cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fantasy, farms, and freemium: what game data mining teaches us about retention, conversion, and virality (keynote abstract)

In December of 2010, the new game CityVille achieved 6 million daily active users in just 8 days. Clearly the success of CityVille owes something to the fun gameplay experience it provides. That said, it was far from the best game released in 2010. Why did it grow so fast? In this talk the key factors behind the dramatic success of social network games are explained. Social network games build word-of-mouth player acquisition directly into the gameplay experience via friend invitations and game mechanics that require contributions by friends to succeed. Software analytics (mined data about player sessions) yield detailed models of factors that affect player retention and engagement. Player engagement is directly related to conversion, shifting a free player into a paying player, the critical move in a freemium business model. Analytics also permit tracking of player virality, the degree to which one player invites other players into the game. Social network games offer multiple lessons for software engineers in general, and software mining researchers in particular. Since software is in competition for people's attention along with a wide range of other media and software, it is important to design software for high engagement and retention. Retention engineering requires constant attention to mined user experience data, and this data is easiest to acquire with web-based software. Building user acquisition directly into software provides powerful benefits, especially when it is integrated deeply into the experience delivered by the software. Since retention engineering and viral user acquisition are much easier with web-based software, the trend of software applications migrating to the web will accelerate.
Abnormal Characteristics in Young Offspring of Parents with Non-lnsulindependent Diabetes Mellitus The Bogalusa Heart Study

Non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes has a strong familial component. In 1989-1991, a community-based study of young Caucasian offspring (mean age, 15.3 years) of non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetics (n = 25) and nondiabetics (n = 27) representing 13 and 12 families, respectively, was conducted in Bogalusa, Louisiana, to determine whether metabolic abnormalities could be detected in early life. All offspring were given a 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test. The offspring of diabetics (versus nondiabetics) had significantly increased measures of body fatness ; blood pressure ; and fasting levels of glucose, insulin, glucagon, insulin-to C-peptide ratio, and triglycerides. The increases of systolic blood pressure, glucose, and glucagon remained significant after adjustment for differences in body mass index (BMI). After glucose challenge, only plasma glucose response was significantly higher in the offspring of diabetics, even after controlling for differences in BMI. None of the offspring of nondiabetics had 30-minute (peak) glucose levels above 161 mg/dl (8.9 mmol/liter), compared with 41% of the offspring from diabetics. High glucose response and BMI were independently associated with parental diabetes. These results indicate that it is possible to identify multiple abnormalities in some offspring of type II diabetics at an early age that may presage the onset of overt adult diabetes.
A step-by-step guide to non-linear regression analysis of experimental data using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet

The objective of this present study was to introduce a simple, easily understood method for carrying out non-linear regression analysis based on user input functions. While it is relatively straightforward to fit data with simple functions such as linear or logarithmic functions, fitting data with more complicated non-linear functions is more difficult. Commercial specialist programmes are available that will carry out this analysis, but these programmes are expensive and are not intuitive to learn. An alternative method described here is to use the SOLVER function of the ubiquitous spreadsheet programme Microsoft Excel, which employs an iterative least squares fitting routine to produce the optimal goodness of fit between data and function. The intent of this paper is to lead the reader through an easily understood step-by-step guide to implementing this method, which can be applied to any function in the form y=f(x), and is well suited to fast, reliable analysis of data in all fields of biology.
Barium at Geosecs III in the southwest Pacific

Abstract A detailed, highly precise barium profile has been measured at Geosecs III, off Tonga, in the southwest Pacific. There is a smooth increase from the surface values of 4.7 μg/kg to a deep maximum of 18.4 μg/kg at 2.974 km. Below this maximum there is an abrupt decrease to 14.3 μg/kg in the deep Western Boundary Current. Comparison with published data shows recent Pacific and Antarctic barium profiles to be consistent within 2%. Model calculations do not require any in situ injection of barium (or of silicate or alkalinity) in the water column; the form of the profile can be explained by vertical diffusion and advection between horizontally advecting water masses. From the θ- S curve it appears that a minor core of higher salinity water, possibly derived from Ross Sea bottom water, or the North Atlantic deep water core in the Circumpolar Current, is present immediately above the deep Boundary Current.
X-ray scattering studies of metal and semiconductor surfaces

Abstract X-ray scattering is increasingly being employed to study the evolution versus time of surface morphology and/or structure, either following a rapid change in temperature, so as to drive a surface phase transformation, or during growth or etching.
Evaluation and testing of a fracture critical bridge

