cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feature extraction for the analysis of gait and human motion

In this work we introduce a new model-based approach towards the 3D tracking and extraction of gait patterns in human motion. We suggest the use of a hierarchical, structural model of the human body with a novel derivation of system dynamics from hard and soft kinematic constraints. The hard constraints place physical limitations on possible model configurations while the soft constraints represent probabilistic distributions learned from previous examples of human motion. Using the parameters of the structural and dynamic models, we derive a methodology for extracting a number of gait variables at both coarse and fine resolutions with coincident robustness and precision. In particular, we demonstrate an ability to accurately measure gait velocity, stance width, stride length, arm swing, cadence, and stance times from multi-view, video sequences of human movement captured in a complex home environment.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NIST CALIBRATION SERVICE FOR THERMAL TRANSFER STANDARDS

We report on multiple improvements made in the calibration services offered for thermal converters and thermal transfer standards in the ac-dc Difference Standards and Measurement Techniques Project at NIST during the past year. The major improvement in this calibration is the increased efficiency made possible by the consolidation of three disparate calibration services - low voltage thermal transfer standards, low- frequency thermal converters, and RF-dc difference calibrations - into a single service. This consolidation has the immediate benefit of offering NIST calibration customers one source for ac-dc calibrations from 2 mV to 1000 V and from 10 Hz to 1 GHz. Additional benefits include lower calibration prices and reduced uncertainties at many points.
DNA hybridization probe for clinical diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica.

As an alternative to microscopic identification of Entamoeba histolytica parasites isolated from stool, a sensitive and species-specific DNA hybridization probe was made for rapid diagnosis of E. histolytica parasites in clinical samples directly applied to nylon membranes. The DNA hybridization probe was made by screening a genomic library of a virulent HM-1:IMSS strain of E. histolytica to detect recombinant plasmids containing highly repeated parasite DNA sequences. Four plasmid clones that reacted across Entamoeba species coded for highly repeated rRNA genes of E. histolytica. Four other plasmid clones were E. histolytica specific in that they bound to four axenized and nine xenic strains of E. histolytica but did not recognize closely related E. histolytica-like Laredo, Entamoeba moshkovskii, or Entamoeba invadens parasites. The diagnostic clones detected as few as eight cultured amoebae and did not distinguish between pathogenic and nonpathogenic zymodemes of E. histolytica. The diagnostic clones were sequenced and contained 145-base-pair sequences which appear to be tandemly repeated in the genome. No stable transcript which is homologous to the diagnostic DNA was detected. In a study of stool samples from Mexico City shown by microscopy to contain E. histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Endolimax nana, Trichuris trichiuria, and Chilomastix mesnili parasites, the DNA hybridization probe demonstrated a sensitivity of 1.0 and a specificity of 0.93. We conclude that the DNA hybridization probe can be used for rapid and accurate diagnosis of E. histolytica parasites. Images
Comparison of Observational Methods and Their Relation to Ratings of Engagement in Young Children.

Although, collectively, results of earlier direct observation studies suggest momentary time sampling (MTS) may offer certain technical advantages over whole-interval (WIR) and partial-interval (PI...
Baseline correction in a two-way randomized blocks design.

Randomized blocks designs are used in clinical psychopharmacology research to test the hypothesis that relative effectiveness of different drug treatments depends on the type of patient being treated. Monte Carlo methods were used to evaluate the adequacies of different approaches to statistical control over baseline differences in such a design with special concern for the treatments × blocks interaction effect. Given the usual assumptions, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was shown to provide adequate baseline correction with consequent unbiased tests for the treatments × blocks interaction, as well as the main effect for the randomized treatments. Tests relying on simple pre-post difference scores and percentage change scores evidenced seriously conservative or nonconservative bias in the test for treatments × blocks interaction effect, a bias that depended on the direction of the corresponding interaction effect observed in the baseline measurements alone. This is discussed as a serious matter because ...
Development of an assessment of functioning scale for prison environments.

This paper reports the development of a global assessment of functioning (GAF), modified from the DSM Axis V GAF for the prison environment. Focus groups, which were conducted with 36 correctional officers and clinicians in two prisons, provided descriptions of behavior in prison settings to re-align the GAF scale. Face validity was established. It was found that Habitation/Behavior, Social ,a ndSymptoms emerged as important domains of functioning in prison. Gender differences were noted with regard to cleanliness, relationships and coping strategies. The cutoff score was identified at a score where offenders were unable to participateinadisciplinaryprocessduetotheirmentalillness.The structure of prison alters human functioning, requiring different assessment language and ratings to measure perceived behavioral norms and/or expectations. Front-line staff need the ability to observeandcommunicatebehavioral changesquicklyandaccurately in a prison environment without undue burden upon their workload. This assessment was modified by front-line staff specifically for the prison environment to document quick and frequent assessments of observed changes over time in the offender population.
Translational medicine: path to personalized and public health

