cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Causal Theory of Perception

A causal theory of perception has been held by many philosophers, e. g. by Descartes, Locke, Kant, and Russell, to mention only a few. Yet these philosophers’ theories of perception differ greatly — so greatly that it would be misleading to say that they held ‘the same theory of perception’. But since my aim is to analyze the epistemological problem of perception and to appraise possible solutions to it (rather than to expound the views of any particular philosopher), I shall not go into special features of individual philosophers’ versions of the causal theory except insofar as this serves my purpose. Rather, I shall seek to formulate the fundamental features of the causal theory — fundamental in the sense that ignoring them would lead to overlooking either some aspect of the problem or some possible solution to it. In this task, I shall be guided by H. P. Grice’s valuable article, ‘The Causal Theory of Perception’.1 In this article Grice provides an excellent definition of the theory’s fundamental features.
An Ab-Initio Study of Mechanical Behavior for (Aℓ-O)n Nanorods

A first principles approach based on DFT was used to study the mechanical behavior of the linear (Al-O)n nanorods with n spanned 1 to 10. The minimum-energy configurations for the nanostructures are first found by fully relaxing the coordinates of the atoms. Virtual tension and compression tests were then conducted by applying a series of tensile/compressive deformations to the relaxed structures and calculating the corresponding forces required to maintain the equilibrium of the deformed nanorods. Hence, A force-strain curve is obtained for all the nanorods. The mechanical response of the two shortest nanorods is like that of the ductile aluminum, but the other longer nanorods deform like the brittle aluminum oxide. All the nanorods demonstrate a much higher compressive strength than tensile strength.
Angiographic and Ultrasonic Evidence of Plaque Rupture Causing Myocardial Infarction

A 60-year-old man with no prior cardiac history presented to the emergency room with 1.5 hours of substernal chest pain. An ECG revealed ST-segment elevation in leads V2 to V6. Acute anterolateral myocardial infarction was diagnosed, and thrombolytic therapy in the form of tPA was administered, with resolution of the …
The Macro Politics of a Gender Gap

What explains the dynamic movement in the gender gap in public opinion toward government activism over the past 30 years? The thermostatic model of politics suggests that aggregate public opinion adjusts to liberal changes in public policy by preferring less government and to conservative changes in policy by preferring more government. Given the cross-sectional differences in policy preferences between men and women, we argue that the dynamic movement in the gender gap in policy preferences for more or less government spending is a function of asymmetrical responses by men and women to changes in public policy. We find that both men and women respond to changes in public policy by shifting their policy preferences in the same direction. But men appear more responsive to policy changes than do women. It is this asymmetrical response to changes in public policy that is responsible for the dynamics of the gender gap in policy preferences across time. Our results show that the gap increases when policy moves in a liberal direction, as men move in a conservative direction at a faster rate than women. In contrast, when policy moves to the right, the opinions of both men and women will respond by moving to the left, but the greater responsiveness among men will decrease the gap, bringing male preferences closer to the preferences of women.
The Sodium Gradient, Potassium Channels, and Regulation of Calcium in Pulmonary and Mesenteric Arterial Smooth Muscles: Effects of Hypoxia

Contraction in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) is generally initiated by the membrane excitation that triggers an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) which then activates the contractile apparatus (19, 26). In general, [Ca2+]i can be increased by i) Ca2+ influx, through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by depolarization of the plasma membrane, and/or through receptor-operated Ca2+ channels by vasoconstrictive mediators; ii) Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), mitochondrial, and other intracellular Ca2+ stores; iii) decreased Ca2+ extrusion (via Na-Ca exchange, Ca2+-ATPase) and sequestration (via mitochondria, SR, Ca2+-binding proteins); and iv) increased Ca2+ entry via Na-Ca exchange. Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is controlled mainly by the membrane potential (Em) (35) that is dominated by K+ channel permeability and the transmembrane K+ distribution (14). The smooth muscle cell membrane possesses a high membrane input resistance (13, 35, 56); thus, a small decrease in K+ conductance should cause a relatively large depolarization, which should, in turn, open voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and thereby increase [Ca2+]i.
Tumor Necrosis Factor α and Toxicology

The molecular cloning of a group of proteins, collectively referred to as cytokines, and including interleukins, chemokines, growth factors, colony stimulating factors, and tumor necrosis factors, has allowed for the increased understanding of the mechanisms for many disease processes as well as provided strategies for the development of novel therapies. Conceptually similar to hormones and peptides, this group of phylogenetically related molecules are also involved in various toxicological processes, including apoptosis, cell repair, and in particular inflammation. In this review, we offer a description of what many believe represents the primary regulatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α and its role in toxicological processes. For over a decade it has been suspected that this molecule helps mediate the shock state induced by bacterial endotoxin and the wasting diathesis that typifies chronic diseases. Advances in molecular biology that have provided tools to modulate TNFα regulation and synthesi...
Scene Summarization for Online Image Collections

