cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Historical forest disturbance mediates soil microbial community responses to drought.

Despite the abundance of studies demonstrating the effects of drought on soil microbial communities, the role of land use legacies in mediating these drought effects is unclear. To assess historical land use influences on microbial drought responses, we conducted a drought-rewetting experiment in soils from two adjacent and currently forested watersheds with distinct land use histories: an undisturbed 'reference' site and a 'disturbed' site that was clear-cut and converted to agriculture ~60 years prior. We incubated intact soil cores at either constant moisture or under a drought-rewet treatment and characterized bacterial and fungal communities using amplicon sequencing throughout the experiment. Bacterial alpha diversity decreased following drought-rewetting while fungal diversity increased. Bacterial beta diversity also changed markedly following drought-rewetting, especially in historically disturbed soils, while fungal beta diversity exhibited little response. Additionally, bacterial beta diversity in disturbed soils recovered less from drought-rewetting compared with reference soils. Disturbed soil communities also exhibited notable reductions in nitrifying taxa, increases in putative r-selected bacteria, and reductions in network connectivity following drought-rewetting. Overall, our study reveals historical land use to be important in mediating responses of soil bacterial communities to drought, which will influence the ecosystem-scale trajectories of these environments under ongoing and future climate change.
The Illusion of Equality: The Failure of the Community Property Reform to Achieve Management Equality

This Article argues that equal management does not exist in any important sense, and that the true goal of the equal management laws was never equality. Community property laws can no longer be honestly described as “a vehicle to ensure the devotion of the couple’s resources to this unique partnership’s purpose: the well-being and future prosperity of the family the couple creates” unless the wife and children are not considered a part of that family. Today, wives in community property states have no better rights than wives in separate property states. In some cases, their economic position may even be worse.Part I describes the various allocative systems identified by sociologists and provides empirical support for the importance of egalitarian management. Part II describes the historical development of the two legally sanctioned management regimes in the United States: the separate property regime and the community property regime. Part II also examines how spouses actually managed their money in the pre-1970s era. Part III argues that equality was not achieved in fact or in law. First, Part III relies on quantitative and qualitative research to demonstrate that equality was not achieved in fact. Then, Part III examines the history of the reform era and argues that equality was not the primary goal of the legal reforms. Part IV elaborates on this thesis and examines how the laws in effect today perpetuate inequality.
Being Evangelical is Complicated: How Students’ Identities and Experiences Moderate Their Perceptions of Campus Climate

Evangelical Christian college students navigate campus buoyed by Christian privilege but may encounter silencing or othering tied to their religious beliefs, a feeling of incompatibility with their campus climate, and conflations of their religious and political beliefs that are inaccurate and discouraging. Unsupportive campus climates can discourage evangelical students from having productive exchanges across difference and deepening their own worldview commitments, which is concerning due to their general lack of interfaith participation that challenges stereotypes and unnuanced assumptions. This study explores how evangelical Christians perceive their campus climates and whether those perceptions are different based on other social identity intersections with gender, race, sexuality, and political affiliation. In addition to individual characteristics, how the campus environment and various curricular and co-curricular experiences moderate evangelical students’ perceptions of the worldview climate is examined. A sample of 1235 evangelical college students was examined via means, standard deviations, and ranges for six campus climate measures, one-way ANOVAs to examine whether those measures differed by different identity dimensions, and then multilevel modeling to better understand the role of campus experiences in evangelicals’ perceptions of their campus climate. Evangelical students’ campus climate perceptions were generally positive; more provocative encounters were reported by women than men and evangelical Asian students indicated more divisiveness, more insensitivity, and less space for support than their peers. Political affiliation also revealed several significant differences in perceived campus climate. Interfaith engagement through pre-college activities, formal and informal activities, and friendships were connected to perceptions of campus climate, with those reporting more engagement being more likely to have productive encounters across difference and to report insensitivity or divisiveness. Religious affiliation was the most significant institutional characteristic. This study illuminates how collegiate experiences and campus environments exacerbate or attenuate evangelical Christian students’ perceptions of the campus climate, and the results indicate that effective teaching practices where true interfaith experiences happen and that create inclusive space for evangelical students in the classroom are key to fostering development, especially in light of the social status ambiguity evangelical college students may be experiencing during their college years.
Who Speaks up for Safety

(1992). Who Speaks up for Safety? Journal of Health Education: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 246-247.
Supply Contracts with Quantity Commitments and Stochastic Demand

Supply chain management deals with the management of material, information, and financial flows in a network consisting of vendors, manufacturers, distributors and customers. Managing flows in this network is a major challenge due to the complexity (in space and time) of the network, the proliferation of products (often with short life cycles) that flow through this network, and the presence of multiple decision makers who each own and operate a piece of this network and optimize a private objective function. Supply chain management clearly involves a variety of issues including product/process design, production, third party logistics and outsourcing, supplier contracting, incentives and performance measures, multi-location inventory coordination, etc.
On the Robustness of Observer-Based Controllers

