitalize on the sharing of filter contents among users by deriving a multiuser recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm and direct matrix inversion approach, which determine the coefficients more efficiently than single-user algorithms. We estimate the uncoded bit-error rate (BER) of the feedforward/feedback detectors for CDMA systems with varying levels of power control and timing control for multipath channels with quasi-static Rayleigh fading. Simulations of packet-based QPSK transmission validate the theoretical BER analysis and demonstrate that the multiuser RLS adapted detectors train in several hundred symbols and avoid severe error propagation during data transmission mode.
TAPHONOMIC BIAS ON DRILL-HOLE PREDATION INTENSITIES AND PALEOECOLOGY OF PLIOCENE MOLLUSKS FROM LANGENBOOM (MILL), THE NETHERLANDS

Marine Pliocene mollusks are abundant in sand deposits at Langenboom, the Netherlands. Three samples, totaling nearly 15,000 mollusks, were identified and assessed for drill-hole predation marks. An approach commonly used by researchers was performed to calculate a drill-hole predation intensity based on bivalves with complete margins only. This method, however, introduced a significant taphonomic bias: an assemblage of bivalve drill-hole predation intensity of ∼30% was found for complete valves only, compared to an assemblage of bivalve drill-hole predation intensity of ∼20% based on complete and fragmented valves with more than 50% of the hinge preserved. This bias was caused by a significant change in the faunal composition when fragmented valves, primarily broken by compaction, were taken into account. For assemblages with many broken valves, this bias should be estimated to be comparable to drill-hole predation intensities based on pristine collections. This bias becomes especially important in studies on evolutionary escalation through time. Naticids appeared to be the predominant drill-hole-producing predator (only one definite drill hole was found) based on drill-hole morphology and the gastropod composition. Muricid predators were absent, probably because most bivalve prey is infaunal.
Stromal Cell–Derived Factor-1/CXCL12 Stimulates Chemorepulsion of NOD/LtJ T-Cell Adhesion to Islet Microvascular Endothelium

OBJECTIVE— Diabetogenic T-cell recruitment into pancreatic islets faciltates β-cell destruction during autoimmune diabetes, yet specific mechanisms governing this process are poorly understood. The chemokine stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF-1) controls T-cell recruitment, and genetic polymorphisms of SDF-1 are associated with early development of type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— Here, we examined the role of SDF-1 regulation of diabetogenic T-cell adhesion to islet microvascular endothelium. Islet microvascular endothelial cell monolayers were activated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), subsequently coated with varying concentrations of SDF-1 (1–100 ng/ml), and assayed for T-cell/endothelial cell interactions under physiological flow conditions. RESULTS— TNF-α significantly increased NOD/LtJ T-cell adhesion, which was completely blocked by SDF-1 in a dose-dependent manner, revealing a novel chemorepulsive effect. Conversely, SDF-1 enhanced C57BL/6J T-cell adhesion to TNF-α–activated islet endothelium, demonstrating that SDF-1 augments normal T-cell adhesion. SDF-1 chemorepulsion of NOD/LtJ T-cell adhesion was completely reversed by blocking G i α-protein–coupled receptor activity with pertussis toxin. CXCR4 protein expression was significantly decreased in NOD/LtJ T-cells, and inhibition of CXCR4 activity significantly reversed SDF-1 chemorepulsive effects. Interestingly, SDF-1 treatment significantly abolished T-cell resistance to shear-mediated detachment without altering adhesion molecule expression, thus demonstrating decreased integrin affinity and avidity. CONCLUSIONS— In this study, we have identified a previously unknown novel function of SDF-1 in negatively regulating NOD/LtJ diabetogenic T-cell adhesion, which may be important in regulating diabetogenic T-cell recruitment into islets.
Confronting a Neglected Epidemic: Tobacco Cessation for Persons with Mental Illnesses and Substance Abuse Problems