We formulate the problem of scene summarization as selecting a set of images that efficiently represents the visual content of a given scene. The ideal summary presents the most interesting and important aspects of the scene with minimal redundancy. We propose a solution to this problem using multi-user image collections from the Internet. Our solution examines the distribution of images in the collection to select a set of canonical views to form the scene summary, using clustering techniques on visual features. The summaries we compute also lend themselves naturally to the browsing of image collections, and can be augmented by analyzing user-specified image tag data. We demonstrate the approach using a collection of images of the city of Rome, showing the ability to automatically decompose the images into separate scenes, and identify canonical views for each scene.
Effects of Ready for Recess, An Environmental Intervention, on Physical Activity in Third-Through Sixth-Grade Children

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Ready for Recess, an elementary school recess intervention targeting staff training (ST) or providing recreational equipment (EQ) separately, and the combination (EQ+ST) on physical activity (PA). Methods: Participants were children attending 1 of 12 elementary schools (grades 3rd–6th) included in the study. Separate analytical models were used to evaluate the effects of the intervention conditions on children’s accelerometry and direct observation derived PA measures. Results: Boys and girls were measured using accelerometry (n = 667). Boys in EQ+ST increased their MVPA by 14.1% while ST decreased their MVPA by –13.5%. Girls in ST decreased their MVPA by –11.4%. Neither boys nor girls in EQ increased their time spent in MVPA. A total of 523 (boys) and 559 (girls) observations were collected. For boys’ and girls’ sedentary and vigorous activity there were no significant main effects for treatment condition, time, or treatment cond...
Running consistent, parallel experiments in vehicular environment

The comparison of different applications and protocols in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) is a very difficult task. This is mainly due to the nature of VANET, for which it is virtually impossible to replicate the same exact environment in two separate experiments. This paper introduces a flexible experiment structure that will allow different protocols to be compared in the same mobility pattern and channel conditions in VANET. A virtualized environment is setup on each node where the combination of Xen and Gentoo software is used to create multiple virtual guests. All virtual guests on the same machine use different protocols and share the wireless interface. We compare the widely recognized ad-hoc routing protocols AODV and OLSR to demonstrate the novelty of our system. Experiment results show that even with arbitrary external interference and mobility pattern, meaningful comparisons between different protocols can be carried out.
Application of graph methods for leveraging open source data during disaster response

Every disaster is unique, yet all response efforts face common challenges regarding the collection and processing of disparate data sources, and dissemination of accurate and timely information both to and from disaster areas. Recent advances in graph theory and data fusion can be leveraged to address many of these challenges. This paper describes a graph-based approach for fusing and representing multisource information of an affected area to aid emergency responders in the wake of a disaster. An end-to-end prototype system was developed, consisting of five main parts: data ingestion, social graph construction, graph enrichment, inference, and user situation awareness. Data from open sources, including social media, are ingested and fused to represent people and places as a coherent social graph. This graph can be made available to emergency managers and incident commanders to increase situation awareness of an affected population, or used as inputs to other algorithms to aid in prioritizing a response. Key challenges of using open source data for disaster response are discussed.
Climate, Air Quality, and Allergy: Emerging Methods for Detecting Linkages

Both anthropogenic and naturally occurring air contaminants can be influenced by climate variability and change and in turn may have important implications for human health. Anthropogenic ozone (O3) is a pollutant that poses serious health concerns and whose formation in the lower atmosphere depends on temperature and sunlight as well as other meteorologic parameters. Airborne pollens released by trees, grasses, and weeds are responsible for considerable respiratory morbidity and are also influenced by climate factors, as well as by changing carbon dioxide concentrations. Here we report recent findings from a research team in New York City (NYC) that has been investigating interactions between climate, air quality, and human health. The first case study we cover made projections of future O3 and temperature levels at the county level in the NYC metro area under alternative climate change scenarios, and then translation of these changes into mortality impacts using exposure–response equations derived from historical data in NYC. Findings suggested that heat-related mortality could grow in importance over future decades as compared with O3-related mortality, and that health effects could be reduced by policies that limit greenhouse gas emissions. In the second case study, we analyzed the effects of spring tree pollen peaks on sales of over-the-counter allergy medications in NYC over a 6-year period. We found a significant effect which had a maximum at lag 2, indicating that tree pollen peaks precede spikes in medication sales by approximately 2 days. Both sets of findings highlight the value of climate and health research as a tool for policy makers concerned with anticipating and preventing adverse health impacts related to climate change.
IFN-β gene transfer into the central nervous system using bone marrow cells as a delivery system

The peripheral delivery of interferon-β (IFN-β) for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is only partially effective because of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To circumvent this problem, we evaluated the feasibility of genetically altering bone marrow cells ex vivo and using them as vehicles to transfer the IFN-β cDNA into the mouse CNS. An IFN-β retroviral expression vector (pLXSN-IFNβ) was used to stably transfect PA317 cells. The supernatant from these producer cells, which expressed IFN-β mRNA and protein, were used to infect bone marrow cells. When transplanted into irradiated mice, IFN-β-engineered marrow cells accessed the CNS and expressed IFN-β mRNA and protein. Marrow cells transduced with a control neomycin vector entered the brain and expressed the neomycin but not the IFN-β gene. In the CNS, IFN-β delivered by marrow cells induced the mRNA expression of 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (2′,5′-OAS), indicating biologic activity. Our findings demonstrating that bone marrow cell...
Low-noise AlInAsSb avalanche photodiode

