cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Traffic Offloading from Licensed Band to Unlicensed Band

Due to the limited amount of licensed spectrum and increasing wireless data transmission requirements, the service offloading from licensed spectrum to unlicensed spectrum significantly improves the Quality of Service (QoS) of mobile users. Nevertheless, in the scenarios of multiple operators and multiple user equipments (UEs), considering the various requirements and locations of UEs, how to manage the spectrum allocation of licensed and unlicensed spectrum remains challenging. In this chapter, considering the distributive behaviors of all operators and UEs, a multi-operator multi-UE Stackelberg game is implemented to analyze the interaction between multiple operators and their subscribing UEs. In this game, to avoid intolerable interference to the Wi-Fi Access Point (WAP), each operator sets an interference penalty price for each UE that causes interference to the WAP, and the UEs can choose their sub-bands and determine the optimal transmit power in the chosen sub-bands of the unlicensed spectrum. Accordingly, the operators can predict the possible actions of UEs, and hence set the optimal prices to maximize its revenue. Furthermore, we consider two possible scenarios for the interaction of operators in the unlicensed spectrum. In the first scenario, referred to as the non-cooperative scenario, the operators cannot coordinate with each other in the unlicensed spectrum. A sub-gradient approach is applied for each operator to decide its best-response action based on the possible behaviors of others. In the second scenario, referred to as the cooperative scenario, all operators can coordinate with each other to serve UEs and control the UEs’ interference in the unlicensed spectrum. Simulation results have been presented to verify the performance improvement that can be achieved by our proposed schemes.
Consequences and Predictors of Sexting Among Selected Southern Undergraduates

ABSTRACTObjectives: The aims of this study were to assess sexting behaviors and consequences among selected Southern undergraduate students and to determine predictors of current sexting behavior. Methods: Data from 469 surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Spearman's Rho correlations, and regression analysis. Results: Most sexters perceived their overall sexting experience as positive. Although negative consequences were experienced considerably less frequently, these consequences were profoundly harmful. Positively perceived overall sexting experience and total number of sexual partners were predictors of current sexting status. Complementing the uses and gratifications theory, perceived overall positive sexting experiences reinforce sexting by fulfilling gratifications.
Explicating Semantic Relations in Non-Monotonic Theories to Facilitate Validation Analysis.

The inherent vagueness and ambiguity of non-monotonic reasoning makes it impossible to formulate detailed specifications to validate KBS performance by using traditional test-case-based approach. In this paper, we present a practical validation technique for non-monotonic KBSs, which utilizes automatically generated test cases instead. We show how such test cases and other useful validation knowledge can be acquired from operational theories, which are functionally equivalent to the original non-monotonic theory, and how this validation knowledge can be used by domain experts to evaluate the validity of the knowledge model.
BAHASA ARAB SEBAGAI KEKHASAN PESANTREN DAN TANTANGANNYA DALAM SITUASI GLOBAL

This article discussed Arabic as pesantren feature and its challenges in global situation. Pesantren and Arabic are inseparable. Arabic was taught in any pesantren , at least in grammatical aspects and passive Arabic development, this can be seen in which learning kitab kuning that used Arabic is necessity. In order to get the purpose, Arabic grammatical learning is also become a part of developed curriculum structure. Thus, in the context of globalization, the study of kitab kuning and Arabic script is essential for someone’s existence, and competitive in this increasingly globalized era. In addition, the study of science in global era requires language mastery especially Arabic. So the position of pesantren in that context becomes a very strategic place to develop Arabic in order to face up the challenges in global situation. Key words: Pesantren , Arabic, Global Situation
Variance prior specification for a basket trial design using Bayesian hierarchical modeling

Background:In the era of targeted therapies, clinical trials in oncology are rapidly evolving, wherein patients from multiple diseases are now enrolled and treated according to their genomic mutati...
Ecophysiological responses in mesic versus xeric hardwood species to an early-season drought in central Pennsylvania

Field and laboratory studies were used to evaluate net photosynthesis and plant and tissue water relations in saplings of co-occurring xeric (Quercus prinus and Q. ilicifolia) versus mesic (Q. rubra and Castanea dentata) hardwood species during a droughty summer. Mean daily net photosynthesis, leaf conductance, leaf water potential, and water use efficiency were reduced in all four species during the peak drought period. Throughout the study, net photosynthesis and leaf conductance were on average high in Q. ilicifolia and Q. prinus, intermediate in Q. rubra, and low in C. dentata. (...)
Summation Theorems for Basic Hypergeometric Series of Schur Function Argument

In this paper we prove a Ramanujan 1 ψ 1 summation theorem for a Laurent series extension of I.G. Macdonald’s (Schur function) multiple basic hypergeometric series of matrix argument. This result contains as special, limiting cases our Schur function extension of the q-binomial theorem and the Jacobi triple product identity. Just as in the classical case, we write our new q-binomial theorem and 1 ψ 1 summation as elegant special cases of K. Kadell’s and R. Askey’s q-analogs of Selberg’s multiple beta-integral. We also apply our q-binomial theorem and K. Kadell’s Schur function q-analog of Selberg’s beta-integral to derive a Heine transformation and q-Gauss summation theorem for Schur functions.
Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Ovary