In this paper, we investigate the robustness of the observer-based controller under Parameter perturbations. Our goal is to find the conditions for insensitivity of the optimal observer-based controller to parameter variations. Consider the perturbed system.
The Border between Them: Violence and Reconciliation on the Kansas-Missouri Line

Review of: "The Border between Them: Violence and Reconciliation on the Kansas-Missouri Line," by Jeremy Neely.
Prebiotic intervention improves dyslipidemia and body composition (624.29)

A metabolic health crisis is well recognized as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality. Effects of RS4, a prebiotic fiber, in comprehensive management of metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain unknown. This study examined the effects of a blinded exchange of resistant starch type-4 (RS4)-enriched flour (30% v/v) with regular/control flour (CF) diet on multiple MetS comorbidities. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cluster crossover intervention (n=86, age蠅18, 2 12-week interventions), individuals were classified as having MetS (With-MetS) or not having MetS (No-MetS) following IDF criteria. RS4 consumption compared with CF resulted in 7.2% (p=0.002) lower mean total cholesterol (TC), 5.5% (p=0.04) lower non-HDL, and a 12.8% (p<0.001) lower HDL cholesterol in the With-MetS group. Individuals in the No-MetS group had a 2.6% (p=0.02) smaller waist circumference and 1.5% (p=0.03) lower percent body fat following RS4 intervention compared to CF. A small but significant 1% increase in fat-f...
A compact optical parametric oscillator Raman microscope for wavelength-tunable multianalytic microanalysis

We have developed a high-throughput microscope for wavelength-tunable microscopic studies of materials by Raman, surface-enhanced Raman, fluorescence, and reflectance spectroscopy. Narrow-band excitation over a broad tuning range (410–2200 nm) is provided by a solid-state, compact, and relatively inexpensive new class of diode-pumped Nd:YAG optical parametric oscillator emitting approximately 1-mJ, 10-ns pulses at a rate up to 100 Hz. Rayleigh rejection over the tuning range is obtained with an array of angle-tuned custom dielectric filters. Although high-power, low duty-cycle light sources have so far had only very limited use for tunable Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, we show that undesirable nonlinear effects that arise from the high peak power of the output can be mitigated to produce good results with the proper choice of additional microscope elements. Measurements can be performed across the visible range with 20% sample-to-detector throughput and 10 cm−1 resolution. The system is also fitted with a fiber optic imaging system to perform fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopy measurements with a spatial resolution of 5 µm. We demonstrate the instrument's analytical capabilities by recording resonance Raman and surface-enhanced Raman emissions from a commercial lake pigment and crystal violet, respectively, colorants of interest in cultural heritage studies and forensic science. We also isolate and measure the reflectance spectrum of a commercial lake pigment and the ultraviolet fluorescence spectrum of a single fiber of cochineal-dyed silk. The tunability, flexibility, compactness, and spatial resolution of the device provide novel capability for multianalytic materials research in fields such as forensic science and cultural heritage studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive and compact discretization for weighted region optimal path finding

This paper presents several results on the weighted region optimal path problem. An often-used approach to approximately solve this problem is to apply a discrete search algorithm to a graph \(\mathcal{G}_\epsilon\) generated by a discretization of the problem; this graph guarantees to contain an e-approximation of an optimal path between given source and destination points. We first provide a discretization scheme such that the size of \(\mathcal{G}_\epsilon\) does not depend on the ratio between the maximum and minimum unit weights. This leads to the first e-approximation algorithm whose complexity is not dependent on the unit weight ratio. We also introduce an empirical method, called adaptive discretization method, that improves the performance of the approximation algorithms by placing discretization points densely only in areas that may contain optimal paths. BUSHWHACK is a discrete search algorithm used for finding optimal paths in \(\mathcal{G}_\epsilon\). We added two heuristics to BUSHWHACK to improve its performance and scalability.
A Content Analysis of Twitter Use: Factors That Might Increase Music Sales During an Award Show

Can Twitter be used in marketing an artist’s music during award shows? To answer this question, the author examined four artists at the 2013 MTV VMAs—Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, Drake, and Kanye West--who experienced a peak of references on Twitter during the show. Based on a content analysis of the tweets and secondary research, the study found that tweets converged toward the same topics, supporting Social Influence Network Theory. This study also found that the director’s filming directions during the award show might also influence the trends on social media during the show.
Trends and timing of cigarette smoking uptake among US young adults: survival analysis using annual national cohorts from 1976 to 2005

Aims To measure changes over time in cigarette smoking uptake prevalence and timing during young adulthood (ages 19-26), and associations between time-invariant/-varying characteristics and uptake prevalence/timing.
The role of cofactors in prion propagation and infectivity.