We report low-noise avalanche gain from photodiodes composed of a previously uncharacterized alloy, Al0.7In0.3As0.3Sb0.7, grown on GaSb. The bandgap energy and thus the cutoff wavelength are similar to silicon; however, since the bandgap of Al0.7In0.3As0.3Sb0.7 is direct, its absorption depth is 5 to 10 times shorter than indirect-bandgap silicon, potentially enabling significantly higher operating bandwidths. In addition, unlike other III-V avalanche photodiodes that operate in the visible or near infrared, the excess noise factor is comparable to or below that of silicon, with a k-value of approximately 0.015. Furthermore, the wide array of absorber regions compatible with GaSb substrates enable cutoff wavelengths ranging from 1 μm to 12 μm.
Effect of Aphis pomi (Homoptera: Aphididae) Density on Apples

From 1982 to 1984, impact of spray timing on apple aphid, Aphis pomi De Geer, accumulated aphid-days was investigated. Effect of aphid-days on color, diameter, sugar content, firmness of fruit, yield, and shoot growth was also determined. Percentage of infested shoots was regressed with mean densities to evaluate the current estimated economic threshold (50% infested shoots). Varying spray timings had significant effects on accumulated aphid-days. Spray applications made between 450 and 650 degree-days resulted in lower total aphid-days each year. The greatest effect was noted in 1984, when aphid-days were significantly related to yield, shoot growth, and sugar content of fruit on the variety ‘Golden Delicious’. Because no significant relationship between aphid-days, yield, fruit quality, and shoot growth was noted for ‘Red Delicious’, we concluded that the apple aphid did not reduce yield, affect apple quality, or vegetative growth. The current threshold derived from the model for density and percent infested shoots was unsatisfactory for four of six data sets when compared with aphid-day accumulations.
Radiative lifetimes of excited p states of Na

Using a laser-cascade fluorescence technique, we have measured the radiative lifetimes of the $n=4\mathrm{to}7 p$ states of Na. The $(4\ensuremath{-}7)p$ lifetimes are 125(12) nsec, 345(43) nsec, 0.89(9) \ensuremath{\mu}sec, and 1.45(10) \ensuremath{\mu}sec. These results are in qualitative agreement with calculated values.
New Information on Cordycepioideus bisporus and Cordycepioideus octosporus

Cordycepioideus and its type species C. bisporus Stifler were described from alcohol-preserved specimens ofthe African termite Macrotermes natalensis (Haviland) from Lake Manyara, Tanzania (Stifler, 1941). This fungus has not been reported since. A second species of the genus, C. octosporus M. Blackwell & Gilbertson, was described from alcohol-preserved specimens of Tenuirostritermes tenuirostris (Desueau) from Jalisco, Mexico (Blackwell and Gilbertson, 1981). These two host termite genera are in different subfamilies of the Termitidae. In both cases, the fungal specimens were collected from termites found dead in the field. No imperfect stage was described with either species of Cordycepioideus. Cordycepioideus bisporus and C. octosporus show macroscopic similarity to species of Cordyceps (Fr.) Link. Perithecia are immersed in a prominent, stalked stroma. However, centrum structure of C. bisporus and C. octosporus is distinctly hypocreaceous (Stifler, 1941; Blackwell and Gilbertson, 1981). Ascospores have been described as ellipsoidal to cylindrical, tending to be flattened on one side, and one-celled. There are two spores per ascus in C. bisporus, these measuring 95-105 x 34-36 /im. In C. octosporus there are 8 spores per ascus, and these are 40-70 x 15-30 Mm. We have obtained recently collected specimens of C. bisporus, including some that were air-dried. Air-dried termites infected with C. bisporus were received within two weeks of their death. While these specimens were clearly C. bisporus, they had characters not developed in the type specimen. Additional information obtained from mature specimens of C. bisporus and reexamination of type ma? terial of C octosporus necessitates emendation of descriptions of the genus and
Tick Infestation of the Eyelid With Histopathologic Characterization.