Abstract The I-40 bridges over the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico were due to be razed in the fall of 1993 due to geometry and traffic safety considerations, thus providing a unique opportunity for testing them. These medium span steel bridges represent a common design in the US and are classified by AASHTO as non-redundant ‘fracture critical’ two girder steel bridges (fracture critical classification means that failure of a primary member would probably cause collapse of the bridge). The subject bridge, built in 1963, is a 1275 foot (600m) bridge, and consists of three medium span continuous units with spans of 131′-163'−131′ each. The bridge was field tested to determine the impact of a near full depth girder fracture on the redistribution of loads, the load capacity, and the potential for collapse. Four levels of damage were introduced in the middle span of the north plate girder by making various cuts in the web and the flange of the girder. The final cut resulted in a six foot deep crack in the 10ft deep girder, extending from the bottom flange to the floor beam to girder connection. Data was taken under dead load and under a static live load consisting of an 82 000 lb truck. The after fracture response and the load redistribution in the fractured bridge were evaluated. The contribution of the different members to the redundancy of the structure was assessed.
Pancreatic duct and microvascular permeability to macromolecules. The relation to acute pancreatitis.

Reber HA. Pancreatic duct and microvascular permeability to macromolecules. the relation to acute pancreatitis. Scand J Gastroenterol 1985, 20(suppl 112), 96–100.In a model of acute pancreatitis which requires that pancreatic enzymes leak from a permeable duct, we studied the role of intravenous enterokinase (195,000 daltons) in pancreatic enzyme activation. Anesthetized cats were given intravenous 16,16–dimethyl prostaglandin E2 to increase pancreatic blood flow and microvascular permeability. in some animals the permeability of the pancreatic duct was increased by perfusion of the duct with glycodeoxycholic acid (7.5 mM). Endogenous enzyme secretion was stimulated by IV CCK and secretin. Some cats also received enterokinase intravenously. Those animals that received PGE2, glycodeoxycholate, and enterokinase all developed pancreatitis. When any of these agents were not given the pancreases appeared normal. These findings were consistent with the hypothesis that intravenous enterokinase leaked from small ...
Manifest Reasons for Jogging and for Not Jogging

Reasons people give for why they do or do not jog should be taken seriously since these reasons can become discriminative for decisions about participating in regular exercise. 98 undergraduate student-volunteers were given two surveys of 13 items each in Likert format, statements about jogging and “not jogging.” Only 19 students completed the “reasons for jogging” form, while 79 students completed the “reasons for not jogging” form. High among reasons for jogging included health, psychological well-being, and the convenience and economy, and those for not jogging were preference for other exercise activities, boredom, discomfort, loneliness of jogging alone, and a past injury. The interaction between sex and ratings for “reasons for not jogging” was significant.
Pedicle Screw Fixation for Scheuermann’s Kyphosis

Scheuermann's kyphosis is an idiopathic condition of the spine, which usually presents in adolescents as hyperkyphosis of the thoracic spine. While brace therapy and observation play a role in Scheuermann's disease, frequently surgical treatment is necessary given the significant amount of deformity and back pain. In the past, surgical treatment has focused on the anterior and posterior arthrodesis with instrumentation in order to obtain correction and union. However, with the advent of thoracic pedicle screws, surgeons have recently begun to use posterior segmental instrumentation with posterior osteotomies in order to obtain acceptable correction rates. This article describes the technique of posterior instrumentation with thoracic pedicle screws for Scheuermann's kyphosis.
Balloon angioplasty of the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery for recurrent, symptomatic atherosclerotic disease.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease accounts for 5–10% of ischemic strokes in the US. Lesions located in the anterior cerebral artery territory are infrequently reported. Patients in whom medical therapy fails are at a high risk for recurrent ischemic events, in which case intracranial angioplasty or stenting may be a reasonable therapy. There is a paucity of literature describing angioplasty of fixed atherosclerotic lesions affecting the anterior cerebral artery territory, and especially the A2 segment. This case illustrates that this vessel segment may be treated with balloon angioplasty.
Interrater Agreement on a Socially Valid Measure of Students' Creativity:

The reliability and true variance of a socially valid measure of creativity was assessed by asking three judges to rate the creativity of 29 adolescents. Interitem reliability was .93; interrater reliability was .48; and true score variance, estimated from the interitem and interrater reliability coefficients, was .65.
Three new species of Elleanthus (Orchidaceae) from Central America

Elleanthus stolonifer andE. tillandsioides are new species in theE. poiformis complex of sectionChloidelyna.Elleanthus lentii is a new species in sectionStachydelyna. Elleanthus stolonifer is widespread in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama;E. tillandsioides is found only in the lowland forests of southeastern Costa Rica;E. lentii is limited to the Cordillera de Guanacaste of Costa Rica.
A behavior analysis approach to high-rate myoclonic seizures

