cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technique for Rearing the Twolined Spittlebug

Prosapia bicincta (Say) nymphs can be reared on pearl millet grown in vermiculite. A 16-h photo phase prevents diapause. Adults are sustained in oviposition cages via leaf bouquets. Leaves of millet and several other plant species are suitable for these bouquets. Eggs are deposited in moist Cellucotton® oviposition sites. They are separated from the Cellucotton by pulping it in water and then bubbling air through the pulp in a separatory funnel. The eggs settle to bottom of the funnel where they can be removed by draining.
In Vitro Responses of Human Neutrophils to N-Formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine: Correlation with Effects of Acute Bacterial Infection

In vitro responses of normal human neutrophils to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), the synthetic analog of a bacterial product, were correlated with the effects of acute bacterial infection on human neutrophils. The following perturbations in cellular functions that occurred in neutrophils obtained from patients with acute bacterial infection were mimicked in normal neutrophils pretreated with FMLP: (1) increased production of superoxide ion, as estimated by histochemical reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT); (2) increased rates of oxidative metabolism during phagocytosis of a heparin-NBT complex, latex, and opsonized zymosan; (3) enhanced response to a chemotactic stimulus, C5a; (4) increased degranulation and vacuolization of cytoplasm with neutral red supravital dye as the indicator; and (5) increased rate of membrane transport of 14C-labeled 2-deoxyglucose. Toxic granulation and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase, which occurred in neutrophils from all of the patients with bacterial infection studied, could not be induced in control neutrophils that had been pretreated with FMLP. The results suggested that the mechanism of activation of neutrophils from many patients with acute bacterial infections could be an intravascular response to a biologically active material with properties similar to those of FMLP but that the elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and the toxic granulation are due to different reactions.
Higher rates of physical symptoms among homeless women do not appear to be due to reporting bias: a comment on Ritchey et al. (1991)

Health statistics consistently show women to have higher rates of morbidity than men, particularly for mild conditions (Verbrugge 1976, 1985, 1989). One of the hypothesized explanations of this relationship is that women are more willing than men to report their physical and mental health problems. Although this explanation is inconsistent with most of the available evidence (see below), it needs to be taken very seriously because it raises fundamental questions about the observed gender difference in morbidity and, more generally, the techniques used in data acquisition. In a recent paper in this journal, Ritchey, La Gory, and Mullis (1991) look at the reports of health risks and 24 physical symptoms among 72 homeless men and 28 homeless women. According to Ritchey et al., homelessness is "a natural laboratory" because homeless men are at much greater risk of illness and, as a consequence, "gender differences in reported symptoms should be reversed, attenuated, or erased" (p. 45). Their position is that if women report more symptoms than men, "it would suggest that the higher female morbidity detected in all types of health surveys is influenced greatly by reporting bias" (p. 35). Ritchey et al. find that the number of symptoms reported by homeless women (x =7.86) was significantly greater than the number of symptoms reported by homeless men (x = 5.19). In their final analysis they report that they "isolate the direct effect of sex" by statistically controlling the risk factors related to the experience of physical symptoms (p. 44). The estimated effects of these statistical controls modestly increase the gender difference in the number of symptoms from 2.67 to 2.88. Ritchey et al.
The Effect of Cobra Venom Factor on Hemostasis in Guinea Pigs

Recent investigations have indicated an association between the coagulation and complement systems. Our present studies, designed to explore this association further, demonstrated that a purified anticomplementary fraction of cobra venom, cobra venom factor (CVF), produced significant changes in hemostasis when injected into guinea pigs. Some of the effects described may be secondary to the transient intravascular hemolysis produced by CVF. However, a more direct effect of purified CVF on platelet function is suggested by increased platelet factor 3 activity and inhibition of clot retraction and lysis. Furthermore, injection of purified CVF produced striking elevation of plasma fibrinogen without detectable fibrin or fibrinogen degradation products, altered plasminogen levels, and significantly reduced the activities of several extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation factors. These observations provide additional data to support the concept of a functional relationship between the mechanisms that initiate coagulation and activate complement.
Understanding Marine Biocorrosion: Experiments with Artificial and Natural Seawater