The term “prion" was originally coined by Prusiner to explain the unusual infectious agent in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs, also known as prion disease) [1]. Now the term has expanded to include a growing list of fungal proteins that stably maintain an atypical self-propagating conformation and epigenetically modify a variety of cellular processes [2]. Although fungal prions and the TSE agent share the capability of maintaining an atypical self-propagating conformation, fungal prions distinctly differ from the TSE agent in several aspects [3]. Thus far, the TSE agent is the only prion that behaves as a bona fide infectious agent, having an infectious cycle, capable of transmitting horizontally (among a community) and causing epidemic outbreaks [3]. The discussion in this article will be focused on mammalian prion, and the term “prion" specifically refers to the infectious TSE agent.
The potential of alkaloids in drug discovery.

Alkaloids are an important group of diversely distributed, chemically, biologically and commercially significant natural products. This article suggests why now, with the presently available technology, and the remaining biome available and reasonably accessible, is an opportune moment to consciously focus on the discovery of further alkaloids with pharmacophoric utility.
Theoretical investigation of the structure and vibrational spectrum of the electronic ground state X(1A') of HSiCl

The transient HSiCI (monochlorosilylene) is a species for which structure and spectroscopic properties are almost unexplored by quantum chemical methods. In this work, CCSD and CCSD(T) methods in conjunction with Dunning's hierarchy of basis sets are used to investigate both aspects of this biradical. The CCSD(T)/ cc-pCVTZ method using analytical second derivatives of the energy in combination with second order perturbation theory to evaluate the anharmonicity shows to be an efficient strategy to calculate its fundamental vibrational frequencies. Especially remarkable for its anharmonic nature is the calculated value for ν 1 (Si-H stretching) which is only 4 cm - 1 bellow than the observed transition. The experimental structure is investigated by analyzing the experimental rotational constants. This latter goal was accomplished reporting high-level ab initio r e -structures as well as empirical structural parameters using CCSD(T)/cc-pCVTZ vibrational corrections of the experimental rotational constants.
Juxtaposition of the Atrial Appendages

Juxtaposition of the atrial appendages refers to that condition in which both atrial appendages or one and part of the other lie beside each other and to one side of the great arterial vessels. The appendages lying to the left of the great vessels (left-sided juxtaposition) is considerably more common than the state in which the appendages lie to the right of the great vessels (right-sided juxtaposition) by a ratio of about 6:1. Among left-sided juxtaposition it is common that the right atrial appendage be bifid and that only its left unit be "juxtaposed." Such a state is termed "bifid atrial appendage with partial juxtaposition." Juxtaposition almost always is associated with significant congenital heart disease in which transposition of the great vessels is commonly a feature. Tricuspid atresia with transposition or complete transposition are the two conditions most commonly associated with juxtaposition. Recognition of juxtaposition as an entity may serve, under certain circumstances, as an aid in the ...
Term delivery after hospitalization for preterm labor: incidence and costs in california

Objective: To determine the incidence and costs for cases of idiopathic preterm labor followed by term delivery. Study Design: Patients hospitalized with preterm labor (N = 28,845) were identified in a dataset linking antepartum and delivery discharge abstracts of all women in California (N = 404,466) with a delivery related diagnosis from 1/1/93 to 11/19/93. Patients with multiple gestations, PROM, abruption, placenta previa, uterine anomalies, and other morbidities were excluded, leaving 19,897 study subjects. Birth outcomes were classified as term or preterm (<37 weeks). The incidence, hospital costs, and risk factors for hospitalization for preterm labor followed by term delivery were then determined using a retrospective nested case control design. Indirect costs of subsequent bedrest were estimated using data from the California Disability Insurance Fund. Results: Thirty-four percent of patients hospitalized with idiopathic preterm labor had term deliveries accounting for 2% of the pregnant population. Eighty-one percent of patients who were discharged undelivered after hospitalization delivered at term. These patients were significantly more likely to be Caucasian, privately insured, and older than patients who delivered preterm. A minimum of 45% of cases were estimated to be false diagnoses based on the relative risk of post-dates pregnancy between patients hospitalized with preterm labor and term controls. Costs totalled $4,995 per case with $2,335 in hospital costs and $2,497 in indirect costs from an average of 4 weeks of bedrest. Statewide costs for California were estimated to range from 24 to 48 million dollars annually for these potentially avertible hospitalizations. Conclusions: Hospitalization for idiopathic preterm labor with delivery at term is common, costly, and probably due to false diagnosis in a significant proportion of cases.
Nonlinear eigenvalue problems for the whirling of heavy elastic strings

This paper combines the global bifurcation theory of Rabinowitz with Sturmian theory and careful estimates to obtain a detailed qualitative description of bifurcating branches of solutions to the equations for whirling nonuniform, nonlinearly elastic strings. These results generalize earlier work of Kolodner and Stuart on inextensible strings. It is shown that the location of solution branches for the generalization of Kolodner's problem is especially sensitive to the material properties of the string, whereas that for Stuart's problem is not. The analysis of a third problem illuminates the source of this dichotomy.
Utility of cardiac MRI for diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up of lupus myocarditis

