cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of growth, recruitment, mortality and biomass across an altitudinal gradient in a neotropical montane forest, Dominican Republic

We examined stand dynamics and biomass along an altitudinal gradient in a tropical montane forest (TMF) in the disturbance-prone Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. We tested the general hypothesis that chronic disturbancebyfire,wind,floodsandlandslidesresultsinalandscapeofrelativelylowabove-groundbiomasswithhigh rates of mortality, recruitment and growth as compared with other TMFs. We also expected above-ground biomass to decrease with altitude in part due to declines in growth and increased biomass losses from mortality with increasing altitude. We resurveyed 75 0.1-ha plots distributed across the altitudinal gradient (1100-3100 m asl) 8 y after they wereestablished.Ourobservationsprovidedmixedevidenceonthesehypotheses.Turnoverrateswerehigh(>2%y −1 ) and significantly greater on windward slopes. Above-ground biomass (mean = 306 Mg ha −1 , 95% CI = 193-456 Mg ha −1 ) was highly variable but comparable to other TMFs. Altitudinal patterns of declining biomass and above-ground
Effects of climate change on the evolution of Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) lineages

ABSTRACT Understanding how distributions of species change through time allows evaluation of hypotheses about factors shaping biogeographic patterns and evolutionary trajectories of genetic lineages. Ideally, such studies would assess whether population genetic processes are associated with geographic distribution shifts, loss or gain of distributional area through time, or fragmentation of distributional areas, information that can now be derived via ecological niche modeling. We examined the distributional changes through time in lineages and populations of Brown Creeper (Certhia americana), a widespread North American bird, to test biogeographic and population genetic hypotheses. In two populations with genetic support for population bottlenecks, Monterey County in California and the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico, ecological niche models indicated range contractions and increased fragmentation since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Projections of niche models to the future suggested continuation of ra...
Novel pathway for induction of latent virus from resting CD4(+) T cells in the simian immunodeficiency virus/macaque model of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 latency.

ABSTRACT Although combination therapy allows the suppression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viremia to undetectable levels, eradication has not been achieved because the virus persists in cellular reservoirs, particularly the latent reservoir in resting CD4+ T lymphocytes. We previously established a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)/macaque model to study latency. We describe here a novel mechanism for the induction of SIV from latently infected resting CD4+ T cells. Several human cell lines including CEMx174 and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines mediated contact-dependent activation of resting macaque T cells and induction of latent SIV. Antibody-blocking assays showed that interactions between the costimulatory molecule CD2 and its ligand CD58 were involved, whereas soluble factors and interactions between T-cell receptors and major histocompatibility complex class II were not. Combinations of specific antibodies to CD2 also induced T-cell activation and virus induction in human resting CD4+ T cells carrying latent HIV-1. This is the first demonstration that costimulatory signals can induce latent virus without the coengagement of the T-cell receptor, and this study might provide insights into potential pathways to target latent HIV-1.
Bulk SmCo/sub 5///spl alpha/-Fe composite by plasma pressure consolidation

Plasma pressure consolidation (PPC) was used to synthesize exchange coupled composite magnets. The magnets were processed from a mixture of micrometer-size, anisotropic magnetically hard SmCo/sub 5/ and nanometer size magnetically soft Fe particles. High density magnets were obtained by PPC at a temperature as low as 760/spl deg/C. The compacted SmCo/sub 5///spl alpha/-Fe composite showed single-phase magnetic behavior.
Effects of London-van der Waals forces on the thinning and rupture of a dimpled liquid film as a small drop or bubble approaches a fluid-fluid interface

When a small drop or bubble approaches a fluid-fluid interface, a thin liquid film forms between them and begins to drain. As the thickness of the draining film become sufficiently small [about 1,000 A (100 nm)], the effects of the London-van der Waals forces and of the repulsive force of any electrostatic double layer become important. Lin and Slattery (1982b) developed a hydrodynamic theory for the first portion of the coalescence process: the drainage of the thin liquid film while it is sufficiently thick that the effects of London-van der Waals forces and of electrostatic forces can be ignored. Here the effect of the London-van der Waals forces are included. Given only the drop radius and the required physical properties, the configuration of the film as a function of time is predicted. For the case of a negative disjoining pressure, it is possible to estimate an upper bound for the coalescence time or the time during which a small drop or bubble appears to rest at a phase interface before it coalesces under the influence of London-van der Waals forces.
Development of a Novel Malingering Detection Method Involving Multiple Detection Strategies

This study utilized a novel computer-administered measure designed to assess multiple malingering detection strategies, as well as measure genuine impairment in a brain-injured sample. Ninety-four neurologically normal subjects comprised control and simulator groups. Twenty individuals with moderate to severe head injuries comprised a clinical sample. The summary score from the measure yielded a sensitivity of .81 and a specificity of .89. Total completion time and learning curves were utilized as genuine impairment indicators. Sensitivity (.95) and specificity (.95) were quite high for these dimensions. Results suggest there is utility to combining detection techniques, including indicators of genuine impairment.
Canine Haemangiopericytomas — A Survey of 200 Tumours*