Tobacco use exerts a huge toll on persons with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders, accounting for 200,000 of the annual 443,000 annual tobacco-related deaths in the United States. Persons with chronic mental illness die 25 years earlier than the general population does, and smoking is the major contributor to that premature mortality. This population consumes 44% of all cigarettes, reflecting very high prevalence rates plus heavy smoking by users. The pattern reflects a combination of biological, psychosocial, cultural, and tobacco industry–related factors. Although provider and patient perspectives are changing, smoking has been a historically accepted part of behavioral health settings. Additional harm results from the economic burden imposed by purchasing cigarettes and enduring the stigma attached to smoking. Tailored treatment for this population involves standard cessation treatments including counseling, medications, and telephone quitlines. Further progress depends on clinician and pat...
Conditional Probability and Independence

Both conditional probability and independence are fundamental concepts for probabilists and statisticians alike. Conditional probabilities correspond to updating one’s beliefs when new information becomes available, a natural human instinct. Independence corresponds to irrelevance of a piece of new information, even when it is made available. Additionally, the assumption of independence can and does significantly simplify development, mathematical analysis, and justification of tools and procedures. Indeed, nearly every key result in probability and statistics was first derived under suitable independence assumptions and then extended to selected cases where independence may be lacking. These two topics together also provide the reader with a supply of fascinating problems and often very pretty solutions.
Preliminary results from a phase II study of infusional 5-FU, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

3579 Background: Irinotecan (I) plus bolus 5-FU (F) and leucovorin (L) comprise the IFL regimen, a very active treatment in mCRC when combined with bevacizumab (B). The response rate (RR) for IFL-B...
A Prospective Evaluation of the Impact of Initial Glasgow Coma Score on Prehospital Treatment and Transport of Seizure Patients

Hypothesis:The initial Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) obtained by prehospital personnel on seizure victims is associated with the likelihood of treatment and transport.Methods:Prehospital data were collected prospectively for all patients presenting with seizures to a mid-sized emergency medical services system during a five-month period. A total of 419 cases occurred (62.8% male, 37.2% female). Seizure frequency was highest in infants under the age of three years and in adults in their late 20s. A GCS was recorded in 378 cases (90.2%, study group). The GCS was >10 in 304 patients (80.4%) and ≤10 in 74 (19.6%). Patients with GCS≤10 were more likely to receive: oxygen (50.0% vs. 20.1%, p 10. However, the clinical indicators that were used to make the decision that it was “safe” not to transport nearly one-third of the patients are unclear. Essentially no data exist regarding the parameters impacting treatment and transport of seizure patients. Future investigations with outcome data, are needed to determine whether low risk criteria can be developed to identify those patients (if any) that do not require treatment or transport. A GCS may provide an objective, reproducible parameter upon which to begin formulating such criteria.
Making Technology Work: Nuclear Power and Its Fuel Cycle

No technological system more dramatically illustrates the central themes of this book – the complexity of real world applications of technology and the pitfalls of ignoring the social, political, and environmental dimensions of innovation – than nuclear power. Once widely seen as an energy source of almost unlimited potential, nuclear power is today expanding in just a handful of countries. In most countries with operating nuclear power stations there are no plans to build additional nuclear plants, and some countries have made formal decisions to phase out their existing reactors as quickly as possible. Despite its limited growth prospects, nuclear power is today playing an important role around the world with nearly 440 plants supplying 17% of the world's electricity. In some countries, the level of dependence is much higher. France derives 76% of its electricity from nuclear power, and other heavily nuclear-reliant countries include Belgium, Japan, and South Korea (see Table 7.1). The world's largest nuclear power program is in the United States, where more than 100 plants provide 20% of the nation's electricity. Keeping these plants operating safely, reliably, and economically is a vital task for private firms and governments around the world. But with few new nuclear plants being built, almost every energy forecast projects a gradual decline in the nuclear share of world electricity supplies.
Biomechanical Analysis of Brostrom Versus Brostrom-Gould Lateral Ankle Instability Repairs