Abstract : For many years there has been a debate over the preferred laboratory medium for studying marine corrosion, i.e., natural or artificial seawater (Dexter, 1988 ). It is generally recognized that seawater surrogates do not approximate the complexity of natural seawater. The dilemma is whether to start with a well-characterized controlled synthetic medium that may not replicate any natural environment or with a natural environment that cannot be thoroughly characterized, varies with collection location and changes over time. That debate has continued and has become more complicated in the study of microbiologically influenced marine corrosion (MIMC) and the consideration of nutrients for microorganisms. Recent MIMC investigations have included natural seawater with its endogenous microbial population (Lee et al ., 2004 ; Lee et al ., 2005 ; Jeffrey and Melchers, 2003), augmented natural seawater (Chang et al ., 2009 ; Dinh et al ., 2004 ), artificial seawater to which microorganisms have been added (Venzlaff et al ., 2013 ) and inoculated synthetic media (Zegeye et al.,2007). Some investigators defined synthetic seawater as a certain salt concentration, e.g., 0.6 M NaCl (Vargas-Avila et al ., 2009). However, in many cases the term synthetic seawater refers to commercially available carbonate-buffered salt solutions that mimic the composition of seawater.
Vitamin B6 Modulation of Steroid Receptor-mediated Gene Expression

Steroid hormones regulate many physiological processes in tissues and cell types throughout the body, including such fundamental biological processes as growth, development, reproduction, regulation of metabolic state, and maintenance of homeostasis. Steroid hormones elicit their biological effects at the single cell level by regulating the expression of distinct target genes. Each type of steroid hormone binds specifically to a unique intracellular receptor protein, and this binding initiates transformation of the receptor into a form which is capable of selective interaction with DNA regulatory sequences that typically reside within or near the promoter regions of hormone-responsive genes. Interactions of the steroid-receptor complex with these DNA regulatory sites results in modulation of target gene expression that ultimately alters the phenotype of steroid-responsive cells Because steroid receptors are critically involved in so many biological processes, there has been considerable interest in determining both the mechanisms through which steroid hormone action is mediated and related regulatory mechanisms which control the degree of cellular responsiveness to steroid hormones. We have recently shown that vitamin B6 modulates transcriptional activation of gene expression by glucocorticoid, progesterone, estrogen and androgen receptors in a variety of cell lines. In each case elevated intracellular pyridoxal phosphate concentrations inhibit steroid responses, whereas vitamin B6 deficiency enhances cellular responses to steroid administration. We have further shown that modulation of receptor-mediated gene expression by vitamin B6 occurs only on complex promoters containing a binding site for Nuclear Factor 1 in addition to the appropriate steroid hormone response element. This new finding suggests that pyridoxal phosphate modulates the ability of steroid receptors to communicate with other transcription factors.
Examining periodontal disease disparities among U.S. adults 20 years of age and older: NHANES III (1988-1994) and NHANES 1999-2004.

Objective.We examined disparities in periodontal disease in U.S. adults according to age, sex, race/ethnicity, country of birth, education, income, and poverty-income ratio within and between the t...
Enhanced platelet function in glomerular renal disease.

Abstract Platelet aggregation was assessed in 73 children suffering from a variety of acute and chronic glomerular disorders. Enhanced platelet aggregation in response to collagen and ADP was observed in 11 of 14 patients with nephrotic syndrome in relapse. Among patients with glomerulonephritis without nephrotic syndrome, 11 of 21 clinically characterized as active exhibited enhanced platelet aggregation. In contrast, platelet function was normal in all patients whose glomerular disease was characterized as inactive. The degree of platelet function abnormality was significantly correlated with the degree of proteinuria, the ratio of plasma fibrinogen to serum albumin, and with the serum albumin level. The correlations between the degree of platelet function abnormality and the hematocrit and the platelet count were not statistically significant. The abnormal platelet response was fully corrected by aspirin treatment. Placelet-poor plasma from children with abnormal platelet function significantly enhanced aggregation of normal washed platelets. This abnormal property of platelet-poor plasma from affected patients was not reversed by aspirin. Concentrated, dialyzed urinary protein in 6 of 20 patients showing abnormal platelet aggregation inhibited normal platelet function and normalized the platelet aggregation-enhancing effect of abnormal platelet-poor plasma. It is suggested that abnormal platelet aggregation in glomerular renal diseases may arise in part as a consequence of loss in the urine of plasma proteins normally responsible for inhibition of platelet aggregation.
Hegemonic and Subaltern Temporalities in New York

It may not be obvious to the casual observer that the “civil Sunday” is not identical to the “Christian Sunday,” since for both, Sunday is a day of rest. This is why it is important to investigate their separate identities, even though they tend to cover the same temporal domain. This overlapping is part of the historical process whereby the civil Sunday provides a legal shield for the Christian Sunday, which itself is used as a barometer to gauge the moral and spiritual life of the population. The Christian and civil Sundays are each hegemonic in their own sphere. However, when compared with each other, the civil Sunday emerges as hegemonic, and the Christian Sunday as subaltern. These two temporalities are inserted or incorporated in the daily life of the city and influence its social shape in different ways. The Christian and civil Sundays in fact reflect the reality of two epistemic communities whose public spheres, spatial boundaries, and activities do not necessarily coincide.1 Attempts to use the Christian Sunday to control the civil Sunday have failed for the same reasons that attempts to use the civil Sunday to control the Christian Sunday have failed: As we will see, these local entities are part of global networks that cannot be controlled locally because of their transnational tentacles.
Identification of Enterobacteriaceae in Foods with the AutoMicrobic System.