— —Of 200 canine haemangiopericytomas examined, most were slow-growing, lobulated tumours which occurred principally in dogs between 6 and 14 years of age. Haemangiopericytomas were found more often in females (69 per cent) and in two sites, the forelegs (26 per cent) and thighs (26 per cent). The next most common locations were the chest (11 per cent) and shoulders (8 per cent). Compared to the normal canine population, the haemangiopericytoma is more prevalent in Boxer dogs, German Shepherd dogs, Cocker and Springer Spaniels. Resume— —Parmi 200 hemangiopericytomes examines chez le chien, la plupart sont des tumeurs lobuees a croissance lente, qui apparaissent chez des animaux âges de 6 a 14 ans. Les hemangio-pericytomes sont rencontres plussouvent chez les femelles (69 p. 100) et selondeux localisations: sur les pattes posterieures (26 p. 100) et sur les cuisses (26 p. 100). Ensuite, les leiux d'election les plus communs sont la poitrine (11 p. 100) et les epaules (8 p. 100). Compte-tenu de la repartition des races dans la population canine, l'hemangiopericytome est plus frequent chez les boxers, les bergers allemands. les cockers et les epagneuls. Zusammenfassung— —200 Hamangioperizytome von Hunden wurden untersucht. Die mcisten erwiesen sich als lobulare Tumoren von langsamer Wachtumsgeschwindigkeit, die hauptaschlich bei Hunden im Alter zwischen 6 und 14 Jahren gefunden wurden. Hamangioperizytome wurden mit groserer Haufigkeit bei Hundinncn (69 Prozent) und in 2 Korperteilen, dem Vorderbein (26 Prozent) und dem Oberschenkel (26 Prozent), gesehen. Die beiden nachsthaufigen Vorkommensorte waren die Brust (11 Prozent) und die Schultern (8 Prozent). Im Verhaltnis zur normalen Hundebe-volkerung erscheint sin Hamangioperizytom mit groserer Frequenz bei Boxern, Deutschen Schafer-hunden, Cocker- und Springerspanieln.
Contribution of Kinesophobia and Catastrophic Thinking to Upper-Extremity-Specific Disability

Background: Upper-extremity-specific disability correlates with mood and coping strategies. The aim of this study was to determine if two psychological factors, kinesiophobia (fear of movement) and perceived partner support, contribute significantly to variation in upper-extremity-specific disability in a model that included factors known to contribute to variation such as depression, pain anxiety, and catastrophic thinking. Methods: We performed an observational cross-sectional study of 319 patients who each had one of the following conditions: trigger finger (n = 94), carpal tunnel syndrome (n = 29), trapeziometacarpal arthrosis (n = 33), Dupuytren contracture (n = 31), de Quervain syndrome (n = 28), wrist ganglion cyst (n = 32), lateral epicondylosis (n = 41), and a fracture of the distal part of the radius treated nonoperatively six weeks previously (n = 31). Each patient completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and questionnaires measuring symptoms of depression, pain anxiety, catastrophic thinking, kinesiophobia, and perceived level of support from a partner or significant other. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to determine significant independent predictors of the DASH score. Results: Men had significantly lower (better) DASH scores than women (21 versus 31; p < 0.01). DASH scores also differed significantly by diagnosis (p < 0.01), marital status (p = 0.047), and employment status (p < 0.01). The DASH score correlated significantly with depressive symptoms (p < 0.01), catastrophic thinking (p < 0.01), kinesiophobia (p < 0.01), and pain anxiety (p < 0.01) but not with perceived partner support. The best multivariable model of factors associated with greater arm-specific disability (according to the DASH score) included sex, diagnosis, employment status, catastrophic thinking, and kinesiophobia and accounted for 55% of the variation. Conclusions: In this sample, kinesiophobia and catastrophic thinking were the most important predictors of upper-extremity-specific disability in a model that accounted for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and pathophysiology (diagnosis) and explained more than half of the variation in disability. Perceived partner support was not a significant factor. The consistent and predominant role of several modifiable psychological factors in disability suggests that patients may benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that optimizes mindset and coping strategies.
Evaluation of Atropine 1% Ophthalmic Solution Administered Sublingually for the Management of Terminal Respiratory Secretions

Terminal respiratory secretions (TRS) or "death rattle" is a common symptom in the dying patient. Current practice for the prevention and treatment of TRS involves the use of oral, sublingual, transdermal, or parenteral anticholinergic medications. A retrospective chart review of patients admitted to a hospice inpatient unit for terminal care and treated with sublingual atropine 1% ophthalmic drops for TRS was conducted. A total of 19 of 22 patients treated with atropine had documented reduction or resolution of TRS. This study suggests that atropine 1% ophthalmic drops administered sublingually are a reasonable option for the management of TRS. Problematic cardiac or central nervous system symptoms were not found in the present study. Results should aid hospice programs who are seeking guidance on the management of TRS with atropine 1% ophthalmic drops.
Narrow-band interference rejection using the complex linear prediction filter

