cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporating environmental data in abundance-based algorithms for deriving phytoplankton size classes in the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Environmental conditions are important drivers in regulating the distribution pattern of phytoplankton composition in the world's oceans. We constructed models that predict pico-, nano- and micro-phytoplankton size classes and assessed the impact of separately including sea surface temperature (SST) and estimates of light level in the surface mixed-layer on model skill. The empirical models were trained using size classes estimated by chemotaxonomic analysis of in situ high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) pigments and environmental data originating from the Atlantic Ocean. As the accuracy of transforming pigment data into quantitative size classes is crucial when constructing phytoplankton size composition (PSC) models, we also quantified the resulting differences of our and several existing PSC models when using class sizes derived from HPLC pigments by two common chemotaxonomic methods, CHEMTAX and Diagnostic Pigments (DP). Addition of the environmental variables to abundance-based models using our approach improved the skill of correctly predicting PSC, reducing the root mean square difference (RMSD) by 10 to 20% in the best cases. Addition of SST yielded the highest percentage decreases, on average, for all three size classes, with greatest improvement in microplankton and nanoplankton fractions. These models performed equal to or better than several existing abundance-based models. The improvements in model predictions, however, could be obscured by the choice of pigment method used to generate the initial PSC data set. Insufficient data is available to assess whether CHEMTAX or DP is the more appropriate chemotaxonomic method to employ when estimating PSC. Further collection and analysis of additional water samples for phytoplankton taxa and size by microscopic methods - including traditional microscopic cell counts and automated methods - and HPLC pigment data are required to answer this question.
Comparing Treatment Response Between Older and Younger Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection on Direct-acting Antiviral Agents.

OBJECTIVE To compare sustained virologic response 12 weeks post-treatment completion (SVR12) and patient characteristics for older versus younger patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) receiving direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agent therapy. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients with chronic HCV who received DAA therapy, between 2015 and 2018, in the largest health system in Rhode Island (N=154). Patient characteristics, comorbid diagnoses, and SVR12 status were compared between older (aged ≥60 years) and younger (<60 years) adults using chi-squared tests. RESULTS Overall, 94.1% (95% CI: 90.4-97.8) achieved SVR12; response rates were 91.8% (95% CI: 84.9-98.6) for older adults and 95.6% (95% CI: 91.5-99.8) for younger adults (p=0.51). CONCLUSIONS Our findings refute the historical notion that older adults were a "difficult-to-treat" subpopulation for whom clinicians should expect less treatment success. This is no longer the case with DAA therapy.
Controversial risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma.

e16662Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare malignancy accounting for 3% of gastrointestinal cancers in the US. While multiple risk factors for CCA are established and well-stud...
Scalar Poincaré implies matrix Poincaré

We prove that every reversible Markov semigroup which satisfies a Poincare inequality satisfies a matrix-valued Poincare inequality for Hermitian d×d matrix valued functions, with the same Poincare constant. This generalizes recent results [ABY19, Kat20] establishing such inequalities for specific semigroups and consequently yields new matrix concentration inequalities. The short proof follows from the spectral theory of Markov semigroup generators.
Medicare coverage patterns favor non-invasive and minimally-invasive treatments of knee osteoarthritis compared to temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis.

To compare Medicare coverage patterns for treatments of knee osteoarthritis (OA) to those of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) OA. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 codes were used ...
Utilisation of early intervention services in infants with congenital heart disease following open-heart surgery.

Objective: To examine the use of early intervention services in infants with CHD after open-heart surgery and identify factors associated with receipt of services. Study design: Surveys were administered to caregivers of infants who underwent open-heart surgery before 1 year of age at a single institution between July, 2017 and July, 2018. Information regarding the infant’s use of early intervention services and the caregiver’s experience with the programme was obtained. Clinical data were retrieved from the medical record review. Logistic regression identified factors associated with receipt of services. Results: The study included 158 eligible infants. Ninety-eight caregivers (62%) completed the surveys. Of those surveyed, 53.1% of infants were currently or previously enrolled in early intervention services. Infants most frequently received physical therapy (76.9%). The majority of caregivers found services to be moderately/very helpful (92.3%) and sufficient for their child (76.9%). In the univariate analysis, single-ventricle disease, known syndrome/genetic abnormality, extracardiac anomaly, and longer intensive care and hospital length of stay were associated with receipt of services. Single-ventricle disease (p = 0.004) and known syndrome/genetic abnormality (p < 0.0001) remained independently associated with receipt of services in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion: Amongst infants at risk for neurodevelopmental deficits, approximately half received services after open-heart surgery. Caregivers expressed satisfaction with the programme. While infants with single-ventricle disease and a known syndrome/genetic abnormality were more likely to receive early intervention services, many at-risk infants with CHD failed to receive services. Further research is needed to identify barriers to early intervention services and promote developmental outcomes.
“They are Scared of Me”: Black Male Perceptions of Sense of Belonging in U.S. Public Schools