Epilepsy represents a serious medical and social problem. In the majority of cases, seizures are successfully managed by a variety of anticonvulsant medications, even though these drugs may potentiate significant physical and developmental side effects. A small group of studies to date have offered evidence that behavioral procedures can successfully manage some seizure disorders and are particularly desirable treatment choices when seizure disorders are intractable to drug management or when drug side effects are to be avoided. The present case adds to this small but growing group of studies in that it demonstrates the use of behavioral procedures in the analysis and treatment of high-rate myoclonic seizures. Seizures were evaluated on a hospital ward and in a controlled experimental setting. The data indicated a variable rate of seizures across days and activities and a reduction of seizure frequency in the controlled setting when time-out was made contingent on seizures. A program of “contingent rest” was then applied on the hospital ward that demonstrated a reduction in myoclonic seizure frequency and the apparent prevention of several grand mal episodes. An observer calibration procedure showed high correspondence between behaviorally and physiologically recorded seizures. A discussion of issues in behavioral medicine research follows.
Maximizing oviposition efficiency when mass rearing the coccinellid, Sasajiscymnus tsugae, a predator of the hemlock woolly Adelgid, Adelges tsugae

Sasajiscymnus tsugae Sasaji and McClure (Coleeptera: Coccinellidae), is a biological control agent imported for management of hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand. In mass rearing S. tsugae, accurate estimation of egg numbers is important because larvae are cannibalistic, especially at higher densities. To determine the most accurate means of estimating egg production, three brands of gauze were compared as oviposition substrates. Curad® gauze provided the most accurate estimate of egg production, and was the most cost effective brand. When eggs were collected from oviposition jars, similar adult yields of S. tsugae occurred between rearing cages infested with 1,650 eggs from gauze compared to eggs on the twigs from within these jars. Additionally, orientation of oviposition jars impacted S. tsugae egg production as significantly more eggs were produced in horizontally oriented oviposition jars.
Protocols for processes: programming in the large for open systems (extended abstract)

The modeling and enactment of business processes is being recognized as key to modern information management. The expansion of Web services has increased the attention given to processes, because processes are how services are composed and put to good use. However, current approaches are inadequate for flexibly modeling and enacting processes. These approaches take a logically centralized view of processes, treating a process as an implementation of a composed service. They provide low-level scripting languages to specify how a service may be implemented, rather than what interactions are expected from it. Consequently, existing approaches fail to adequately accommodate the essential properties of the business partners in a process (the partners would be realized via services)---their autonomy (freedom of action), heterogeneity (freedom of design), and dynamism (freedom of configuration).Flexibly represented protocols can provide a more natural basis for specifying processes. Protocols specify what rather than how; thus they naturally maximize the autonomy, heterogeneity, and dynamism of the interacting parties. We are developing an approach for modeling and enacting business processes based on protocols. This paper describes some elements of (1) a conceptual model of processes that will incorporate abstractions based on protocols, roles, and commitments; (2) the semantics or mathematical foundations underlying the conceptual model and mapping global views of processes to the local actions of the parties involved; (3) methodologies involving rule-based reasoning to specify processes in terms of compositions of protocols.
Privacy-Preserving Location-Based On-Demand Routing in MANETs

Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs) are particularly useful and well-suited for critical scenarios, including military, law enforcement as well as emergency rescue and disaster recovery. When operating in hostile or suspicious settings, MANETs require communication security and privacy, especially, in underlying routing protocols. Unlike most networks, where communication is based on long-term identities (addresses), we argue that the location-centric communication paradigm is better-suited for privacy in suspicious MANETs. To this end, we construct an on-demand location-based anonymous MANET routing protocol (PRISM) that achieves privacy and security against both outsider and insider adversaries. We analyze the security, privacy and performance of PRISM and compare it to alternative techniques. Results show that PRISM is more efficient and offers better privacy than prior work.
Chronic illness and its consequences:Observations based on three epidemiologic surveys

The findings of three epidemiologic surveys relating to the psychological and social consequences of chronic physical disorders are presented. The prevalence of the categories of disorder considered and the over-all prevalence of them are estimated. Comparisons of the chronically ill with healthy control subjects in two of the studies permit the conclusion that the only demographic characteristic distinguishing the groups is the higher ratio of boys among the chronically ill. The children with chronic physical disorders are subdivided by type, duration, and severity of illness, and these characteristics are related to the frequency of secondary handicaps in the areas of educational achievement, behavior, and psychologic maladjustment. In each of these areas the chronically ill fare significantly less well. The need for more effective comprehensive services to prevent secondary handicaps is highlighted by these findings.
Fiber tracking by simulating diffusion process with diffusion kernels in human brain with DT-MRI data