Background:The traditional Brostrom repair and the modified Brostrom-Gould repair are 2 historically reliable procedures used to address lateral ankle instability. The purpose of this study was to ...
Mechanical support of the circulation followed by cardiac transplantation

Improvements in both mechanical circulatory support devices and immune therapy promise a wider use of sequential mechanical support as a bridge to orthotopic cardiac transplantation. The intra-aortic balloon pump, the left and right ventricular assist pumps, and the pneumatic artificial heart represent the range of devices capable of keeping a patient alive who is awaiting a donor organ. The major difficulty in using circulatory support devices is infection, which is caused by their required percutaneous tubes. We report here our experiences with mechanical circulatory support devices as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. In a series of 31 consecutive transplant procedures, six patients have required preoperative mechanical circulatory support The intra-aortic balloon pump was used in two patients for 2 and 14 days, respectively, before transplantation. Both patients are well 10 and 11 months after the transplant procedure. Two patients required the left ventricular assist device for 11 and 21 days and are alive 3 weeks and 8 months, respectively, after transplantation. One patient was supported by the pneumatic artificial heart for 10 days before a donor heart became available but died of septic shock 17 days after transplantation. A second patient received a pneumatic artificial heart 7 days after transplantation when the heart transplant failed. He has been in stable condition for 45 days but is recovering from renal failure. Our early experiences indicate that either partial or total mechanical support as a bridge to transplantation is successful if overwhelming sepsis or renal failure can be avoided.
Antibodies in multiple sclerosis oligoclonal bands target debris.

IgG oligoclonal bands (OCB) are detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of more than 90% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and are considered the immunological hallmark that supports MS diagnosis. OCB are not unique to MS but are also observed in chronic CNS infections, where they target their causative agents (1⇓–3). However, the target specificities of the IgG within OCB in MS have remained a mystery. Identification of those antigens recognized by OCB antibodies is thought to hold fundamental clues to the pathogenesis of MS. In a recent PNAS publication, Brandle et al. (4) provide evidence that OCB in MS target ubiquitous intracellular antigens released in cellular debris. In 1942, Kabat et al. (5) established the diagnostic value of quantitative determinations of CSF gamma globulins in clinical neurology, and particularly in MS. They observed that changes in CSF IgG were independent of those in serum, suggesting that this Ig production was compartmentalized to the CNS. Advances in CSF analytics and gel electrophoresis led to the identification of OCB in 1959 (6). CSF OCB in MS patients are persistent, which is thought to be a reflection of both ongoing CNS inflammation and immunologic memory. Understanding the specificity of OCB has since captivated the interest of clinical neurologists and scientists alike. It has been assumed that the OCB target antigens are relevant to MS pathogenesis. The most popular theory contends that IgG within OCB target myelin autoantigens and/or viruses that may elicit CNS damage directly or indirectly via molecular mimicry. Some earlier studies that evaluated whole CSF IgG from MS patients identified antibodies to several different viruses, such as measles, varicella zoster, human T-lymphocytic virus 1, and … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: zamvil{at}ucsf.neuroimmunol.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Ocean Wave Energy Conversion Concepts

The purpose of this chapter is to present the basic concepts of ocean wave energy conversion as an extension to the supporting subjects presented earlier in this handbook so that they can be useful to scientists, engineers and inventors. Although new research regarding all wave energy conversion aspects has been unveiling continuously over the past few decades and is expected to remain so in the foreseeable future, they are based on only a few fundamental wave energy conversion techniques. These methods are described and their uses and performance are illustrated. Finally, an account of several recent developments and advances in ocean wave energy research is presented as an appendix with an emphasis to commercialization of different technologies in conjunction with their financial viability, techno-economic, and environmental impact.
Exploring the Correlates of Perceived Job Dangerousness Among Correctional Staff at a Maximum Security Prison

In literature on correctional staff, one poorly understood antecedent of job stress and other negative outcomes is perceived danger from the job. Survey results from 272 staff at a state-run Midwes...
Decoupling of U-Statistics and U-Processes