Using a Critical Race framework, this study examined black male perceptions of their sense of belonging in U.S. public schools. The author conducted semi-structured interviews with ten black males who had been expelled from schools. Findings reveal perceptions of a stark discrepancy in the quality of education provided at schools that are predominantly black vs. schools that are more racially diverse. Furthermore participants describe school as a hostile environment for black males citing microaggressions, isolation, and verbal abuse as indicators. Based on the findings, practical recommendations for supporting the educational experiences of black males are offered.
Leslie G. Ungerleider (1946–2020): the multiple careers of a single extraordinary scientist

Leslie Gail Ungerleider, a distinguished experimental psychologist and neuroscientist, previously Chief of the Laboratory of Brain and Cognition at the National Institute of Mental Health, died suddenly on 11 December 2020. Friends, family, colleagues, and trainees all the world over mourn her passing, but also celebrate her life and extraordinary achievements.
Design and Application of Optical Cable Online Monitoring System in Power Grid Company

Optical communication plays an important role in the power backbone communication network. As its only carrier, optical cable ensures the safe and stable operation of power grid. This paper first introduces the current status of optical cable network. Then the online monitoring mode of optical cable is introduced, and the overall architecture of optical cable monitoring system that suitable for the power grid company is proposed. Finally, application results of the monitoring system are given. The results show that the monitoring system proposed in this paper greatly reduced the repair time length of optical cable.
Mutation of the Type II Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor Is Coincident with the Transformation of Human Colon Adenomas to Malignant Carcinomas

The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) type II receptor (RII) is a colon cancer suppressor gene that is inactivated by mutation in 90% of human colon cancers arising via the microsatellite instability (MSI) pathway of carcinogenesis. To determine the pathophysiological consequence of RII mutations, we have determined the timing of their onset among 22 MSI human colon adenomas of varying stages. No RII mutations were detected in any early MSI adenoma, including all those with simple tubular or villous histology. The earliest RII mutation detected was in a region of high-grade dysplasia but was absent from the surrounding simple adenoma. Six additional RII mutations were all found in highly progressed adenomas that contained regions of frankly invasive adenocarcinoma. These RII mutations were detected in both the advanced adenomas and their adjacent regions of carcinoma. RII mutation is a late event in MSI adenomas and correlates tightly with progression of these adenomas to cancer.
Structural organization of the voltage sensor in voltage-dependent potassium channels.

The structural organization of the voltage sensor in K+ channels has been investigated by second site suppressor analysis in Shaker and by identification of a metal ion binding site in ether-a-go-go (eag). In Shaker, two groups of interacting charged residues have been identified. K374 in the S4 segment interacts with E293 in S2 and D316 in S3, whereas E283 in S2 interacts with R368 and R371, two voltage-sensing residues in S4. Interactions of E283 with R368 and R371 are voltage dependent. The results suggest that E283 is located in a water-filled pocket near the extracellular surface of the protein. During voltage-dependent activation of Shaker channels, R368 and R371 move into this pocket and come into proximity with E283. In eag channels, extracellular Mg2+ directly modulates the activation process by binding to two acidic residues that are located in an analogous pocket. These acidic residues are found only in eag family members, accounting for the specificity of Mg2+ modulation to that family. These compatible results from Shaker and eag suggest a model for the packing and conformational changes of transmembrane segments in the voltage sensor of K+ channels.
Evaluation of the scapula module from the interactive atlas of the human skeleton (725.10)

Last year we developed a three component module of the scapula which included a short instructional video, an interactive animation, and a self-testing quiz. This semester undergraduate nursing students were provided with access to this module in Block 3 (upper extremity) of their anatomy course. In order to evaluate its effectiveness we compared the scores on this semester’s Block 3 exam with the scores last Fall when they did not have access to the scapula module. Both groups of students were asked the same 11 scapula-related questions. These questions were divided between the practical exam (6) and the written exam (5) and ranged from identifying bony landmarks to knowing the innervation of muscles attached to the scapula. In addition to analysis of their exam performance we also surveyed the students about their usage of the scapula module and their opinions of its usefulness. Overall, the scapula module received very positive reviews from the students with the interactive animations being the most po...
Histidinol dehydrogenase from Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli: Purification, some characteristics and the amino acid sequence around a reactive thiol group

The purification and some physical properties of histidinol dehydrogenase, L-histidinol-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxido-reductase (EC 1.1.1.23) from either Salmonella typhimurium or Escherichia coli are reported in this paper. Modification of histidinol dehydrogenase with one equivalent of N-(4-dimethylamino-3,5-dinitrophenyl)maleimide at pH 6.8 yields an enzyme that is inactive toward the oxidation of L-histidinol. The modified cysteine residue was located in an acid insoluble tryptic core. The amino acid sequence around the reactive thiol group in S. typhimurium is: Leu-Cys-Gly-Val-Glu-Glu-Ile-Phe, and in E. coli is: Leu-Cys-Gly-Val-Glu-Asp-Val-Phe. These unique sequences show no homology to the reactive thiol groups from some other dehydrogenases.
Galactic and Extragalactic Applications