Abstract We describe a case of ovarian adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the left ovary in a 23-year-old woman. The tumor had the typical cribriform pattern of ACC, lacked any component of surface epithelial carcinoma, and showed myoepithelial differentiation. The features of salivary gland–type tumor seen in this case are unusual and different from those of so-called ACC-like carcinomas of the ovary, which only resemble the salivary gland tumor histologically.
Beyond Potential Dominated Inflation

A year and a half ago we4 proposed a solution to the horizon and monopole problems that differed from many models of inflation in that it does not involve potential domination. Instead, we proposed that a cosmology with a dynamical Planck mass might resolve these problems.
A Multi-stage Approach to Arabic Document Analysis

We approach the analysis of electronic documents as a multi-stage process, which we implement via a multi-filter document processing framework that provides (a) flexibility for research prototyping, (b) efficiency for development, and (c) reliability for deployment. In the context of this framework, we present our multi-stage solutions to multi-engine Arabic OCR (MEMOE) and Arabic handwriting recognition (AHWR). We also describe our adaptive pre-OCR document image cleanup system called ImageRefiner. Experimental results are reported for all mentioned systems.
Effects of Temperature on Muscular Function and Locomotory Performance in Teleost Fish

All modes of animal locomotion are variations on a theme in which the organism converts chemical potential energy into the kinetic energy of a moving body. The range of permissible variations on this theme is limited by physical constraints of the medium in which locomotion occurs and shaped by locomotory demands of a particular life history.
Immunosuppressive Effects of Benzidine in BCF Mice

Benzidine (4, 4′-diaminobiphenyl) is an acknowledged carcinogen, employed industrially in the synthesis of dyes as well as analytic reagents in various laboratory tests (rev. by Haley, 1975). Benzidine exposure is associated with urinary bladder tumors in humans and with hepatomas, mammary tumors, and, to a lesser extent lymphomas in rodents (IARC, 1982a, b; Baker, 1953; Grieswold, et al,., 1968). Numerous studies have suggested that the immune response can modulate the growth of antigenic tumors (rev. by Stutman, 1975). Thus, it follows that an increased incidence or progression of neoplastic disease may occur by chemical carcinogens that are also immunosuppressive. In this respect, a strikingly high percentage of carcinogens are also immunosuppressive in experimental studies including diethylstilbestrol, certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyclophosphamide, benzene, nitrosamines, and phenytoin (rev. by Dean, et al., 1982). Furthermore, studies in laboratory animals have demonstrated an enhanced incidence of tumors induced by UV, methylcholanthrene or benzo(a)pyrene in mice treated with immunosuppressive agents (e.g. Kalland and Forsberg, 1981; Stjensward, 1966; Outzen, 1980). Of particular relevance to the present studies is a recent report which indicated a direct relationship between immunosuppression and neoplasia in workers engaged in the manufacture of benzidine (Gorodilova and Mandrik 1978).
Application of the 2015 proposed NIOSH vapor containment performance protocol for closed system transfer devices used during pharmacy compounding and administration of hazardous drugs.

PurposeThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) released a proposed protocol in 2015 to evaluate the vapor containment abilities of closed system transfer device technologies in order to provide meaningful comparisons between products. This study assessed the vapor containment ability of closed system transfer devices when following the methodology as outlined by the 2015 NIOSH proposed protocol.MethodsThis study evaluated six closed system transfer device brands following the draft NIOSH vapor containment protocol. The testing evaluated each closed system transfer device brand during both compounding (Task 1) and administration (Task 2). Five pre-specified steps for each task were repeated for a total of four manipulations per device. The Thermo Scientific™ MIRAN SapphIRe XL Infrared Analyzer was used to detect isopropyl alcohol vapor levels after each step.ResultsFor Task 1, two closed system transfer device products (PhaSeal™ and Equashield®) adequately contained the isopropyl ...
The Effect of Maternal Obesity on Placental Cell-Free DNA Release in a Mouse Model.

Background:The fetal fraction of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in maternal plasma is decreased in obese women. The underlying mechanism is not well understood. The amount of cfDNA released from the placent...
Nursing student-faculty writing partnerships at the baccalaureate level: Research brief.