Individualized medicine aims to provide personalized solutions based on patient-specific mole cular mechanisms of disease by transforming traditional healthcare practices that are applied to the population. Indeed, the individual variability in disease manifestation and treatment outcome, exemplars of challenges in today’s medicine, impede optimal patient management and compromise population health. This variability reflects current limitations in the knowledge base of disease processes and in the inadequate delivery of most promising healthcare solutions. Molecular sciences, including the evolving science of biomarkers, have catalyzed the development of diagnostic and thera peutic platforms tailored to the individual patient profile, paving the way for the deployment of individualized medicine approaches that address human variation and individualized medical need [1]. This next generation of medicine is largely enabled by technological breakthroughs that have led to advanced resolutions of disease states, guided development of prognostic discriminators of disease variability and selection of treatment response predictors [2]. Patient-centric algorithms, grounded in the individual’s genetic makeup, are emerging as the flagship of con temporary medicine [3]. The implementation of personalized practices, offering unprecedented opportunities for earlier diagnosis, effective prevention and disease cures, present a new era in medicine, and has the opportunity to transform the standard of care for individual patients and populations.
Digital youth cultures in small town and rural Gujarat, India:

This paper examines youth digital cultures in rural/small town Gujarat, India and brings forth a perspective from the Global South in understanding the net generation. We examine how the location and dominant discourses intersect with digital technologies and re-configure aspects of daily lives, such as study, leisure, and friendship; how youth negotiate their interactions with digital media as one aspect of their larger lifeworlds; and how these negotiations influence cultural practices within structural environments. Youth in this study treat new media and technologies as one limited component of otherwise rich lives and social experiences. While new technologies promote individualistic mobility, Indian youth of small towns and rural places still live in collective social structures that shape their orientations. New media are at the periphery of their lives, as these youth have strong interpersonal connections that are rooted in geographic proximity and active school experiences.
The IPL Gene on Chromosome 11p15.5 is Imprinted in Humans and Mice and is Similar to TDAG51, Implicated in Fas Expression and Apoptosis

We searched for novel imprinted genes in a region of human chromosome 11p15.5, which contains several known imprinted genes. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of the IPL ( I mprinted in P lacenta and L iver) gene, which shows tissue-specific expression and functional imprinting, with the maternal allele active and the paternal allele relatively inactive, in many human and mouse tissues. Human IPL is highly expressed in placenta and shows low but detectable expression in fetal and adult liver and lung. Mouse Ipl maps to the region of chromosome 7 which is syntenic with human 11p15.5 and this gene is expressed in placenta and at higher levels in extraembryonic membranes (yolk sac), fetal liver and adult kidney. Mouse and human IPL show sequence similarity to TDAG51 , a gene which was shown to be essential for Fas expression and susceptibility to apoptosis in a T lymphocyte cell line. Like several other imprinted genes, mouse and human IPL genes are small and contain small introns. These data expand the repertoire of known imprinted genes and will be helpful in testing the mechanism of genomic imprinting and the role of imprinted genes in growth regulation.
Predicting β′ precipitate morphology and evolution in Mg-RE alloys using a combination of first-principles calculations and phase-field modeling

Abstract The precipitate morphology in Mg–rare earth (RE) element binary alloys is predicted using a multi-scale modeling approach combining a three-dimensional (3-D) phase-field model and first-principles density functional theory calculations. First-principles calculations provide all the required input parameters for the phase-field model, including lattice parameters, elastic constants, formation energies and interfacial energies. This integrated model is applied to a Mg–Nd alloy as a model system. Quantitative 3-D phase-field simulations are performed to study the metastable β′ precipitate morphologies, habit plane formation and spatial distribution of the precipitates during isothermal aging. The predicted morphologies of β′ precipitates are in excellent agreement with existing experimental observations. The influence of the precipitate morphology on the mechanical properties is also evaluated using the Orowan equation. The results are expected to provide guidance for achieving desirable precipitate morphologies and thus mechanical properties in Mg alloys.
Catheterization-based intervention in low birth weight infants less than 2.5 kg with acute and long-term outcome.

