cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trivers‐Willard effect in contemporary North American society

The Trivers-Willard hypothesis joins the ideas of R.A. Fisher and A.J. Bateman to model parental investment strategies. Trivers and Willard argue that any overall investment bias favoring either daughters or sons would be maladaptive. Nevertheless, they suggest that, in effectively polygynous species, more complex, conditional sex biases could be adaptive. In particular, they predict that parents in good condition will bias their investment toward sons and that parents in poor condition will bias their investment toward daughters. Among a sample of approximately 900 U.S. mothers we examined several measures of maternal investment including birth weight, interbirth interval and lactational commitment. Maternal condition was assessed by income and by the presence or absence of a coresident adult male. Some measures of investment (five of 14 statistical tests) showed marked and significant sex-by-condition interactions of the type and in the direction predicted by Trivers and Willard; none showed significant effects in the opposite direction. No conscious mediation is required to produce the observed investment patterns.
Risk of recurrent thromboembolic phenomena after ischemic stroke in patients with malignancy

In the 1860s, Trousseau first described the association between cancer and a hypercoagulable state.1 Ironically, he later diagnosed himself with phlebitis and predicted his own death from pancreatic cancer. Secretion of procoagulants by tumor cells, vascular damage secondary to immune response, and iatrogenic injury from chemotherapeutic agents, radiotherapy, and in-dwelling catheters, among other mechanisms, may contribute to hypercoagulability in the setting of cancer.2 This places oncology patients at high risk of cerebrovascular phenomena, which frequently leads to patients' initial diagnosis.3 Despite this well-defined risk in patients with cancer, the incidence of recurrent thromboembolism and its effect on overall survival have received little attention.4
High-molecular-weight glutenin subunits of the most commonly grown wheat cultivars in the U.S. in 1984

All wheat varieties (106) grown in the U.S. on more than 100,000 acres (38,610 ha) as of the latest (1984) crop variety survey were characterized by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The high-molecular-weight glutenin subunit (HMW-GS) band patterns for each variety were assigned the corresponding Payne numbers and theoretical quality scores based on those assignments. The subunit assignments were compared for the different wheat varieties and the five main wheat classes grown in the U.S. Hard red spring (HRS) and winter (HRW) wheats used mainly for breadmaking showed a remarkably high percentage of bands associated with good breadmaking quality. The allele 5+10, which has the strongest association with good quality, was present in 91 % of the hard red spring wheats and 62 % of the hard red winter wheats. Also, 91 % of all HRS and 53 % of HRW wheat varieties had quality scores of 9 or 10 (10 is the highest possible score). Evidently, by selecting for quality through close cooperation with quality testing laboratories, U.S. breeders have unknowingly selected for high quality glutenin subunits in their released varieties. HRS and HRW wheat varieties are normally grown in different environments in time and/or space, accounting to a large extent for differences in protein content (∼2 %) and other quality traits in the two crops. The uniformly high theoretical quality scores of the HRS wheats compared to more variable scores for HRW wheats may help to explain the popular perception that spring wheats have intrinsically higher quality than winter wheats. Admixing grain from variable (some poorer, most good) HRW wheat varieties (due to genetics or environment) has probably also led to the perception of overall lower quality for HRW than HRS wheats. In the soft red winter (SRW) and soft white (SW) wheat classes where the end-use is typically cookies and cakes, 40 and 90 %, respectively, have the allele 2+12 that correlates with poor bread baking quality. The absence of alleles for good bread baking quality may be predictive of good quality for soft wheat products.
The differential effect of epilepsy labels on employer perceptions: report of a pilot study.

A multimethod pilot study is described in which employers’ and human resource professionals’ perceptions of three labels used for epilepsy—epilepsy, seizure disorder, and seizure condition— were explored. Ninety-three participants were presented with a list of 10 chronic conditions or disabilities, including one of these epilepsy labels, and asked to rank-order the likelihood that a person with each condition would be hired for an assembly/production position. The participants also ranked cover letters from fictional applicants for a customer service representative position. The fictional applicants disclosed their condition using one of the three epilepsy labels. The participants then ranked which applicant would most likely be hired. Participants were also asked whether applicants should disclose their disability in a cover letter. Rasch and v 2 analyses were used to analyze the results. Findings suggest that epilepsy was more positively perceived than the other two labels. Almost all of the participants stated that applicants should not disclose their disability in a cover letter. The results have important implications for employment seeking and disclosure practices.
The Relationship Between Nasal Sound Pressure Level and Palatopharyngeal Closure

A group of 21 subjects with well-fitted speech bulbs was compared for nasal sound pressure level (SPL) with a group of 13 subjects having moderate deficiency of palatopharyngeal closure. The differ...
Oncogenicity and cell transformation by papovavirus SV40: the role of the viral genome.