Clinical myocardial involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus is rare. Lupus myocarditis is usually not detected until significant decrease in myocardial function becomes clinically evident. This case report describes MR imaging of lupus myocarditis that was used for diagnosis and follow up in a patient who declined cardiac biopsy. We also review the literature related to myocardial imaging by MRI.
An integrated FET analog switch

The use of a field-effect transistor as the basic switching element permits the design of integrated analog switches with extremely low offset-voltage and good isolation from ground. The static behavior of an FET as an analog switch is described by its on-impedance and its off-leakage current. The switching speed is limited by capacitive coupling between the gate and the channel of the FET. A figure of merit for chopper FET's relates the resulting transients on the signal line to basic design parameters. Design considerations for a driving circuit are presented. The use of such advanced techniques as multiple epitaxial deposition leads to a monolithic structure which optimizes the field-effect transistor as well as the elements of the driving circuitry. The resulting device, integrated on a 0.06-inch×0.06-inch silicon chip, compares favorably with conventional analog switches.
Epidemiology of Bulimia and Symptoms in a General Population: Sex^ Age, Race, and Socioeconomic Status

The prevalence of bulimia (as defined by DSM-/I/ [American Psychiatric Association 1980. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.). Washing- ton, D.C.: Author]) was estimated by structured interview in a random sample of 2,715 adults in the general population, aged 18-96. Prevalence was 1.1% for the total sample, and among women aged 18-30, 4.1%. Bulimic behaviors and symptoms were more common among women than men, younger than older respondents, and, on some items, lower socioeconomic status (SES) than higher SES respondents. There was no difference in prevalence of bulimia between women students and same-aged non-students. No racial differences were found. There were more cases of bulimia in the older population than expected.
Assessment of Multiattribute Preferences

Operational assumptions are made concerning the preferences of a decision maker. Functional forms of multiattribute utility functions that satisfy these assumptions are stated. These forms provide operational methods for assessing preferences over multiattribute consequences and have a wide range of practical application.
Evaluation of levee setbacks for flood-loss reduction, Middle Mississippi River, USA

Summary One-dimensional hydraulic modeling and flood-loss modeling were used to test the effectiveness of levee setbacks for flood-loss reduction along the Middle Mississippi River (MMR). Four levee scenarios were assessed: (1) the present-day levee configuration, (2) a 1000 m levee setback, (3) a 1500 m levee setback, and (4) an optimized setback configuration. Flood losses were estimated using FEMA’s Hazus-MH (Hazards US Multi-Hazard) loss-estimation software on a structure-by-structure basis for a range of floods from the 2- to the 500-year events. These flood-loss estimates were combined with a levee-reliability model to calculate probability-weighted damage estimates. In the simplest case, the levee setback scenarios tested here reduced flood losses compared to current conditions for large, infrequent flooding events but increased flood losses for smaller, more frequent flood events. These increases occurred because levee protection was removed for some of the existing structures. When combined with buyouts of unprotected structures, levee setbacks reduced flood losses for all recurrence intervals. The “optimized” levee setback scenario, involving a levee configuration manually planned to protect existing high-value infrastructure, reduced damages with or without buyouts. This research shows that levee setbacks in combination with buyouts are an economically viable approach for flood-risk reduction along the study reach and likely elsewhere where levees are widely employed for flood control. Designing a levee setback around existing high-value infrastructure can maximize the benefit of the setback while simultaneously minimizing the costs. The optimized levee setback scenario analyzed here produced payback periods (costs divided by benefits) of less than 12 years. With many aging levees failing current inspections across the US, and flood losses spiraling up over time, levee setbacks are a viable solution for reducing flood exposure and flood levels.
Analyzing survival data with highly negatively skewed distribution: The Gompertz-sinh family

In this article, we explore a new two-parameter family of distribution, which is derived by suitably replacing the exponential term in the Gompertz distribution with a hyperbolic sine term. The resulting new family of distribution is referred to as the Gompertz-sinh distribution, and it possesses a thicker and longer lower tail than the Gompertz family, which is often used to model highly negatively skewed data. Moreover, we introduce a useful generalization of this model by adding a second shape parameter to accommodate a variety of density shapes as well as nondecreasing hazard shapes. The flexibility and better fitness of the new family, as well as its generalization, is demonstrated by providing well-known examples that involve complete, group, and censored data.
363 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MORTALITY IN A REFERRAL NICU