A novel approach for noninvasively tracing brain white matter fiber tracts is presented using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) data. This technique is based on performing anisotropic diffusion simulations over a series of overlapping three dimensional diffusion kernels that cover only a small portion of the human brain volume and are geometrically centered upon selected starting voxels where a seed is placed. The simulations conducted over diffusion kernels are initiated from those starting voxels and are utilized to construct diffusion fronts. The fiber pathways are determined by evaluating the distance and orientation from fronts to their corresponding diffusion seed voxels. Synthetic and real DT-MRI data are employed to demonstrate the tracking scheme. It is shown that the synthetic tracts can be accurately replicated, while several major white matter fiber pathways in the human brain can be reproduced noninvasively as well. Since the diffusion simulation makes use of the entire diffusion tensor data, including both the magnitude and orientation information, the proposed approach enhances robustness and reliability in DT-MRI based fiber reconstruction.
Solution Behavior of the Zwitterionic Surfactant Octadecyldimethylbetaine

A light scattering, viscosity, surface tension, and cryo-TEM study was performed on aqueous solutions of octadecyldimethylbetaine (C18DMB). The dilute to semidilute crossover concentration was found to be approximately 0.35% concentration by weight from both light scattering and viscosity data. The results from the dynamic light scattering data were significantly better described by a model with two decay times, rather than a single decay, cumulants model. The dynamic light scattering data were also fit to a Kohlrausch−Williams−Watts form, which is consistent with translational diffusion and internal modes. The light scattering, viscosity, and cryo-TEM data are all consistent with the existence of long rodlike micelles. The critical micellar concentration, cmc, was determined via surface tension measurements and found to be 5 × 10-6 M at 40 °C.
Atomic carbon in the atmosphere of Venus

The densities of atomic carbon in the Venusian thermosphere are computed for a model which includes both chemistry and transport. The maximum density of C is 2.8 x 10 to the 7th per cu cm near 150 km for an assumed O2 mixing ratio of 0.0001. Photoionization of atomic carbon is found to be the major source of C(+) above 200 km, and resonance scattering of sunlight by atomic carbon may be the major source of the C I emissions at 1561 A, 1657 A, and 1931 A. The computed C(+) densities are found to be in substantial agreement with those measured by Pioneer Venus.
Tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis: discovery of common human genetic variants governing transcription, autonomic activity, and blood pressure in vivo.

Background— Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis. Does common genetic variation at human TH alter autonomic activity and predispose to cardiovascular disease? We undertook systematic polymorphism discovery at the TH locus and then tested variants for contributions to sympathetic function and blood pressure. Methods and Results— We resequenced 80 ethnically diverse individuals across the TH locus. One hundred seventy-two twin pairs were evaluated for sympathetic traits, including catecholamine production, reflex control of the circulation, and environmental (cold) stress responses. To evaluate hypertension, we genotyped subjects selected from the most extreme diastolic blood pressure percentiles in the population. Human TH promoter haplotype/reporter plasmids were transfected into chromaffin cells. Forty-nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms were discovered, but coding region polymorphism did not account for common phenotypic variation. A block of linkage diseq...
Objective and automated measurement of dynamic vision functions

A phoria stimulus array and electro-oculographic (EOG) arrangements for measuring motor and sensory responses of subjects subjected to stress or drug conditions are described, along with experimental procedures. Heterophoria (as oculomotor function) and glare recovery time (time required for photochemical and neural recovery after exposure to a flash stimulus) are measured, in research aimed at developing automated objective measurement of dynamic vision functions. Onset of involuntary optokinetic nystagmus in subjects attempting to track moving stripes (while viewing through head-mounted binocular eyepieces) after exposure to glare serves as an objective measure of glare recovery time.
Prenatal intervention for urinary obstruction and myelomeningocele

Widespread use of ultrasonography has resulted in an increase in the recognition of fetal hydronephrosis. The enthusiasm that accompanied early interventions has been tempered by the experience and results obtained over the past 2 decades. The goal has remained the same: to identify patients with serious prenatal obstruction and to identify those which may benefit from intervention. Myelomeningocele remains a devastating congenital anomaly. Fetal and experimental studies suggested that patients with myelomeningocele could benefit from prenatal intervention. Advances in technology and perinatal management have made intervention for more complex malformations such as myelomeningocele possible. This article will review current knowledge and will detail rational management for the management of prenatal hydronephrosis. The current state of antenatal myelomeningocele repair and the urologic implications will be described as well.
Staying in the Game

I have been thinking about the future of libraries, especially what I would call “special collections” or “research” libraries, for much of my career. During this time, technology has played an increasingly significant and positive role in libraries. In recent years as others wrote books about the demise of printed books and the end of the library, I dismissed this view and have been content to believe in a future for libraries that many have labeled as “hybrid.” I thought that this hybrid state of books and other printed materials coexisting in libraries alongside digital collections would last a long, . . .
Ecological aspects of transient killer whales Orcinus orca as predators in southeastern Alaska