Publisher Summary This chapter evaluates the available knowledge of simian virus 40 (SV40) oncogenesis and assesses the implications for carcinogenesis by DNA-tumor viruses as a whole. It summarizes different tests that can be employed to detect virus-induced changes in SV40-transformed cells. Inoculation of such cells into susceptible hosts usually results in the production of tumors, the ultimate criterion necessary to establish that malignant transformation has indeed occurred. Fusion or cocultivation of the transformed cell with normal susceptible cells may sometimes succeed in the rescue of infectious virus. The optimum conditions required to elicit the production of virus from a majority of the transformed cells have not yet been established. Transformed cells are usually immune to superinfection by the transforming virus. Nucleic acid hybridization experiments indicate that multiple copies of the SV40 genome is present, probably integrated into the host cell chromosome. Virus-specific mRNA is present in the transformed cells. The extent of the transcription of the viral genome seems to vary from one transformed cell line to the next. No relationships have been established between the extent of transcription in a given transformed cell line and the number and/or magnitude of virus-specific changes of that cell line. A series of in vitro tests may detect a variety of surface changes on the transformed cells. These tests include immunofluorescence, agglutination, cytotoxicity, colony inhibition, and mixed hemadsorption.
The Moment Camera

Future cameras are used to "capture the moment" not just the instant when the shutter opens. The moment camera gathers significantly more data than is needed for a single image. This data, coupled with computational photography and user-assisted algorithms, provide powerful new paradigms for image making. The camera constantly records time slices of imagery. Although the input to the moment camera creates a spacetime slab, the moment's output typically consists of a single image. Thus, the processing primarily selects the color for each output pixel given the set of input images in the spacetime slab
One-Way Multi-Party Communication Lower Bound for Pointer Jumping with Applications

In this paper we study the one-way multi-party communication model, in which even party speaks exactly once in its turn. For every fixed k, we prove a tight lower hound of Omega (n1/(k-1)) on the probabilistic communication complexity of pointer jumping in a k-layered tree, where the pointers of the i-lh layer reside on the forehead of the i-th party to speak. The lower bound remains nontrivial even for k = (log n)1/2-Omega(1) parties. Previous to our work a lower bound was known only for k = 3 , and in very restricted models for k > 3. Our results have the following consequences to other models and problems, extending previous work in several directions. The one-way model is strong enough to capture general (non one-wav) multi-party protocols of bounded rounds. Thus we generalize to this multi-party model results on two directions studied in the classical 2-party model. The first is a mund hierarchy: We give an exponential separation between the power of r and 2r rounds in general probabilistic k-party protocols, for any fixed k and r. The second is the relative power of determinism and nondeterminism: We prove an exponential separation between nondeterministic and deterministic communication complexity for general k-party protocols with r rounds, for anvfixed k, r. The pointer jumping function is weak enough to be a special case of the well-studied disjointness function. Thus we obtain a lower bound of Omega (n1/(k-1)) on the probabilistic complexity of k-set disjointness in the oneway model, which was known only for k = 3 parties. Our result also extends a similar lower bound for the weaker simultaneous model, in which parties simultaneously send one message to a referee. Finally, we infer an exponential separation between the power of different orders in which parties send messages in the one-way model, for every fixed k. Previous to our work such a separation was only known for k = 3. Our lower bound technique, which handles functions of high discrepancy, may be of independent interest. It provides a "party-elimination " induction, based on a restricted form of a direct-product result, specific to the pointer jumping function.
Copping out: Why police officers decline to participate in the sergeant’s promotional process

This work examines why police officers decline to participate in the first-line supervisor promotional process to the rank of sergeant. A mail survey, followed by focus group discussions, provides evidence that not seeking advancement is driven by considerations of family, lifestyle choices, and satisfaction with current assignment. Eligible officers who do not seek promotion may be more internally motivated and not driven by the extrinsic rewards attendant to upward mobility.
Electronic structure, absorption spectra, and hyperpolarisabilities of some novel push–pull zinc porphyrins. A DFT/TDDFT study

DFT/TDDFT calculations have been performed on some novel push–pull zinc porphyrins (denoted ZnPor 1, ZnPor 2, and ZnPor 3). This theoretical work aims to investigate the electronic structure, absorption spectra, and hyperpolarisabilities of these molecules. To examine the effects of the peripheral substituents on the molecular properties, zinc porphine (ZnP) and zinc tetraphenylporphine (ZnTPP) were also included in the study. The orbital energy level patterns of the substituted zinc porphyrins are indeed rather different from those of ZnP and ZnTPP. The peripheral substitution breaks the molecular D4h symmetry of the porphyrin, thereby leading to the splitting of the absorption Q band. On the other hand, the B band in the spectra may not arise only from a single excited state; instead, it could be made up of several states that are close in energy. The calculated hyperpolarisabilities (β vec) increase strongly from ZnPor 1 to ZnPor 2 to ZnPor3. The latter two molecules were predicted to have a large β ve...
Thalidomide-induced reversible interstitial pneumonitis in a patient with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Abstract Background Thalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory agent with antiangiogenic properties and activity in ovarian cancer. Pulmonary toxicity unrelated to venous thromboembolism is rare and its etiology is poorly understood. Case We present the first reported case of reversible drug-induced interstitial lung disease in a patient with recurrent ovarian cancer treated with weekly topotecan and thalidomide. The patient's symptoms and radiographic findings completely resolved upon discontinuing thalidomide while continuing on topotecan. Conclusion Due to its antiangiogenic properties and good tolerance, thalidomide is an attractive agent for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. Gynecologic oncologists and pulmonologists should be aware that acute interstitial lung disease is a possible side effect that appears easily reversible when the drug is stopped.
The Genesis of African Easterly Waves by Upstream Development