For the purposes of this talk I will take “high resolution” to mean 1 milliarcsecond (mas). Only objects of high surface brightness when averaged over 1 mas are considered; as H. McAlister will discuss stellar applications, I will speak only about nonstellar applications.
Dialkylaminophosphorus metal carbonyls. 12. Insertion of phosphorus, sulfur, and selenium into the unit and a novel product from the reaction of with PhBCl2

Abstract Reactions of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 ( CO ) 6 with RPCl2 (R = t Bu and Ph but not i Pr 2 N ) in boiling toluene give the corresponding yellow ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 Fe 2 ( CO ) 6 derivatives. Similar reactions of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 (CO) 6 with PX3(X = Cl, Br) give the corresponding ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 PX ) Fe 2 ( CO ) 6 derivatives. Reaction of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 (CO) 6 with elemental sulfur in boiling toluene gives yellow ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 SFe 2 (CO) 6 . Reactions of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 (CO) 6 with E2Cl2 (E = S, Se) give ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 E 2 Fe 2 (CO)in6 . Treatment of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 (CO) 6 with boiling CCl6 results in chlorination to give light yellow ( i Pr 2 N ) 2 P 2 Cl 2 Fe 2 (CO) 6 . Reaction of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 (CO) 6 with PhBCl2 in boiling toluene gives yellow ( i Pr 2 NP )(ClP)OCPh 2 ]Fe 2 (CO) 6 . An X-ray diffraction study reveals that the structure of [( i Pr 2 NP )(ClP)OCPh 2 ]Fe 2 (CO) 6 is analogous to that of products previously obtained from reactions of ( i Pr 2 NP ) 2 COFe 2 (CO) 6 with adehydes or ketones in which expulsion of the phosphorus-bridging carbonyl is followed by addition of the phosphorus atoms across the aldehyde or ketone carbonyl, leading to a central Fe2P2OC unit. a
Basal laminar thinning in branching morphogenesis of the chick lung as demonstrated by lectin probes

Three lectins, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and Ricinis communis agglutinin I (RCA), were used to study the basement membrane of developing chick lungs. Thinning of the basement membrane at the tips of newly formed bronchi was visualized with all three lectins, but was particularly evident using SBA. Control sections established the ability of the lectins to stain hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate. Neuraminidase, bovine testes hyaluronidase and Streptomyces hyaluronidase removed some of the staining, but none were able to affect the staining of the basement membrane. Possible explanations for this are discussed in the text. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine is enhanced at the tips relative to the interbud area in stage-30 lungs, extending previous studies on stage-26 lungs. Evidence has been presented here which demonstrates that mechanisms of morphogenesis used in avian embryos are similar to those already elucidated in work on mammalian embryos.
Multiphoton and excited-state absorptions of an organic liquid for optical limiting applications

A detailed theoretical study of nonlinear molecular photonic processes accompanying the propagation of short intense laser pulses through a thin organic liquid cell and an organic liquid cored fiber array is presented. A model is proposed to account for the measurements of a recently developed organic liquid, and a comparison with pure two-photon and excited state absorption mechanisms is performed.
Molecular structural requirements for binding and activation of L-alanine taste receptors.

L-Alanine binds to and activates specific taste receptors ofIctalurus punctatus, the channel catfish. In order to determine the structural requirements for receptor binding and activation in this model system, a number of analogues of L-alanine were tested using a neurophysiological assay and a competitive ligand binding assay. These assays measured the ability of analogues to activate taste receptors and to displace L-[3H]alanine from L-alanine binding sites. Of those derivatives with modifications of the sidechain, L-serine, glycine,β-chloro-L-alanine and 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid were the most potent analogues with IC50s similar to and neural responses slightly decremented from that of L-alanine. Derivatives containing branched sidechains or sidechains of otherwise increased volume were considerably less active. All modifications of theα-carboxylic acid and theα-amine, including amides, esters and various isosteres, led to substantial reduction in the analogues' ability to displace L-[3H]alanine and, in most cases, very weak stimulatory capability. However, L-lactic acid was a reasonably strong stimulus, but a poor competitor, suggesting that it acts at a different receptor site. Overall, these results indicate the importance of the charged amine and carboxylic acid groups for binding to and activation of the receptor for L-alanine. Moreover, modifications around the chiral center of L-alanine support the hypothesis that receptor binding and activation are separate processes in this model taste system.
Real Time Research Methods Monitoring Air Traffic Controller Workload During Simulation Studies Using Electroencephalography (EEG)