Stock cultures (136) and fresh isolates (163) of Enterobacteriaceae from ground beef, processed chickens, frozen pot pies and commercial poultry feeds were identified to species with the AutoMicrobic System (AMS). All stock cultures and fresh isolates were also concurrently tested with two other identification systems (Micro-ID and API), previously evaluated and proven accurate for identification of Enterobacteriaceae . The AMS correctly identified to species 135/136 (99.3%) of the stock cultures and 160/163 (98.2%) of the fresh isolates. All Salmonella cultures tested (74) were correctly identified by AMS.
Buckling of Soil-Surrounded Tubes

A bifurcation buckling theory was derived for the case of a tube surrounded by soil with the postulate that outward buckling displacements are prohibited and the inward displacements are retarded by an elastic reduction in external soil pressure. A single wave form buckling mode results which matches experimental evidence qualitatively. The proper choice of apparent thickness of the tube to account for imperfections and empirically computing the spring constant of the soil permits a good correlation with published data on the buckling at soil-surrounded tubes. A graphical procedure is presented for solving for the buckling pressure, the subtended angle of the local buckle, and the mode numbers defining the buckled shape. It was found that the effective spring constant of the soil varies with the local effective stress of the soil and, to a lesser degree, the thickness of the surrounding soil cylinder.
Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Older Adults: Differences between Baby Boomers and Pre-Boomers

Objectives To compare use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) across age cohorts. Design Secondary analysis of data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys. Participants: Adults born in 1964 or earlier (N = 11,371). Over half (61.3%) are baby boomers and 53% are female. Seventy-five percent of the sample is white, 10.2% African American, 0.6% black Caribbean, 9.35% Latino, and 4.1% Asian. Measurements The dependent variable is a dichotomous variable indicating use of any CAM. The main predictor of interest is age cohort categorized as pre-boomers (those born in 1945 or earlier) and baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). Covariates include the use of traditional service providers in the past 12 months and 12-month levels of mood, anxiety, and substance disorder. Disorders were assessed with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Logistic regression was used to test the association between use of CAM and age cohort. Results Baby boomers were more likely than pre-boomers to report using CAM for a mental disorder. Among identified CAM users, a higher proportion of baby boomers reported using most individual CAM modalities. Prayer and spiritual practices was the only CAM used by more pre-boomers. Conclusions Age cohort plays a significant role in shaping individual healthcare behaviors and service use and may influence future trends in the use of CAM for behavioral health. Healthcare providers need to be aware of patient use of CAM and communicate with them about the pros and cons of alternative therapies.
Effects of metyrapone on liver microsomal drug oxidations.

Metyrapone [2-methyl-1,2-bis(3-pyridyl)-1-propanone], an inhibitor of adrenal steroid hydroxylation, has been shown to affect a number of liver microsomal drug-oxidizing enzyme systems. The metabolism of hexobarbital and that of aminopyrine are inhibited in vitro by this drug in microsomal preparations from control and phenobarbital-treated rats. Hexobarbital sleeping time is prolonged by metyrapone in both groups of rats. Demethylation of morphine and hydroxylation of tyramine are inhibited to a lesser extent, and NADPH oxidase is little affected. In contrast, the effect of metyrapone on the formation of phenolic metabolites from acetanilide follows a biphasic relationship with respect to metyrapone concentration: inhibition occurs only at very high concentrations, and the reaction is greatly enhanced at lower concentrations with both control and phenobarbital-induced preparations. Trichloroethylene oxidation is also enhanced by metyrapone in both preparations, but the enhancement in phenobarbital-induced preparations is superimposed on an inhibitory effect. Studies with the latter pathway show that both effects are independent of the NADPH-generating system, and are exerted in a reversible manner.
'Suffering and Innocence in Latin Sermons for the Feast of the Holy Innocents, c. 400–800 A.D.'