The properties of the complex linear prediction filter are considered as used in the prewhitening of narrow-band interference prior to detection or parameter estimation based on optimum (MMSE) linear filtering. The parameter dependence of the filter output power, gain, and frequency response is quantified through the analysis of a single narrow-band interference plus uncorrelated tap noise. It is shown how the filter aperture has its usefulness in controlling the width of the notch formed and the whitening of the rest of the spectrum while the depth of the notch formed is proportional to the inverse of the interference-to-noise ratio.
Neurokinin 1 receptor isoforms and the control of innate immunity

Substance P is the prototype tachykinin peptide and triggers a variety of biological effects in both the nervous and immune system. Two naturally occurring variants of the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R) mediate the effects of SP: a 'classic' full-length receptor and a truncated (tail-less) form that lacks 96 amino acid residues at the C-terminus. Most research has focused on the full length receptor and the truncated NK1R has not been extensively explored. Recent data demonstrate that truncated NK1R has important functional roles, including modulation of responses triggered by cytokines, chemotaxis of macrophages and regulation of HIV replication. Targeting the truncated NK1R with pharmacologic agents might result in novel therapeutic approaches in diseases which affect the immune system, including HIV disease.
Palliative Radiotherapy: Current Status and Future Directions

For nearly 100 years, palliative radiotherapy has been a time-efficient, effective treatment for patients with metastatic or advanced cancer in any area where local tumors are causing symptoms. Short courses including a single fraction of radiotherapy may be effective for symptom relief with minimal side effects and maximization of convenience for patient and family. With recent advances in imaging, surgery, and other local therapies as well as systemic cancer therapies, palliative radiotherapy has been used frequently in patients who may not yet have symptoms of advanced or metastatic cancer. In this setting, more prolonged radiotherapy courses and advanced radiotherapy techniques including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) may be useful in obtaining local control and durable palliative responses. This review will explore the use of radiotherapy across the spectrum of patients with advanced and metastatic cancer and delineate an updated, rational approach for the use of palliative radiotherapy that incorporates symptoms, prognosis, and other factors into the delivery of palliative radiotherapy.
Thermal Injury Lowers the Threshold for Radiation-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Dysfunction

The consequences of radiation exposure alone are relatively well understood, but in the wake of events such as the World War II nuclear detonations and accidents such as Chernobyl, other critical factors have emerged that can substantially affect patient outcome. For example, ~70% of radiation victims from Hiroshima and Nagasaki received some sort of additional traumatic injury, the most common being thermal burn. Animal data has shown that the addition of thermal insult to radiation results in increased morbidity and mortality. To explore possible synergism between thermal injury and radiation on brain, C57BL/6J female mice were exposed to either 0 or 5 Gy whole-body gamma irradiation. Irradiation was immediately followed by a 10% total-body surface area full thickness thermal burn. Mice were sacrificed 6 h, 1 week or 6 month post-injury and brains and plasma were harvested for histology, mRNA analysis and cytokine ELISA. Plasma analysis revealed that combined injury synergistically upregulates IL-6 at acute time points. Additionally, at 6 h, combined injury resulted in a greater upregulation of the vascular marker, ICAM-1 and TNF-α mRNA. Enhanced activation of glial cells was also observed by CD68 and Iba1 immunohistochemistry at all time points. Additionally, doublecortin staining at 6 months showed reduced neurogenesis in all injury conditions. Finally, using a novel object recognition test, we observed that only mice with combined injury had significant learning and memory deficits. These results demonstrate that thermal injury lowers the threshold for radiation-induced neuroinflammation and long-term cognitive dysfunction.
The Evolution and Strategic Positioning of Private Equity Firms

This paper explores the evolution and strategic positioning of private equity firms (general partners) themselves (versus previous research focused on buyout portfolio firm implications). Specifically, we provide a conceptual configuration of private equity firms along two dimensions: their financial structure emphasis (the strategic use of debt versus equity among private equity portfolio firms) and the diversified scope of their portfolio firms. Using these dimensions, we create a typology classifying private equity firms into short-term efficiency niche players, niche players with long-term equity positions, diversified players with focused groups of portfolio firms, and short-term diversified efficiency-oriented players. We also use resource dependence theory and resource-based theory to form our model, and discuss theoretical and managerial implications as well as public policy suggestions.
Obstacle detection using a Time-of-Flight range camera for Automated Guided Vehicle safety and navigation

The performance evaluation of an obstacle detection and segmentation algorithm for Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) navigation in factory-like environments using a 3D real-time range camera is the subject of this paper. Our approach has been tested successfully on British safety standard recommended object sizes and materials placed on the vehicle path. The segmented (mapped) obstacles are then verified using absolute measurements obtained using a relatively accurate 2D scanning laser rangefinder. Sensor mounting and sensor modulation issues will also be described through representative data sets.
The role of electrode location and stimulation polarity in patient response to cortical stimulation for major depressive disorder.