U-statistics, first considered by Halmos (1946) in connection with unbiased statistics, and formally introduced by Hoeffding (1948), are defined as follows: Given an i.i.d. sequence of random variables {X i } i=1 ∞ with values in a measurable space (S,S), and a measurable function h : S m → ℝ, the U-statistics of order m and kernel h based on the sequence {X i}are $$ {{U}_{n}}\left( h \right)\frac{{\left( {n - m} \right)!}}{{n!}}\sum\limits_{{\left( {{{i}_{{l,...,}}}{{i}_{m}}} \right) \in I_{n}^{m}}} {h\left( {{{X}_{{i,....,}}}{{X}_{{{{i}_{m}}}}}} \right)} , n \geqslant m, $$ (3.0.1) where $$ I_n^m = \left\{ {(i_1 , \ldots ,i_m ):i_j \in \mathbb{N},1 \leqslant i_j \leqslant n,i_j \ne i_k if j \ne k} \right\}. $$ These objects appear often in statistics either as unbiased estimators of parameters of interest or, perhaps more often, as components of higher-order terms in expansions of smooth statistics (von Mises expansion, delta-method). Particularly in connection with von Mises expansions, it is sometimes convenient to also consider U-processes indexed by families 3E of kernels, that is, collections of U-statistics{Un(h): h ∈ H}.Decoupling inequalities have had a major role in recent advances on the asymptotic theory of U-statistics and U-processes. In this chapter we present the decoupling theory and Chapters 4 and 5 are devoted to its applications to limit theorems.
Sigmoid Volvulus Complicating Postpartum Period

Background. Sigmoid volvulus is a rare complication of pregnancy and the puerperium. Case. A 19-year-old patient, gravida 1 para 0 at 41 0/7 weeks of gestation, admitted for late-term induction of labor underwent an uncomplicated primary low transverse cesarean delivery for arrest of descent. Her postoperative period was complicated by sudden onset of abdominal pain and the ultimate diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus. Conclusion. Prompt surgical evaluation of an acute abdomen in the postpartum period is essential; delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to significant maternal morbidity and mortality.
Delinquency and Punishment: The Impact of State v. Williams on Juvenile Sex Offender Registration in Ohio

The juvenile justice system was founded upon the notion that children who commit acts that would be crimes if committed by adults are different than adults who engage in the same behaviors.(1) This distinction led to the establishment of a distinct court system for juveniles that focused on rehabilitating youth rather than punishing them, with an ultimate goal of guiding them "toward life as... responsible, law-abiding adult[s]."(2) However, recent federal and state laws that require youth who are adjudicated delinquent in juvenile courts to register as sex offenders are more punitive than rehabilitative, and actually can deter children who commit sex offenses from later becoming productive members of society.(3) In State v. Williams, the Supreme Court of Ohio recently held that these registration requirements were punitive,(4) and effectively admitted that Ohio's juvenile justice system has been punishing juvenile sex offenders instead of rehabilitating them. Language: en
Age-Appropriate Functions and Dysfunctions of the Neonatal Neutrophil

Neonatal and adult neutrophils are distinctly different from one another due to well-defined and documented deficiencies in neonatal cells, including impaired functions, reduced concentrations of microbicidal proteins and enzymes necessary for pathogen destruction, and variances in cell surface receptors. Neutrophil maturation is clearly demonstrated throughout pregnancy from the earliest hematopoietic precursors in the yolk sac to the well-developed myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow around the seventh month of gestation. Notable deficiencies of neonatal neutrophils are generally correlated with gestational age and clinical condition, so that the least functional neutrophils are found in the youngest, sickest neonates. Interruption of normal gestation secondary to preterm birth exposes these shortcomings and places the neonate at an exceptionally high rate of infection and sepsis-related mortality. Because the fetus develops in a sterile environment, neonatal adaptive immune responses are deficient from lack of antigen exposure in utero. Newborns must therefore rely on innate immunity to protect against early infection. Neutrophils are a vital component of innate immunity since they are the first cells to respond to and defend against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. However, notable phenotypic and functional disparities exist between neonatal and adult cells. Below is review of neutrophil ontogeny, as well as a discussion regarding known differences between preterm and term neonatal and adult neutrophils with respect to cell membrane receptors and functions. Our analysis will also explain how these variations decrease with postnatal age.
Collaboration for Innovation in the Brazilian Soybean Market