Abstract In this study we present empirical data on predator numbers, movements and area usage, and predation obtained from tracking transient killer whales Orcinus orca throughout the inland waters of southeastern Alaska, USA. During 1991-2007, we documented 155 transient killer whales via photo-identification methodology within the large study area (27,808 km2). Transient killer whales were distributed throughout southeastern Alaska and were present during all seasons, although not all individuals were seen every year. Resighting data suggested that within southeastern Alaska, maternal groups may partition area usage of their environment. By following whales for 1,467 km, we calculated a mean travel speed of 7.2 km/hour with mean daily movements of 134 km ± 88 km/24 hours and ranging within 59-240 km/24 hours. Photographic matches demonstrated that most of the transient killer whales (86%) identified in southeastern Alaska also utilized British Columbia and Washington State waters. In contrast, photogra...
The Negotiation of U.S. Advertising Among Bengali Immigrants: A Journey in Hybridity

The process of globalization has unsettled the idea of territories and space, disrupting certainties of culture and altering the way identities are constructed. Understanding diasporic complexitiescan inform media studies about the intersection of globality and locality and the issue of identity. However, this has remained a marginal area of inquiry in communication studies, particularly in advertising research. With an ever-increasing number of people now defining themselves in terms of multiple attachments, it has become imperative for advertising research to address hybridity, an inherent characterization of globalization. This project examines the discursive construction of advertisements by Bengali immigrants from East India and demonstrates the hybrid existencesof diasporic groups, positioning themselves at the crossroads of global and local.
Factors Affecting Fat Distribution in Pork Carcasses1

ABSTRACT Fat distribution and pork quality were evaluated in carcasses of 2 genetic populations with different rates of lean growth. At 60 kg BW, 48 pigs of each genetic population were fed diets without beef tallow (NBT) or with 5% added beef tallow (BT). Pigs were harvested at 105, 120, and 135 kg BW. The 4 primal cuts were dissected into lean, subcutaneous fat, and intermuscular fat, which were analyzed for percent lipid. Carcasses of the high-lean genetic population contained less (P 0.05) total fat or total fat-free lean. Pigs fed BT had heavier (P 0.05) 24-h postmortem pH, Hunter color values, longissimus muscle (LM) area, drip loss, or loin color, firmness, and marbling scores. Percent LM intramuscular fat was not affected by BT in the high-lean pigs (BT: 1.89 vs. NBT: 1.85%), but was increased (P
Studies on the female sterile mutant Rudimentary of Drosophila melanogaster. IV. The activities of de novo and salvage pathway enzymes for pyrimidine biosynthesis during oogenesis, embryonic and postembryonic development of wild-type flies

In order to gain a better understanding of how a defect in pyrimidine biosynthesis leads to the specific set of morphological aberrations seen in Drosophila bearing the mutant allele of rudimentary, we made the following measurements of enzyme activity in wild type flies: (1) during ovarian development – the first three enzymes of the de novo pathway for pyrimidine biosynthesis (aspartate transcarbamylase, dihydroorotase, and carbamyl phosphate synthetase) and two enzymes in the salvage pathway for pyrimidine biosynthesis – uridine kinase and uridine phosphorylase; (2) during embryonic development – uridine kinase and uridine phosphorylase in embryos taken at hourly intervals; and (3) during postembryonic development – uridine kinase and uridine phosphorylase. Our results suggest: (1) that the de novo pyrimidine enzymes are synthesized during the early stages of oogenesis, while the pattern for the salvage pathway enzymes is somewhat different; (2) that a lowering of uridine kinase activity at 13 hours of embryonic development may be responsible for bringing on the developmental crisis in r embryos; and (3) that the postembryonic pattern of activity for salvage pathway enzymes, with one exception, is quite similar to that for the de novo pathway enzymes.
Teacher Perceptions of the Trustworthiness, Usability, and Accessibility of Information From Different Sources:

This study examined practicing teachers' assessments of the trustworthiness, usability, and accessibility of intervention information obtained from four sources: other teachers or colleagues, workshops and inservice presentations, college courses, and professional journals. We found significant differences along each dimension, with teachers generally rating their colleagues and workshops or inservices not only as more accessible sources of information but as providing more trustworthy and usable information as well. We found no significant differences between groups of teachers affiliated with general versus special education and no differences in ratings as a function of years of teaching experience. This article discusses the implications of these findings for practice and for further research, as well as the importance of this line of inquiry to the ongoing debate about bridging the gap between research and practice.
Topotecan Versus Observation After Cisplatin Plus Etoposide in Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: E7593—A Phase III Trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of topotecan in combination with standard chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) conducted a phase III trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had measurable or assessable disease and an ECOG performance status of 0 to 2; stable brain metastases were allowed. All patients received four cycles of cisplatin and etoposide every 3 weeks (step 1; PE). Patients with stable or responding disease were then randomized to observation or four cycles of topotecan (1.5 mg/m2/d for 5 days, every 3 weeks; step 2). A total of 402 eligible patients were registered to step 1, and 223 eligible patients were registered to step 2 (observation, n = 111; topotecan, n = 112). RESULTS: Complete and partial response rates to induction PE were 3% and 32%, respectively. A 7% response rate was observed with topotecan (complete response, 2%; partial response, 5%). The median survival time f...
Spatial analysis of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus distribution in the Missouri River, South Dakota