For the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), the ability to reliably measure the effects of automation changes or new task demands on controller/pilot workload and performance is critical. Much of the EEG research has focused on identifying specific cognitive states associated with levels of workload during post processing. However, there are potential benefits for researchers to having EEG results as a continuous measure that can be observed during simulation experiments. This demonstration is a workload gauge that processes EEG data in real time as the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) participant is performing basic cognitive and operational ATC tasks. The visualizations demonstrated are also available during post processing to enable investigation of the continuous relationships between ATC situational variables, controller performance, and EEG.
Sources of background current in thr ECC ozonesonde: Implications for total ozone measurements

The source of the background current in the usual operation of the electrochemical concentration cell ozonesonde is the reduction of tri-iodide normally present in the cathode solution. The time variations in the background current can be explained by the slow rates of solution mass transport and of heterogeneous electron transfer for tri-iodide. Oxygen does not contribute to the background current through reaction with iodide to produce tri-iodide. Direct reduction of oxygen at the cathode is negligible once the electrodes have been exposed to iodide for 24 hours. The present background current correction is altitude-dependent, since it is based on an assumed sensitivity of the electrochemical concentration cell to oxygen. If the background current is independent of altitude and of oxygen, a constant, uncorrected, background current of 0.1 microamp would produce an error of +5.5% for the total ozone value of the electrochemical concentration cell for a typical midlatitude total ozone value of 0.345 atm-cm.
The Matrix Description Of Radiometric Quantities

The impetus for this paper was to assist investigators not familiar with radiometry theory. Many times they apply a scalar theory to scattering of polarized light from non-depolarizing targets. Also some investigators erroneously apply a combined scalar-vector theory since the correct vector-matrix approach has not been developed in the literature. The classical theory used by many investigators was given by Nicodemus, et al. and this theory will be modified in this paper. When incident polarized radiation is incident upon a target it is represented by a Stoke's vector and the interaction with the non-depolarizing surface is given by the (4x4) reflectance Mueller matrix, the scattered light is polarized and is a Stoke's vector. The vector-matrix theory is applied to the various geometries given by Nicodemus and the various types of reflectance matrices are defined in terms of the bidirectional reflectance matrix and the BRDF matrix. These results are presented in a tabular form.
Computational thinking curriculum development for upper elementary school classes

As computer science plays an increasingly large role in our lives, it is important to also move it into our classrooms. Computer science careers are among the fastest growing jobs, yet large groups of the population are severely underrepresented in computer science. Elementary school is a key time to introduce computer science or computational thinking because students are capable of programming and they will soon be deciding whether they see a future in the sciences. Including computational thinking as a part of the elementary school general education would give all children an introduction to the subject. In addition, elementary schools are looking for computational thinking material. We need appropriate, research-based tools and curricula for them to use.Unlike the natural sciences, computer science's domain is pliable. Through language and programming environments, developers can create new ways to represent computational thinking concepts. My research seeks 1) to understand how 4th through 6th grade students learn computational thinking, 2) to develop computational thinking learning progressions and curricula, and 3) to create a language and programming environment suitable for elementary school classes and teachers who do not have a computer science background.
Performance capabilities of middle-atmosphere temperature lidars: comparison of Na, Fe, K, Ca, Ca + , and Rayleigh systems

The measurement accuracies of modern resonance fluorescence and Rayleigh temperature lidars are limited primarily by photon noise. The narrowband three-frequency fluorescence technique is shown to perform within a few decibels of the theoretical optimum at night for both temperature and wind observations. These systems also exhibit good performance during the day because the fluorescence wavelengths of Na, Fe, K, Ca, and Ca+ all correspond to strong solar Fraunhofer lines, where sky brightness is attenuated by a factor of 5 or more. Whereas Na systems achieve the highest signal-to-noise ratios for mesopause region observations (80–105 km), the three-frequency Fe system is attractive because it performs well as both a fluorescence and a Rayleigh lidar throughout the middle atmosphere at approximately 25–110 km.
The Humanities and Gross Anatomy: Forgotten Alternatives

Researchers in medical education have extensively studied negative reactions to gross anatomy, sometimes grouped under the term “the cadaver experience.” Although there has been disagreement about the extent and importance of such phenomena, several attempts at curricular reform have been designed to “humanize” the student-cadaver encounter. However, some obvious sources linking gross anatomy and the humanities have been consistently overlooked. Such sources—from the history of art, the history of anatomy, and autobiographical and imaginative literature—not only bear witness to the “cadaver experience” for anatomists of the past, but also offer forgotten alternatives for placing present-day reactions in perspective. Former methods of teaching which used such material might serve as models for reintegrating the humanities into the study of gross anatomy as a possible humanizing force.
Equal opportunity and racial differences in IQ