The establishment of strategic collaborative partnerships is of great value to innovate under uncertainty. The agricultural sector could not be different. Brazil has one of the most complete and complex agricultural research structures in the world and this article focus on the Brazilian soybean, considering its economical relevance. In this context, this article explains the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (hereinafter Embrapa) central role in articulating networks to develop soybean with efficiency gains and overcoming market uncertainties.
HIV/AIDS: The Last 30-Plus Years

The HIV/AIDS epidemic was first recognized in the United States in 1981. For the past 30 plus years, there have been a wide array of social, scientific, and political shifts in the understanding, prevention, and treatment of HIV. The HIV epidemic has historically focused on prevalence, prevention, and treatment in large metropolitan or urban areas of the United States. While urban areas saw the greatest increase in HIV cases from 1982 to 1984, the 25 counties with the greatest increase in HIV cases from 1988 to 1990 were consisted of rural areas. The rise of HIV in rural areas came with challenges, many of which persist today. This chapter discusses the historical background of the HIV epidemic, with special emphasis on prevention, treatment, and future directions to address HIV in rural communities of the United States.
„Kurs halten beim Driften“ – Komplexität als stark steigende Anforderung an Unternehmen und einige kulturelle Antworten darauf

Welche Rolle wird das Thema Komplexitat in der Zukunft fur Unternehmen spielen, und welche Auswirkung hat externe Komplexitat auf das Innenleben von Organisationen? Welche Fehler entstehen, wenn Fuhrungskrafte nicht klar zwischen kompliziert und komplex unterscheiden, und kann es so etwas wie „Komplexitatsmanagement“ uberhaupt geben? Warum Fuhrungskraften die Dichotomie zwischen Komplexitatsreduktion und Komplexitatserhohung als Steuerungsinstrument gelaufig sein sollte, und welche Rolle in diesem Zusammenhang Entscheidungen als notwendige „Trittsteine im Fluss des Unternehmensgeschehens“ spielen? Welchen Einfluss hat dabei unsere Abstammungsgeschichte, und was hat es in diesem Kontext mit dem Verhaltnis von Gefuhl und Verstand fur eine Bewandtnis? Konnte es in komplexen Situationen sinnvoll sein, eher uber Losungen zu reden, als Probleme zu analysieren, und warum hat eine Kultur des Vertrauens Einfluss auf die Selbstorganisationsfahigkeit und das Bewaltigen von Komplexitat in einem Unternehmen? Welche Rollen konnten dabei Intuition und Palaver auch im westlichen Kulturkreis spielen? Dieser Beitrag geht der Frage nach, warum die Kultur mehr und mehr zu einem Schlusselfaktor fur Organisationen wird, wenn in einer vernetzten, globalisierten Welt die Komplexitat rasant ansteigt. Es werden einige „weiche“ Losungsansatze zur Komplexitatsbewaltigung und ihre Wechselwirkung mit der Unternehmenskultur vorgestellt.
Convex Polyhedral Space-Fillers Based Connected k-Coverage in Three-Dimensional Wireless Sensor Networks

The problem of coverage in three-dimensional (3D) wireless sensor networks is challenging and hard. In this paper, we focus on the problem of k-coverage of a 3D field of interest (FoI), where every point is covered by at least k sensors. First, we propose three sensor placement strategies to guarantee k-coverage of a 3D FoI. Second, we compute the corresponding sensor density. Third, we investigate the ratio of the radius of the communication range of the sensors to the radius of their sensing range. Our study is based on polyhedral convex spacefillers. It shows that the great rhombicuboctahedron is the best 3D space-filler with respect to the coverage quality metric. We corroborate our analysis with various simulation results.
US Fertility Prevention as Poverty Prevention: An Empirical Question and Social Justice Issue