AbstractA genesis mechanism for African easterly waves (AEWs) is proposed. In the same manner that new troughs and ridges in the midlatitudes form downstream of existing ones through a mechanism known as downstream development, it is proposed that new AEWs can be generated upstream of existing AEWs. A local eddy kinetic energy budget of the AEW that ultimately became Hurricane Alberto (2000) demonstrates that upstream development explains its genesis more convincingly than previous theories of AEW genesis. The energetics and ageostrophic secondary circulation of a composite AEW are consistent with a new AEW forming as a result of this mechanism. Some strengths and weaknesses of upstream development as a paradigm for AEW genesis are discussed with respect to other potential mechanisms.
A Control Sign Facility Design to Meet the New FHWA Minimum Sign Retroreflectivity Standards

Minimum sign retroreflectivity standards issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on January 29, 2008, have focused the attention of administrators and sign managers on improving the nighttime performance of traffic signs. To predict when a sign will need replacement, an agency will need to know when the retroreflectivity of signs with similar characteristics deteriorate to the minimum level established by the FHWA. Currently in the literature, there is limited information about the long-term deterioration behavior of ASTM Type III and IX signs. One way of achieving a better understanding of long-term sign deterioration is to establish an experimental sign retroreflectivity measurement facility (ESRMF). An ESRMF is an arrangement of signs in a controlled area that have their retroreflectivity measured at regular intervals to determine how it deteriorates as a function of time. This article shows how such a facility should look and why. A template is presented that can be used by agencies nationwide for collecting critical sign data to inform policy decisions.
Egg-Mass Size and Cell Size: Effects of Temperature on Oxygen Distribution

Two processes strongly influence the distribution of oxygen within egg masses and cells: the supply of oxygen by diffusion and the consumption of oxygen by embryos and mitochondria. These processes are differentially sensitive to temperature. The diffusion coefficient of oxygen depends only weakly on temperature, having a Q 10 of approximately 1.4. In contrast, the consumption of oxygen depends strongly on temperature, having a Q 10 between 1.5 and 4.0. Thus, at higher temperatures, the ratio of oxygen supply to demand decreases. I show, by extending a model of oxygen distribution within metabolizing spheres, that maximal egg-mass sizes and cell sizes are predicted to be smaller at higher temperatures. For egg masses, definitive data are not yet available. For ectothermic cells, this prediction appears to be supported; cells from a variety of ectothermic organisms, unicellular and multicellular, are smaller when the cells are produced at warmer temperatures. Establishing a specific connection between this pattern and oxygen distributions requires demonstration of (1) oxygen concentration gradients within metabolizing spheres and (2) central oxygen concentrations low enough to affect function. Egg masses from a variety of taxa show steep oxygen concentration gradients and often are severely hypoxic or anoxic in central locations. Severe hypoxia appears capable of retarding development or killing embryos. Similar kinds of data for ectothermic cells have not yet been collected, but the literature on oxygen gradients within mammalian cells suggests that intracellular gradients may be important.
Using Small Abstractions to Program Large Distributed Systems

Distributed systems such as clusters, clouds and grids remain a difficult platform for executing large data intensive workloads. Even sophisticated users struggle to shape complex workloads into the simple 'assembly language' of file transfer and job submission. To address this, problem, we advocate the use of abstractions, which are simple frameworks for expressing large structured problems. In this talk, we will discuss three examples of abstractions developed at the University of Notre Dame for scientific applications. In each case, we have been able to scale up workloads one to wto orders of magnitude larger than we previously feasible. Through each example, we will address some persistent obstacles in the field of distributed computing.
Deformable image registration based on elastodynamics