Two hospitals in the same county and 50 miles from New York City referred consecutive admissions in 1976 with a mortality of 38.5% (10/26)-Hospital A; and 4.3%(1/23)-Hospital B. Infants from Hospital A had a mean birth weight of 1813±783 gm, and 6/26 under 1000 gm. Hospital B infants had a mean birth weight of 2347±857 gm, and none weighed less than 1000 gm. 6/10 non-surviving infants weighed less than 1000 gm., and arrived at a mean age of 13±10 hours; surviving infants from this hospital arrived at a mean age of 67±163 hours. These weight differences are statistically significant (p<0.05). No other statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of maternal complications, mode of delivery, method of transport, Apgar scores, or diagnoses on arrival. Hospital A serves a community of 24,900 with 251 beds, 92 physicians, 6 pediatricians, and a per capita income of $6044. Hospital B is located in a city of 9268 with 146 beds, 32 physicians, 2 pediatricians, and a per capita income of $6411. Review of records from hospital B suggests that all high-risk infants are referred. These data indicate (1) high risk infants are being referred in a timely and appropriate fashion; (2) the incidence of low birth weight infants largely determines the mortality rate in referred patients in a referral NICU; (3) these figures may be used to determine which communities are in the greatest need of antenatal and perinatal services.
Simulation of a multiprocessor computer system

Computer simulators have generally been constructed at one of two levels of detail: the instruction level or the bit-time (logic) level. Such simulators have been produced for many years now and their value is well established. By contrast, only minor attention has been given to simulating computer systems at a macroscopic level. One type of macro-level simulator has been reported recently by Hutchinson; in his model the simulated system consists of an entire computation center, with the computer representing merely a component.
An assessment of reproductive wastage in sheep.

Abstract Reproductive wastage was evaluated by relating ovulation rate to lambs born or raised in range finewool ewes over a ten-year period. The results indicate that reproductive losses are of large magnitude and that these losses are concentrated in the period of ovulation to implantation and in death losses of lambs born. In this study, 33.5% of the potential lamb crop was lost in the early period. Multiple ovulating ewes showed the greatest embryonic loss. The data do not deviate from the binomial distribution, thus suggesting that these losses are largely due to chance. Further work is indicated in the first seventeen days after ovulation to examine losses due to fertilization failure, chromosomal abnormalities, and implantation failure. Abortion or absorption of the fetus was indicated in only 4% of the ewes sampled. An average of 16% of the potential lamb crop was lost from birth to weaning, with 73% of these losses occurring in the first few weeks. Management practices need to be developed to reduce these losses, and these would be expected to vary from one producer to the next depending on conditions. Increasing ovulation rate is one possible method of improving reproductive efficiency, as results of this study indicate that for each unit increase in ovulation rate, there is an increase of 0.52, 0.46, 0.33, and 0.23 in the average number of embryos surviving, lambs born, lambs marked and lambs weaned, respectively.
The Lhs1/GRP170 Chaperones Facilitate the Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of the Epithelial Sodium Channel

Abstract The epithelial sodium channel, ENaC, plays a critical role in maintaining salt and water homeostasis, and not surprisingly defects in ENaC function are associated with disease. Like many other membrane-spanning proteins, this trimeric protein complex folds and assembles inefficiently in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which results in a substantial percentage of the channel being targeted for ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Because the spectrum of factors that facilitates the degradation of ENaC is incomplete, we developed yeast expression systems for each ENaC subunit. We discovered that a conserved Hsp70-like chaperone, Lhs1, is required for maximal turnover of the ENaC α subunit. By expressing Lhs1 ATP binding mutants, we also found that the nucleotide exchange properties of this chaperone are dispensable for ENaC degradation. Consistent with the precipitation of an Lhs1-αENaC complex, Lhs1 holdase activity was instead most likely required to support the ERAD of αENaC. Moreover, a complex containing the mammalian Lhs1 homolog GRP170 and αENaC co-precipitated, and GRP170 also facilitated ENaC degradation in human, HEK293 cells, and in a Xenopus oocyte expression system. In both yeast and higher cell types, the effect of Lhs1 on the ERAD of αENaC was selective for the unglycosylated form of the protein. These data establish the first evidence that Lhs1/Grp170 chaperones can act as mediators of ERAD substrate selection.
A Fast Rational Model Approach to Parametric Spectral Estimation—Part II: Properties and Performance Evaluation

In the first part of this paper, the basic form of a novel, parametric spectral estimation was introduced. In this second part the consistency property of the approach is proven, and two modified versions, characterized by mathematically guaranteed stability, developed
The Easy Argument

Suppose Ted is in an ordinary house in good viewing conditions and believes red, his table is red, entirely because he sees his table and its color; he also believes not-white, it is false that his table is white and illuminated by a red light, because not-white is entailed by red. The following three claims about this table case clash, but each seems plausible: 1. Ted’s epistemic position is strong enough for him to know red. 2. Ted cannot know not-white on the basis of red. 3. The epistemic closure principle, suitably restricted, is true. Stewart Cohen has called this three-way clash of intuitions the problem of easy knowledge. If we wish to resolve the clash without accepting skepticism, we seem to have two options. According to the hard argument, the best response is to reject 3. The easy argument rejects 2. But there may be a third alternative, the reverse argument, which rejects 1 without ceding a substantial amount of ground to the skeptic. In this essay I criticize recent versions of the reverse argument and the hard argument, thereby lending support to the easy argument.
Long-term outcomes of internal carotid artery dissection