BACKGROUND Preparing baccalaureate nursing students to become good writers is a faculty imperative. The literature is replete with examples of curricular models in nursing meant to introduce and develop student writing. Few coauthorship opportunities seem to be available for the undergraduate nursing student. METHOD Study subjects who participated in a successful student-faculty published article were asked quantitative and qualitative questions about how the project impacted them professionally and/or personally. Follow-up interviews were conducted with four study participants. RESULTS Students reported that the experience positively affected them on both a professional and personal level. Four themes were identified in the responses: wanting to do more, working together, and having something. CONCLUSION Results of this study indicate that student-faculty writing partnerships are beneficial for students at the baccalaureate level.
Editing the Sickle Cell Disease Mutation in Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Comparison of Endonucleases and Homologous Donor Templates

Site-specific correction of a point mutation causing a monogenic disease in autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) can be used as a treatment of inherited disorders of the blood cells. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an ideal model to investigate the potential use of gene editing to transvert a single point mutation at the β-globin locus (HBB). We compared the activity of zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and CRISPR/Cas9 for editing, and homologous donor templates delivered as single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs), adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6), integrase-deficient lentiviral vectors (IDLVs), and adenovirus 5/35 serotype (Ad5/35) to transvert the base pair responsible for SCD in HBB in primary human CD34+ HSPCs. We found that the ZFNs and Cas9 directed similar frequencies of nuclease activity. In vitro, AAV6 led to the highest frequencies of homology-directed repair (HDR), but levels of base pair transversions were significantly reduced when analyzing cells in vivo in immunodeficient mouse xenografts, with similar frequencies achieved with either AAV6 or ssODNs. AAV6 also caused significant impairment of colony-forming progenitors and human cell engraftment. Gene correction in engrafting hematopoietic stem cells may be limited by the capacity of the cells to mediate HDR, suggesting additional manipulations may be needed for high-efficiency gene correction in HSPCs.
Upon Entering College

First-generation and rural college students are considered by many retention theorists and practitioners to be an at-risk population. This study examined the details of the first semester in postsecondary education from the perspective of a group of students who met the demographic criteria of being first-generation to go to college, from rural geographical areas, and from agricultural backgrounds. It focused on the first semester experience, during its occurrence, and how six students of this specific population viewed that phenomenon. A secondary objective was to determine if the understandings that issued from the research could form a foundation from which first semester retention strategies for this particular population could be configured.
A Split Bloom Filter for Better Performance

Bloom filters (BF) are widely used in (wireless) network security protocols, searchable encryptions, and many other places. For performance and implementation issues, these applications prefer to u...
Examining Configural, Metric, and Scalar Invariance of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale in Native American and Non-Hispanic White Adults in the Oklahoma Study of Native American Pain Risk (OK-SNAP)

Introduction Native Americans (NAs) have a higher prevalence of chronic pain than other US racial/ethnic groups, but the mechanisms contributing to this pain disparity are under-researched. Pain catastrophizing is one of the most important psychosocial predictors of negative pain outcomes, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) has been established as a reliable and valid measure of the pain catastrophizing construct. However, before the PCS can be used to study pain risk in NAs, it is prudent to first determine whether the established 3-factor structure of the PCS also holds true for NAs. Methods The current study examined the measurement (configural, metric, and scalar) invariance of the PCS in a healthy, pain-free sample of 138 NA and 144 non-Hispanic white (NHW) participants. Results Results suggest that the previously established 3-factor solution fits for both groups (configural invariance) and that the factor loadings were equivalent across groups (metric invariance). Scalar invariance was also established, except for 1 minor scalar difference in a single threshold for item 3 (suggesting NHWs were more likely to respond with a 4 on that item than NAs). Discussion Results provide additional evidence for the psychometric properties of the PCS and suggest it can be used to study pain catastrophizing in healthy, pain-free NA samples.
Mimesis and Weapons Control

This chapter investigates the problem of mimesis and rights in weapons control. In an effort to keep pursuing the dynamic of differences and dynamic of denial in practices of arms control and disarmament, it is helpful to not get stymied by stalemate discourses on nuclear apartheid. Mimetic empowerment for assertion of rights both sovereign and humanitarian transforms discourses on weapons control from the stagnant portrayal of victimization at the hands of the aggressor. A study of these practices of mimesis provides insight into the everyday maneuvering within the field of arms control between the developed and developing countries with regard to export control regimes. This mimetic maneuvering is powerful in transforming representations of national scientists into rogue scientists. Mimetic maneuvering encourages practices of hedging and has the potential of remapping our understanding of nuclear proliferation. The diabolical speed of engineering mimetic maneuvers and the strident assertion of rights and exceptionalism generate concerns about the possibility of dismantling the constitutional nuclear order.
Creation and Validation of German Oral Reading Fluency Passages With Immersion Language Learners

This brief report summarizes the development and psychometric properties of German reading fluency passages as compared to English reading fluency passages for immersion language learners. Results ...
Tauopathy-associated tau modifications selectively impact neurodegeneration and mitophagy in a novel C. elegans single-copy transgenic model