Background: The number of low birth weight infants with congenital heart disease is increasing and catheterizations may have an increased risk for mortality and morbidity. Objectives: We investigate the outcome and complications of cardiac catheterizations in infants weighing <2.5 kg. Methods: Retrospective review of catheterization records from 1995 to 2010 in infants weighing <2.5 kg. The demographics, procedure, outcome, and follow-up data were collected. Results: Of 101 catheterizations performed in 88 patients, 45 (45%) catheterizations were interventional. Balloon atrial septostomy (n 523), pulmonary valvuloplasty (14), aortic valvuloplasty (4), stent placement (3), balloon angioplasty (2), and temporary pacemaker insertion (1) were successfully performed. Balloon atrial septostomy was performed with pulmonary or aortic valvuloplasty in two catheterizations. Infants <2.5 kg had higher significant adverse event rate that those 2.523.5 kg (13% versus 6.6%, P <0.05). No procedural death was noted. Significant adverse events (n 513) included cardiopulmonary resuscitation three, vascular six, arrhythmia three, and apnea requiring intubation one. On median follow-up of 3 years (0.03 to 14), n 569, mortality rate was 36%. In six patients with valvar pulmonary stenosis with median follow-up of 6 years (0.75–13), four (67%) did not require re-intervention. Of two patients with aortic stenosis, one did not require repeat intervention for 6 years (last follow-up). Conclusion: Interventional catheterization is feasible with low procedural morbidity and mortality in high risk infants <2.5 kg. Catheterization primarily serves as a palliative procedure to stabilize infants for definitive treatment. Balloon valvuloplasty may be effective for isolated valvar pulmonary stenosis in infants <2.5 kg. V C 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Resistant HIV Is Stimulated by Efavirenz during Early Stages of Infection

Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are potent and commonly prescribed antiviral agents used in combination therapy (CART) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. The development of drug resistance is a major limitation of CART. Reverse transcriptase (RT) genotypes with the NNRTI resistance mutations K101E+G190S are highly resistant to efavirenz (EFV) and can develop during failure of EFV-containing regimens in patients. We have previously shown that virus with K101E+G190S mutations can replicate more efficiently in the presence of EFV than in its absence. In this study, we evaluated the underlying mechanism for drug-dependent stimulation, using a single-cycle cell culture assay in which EFV was added either during the infection or the virus production step. We determined that EFV stimulates K101E+G190S virus during early infection and does not affect late steps of virus replication, such as increasing the amount of active RT incorporated into virions. Additionally, we showed that another NNRTI, nevirapine (NVP), stimulated K101E+G190S virus replication during the early steps of infection similar to EFV, but that the newest NNRTI, etravirine (ETR), did not. We also showed that EFV stimulates K101E+Y188L and K101E+V106I virus, but not K101E+L100I, K101E+K103N, K101E+Y181C, or K101E+G190A virus, suggesting that the stimulation is mutation specific. Real-time PCR of reverse transcription intermediates showed that although the drug did not stimulate minus-strand transfer, it did stimulate minus-strand strong-stop DNA synthesis. Our results indicate that stimulation most likely occurs through a mechanism whereby NNRTIs stimulate priming or elongation of the tRNA.
A multi-stage framework for Dantzig selector and LASSO

We consider the following sparse signal recovery (or feature selection) problem: given a design matrix X ∈ Rn×m (m ≫ n) and a noisy observation vector y ∈ Rn satisfying y = Xβ* + e where e is the noise vector following a Gaussian distribution N(0,σ2I), how to recover the signal (or parameter vector) β* when the signal is sparse? The Dantzig selector has been proposed for sparse signal recovery with strong theoretical guarantees. In this paper, we propose a multi-stage Dantzig selector method, which iteratively refines the target signal β*. We show that if X obeys a certain condition, then with a large probability the difference between the solution β estimated by the proposed method and the true solution β* measured in terms of the lp norm (p ≥ 1) is bounded as ||β-β*||p ≤ (C(s-N)1/p√log m + Δ)σ, where C is a constant, s is the number of nonzero entries in β*, the risk of the oracle estimator Δ is independent of m and is much smaller than the first term, and N is the number of entries of β* larger than a certain value in the order of O(σ√log m). The proposed method improves the estimation bound of the standard Dantzig selector approximately from Cs1/p √logmσ to C(s-N)1/p√logmσ where the value N depends on the number of large entries in β*. When N = s, the proposed algorithm achieves the oracle solution with a high probability, where the oracle solution is the projection of the observation vector y onto true features. In addition, with a large probability, the proposed method can select the same number of correct features under a milder condition than the Dantzig selector. Finally, we extend this multi-stage procedure to the LASSO case.
Incorporation of system inertia into reliability evaluation of real-time control systems

The control system inertia is characterized as the control system deadline (CSD). A computer controller may sometimes fail to produce correct and/or timely control signals due to massive component failures caused by external environmental interferences. However, the underlying control system does not necessarily crash immediately upon controller failure. The CSD is defined as the maximum time the control system can stay in its allowed state space without the computer controller's services in producing correct and/or timely control signals. Through the analysis and simulation of the Boeing 737-a typical real-time control system-we characterized the CSD as a random variable. When evaluating the system reliability with the CSD knowledge, we need not derive the complete distribution of CSD, but need only the first and second moments, thus simplifying the necessary calculation. Finally, we applied the CSD knowledge to the system reliability evaluation, showing significant improvements in accuracy.
Implications of Parathion Resistance and Toxicity of Citricultural Pesticides to a Strain of Euseius hibisci (Chant) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) from the San Joaquin Valley of California