The intelligence quotient (IQ) differs for various racial-ethnic groups. Blacks and Whites, for example, differ, on the average, by about 15 points in IQ. The present study finds that differences in knowledge between Blacks and Whites for items tested on an intelligence test, the meanings of words, can be eliminated. They are eliminated when equal opportunity for exposure to the information to be tested has been experimentally assured. The data support the view that cultural differences in the provision of information may account for racial differences in IQ.
A safe method to acid digest small samples of biological tissues for graphite furnace atomic absorption analysis of aluminum

A method was developed to prepare small biological tissue samples (approximately 100 mg) for flameless atomic absorption analysis of aluminum (Al). Screw cap Teflon containers were used in which the samples were dried, acid digested, acid evaporated, and diluted for analysis, minimizing contamination and sample loss. A heatable, semiclosed system was developed in which the nitric and perchloric acids used in tissue digestion could be safely evaporated from the sample containers and collected. Several spectrophotometer operating conditions for Al determination were compared, and a suitable condition was adopted. Analyses for aluminum levels in acid digested samples were conducted at two absorption wavelengths (309.3 and 396.2 nm) and by two analytical procedures (comparison of sample absorbance to standard absorbance and the method of standard additions). The developed method is suitable for analysis of the low levels of aluminum found in biological tissues and probably other elements as well. The method incorporates procedures designed to minimize contamination and the hazards of acid tissue digestion.
Extracting information from optical coherence tomography images of tissues: signal attenuation and fractal analysis of speckle pattern

Two methods for analyzing OCT images of arterial tissues are tested. These methods are applied toward two types of samples: segments of arteries collected from atherosclerosis-prone Watanabe heritable hyper-lipidemic rabbits and pieces of porcine left descending coronary arteries without atherosclerosis. The first method is based on finding the attenuation coefficients for the OCT signal that propagates through various regions of the tissue. The second method involves calculating the fractal dimensions of the OCT signal textures in the regions of interest identified within the acquired images. A box-counting algorithm is used for calculating the fractal dimensions. Both parameters, the attenuation coefficient as well as the fractal dimension correlate very well with the anatomical features of both types of samples.
Order of fertilization within the ovary in Phaseolus coccineus L. (Leguminosae)

Phaseolus coccineus typically has six linearly arranged ovules per ovary. The three ovules near the stylar end of the fruit (positions one, two, and three) are more likely to produce mature seeds, to produce heavier seeds, and to produce more vigorous progeny than the ovules in positions near the peduncular/basal end of the fruit (ovule positions four, five, and six). We conducted a series of field experiments designed to supplement our understanding of the mechanisms determining these position effects. We found that approximately 98% of the ovules in 752 fruits were fertilized — about 0.6% of the stylar ovules were not fertilized, whereas 3.2% of the basal ovules were unfertilized. Moreover, we found that only about 49% of the ovules in these 752 fruits produced mature seeds. Over 60% of the stylar ovules produced mature seeds, whereas only 37% of the basal ovules produced mature seeds. Consequently, the proportion of fertilized ovules cannot explain the differences in seed maturation among the ovule positions. We found that after 6.5 h most of the fertilized ovules were located in the stylar ovule positions, and that there were no fertilized ovules in ovule positions five and six, indicating that the stylar ovules are fertilized first. When only the fastest growing pollen tubes were permitted to enter the ovary (due to exision of the style), only the ovules at the stylar end were fertilized, indicating that the ovule positions that are fertilized first are indeed fertilized by the fastest growing pollen tubes.
Cooperative object tracking for many-on-many engagement

This paper presents simulation results of nonlinear filtering algorithms applied to the cooperative object tracking problem. Cooperative tracking refers to observing a object from multiple mobile sensor platforms that communicate with each other, either directly or through a central node. Inter-agent communication also enables cooperative guidance, which can be used to achieve agent formation configurations advantageous to object tracking.
Inter-Jurisdictional Economic Development: A Political Institution Explanation for Policy Choice

This study examines the role of formal institutions and rules of government in the formation of joint venture agreements for economic development. Research suggests local governing arrangements play an influential role in the policy area of local economic development. This study presents an argument that form of government provides incentives that influence the decision to establish a developmental, redistributive, or regional interjurisdictional agreement. The results of a multinomial logit model using survey data collected from 12 metropolitan areas provides evidence to support the hypotheses that unreformed governing institutions, compared to cities with an appointed professional manager, are more likely to form joint venture agreements that are developmental in nature.
Overweight men with nonobstructive azoospermia have worse pregnancy outcomes after microdissection testicular sperm extraction.