This paper presents a novel method for 2D inter-subject non-rigid image registration. It is motivated by the ideas derived from elastodynamics which is the subclass of linear elastic theory. We propose to model the non-rigid deformations as elastic waves which are characterized by elastodynamics wave equation. Our registration method is formulated in a multi-resolution manner such that it is able to recover significant deformations. The proposed scheme recovers local (non-linear) as well as global deformations. The results of image registration by the proposed technique were validated via similarity measures for real MR brain images, BrainWeb dataset and MR prostate images. We have also used overlap measures (Jaccard distance, Dice coefficient and Overlap coefficient) over the segmented deep-brain structures including: lateral and third ventricles, putamen and caudate nucleus for real image dataset to further validate our proposed registration scheme. The proposed scheme was also compared with demons, Level set and free-form deformations (cubic B-spline) algorithms implemented in ITK toolkit and symmetric normalization method available in ANTs software package. Our proposed algorithm shows marked improvement of the inter-subject non-rigid registration, both qualitatively and quantitatively, over the four above-mentioned methods. This comparison was performed on all the three types of datasets mentioned above. 2D synthetic experiments comprising of Patch-`C', Square---Rectangle and Circle-`C' were also performed with our algorithm and compared with other four methods. Both qualitative and quantitative results show that our method performs better than the other four methods. Results suggest that our proposed algorithm has improved accuracy over lemons, level set and free-form deformations (ITK implemented) and symmetric normalization method (ANTs based), tested over two types of brain and one prostate MRI. The commonly used synthetic experiments also suggest the superiority of our proposed scheme.
Development and Aging of the Vitreous

During childhood the vitreous undergoes significant growth. A study (Larsen, 1971a) of 926 children showed that, on average, the length of the newborn human vitreous is 10.5 mm in the male and 10.2 mm in the female. By the age of 13 the axial length of the vitreous increases to 16.1 mm (male) and 15.6 mm (female). Fledelius (1976, 1982) used ultrasound to measure ocular dimensions in adolescent humans and found that, in the absence of changes in refractive status, growth from ages 10 to 18 results in a mean vitreous elongation of 0.35 mm. The emmetropoic adult vitreous is approximately 16.5 mm in length (Luyckx-Bacus and Weekers, 1966).
Facilities: France closes neutron source

The closure of the Siloe nuclear reactor in Grenoble has deprived French researchers of one of their two national neutron sources. Although plans for a new source-which would come on-line in 2005 – are advanced, many scientists believe that it is now time to review the country's neutron scattering facilities.
Substrate utilization in bovine kidney culture cells infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus.

SummaryNormal primary bovine kidney cultures, partially depleted of endogenous nutrients, utilized pyruvate at a 2 1/2- to 4-fold greater rate than glucose. The pathways of pyruvate metabolism were not clearly defined. Pyruvate was not appreciably metabolized oxidatively since oxygen uptake could account for only 6-29% of the total pyruvate consumed and malonate only slightly decreased its utilization. Pyruvate, singly, did not form lactate and was used to a greater extent as glucose concentration decreased. Glucose utilization, close to maximal at 1 × 10-2 M and dependent on glucose concentration, was independent of pyruvate concentration. Virus infection did not change the rate of pyruvate utilization in contrast to the increase found in glucose uptake. Lactalbumin hydrolyzate did not yield lactic acid of itself but did stimulate glucose uptake and corresponding lactate formation. Acetate was not oxidized nor produced lactate.
Hopelessness and Locus of Control

Prociuk, Breen, and Lussier ( 5 ) examined the relationship between hopelessness and locus of control using a 20-item inventory entitled the Hopelessness Sca!e ( 1 ) They reported significant correlations of .40 and .27 for two samples of undergraduates. Male and female subjects were combined for purposes of their analysis. This study examined the relationship between hopelessness and locus of control wirh separate analyses reported for male and female subjects. Subjects were 7 3 undergraduates ( 4 3 females, 30 males) ranging in age from 18 to 26 yr. with M of 21.9 yr. Pearson product-moment correlations between scores on the hopelessness scale and Rottet's I-E Scale (Rortet, 1966) were .14 for females and .35 ( p < .05) for males. These correlations suggest that the relationship between hopelessness and a belief that behavioral outcomes are determined by luck, chance, or fate exists only for male subjects. This is consistent with previous studies that have examined the relationship between locus of control and depression. An examination of four studies involving six male and three female s3mples indicates significant correlations between locus of control and depression for all of the male samples and only one of three female samples (2, 3, 4, 7 ) . In light of these findings, attempts to examine the relationship between hopelessness and locus of control should report the relationship separately by sex. There is no apparent reason why either depression or hopelessness should relate to locus of control more strongly for males than females. Future research should determine the reasons for such a differential relationship.
Detection of Strongly Bound Thioflavin T Species in Amyloid Fibrils by Ligand-Detected 1H NMR

Thioflavin T (ThT) is used widely for the detection of amyloid fibrils. Detection is based on the dramatic enhancement of its fluorescence following binding to amyloid fibrils. The biophysical basi...
Abstract SY10-01: Whole genome sequencing and analysis in a clinical trial setting: Aromatase inhibitor therapy in breast cancer

We have applied the use of next-generation sequencing of whole genomes in fifty matched pretreatment tumor core biopsy specimens and blood normals resulting from a clinical trial of aromatase inhibitor therapy, from the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1031 study. We also have studied the whole genomes of the post-treatment samples obtained from surgical resection, for additional comparison. We used additional accrued samples from this clinical trial to extend our findings. I will present our analysis of these data, including significantly mutated genes and pathways, the impact of aromatase inhibitor therapy on genomic heterogeneity, and integrated analyses to reveal a genomic signature predictive of aromatase inhibitor response. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY10-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-SY10-01
Uterine retrodisplacement: etiology and management.