A defining pathological hallmark of the progressive neurodegenerative disorder Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the accumulation of misfolded tau with abnormal post-translational modifications (PTMs). These include phosphorylation at Threonine 231 (T231) and acetylation at Lysine 274 (K274) and at Lysine 281 (K281). Although tau is recognized to play a central role in pathogenesis of AD, the precise mechanisms by which these abnormal PTMs contribute to the neural toxicity of tau is unclear. Human 0N4R tau (wild type) was expressed in touch receptor neurons of the genetic model organism C. elegans through single-copy gene insertion. Defined mutations were then introduced into the single-copy tau transgene through CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. These mutations included T231E, to mimic phosphorylation of a commonly observed pathological epitope, and K274/281Q, to mimic disease-associated lysine acetylation – collectively referred as “PTM-mimetics” – as well as a T231A phosphoablation mutant. Stereotypical touch response assays were used to assess behavioral defects in the transgenic strains as a function of age. Genetically-encoded fluorescent biosensors were expressed in touch neurons and used to measure neuronal morphology, mitochondrial morphology, mitophagy, and macro autophagy. Unlike existing tau overexpression models, C. elegans single-copy expression of tau did not elicit overt pathological phenotypes at baseline. However, strains expressing disease associated PTM-mimetics (T231E and K274/281Q) exhibited reduced touch sensation and neuronal morphological abnormalities that increased with age. In addition, the PTM-mimetic mutants lacked the ability to engage neuronal mitophagy in response to mitochondrial stress. Limiting the expression of tau results in a genetic model where modifications that mimic pathologic tauopathy-associated PTMs contribute to cryptic, stress-inducible phenotypes that evolve with age. These findings and their relationship to mitochondrial stress provides a new perspective into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying AD.
331 Trends and outcomes in patients with malignant skin cancers during the COVID pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare organizations to reduce the provision of non-emergent services leading to delays in diagnoses and treatment There is scant literature regarding the impact of COVID in malignant skin cancer (MSC) patients A retrospective analysis was done from Apr-July 2020 using TriNetX, a national federated database of 63 million records The incidence of new MSC-related codes was estimated during the pandemic period and compared to a corresponding pre-pandemic period Medical encounter visits utilized by MSC patients during the pandemic was also recorded 30-day COVID complications were compared among COVID patients with and without history of confirmed MSC 1:1 propensity score matching for comorbidities and demographics was performed to estimate adjusted risk ratios with 95% CI Kaplan Meir’s (KM) analysis was done to calculate survival probability in 30 days among the matched cohorts The incidence of malignant melanoma, malignant nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), and overall MSC dropped by 40%(p=0 001), 48%(p<0 001), and 53%(p=0 001) respectively when compared to a similar pre-pandemic period Skin cancer screenings dropped by 37%(p=0 04) Telehealth services utilized by MSC patients increased from 100 encounters total in 2018 to 23279 encounters from Jan-July 2020 After matching, COVID-19 patients with a history of MSC had a significantly lower risk of hospitalization (RR [95%CI])=(0 8[0 71-0 90]) and severe outcomes=(0 8[0 64-0 98]) compared to COVID-19 patients without history of MSC Matched KM analysis revealed MSC-COVID patients had a statistically significant lower cumulative probability of getting severe COVID compared to Non-MSC COVID patients (p=0 004) MSC related codes have decreased whereas telehealth visit has increased COVID- 19 patients with a history of MSC demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of 30-day COVID complications compared to COVID-19 patients without MSC
Soft EHL Simulations of Lubricant Film Thickness in Textured Hard-on-Soft Bearings Considering Different Cavitation Models, in the Context of Prosthetic Hip Implants

We use soft elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication simulations to calculate the lubricant film thickness in textured hard-on-soft parallel slider bearings and compare a mass-conserving cavitation model based on the Elrod implementation of the Jakobsson, Floberg, and Olsson (JFO) theory to simplified Reynolds and half-Sommerfeld cavitation models. We determine the optimum texture design parameters that maximize the lubricant film thickness for a range of bearing operating conditions and compare the results obtained with the different cavitation models. We determine that the JFO cavitation model predicts smaller optimum texture aspect ratios than the Reynolds cavitation model, and that the difference between the lubricant film thickness calculated with the different cavitation models increases with increasing texture aspect ratio and decreasing flow factor. These results are useful to determine when the mass-conserving JFO cavitation model or the simplified Reynolds cavitation model should be employed. Furthermore, the results are relevant to designing textured hard-on-soft bearings with application in, e.g., prosthetic hip implants.
Molecular Orbital Calculations on DNA Base Pairs

INDO calculations have been performed on entire G:C and A:T base pairs. For the G:C pair the calculations identify cytosine as the site of reduction and guanine as the site of oxidation. For the A:T pair one finds that thymine is the site of reduction while adenine is the site of oxidation. Calculations have also been performed on all protonated anions and deprotonated cations for both base pairs.
Regularity of Center Manifolds via the Graph Transform

The purpose of this paper is to give a short self-contained proof of the center-manifold theorem for maps and vector fields in finite-dimensional spaces using the graph transform. In particular, regularity of the center manifold is established using a direct argument that is based on the closedness of sets of differentiable functions whose highest derivatives are Lipschitz continuous in the space of continuous functions; this argument avoids the fiber contraction theorem that is commonly used in this context.
Multi-sensor based collision avoidance algorithm for mobile robot