Objective The natural history of acute carotid artery dissection is poorly characterized. The purpose of this study is to report on single institutional long-term outcomes. Methods A retrospective review of patients treated for acute spontaneous or posttraumatic carotid artery dissection over a 20-year period from August 1989 to July 2009 was performed. Results Twenty-nine patients with a mean age of 47 ± 19.6 years were identified with acute carotid dissection. Six (25%) were related to trauma, while 23 (79%) were spontaneous. Neurologic symptoms included contralateral limb weakness (55%), facial pain (35%), and Horner's syndrome (21%). Eight patients (28%) presented with an acute hemispheric stroke. Diagnostic imaging modalities used included computed tomography angiography (52%), magnetic resonance angiography (41%), and conventional angiography (48%). Twenty percent of patients had complete carotid occlusion and 25% had near occlusion. Most dissections (65%) had intracranial extension, and 35% were limited to the extracranial cervical internal carotid. The majority (96%) of patients were treated conservatively with anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy or both. One patient underwent stenting for persistent symptoms resulting in complete recovery. There were two deaths, one from unrelated traumatic injuries and the other from unknown causes. Long-term follow-up was available for 20 patients: 14 had complete symptom resolution (70%) and five (25%) had partial clinical symptom resolution. Two patients had initial resolution of symptoms, with subsequent recurrence that was successfully managed conservatively. Follow-up imaging revealed luminal patency in 79% of patients with minimal residual stenosis. Two patients developed a small asymptomatic internal carotid aneurysm that did not require treatment. Mean follow-up was 1133.2 days. Conclusions Most cervical carotid dissections can safely be conservatively managed, with the majority achieving anatomic and symptomatic resolution, with low rates of recurrence over long-term follow-up.
Diurnal and bathymetric changes in chlorophyll fluorescence yields of reef corals measured in situ with a fast repetition rate fluorometer

A newly developed underwater fast repetition rate fluorometer (FRRF) was used for in situ measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence yields on the reef-building corals Montastraea faveo- lata and Montastraea cavernosa from around Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas. Diel studies of the quan- tum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence (⌉F '/ Fm') in photosystem II (PSII) reveal a pattern of mid-day depression of ⌉F '/ Fm' in both of these species of coral. At the same time, non-photochemical quench- ing (qN ) increased significantly during the day, a pattern consistent with the regulation of PSII by dynamic photoinhibition mediated by non-photochemical quenching. Despite these mid-day depres- sions in ⌉F '/ Fm', net productivity, measured as oxygen flux, remains high, suggesting that non-pho- tochemical quenching dissipates the majority of the absorbed photons at mid-day and protects the photosynthetic apparatus, allowing the endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) to operate at maximum rates of photosynthesis. In 1999 measurements of ⌉F '/ Fm' on M. faveolata over a bathy- metric range of 2 to 30 m showed an increase in ⌉F '/ Fm' with increasing depth when measured at the same time of day. This suggests, although there is year-to-year variability, that changes in the under- water light field, and photoacclimation to that light field, control the degree of photoprotection attrib- utable to non-photochemical quenching in the zooxanthellae of these corals. The fluorescence yields of M. faveolata exposed to elevated temperatures (> 32°C) in the field showed a significant decrease in ⌉F '/Fm' before visible signs (e.g., paling of colonies) occurred. It was also possible to predict which colonies at the same depth and light regime would bleach first in response to elevated temperatures before any visible signs of bleaching were evident using ⌉F '/Fm' as a predictor.
High-affinity monoclonal antibodies for detection of the microbial metabolite, 2-methylisoborneol.

The production of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) by certain fungi and algae can contribute musty off-flavors to foods and water supplies if uncontrolled. The goal of this research was to develop a nonsensory simple method for the detection of MIB. Anti-MIB monoclonal antibodies were produced by immunizing mice with borneol-conjugated protein and selecting positive clones with an MIB−protein conjugate. An indirect competitive immunoassay developed using this antibody had a detection limit of 0.6 μg L-1 and an I50 value of 5 μg L-1. Detection was relatively specific for MIB and showed 20% cross-reactivity with borneol or isoborneol and 4−5% cross-reactivity with camphor. No cross-reactivity to geosmin was observed. Keywords: 2-Methylisoborneol; borneol; monoclonal antibodies; ELISA; immunoassay
Mechanotransduction in bone: Genetic effects on mechanosensitivity in mice