Summary Movement and distribution of the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus has generally been documented using radio telemetry. However, because of the time and cost involved in tracking individual fish (i.e. small sample size), it is often difficult to evaluate spatial distribution of groups of fish over long time periods (> 3 years). Standardized sampling for pallid sturgeon, which relies on a variety of gear types, has been conducted on the Missouri River downstream of Fort Randall Dam annually since 2003. Using catch data from 2003 to 2006, the spatial distribution of juvenile pallid sturgeon was evaluated using spatial scan statistics. Presence/absence of pallid sturgeon was summarized from a variety of gear and distribution patterns were analyzed based on: (i) each gear per season, (ii) all gear pooled per season, (iii) each gear pooled across seasons, and (iv) pooled data from all gear and years combined. Three significant clusters of pallid sturgeon captures were identified when all gear and years were pooled. Distribution patterns identified using data from summer trammel nets agreed well with the overall pooled dataset and could be used to identify areas with a high probability of pallid sturgeon presence. This methodology can be used to identify areas where pallid sturgeon are likely to occur, thus improving sampling efficiency for monitoring vital statistics for this endangered species. Moreover, this approach could be applied to other reaches of the Missouri River using existing data from the Pallid Sturgeon Monitoring and Assessment Program. Once identified, these areas could then be evaluated to better understand the habitat requirements of pallid sturgeon.
Policy Stakeholders' Perceptions of Carbon Capture and Storage: A Comparison of Four U.S. States

Over the past decade, the United States (US) has demonstrated strong and evolving interest in the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS), an emerging set of technologies with potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. Given the many technical, economic, and environmental uncertainties about the future of CCS, the political salience of this technology is high. In the US, states make key decisions about deploying energy technology projects, but variation in statelevel energy context (both technical and socio-political) is substantial. This research assesses variation in the state-level energy context for CCS development by exploring energy policy stakeholders’ perceptions of CCS in four geographically and demographically diverse states. Policy stakeholders have different degrees of familiarity with CCS, and the goal of this research is to understand and compare the perceptions of CCS among stakeholders who shape state-level energy policy. Semi-structured interviews with 84 energy policy stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations active in four different states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana and Texas) were analyzed to compare perceptions of CCS risks and benefits. Negative associations of CCS were mentioned more frequently than positive attributes in each state, and technical, political and economic risks are more dominant than environmental or health and safety risks. Content analysis of the interviews provides insight on emerging sub-national discourse regarding CCS, on state-level variation in familiarity with CCS, and on sub-national variation in the socio-political context for energy technologies. The variation in state and stakeholder energy priorities and perceptions revealed in this study highlights challenges in the development and implementation of national-level energy policy and also specific challenges in the deployment of CCS.
A versatile sample isolation, chemical modification and introduction system designed for a physical electronics model 548 electron spectrometer

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) has been extensively used in recent years to investigate the chemical composition of various surfaces. In our laboratory XPS has been used primarily to monitor elemental atomic ratios and binding energy shifts produced by surface modifications of glassy carbon samples. A major method of modification has been by radio frequency plasma treatments to improve surface electrochemical properties. To maintain surface integrity for XPS analysis by avoiding exposure of the treated sample surface to oxygen, water vapor or other contaminants in the ambient laboratory air, a versatile sample treatment and transfer system has been built and attached to the analysis chamber of a Physical Electronics Industries Model 548 Electron Spectrometer. The resulting system has proven to be more suited to meet our needs than any previously reported or commercially available system. The system consists of two sample transfer side-arms, each with a magnetically coupled transfer rod compatible with our custom sample carriers. The sample isolation side-arm is used exclusively to enter samples into the analyzer chamber without contamination. The general purpose side-arm has two appendage ports which support a radio frequency plasma chamber, a sample introduction lock and a combination chemical treatment/electrochemical cell chamber. Each of the appendage ports and the two transfer housings can be isolated using UHV gate valves. The sample transfer and transport mechanisms and the system performance are discussed. Examples of the effects of exposure of RF plasma treated glassy carbon surfaces to air and water vapor are use to demonstrate the capabilities of the sample handling system.
Variables Affecting Results of Sodium Chloride Tolerance Test for Identification of Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria

The sodium chloride tolerance test is often used in the identification of rapidly growing mycobacteria, particularly for distinguishing between Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium chelonae. This test, however, is frequently unreliable for the identification of some species. In this study we examined the following variables: medium manufacturer, inoculum concentration, and atmosphere and temperature of incubation. Results show that reliability is improved if the test and control slants are inoculated with an organism suspension spectrophotometrically equal to a 1 McFarland standard. Slants should be incubated at 35°C in ambient air and checked weekly for 4 weeks. Growth on control slants should be critically evaluated to determine the adequacy of the inoculum; colonies should number greater than 50. Salt-containing media should be examined carefully to detect pinpoint or tiny colonies, and colonies should number greater than 50 for a positive reaction. Concurrent use of a citrate slant may be helpful for distinguishing between M. abscessus and M. chelonae. Molecular methodologies are probably the most reliable means for the identification of rapidly growing mycobacteria and should be used, if possible, when unequivocal species identification is of particular importance.
Neonatal Calf Diarrhea. Electron Microscopy of Intestines Infected with a Reovirus-Like Agent

Neonatal calf diarrhea induced by a reovirus-like agent was studied by electron microscopy. Gnotobiotic calves were inoculated with virulent and cell-culture- adapted isolates of viruses, and similar results were obtained with both isolates. The virus infected mature villous epithelial cells of the small intestine and replicated predominantly within cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. Macrophages within small intestinal villi also contained viral particles. Shedding of virus into the feces apparently resulted from desquaniation of infected epithelial cells. Replacement epithelium did not contain the reovirus-like agent, was of cuboidal or squamous type, and ultrastructurally resembled immature epithelium normally found in the crypts. Escherichia coli was nonpathogenic when inoculated alone and did not adhere to the epithelium when inoculated with the virus. The reovirus-like agent was a primary pathogen since it caused diarrhea and lesions when inoculated alone or with E. coli. Diarrhea of neonatal calves has been a serious and persistent problem of the dairy industry for many years. This disease has become a major problem on ranches with cow-calf operations. Apparently an increased frequency of neonatal calf diarrhea in beef-type calves has been caused by calving during a relatively short period of time in the late winter and early spring when incle- ment weather causes stress. Cows and their offspring have been concentrated into small areas during the calving season, and transmission of infectious di- seases to susceptible calves has been favored. A virus designated initially as neonatal calf diarrhea virus was isolated in 1968 and reported as an etiologic agent in field cases of neonatal calf diarrhea (9). The disease was reproduced experimentally in specific pathogen-free and gnotobiotic calves inoculated with bacteria-free filtrates obtained from in- fected calves. Fecal material purified by ultracentrifugation and examined by
Robust stabilization of discrete-time nonlinear systems by certainty equivalence output feedback with applications to model predictive control

We present robust stability results for discrete-time nonlinear systems using certainty equivalence output feedback, particularly those that employ a model predictive control (MPC) formulation to generate the feedback control law. To this end, we discuss nominal robustness properties of general discrete-time nonlinear systems, including those that use discontinuous control laws in the feedback loop. This is important for systems employing MPC since the method can, and sometimes necessarily does, result in discontinuous control laws. Coupling assumptions of nominal robustness with certain uniform observability or detectability assumptions (for each of which we give an observer), we assert that, in particular, MPC is robustly globally asymptotically stabilizing when used in a certainty equivalence output feedback structure. Finally, we give an example to illuminate our results.
Cardiac myocyte calcium transport in phospholamban knockout mouse: relaxation and endogenous CaMKII effects

Increases in heart rate are accompanied by acceleration of relaxation. This effect is apparent at the single myocyte level and depends on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca transport and Ca/calmodulin ...
Data deidentification in medical transcriptions using regular expressions and machine learning

A system is developed to redact personally identifiable information (PII) through a combination of entity recognition, regular expressions, and machine learning with very high precision from millions of medical transcriptions. This system is trained and tested with manually redacted medical transcriptions using an internally developed coding system, providing double blind classification capabilities.
Chronic Effects of Ethanol and/or Darunavir/Ritonavir on U937 Monocytic Cells: Regulation of Cytochrome P450 and Antioxidant Enzymes, Oxidative Stress, and Cytotoxicity