Collision Avoidance (CA) systems have been used in wide range of different robotics areas and had extraordinary success in minimizing the risk of collisions. It is a critical requirement in building mobile robot systems where they all featured some kind of obstacle detection techniques in order to avoid two or more objects from colliding. The purpose of this paper is to present an algorithm for performing collision avoidance in mobile robot that is relying on the use of low-cost ultrasonic with infrared sensors, and involving some other modules, so that it can be easily used in real-time robotic applications. The proposed algorithm is implemented in multiple scenarios with several obstacles placed in different locations around the robot. Our experimental run shows that the robot has been successfully detecting obstacles and avoiding collisions along its path.
Benzyl Isopropenyl Ether

[32783-20-3] C10H12O (MW 148.20) InChI = 1S/C10H12O/c1-9(2)11-8-10-6-4-3-5-7-10/h3-7H,1,8H2,2H3 InChIKey = ZIFHFFOAEFKJJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N (protecting group for compounds with multiple hydroxy groups;1 acetone enolate equivalent2) Physical Data: bp 191–192 °C.3 Solubility: sol acetone, benzene. Preparative Methods: the first reported synthesis of the reagent was accomplished by the pyrolytic decarboxylation of β-benzyloxycrotonic acid.3 An alternate method for the preparation proceeds via dehydrohalogenation of 2-benzyloxy-1-chloropropane with potassium t-butoxide in DMSO (82% yield).1
Decreasing radiation therapy utilization in adult patients with glioblastoma multiforme: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess what factors influence radiation therapy (RT) utilization in patients with glioblastoma and to ascertain how patterns of care have changed over time. METHODS: A total of 9103 patients with supratentorial glioblastoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1973 to 2006 were analyzed. Demographic information was obtained, including age, sex, race, year of diagnosis, and marital status. Treatment characteristics included receipt of RT and surgical resection. RESULTS: In total, 76.8% of patients received RT, whereas 78% received resection. Patients of male sex, who were currently married, who were <65 years old, and who underwent resection were more likely to receive RT. The average annual percentage change in RT utilization in the years 1990-2006 was −0.41% (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.23 to −0.58), whereas for resection it was 0.26% (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.50). This equates to a 6.5% decrease in RT utilization and a 4.2% increase in resection during this time period. Patients treated with RT had a 2-year overall survival of 11.4%, compared with 5.2% in those not treated with RT (P < .00001). Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (continuous; odds ratio [OR], 0.97; P < .0001), marital status (OR, 1.62; P < .0001), surgical resection (OR, 1.72; P < .0001), and year of diagnosis 1998-2006 compared with 1990-1997 (OR, 0.82; P < .0001) were associated with RT utilization, whereas sex, lesion size, and race were not. CONCLUSIONS: SEER data show a decreasing utilization of RT in patients with glioblastoma from 1990 to 2006. Patients who were older, who were unmarried, and who underwent biopsy only were less likely to receive RT. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Spline-based Rayleigh-Ritz methods for the approximation of the natural modes of vibration for flexible beams with tip bodies

Rayleigh-Ritz methods for the approximation of the natural modes for a class of vibration problems involving flexible beams with tip bodies using subspaces of piecewise polynomial spline functions are developed. An abstract operator theoretic formulation of the eigenvalue problem is derived and spectral properties investigated. The existing theory for spline-based Rayleigh-Ritz methods applied to elliptic differential operators and the approximation properties of interpolatory splines are useed to argue convergence and establish rates of convergence. An example and numerical results are discussed.
Juvenile pemphigus vulgaris: Report of a case

Although pemphigus vulgaris rarely occurs in childhood, we herewith report the history of a 19-year-old patient with an apparent 4-year course of pemphigus. In this patient, as in every previously reported case of childhood pemphigus, oral lesions preceded the appearance of skin manifestations. The importance of early biopsy and adequate treatment with adrenocorticosteroids is emphasized.
Serious untoward reactions to therapy with cortisone and adrenocorticotropin in pediatric practice. II.

The problem confronting the pediatrician who considers the use of ACTH and cortisone in treatment of a patient is considered. Serious untoward side reactions observed in the treatment of 340 children with ACTH and adrenocortical hormones are documented. Potential hazards of treatment with ACTH and adrenocortical hormones, not yet expressed clinically, are indicated. The implications of these observations in the use of ACTH and steroid hormones in clinical pediatrics are considered.
Annualised risk analysis approach to recommend appropriate level of flood control: Application to Swannanoa river watershed