Ocular tick infestation is a rare occurrence. The authors report a case that is unique for being the first published example from New England, for its chronic presentation, and for the inclusion of histopathologic analysis in its diagnostic workup. A 75-year-old man was evaluated for a persistent eyelid growth secondary to an incompletely removed tick that had attached 6 months earlier. The lesion was completely excised, and a partially destroyed arthropod was observed embedded within the tissue. Light microscopy demonstrated a mixed granulomatous reaction. Given the disruption of the tick’s anatomy, speciation could not be performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery. A corresponding review of tick bites to the eye is provided.
Regulated Functions: Bourbaki's Alternative to the Riemann Integral

(1979). Regulated Functions: Bourbaki's Alternative to the Riemann Integral. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 86, No. 3, pp. 208-211.
Heterothallism in Sapromyces Reinschii: Preliminary Note

Sapromyces Reinschii, an aquatic Phycomycete of the Leptomitaceae, chosen because it possesses distinct advantages for the investigation of sexuality was subjected to a preliminary study by P. H. J...
Environmental Stress Cracking of Glassy Polymers

When a glassy polymer is exposed to an organic solvent, it can crack spontaneously or fail more readily under extension. This is environmental stress cracking. When the solvent diffuses into the polymer, stresses develop because of swelling of the polymer. In addition, fluctuations give rise to stresses, because of the variation in surface tension from changes in the surface concentration of the solute, which is the Marangoni effect. A linear stability analysis is performed to show that such a system is unstable to infinitesimal disturbances. Large tensile stresses arise locally, leading to failures, which will be observed in the interfacial region of the solid. In particular, the unstable disturbances of smaller wavelengths grow faster. This is consistent with the observation that the microscopic cracks that emanate from the surface are more profuse in cracks that are more closely spaced as seen in experiments.
Analysis of Bushing Operation Defect of 110 kV and Above Voltage Level Transformer in Guangxi Power Grid

For the security operation of power grid,reasons that cause the increasing transformer bushing defect in recent years should be found.By calculating and analyzing transformer bushing defects of 110 kV and above voltage level in Guangxi power grid,the main defect types and reasons of transformer bushing are found.Preventive measures are proposed to strengthen the operation management of transformer bushing in Guangxi power grid.
Transdermal oxybutynin (oxytrol) for urinary incontinence.

The transdermal patch of oxybutynin is no more effective than the short- or long-acting oral form. The patch costs more, but causes less dry mouth. Skin reactions will cause about 10 percent of patients to stop using it.
Intraperitoneal radioimmunotherapy (RIT) for desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT).

TPS9595 Background: DSRCT, a rare sarcoma of adolescents and young adults arises from serosal surfaces typically the peritoneum. It is characterized by t(11;22)(p13;q12) chromosomal translocation; ...
Disorders of Sexual Differentiation

The appearance of ambiguous genitalia in a newborn can present a biological and psychological emergency: the former because of possible electrolyte and glucocorticoid abnormalities, and the latter because of the distress the parents will experience. This is a condition in which experience and careful consideration are essential; immediate consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist at the least or better yet, consultation with a team established for the evaluation and treatment of a child with a disorder of sexual differentiation (usually composed of endocrinologist, geneticist, psychologist, surgeon/urologist, and ethicist) is recommended before making a diagnosis, assigning sex of rearing, or embarking upon a treatment plan. Much has changed in the management of this condition with recent insights derived from long-term patient observations. Indeed, the classification of intersex conditions presented in this Chapter R. only developed approximately a decade old and were developed with the input of patients and families as well as caregivers. These new terms replace the terms that will be found in older textbooks which may lead to some confusion. In this chapter, we will use the new terminology while on occasion referring to the old ones in case the reader needs to cross-reference older articles.
Megakaryocyte Specific Cre Transgenic Mouse.

Abstract Here we report the first animal model with specific expression of Cre recombinase in megakaryocytes. Cre is an enzyme from bacteriophage-P1 that catalyzes reciprocal DNA recombination between pairs of loxP sites that results in excision of the DNA fragment located between them. The expression of Cre can be genetically manipulated by tissue specific promoters. When a tissue specific Cre mouse is crossed with a mouse line who has a gene flanked by loxP sites, the flanked gene can be deleted in a tissue specific manner. To target selective expression in megakaryocytes we used the promoter region of platelet factor-4 (PF4). The DNA transgenic construct consisted of the 387-bp of the promoter region of human PF4 (nucleotides −312 to +75) followed by the cDNA of Cre cloned at the start codon of the native gene, and the polyA sequence of the human β-globin gene. Transgenic animals were generated using routine pronuclear injection of fertilized oocytes. Transgenic mice were genotyped by a combination of Southern blot analysis and PCR. To evaluate functionality and tissue specificity of Cre expression, hPF4-Cre transgenic mice were crossed with ROSA26-lacZ reporter mice (B6.129S4-Gt(ROSA)26Sortm1Sor). In this reporter the cDNA for lacZ has been introduced into the Rosa26 locus preceded by an intervening sequence flanked by two loxP sites. In cells expressing Cre, recombination at the two loxP sites produces excision of the intervening sequence allowing the expression lacZ, thus β-galactosidase activity is a surrogate for Cre activity. β-galactosidase activity was analyzed by X-gal assay in megakaryocytes of bone marrow harvested from animals harboring the Cre transgene and reporter gene. We used the littermates that were either ROSA26-lacZ reporter/WT or WT/hPF4- Cre as negative controls, and Tg-ROSA26 (B6;129S-Gt(ROSA)26Sor), a strain that expresses lacZ in all tissues, as positive control. We have documented β-galactosidase activity that is present only in megakaryocytes and platelets in 6 established transgenic lines. In conclusion, we have generated megakaryocyte specific Cre mice using the promoter region of human platelet factor 4 (hPF4). Crossing this mouse with a loxP mouse will result in deletion of the loxP-flanked gene. This deletion will happen only in megakaryocytes. This tissue specific transgenic line is a powerful research tool for gene targeting experiments in platelets. Download : Download high-res image (665KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure
Factor V as Anticoagulant Cofactor for Activated Protein C in Factor Va Inactivation