(1956). Uterine Retrodisplacement: Etiology and Management. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 146-150.
Food preferences and weight change during low-fat and low-carbohydrate diets.

Abstract Understanding associations between food preferences and weight loss during various effective diets could inform efforts to personalize dietary recommendations and provide insight into weight loss mechanisms. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial in which participants were randomized to either a ‘choice’ arm, in which they were allowed to select between a low-fat diet (n = 44) or low-carbohydrate diet (n = 61), or to a ‘no choice’ arm, in which they were randomly assigned to a low-fat diet (n = 49) or low-carbohydrate diet (n = 53). All participants were provided 48 weeks of lifestyle counseling. Food preferences were measured at baseline and every 12 weeks thereafter with the Geiselman Food Preference Questionnaire. Participants were 73% male and 51% African American, with a mean age of 55. Baseline food preferences, including congruency of food preferences with diet, were not associated with weight outcomes. In the low-fat diet group, no associations were found between changes in food preferences and weight over time. In the low-carbohydrate diet group, increased preference for low-carbohydrate diet congruent foods from baseline to 12 weeks was associated with weight loss from 12 to 24 weeks. Additionally, weight loss from baseline to 12 weeks was associated with increased preference for low-carbohydrate diet congruent foods from 12 to 24 weeks. Results suggest that basing selection of low-carbohydrate diet or low-fat diet on food preferences is unlikely to influence weight loss. Congruency of food preferences and weight loss may influence each other early during a low-carbohydrate diet but not low-fat diet, possibly due to different features of these diets. Clinical trial registry NCT01152359 .
The CIA’s paramilitary operations during the cold war: an assessment

AbstractUsing a representative sample of CIA paramilitary operations during the Cold War, this essay identifies continuities and discontinuities among administrations and analyses the responses of the US press and Congress to paramilitary operations. It wrestles with the meaning of success and failure. Success is defined, first, in a narrow sense – did the operations achieve the objectives set by the president of the United States? Then, it is defined more broadly: did the CIA’s paramilitary operations serve the national interests of the United States?
Sumatriptan in Acute Migraine

The efficacy of oral sumatriptan 100 mg in 61 patients with acute migraine was assessed in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study at the Department of Neurology, The Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals, Sydney, and Austin Hospital and Repatriation General Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract 268: The Use of Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Chest Pain Patients in the Emergency Departments Reduces Future Hospital Admissions and Does Not Impact The Need for Cardiac Catheterizations: A busting meta-analysis

Background: Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) has been deemed appropriate to use in evaluating chest pain in the emergency department (ED). However, concerns remain regarding downstream resource utilization post CCTA. We performed a meta-analysis of existing studies to address whether there is an increase in downstream testing in patients undergoing CCTA vs. the standard of care. Methods: We performed a search of PubMed and Scopus databases from 1966 through October 2012. We evaluated the number of hospital readmissions and subsequent visits to the ED after the initial evaluation. In addition, we evaluated the total number of left heart cardiac catheterizations (CATH), and the need for late non-invasive tests. We used fixed effect analysis when the I2 was up to 50% and the P at least 0.05, otherwise we used random effect. Results: Out of 2333 articles, 4 randomized controlled trials and 3 prospective studies with control groups were included in the analysis. Out of 4466 patients, 2508 underwent CCTA as the initial test and 1958 were assigned to standard of care (SOC) as defined by the investigators which included evaluation with stress testing. In patients evaluated with CCTA, there was a 36% reduction in the chance of future hospital admissions (OR: 0.64, 95%CI: 0.41-0.99; p=0.04) (Figure) and a trend towards fewer ED revisits (OR: 0.63, 95%CI: 0.38-1.07, p=0.09). The total CATH and late non-invasive testing utilization was similar among the groups (p=0.48 and 0.32). Conclusions: A meta-analysis of the existing literature suggests that the use of CCTA to evaluate chest pain in the ED results in a reduction in hospital readmissions and ED revisits without an increase in downstream testing. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Overview of the Brewing Process