This study presents an analysis approach using an existing Monte Carlo (MC) flood risk framework to compare annualised risk reductions from flood control alternatives targeting various recurrence interval events. The annualised risk approach is demonstrated by analysing the relative flood risk mitigation benefits of flood proofing in Swannanoa watershed, North Carolina. Using the MC framework, 54 design flows are sampled from the flow distribution and used to drive a graphics card based two-dimensional flood model. The computed flood depths are used to create flood damage frequency and annualised risk curves. It was hypothesised that flood proofing for a higher probability event would result in a greater relative level of damage reduction for lower cost compared with the traditional use of a 1% annual exceedance flood event. The MC framework was used to test the hypothesis by producing a distribution of annualised risk over various return periods. Confirming the hypothesis, the 12% flood event was found to have the highest annualised risk for the case study in this paper. Simulations were executed to determine the relative costs and benefits of the 12% flood proofing (alternate case) and 1% flood proofing (base case) alternatives. The results showed that the base case reduced the expected annual damage (EAD) by 98.9% compared with the status quo. The alternate case reduced the EAD by 80.4% compared with the status quo. Comparing estimated annual implementation cost with flood damage reductions, annually, for every dollar spent on flood proofing, the 12% design resulted in twice the reduction in flood damages compared with the 1% design. This preliminary study thus confirms the potential of an alternative analysis approach that may be applied for identifying desired flood control level based on flood risk mitigation potential.
Near-surface soil moisture assimilation for quantifying effective soil hydraulic properties using genetic algorithms: 2. Using airborne remote sensing during SGP97 and SMEX02.

[1] Pixel-based effective soil hydraulic parameters are crucial inputs for large-scale hydroclimatic modeling. In this paper, we extend/apply a genetic algorithm (GA) approach for estimating these parameters at the scale of an airborne remote sensing (RS) footprint. To estimate these parameters, we used a time series of near-surface RS soil moisture data to invert a physically based soil-water-atmosphere-plant (SWAP) model with a (multipopulated) modified-microGA. Uncertainties in the solutions were examined in two ways: (1) by solving the inverse problem under various combinations of modeling conditions in a respective way; and (2) the same as the first method but the inverse solutions were determined in a collective way aimed at finding the robust solutions for all the modeling conditions (ensembles). A cross validation of the derived soil hydraulic parameters was done to check their effectiveness for all the modeling conditions used. For our case studies, we considered three electronically scanned thinned array radiometer (ESTAR) footprints in Oklahoma and four polarimetric scanning radiometer (PSR) footprints in Iowa during the Southern Great Plains 1997 (SGP97) Hydrology Experiment and Soil Moisture Experiment 2002 (SMEX02) campaigns, respectively. The results clearly showed the promising potentials of near-surface RS soil moisture data combined with inverse modeling for determining average soil hydrologic properties at the footprint scale. Our cross validation showed that parameters derived by method 1 under water table (bottom boundary) conditions are applicable also for free-draining conditions. However, parameters derived under free-draining conditions generally produced too wet near-surface soil moisture when applied under water table conditions. Method 2, on the other hand, produced robust parameter sets applicable for all modeling conditions used. These results were validated using distributed in situ soil moisture and soil hydraulic properties measurements, and texture-based data from the UNSODA database. In this study, we conclude that inverse modeling of RS soil moisture data is a promising approach for parameter estimation at large measurement support scale. Nevertheless, the derived effective soil hydraulic parameters are subject to the uncertainties of remotely sensed soil moisture data and from the assumptions used in the soil-water-atmosphere-plant modeling. Method 2 provides a flexible framework for accounting these sources of uncertainties in the inverse estimation of large-scale soil hydraulic properties. We have illustrated this flexibility by combining multiple data sources and various modeling conditions in our large-scale inverse modeling.
Estradiol phase shifts circannual body mass rhythms of male ground squirrels

Gonadectomized male golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) were implanted with estradiol benzoate (EB)-filled or empty capsules. Body mass was monitored before, during, and for at least 1 yr after hormone treatment. EB treatment during the mass-gain phase of the annual cycle significantly decelerated increases in body mass; the period of the circannual rhythm (CAR) of body mass was 54 days longer in EB- than blank-treated squirrels. Hormone treatment during the mass-loss phase accelerated mass loss; although this effect only approached statistical significance, some phase markers of the CAR were significantly advanced in subsequent cycles. We conclude that, as in females, estradiol affects the waveform of the CAR of males differently at different phases of the circannual cycle. Sexual differentiation does not eliminate responsiveness of CARs of squirrels to estradiol; sex differences, if any, are subtle rather than absolute and, in this respect, differ from circadian rhythms.
Equatorial Planetary Waves and Their Signature in Atmospheric Variability

AbstractEquatorial planetary waves are a fundamental component of the tropical climate system. Previous studies have examined their structure in the climatological-mean circulation, their role in the climatological-mean momentum balance of the tropics, and their contribution to the climatological-mean upwelling across the tropical tropopause. In this study, the authors focus on the contribution of the equatorial planetary waves to variability in the tropical circulation about its climatological-mean state.The equatorial planetary waves that dominate the climatological mean exhibit considerable variability on intraseasonal and interannual time scales. Variability in the amplitude of the equatorial planetary waves is associated with a distinct pattern of equatorially symmetric climate variability that also emerges from empirical orthogonal function analysis of various tropical dynamical fields. Variability in the equatorial planetary waves is characterized by variations in 1) convection in the deep tropics,...
Maternal life history--versus gestation-focused assessment of prenatal exposure to substances of abuse.