Objective To evaluate the effect of obesity on the outcome of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and assisted reproductive technology. Design Clinical retrospective study. Setting Center for reproductive medicine at a tertiary-care university hospital. Patient(s) Nine hundred seventy patients with nonobstructive azoospermia. Intervention(s) Microdissection TESE followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Main Outcome Measure(s) Sperm retrieval rate and clinical pregnancy rate. Result(s) Testicular sperm were successfully retrieved in 55% of men overall. Of those with sperm found, clinical pregnancy rate was 51% and live birth rate 40%. Sperm retrieval rates were similar in men with body mass index (BMI) 2 , 25–30 kg/m 2 , and >30 kg/m 2 (59%, 57%, and 54%, respectively). Mean BMI of men who contributed to pregnancy (27.3 ± 4.9 kg/m 2 ) was lower than for men whose sperm did not contribute to a pregnancy (28.2 ± 5.4 kg/m 2 ). No man with BMI >43 kg/m 2 (n = 11) contributed to a successful pregnancy, even though sperm were found in men with BMI up to 57 kg/m 2 . On multivariable logistic regression analysis, male BMI was the only predictor of successful pregnancy among the variables analyzed, including male age, female age, and female BMI. Conclusion(s) Overweight men have lower clinical pregnancy rate after microdissection TESE and ICSI compared with men with normal BMI. Men with BMI >43 kg/m 2 did not contribute to any pregnancies, despite successful sperm retrieval.
A Multiple-Input Multiple-Output DC–DC Converter

A multiple-input multiple-output dc-dc converter topology is proposed. This converter is able to accommodate an arbitrary number of sources and loads. The steady-state and dynamic characteristics of the proposed converter are analyzed. A controller scheme is proposed that enables budgeting the input powers coming from different energy sources, in addition to regulating the output voltages. Loss and efficiency modeling and sensitivity analysis to the underlying parameters are performed. Several case studies are presented to verify the analytical models and evaluate the performance of the proposed converter.
High performance Schottky contacts on Se-doped AlxGa1−xAs by cryogenic processing

Abstract Al x Ga 1− x As samples were grown on Se-doped Al x Ga 1− x As layer above GaAs substrate by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). It was reported that the crystal quality of the re-growth Al x Ga 1− x As layer can be improved significantly when an Se-doped Al x Ga 1 − x As layer was used. The surface carrier concentration, however, was increased as a result of the Se-doping. Therefore, it could be difficult to obtain a high performance Schottky contacts on such a structure for practical devices application. In this work, Schottky contacts to Al x Ga 1− x As/Se-doped Al x Ga 1− x As were formed by cryogenic processing. In such a processing, the Schottky metal deposition was carried out with the sample cooled to a low temperature (LT) of 77 K. The Schottky barrier height was increased significantly in a Au/Al x Ga 1− x As/Se-doped Al x Ga 1− x As contact. The leakage current, for the LT contact, was nearly 4 orders lower than that of contact made at room temperature. A current transport mechanism dominated by thermionic emission for the LT contacts was found from current-voltage-temperature ( I - V - T ) measurement.
Evaluation of Implementation of an Interdisciplinary Nutrition Curriculum in Middle Schools

Abstract This paper provides an evaluation of teachers’ implementation and perceptions of Mid-LINC, an interdisciplinary nutrition curriculum for middle school students. Evaluation methodology included both quantitative and qualitative procedures. Quantitative evaluation included distribution of a survey instrument to measure teacher attitudes toward the curriculum, their implementation of the curriculum, and factors related to attitude and implementation. Qualitative evaluation included classroom observation, depth interviews with teachers, and focus group interviews. On average, elementary and home economics teachers taught the highest number of lessons, and language arts teachers taught the fewest. The number of college nutrition courses taken by the teacher was the best predictor of implementation of the curriculum. Overall, the response to the curriculum was very favorable, with teachers rating it easy to use, flexible, and complete. The perceived importance of team teaching, the extent to which the teacher felt informed about nutrition, and the felt importance of nutrition in the middle school curriculum were significant predictors of comfort with the curriculum. Important facilitators to successful implementation are a project manager, teacher interest, and common planning times. Barriers to implementation include scheduling constraints, teacher resistance, personnel changes, and lack of administrative support.
ℒ 1 adaptive output feedback controller for a class of nonlinear systems

This paper presents an extension of the ℒ 1 adaptive output feedback controller to a class of nonlinear systems where nonlinearities satisfy a semiglobal Lipschitz condition. The control algorithm consists of an output predictor which is designed to predict the system's output with arbitrary accuracy, and a control law which is used to control the predictor output instead of the actual system's output. It is shown that the adaptive output feedback controller ensures uniformly bounded output tracking for the system. The performance bound can be systematically improved by reducing the step size of integration. Numerical simulation results are provided to illustrate the algorithm's performance.
Using crowdsourcing for data analytics