The toxicity of 15 citricultural pesticides to a San Joaquin Valley, California strain of Euseius hibisci (Chant) were evaluated in laboratory bioassays by use of the leaf disc-dip technique. Compounds of low toxicity were parathion, carbaryl, sabadilla, and fenbutatin-oxide. Malathion, methidathion, and propargite were moderately toxic to E. hibisci. Compounds highly toxic to this predatory phytoseiid were methomyl, acephate, cyhexatin, dimethoate, dicofol, chlorpyrifos, oxythioquinox, and chlorobenzilate. Adult females were highly sensitive to methomylleaf residues. A majority of females moved off into the water barrier soon after their placement on the treated surface at levels as low as 0.94 g (AI)/100 liters. The potential for augmentation and conservation of the strain for the biological control of spider mites and citrus thrips in San Joaquin Valley citrus integrated pest management programs are suggested.
Changes in total body water in infants receiving total intravenous nutrition

Using deuterium oxide dilution technique, the total body water changes of five infants maintained on total parenteral nutrition have been determined. While average weight gains of from 14 to 53 g/day were documented, there were decreases in percentage total body water from 13 to 50%. These data taken together support tissue accretion rather than water retention as the mechanism of weight gain in the long-term, large-volume, total parenteral nutrition of these infants.
PEER GROUP INTERVENTIONS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR: A SELECTIVE REVIEW AND A NEW EVALUATION*

Evaluations of correctional treatment programs for criminal offenders and of school-based delinquency prevention programs based on Guided-Group Interaction (GGI) and similar interventions are critically reviewed. One study—the Provo Experiment—provided convincing evidence for the superiority of a community treatment program involving GGI over incarceration (for persons who would otherwise be incarcerated) and modest superiority over probation (for persons who would otherwise be assigned probation). Some evaluations of school-based prevention programs involving GGI derivatives that have been cited as supporting the efficacy of these programs are flawed and may be misleading. A new experimental evaluation of a school-based intervention based on a GGI derivative implies that it increased delinquent behavior among students exposed to it.
Antiviral antibodies are necessary to prevent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte escape in mice infected with a coronavirus.

Mutation within virus-derived CD8 T-cell epitopes can effectively abrogate cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) recognition and impede virus clearance in infected hosts. These so-called “CTL escape variant viruses” are commonly selected during persistent infections and are associated with rapid disease progression and increased disease severity. Herein, we tested whether antiviral antibody-mediated suppression of virus replication and subsequent virus clearance were necessary for preventing CTL escape in coronavirus-infected mice. We found that compared to wild-type mice, B-cell-deficient mice did not efficiently clear infectious virus, uniformly developed clinical disease, and harbored CTL escape variant viruses. These data directly demonstrate a critical role for antiviral antibody in protecting from the selective outgrowth of CTL escape variant viruses.
Methods, Standards, Guidelines, and Considerations in Selecting Animals for Animal-Assisted Therapy: Part A: Understanding Animal Behavior, Species, and Temperament as Applied to Interactions with Specific Populations

Publisher Summary This chapter takes a look at the concepts of animal-assisted activities and therapy (AAA/T) and venues where they are useful, and then deals with selecting appropriate animals. It suggests broadening the concept and practice of AAA/T to include situations where full-time companionship is provided, rather than offering only periodic visits. When preparing to offer AAA/T, many of the principles are the same as those used when selecting companion animals for normal home environments. The decision to offer someone special activities or therapy through companionship with animals is based on the presumption that an animal can provide something that the person needs or that would enhance the person's life in a significant way, or that the animal can add essential motivation to carry out assigned treatments or activities. Careful planning is required to provide adequate support and assistance to individuals seeking therapeutic full-time contact with a companion animal. One issue that frequently arises, concerns the acceptance of companion animals in the person's housing. A more basic challenge is that someone who has compromised psychological or physical health is likely to need a specially tailored program of assistance to assume responsibility for an animal. Some of these systems have been developed by agencies placing guide or service dogs, but comparable instruction and tutorial support are not currently available for the general population.
BEPS - A Primer on Where it Came from and Where It’s Going