Abstract Purpose : Substance use by pregnant women is socially stigmatized and may be legally punishable. This societal condemnation raises concerns about underascertainment of prenatal substance exposure of offspring if mothers are asked specifically about their behavior during gestation, versus their life histories without reference to gestational dates. This study assessed agreement between life history-focused and pregnancy-focused assessments of prenatal exposure, and percentages of offspring classified as exposed to a range of substances by each measure, in a sample of school-aged children of methadone-maintained, opioid-dependent parents. Methods : Prenatal exposure was assessed in 172 offspring of 109 mothers by: (a) questionnaires administered to mothers about substance use during pregnancy; and (b) best-estimate (BE) diagnoses of substance use disorders in mothers overlapping with pregnancy dates. BE diagnoses were based on interviews with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version, conducted by trained mental health professionals with mothers about their life histories of psychiatric and substance use disorders, as well as mothers' medical records. Chance-corrected agreement between the measures was examined using κ statistics. Percentages of offspring classified as exposed by each method were compared using McNemar χ 2 tests. Results : Except for cigarettes, agreement between the measures was poor. Except for alcohol, diagnosed episodes of substance use disorders in mothers with dates overlapping pregnancy classified more offspring as exposed than mothers' responses to the questionnaire focusing on behavior while pregnant, though the differences in proportions identified as exposed were not always large or statistically significant. Implications : When retrospective ascertainment of prenatal exposure is necessary, asking mothers for their own life histories, without reference to pregnancy dates, may be the preferred approach.
Comparative studies of the preference for free vs response-produced reinforcers

Neither domesticated hooded rats nor wild black rats responded appreciably for water on a CRF schedule when free water was available. However, four out of five crows showed substantial responding for food in the presence of identical free food. Previous reports also indicate that type of reinforcer and species are variables which significantly influence this phenomenon. Nevertheless, the overall findings seem to be amenable to an explanation based upon incentive-motivation theory.
Hypertension in Minority Populations: New Guidelines and Emerging Concepts

Persistent disparities in hypertension, CKD, and associated cardiovascular disease have been noted in the United States among racial/ethnic minority groups. Overall, these disparities are largely mediated by social determinants of health. Yet, emerging data suggest additional biologic factors in racial/ethnic disparities in hypertension prevalence, complications, particularly CKD, and responses to treatment. Nevertheless, race is a social construct and not a physiologic concept, and ethnicity, federally defined as the binary "Hispanic/Latino" or "not Hispanic/Latino," is also imprecise. However, race/ethnicity categories may help interpret health-related data, including surveillance and research, and are important in ensuring that clinical trials remain generalizable to diverse populations. There is significant heterogeneity among prespecified groups and, perhaps, greater genetic differences within than between certain racial/ethnic groups. This review will explore hypertension epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management among the diverse and growing US minority groups, specifically African Americans and Hispanics because much less data are available across the wide spectrum of diverse populations. We will highlight the intersection of hypertension and increasingly prevalent CKD, particularly in African Americans. Finally, we propose multidimensional treatment approaches to hypertension among diverse populations, encompassing population, community, health system, and individual-based approaches.
Feedback format : Does it influence manager's reactions to feedback?

This study investigated the influence of feedback format (text versus numeric/normative) on leaders' reactions to 360 degree feedback received from bosses, direct reports, and peers. Leaders who received numeric/normative feedback reacted more favourably than those who received text feedback regardless of the source. The reactions recipients experienced following feedback were relevant to changes in their number of development needs compared pre- and post feedback. Those who reacted negatively had a larger number of development needs reported post feedback while those who had positive reactions showed fewer development needs post feedback. These findings suggest that, contrary to predictions of feedback intervention theory (FIT), feedback that provided scores and comparative information was reacted to more positively than text feedback that provided only self-relevant data. In addition, negative reactions to feedback were detrimental to future changes.
Microsatellites and intragenic polymorphisms of transforming growth factor β and platelet-derived growth factor and their receptor genes in native Americans with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): A preliminary analysis showing no genetic association