Factor V (FV) is a cofactor that promotes inactivation of activated factor VIII (FVIIIa) by the activated protein C and protein S complex (APC/protein S). Cleavage in FV at Arg506 is required for proteolytic inactivation of FVa, but also for the anticoagulant function of FV as cofactor for APC in the inactivation of FVIIIa. This is demonstrated by the well known FV Leiden mutant with Arg506 mutated to glutamine (Q506), causing APC resistance due to both impaired sensitivity of Q506FVa to APC and reduced cofactor activity of Q506FV for APC inactivation of FVIIIa. However, FVIIIa loses activity rapidly due to dissociation of the A2 domain, and this may be the primary mechanism of FVIIIa inactivation. Thus, we question whether the APC-mediated inactivation of FVIIIa is relevant to the FV Leiden thrombophilic phenotype. Rather, we hypothesized that FV can function as an anticoagulant cofactor for the APC/protein S complex in the inactivation of activated FV (FVa). To test this hypothesis, we designed a coagulation assay initiated by tissue factor that was sensitive to FV but was insensitive to FVIII. FV was titrated into FV deficient plasma and clotting times were measured in absence and presence of APC to determine an APC sensitivity ratio (APCsr). An increase in the APCsr was observed as the level of FV was increased, suggesting an anticoagulant function of FV. Similar titrations were done with Q506FV, showing no increase in clotting time when APC was present and an APCsr of 1.0 in the presence of Q506 FV. Control experiments confirmed that this clotting assay was insensitive to the presence or absence of FVIII; thus, these assays were reflecting FVa inactivation. The potential anticoagulant effect of FV as cofactor for APC in FVa inactivation was further investigated by monitoring proteolysis of purified FVa by APC over time using SDS PAGE. Recombinant purified FVa was labeled with a fluorescent dye, and then subjected to proteolysis by APC/protein S in the absence or presence of FV in a time course. The resulting FVa fragments seen on SDS gels reflected the known cleavages at Arg306 and Arg506, and the FVa cleavage products were quantified by digital fluorescent scanning of the gel. FV stimulated a small but statistically insignificant increase in the rate of FVa cleavage by APC/protein S. Thus, in our experimental conditions, we found a significant anticoagulant effect of FV in clotting assays that were sensitive to FV but not sensitive to FVIII whereas in purified reaction mixtures there was not a significant enhancement by FV of APC proteolysis of FVa. These data contrasting FV’s apparent APC-cofactor activities between plasma and purified reaction mixtures lead us to speculate that other factors or mechanisms present in plasma also contribute to the anticoagulant function of APC in a FV dependent manner.
Axonal Mitochondrial Transport

Abstract The extraordinary architecture of neurons—vast arbors of axons and dendrites—puts an extraordinary demand on the machinery of motor-based transport. Consequently, evidence has accumulated in many neurodegenerative disorders to implicate transport defects and, in some cases, those defects may be primary causes of the disorder. Indeed, mutations of motor proteins that are found throughout the body can give rise selectively to neurological defects, presumably because neurons are more dependent on efficient transport than other cells. Mitochondrial transport may be particularly essential because of the intense reliance of axons and synapses on mitochondria as a source of ATP and Ca 2+ -buffering. In the case of Parkinson’s disease, many signposts point to disruption of mitochondrial health as a major factor and thus the importance of mitochondrial transport in maintaining mitochondrial health takes on great relevance. Moreover, there is evidence for the direct involvement of PINK1 and Parkin in the regulation of mitochondrial motility and defects in mitochondrial motility may contribute to other forms of the disease. In this Chapter we will review and examine that evidence as well as the overall importance of mitochondrial movement for mitochondrial health and neuronal survival.
Fatal attack on a Rylands' bald-faced saki monkey (Pithecia rylandsi) by a black-and-white hawk-eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus)

Predation risk has played an important role in primate behavioral evolution, yet natural primate-predator interactions are rarely observed. We describe the consumption and probable predation of an adult bald-faced saki monkey (Pithecia rylandsi) by a black-and-white hawk-eagle (Spizaetus melanoleucus) at the Los Amigos Biological Station in lowland Amazonian Peru. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of a black-and-white hawk-eagle consuming any primate species. We contend that while most reported observations of successful and attempted predation by raptors involves the largest and most notorious species (i.e. the harpy eagle), smaller and lesser known species like S. melanoleucus should be considered more seriously as a predator of neotropical primates. We discuss the predation event in the context of understanding what other neotropical primates might be vulnerable to S. melanoleucus predation given its body size and hunting tactic.
Daily Reports of Stress, Mood, and Physical Health in Middle Childhood