It has long been recognized that medieval representations of the Holy Innocents are much concerned with the horrendous cruelty of their passion. They are often cited as evidence that the Church, putting a high priority on loving parenthood, attempted to raise the standard of Christian child-care, and it is indeed clear that their rhetoric depends upon a degree of sympathy for suffering children. This paper aims to suggest, however, that the history of this theme shows how the construction of their sanctity was influenced by the changing place of childhood in matters of theology and spirituality. It will show, I hope, that the emphasis on the Innocents’ suffering needs to be seen in the context of the Origenist controversy, that there was an erosion of this theme’s importance in later representations of the infants, and that this shift reflected a desire on the part of monastic authors to adapt the now established cult of the Innocents to new-found spiritual needs.
Erosion Control and Reservoir Deposition

The path of sediment from hillslope to ultimate deposition involves many storage sites on hillslopes, streambeds, and in valley alluvium. The spatial and temporal distributions of such storage sites, some of which may involve decades to centuries, are poorly understood. Predictions of the impact of conservation measures on river systems thus involve significant uncertainty. The universal Soil Loss Equation contains parameters difficult to evaluate and subject to considerable error at drainage basin scales. Isotope data indicate sediment delivery over the U.S.A. of only 4–5% of particles contaminated from air over a long period of time. Ten-fifteen percent delivery at drainage areas greater than 100 mi2 is not uncommon. Land use changes including revegetation demonstrably reduce sediment yields, as much as ten-fold in places, but large reductions are generally confined to small. drainage areas of uniform land use. At roughly 1000 mi2, with mixed land uses, sediment yields converge to a regional average in temperate U.S.A.
Evaluation and comparison of clustering algorithms in analyzing es cell gene expression data

Many clustering algorithms have been used to analyze microarray gene expression data. Given embryonic stem cell gene expression data, we applied several indices to evaluate the performance of clustering algorithms, including hierarchical clustering, k-means, PAM and SOM. The indices were homogeneity and separation scores, silhouette width, redundant score (based on redundant genes), and WADP (testing the robustness of clustering results after small perturbation). The results showed that the ES cell dataset posed a challenge for cluster analysis in that the clusters generated by different methods were only partially consistent. Using this data set, we were able to evaluate the advantages and weaknesses of algorithms with respect to both internal and external quality measures. This study may provide a guideline on how to select suitable clustering algorithms and it may help raise issues in the extraction of meaningful biological information from microarray expression data.
Invertebrates: The Inside Story of Post-Insemination, Pre-Fertilization Reproductive Interactions

Female–male interactions that occur out of sight, within the body of the inseminated female prior to fertilization, are referred to as ‘postmating–prezygotic interactions.’ They are mediated by numerous structural and molecular factors, depending upon the particular species. This article describes the male and female components of postmating–prezygotic interactions and the steps that take place between the time sperm enters a female and fertilizes an egg. Both structural and molecular components have the potential to influence the outcome of insemination. Postmating–prezygotic interactions thus have important implications for sexual selection and for speciation.
Subnormal modal logics for knowledge representation

Several widely accepted modal nonmonotonic logics for reasoning about knowledge and beliefs of rational agents with introspection powers are based on strong modal logics such as KD45, S4.4, S4F and S5. In this paper we argue that weak modal logics, without even the axiom K and, therefore, below the range of normal modal logics, also give rise to useful non monotonic systems. We study two such logics: the logic N, containing propositional calculus and necessitation but no axiom schemata for manipulating the modality, and the logic NT - the extension of N by the schema T. For the nonmonotonic logics N and NT we develop minimal model semantics. We use it to show that the nonmonotonic logics N and NT are at least as expressive as autoepistemic logic, reflexive autoepistemic logic and default logic. In fact, each can be regarded as a common generalization of these classic nonmonotonic systems. We also show that the nonmonotonic logics N and NT have the property of being conservative with respect to adding new definitions, and prove that computationally they are equivalent to autoepistemic and default logics.
Connecting Animal Cognition and Emotion with Ethical Reasoning in the Classroom