In this chapter, we will explore the basic steps required in modern beer brewing in the USA. Much of what is presented here is discussed again in other chapters in greater detail. This chapter provides a sketch of the overall process and will aid us by providing a blueprint to follow as we explore these subjects. While there are some significant differences in the process steps taken for the homebrewer versus the industrial-scale brewer, the basic steps are the same. In the USA, the most common materials will be the focus of our overview. Other materials such as adjunct grains and fermentables, rice hulls and fillers, hop oils and isomerized extracts, artificial carbonation, and finings are frequently used. Their specific use will be covered as we explore the overall process steps in detail later in this text.
On the genesis and evolution of barchan dunes: morphodynamics

Barchan dunes are crescent-shaped formations of sand that can dominate both desert and subaqueous landscapes when the supply of sand is scarce. Because of the complexity and scale of the underlying phenomena, the mechanisms governing the entire process from the genesis to the long-term evolution of barchan fields still remain to be better understood. Herein, we attempt to present a description of this process in a subaqueous environment by employing a large-eddy simulation approach that couples turbulent flow and sand-bed morphodynamics. We show that the seeds of the emergent structure in barchan fields are random turbulent flow motions near the initially flat bed. We also provide high-resolution insights into phenomena such as barchan migration and merging, and show how transverse sand waves are formed and migrate over the barchan horns. Furthermore, the transverse sand waves over the barchan horns are shown to be the seeds of the newly born barchans at the end points of the two horns of a barchan through the process known as calving. To show this, we examine the celerity, wavelength and amplitude of the transverse sand waves over the barchan as they approach the end of its horn. The celerity and wavelength of these transverse sand waves are shown to be the defining factors in determining the frequency of the calving process. The amplitude of the newly born barchans (through calving) is also shown to be associated with the amplitude of the transverse waves near the end of the horn. The simulation data also show that the wavelength of the newly born barchans (the distance between individual dunes) is closely related to that of the transverse sand waves over their maternal barchan. Finally, we use the simulation results to discuss past conclusions derived from theory, conventional models and field observations.
A critical assessment of a landmark study

ABSTRACTThis article critically assesses a landmark study undertaken by the UCL Centre for Holocaust Education, What Do Students Know and Understand about the Holocaust? Analyzing the wealth of information offered by the study, the author widens the lens to contextualize the importance of this empirical research. At the same time, she critiques the gendered foci of the study design and suggests other fruitful perspectives. And she argues that this study is a key first step, with the results showing a clear path forward.
Daily Aspirin Use Does Not Impact Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background Although several studies have associated the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with disease flares in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), little is known about the impact of daily aspirin use on clinical outcomes in patients with IBD. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected registry of patients with IBD from May 2008 to June 2015. Patients with any disease activity with daily aspirin use were matched 1:4 to controls by age, sex, disease, disease location, and presence of cardiac comorbidity. Patients with at least 18 months of follow-up were included in the final analysis. The primary outcomes of interest were having an IBD-related hospitalization, IBD-related surgery, and requiring corticosteroids during the follow-up period. Results A total of 764 patients with IBD were included in the analysis, of which 174 patients were taking aspirin. There was no statistical difference in age, gender, diagnosis (Crohn's disease vs ulcerative colitis), disease duration, Charlson Comorbidity Index, smoking status, medication usage, or baseline C-reactive protein between groups. After controlling for covariables and length of follow-up in the entire population, aspirin use was not associated with a risk of being hospitalized for an IBD-related complication (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; P = 0.10), corticosteroid use (OR, 0.99; P = 0.70), or having an IBD-related surgery (OR, 0.99; P = 0.96). Conclusion In this single-center analysis, aspirin use did not impact major clinical outcomes in patients with IBD. Although the effect of aspirin use on mucosal inflammation was not directly assessed in this study, these findings support the safety of daily aspirin use in this population.
Chemical treatment for recycling of amine/epoxy composites at atmospheric pressure