Most empirical work examining stress in children focuses on major life events, like divorce of parents, while fewer studies consider the role of daily stressors, or the routine challenges of day-to-day living. Existing work on children’s daily stress is lacking such that it primarily: (1) focuses on children who are ill, disabled, or who face significant environmental risks, (2) relies on retrospective reports, (3) relies on parent or teacher reports of stressors experienced by children, or (4) does not comprehensively examine the role of stress on mood and health. In the current study, we explored daily experiences of stress, mood, and physical health symptoms across five consecutive days in 25 children between 8 and 10 years old. Results showed that children reported a variety of types of stressors, and that more stressors were reported by older children, girls, and on weekdays compared to weekends. Daily reports of stress were linked to same day reports of physical health symptoms but not mood, however the presence of both negative mood and daily stress was associated with even more same day health symptoms. This study extends prior work by examining children’s stress at the daily level as well as relying on children’s self-reports of their stress, mood, and physical health symptoms.
LONG-TERM CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH ANOMALOUS CORONARY ARTERIES WISUALIZED BY CORONARY CT ANGIOGRAPHY: THE CONFIRM (CORONARY CT ANGIOGRAPHY EVALUATION FOR CLINICAL OUTCOMES: AN INTERNATIONAL MULTICENTER) REGISTRY

Background: Anomalous origin of coronary arteries (ACA) in young adults are thought to confer high mortality risk, but the clinical significance of incidentally discovered anomalous coronaries in middle-aged adults is not well characterized. We examined the clinical characteristics and 5-year
Effects of anion coordination on the fluorescence of a photo-induced electron transfer (PET) sensor complexed with metal ions

Abstract Whether π contacts between the fluorophore of the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) sensor adpa ((N-(9-anthracenylmethyl)-N-(2-pyridinylmethyl)-2-pyridinemethanamine) and complexed metal ions or coordinated halide ions control the fluorescence intensity of adpa is further investigated via fluorescence, absorbance and density functional theory (DFT) studies. Three metal-adpa complexes were studied and the crystal structures of [Cd(adpa)I2] (1), [Hg(adpa)I2] (2), [Zn(adpa)Cl2](H2O)2 (3) and [Cd(adpa)S2O3]2 (4) are reported. Unlike Cl−, Br−, SCN− and S2O32−, which cause an increase in fluorescence intensity upon binding to CdII(adpa) due to the disruption of metal-fluorophore π contacts, coordination of I− to the CdII(adpa) complex strongly decreases fluorescence intensity. The same trend was found with the addition of I− to the HgII(adpa) and ZnII(adpa) complexes. However, the causes of fluorescence quenching associated with three metal complexes are not necessarily the same. The structure of 3 shows that the anthracenyl fluorophore does not form a π contact with the Zn, relating to the strong CHEF (chelation enhanced fluorescence) effect ZnII shows with adpa. The absorbance study suggests that the fluorescence quenching of the ZnII(adpa) complex with I− addition is due to collisional quenching. Fluorescence quenching in the Hg(adpa)I2 complex is attributed to the long Hg–N bond of 2.788 A to the central N donor of the adpa in 2, which causes quenching by a PET effect from the weakly coordinated N donor. The quenching mechanism associated with the CdII(adpa)I2 complex seems to be more subtle. Structure 1 shows the nearest Cd⋯C distance to the anthracenyl fluorophore of adpa of 3.554 A, where such long distances are usually associated with increases in fluorescence intensity, rather than quenching. Density functional theory (DFT) studies showed that there is structural change in the excited state of the CdII(adpa)I2 complex, which triggers a reordering of frontier molecular orbitals. This leads to the involvement of charge transfer from the fluorophore to the iodine in the S1 → S0 transition, which is forbidden.
The association of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Carotid Guideline Publication on utilization and outcomes of carotid stenting among “high-risk” patients

Abstract Objective Since the 2004 approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration of carotid artery stenting (CAS), there have been two seminal publications about CAS reimbursement (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines; 2008) and clinical outcomes (Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial [CREST]; 2010). We explored the association between these publications and national trends in CAS use among high-risk symptomatic patients. Methods The most recent congruent data sets of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) were queried for patients undergoing carotid revascularization. The sample was limited to include only patients who were defined as "high-risk" if they had a Charlson Comorbidity Score of ≥3.0. Subgroup analyses were performed of high-risk patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Utilization proportions of CAS were calculated quarterly from 2005 to 2011 for NIS. Three time intervals related to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines and CREST publication were selected: 2005 to 2008, 2008 to 2010, and after 2010. Logistic regression with piecewise linear trend for time was used to estimate different trends in CAS use for the overall high-risk sample and for neurologically asymptomatic and symptomatic cases. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare odds of postoperative mortality and stroke between these two procedures at different time intervals independent of confounding variables. Results During the study period, 20,079 carotid endarterectomies (CEAs) and 3447 CAS procedures were performed in high-risk patients in the NIS database. CAS utilization constituted 20.5% of carotid revascularization procedures among high-risk symptomatic patients, with a significant increase from 18.6% to 24.4% during the study period ( P P = .002), and after CREST (after 2010), CAS utilization continued to increase significantly from the prepublication to the postpublication time interval. The odds of in-hospital mortality (OR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.17-5.62; P = .019) and postoperative in-hospital stroke (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.09-3.68; P = .024) were independently and significantly higher for CAS patients in the overall sample. Conclusions The use of CAS for carotid revascularization in a high-risk cohort of patients has significantly increased from 2005 to 2011. Compared with CEA, CAS independently increased the odds of perioperative in-hospital stroke in all high-risk patients and of in-hospital mortality in symptomatic high-risk patients.
Rapid visual perception of interracial crowds: Racial category learning from emotional segregation