We developed an interdisciplinary course connecting the science of animal cognition and emotion with ethical reasoning for the general education curriculum at Roanoke College. The course engages students in considering familiar animals, their pets, first, followed by a broader phylogenetic range of species. Students learn about cultural views of animals and scientific evidence of high-level animal cognition and emotion. We ask students to analyze ways in which these culturally based views and scientific findings should impact our ethical reasoning about animals. In our surveys of students (n = 89) in six sections of the course, taught over three years, students reported that they valued the interdisciplinary approach of the course and that their knowledge of cognitive abilities of animals increased.
Effect of Low-Dose Supplementation of Arginine Vasopressin on Need for Blood Product Transfusions in Patients With Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Current therapies for traumatic blood loss focus on hemorrhage control and blood volume replacement. Severe hemorrhagic shock, however, is associated with a state of arginine vasopressin (AVP) deficiency, and supplementation of this hormone may decrease the need for blood products in resuscitation. Objective To determine whether low-dose supplementation of AVP in patients with trauma (hereinafter referred to as trauma patients) and with hemorrhagic shock decreases their need for transfused blood products during resuscitation. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial included adult trauma patients (aged 18-65 years) who received at least 6 U of any blood product within 12 hours of injury at a single urban level 1 trauma center from May 1, 2013, through May 31, 2017. Exclusion criteria consisted of prehospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation, emergency department thoracotomy, corticosteroid use, chronic renal insufficiency, coronary artery disease, traumatic brain injury requiring any neurosurgical intervention, pregnancy, prisoner status, or AVP administration before enrollment. Data were analyzed from May 1, 2013, through May 31, 2017, using intention to treat and per protocol. Interventions After administration of an AVP bolus (4 U) or placebo, participants received AVP (≤0.04 U/min) or placebo for 48 hours to maintain a mean arterial blood pressure of at least 65 mm Hg. Main Outcomes The primary outcome was total volume of blood product transfused. Secondary end points included total volume of crystalloid transfused, vasopressor requirements, secondary complications, and 30-day mortality. Results One hundred patients underwent randomization (49 to the AVP group and 51 to the placebo group). Patients were primarily young (median age, 27 years [interquartile range {IQR}, 22-25 years]) and male (n = 93) with penetrating trauma (n = 79). Cohort characteristics before randomization were well balanced. At 48 hours, patients who received AVP required significantly less blood products (median, 1.4 [IQR, 0.5-2.6] vs 2.9 [IQR, 1.1-4.8] L;P = .01) but did not differ in requirements for crystalloids (median, 9.9 [IQR, 7.9-13.0] vs 11.0 [8.9-15.0] L;P = .22) or vasopressors (median, 400 [IQR, 0-5900] vs 1400 [IQR, 200-7600] equivalent units;P = .22). Although the groups had similar rates of mortality (6 of 49 [12%] vs 6 of 51 [12%];P = .94) and total complications (24 of 44 [55%] vs 30 of 47 [64%];P = .37), the AVP group had less deep venous thrombosis (5 of 44 [11%] vs 16 of 47 [34%];P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance Low-dose AVP during the resuscitation of trauma patients in hemorrhagic shock decreases blood product requirements. Additional research is necessary to determine whether including AVP improves morbidity or mortality. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01611935
The Sexual Victimization Experiences of Men Attending College: A Mixed Methods Investigation

Emerging research supports that men attending college are at elevated sexual assault risk. However, research is limited by assessment issues as well as a lack of examination of how men conceptualize their experiences. The current study sought to expand our understanding of college men’s sexual assault experiences via a mixed methods study. Fifty-eight U.S. college men (11.2% of a sample of 518 men) reported a sexual assault history since age 14 and completed measures of their assault characteristics, psychological adjustment, and alcohol use. A total of 44 also provided a written narrative of the assault. Results supported that men’s assaults often occurred in party/drinking contexts and that many were impaired from substances. Over two-thirds were assaulted by a female perpetrator, with the most common form of assault involving “mismatched intentions” where a perpetrator engaged in nonconsensual sexual behavior during an initially consensual encounter. Substance use interfered with effective resistance for many, and some also stated that they did not resist even though they were able. A total of 43% (n = 19) said the assault had a long-term negative impact, whereas 52% (n = 23) reported a minimal or neutral impact. Overall, findings support a need for sexual assault interventions tailored for male survivors.
Pouring on the Pounds: The Persistent Problem of Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake Among Children and Adolescents:

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of calories in the diets of American children and adolescents. These beverages, which contain mainly sugar and few beneficial nutrients, have bee...
Roman Cult Images: The Lives and Worship of Idols from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity

In this book, Philip Kiernan explores how cult images functioned in Roman temples from the Iron Age to Late Antiquity in the Roman west. He demonstrates how and why a temple's idols, were more important to ritual than other images such as votive offerings and decorative sculpture. These idols were seen by many to be divine and possessed of agency. They were, thus, the primary focus of worship. Aided by cross-cultural comparative material, Kiernan's study brings a biographical approach to explore the 'lives' of idols and cult images - how they were created, housed in temples, used and worshipped, and eventually destroyed or buried. He also shows how the status of cult images could change, how new idols and other cult images were being continuously created, and how, in each phase of their lives, we find evidence for the significant power of idols.
Pancreatic Islet Transplantation: A Surgical Approach to Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

The medical and social burden of T1DM places large constraints on both patients and their families. Transplantation of pancreatic beta cells can be a viable therapeutic alternative. Current challenges are the shortage of donors and the toxicity of immunosuppression. Xenotransplantation and biomaterial protection are currently the most promising technology. Immunoisolation is necessary to protect the recipient from foreign antigens. In turn, shortage of donors ceases to be a barrier. Improvements in certain areas of immunoprotection and graft site neovascularization are the focus of current clinical efforts.
Reaching nontreatment-seeking cannabis users: Testing an extended marijuana check-up intervention.