Governments throughout the world have been losing many billions of dollars of tax revenues from “legal” tax avoidance conducted by many multinational groups (MNEs) through aggressive structuring of operations and transactions that often lack economic reality so as to earn profits that are subjected to zero or low-taxation. The success of this “legal” tax avoidance motivated the G-20 and the OECD to initiate the two-year Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project, which took place from 2013 to 2015.This discussion of the BEPS project is intended to give the reader an understanding of the project’s origin, its objectives, and how it may proceed in the future. It does not attempt to summarize in detail the specific results of the work on the project’s 15 Action Plan items. Rather, only some brief comments are made on them to give the reader a flavor of the BEPS work undertaken by the OECD and the others who participated in this project. More specifically, the Primer includes:— Examples of MNE BEPS activities,— Description of how the environment strongly motivates BEPS behavior including both systemic issues and developments occurring over past decades,— Participants in the BEPS process,— Brief comments on the BEPS Project 15 Action Plan Items,— Results of the BEPS Project, and— Possible future developments.
Quantitative electroencephalographic and neuropsychological investigation of an alternative measure of frontal lobe executive functions: the Figure Trail Making Test

The most frequently used measures of executive functioning are either sensitive to left frontal lobe functioning or bilateral frontal functioning. Relatively little is known about right frontal lobe contributions to executive functioning given the paucity of measures sensitive to right frontal functioning. The present investigation reports the development and initial validation of a new measure designed to be sensitive to right frontal lobe functioning, the Figure Trail Making Test (FTMT). The FTMT, the classic Trial Making Test, and the Ruff Figural Fluency Test (RFFT) were administered to 42 right-handed men. The results indicated a significant relationship between the FTMT and both the TMT and the RFFT. Performance on the FTMT was also related to high beta EEG over the right frontal lobe. Thus, the FTMT appears to be an equivalent measure of executive functioning that may be sensitive to right frontal lobe functioning. Applications for use in frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other patient populations are discussed.
Dynamic Adaptive Robust Backstepping Control Design for an Uncertain Linear System

This paper builds on the existing adaptive robust control (ARC) synthesis method introduced by Yao et al. and presents a new method to synthesize ARCs. Based on dynamic backstepping, the approach explicitly addresses the uncertain dynamics which enters into the system via the higher-order channels of the state-space model. As such, the proposed dynamic ARC (D-ARC) method addresses the inherent weakness of the original approach where uncertainty in the higher-order channels is ignored. The proposed approach is illustrated in simulations for controlling a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator that serves as a read/write head for a single-stage hard disk drive (HDD). The effectiveness of the resulting D-ARC controller is validated by considering the transient performance, tracking errors, and disturbance rejection of the VCM operating in both the track-seeking and track-following modes.
Nine-Year Study of a Field Containing Both Monogyne and Polygyne Red Imported Fire Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Polygyne red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, are now pervasive in eastern Texas and are appearing with increasing frequency in other states. We therefore want to know whether a polygyne population replaces a monogyne one when both are present, and whether a polygyne population persists or is only an early developmental stage of a monogyne population. Between 1982 and 1991, we observed a 152.4 m (500 ft) transect containing both forms of the ant. After 9 yr, two distinct populations remained, although the monogyne population eventually had fewer mounds and occupied a smaller area. In 1982, there were 18 polygyne mounds within the first 30.5 m (100 ft) of the transect and 9 monogyne mounds in the last 91.4 m (300 ft). In 1991, the polygyne population contained 335 closely spaced mounds between 0 and 106.7 m (350 ft) of the transect; only three definitive monogyne mounds were found in the last 30.5 m (100 ft). There is no evidence that the polygyne population gradually differentiated into monogyne colonies. Seasonal size variability was evident in both populations.
Developmental Plasticity and Phenotypic Evolution

Developmental plasticity is the environmentally sensitive production of alternative phenotypes during development. The phenomenon is ubiquitous and a major contributor to biological diversity. Because plasticity appears to be regulated by heritable variation and thus subject to natural selection, it can play a prominent role in adaptation. By influencing the phenotypic variation available to natural selection, plasticity also has important consequences for the course of evolution. As we learn more about the genetic, epigenetic, and developmental mechanisms underlying plasticity, we will be in a better position to understand the full extent and limits of the role played by plasticity in phenotypic evolution.
A new method for building solder bumps for advanced packaging

Summary form only given. The two basic approaches that are currently being used to build solder bumps-wet electroplating and dry evaporation-are subject to strong limitations that prevent a wider application throughout the electronics industry. These limitations are nonuniformities and impurities for the electroplating process, and large investments for process development and production implementation for the evaporation-through-metal-mask process. At MCNC, a method of building small-size (d approximately 1 mil) solder bumps is being developed. The process utilizes conventional thin-film equipment and processes, and soldering equipment and processes. High-yield solder-bumped wafers and/or substrates can be obtained. The process outline and results are presented. >
Mortgage Default: Well-Being in the United States