Bone formation is enhanced by mechanical loading, but human exercise intervention studies have shown that the response to mechanical loading is variable, with some individuals exhibiting robust osteogenic responses while others respond modestly. Thus, mechanosensitivity - the ability of bone tissue to detect mechanical loads - could be under genetic control. We applied controlled mechanical loading to the ulnae of 20-week-old (adult) female mice derived from three different inbred strains (C3H/He, C57BL/6, and DBA/2), and measured the bone formation response with fluorochrome labels. Mechanical properties, including mechanical strain, second moments of area, and cortical bone material properties, were measured in a group of calibration animals not subjected to in vivo loading. The C3H/He mice were significantly less responsive to mechanical loading than the other two biological strains. Material properties (flexural elastic modulus, ultimate stress) were greatest in the C3H/He cortical tissue. Geometric and areal properties at the midshaft ulna were also greatest in the C3H/He mice. Based on the presumed role of osteocytes in strain detection, we measured osteocyte lacuna population densities in decalcified midshaft ulna sections. Osteocyte lacuna density was not related to mechanosensitivity. Our data suggest that bone mechanosensitivity has a significant genetic component. Identification of the genes that exert their influence on mechanosensitivity could ultimately lead to therapies that enhance bone mass and reduce fracture susceptibility.
Evidence for conformational movement and radical mechanism in the reaction of 4-thia-L-lysine with lysine 5,6-aminomutase.

We demonstrate that the steady state reaction of lysine 5,6-aminomutase with substrate analogue 4-thia-l-lysine generates a radical intermediate, which accumulates in the enzyme to an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detectable level. EPR line width narrowing of ∼1 mT due to [4′-2H] labeling of the pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP), an isotropic hyperfine coupling of 40 MHz for the proton at C4′ of PLP derived from 2H electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) measurement, and spin density delocalization onto the 31P of PLP realized from observations of the 31P ENDOR signal provide unequivocal identification of the radical as a substrate−PLP-based species. X- and Q-band EPR spectra fittings demonstrate that this radical is spin coupled with the low spin Co2+ in cob(II)alamin and the distance between the two species is about 10 A. These results provide direct evidence for the active site motion upon substrate binding, bringing the adenosylcobalamin to the proximity of substrate−PLP for subsequent H-atom abs...
Multiple material solid free-form fabrication by selective area laser deposition

Abstract Selective Area Laser Deposition (SALD) is a gas phase Solid Free-Form Fabrication approach to the shaping of materials without part specific tooling. SALD uses a laser beam to create a localized heated zone on a substrate surrounded by a reactant gas. Within the localized heated zone, the reactant gas decomposes to produce a solid deposit. Repeated scanning of the beam in a defined pattern builds a three-dimensional shape. The laser-induced temperature distribution within the heated zone coupled with the chemical thermodynamics and kinetics of a reactant gas mixture are shown to give control of both composition and microstructure in ceramic composites. The process for control of composition and microstructure in SALD deposits is demonstrated for titanium oxide–silicon oxide composites deposited from reactant gas mixtures of TiCl4–SiCl4–O2.
Androgen and estrogen receptors in the developing mouse brain

Specific binding of the androgens, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone, and of 17beta-estradiol by brain cytosol from mice at 3-5,9-11, and 18-23 days of age was measured by charcoal assay and glycerol gradient centrifugation and analyzed by Scatchard plots. The immature mouse brain contains putative receptors for these steroids which migrate at 8 S in gradients at low ionic strength and at 5 S in 0.5 M KCl. Investigation of estradiol binding was complicated by the presence in cytosol from 3-5 day-old mice, and to a lesser extent from 9-11 day-old mice, of the high capacity, fetoneonatal estradiol binding protein (FEBP) which is no longer detectable at 3 weeks. The rapid dissociation of the FEBP-estradiol complex under non-equilibrium conditions probably led to over-estimation of free steroid concentration and thus to an apparent increase in the affinity of 8 S receptor for estradiol with age (for female brain cytosol KD=9.5 X 10(-10)M at 3-5 days and 2.7 X 10(-10)M at 18-23 days). The number of estradiol binding sites remains relatively constant during the first 3 weeks at 7-9 fmol/mg protein, while the number of DHT binding sites in female brain increases from 3.2+/-0.3 to 6.6+/-0.9 to 9.6+/-0.3 (mean+/-SE) fmol/mg protein in the 3 age groups. Dissociation constants and numbers of sites for both DHT and estradiol binding are similar in brain cytosol from male and female mice. Testosterone and DHT compete for the same binding site, but its affinity for DHT is about twice that for testosterone. The high affinity of the brain receptor for DHT (KD=4-5 X 10(-10)M) may reflect the slow metabolism of DHT to 5alpha-androstanediols, amounting to less than 10% after 2 h at 0 C. Binding of DHT and estradiol to cytosol from brain regions was also investigated. DHT receptors increase in parallel in various regions with age; the concentration of sites in the hypothalamus-preoptic area (HPOA) is 1.2-3.4 times that in the cerebral cortex (C). The concentration of estradiol binding sites in HPOA to that in C increases about 12-fold from neonatal to adult stages, reflecting both an increase in HPOA sites and a decrease in C sites, while the concentration in the remainder of the brain shows little change. Androgen and estrogen receptors in brain cytosol from immature mice can be distinguished by their different specificities and developmental patterns in whole brain and brain regions. The presence and properties of these receptors in the brain of neonatal mice are discussed with respect to their possible role in sexual differentiation of the brain.
A “hands-on” approach to speech science