Purpose This paper examines the impact of the US welfare reform family-cap policy on the childbearing decisions of poor and low-income women by posing two complementary questions, both placed within a broader historical context. Specifically, it raises an empirical question pertaining to the family cap's effectiveness and a social justice question pertaining to the policy's ethical and legal justification in terms of human and reproductive rights. Methods To address the first question, a thorough review of past and current research pertaining to the family cap at both the state and national levels is provided. The second question is addressed with an overview of international human and reproductive rights documents of relevance to the family-cap policy, as well as an analysis of the covenants' numerous components with which the family cap is in conflict. Finally, this paper situates the family cap in its historical context by investigating previous governmental attempts to control and regulate the reproductive health and rights of poor women and women of color in the United States. Main Findings The majority of empirical analyses of the family cap have found that the policy has not had an impact on poor women's reproductive health behaviors. In addition, the exclusive application of this policy to poor women receiving cash assistance is demonstrated to be in violation of eight international human and reproductive rights documents, several of which the US is a signatory. Conclusion These two findings make a strong case that policy makers and social and health researchers alike critically reexamine whether a policy that has not achieved its ostensible goal and is applied in a disparate manner—primarily to poor women and families and women of color—should continue to be implemented by the states.
DEXTERITY OF MANIPULATOR ARMS AT AN OPERATING POINT

This paper presents a method for analyzing dexterity, hence functionality of robotic manipulators at an operating point. Dexterity of Manipulators comprising spherical wrists is studied. The goal is to provide the user with knowledge of orientability of the end-effector at a target. Wrist accessible output sets are determined analytically by first determining manipulator singularities, followed by back substituting the singularities into the constraint equations to parametrize surfaces. Since regions of a surface may exist inside the wrist accessible output set, and other regions on the boundary, surfaces are segmented into subsurfaces. The segmentation of surfaces is carried out using intersection methods to compute higher order singularities. To determine whether a subsurface is an internal or boundary one, each subsurface is studied for existence inside the wrist accessible output set by perturbing a point along its normal. Closed-form solutions of the boundary of the wrist accessible output set are obtained. A service sphere is located at an operating point in the accessible output set and the sphere is intersected with the boundary sub-surfaces. The intersection curves are computed and projected onto the space of a cylinder, then the cylinder is unrolled to depict a map. Dexterity charts are introduced as maps depicting orientability of the end-effector at a target. The problem of service region overlapping is solved by projecting the solutions onto dexterity charts and superimposing service regions.
Activation and Desensitization of Receptors for IgE on Tumor Basophils

The aggregation of receptors for IgE on the surface of mast cells and basophils leads to secretion of a variety of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity. Many of these mediators, including histamine and serotonin, are stored in granules within the cytoplasm, while others such as arachidonic acid and its metabolites (e. g., prostaglandins and leukotrienes) are newly formed when cells are stimulated to secrete. In common with other secretory systems, mast cell granule exocytosis is presumed to occur as a result of a rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ and is also dependent on a source of metabolic energy. The mechanism of IgE receptor activation and the events leading to exocytosis are beginning to be unraveled [1] and we now know a considerable amount about the molecular structure of the first component in the sequence, namely the receptor for IgE [2].
MOSIX: how Linux clusters solve real world problems

As the complexity of software increases, the size of the software tends to increase as well, which incurs longer compilation and build cycles. In this paper, the authors present one example of how clusters of Linux systems, using the MOSIX extensions for load monitoring and remote execution, were used to eliminate a performance bottleneck and to reduce the cost of building software. We present a discussion of our original software development cluster, an analysis of the performance issues in that cluster, and the development and modifications done to MOSIX and Linux in order to produce a solution to our problem. We finish by presenting future developments that will enhance our cluster.
Concussion Classification: Ongoing Controversy