Abstract Some adult cannabis users report negative consequences of use but do not seek treatment. Nonjudgmental, brief interventions incorporating motivational interviewing techniques may be able to reach users who otherwise would not seek treatment and increase their motivation to change use. Previous studies have shown brief interventions with this population are efficacious in reducing use, but the absolute amount of change has not clearly translated into meaningful reductions in associated negative consequences. The current study used a marijuana check-up (MCU) model to attract nontreatment-seeking adults who used cannabis at levels that may have caused negative consequences. The study randomly assigned participants to 2-session (n = 93) and 6-session (n = 93) versions of the intervention and followed them for 12 months. The study designed the extended 6-session condition to build on the efficacy of the previously tested 2-session intervention. The study hypothesized that the opportunity to continue to consider the consequences of cannabis use would have the greatest impact on those who were in earlier stages of readiness for change. We used cognitive behavioral techniques to assist with change efforts when indicated. Results showed significant reductions in the frequency and daily duration of cannabis use at all follow-ups in both intervention conditions. The extended 6-session condition produced greater change only on a measure of the number of periods of the day in which cannabis was used. Reductions in dependence symptoms and problems related to cannabis use occurred in both conditions, but there was no effect of intervention condition. Participants who were less ready to make changes at the outset decreased use and negative consequences the least. Results suggested that some benefit of the extended session format of the check-up in reducing daily use, but the lack of a corresponding reduction in consequences suggested that the original 2-session MCU may be more cost effective.
Monitoring the market or the salesperson? The value of information in a multilayer supply chain

We study a supply chain in which a manufacturer relies on a salesperson to sell the products to the consumers. The sales outcome is determined by a random market condition and the salesperson's service level, both of which are privately observed by the salesperson. Apart from them, there are two types of resellers: a knowledgeable reseller observes the market condition, whereas a diligent reseller can monitor the service level. While delegating to a reseller enhances information acquisition, it may also result in double marginalization and inefficiency. We identify several operating regimes in which double marginalization can be eliminated via simple contracts and establish the benefit of monitoring the salesperson over monitoring the market. Our dominance result is not prone to our model characteristics regarding the complementarity of market condition and sales effort, the relative importance of adverse selection and moral hazard, and the contract form. We then generalize our model and re-establish the dominance result in the presence of reseller's risk aversion or private monitoring expertise. We also quantify the performance gaps among different selling schemes under various scenarios. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011
Dutasteride Improves Nocturia but Does Not Lead to Better Sleep: Results from the REDUCE Clinical Trial.

Purpose:In men, complaints of nocturia causing poor sleep are often attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia and treated with benign prostatic hyperplasia medications. We assessed whether treatin...
The current state of methods for establishing reliability in qualitative chemistry education research articles

The tradition of qualitative research drives much of chemistry education research activity. When performing qualitative studies, researchers must demonstrate the trustworthiness of their analysis so researchers and practitioners consuming their work can understand if and how the presented research claims and conclusions might be transferable to their unique educational settings. There are a number of steps researchers can take to demonstrate the trustworthiness of their work, one of which is demonstrating and reporting evidence of reliability. The purpose of this methodological review is to investigate the methods researchers use to establish and report reliability for chemistry education research articles including a qualitative research component. Drawing from the literature on qualitative research methodology and content analysis, we describe the approaches for establishing the reliability of qualitative data analysis using various measures of inter-rater reliability and processes including negotiated agreement. We used this background literature to guide our review of research articles containing a qualitative component and published in Chemistry Education Research and Practice and the Journal of Chemical Education from the years 2010 through 2019 for whether they report evidence of reliability. We followed this by a more in-depth analysis of how articles from the years 2017 through 2019 discuss reliability. Our analysis indicates that, overall, researchers are presenting evidence of reliability in chemistry education research (CER) articles by reporting reliability measures, describing a process of negotiated agreement, or mentioning reliability and the steps taken to demonstrate it. However, there is a reliance on reporting only percent agreement, which is not considered an acceptable measure of reliability when used on its own. In addition, the descriptions of how reliability was established were not always clear, which may make it difficult for readers to evaluate the veracity of research findings. Our findings indicate that, as a field, CER researchers should be more cognizant of the appropriateness of how we establish reliability for qualitative analysis and should more clearly present the processes by which reliability was established in CER manuscripts.
Design of an Intelligent Patient Decision aid Based on Individual Decision-Making Styles and Information Need Preferences

An emerging trend in healthcare delivery is that of patient-centered medicine which includes empowering patients through shared decision-making in their medical care. The use of information technology is a key enabler for empowering patients and supporting patient-centered care. The patient decision aid is one tool for getting patients more involved in their care. However, existing patient decision aids make generalized assumptions about their users and fail to accommodate the variability of individual information needs and decision-making preferences known in the literature. In this paper, we investigate patient attributes that influence patient decision-making preferences and present a framework for the design of individualized patient decision aids. The proposed framework is instantiated in the context of end stage renal disease and was tested to evaluate its effectiveness.
CoCo: Interactive Exploration of Conformance Constraints for Data Understanding and Data Cleaning