Drawing from research on social identity and ensemble coding, we theorize that crowd perception provides a powerful mechanism for social category learning. Crowds include allegiances that may be distinguished by visual cues to shared behavior and mental states, providing perceivers with direct information about social groups and thus a basis for learning social categories. Here, emotion expressions signaled group membership: to the extent that a crowd exhibited emotional segregation (i.e., was segregated into emotional subgroups), a visible characteristic (race) that incidentally distinguished emotional subgroups was expected to support categorical distinctions. Participants were randomly assigned to view interracial crowds in which emotion differences between (black vs. white) subgroups were either small (control condition) or large (emotional segregation condition). On each trial, participants saw crowds of 12 faces (6 black, 6 white) for roughly 300 ms and were asked to estimate the average emotion of the entire crowd. After all trials, participants completed a racial categorization task and self-report measure of race essentialism. As predicted, participants exposed to emotional segregation (vs. control) exhibited stronger racial category boundaries and stronger race essentialism. Furthermore, such effects accrued via ensemble coding, a visual mechanism that summarizes perceptual information: emotional segregation strengthened participants' racial category boundaries to the extent that segregation limited participants' abilities to integrate emotion across racial subgroups. Together with evidence that people observe emotional segregation in natural environments, these findings suggest that crowd perception mechanisms support racial category boundaries and race essentialism. (PsycINFO Database Record
Catalytic pyrolysis of raw and hydrothermally carbonized Chlamydomonas debaryana microalgae for denitrogenation and production of aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract Pyrolysis of raw and hydrothermally carbonized (HTC) Chlamydomonas debaryana with and without activated carbon (AC) or β-zeolite as the catalyst were studied. Monoaromatic hydrocarbon yields from the pyrolysis of raw and HTC treated algae without a catalyst were relatively low at optimum yields of 11.2% and 12.0% obtained at 600 °C, respectively. The maximum yields of monoaromatic hydrocarbons from the AC catalyzed pyrolysis of raw and HTC treated algae were 43.8% obtained at 600 °C and 43.5% obtained at 800 °C, respectively, compared to 32.3% and 32.7% for the maximum yields from the β-zeolite catalyzed pyrolysis at 500 °C and 600 °C, respectively. However, β-zeolite catalyzed pyrolysis produced higher yields of total hydrocarbons (aromatic + aliphatic) for raw and HTC algae compared to AC catalyzed pyrolysis. This means while β-zeolite was more effective in producing total hydrocarbon content, AC was more effective in aromatization of oxygenates. The combination of HTC pretreatment and catalytic pyrolysis were effective in reducing nitrogen content in bio-oil. The yields of nitriles and nitrogenous compounds were negligible for the AC catalyzed pyrolysis of HTC treated algae at 600 °C, compared to 8.3% using the β-zeolite at the same temperature. The AC catalyst had a lower tendency towards coking.
Proarrhythmic Effects of Post-Operative Pacing Intended to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation: Evidence from a Clinical Trial

Atrial overdrive pacing has been commonly practiced after cardiac surgery in hopes of suppressing atrial ectopy and postoperative atrial fibrillation. However, several studies show inefficacy with AAI pacing and some suggest a potential for proarrhythmia. In a study of AAI right atrial pacing after cardiac surgery, atrial ectopy was increased with no effect on atrial fibrillation suppression. Undersensing and loss of capture were observed not infrequently. Best efficacy for prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation from other studies suggest that biatrial or Bachmann's bundle pacing, triggered mode pacing, atrial overdrive algorithms, or concomitant beta-blocker use might be more effective than single site right atrial pacing in the AAI mode. However, even with biatrial pacing, proarrhythmia has been reported, and this potential risk for increased atrial ectopy or atrial fibrillation should be recognized. Proarrhythmia may be precipitated by inappropriate sensing or loss of pacing associated with pacing through temporary wires.
Impact of Radio Frequency Identification on Life Cycle Engineering