OBJECTIVE Abnormalities of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) alpha and beta and/or their receptors have been demonstrated in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study aimed to determine whether genetic polymorphisms in or near the TGFbeta and PDGF gene families were associated with susceptibility to SSc in a Native American population with a high disease prevalence. METHODS Genotyping of 5 intragenic polymorphisms within the TGFbeta1 gene and mapping of 35 microsatellites near the genes for TGFbeta1, latent TGFbeta1 binding protein (LTBP1), TGFbeta receptors I and II, PDGFalpha, PDGFbeta, PDGF receptor alpha, and PDGF receptor beta was performed in 19 SSc patients, 76 controls, and 42 family members. Allele distributions and frequencies were examined between SSc patients and controls, and marker haplotypes were examined in families when allele frequencies appeared to be different between patients and controls. RESULTS Although 1 polymorphism within the TGFbeta1 gene (TGFbeta1) was modestly increased in the SSc patients, this did not maintain statistical significance after correction. Similarly, 1 microsatellite (D9S120) near the TGFbeta receptor I gene (TGFBR1) showed a significant disturbance of allele frequencies between patients and controls; however, it did not form a disease-associated haplotype with other nearby markers. Weak disturbances of markers near PDGFalpha (PDGFA) and PDGFbeta, (PDGFB) also failed to maintain significance after correction. Both PDGF receptor genes (PDGFRA and PDGFRB) also showed no disease associations. CONCLUSION The results of these preliminary analyses suggest that genetic anomalies of the TGFbeta1 and PDGF gene families are not likely to explain the dysregulation seen in SSc or to account for the susceptibility to SSc in this population.
Evaluating homogeneity of LL601 rice in commercial lots using quantitative real-time PCR.

Homogeneity analysis was performed on four distinctive commercial lots, derived from the 2006 rice harvest in the United States. Lots that had previously been tested and suspected to have some level of LL601 were selected to determine lot homogeneity. LL601 infiltration in the lots was low and estimated to contain <0.01% (U ) 0.026), 0.014% (U ) 0.020), 0.054% (U ) 0.043), and 0.074% (U ) 0.031) LL601. Lots were analyzed statistically as a one-way classification, or one-factor experiment, to assess the presence of strata within the lot. A p value of 0.05 or lower is needed to declare statistical significance and would suggest significant differences among the samples. The data revealed p values ranging between 0.105 and 0.607. The calculated p values for all lots were greater than the critical value of 0.05. Samples taken from different locations throughout these four commercial lots did not show statistically significant stratifications within the lot.
Analysis of the hemagglutinin and general protein element of the hemolymph of the West Indian leaf cockroach, Blaberus craniifer

Abstract Only one protein component of Blaberus craniifer hemolymph migrates toward the anode in an electrophoretic field, within a p H range of 6.5 to 9.0. This sample was separated out of the whole hemolymph using ethanol fractionation, gel filtration, and ultracentrifugation. Results indicate it to be a glycoprotein with a maximum Svedberg value of 5S. This protein, Group I, is not involved in the naturally occuring hemagglutination reaction of the hemolymph. All other hemolymph proteins, including any with agglutinating activity, exceed a molecular size of 21.4S.
Static lung compliance during the development of the bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana

The static compliance of excised lungs was measured during the metamorphic development of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana. Absolute static compliance of excised lungs increased with developmental stage from 0.02(+/- 0.01 SD) ml/cm H2O at Taylor-Kollros (TK) stage III to 34.67(+/- 15.00 SD) ml/cm H2O for adults. When static lung compliance was standardized by dividing by the lung volume at 4 cm H2O transmural pressure (approximately maximal capacity), lung compliance was relatively constant during early development and increased at the onset of metamorphic climax (TK stage XX). Although the absolute lung compliances of developing tadpoles are small, the volume-specific compliances are three to four times greater than those of some mammals. The compliance-independent index of hysteresis also increased during development from 0.0008(+/- 0.0006 SD) cm at TK stage V to 1.36(+/- 1.21 SD) cm for adults suggesting increases in pulmonary structural complexity and/or an increase in the production and secretion of a pulmonary surfactant-like substance. These developmental changes in pulmonary compliance and hysteresis mirror the increasing utility of the lung for gas exchange during the metamorphosis of the bullfrog.
A Theoretical Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness of Pulmonary Artery Catheters in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Surgery

HE INTRODUCTION OF the flow-guided pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) by Swan and Ganz’ in 1970 and its subsequent development have allowed clinicians to measure many variables relating to cardiac and hemodynamic function such as cardiac output, mixed venous oxygen saturation, right ventricular ejection fraction, and pulmonary and systemicvascular resistance. In the intervening 20 years, much has been learned about measurement techniques and complications, but the question of which patients, if any, benefit from use of a PAC has not been resolved satisfactorily. In the management of patients having coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery, the PAC has not been shown to provide significant increased patient benefit compared to use of a central venous pressure (CVP) catheter, possibly because previous studies have not had adequate sample size to assess differences in outcome between the two strategies. The increasing costs of medical care have brought closer scrutiny of many aspects of monitoring, but cost-effectiveness of the PAC has yet to be demonstrated. The resulting controversy about the indications for use of the PAC still exists. An attempt to resolve the question of cost-effectiveness of the PAC is important not only because of the volume of CABG surgery and widespread use of the catheter, but also because of the technologic changes that are occurring in this aspect of monitoring. Recently, different adaptations of the PAC have been studied or released for use, including some that measure continuous cardiac output. Soon to be released is a catheter that will incorporate continuous cardiac output with continuous mixed venous oxygen saturation. These new advances will permit continuous on-line evaluation of vascular resistance, cardiac index, oxygen delivery and uptake, and other calculated variables. The