Data profiling refers to the task of extracting technical metadata or profiles and has numerous applications such as data understanding, validation, integration, and cleaning. While a number of data profiling primitives exist in the literature, most of them are limited to categorical attributes. A few techniques consider numerical attributes; but, they either focus on simple relationships involving a pair of attributes (e.g., correlations) or convert the continuous semantics of numerical attributes to a discrete semantics, which results in information loss. To capture more complex relationships involving the numerical attributes, we developed a new data-profiling primitive called conformance constraints, which can model linear arithmetic relationships involving multiple numerical attributes. We present CoCo, a system that allows interactive discovery and exploration of Conformance Constraints for understanding trends involving the numerical attributes of a dataset, with a particular focus on the application of data cleaning. Through a simple interface, CoCo enables the user to guide conformance constraint discovery according to their preferences. The user can examine to what extent a new, possibly dirty, dataset satisfies or violates the discovered conformance constraints. Further, CoCo provides useful suggestions for cleaning dirty data tuples, where the user can interactively alter cell values, and verify by checking change in conformance constraint violation due to the alteration. We demonstrate how CoCo can help in understanding trends in the data and assist the users in interactive data cleaning, using conformance constraints.
Conformations of voltage-sensing domain III differentially define NaV channel closed- and open-state inactivation

Voltage-gated Na+ (NaV) channels underlie the initiation and propagation of action potentials (APs). Rapid inactivation after NaV channel opening, known as open-state inactivation, plays a critical role in limiting the AP duration. However, NaV channel inactivation can also occur before opening, namely closed-state inactivation, to tune the cellular excitability. The voltage-sensing domain (VSD) within repeat IV (VSD-IV) of the pseudotetrameric NaV channel α-subunit is known to be a critical regulator of NaV channel inactivation. Yet, the two processes of open- and closed-state inactivation predominate at different voltage ranges and feature distinct kinetics. How inactivation occurs over these different ranges to give rise to the complexity of NaV channel dynamics is unclear. Past functional studies and recent cryo-electron microscopy structures, however, reveal significant inactivation regulation from other NaV channel components. In this Hypothesis paper, we propose that the VSD of NaV repeat III (VSD-III), together with VSD-IV, orchestrates the inactivation-state occupancy of NaV channels by modulating the affinity of the intracellular binding site of the IFMT motif on the III-IV linker. We review and outline substantial evidence that VSD-III activates in two distinct steps, with the intermediate and fully activated conformation regulating closed- and open-state inactivation state occupancy by altering the formation and affinity of the IFMT crevice. A role of VSD-III in determining inactivation-state occupancy and recovery from inactivation suggests a regulatory mechanism for the state-dependent block by small-molecule anti-arrhythmic and anesthetic therapies.
Epic Limitations: Homeric Depictions of Teacher Dispositions

Abstract: This paper proposes an interdisciplinary use of literary texts in informing contemporary pedagogical thought. Though “soft skills” have always been a part of teachers’ expected repertoire, only fairly recently have these skills, now almost exclusively referred to as “dispositions,” become a major focus in university teacher preparation programs. As teacher preparation programs wrestle with the complexities of defining and assessing teacher dispositions, we propose that it is helpful to look to the humanities to assist with this navigation, in particular, literary texts. As an example of this process, we analyze Homer’s Iliad for dispositional insights. In the epic, Homer depicts various teacher dispositions, commenting upon both their effectiveness and their limitations in ways that can further elucidate contemporary discussions and concerns regarding their utility.
The Biography Man

"Your autobiography!" he said to them, standing gilded in the morning sun like a sparkling tournament trophy. "We will write your very own story! Take it from me. My company. . . ." His company, a back-Eastern somewhere wholesale publisher making books inexpensive like fine wines in the cellar. "The more who buy, the cheaper they come!" hailing them from the wagon all circus curlicue red yellow and golden with a steed stamping and whinnying on the dusty streets. The children first saw him arrive, an edge of town voyager in the dawn with leather straps, champing horse, all silver buckles, spokes and copper rims, pulling into the townsquare at day break and throwing the side open for everyone to gaze upon leather and goldtrim books. "Your own biography, your own life story!" printed on qual ity paper, inexpensive labor of speciality house "... can afford it because ..." because of pot-boilers which allow the philanthropist owner (everyone knows how crazy philanthropist millionaires are) to take huge trash-novel profits and send wagonmen through green little midwest towns to offer books, books, ". . . everyone loves books!" books about your very own life. Bound and goldtrimmed, don't forget that, printed and sent to you and see these here on display now, from Bainbridge over in Ohio, and Star City back in Indiana. Anyone have relatives in Star City? The crowd pushing closer to the wagon now like leaves blown against autumn trees, staring up at the traveling salesman, possible snake-oil man for the suspicious sheriff to run out of town. Up closer now, necks like marionettes, twisting to see the books. "Step up! Browse! Thumb through the life stories of your cousins!" Children dashing under the quiet nibbling horse's legs, chasing with gunsticks, and parents hollering to be quiet. The leading citizens, the mayor and city coun cilmen, all pinstripe and tophat and smile-vote formality, standing to one side on the way to the office for coffee and business. "Only ten dollars!" he shouts, "to leave a legacy for your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren!" This last striking that golden note in the hearts of all men who sire children, as every man wants to be immortal, every man has his pride. Now perking up, husbands turning and smiling and nodding at wives, a twinkle in their eyes, this sounds nice doesn't it now, a life story to give to 1
C Style: Standards and Guidelines