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a neuropsychiatric condition that affects about one-sixth of the US population. Chronic epidural stimulation (EpCS) of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was recently evaluated as a treatment option for refractory MDD and was found to be effective during the open-label phase. However, two potential sources of variability in the study were differences in electrode position and the range of stimulation modes that were used in each patient. The objective of this study was to examine these factors in an effort to characterize successful EpCS therapy. Methods Data were analyzed from eleven patients who received EpCS via a chronically implanted system. Estimates were generated of response probability as a function of duration of stimulation. The relative effectiveness of different stimulation modes was also evaluated. Lastly, a computational analysis of the pre- and post-operative imaging was performed to assess the effects of electrode location. The primary outcome measure was the change in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-28). Results Significant improvement was observed in mixed mode stimulation (alternating cathodic and anodic) and continuous anodic stimulation (full power). The changes observed in HDRS-28 over time suggest that 20 weeks of stimulation are necessary to approach a 50% response probability. Lastly, stimulation in the lateral and anterior regions of DLPFC was correlated with greatest degree of improvement. Conclusions A persistent problem in neuromodulation studies has been the selection of stimulation parameters and electrode location to provide optimal therapeutic response. The approach used in this paper suggests that insights can be gained by performing a detailed analysis of response while controlling for important details such as electrode location and stimulation settings.
Gene networks driving bovine milk fat synthesis during the lactation cycle

The molecular events associated with regulation of milk fat synthesis in the bovine mammary gland remain largely unknown. Our objective was to study mammary tissue mRNA expression via quantitative PCR of 45 genes associated with lipid synthesis (triacylglycerol and phospholipids) and secretion from the late pre-partum/non-lactating period through the end of subsequent lactation. mRNA expression was coupled with milk fatty acid (FA) composition and calculated indexes of FA desaturation and de novo synthesis by the mammary gland. Marked up-regulation and/or % relative mRNA abundance during lactation were observed for genes associated with mammary FA uptake from blood (LPL, CD36), intracellular FA trafficking (FABP3), long-chain (ACSL1) and short-chain (ACSS2) intracellular FA activation, de novo FA synthesis (ACACA, FASN), desaturation (SCD, FADS1), triacylglycerol synthesis (AGPAT6, GPAM, LPIN1), lipid droplet formation (BTN1A1, XDH), ketone body utilization (BDH1), and transcription regulation (INSIG1, PPARG, PPARGC1A). Change in SREBF1 mRNA expression during lactation, thought to be central for milk fat synthesis regulation, was ≤2-fold in magnitude, while expression of INSIG1, which negatively regulates SREBP activation, was >12-fold and had a parallel pattern of expression to PPARGC1A. Genes involved in phospholipid synthesis had moderate up-regulation in expression and % relative mRNA abundance. The mRNA abundance and up-regulation in expression of ABCG2 during lactation was markedly high, suggesting a biological role of this gene in milk synthesis/secretion. Weak correlations were observed between both milk FA composition and desaturase indexes (i.e., apparent SCD activity) with mRNA expression pattern of genes measured. A network of genes participates in coordinating milk fat synthesis and secretion. Results challenge the proposal that SREBF1 is central for milk fat synthesis regulation and highlight a pivotal role for a concerted action among PPARG, PPARGC1A, and INSIG1. Expression of SCD, the most abundant gene measured, appears to be key during milk fat synthesis. The lack of correlation between gene expression and calculated desaturase indexes does not support their use to infer mRNA expression or enzyme activity (e.g., SCD). Longitudinal mRNA expression allowed development of transcriptional regulation networks and an updated model of milk fat synthesis regulation.
Grading the Graders: Motivating Peer Graders in a MOOC

In this paper, we detail our efforts at creating and running a controlled study designed to examine how students in a MOOC might be motivated to do a better job during peer grading. This study involves more than one thousand students of a popular MOOC. We ask two specific questions: (1) When a student knows that his or her own peer grading efforts are being examined by peers, does this knowledge alone tend to motivate the student to do a better job when grading assignments? And (2) when a student not only knows that his or her own peer grading efforts are being examined by peers, but he or she is also given a number of other peer grading efforts to evaluate (so the peer graders see how other peer graders evaluate assignments), do both of these together tend to motivate the student to do a better job when grading assignments? We find strong statistical evidence that ``grading the graders'' does in fact tend to increase the quality of peer grading.
Discriminative stimulus properties of lergotrile.