The major objective of this chapter is to elaborate on the importance of comprehensive assessment and development of a robust grading system to identify concussion and to predict athletes at risk for brain re-injury due to premature return to sport participation. There is a growing body of knowledge accumulating in the literature and in clinical practice indicating the danger of long-term residual dysfunctions in athletes suffering from even single mild traumatic brain injury. It should be noted that several position statements elaborated by the mutual effort of numerous prominent leaders in this field have been recently proposed. These documents in general, and my contribution to this book, in specific, may assist team physicians, athletic trainers and coaches in providing optimal care for athletes who have sustained a concussion. So, possible long-terms abnormalities should not be overlooked while assessing brain injured athletes at the site of injury and monitoring these athletes during their course of recovery. Overall, to accomplish this goal, the medical professionals shouldhave knowledge of and be involved with epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation/and treatment, post game-day evaluation/and treatment, diagnostic imaging, management principles, return-to-play criteria, complications of concussion, and prevention. Most importantly, one must understand that an athlete, while still symptomatic at either rest or exertion should not be allowed to return to competition. No athlete who has experienced loss of consciousness or amnesia should be allowed to go back into the event that same day. The general tenor is “if in doubt, sit them out. Additional factor that need to be considered is the athlete’s total concussion history; including the number and the severity of those prior concussions. Moreover, the temporal proximity of concussions and the severity of the blow causing the concussion need to be assessed. Minor blows causing serious concussions should make a physician more hesitant to return an athlete to competition. The exact mechanisms of both short term_and long lasting abnormalities in the brain’s functional, behavioral, cognitive abilities and many other overseen abnormalities as a result of concussion in athletes still remains to be elucidated. This chapter is complementary to other chapters in this book to fully realize the ongoing controversies and problems with evaluation and treatment of sport-related traumatic brain injuries.
Kinetic Understanding of N2 Reduction versus H2 Evolution at the E4(4H) Janus State in the Three Nitrogenases

The enzyme nitrogenase catalyzes the reduction of N2 to ammonia but also that of protons to H2. These reactions compete at the mechanistically central ‘Janus’ intermediate, denoted E4(4H), which has accumulated 4e–/4H+ as two bridging Fe–H–Fe hydrides on the active-site cofactor. This state can lose e–/H+ by hydride protonolysis (HP) or become activated by reductive elimination (re) of the two hydrides and bind N2 with H2 loss, yielding an E4(2N2H) state that goes on to generate two NH3 molecules. Thus, E4(4H) represents the key branch point for these competing reactions. Here, we present a steady-state kinetic analysis that precisely describes this competition. The analysis demonstrates that steady-state, high-electron flux turnover overwhelmingly populates the E4 states at the expense of less reduced states, quenching HP at those states. The ratio of rate constants for E4(4H) hydride protonolysis (kHP) versus reductive elimination (kre) provides a sensitive measure of competition between these two proce...
Automatic Feedback Control for Graceful Degradation of Real-Time Services in the Face of an Attack

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks continue to pose a serious threat to various businesses and consumers. With the growth in the number of devices connected to the internet, these attacks continue to grow in number. Despite the availability of security tools, the attacks continue to happen and are causing various businesses to sweat. These tools may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to counter the attacks, which is unacceptable. In this paper, we put forth a novel feedback control mechanism to minimize the effect of volumetric attacks such as DDoS. During an attack, the feedback control model detects and reduces the impact of the attack by maintaining the service level agreements (SLA) of the network service. The controller makes intelligent decisions to ensure the quality of service (QoS) metrics are gracefully degraded by tuning the micro-firewall rules such as the committed information rate and burst size. A proportional Integral (PI) controller is used as a closed-loop feedback controller to maintain the stability of the network in spite of an attack. This proposed architecture is verified in a lab setup, and we observe that we are able to minimize the degradation of the real-time service so that the user's quality of experience (QoE) is preserved. We validate the proposed architecture with a model generated by using the system identification technique. Results from the setup show that the closed-loop feedback control model stabilizes the network in real-time.
Identifying High School Freshmen with Signs of Emotional or Academic Risk: Screening Methods Appropriate for Students in Accelerated Courses.