Abstract The use of laboratory activities to supplement lectures is based on the knowledge that students learn best when they are able to manipulate the material under study, and that understanding of the physical universe requires problem-solving. The goal of this project was to develop public domain software and laboratory materials for instructional programs in speech and hearing science. The results of a 2 year implementation of the lab activities demonstrate that self-paced exercises in speech and hearing science courses provide an effective adjunct to lecture presentation.
When Does CEO Succession Lead to Strategic Change? The Mediating Role of Top Management Team Change

CEO succession events are often depicted as times to alter a firm’s course through strategic change or re-affirm a firm’s existing strategy. In this paper, we theorize that the firm’s context and s...
Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of Combined Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia in the United States

Hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined the prevalence, treatment, and control of combined hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in United States adults aged>or=20 years (n=2,864, projected to 118 million, 52% women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 to 2002 by gender, age group, ethnicity, and co-morbidities (metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus [DM], and preexisting CVD). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure of >or=140/90 mm Hg (>or=130/80 mm Hg if DM was present) or on treatment. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of >or=130 mg/dl (>or=100 mg/dl if DM or CVD was present) or on treatment. The overall prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension and hypercholesterolemia combined was 30%, 47%, and 18%, respectively. The incidence of the 2 combined was 20% in women versus 16% in men (p or=80 years (p<0.001). Combined hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was least prevalent in Hispanics (9.8% compared with 19% in whites and 22% in African-Americans, p<0.01) and highest in those with CVD plus DM or metabolic syndrome (69%), CVD only (44%), DM only (41%), and metabolic syndrome only (37%). Of those with combined hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, 29% were being treated (8.3% in those aged 20 to 29 years to 38% in those aged 70 to 79 years, p<0.01). Treatment was least prevalent in Hispanics (12% vs 24% in African-Americans and 30.4% in whites, p<0.01). Overall control of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was only 9% and was low in all disease groups (5.5% to 16%). In conclusion, treatment and control of combined hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are suboptimal. Increased efforts to improve treatment of these conditions are needed.
Quantitative structure–activity relationships for organophosphates binding to acetylcholinesterase

Organophosphates are a group of pesticides and chemical warfare nerve agents that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Numerous structural variants exist for this chemical class, and data regarding their toxicity can be difficult to obtain in a timely fashion. At the same time, their use as pesticides and military weapons is widespread, which presents a major concern and challenge in evaluating human toxicity. To address this concern, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was developed to predict pentavalent organophosphate oxon human acetylcholinesterase bimolecular rate constants. A database of 278 three-dimensional structures and their bimolecular rates was developed from 15 peer-reviewed publications. A database of simplified molecular input line entry notations and their respective acetylcholinesterase bimolecular rate constants are listed in Supplementary Material, Table I. The database was quite diverse, spanning 7 log units of activity. In order to describe their structure, 675 molecular descriptors were calculated using AMPAC 8.0 and CODESSA 2.7.10. Orthogonal projection to latent structures regression, bootstrap leave-random-many-out cross-validation and y-randomization were used to develop an externally validated consensus QSAR model. The domain of applicability was assessed by the William's plot. Six external compounds were outside the warning leverage indicating potential model extrapolation. A number of compounds had residuals >2 or <-2, indicating potential outliers or activity cliffs. The results show that the HOMO-LUMO energy gap contributed most significantly to the binding affinity. A mean training R (2) of 0.80, a mean test set R (2) of 0.76 and a consensus external test set R (2) of 0.66 were achieved using the QSAR. The training and external test set RMSE values were found to be 0.76 and 0.88. The results suggest that this QSAR model can be used in physiologically based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models of organophosphate toxicity to determine the rate of acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
Charge! EVs power up for the long haul

By making standardized charging stations as common and as safe as gas stations, the electric-vehicle industry hopes to drive itself into transportation's mainstream. Consumer safety was of the essence. Thus, the top priority requirements of a standard EV charging system and associated "plug" were that it first and foremost be not only safe, but perceived as safe; that it be intuitive and easy for consumers to use; and that it be cost-effective. Ideally, too, a standard charge coupler between the vehicle and power source would be compatible with electric networks around the world. These issues are discussed as are inductive and conductive charging options.