Although withdrawn from clinical trials because of liver toxicity, the ergot derivative lergotrile has been useful in the treatment of disorders involving dopaminergic systems (e.g., parkinsonism). In various biochemical and behavioral assays, this compound acts most potently as a dopamine (DA) agonist but also has DA antagonist as well as serotonin (5-HT) agonist properties. To elucidate further its effects in vivo, rats were trained to discriminate 0.5 mg/kg of lergotrile from saline in a two-lever water-reinforced task. In tests for similarities to other ergolines, dose-related substitutions were observed with lisuride (0.003-0.04 mg/kg) and d-lysergic acid diethylamide (0.01-0.08 mg/kg); partial substitution occurred with ergonovine (0.063-0.5 mg/kg). The DA agonist apomorphine (0.016-0.5 mg/kg) also substituted for lergotrile whereas the 5-HT agonist quipazine (0.25-2.0 mg/kg) elicited primarily saline-appropriate responding. Tests involving drug combinations indicated that the DA antagonist haloperidol (0.016-0.5 mg/kg) attenuated responding on the drug-appropriate lever; however, neither the DA (D2) antagonist sulpiride (2.0-16.0 mg/kg) nor the 5-HT antagonist BC-105 (1.0-4.0 mg/kg) had an effect upon the lergotrile cue. These results indicate that DA neuronal systems are probably more important than 5-HT neuronal systems in mediating the discriminative stimulus properties of lergotrile; however, the contribution of other neurotransmitter systems (e.g., norepinephrine) to these effects still must be evaluated.
Theoretical Study of the C2(1Σg+,3Πu) + H2O Reaction Mechanism

The reaction of C 2 with water and the possible subsequent reactions have been investigated using ab initio methods. Species involved in the reactions on both singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces were optimized at both Moller-Plesset correlation energy correction truncated at second-order (MP2) and quadratic configuration interaction including single and double substitution (QCISD) levels in conjunction with the 6-311++G** basis set. Single point calculations were performed using coupled cluster theory including single, double, and triple substitutions (CCSD(T)) in conjunction with the 6-311++G(d,pd) basis set with the geometry optimized at the MP2/6-311++G** level. On the basis of computational energetic results at the CCSD(T)/ 6-311++G(d,pd)//MP2/6-311++G** plus zero point energy correction level of theory the association reaction channel on the singlet surface dominates over the H-abstraction channel on both singlet and triplet surfaces. The most feasible reaction following the formation of association intermediate (CCOH 2 ) is the intramolecular hydrogen migration leading to hydroxyethyne (HCCOH). Rearrangement of HCCOH can lead to several other isomer intermediates. Elimination of atomic and molecular hydrogen from HCCOH, CCOH 2 , and other isomer intermediates is also surveyed. The implication of our computational results regarding the reaction of C 2 with H 2 O in interstellar space and combustion process is discussed.
Atomistic Modeling of Suspended Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors Under Proton Radiation

We present an atomistic model explaining spontaneous reductions of source-drain current in suspended carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNT FETs) under proton irradiation. The non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method is used to investigate the local density of states (LDOS) and transfer characteristics of the device. Our model suggests that ionized gas species within 20 nm of the CNT FET will act as an electrostatic gate, reducing current in the device for low back-gate voltages.
Analysis of 1368 cases adverse reactions caused by Clindamycin and rensonable application

【Objective】 To study the category and the characteristics of the adverse reactions caused by Clin-damycin.【Methods】1368 cases adverse reactions resulting from Clindamycin collected by Hunan Drug Adverse reactions monitoring Center from November,2003 to July,2007 were statistical analysis,binding Excel electron table and hand-made select,establishing ADR report forms data.The contents of statistics included general state of pa-tients,the damage of organ/system and ADR death cases.【Results】The adverse reactions caused by Clindamycin can occur any ages,with all kinds of clinical manifestations.The most common is allergies.【Conclusion】The ad-verse reactions caused by Clindamycin should be attached great importance to.Clindamycin should be used with caution in patients with a history of hypersensitivity,to discover allergic shock early and to adopt rescue measures promptly in order to reduce the death caused by allergic shock.
Automatic detection of rib contours in chest radiographs

We have constructed a computer algorithm that finds the contours of the dorsal and ventral portions of the images of ribs in chest radiographs. The following are a few of the expected uses for the automatic detection of rib contours: 1. Rib images contribute false positives in tumor-detection algorithms. Hence detecting the rib contours should facilitate removal of these lalse posltives. 2. The ribs provide a frame of reference for the description and location of lesions within the thoracic cavity. 3. The envelope of the ribs provides a more accurate basis for computing the boundary of the chest cavity (referred to as the "lung boundary" In other papers) than other known techniques. Our algorithm consists of a) high-pass filtering of the digitized picture, b) local "edge" detection by a combination of thresholding, Laplacian, and gradient operators, c) selection of edge elements in accordance with their angular orientation, d) matching straight line segments and conic sections to the selected edge elements, e) constructing strips centered on the straight line segments and conic sections, and f) heuristic search within these strips.
Legislative Quotas for Women: Implications for Governance in Africa