In this study, impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies on life cycle engineering of time and temperature-sensitive chemicals (TTSC) is presented based on a case study. The case study includes three levels of applications, integrated hierarchically as supply chain operations, manufacturing facility level inventory management, and station level operations in the manufacturing facility. The impact of RFID deployment on various performance measures in regard to these applications is discussed. The study shows that when combined with effective decision-making schemes, RFID technologies facilitate operational visibility; thus improve productivity, reduce inventory levels, and enable reduction of environmental impact within the scope of life cycle engineering. The case study presents the impact of RFID at three levels in an integrated way: (1) supply chain, (2) manufacturing facility, and (3) stations in the manufacturing facility.
Exploring unfamiliar paths through familiar mathematical territory: Constraints and affordances in a preservice teacher’s reasoning about fraction comparisons

Abstract Preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) have been described as having difficulties with fractions, relying on standard procedures, and experiencing math anxiety. We are interested in productive ways in which PSTs can and do use their prior knowledge when exploring unfamiliar paths through familiar mathematical territory. We conducted interviews with PSTs in which we challenged them with various fraction comparison tasks and encouraged them to develop new strategies. In this paper, we present a case study focused on one PST who made considerable progress in her reasoning about fraction comparisons during such an interview. We use Greeno’s (1991) environment metaphor to conceptualize number sense as situated knowing in a conceptual domain. This perspective helps us account for both cognitive and affective factors. We highlight 4 themes concerning features of the mathematical environment that Jennifer (pseudonym) appeared to inhabit during the interview: (a) the interview context created a safe space that emphasized the interviewer’s interest in Jennifer’s ideas, as opposed to correct answers; (b) Jennifer used her prior knowledge of parts and wholes to ground her arguments meaningfully and as building blocks to invent new strategies; (c) she used her prior knowledge of cross multiplication as an established path that provided reassurance and facilitated her exploration of unfamiliar paths; (d) it was beliefs and affective factors, not deficiencies in knowledge, that constrained Jennifer’s exploration of unfamiliar paths through familiar mathematical territory. We discuss the implications of these findings for research concerning PSTs’ mathematical thinking and learning and for mathematics teacher education.
Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome: A Clinical Guide For Endocrinologists.

Objective: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in lipoprotein lipase, resulting in accumulation of chylomicrons in plasma and hypertri...
Cyclic O3 exposure synergizes with aging leading to memory impairment in male APOE ε3, but not APOE ε4, targeted replacement mice

The etiology of late-onset Alzheimer's disease is unknown. Recent epidemiological studies suggest that exposure to high levels of ozone (O3) may be a risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Nonetheless, whether and how O3 exposure contributes to AD development remains to be determined. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that O3 exposure synergizes with the genetic risk factor APOE e4 and aging leading to AD, using male apolipoprotein E (apoE)4 and apoE3 targeted replacement mice as men have increased risk exposure to high levels of O3 via working environments and few studies have addressed APOE e4 effects on males. Surprisingly, our results show that O3 exposure impairs memory in old apoE3, but not old apoE4 or young apoE3 and apoE4, male mice. Further studies show that old apoE4 mice have increased hippocampal activities or expression of some enzymes involved in antioxidant defense, diminished protein oxidative modification, and neuroinflammation following O3 exposure compared with old apoE3 mice. These novel findings highlight the complexity of interactions between APOE genotype, age, and environmental exposure in AD development.
A Methodology for Assessing Schedule Risk in Software Development Estimates

Planning estimates for software development schedules are often obtained using a schedule-estimating equation that expresses the schedule estimate (in calendar months) as a nonlinear function of the total development effort (in staff-months). For example, the COCOMO schedule model [1] for embedded-mode developments is Schedule = 2.5 (Effort)0.32 We address the problem of measuring the error of uncertainty in the schedule estimate when the error of the effort estimate and the error of the schedule model (given actual effort data) are known.
Potential Non-target Effects of a Biological Control Agent, Prickly Pear Moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in North America, and Possible Management Actions

Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the poster child of biological control, has recently invaded the United States. The first US record was at Big Pine Key, Florida, in 1989. Since then it has moved rapidly northward into South Carolina. Fears are high that it will disperse, either on its own, or with human help, into the US desert southwest and Mexico. There are at least 31 species of prickly pear in the US that are likely to be attacked by Cactoblastis and 56 species in Mexico. As well as the threat to wild cacti, there are over 250,000 ha of Opuntia plantations in Mexico that support a thriving agricultural industry, most of which is centered on harvesting fruits or pads. Possible control measures include classical biological control using parasitoids or pathogens from South America, chemical control or F1 sterility, as has been used successfully for the codling moth. However, most of these options appear to have insurmountable difficulties. Classical biological control raises the fear of further non-target effects of natural enemies on native cactus herbivores. Chemical control has potential non-target effects on other (rare) insects and is expensive. F1 sterility is also expensive and is not self-sustaining, requiring considerable and continual human input. Nevertheless, research on control options is vital as is further work on the rate of spread and impact of Cactoblastis in the United States Southeast, so that we can be as well prepared as possible to deal with this threat when it arrives in Arizona, California, and Mexico.