\u3ci\u3eAgonopterix Alstroemeriana\u3c/i\u3e (Oecophoridae) and Other Lepidopteran Associates of Poison Hemlock \u3ci\u3e(Conium Maculatum)\u3c/i\u3e in East Central Illinois

Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) (Apiaceae), a noxious Eurasian weed extensively naturalized throughout North America, is characteristically attacked by few insects. Over the past two decades, an introduced oecophorid caterpillar, Agonopterix alstroemeriana, has been reported infesting poison hemlock, its sole host in its area of indigeneity, in parts of the northeastern and western United States. We report for the first time evidence of established midwestern populations of this species. We also report poison hemlock as a host plant for the polyphagous lepidopterans Eupithecia miserulata, Trichoplusia ni, and Spilosoma virginica

Opal: In Vivo Based Preservation Framework for Locating Lost Web Pages

We present Opal, a framework for interactively locating missing web pages (http status code 404). Opal is an example of in vivo preservation: harnessing the collective behavior of web archives, commercial search engines, and research projects for the purpose of preservation. Opal servers learn from their experiences and are able to share their knowledge with other Opal servers using the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH). Using cached copies that can be found on the web, Opal creates lexical signatures which are then used to search for similar versions of the web page. Using the OAI-PMH to facilitate inter-Opal learning extends the utilization of OAI-PMH in a novel manner. We present the architecture of the Opal framework, discuss a reference implementation of the framework, and present a quantitative analysis of the framework that indicates that Opal could be effectively deployed

Polymeric blends for sensor and actuation dual functionality

The invention described herein supplies a new class of electroactive polymeric blend materials which offer both sensing and actuation dual functionality. The blend comprises two components, one component having a sensing capability and the other component having an actuating capability. These components should be co-processable and coexisting in a phase separated blend system. Specifically, the materials are blends of a sensing component selected from the group consisting of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric and photoelectric polymers and an actuating component that responds to an electric field in terms of dimensional change. Said actuating component includes, but is not limited to, electrostrictive graft elastomers, dielectric electroactive elastomers, liquid crystal electroactive elastomers and field responsive polymeric gels. The sensor functionality and actuation functionality are designed by tailoring the relative fraction of the two components. The temperature dependence of the piezoelectric response and the mechanical toughness of the dual functional blends are also tailored by the composition adjustment

A SIMULATION BASED SCHEDULING MODEL FOR CALL CENTERS WITH UNCERTAIN ARRIVAL RATES

In this paper we develop a two stage algorithm for scheduling call centers with strict SLAs and arrival rate uncertainty. The first cut schedule can be developed in less than a minute using a constructive heuristic. The schedule is then refined via a simulation based optimization approach. We find that when allowed to run for five minutes or less this two stage process can create a schedule with a total expected cost within a few percentage points of schedules generated using much more computationally intensive methods. This rapid scheduling process is designed to support front line managers who wish to evaluate multiple scheduling options in a what if analysis mode

Low Utilization of Circulating Glucose after Food Withdrawal in Snell Dwarf Mice

Glucose metabolism is altered in long-lived people and mice. Although it is clear that there is an association between altered glucose metabolism and longevity, it is not known whether this link is causal or not. Our current hypothesis is that decreased fasting glucose utilization may increase longevity by reducing oxygen radical production, a potential cause of aging. We observed that whole body fasting glucose utilization was lower in the Snell dwarf, a long-lived mutant mouse. Whole body fasting glucose utilization may be reduced by a decrease in the production of circulating glucose. Our isotope labeling analysis indicated both gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis were suppressed in Snell dwarfs. Elevated circulating adiponectin may contribute to the reduction of glucose production in Snell dwarfs. Adiponectin lowered the appearance of glucose in the media over hepatoma cells by suppressing gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. The suppression of glucose production by adiponectin in vitro depended on AMP-activated protein kinase, a cell mediator of fatty acid oxidation. Elevated fatty acid oxidation was indicated in Snell dwarfs by increased utilization of circulating oleic acid, reduced intracellular triglyceride content, and increased phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Finally, protein carbonyl content, a marker of oxygen radical damage, was decreased in Snell dwarfs. The correlation between high glucose utilization and elevated oxygen radical production was also observed in vitro by altering the concentrations of glucose and fatty acids in the media or pharmacologic inhibition of glucose and fatty acid oxidation with 4-hydroxycyanocinnamic acid and etomoxir, respectively

What's the effect of the implementation of general practitioner cooperatives on caseload? Prospective intervention study on primary and secondary care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Out-of-hours care in the primary care setting is rapidly changing and evolving towards general practitioner 'cooperatives' (GPC). GPCs already exist in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, all countries with strong general practice, including gatekeepers' role. This intervention study reports the use and caseload of out-of-hours care before and after implementation of a GPC in a well subscribed region in a country with an open access health care system and no gatekeepers' role for general practice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a prospective before/after interventional study design. The intervention was the implementation of a GPC.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>One year after the implementation of a GPC, the number of patient contacts in the intervention region significantly increased at the GPC (OR: 1.645; 95% CI: 1.439-1.880), while there were no significant changes in patient contacts at the Emergency Department (ED) or in other regions where a simultaneous registration was performed. Although home visits decreased in all general practitioner registrations, the difference was more pronounced in the intervention region (intervention region: OR: 0.515; 95% CI: 0.411-0.646, other regions: OR: 0.743; 95% CI: 0.608-0.908). At the ED we observed a decrease in the number of trauma cases (OR: 0.789; 95% CI: 0.648-0.960) and of patients who came to hospital by ambulance (OR: 0.687; 95% CI: 0.565-0.836).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>One year after its implementation more people seek help at the GPC, while the number of contacts at the ED remains the same. The most prominent changes in caseload are found in the trauma cases. Establishing a GPC in an open health care system, might redirect some patients with particular medical problems to primary care. This could lead to a lowering of costs or a more cost-effective out of hours care, but further research should focus on effective usage to divert patient flows and on quality and outcome of care.</p