Today, women in some African countries have the highest rates of representation in legislatures in the world. Rwanda, for example, became the country with the highest female legislative representation in 2003, as the women of that country claimed 48.8 percent of parliamentary seats—surpassing even the Nordic countries. Other countries like Namibia, Uganda, Seychelles, South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland (only the upper house has 30 percent women) are at or exceed the 25 percent mark in female legislative representation. These represent significant increases in the presence of women in these bodies, especially between 1990 and 2005 when the numbers increased from an average of 8 percent to 14.5 percent. In part, this can be attributed to the increased use of legislative quotas for women. In many countries, women’s rights activists are currently debating the introduction of quotas, some with the intent of increasing women’s representation to 50 percent.
Homeless patients’ perceptions about using cell phones to manage medications and attend appointments

Objectives The objectives of this study were to (1) describe homeless persons’ access and use of cell phones and their perceptions about using cell phone alerts to help manage medications and attend health care appointments and (2) identify demographic characteristics, medication use and appointment history and perceptions associated with interest in receiving cell phone alerts to manage medications and appointments. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2013 at a homeless clinic in Virginia. The questionnaire comprised items about cell phone usage, ownership and functions such as text messaging. Participants reported medication use and appointment history, perceptions about cell phone alerts and interest in receiving alerts to manage medications and appointments. Descriptive statistics for all variables are reported. Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of interest in using a cell phone to manage medications and appointments. Key findings A total of 290 participants completed the survey; 89% had a cell phone. Seventy-seven percent were interested in appointment reminders, whereas 66%, 60% and 54% were interested in refill reminders, medication taking reminders and medication information messages respectively. Those who believed reminders were helpful were more likely to be interested in medication taking, refill and appointment reminder messages compared to those who did not believe reminders were helpful. A history of running out of medicine and forgetting appointments were predictors of interest in refill and appointment reminders. Conclusions Mobile technology is a feasible method for communicating medication and appointment information to those experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
"Knuckle Cracking": Can Blinded Observers Detect Changes With Physical Examination and Sonography?

Background Voluntary knuckle cracking is a common habit, with a reported prevalence of 25% to 45%. Habitual knuckle cracking also is a frequent source of questions for physicians, and the largest study to date reported an association with functional hand impairments.
Using a digital game as an advance organizer

The use of digital games as an instructional tool has garnered increasing attention in the education community. Empirical work supported by theory on the learning affordances of digital games allowed the game-based learning community to arrive at the consensus that digital games provide an excellent medium for the acquisition of skills and the exploration of concepts. The field, however, lacks research on how best to teach with games. For example, an unanswered question is whether gameplay should take place before instruction, after instruction, or integrated throughout in order to maximize the effectiveness of the game. To answer this question, a study was conducted with 103 middle school students who either played a digital game designed to teach algebraic concepts before receiving formal instruction, received formal instruction before playing the game, or received formal instruction intermittently during their gameplay session. The results indicate while on average all participants showed improvement in terms of learning, those who played the game before receiving instruction showed significant improvement. These results provide evidence supporting the theory that games are effective when used as an advanced organization tool.
Body Disapproval as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Risk Factors and Eating Disordered Behaviors Among American Adjudicated Male Youth

This study explores the complex relationships between risk factors (i.e., body disapproval, substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and exposure to pornography) and eating disordered behaviors (EDB) among male youth adjudicated for sexual and nonsexual crimes in the USA. This study used cross-sectional design. Survey data were collected from 800 adjudicated male youth. EDB and risk factors were measured using the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Path analysis within a structural equation model (SEM) was used to investigate the mediated effects of body disapproval on relationships between risk factors and EDB. Results revealed that body disapproval, substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and pornography exposure were significantly related to EDB. Body disapproval mediated the effects of substance abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and pornography exposure on EDB among all adjudicated male youth. Findings suggested that body disapproval maybe an important link in the effects of early risk factors on EDB.
Physical processes involved in the laboratory hydraulic fracturing of granite: Visual observations and interpretation