Scholars have achieved a great deal in their quest to understand that homeownership and stable housing bring substantial benefits to individuals and communities. A house is usually the most expensive purchase consumers will make in their lives, and is often the most significant investment. The economic well-being of financial institutions, local tax revenues, low crime rates, and household wealth are also linked to homeownership. In the same way homeownership provides positive externalities, losing the home to foreclosure brings with it negative externalities, which significantly affect the welfare of individuals, families, and communities. Mortgage default and foreclosure negatively impact an individual’s credit score, access to consumer loans, access to rental units, and even jobs. Foreclosed homes result in the disruption of families and have financial, social, and emotional consequences. The negative impact of mortgage foreclosures and the resulting vacant homes is felt by cities in many ways. Homes and landscaping are not maintained, adversely affecting a neighbourhood’s appearance. Vacant homes attract criminal activity, necessitating increased police surveillance and reducing the sense of security for neighbouring residents. Foreclosed and vacant homes are potential fire hazards. Foreclosed homes drive down property values in a neighbourhood, thus decreasing the tax base in the community, while at the same time, causing an increase in a city’s expenditures.
Temperature Influences Efficacy, Absorption, and Translocation of 2,4-D or Glyphosate in Glyphosate-Resistant and Glyphosate-Susceptible Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)

Glyphosate and 2,4-D have been commonly used for control of common and giant ragweed before planting of corn and soybean in the midwestern United States. Because these herbicides are primarily applied in early spring, environmental factors such as temperature may influence their efficacy. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate the influence of temperature on the efficacy of 2,4-D or glyphosate for common and giant ragweed control and the level of glyphosate resistance and (2) determine the underlying physiological mechanisms (absorption and translocation). Glyphosate-susceptible (GS) and glyphosate-resistant (GR) common and giant ragweed biotypes from Nebraska were used for glyphosate dose–response studies, and GR biotypes were used for 2,4-D dose–response studies conducted at two temperatures (day/night [d/n]; low temperature [LT]: 20/11 C d/n; high temperature [HT]: 29/17 C d/n). Results indicate improved efficacy of 2,4-D or glyphosate at HT compared with LT for common and giant ragweed control regardless of susceptibility or resistance to glyphosate. The level of glyphosate resistance decreased in both the species at HT compared with LT, primarily due to more translocation at HT. More translocation of 2,4-D in GR common and giant ragweed at HT compared with LT at 96 h after treatment could be the reason for improved efficacy. Similarly, higher translocation in common ragweed and increased absorption and translocation in giant ragweed resulted in greater efficacy of glyphosate at HT compared with LT. It is concluded that the efficacy of 2,4-D or glyphosate for common and giant ragweed control can be improved if applied at warm temperatures (29/17 C d/n) due to increased absorption and/or translocation compared with applications during cooler temperatures (20/11 C d/n).Nomenclature: 2,4-D, glyphosate; common ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.; giant ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L.; corn, Zea mays L.; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.
The Fibroid with Red Flags

A 33-year-old nulliparous patient who desires fertility presents with a 6-month history of deep dyspareunia. She reports a history of renal cell carcinoma and heavy periods but is otherwise healthy. Her exam is significant for multiple cutaneous nodules and a mildly enlarged uterus. Pelvic ultrasound shows a 7 cm lower uterine segment subserosal fibroid.
Comparative Trends in Log Populations in Northern Arizona Mixed-Conifer and Ponderosa Pine Forests Following Severe Drought

Logs provide an important form of coarse woody debris in forest systems, contributing to numerous ecological processes and affecting wildlife habitat and fuel complexes. Despite this, little information is available on the dynamics of log populations in southwestern ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and especially mixed-conifer forests. A recent episode of elevated tree mortality in these forest types in northern Arizona caused a pulse in log inputs as dead trees broke and fell. We documented changes in these log populations from 2004 to 2009 in an earlier paper. Here, we extended that work to evaluate changes in log abundance and volume between 2009 and 2014, compare trends in log abundance and volume between this period and the preceding 5-year period, estimate overall change in log abundance and volume over the period from 2004 to 2014, and describe temporal relationships between log abundance and changes in populations of snags (standing dead trees) during the study. Trends in log populations differed between forest types. Increases in log abundance were more widespread and larger in magnitude in mixed-conifer forest than in ponderosa pine forest. Over the entire 10-year study period, log abundance increased by 52% and 30% in mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forest, respectively. Most of that increase occurred in the first 5 years, especially in ponderosa pine forest. Log abundance and volume continued to increase from 2009 to 2014 in mixed-conifer forest, whereas these parameters showed little change in ponderosa pine forest over this period. Log abundance lagged snag abundance, which peaked in 2007 but remained elevated in 2012 relative to pre-2007 levels in both forest types. Thus, log abundance may continue to increase as those snags break and fall. The ultimate magnitude and duration of this drought-mediated pulse in log inputs to these systems thus remains unknown. Understanding how these systems respond to drought-related mortality pulses may aid forest ecologists and managers charged with adapting forest management strategies in an era of changing climate.
Capture versus tagging impacts on chum salmon freshwater spawning migration travel times