Background Our recent study has shown that acute treatment with ethanol (EtOH) increases oxidative stress and cytotoxicity through cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-mediated pathway in U937 monocytic cells. U937 cells are derived from blood monocytes and are considered as the model system for HIV-related study. Since the prevalence of alcohol use in HIV-infected population is high, and HIV+ patients are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after they are diagnosed, it is important to study the interactions between EtOH and ART in monocytes. Methods This study examined the chronic effects of EtOH and ART (darunavir/ritonavir), alone and in combination, on expression/levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs), antioxidant enzymes (AOEs), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytotoxicity in U937 cells. The mRNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. ROS and cytotoxicity were measured using flow cytometry and cell viability assay, respectively. Results While chronic ART treatment increased CYP2E1 protein expression by 2-fold, EtOH and EtOH+ART increased CYP2E1 by ~5-fold. In contrast, ART and EtOH treatments decreased CYP3A4 protein expression by 38 ± 17% and 74 ± 15%, respectively, and the combination additively decreased CYP3A4 level by 90 ± 8%. Expressions of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and peroxiredoxin (PRDX6) were decreased by both EtOH and ART, however, the expressions of SOD2 and catalase were unaltered. These results suggested increased EtOH metabolism, increased ART accumulation, and decreased defense against ROS. Therefore, we determined the effects of EtOH and ART on ROS and cytotoxicity. While ART showed a slight increase, EtOH and EtOH+ART displayed significant increase in ROS and cytotoxicity. Moreover, the combination showed additive effects on ROS and cytotoxicity. Conclusions These results suggest that chronic EtOH, in the absence and presence of ART, increases ROS and cytotoxicity in monocytes, perhaps via CYP- and AOE-mediated pathways. This study has clinical implications in HIV+ alcohol users who are on ART.
Argument for Mini Regional Stock Exchanges: Toward Disaggregation of Economy

The objective of this manuscript is to present the arguments in favor of mini regional exchanges facilitating the trading of stocks for local and regional businesses. The mini stock exchange model proposed is not the replication of major national exchanges listing the same set of firms listed elsewhere; rather it is an attempt to extend the financial capital markets to local, small and regional firms in the respective geographic regions. The proposal is based on the following premises. First, mini regional exchanges will enable the availability of financial resources and capital to the multitude of small and medium scale businesses that would be at a disadvantage compared to large, national and global enterprises that are listed in major national stock exchanges. Second, the mini exchanges can mitigate, as typical stock exchange would do, the risk of investment in businesses by spreading and distributing the risk and ownership of the major portion of national industrial assets, and in turn contribute substantially to the growth of millions of young entrepreneurial ventures and the larger economy. Third, Mini stock exchanges decentralize the asset structure of national economies, and localize the control and rewards, and can enhance the distribution of economic gains to larger section of the economy. Fourth, by decentralizing and localizing the stock exchange, regional and locally located small and medium scale would be availed with opportunity to raise funds and grow without relying only on debt financing from banking sector. Fifth, mini regional stock exchanges would greatly reduce information asymmetry - a phenomena that substantially contribute to the risk factor for investors - and facilitate a large number and portion of investors to participate in mechanisms such as Board of directors. Sixth, more importantly, large national markets are receiving enormous flow of surplus capital to the extent of oversubscribing the stocks of popular and large firms, increasing their demand, widening the price-earnings ratio and in turn increasing the investment risk to individual investors and economic hazards to national economies.
Global Research Program at Allianz Dresdner Capital Management (V. 6.2)

In early 2002, the co-chief investment officer of Allianz Dresdner Capital Management (ADCM), the fourth-largest asset management firm in the world, reflects on the structure of the firm’s "global research platform" and any changes that might be desirable. The tasks for the student are to map the structure of the global platform, evaluate it, and recommend modifications.
Evidence of primary hemiepiphytism in Pleopeltis bradeorum (Polypodiaceae)

Primary hemiepiphytism was documented in Pleopeltis bradeorum (Polypodiaceae) at the La Selva Biological Station, Heredia, Costa Rica. Multiple sporophytes and gametophytes were observed, photographed, and collected. Gametophytes were found on the trunks of trees and lianas within 2.5 m of the ground. Mature sporophytes with fertile fronds were observed growing ca. 2.5 m above the ground with feeder roots descending to the soil. Additional sterile mature sporophytes were observed ca. 4 m up, on small- and medium-sized branches; though these individuals did not appear to be connected to the ground by roots; that is, they were holoepiphytic. Our findings indicate that P. bradeorum conforms to many of the features characteristic of primary hemiepiphytic ferns. Corresponding to expectation, sporophytes exhibited long-creeping, dorsiventrally flattened rhizomes with dimorphic clasping and feeder roots. The clasping and feeder roots, however, were not strongly differentiated as in other primary hemiepiphytic ferns. Gametophytes departed from expectation by having a cordate thallus. The life history and habit of P. bradeorum documented here indicates that it is both a primary hemiepiphyte and holoepiphyte.