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a method routinely used in oil and gas extraction and in engineered geothermal systems. While applied frequently, there are many aspects of hydraulic fracturing that are not well understood, such as the effect of the vertical load and fracture geometry in the physical processes responsible for the development of hydraulically-created fractures. This paper presents an experimental study, in which prismatic granite specimens subjected to two different vertical loads (0 and 5 MPa) were hydraulically-fractured by applying a hydraulic pressure inside single and double pre-existing flaws. The fracturing processes were observed using High-Speed Video and High-Resolution cameras. In addition, the fracturing observed in the hydraulic fracturing tests was also compared to uniaxial compression tests performed on similar granite specimens with pre-fabricated flaws but no hydraulic pressure (“dry” tests). It was observed that cracking initiation was usually preceded by white patches, i.e. a process zone consisting of micro-cracks. There are two types of white patching, namely, “long-lasting”, which last for several seconds before transforming into a physical crack and “short-lasting”, which only exist for fractions of a millisecond, before transforming into a visible crack. The latter seems to be specific to hydraulic fracture tests since it was not observed in tests without hydraulic fracturing. While cracking was mostly tensile, there was also minor shearing along grain boundaries between segments of tensile cracks. Most importantly, a combined effect of loading conditions and existing flaw geometries on the fracturing processes was observed. At low bridging angles, there is a distinct difference of the coalescence pattern depending on the loading condition: direct coalescence when no vertical load was applied and no coalescence when a vertical load of 5 MPa was applied. At higher bridging angles, there is no effect of the loading conditions. This is consistent with the water pressure at failure (WPmax): for higher bridging angles, WPmax is the same regardless of the loading conditions, while for lower bridging angles WPmax is larger when a vertical load of 5 MPa is applied.
Tau clearance improves astrocytic function and brain glutamate-glutamine cycle

Tau hyperphosphorylation is a critical factor in neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia and Parkinsonism. Existing animal models of tauopathies express tau in neurons within the forebrain and do not often show tau accumulation in the brainstem and astrocytes. This study aims to understand the effects of differential regional expression of tau on neurotransmitter balance in the brain. To obtain an animal model that expresses tau in the brainstem, we bred hemizygous mice that express P301L tau (TauP301L) and detected hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau) predominantly in the hippocampus, cortex, brainstem and thalamus. We previously demonstrated that TauP301L mice [26] express tau under the control of a prion promoter in both neurons and astrocytes, reminiscent of human tauopathies. We treated TauP301L mice with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) to determine the effects of tau clearance on neurotransmitter balance and astrocytic function. 13C/1H MRS reveals astrocytic dysfunction via reduced glial aspartate and impaired glutamate-glutamine cycle. An increase in glutamate and GABA and decrease in glutamine were observed in homozygous mice compared to hemizygous and control littermates. Daily treatment with TKIs, nilotinib or bosutinib led to p-tau clearance via autophagy and reversal of neurotransmitter imbalance. These data suggest that accumulation of p-tau in the brainstem does not alter dopamine metabolism but may trigger glutamate toxicity and astrocytic dysfunction in the TauP301L mouse. TKIs reverse tau effects via reversal of neurotransmitter imbalance.
4 – The Bakshali Manuscript

In the year ad 1881, a farmer who was doing some excavation found a manuscript consisting of only about 70 birch bark leaves, rich with mathematical content of high order. This manuscript, now widely known as “Bakshali Manuscript,” is in Gatha language, a sort of refinement of prakrit and is written in Sharada script. This manuscript is estimated to belong to third to seventh century ad . It deals mostly with arithmetic and algebra problems. The topic in arithmetic contains fractions, square root, and profit and loss, where as topics in algebra contains simple and simultaneous equations, quadratic equations, and arithmetic and geometric progressions.
Solving multiagent assignment Markov decision processes

We consider the setting of multiple collaborative agents trying to complete a set of tasks as assigned by a centralized controller. We propose a scalable method called "Assignment-based decomposition" which is based on decomposing the problem of action selection into an upper assignment level and a lower task execution level. The assignment problem is solved by search, while the task execution is solved through coordinated reinforcement learning. We show that this decomposition of the overall problem into two levels scales well and outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches including pure assignment-level search or pure coordinated reinforcement learning. We also show how this approach enables transfer learning from domains with few agents to domains with many agents.
Socio-economic aspects of acid soil management

This paper provides an overview of recent research on the social, economic and cultural dimensions of managing acid soils. It highlights the folk knowledge of native farmers and their techniques for managing acidity and even transforming their soils into highly productive anthropogenic soils capable of producing high yields through high labor inputs. The paper also examines the conditions under which these management techniques may not occur. Emphasis is given to linking folk knowledge of soils to scientific classificatory schemes in order to enhance the collaboration of farmers with researchers.
A Unified System Mean Void Fraction Model for Predicting Transient Phenomena Associated with Complete or Incomplete Evaporating and Condensing Flows

The system mean void fraction model has been developed for two-phase transient evaporating and condensing flow systems. It allows for separated flows, and for an axial distribution of local void fraction. Thus it is a distributed model. The principal governing equations are written in integral form, encompassing a finite region upstream of a particular representative propagating void. Incorporating the concept of a system mean void fraction, the governing equations can be formulated such that they are identical for complete or incomplete evaporating and condensing flows. These equations often result in relatively simple closed-form solutions. The purpose of this paper is to present this unified model, and to demonstrate the versatility of its predictive capability for a wide variety of transient phenomena.
Time series forecasting from high-dimensional data with multiple adaptive layers