The spawning migration travel times of chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum), fitted with gastrically implanted radio tags vs external spaghetti tags were tested for a short [≈60 river km (rkm)] and long migration route (≈730 rkm) on the Koyukuk River, Alaska, USA. Using a novel application of statistical arrival curve models to infer travel times for uncaptured fish, migrations by chum salmon not directly handled during the study were also assessed. Results demonstrated negligible differences in travel times within migration routes between fish fitted only with spaghetti tags and fish fitted with radio tags, indicating low impacts on migration travel behaviour associated with gastric tags once deployed. Conversely, travel times for unhandled fish as inferred by statistical arrival models may have been 12%–24% shorter than those for fish captured with gillnets for tagging. These results suggest that, if present, chum salmon migration behaviour impacts may be more strongly associated with fish capture than tag deployment.
Outcomes-Based Approaches to Mass Atrocity Education

Despite progress in the development, embrace, and implementation of mass atrocity education, scholars point to a significant oversight of this growth: few programs systematically evaluate or assess their outcomes. Given that the pursuit of evidence permeates all aspects of education in the United States today, this chapter focuses on outcomes assessment in American higher education. To connect this focus to published research on mass atrocity education, it relates exemplary studies from that literature to the outcomes assessment process. The chapter also focuses on the author’s efforts, as coordinator of the 2015–2016 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)/Kupferberg Holocaust Center (KHC) Colloquium Series, “Gender, Mass Violence, and Genocide,” to evaluate and assess the series’ impacts. The chapter concludes by connecting outcomes assessment to the aligned work of faculty across the series’ years.
The amplifying role of need in giving decisions

Abstract Hamilton's rule predicts that altruism should depend on costs incurred and benefits provided, but these depend on the relative needs of the donor and recipient. Rewriting Hamilton's rule to account for relative need suggests an amplifying effect of need on relatedness, but not necessarily other relationship qualities. In a reanalysis of three studies of social discounting and a new replication, we find that relative need amplifies the effects of relatedness on giving in two samples of U.S. adults recruited online, but not U.S. undergraduates or Indian adults recruited online. Among U.S. online participants, the effect of genetic kinship was greater when the partner was perceived to be in higher need than when in lower need. In the other samples, relatedness and greater partner need were associated with greater giving, but the effect of relatedness on giving was not significantly amplified by need. Need never amplified the effect of social closeness on giving, although it did diminish the effect of closeness in U.S. undergraduates, likely reflecting a ceiling effect. These results confirm predictions from a modification of Hamilton's rule in a sample of U.S. adults, but raise important questions about why they hold in some samples but not others. They also illustrate the importance of understanding how contextual factors, such as relative need, can moderate the importance of common variables used in evolutionary cost-benefit analyses.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive (principal form), progressive, neuromuscular disease, caused by a defect in the survival motor neuron 1 gene. The physiologic changes of pregnancy are poorly tolerated in SMA patients who frequently experience increasing muscle weakness and progressive respiratory insufficiency throughout pregnancy. Because of respiratory insufficiency, challenging airway anatomy, and spinal deformities, formulating an adequate anesthetic plan is difficult. Although there are typically no contraindications to placing an epidural for labor analgesia, patients with SMA have an increased incidence of difficult epidural placement and inadequate blockade. For cesarean delivery, neuraxial anesthesia is typically preferred although this will ultimately depend on the degree of respiratory insufficiency. Due to various degrees of severity, no single anesthetic plan will be best for all pregnant women with SMA, and a tailored approach should be developed, which optimizes the opportunity for a successful delivery and minimizes risk.
Low energy states of NdO+ probed by photoelectron spectroscopy.

The ionization energy (IE) of NdO and the low-energy electronic states of NdO+ have been examined by means of two-color photoionization spectroscopy. The value obtained for the IE, 5.5083(2) eV, is 0.54 eV higher than previous estimates. This leads to the conclusion that the autoionization reaction Nd + O → NdO+ + e− is exothermic by 1.76(10) eV. Thirty vibronic levels of NdO+ arising from eight electronic states were observed with partial rotational resolution. The energy level pattern and supporting electronic structure calculations indicated that all of the observed states correlated with the Nd3+(4f3, 4I)O2− configuration. The structure was consistent with a ligand field theory model where the electronic states of the Nd3+(4f3, 4I) atomic ion define a repeated motif in the electronic state energy intervals of the molecular ion. Comparisons with UO+ show close similarity in the electronic structures of these isoelectronic species.The ionization energy (IE) of NdO and the low-energy electronic states of NdO+ have been examined by means of two-color photoionization spectroscopy. The value obtained for the IE, 5.5083(2) eV, is 0.54 eV higher than previous estimates. This leads to the conclusion that the autoionization reaction Nd + O → NdO+ + e− is exothermic by 1.76(10) eV. Thirty vibronic levels of NdO+ arising from eight electronic states were observed with partial rotational resolution. The energy level pattern and supporting electronic structure calculations indicated that all of the observed states correlated with the Nd3+(4f3, 4I)O2− configuration. The structure was consistent with a ligand field theory model where the electronic states of the Nd3+(4f3, 4I) atomic ion define a repeated motif in the electronic state energy intervals of the molecular ion. Comparisons with UO+ show close similarity in the electronic structures of these isoelectronic species.
The impact of basic vs. enhanced Go NAPSACC on child care centers' healthy eating and physical activity practices: protocol for a type 3 hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster-randomized trial.

To prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy development, health authorities recommend that child care programs use the evidence-based practices that foster healthy eating and physical habits in children. Go NAPSACC is an intervention shown to improve use of these recommended practices, but it is known to encounter barriers that limit its impact and widespread use. This study will use a type 3 hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster-randomized trial to compare effectiveness and implementation outcomes achieved from Go NAPSACC delivered with a basic or enhanced implementation approach. Participants will include approximately 25 coaches from Child Care Aware of Kentucky (serving four geographic regions), 97 child care centers with a director and teacher from each and two cross-sectional samples of 485 3–4-year-old children (one recruitment at baseline, another at follow-up). Coaches will be randomly assigned to deliver Go NAPSACC using either the basic or enhanced implementation approach. “Basic Go NAPSACC” represents the traditional way of delivering Go NAPSACC. “Enhanced Go NAPSACC” incorporates preparatory and support activities before and during their Go NAPSACC work, which are guided by the Quality Implementation Framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Data will be collected primarily at baseline and post-intervention, with select measures continuing through 6, 12, and 24 months post-intervention. Guided largely by RE-AIM, outcomes will assess change in centers’ use of evidence-based nutrition and physical activity practices (primary, measured via observation); centers’ adoption, implementation, and maintenance of the Go NAPSACC program (assessed via website use); center directors’, teachers’, and coaches’ perceptions of contextual factors (assessed via self-report surveys); children’s eating and physical activity behaviors at child care (measured via observation and accelerometers); and cost-effectiveness (assessed via logs and expense tracking). The hypotheses anticipate that “Enhanced Go NAPSACC” will have greater effects than “Basic Go NAPSACC.” This study incorporates many lessons gleaned from the growing implementation science field, but also offers opportunities to address the field’s research priorities, including applying a systematic method to tailor implementation strategies, examining the processes and mechanisms through which implementation strategies produce their effects, and conducting an economic evaluation of implementation strategies. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03938103, Registered April 8, 2019
The Impact of the Flint Water Crisis on Fertility

Flint switched its public water source in April 2014, increasing exposure to lead and other contaminants. We compare the change in the fertility rate and in health at birth in Flint before and after the water switch to the changes in other cities in Michigan. We find that Flint fertility rates decreased by 12 % and that overall health at birth decreased. This effect on health at birth is a function of two countervailing mechanisms: (1) negative selection of less healthy embryos and fetuses not surviving (raising the average health of survivors), and (2) those who survived being scarred (decreasing average health). We untangle this to find a net of selection scarring effect of 5.4 % decrease in birth weight. Because of long-term effects of in utero exposure, these effects are likely lower bounds on the overall effects of this exposure.
First implementation of gyrokinetic exact linearized Landau collision operator and comparison with models

Gyrokinetic simulations are fundamental to understanding and predicting turbulent transport in magnetically confined fusion plasmas. Previous simulations have used model collision operators with approximate field-particle terms of unknown accuracy and/or have neglected collisional finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects. We have implemented the linearized Fokker–Planck collision operator with exact field-particle terms and full FLR effects in a gyrokinetic code (GENE). The new operator, referred to as “exact” in this paper, allows the accuracy of model collision operators to be assessed. The conservative Landau form is implemented because its symmetry underlies the conservation laws and the H-theorem, and enables numerical methods to preserve this conservation, independent of resolution. The implementation utilizes the finite-volume method recently employed to discretize the Sugama collision model in GENE, allowing direct comparison between the two operators. Results show that the Sugama model appears accurate for the growth rates of trapped electron modes (TEMs) driven only by density gradients, but appreciably underestimates the growth rates as the collisionality and electron temperature gradient increase. The TEM turbulent fluxes near the nonlinear threshold using the exact operator are similar to the Sugama model for the η e = d ln T e / d ln n e = 0 case, but substantially larger than the Sugama model for the η e = 1 case. The FLR effects reduce the growth rates increasingly with wavenumber, deepening a “valley” at the intermediate binormal wavenumber as the unstable mode extends from the TEM regime to the electron temperature gradient instability regime. Application to the Hinton–Rosenbluth problem shows that zonal flows decay faster as the radial wavenumber increases and the exact operator yields weaker decay rates.