Abstract The use of fiber-reinforced composites poses significant environmental problems because most end-of-life composite waste is sent to landfills, and effective recycling technologies have drawn research attention. Our previous study demonstrated that chemical treatments at atmospheric pressure – depolymerization (benzyl alcohol/K3PO4 at 200 °C) and acid digestion (acetic acid/H2O2 at 110 °C) – were both effective for dissolution of amine-cured neat epoxy. In this paper, depolymerization and acid digestion were applied to amine/epoxy composites, including composites produced from lab-made and aerospace prepregs, and commercial composite waste. Findings indicated that acid digestion was more effective for highly crosslinked amine/epoxy composites than depolymerization. Furthermore, digestion occurred via reaction steps of oxygen atom transfer to the aniline groups and then bond cleavage, resulting in recovery of near-virgin quality fibers at faster dissolution rates and lower temperatures. The relationship between epoxy functionality, fiber bed architecture, fiber reinforcement, laminate thickness and matrix dissolution rate were investigated, and key parameters affecting the dissolution rate were identified. Data showed that the major rate-limiting factor for acid digestion was the diffusion rate, rather than the chemical reaction rate. Two strategies to enhance the diffusion rate – pre-treatment and mechanical shredding – were evaluated, and both were effective. Polymer matrices in pre-treated and shredded composites were homogeneously decomposed in 1 h.
Cost-effectiveness of Routine Postoperative Retrograde Voiding Trials Following Pelvic Surgeries.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of retrograde voiding trials in the management of postoperative voiding dysfunction. Methods We developed a disease simulation model to assess under which conditions routine retrograde voiding trial is the optimal strategy in terms of cost per quality-adjusted life-year and cost per case of chronic voiding dysfunction avoided. We varied the incidence of voiding dysfunction between 2% and 60%. We discounted future costs and utilities at 3% annually. We conducted 1- and 2-way sensitivity analyses on uncertain model parameters. Results The lifetime analysis showed that when the incidence of postoperative voiding dysfunction exceeded 12.2%, retrograde voiding trials were cost-effective, assuming a willingness-to-pay (WTP) for health of $100,000/quality-adjusted life-year. When the incidence exceeded 31.1%, retrograde voiding trials became the dominant strategy (less costly and more effective). For a simple hysterectomy with voiding dysfunction incidence of approximately 10%, lifetime cost is $230,069/case of chronic voiding dysfunction avoided; for a midurethral sling with voiding dysfunction incidence of approximately 20%, lifetime cost is $60,449/case avoided. Sensitivity analyses showed that WTP for health, the incidence of presentation to the emergency department (ED) for urinary retention and the incidence of chronic urinary retention following treatment in the ED had the greatest impact on the cost-effectiveness results. Conclusions Routine retrograde voiding trials following pelvic surgery can be cost-effective compared with expectant management when the incidence of voiding dysfunction exceeds 12.2%. These results were sensitive to WTP for health, incidence of ED visits for urinary retention, and incidence of chronic urinary retention following ED visits.
Soiling and cleaning: Initial observations from 5-year photovoltaic glass coating durability study

Abstract The contamination of solar photovoltaic cover glass can significantly reduce the transmittance of light to the surface of the photovoltaic cell, reducing the module's power output. The solar industry has been developing antireflection (AR) and antisoiling (AS) surface coatings to enhance light transmittance and mitigate the impacts of soiling. Although uncoated glass has been field tested for decades, minimal data exist to demonstrate the durability of AR and AS coatings against abrasion and surface erosion, including from: natural weathering, airborne sand, and industry cleaning practices. Coupons 75 mm square of varying types have been field-deployed to gather long-term data on coating durability; the initial results are presented here after 1 year of outdoor exposure near Sacramento, California. Duplicate sets of coupons were cleaned monthly per four different cleaning practices. All coupons demonstrated inorganic soiling as well as microscale biological contamination, regardless of cleaning method. Additionally, full-sized, field-aged modules from other areas of the world presented with similar types of contamination as the field-aged coupons; micrographs and results from genomic sequencing of this contamination are included here. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy, surface roughness, transmittance, and surface energy analysis of representative specimens and cleaning practices are presented.
Some mineral requirements of the lactic acid bacteria.

Although the requirements of several lactic acid bacteria for organic nutrients are known in considerable detail (1,2), knowledge of the mineral nutrition of this same group of bacteria is scanty. In chemically defined media, the mineral mixture most commonly used has been that of Speakman (3), which contains K+, Naf, Mg++, Mn++, Fe++, PO,“, S04* and Clions. Of these, previous investigations have shown that potassium is required for growth of Streptococcus faecalis (4) and LQctobacillus cas& (5), while manganese is essential for growth of Lactobacillus plantmum (6), and is stimulat,ory, in crude media, to Lactobadus casei (7) and various other lactic acid bacteria (8). The extensive use of lactic acid bacteria and purified media for the assay of vitamins and amino acids (1) makes knowledge of their mineral requirements of special importance. Such a study is made difficult, however, by the complexity of the nutritive requiremenm of these organisms. Complex media suitable for their growth usually contain, as contaminants, sufficient essential mineral elements to permit limited or extensive growth even though none of the mineral is added, and the presence of large amounts of organic materials renders ineffective many of the procedures used in other investigations for removal of traces of inorganic ions. Recently, it was shown (9) that contaminating traces of manganese could be removed from a medium by permitting a manganese-requiring organism, Lactobacillus arabinosus, to grow in the medium for 24 hours. After subsequent removal of the organism and reinoculation, growth occurred only if manganese were added to the medium. This biological method of removing trace impurities, which has been employed occasionally in the past (cf. (lo)), has been applied below to a study of the Mn ++, Mg++, Fe++, K+, and POd requirements of several species of lact.ic acid bacteria. Previous work (11) has indicated that moderate amounts of citrate are toxic for these organisms; data below indicate that this toxicity is due to the complex-forming action of citrate with bivalent metallic ions, since it can be prevented by addition of adequate amounts of manganese and magnesium ions.
Diastereomers (RC,SP)- and (RC,RP)-S-methylP-(3-azidopropyl)-N-[(1R)-1-phenylethyl]phosphonamidothioate