This paper describes our work in learning online models that forecast real-valued variables in a high-dimensional space. A 3GB database was collected by sampling 421 real-valued sensors in a cement manufacturing plant, once every minute, for several months. The goal is to learn models that, every minute, forecast the values of all 421 sensors for the next hour. The underlying process is highly non-stationary: there are abrupt changes in sensor behavior (time-frame: minutes), semi-periodic behavior (time-frame: hours-days), and slow long-term drift in plant dynamics (timeframe: weeks-months). Therefore, the models need to adapt on-line as new data is received; all learning and prediction must occur in realtime (i.e., one minute). The learning methods must also deal with two forms of data corruption: large amounts of data are missing, and what is recorded is very noisy. We have developed a framework with multiple levels of adaptation in which several thousand incremental learning algorithms that adapt on-line are automatically evaluated (also on-line) to arrive at the "best" predictions. We present experimental results to show that by combining multiple learning methods, we can automatically learn good models for time-series prediction without being provided with any physical models of the underlying dynamics.
Adjuvant Anthracyclines in Breast Cancer: What Is Their Role?

Anthracyclines have been a mainstay of breast cancer therapy for decades, with strong evidence demonstrating their impact on breast cancer survival. However, concerns regarding rare but serious long-term toxicities including cardiotoxicity and hematologic malignancies have driven interest in alternative adjuvant therapy options with more favorable toxicity profiles. This article provides an update of data that help inform clinicians of the role anthracyclines should play in adjuvant breast cancer therapy. Two recently reported large randomized trials-the Anthracycline in Early Breast Cancer and Western German Study Plan B studies-compared a taxane and cyclophosphamide regimen with an anthracycline, taxane, and cyclophosphamide regimen. Although the studies had conflicting results, together these studies suggest that the benefit of adjuvant anthracycline therapy over a nonanthracycline taxane-containing regimen is modest at best and may be primarily seen in patients with especially high-risk disease (i.e., triple-negative breast cancer, involvement of multiple lymph nodes). A third study-the MINDACT study-compared an anthracycline-based regimen to a nonanthracycline regimen, with similar outcomes in both groups. Despite the toxicities, no adjuvant breast cancer regimen has been shown to be superior to an anthracycline-taxane regimen in high-risk patients. These data can directly inform clinical decision-making in determining which patients warrant use of adjuvant anthracycline therapy. Future research may focus on confirming subgroups for whom it is reasonable to forgo adjuvant anthracyclines and validating predictive biomarkers or scores for anthracycline benefit. Implications for practice In patients with early breast cancer, the choice of adjuvant chemotherapy should be based on its effectiveness in reducing breast cancer recurrences and its short- and long-term toxicities. Although adjuvant anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy has the most data supporting its effectiveness, anthracyclines carry a small but important increased risk for cardiotoxicity and leukemia. Two recent clinical trials help describe the degree of benefit with adjuvant anthracycline therapy compared with taxane therapy alone. They suggest that in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and limited lymph node involvement, nonanthracycline taxane-based adjuvant therapy may be adequate.
Targeted Degradation of MDM2 as a New Approach to Improve the Efficacy of MDM2-p53 Inhibitors

MDM2 is a key oncogenic protein that serves as a negative regulator of the tumor suppressor p53. While a number of inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction have progressed to clinical testing as treatments for a variety of hematologic and solid tumor cancers, the results thus far have been mixed, with perhaps the strongest responses observed in relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In an effort to improve the efficacy for this class of compounds, researchers have turned to targeted degradation of MDM2. IMiD-based MDM2 PROTAC 8, which potently reduces MDM2 protein levels through targeted degradation, exhibits enhanced efficacy in the RS4;11 xenograft model relative to a nondegrading MDM2-p53 inhibitor MI-1061.
El discurso humanista de educación masculína: Formas de autocontrol en El scholástico de Cristóbal de Villalón

In his work El scholastico Cristobal de Villalon proposes the construction of a new model of a citizen able to fulfill the demands of the centralized State in the political frame of the Spanish Empire. In this literary text the author echoes the struggles of the humanists who linked up with an emerging bourgeoisie in an attempt to impose new forms of thinking and behavior in order to give rise to an autonomous male subject of civility. Through the creation of an ideology of male conduct based mainly on the principle of self-control, the author deviates from Castiglion's Il cortesano, which is more concerned with defending a specific aristocratic lifestyle. At the same time the ideology emanates from El scholastico denotes the crisis of male identity suffered by the members of the bourgeoisie, who were obliged to negotiate a position of authority in a society still dominated by the Church and the Nobility. It is the work's humanist orientation that is responsible for offering to the male citizen a model of self-fashioning that promulgates control over their own bodies and discourses. It is not surprising that this ideology of control matches the political agenda of the new centralized State perfectly.