Part 1 Basics: standards psychological factors general principles. Part 2 Commenting and naming: commenting naming. Part 3 Layout: code layout file layout. Part 4 Usage: language usage data usage programming usage. Part 5 Implementation: implementing standards.
Acute oral administration of the novel, competitive and selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist ORG 34517 reduces the severity of ethanol withdrawal and related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation.

Abstract Background The development of ethanol dependence is associated with alterations in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and activation of type II glucocorticoid receptors (GR). These effects may contribute to withdrawal-associated anxiety, craving and relapse to drinking. The present studies examined acute and oral administration of the novel, selective and competitive GR antagonist ORG 34517 on the severity of ethanol withdrawal. Methods Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered ethanol (4 g/kg/i.g.) twice daily for 5 days followed by 2 days of withdrawal for 1, 2 or 3 consecutive cycles. Blood ethanol levels (BELs) were determined at 0930 on Day 4 of each week, while blood corticosterone levels (BCLs) were obtained at 11:00 hours on the first day of each ethanol withdrawal. During early withdrawal, subjects received oral administration of ORG 345617 (60 mg/kg/i.g.) or a placebo and withdrawal was monitored. Results Peak BELs of 225.52 mg/dl were observed during the third week. Withdrawal from three cycles of the regimen produced marked behavioral abnormalities (e.g., aggression, rigidity, and hypoactivity) and significant increases in BCLs of ethanol-dependent subjects. Acute, oral administration of ORG 34517 during early withdrawal significantly reduced both the severity of ethanol withdrawal, as reflected in reduced rigidity, aggression, and hypoactivity, and elevations in BCL without producing any sedative-like effects. Conclusions The present findings demonstrate that repeated ethanol exposure and withdrawal is associated with significant behavioral abnormalities and dysregulation of HPA axis activation. Further these data suggest that selective GR antagonists should be further considered as putative pharmacotherapies for treatment of ethanol dependence.
Consequences of commercial web presence: an exploratory study of South Korean business adopters of websites

A key research issue to this study is to explore how marketers who have already presented on the web perceive the world wide web as a marketing communications tool. The research focus is on examining what organisational benefits are recognised and how such benefits are associated with organisational features, attitudes towards the web presence and overall satisfaction with the web presence.The data for this study were collected from a national survey of a stratified random sample of 164 South Korean companies who were running websites at the time. The results obtained in this study suggest that companies, overall, hold favourable attitudes towards their web presence, yet the overall level of satisfaction with running websites was moderate. Four benefit dimensions emerged from the factor analysis. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Flexible inspection system for a PC board assembly line

The objective of this paper is to present a method of inspecting electrical characteristics for a printed circuit board (PCB) on a manufacturing assembly line. The inspection is facilitated by the use of two robots, a simple laboratory-made vision system, a linear conveyor transfer belt, a general purpose interface bus system, and a personal computer. The result indicates that this system is more efficient, economical, and accurate than human-operated systems. >
Designing a side channel resistant random number generator

This paper describes the design of the random number generator (RNG) in the Caernarvon high assurance smart card operating system. Since it is used in the generation of cryptographic keys and other sensitive materials, the RNG has a number of stringent security requirements that the random bits must be of good quality i.e. the bits must not be predictable or biased. To this end, a number of standards such as the German AIS 31 mandate that true random bits be continuously tested before use in sensitive applications such as key generation. A key issue in implementing this standard is that such testing before use in key generation greatly increases the attack surface for side-channel attacks. For example, template attacks which can extract information about the random bits from even a single run provided we use the same bits at many different points in the computation. Because of these potential risks, the Caernarvon operating system uses pseudo random number generators which are initially seeded by externally generated high quality random bits, and then perturbed by bits from the true random number generator. We describe a PRNG design which yields high quality random bits while also ensuring that it is not susceptible to side-channel attacks and provide an informal argument about its effectiveness.