The impact of campaign donation sources on election outcomes: donations from within the candidate’s district

This study seeks to examine the relationship between the percentage of campaign donations coming from within a candidate’s constituency and his likelihood of winning the election, as well as look at the reasons for the existence of that relationship. This is accomplished by performing a logistic regression analysis of likelihood of winning against total percentage donations coming from sources within the candidate’s district for 172 House candidates, followed by a series of case studies intended to allow for deeper examination into why this is the case. Findings indicate that there is no significant relationship between the percentage of donations from the constituency and the candidate’s success and proposes that this is likely due to lack of voter awareness of how a candidate’s campaign is funded due to the media neglecting to address the subject adequately or accurately

On Counterexample Guided Quantifier Instantiation for Synthesis in CVC4

We introduce the first program synthesis engine implemented inside an SMT solver. We present an approach that extracts solution functions from unsatisfiability proofs of the negated form of synthesis conjectures. We also discuss novel counterexample-guided techniques for quantifier instantiation that we use to make finding such proofs practically feasible. A particularly important class of specifications are single-invocation properties, for which we present a dedicated algorithm. To support syntax restrictions on generated solutions, our approach can transform a solution found without restrictions into the desired syntactic form. As an alternative, we show how to use evaluation function axioms to embed syntactic restrictions into constraints over algebraic datatypes, and then use an algebraic datatype decision procedure to drive synthesis. Our experimental evaluation on syntax-guided synthesis benchmarks shows that our implementation in the CVC4 SMT solver is competitive with state-of-the-art tools for synthesis

Splanchnic metabolism of nutrients and hormones in steers fed alfalfa under conditions of increased absorption of ammonia and L-arginine supply across the portal-drained viscera

Effects of increased ammonia and/or arginine absorption on net splanchnic (portal-drained viscera [PDV] plus liver) metabolism of nonnitrogenous nutrients and hormones in cattle were examined. Six Hereford × Angus steers (501 ± 1 kg BW) prepared with vascular catheters for measurements of net flux across the splanchnic bed were fed a 75% alfalfa:25% (as-fed basis) corn and soybean meal diet (0.523 MJ of ME/[kg BW0.75.d]) every 2 h without (27.0 g of N/kg of DM) and with 20 g of urea/kg of DM (35.7 g of N/kg of DM) in a split-plot design. Net flux measurements were made immediately before and after a 72-h mesenteric vein infusion of L-arginine (15 mmol/h). There were no treatment effects onPDVor hepaticO2 consumption. Dietary urea had no effect on splanchnic metabolism of glucose or L-lactate, but arginine infusion decreased net hepatic removal of L-lactate when urea was fed (P < 0.01). Net PDV appearance of n-butyrate was increased by arginine infusion (P < 0.07), and both dietary urea (P < 0.09) and arginine infusion (P < 0.05) increased net hepatic removal of n-butyrate. Dietary urea also increased total splanchnic acetate output (P < 0.06), tended to increase arterial glucagon concentration (P < 0.11), and decreased arterial ST concentration (P < 0.03). Arginine infusion increased arterial concentration (P < 0.07) and net PDV release (P < 0.10) and tended to increase hepatic removal (P < 0.11) of insulin, as well as arterial concentration (P < 0.01) and total splanchnic output (P < 0.01) of glucagon. Despite changes in splanchnic N metabolism, increased ammonia and arginine absorption had little measurable effect on splanchnic metabolism of glucose and other nonnitrogenous components of splanchnic energy metabolism

Three-way symbiotic relationships in whale sharks

Symbiotic relationships between fishes and other organisms are not always easily defined, and three-way symbiotic relationships are rarely reported. Here we examine the relationship between the endangered whale shark, echeneids (remoras and sharksuckers) and a symbiotic copepod. Through their symbiosis with whale sharks, sharksuckers gain one food source from the host’s parasites and energetically-free transportation to foraging areas, where they are also able to feed on the prey targeted by their hosts. The relationship between whale sharks and sharksuckers is complex, and most accurately described as mutualism. Likewise, the whale shark and copepod relationship is also complex, and could be described as a parasitic relationship with commensal or even mutualistic characteristics. Although echeneids are not considered to form host-specific relationships and can be free-ranging, the whale shark copepod occurs only on whale sharks; its survival inextricably linked to that of its host

A critical appraisal of "Improved Walking Capacity and Muscle Strength After Functional Power-Training in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy"

Spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) can increase lower-limb spasticity, decrease strength, and result in the loss in sensitivity therefore affecting a child's walking capacity and muscle strength compared to typical developing (TD) children. Anywhere from 60-70% of children with CP are enrolled in public schools and recreational activities and therefore must be able to participate in the same manner as TD children. In this study, both walking capacity and muscle strength were improved using high velocity power-training techniques in a physical therapy clinic by incorporating functional exercises in the form of a game. The key difference between this intervention and others done in the clinic is that high velocity movement was used. Such movement is more functionally appropriate. The outline of this appraisal breaks this study into its individual components (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) first discussing each component's strengths and then subsequently their weaknesses. The many strengths of this study, as a whole, supports the use of a high velocity power-training intervention for children with spastic CP

The Role of Stenting in Management of Isolated Symptomatic Basilar Artery Stenosis

Isolated basilar artery stenosis (BAS) is a rare etiology of ischemic neurologic conditions. First-line treatment of symptomatic stenosis is typically medical therapy as outlined in the Warfarin–Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) trial and the Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Therapy for Intracranial Arterial Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial.1,2 We present the case of a male in his 60s with isolated BAS who failed maximal medical treatment but experienced a decrease in transient ischemic attacks and acute ischemic stroke occurrences after angioplasty and stenting

Effects of Rates of Compression on the Students' Learning of Verbalized Content

Higher Educatio

I-86B / Pocatello Avenue Intersection Redesign

The American Falls Intersection located off of I-86 and Pocatello Avenue is in need of an upgrade. Currently, the intersection consists of two-way free-flowing traffic with a connecting street that is controlled by a stop sign. The freight traffic comes from an industrial area near American Falls and heavily uses the connecting street. The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) would like the intersection to befree-flowing for freight traffic. We have been tasked to design an upgraded intersection with considerations for current and future freight traffic, safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and overall sustainability. We will collect current and future traffic volume data for both passenger and heavy vehicles. Research on the future development in American Falls, both commercial and residential, will help prepare alternative conceptual designs. A design alternative will be chosen and the following aspects will be included in the final design; (a) geometric design, (b) pavement design, (c) traffic operations design, (d) stormwater design, (e) traffic flow impact on nearby roads, (f) project construction scheduling, and (g) work zone traffic control