Diastereoisomers of the title organophospho­rus compound, C12H19N4OPS, denoted R C S P, (I), and R C R P, (II), were structurally characterized and compared. Asymmetric phosphorus compounds are of interest with regard to the use of these systems as possible protein probes via the stereoselective delivery of an azide group tethered to the P atom into key protein regions. The diastereomers were produced in a 1:1 mixture and isolated by chromatography. Although both isomers crystallize in the same space group with superficially similar cell constants, conformational and packing differences are pronounced. Despite the conformational differences, strong inter­molecular hydrogen bonding links both isomers into chains parallel to the a axis [N⋯O = 2.8609 (18) and 2.966 (3) A in (I) and (II), respectively], with C—H⋯π inter­chain inter­actions of ca 3.5 A.
Factorization of Polynomials With Estimates of Norms

We want to factorize the polynomials with the estimate of norms and degrees of factors. This problem has connections with many different questions in Functional and Harmonic analysis including the Fejer-Riesz factorization, Peller’s lemma on trace norm of finite Hankel matrix, some extension problems for finite Toeplitz matrices, and a recent result of Ferguson and Lacey on the weak factorization of analytic functions in the bidisc. We try to establish elementary relations between these questions. We give a certain elementary factorization theorem for polynomials of two variables.
Rule-Governed Behavior in Behavior Analysis

The field of behavior analysis,1 committed to a basic science of human behavior, has never had an easy time of it. Two different but related criticisms have plagued the field. First, it has been argued that the rich workings of mental life stand in the way of a science attempting to explain all human behavior in terms of physical laws. This presumed paradox has led various philosophers, psychologists, educators, and layman to assert that there can never be such a science. Nonetheless, there were those who, resisting such a proposition, proceeded to demonstrate powerful functional relations between behavior and environmental events (e.g., Azrin & Holz, 1966; Ferster & Skinner, 1957; Skinner, 1938). Within the last 75 years, a science of human behavior has emerged, and it appears that what has been traditionally called mental life is subject to the same laws that govern observable behavior. Unfortunately, for most of those 75 years, behavior analysts could only speculate as to whether a relation existed between simple responses observed in the laboratory and more elaborate sequences of human behavior found in daily life.
Scattering and Radiative Properties of Morphologically Complex Carbonaceous Aerosols: A Systematic Modeling Study

This paper provides a thorough modeling-based overview of the scattering and radiative properties of a wide variety of morphologically complex carbonaceous aerosols. Using the numerically-exact superposition T-matrix method, we examine the absorption enhancement, absorption Angstroem exponent (AAE), backscattering linear depolarization ratio (LDR), and scattering matrix elements of black-carbon aerosols with 11 different model morphologies ranging from bare soot to completely embedded soot-sulfate and soot-brown carbon mixtures. Our size-averaged results show that fluffy soot particles absorb more light than compact bare-soot clusters. For the same amount of absorbing material, the absorption cross section of internally mixed soot can be more than twice that of bare soot. Absorption increases as soot accumulates more coating material and can become saturated. The absorption enhancement is affected by particle size, morphology, wavelength, and the amount of coating. We refute the conventional belief that all carbonaceous aerosols have AAEs close to 1.0. Although LDRs caused by bare soot and certain carbonaceous particles are rather weak, LDRs generated by other soot-containing aerosols can reproduce strong depolarization measured by Burton et al. for aged smoke. We demonstrate that multi-wavelength LDR measurements can be used to identify the presence of morphologically complex carbonaceous particles, although additional observations can be needed for full characterization. Our results show that optical constants of the host/coating material can significantly influence the scattering and absorption properties of soot-containing aerosols to the extent of changing the sign of linear polarization. We conclude that for an accurate estimate of black-carbon radiative forcing, one must take into account the complex morphologies of carbonaceous aerosols in remote sensing studies as well as in atmospheric radiation computations.
Closed-Loop Intravenous Drug Administration Using Photoplethysmography

An optically-based injection control system has been developed for preclinical use for an intravenous drug delivery application. Current clinical drug delivery for oncology typically provides for intravenous administration without an awareness of achieved plasma concentration, yet interpatient variability produces consequences ranging from toxicity to ineffectual treatments. We report a closed-loop injection system integrating a pulse-photoplethysmograph to measure the concentration of an injected agent in the circulating blood system using a previously described technique. A proportional-derivative (PD) controller manages the injection rate in real-time. The target function for the controller is the population estimate of the pharmacokinetic model developed using Bayesian statistics describing the injection phase of a calibration set of 22 injections in mice. The controlled set of eight injections showed a reduction in variance from the target injection phase concentration profile of 74.8%.