High school freshmen in accelerated courses have known risk and resiliency factors that should be considered within systematic efforts to monitor and promote student academic and emotional well-being. This study created and evaluated a multi-method approach to identify students in Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses with signs of risk mid-year in terms of stress, affective engagement, and academic performance. A total of 304 ninth grade students enrolled in AP/IB coursework and five AP/IB teachers at two public high schools in a southeastern state took part in the screening. Using the researcher-developed screening approach, a total of 117 students (38.5%) met criteria for risk in at least one academic or emotional area. These results were compared to those obtained using a teacher nomination form, which had been developed collaboratively by the teachers and researchers, that specified signs of emotional and academic risk. The teacher nomination procedure resulted in the identification of 39.3% of the at-risk student population (average sensitivity rate = 35.7% across teachers). Sensitivity of teacher nominations was higher when identifying academic risk (average = 59.9%) as compared to emotional risk (average = 27.9% and 39.6% of students with low school satisfaction and high stress, respectively). Findings support the collection of data from students (surveys of stress and school satisfaction) and school records (course grades) when identifying AP/IB students to consider for targeted services within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports.
How and Why Consumers View "Little Cigars" as Legally-Defined Cigarettes.

Objective To test if consumers perceive filtered "little cigars" as legally-defined cigarettes and identify features they associate with cigarettes but not little cigars and vice versa. Methods 1,030 adults (mean age 31.1 years, 34% male, 25% non-white) were randomized in a 2×2 between-subjects experiment to view images of filtered "little cigars" that varied by package labeling (cigars: yes/no) and the product displayed in front of the packaging (filtered "little cigar" or cigarette). Measures assessed participants' perceptions that the product shown can be used as a substitute for cigarettes and features perceived to be associated with cigarettes vs. little cigars. Results Participants perceived filtered "little cigars" as substitutes for cigarettes, perceived certain features to be more like little cigars (e.g., no filter/tip, wrapped in tobacco leaf) and others to be more like cigarettes (e.g., filtered, could be inhaled deeply). In analysis of covariance assessing experimental condition effects, participants viewing images of cigarettes had stronger perceptions that filtered "little cigars" could be used as cigarette substitutes and had cigarette characteristics, but the effect was small. Conclusions This study provides new evidence that filtered "little cigars" are perceived by consumers as cigarettes under current laws and identifies features distinguishing little cigars from cigarettes.
Two-Dimensional Coupling in Tuned Coherent Hexagonal Vertical Cavity Laser Arrays

A 6-element hexagonal vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser array is resonantly tuned to coherence. The far-field profile is narrowed in two-dimensions, with a Full Width at Half Maximum of 2° compared to a single-emitter with 10° FWHM. Multiple coherent outputs are possible dependent on the tuned bias condition, making this technology promising for two-dimensional mode engmeering. © 2019 The Author(s)
Spatial patterns of rainbow smelt energetic condition in Lakes Huron and Erie in 2017: Evidence for Lake Huron resource limitation

Abstract Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) is a key planktivore and prey fish in Lake Huron. Given the declining offshore productivity in the lake since the early 2000s, we described the energy content of rainbow smelt in 2017 across five different regions (North Channel, Georgian Bay, Saginaw Bay, northern main basin, southern main basin) where phytoplankton and zooplankton productivity likely varied. To increase contrast across the productivity gradient, rainbow smelt energy content was also estimated from western Lake Erie. Within the North Channel where large fish (≥90 mm, total length) were sampled most frequently, mean energy density (kJ/g wet weight) varied seasonally: 4.29 in April (month of spawning), 3.86 in June, 3.99 in July, and up to 4.35 in September. Energy density of rainbow smelt from higher productivity western Lake Erie was 37% (large fish ≥90 mm) to 60% higher (small fish