Summary form only given. It may sound contradictory to use humans to analyze big data, since humans cannot process huge amounts of data, may be error prone and are relatively slow. However, humans can do certain tasks much better than machines, e.g., tasks that involve image analysis or natural language. In this talk I will discuss how humans can be judiciously used to improve data analytics by cleansing, clustering and filtering critical data. I will also briefly describe ongoing work at our Stanford InfoLab in this area.
Insect Infestations in Wheat and Corn Exported from the United States

The incidence of insects in wheat and corn for export from the United States was determined in grain loaded at 79 port terminals in the United States and Canada (the St. Lawrence Seaway) during a 2-year period from January 1977 to December 1978. One or more live, stored-product insect species were found in 17.9% of the wheat samples and 22.4% of the corn samples. Insects of the Genus Sitophilus were the predominate ones in all samples, with 7.7% of the wheat samples containing an average of 4.2 weevils per 1,000 and 14.4% of the corn samples containing an average of 5.8 weevils per 1,000 g. Cryptolestes was the second most frequent genus of insect pests, with 7.5% of the wheat and 9.7% of the corn containing averages of 1.9 an 2.4 insects per 1.000 g. respectively. The lesser grain borer. Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), was third among species found in wheat, and the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), was third among species in com. Insects were detected most often in wheat from the Gulf and Great Lakes regions (23.8%) and in com from the Great Lakes and Atlantic Regions (23.5 to 24%). Grain from the Pacific region contained the fewest insects. The highest incidence of insects generally occurred in September or October.
Two cases of penetrating abdominal injury from needlefish impalement

Abstract Background: Needlefish injuries to humans are extremely rare. An extensive review of the medical literature reveals only 22 cases previously reported. Most injuries reported have occurred in the Indo-Pacific region, but there are scattered reports worldwide. Objective: To report two cases of life-threatening penetrating abdominal injuries from needlefish impalement. Case Report: A 19-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were both struck in the abdomen by a needlefish and required emergent exploratory laparotomy for instability. Their injuries were a laceration of a branch of the left portal vein and a small bowel perforation, respectively. Both patients survived and recovered without incident. Conclusion: Although rare, penetrating injuries from needlefish can be life threatening. Treatment should be directed at the organ injured with appropriate antibiotic coverage.
A Gas-Phase Study of the Kinetics of Formation of Fe(CO)3DMB, Fe(CO)3(DMB)2, and Fe(CO)4DMB: The Bond Dissociation Enthalpy for Fe(CO)3(DMB)2(DMB = 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene)

The transient spectra of Fe(CO)3(3,3-dimethyl-1-butene) and Fe(CO)3(3,3-dimethyl-1-butene)2 have been obtained in the carbonyl stretching region of the infrared. Fe(CO)4(3,3-dimethyl-1-butene) has ...
Multi-resolution implicit large eddy simulations using a high-order overset-grid approach

SUMMARY A parallel, high-order, overset-grid method is validated for use in large eddy simulation (LES) through its application to fundamental turbulent flow problems. The current method employs a high-order, compact finite-difference approach to evaluate spatial derivatives, with up to tenth-order low-pass filters used to remove high-frequency spurious wave content. These filters have also been found to be effective in modelling the dissipation that occurs at the unresolved scales in the flow for LES simulations. Temporal integration is based on an implicit, approximately factored and diagonalized, second-order algorithm, which reduces the time-step constraints present in explicit time-marching methods for wall-bounded viscous flows. Parallelization, geometric complexity, and local grid refinement are all addressed through the use of an overset-grid approach, with grid communication provided by high-order Lagrangian interpolation. The problems investigated in this work include fully turbulent channel flow at Re =590 and 1017, and the transitional wake generated by flow over a single circular cylinder at ReD =3900. The results obtained with the current approach are validated against well-resolved benchmark calculations or experiments and the impact of the order-of-accuracy of the interpolation method is investigated. The benefits obtained by using the general overset-grid technique to reduce grid point requirements compared to single-grid simulations are also examined. It is shown that for the problems considered in this work, substantial grid-point savings may be obtained with an overset-grid approach compared to a single-grid approach, and that the use of high-order interpolation at overset boundaries is important in maintaining overall solution accuracy. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of starvation on behaviour, number of larval instars, and developmental rate of Porthetria dispar

Abstract The behaviour, number of larval stadia, and developmental rate of the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar , can be altered by deprivation of food. The behavioural change is an increase in locomotory activity associated with hunger. The number of larval instars can be increased by food deprivation during instar I, but in instars II, III, or IV no significant increase was obtained. Food deprivation early in instars II, III, or IV reduced the numbers of subsequent ecdyses. When food was withheld early in an instar, the rate of development was accelerated during the remainder of the instar. The removal of food just before the cessation of feeding prior to apolysis also accelerated development.
Daily carbon gain by Adenocaulon bicolor (Asteraceae), a redwood forest understory herb, in relation to its light environment

The relationships between carbon gain and availability of sunfleck- and diffuse-light were determined for Adenocaulon bicolor by following the daily courses of assimilation and incident PFD on different days and locations in a redwood forest understory. Total PFD for the days sampled ranged from 1 to 4% of full sun values. Sunflecks accounted for 50 to 90% of the total PFD and were responsible for the majority of variation among days and locations. Each day had several clusters of sunfleck activity separated by relatively long intervals of diffuse light. Most sunflecks had maximum PFDs below the photosynthetic light-saturation point, and they had a median length and diffuse light interval separating them of 2 s. Daily carbon gain varied from 14 to 40 mmol m-2d-1 and was more strongly correlated with differences among days in total sunfleck PFD (r 2=0.81) than with variation in diffuse PFD (r 2=0.54). The assimilation that was attributable to sunflecks ranged from essentially zero on one day to 30 to 65% of the total on the other days. Carbon gain on most days was 70 to 80% of that predicted by a model based on the measured light dependences of assimilation. This model assumed an instantaneous response to changes in PFD, whereas incomplete photosynthetic induction probably limited the capacity to respond to sunflecks and therefore limited carbon gain on most days.
PLACE, SPRAWL, AND CONCERN ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Three forms of place attachment are tested to see if they predict local environmental concerns and feelings about development. Two forms of attachment are social, focused on objective roots and subjective identity. The other model focuses on appreciation for and contact with the natural environment. Analyses indicate that each model contributes to our understanding of attitudes about these issues even when controlling for environmental worldview, a strong predictor of these attitudes itself. These findings are also notable because the area from which the data is drawn is distinct from others typically examined in this literature for its geography and because it is undergoing and threatened by rapid and intensive land development.
Reinforcing array and loop concepts through a game-like module

There have been several successful cases of using games to improve student learning of computer programming. This paper presents a game-like module titled “Garden Gnomes From Planet 9” that is designed to help students visualize the process of iterating through an array using for loops, which is one of the most challenging concepts for students in computer programming classes. This module has been used and evaluated in the CSC1311 Computer Programming II class in spring 2012 at Winston-Salem State University. The pre-test, post-test and survey were developed and used in the evaluation process. The promising results and positive feedbacks from students indicate that the game-like module has significant impact on enhancing students learning in array and loop concepts in programming.
Luminance Addition: General Considerations and Some Results at Foveal Threshold

A rationale and methodology is developed which allows the systematic and definitive testing of a scalar luminance-additivity law (Abney’s law) within any photometric system which operationally defines luminance equality. For example, under the postulate that all stimuli have the same luminance at absolute threshold, the following inference is made: If a subthreshold field of λc is set so that it is some proportion p of the energy required to bring itself to a just-visible level, then the energy of any other wavelength λi which must be added to the same λc subthreshold field in order to bring the λc+λi mixture to threshold should be the proportion 1−p of the energy required to bring λi to threshold when no mixing is involved.In an experiment concerned with such mixtures, it is found that a scalar additivity law does not even approximate the facts of luminance addition at threshold, with complete failure of additivity being apparent under some conditions. Moreover, the data suggest the presence of an inhibitory effect in which a light is less visible when combined with subthreshold light of a different wavelength than when presented alone.
Predicting attention to local television news: Need for cognition and motives for viewing

This study tested hypothesized associations between local news viewing motives and attention to government reports or to sports reports. In addition, the personality trait of need for cognition was tested as an antecedent to local news viewing motivation and attention. Local news viewers (N = 305) completed questionnaires. LISREL analysis identified significant connections between need for cognition, utilitarian local news viewing motives, and attention to government news reports. Attention to sports news was explained only by respondent sex. The discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for uses and gratifications research and media effects studies.
NEUTRON MICRORADIOGRAPHY OF A CADMIUM-TIN ALLOY

X-RAY microradiography investigation of the internal structure of various alloys is a complementary tool to standard metallography. However, for alloys containing two or more elements with similar X-ray absorption coefficients, X-ray microradiography becomes difficult if not impossible. In an attempt to find a transmission method which could be used in its place, it was decided to use neutrons instead of X-rays.
Human platelet surface binding of endogenous secreted factor VIII-von Willebrand factor and platelet factor 4

Washed human platelets in buffers containing either 2 mM Ca++ or 4 mM EDTA were stimulated by human alpha-thrombin to induce secretion. The binding of two endogenous secreted proteins, factor-VIII-related protein (VIII-R) (von Willebrand factor) and platelet factor 4, was measured by reacting thrombin-treated and control platelets with specific antibodies to these proteins, then quantifying antibody binding with 125I-staphylococcal protein A. Both of these granule proteins were associated with the platelet membrane surface by a calcium-dependent mechanism after thrombin-induced secretion. This ability to bind endogenous secreted proteins to the plasma membrane surface may provide a mechanism by which the platelet can concentrate and organize its secreted proteins for subsequent physiologic reactions.