cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Action spectrum for cytotoxicity in the UVA- and UVB-wavelength region in cultured lens epithelial cells

Purpose This study was done to quantitate the biologic effects of different wavelengths of radiation in the UVA- and UVB-wavelength region on cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells. Methods An action spectrum for UV-induced cytotoxicity as measured by colony-forming ability was determined using six different monochromatic wavelengths from 297 to 405 nm in rabbit lens epithelial cell line N/N1003A. Cell survival was determined by clonogenic assay. Fluence rates were monitored with a calibrated radiometer. Results Survival curves show that cell killing was most efficient at 297 nm. After quantum correction, the efficiency of 297-nm radiation in cell killing was 7 times greater than was 302-nm radiation. Radiation at 297 nm was more than 170, 340, 560, and 2000 times as effective in cell killing as 313-, 325-, 334-, and 365-nm radiation, respectively. The action spectrum had a shape similar to the DNA absorption spectrum in the UVB region, suggesting that DNA may be one of the critical targets for damage to the cells. At wavelengths longer than 313 nm, the shape of the action spectrum deviated from the DNA absorption spectrum. Conclusions Cytotoxicity of UV radiation in cultured lens epithelial cells varies greatly with wavelength within the UVA and UVB regions. Different mechanisms may predominate in the two wavelength regions. Cultured cells may provide a suitable system for investigating the mechanisms by which UV radiation damages lens epithelial cells and leads to cataract formation.
Pressure Dependencies of the Superconducting and Magnetic Critical Temperatures of Ternary Rhodium Borides

The pressure dependencies of the superconducting and magnetic transition temperatures of ternary rhodium borides, MRh4B4, are reported for hydrostatic pressures up to 21 kbar. The magnetic ordering temperature Is enhanced by pressure for every magnetic compound (M=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho). In contrast, the superconducting transition temperature, T, may be either increased or depressed by pressure depending on the size of the third atom (M= Nd, Sm, Er, Tm, Lu, Th, Y). For the lutetium ternary an unusual nonlinear pressure dependence of Tc may indicate the presence of a pressure induced phase transformation.
Winners, losers, and controls.

Innumerable explanations have been put forth for the failures that have occurred in translating promising preclinical and early-phase treatments in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. In their work over the last decade, neurologists Mandava and Kent have promulgated their own unique theory.1,2 In essence, they posit that phase 3 trials that failed were destined to fail because they were based on false-positive phase 2 trials. They believe that false-positive results arise because of (1) the difficulty in achieving randomization balance in baseline factors that influence outcome; (2) the noise generated by errors in subjective outcome measures; and (3) the complex, nonlinear relationships between baseline factors and outcomes that often violate assumptions required for typical statistical methods intended to correct for imbalances and noise. They assert that these factors together have contributed to misleading early-phase results that ultimately led to failed late-phase trials.
A practical method for N-alkylation of phosphinic (thio)amides with alcohols via transfer hydrogenation.

Abstract This manuscript describes a modular method for preparing N-alkyl phosphinic amides from primary or secondary alcohols and primary phosphinic amide (R1R2P = ONH2) nucleophiles via transfer hydrogenation. The transformation typically proceeds in excellent yields, employs conveniently available reagents, and produces water as the only byproduct.
The potential use of a NIOSH sound level meter smart device application in mining operations

Many mobile sound measurement applications (apps) have been developed to take advantage of the built-in or fit-in sensors of the smartphone. One of the concerns is the accuracy of these apps when compared to professional sound measurement instruments. Previously, a research team from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed the NIOSH Sound Level Meter (SLM) app for iOS smart devices. The team found the average accuracy of this app to be within 1 dBA when using calibrated external microphones with a type 1 reference device and measuring pink noise at levels from 65 to 95 dBA in 5-dBA increments. The studies were conducted in a reverberant noise chamber at the NIOSH Acoustics Laboratory in Cincinnati. However, it is still unknown how this app performs in measuring industrial/mining sound levels outside of a controlled laboratory environment. The current NIOSH study evaluates the NIOSH SLM app to measure sound levels from a jumbo drill (a large mining machine). The study was conducted in a hemi-anechoic chamber at the NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division and followed by a field evaluation in an underground metal mine. Six different iOS smart devices were used with two types of external microphones chosen from previous studies to measure sound levels during jumbo drill operations, and the results were compared with a reference device. Results show that the average sound levels measured by the NIOSH SLM app are within 1 dBA of the reference device both in the laboratory and field. However, the type of operation being performed, the selection and use of external microphones, distance from a noise source, and environmental factors (e.g., air movement) may all influence the accuracy of the app's performance. Although additional validation is still needed, the results from this study suggest a potential for using the NIOSH SLM app, with calibrated external microphones, to measure sound levels in mining operations.
Outcomes of Heart Failure in Adult Patients with Muscular Dystrophy: A Single Center Experience

Introduction Cardiomyopathies associated with Duchenne (DMD) or Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophy have been historically noted to have poor outcomes in the pediatric population, but studies in the adult population are sparse. Hypothesis: The goal of this study was to determine the rates of ejection fraction (EF) decline and overall survival outcomes in a cohort of adult patients with dystrophinopathic cardiomyopathies on contemporary heart failure therapies. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of 41 adults with muscular dystrophy (29 with DMD, 7 with BMD, 5 with other types of muscular dystrophy) out of 1582 heart failure patients followed in the Loma Linda University International Heart Institute clinic who were evaluated using the following outcome measures: mortality and rate of EF decline comparing first and most recent echocardiogram. Results The cohort had a mean age of 32 years (DMD was 31 and BMD was 35 years), 71% with DMD, 17% with BMD, 100% male, 44% Caucasian, 37% Hispanic, and 12% African American. Mean follow up time in clinic was 6.79 years. Mortality within 5 years was 29% (17% in the DMD group and 33% in the BMD group). Mean EF on the most recent echocardiogram was 31.7% for the DMD group and 28.0% for the BMD group. Of the patients who are still alive (n=29), 83% are on a beta blocker and 93% are on an ACEi, ARB, or ARNI. Of those who have died (n=12), 92% were on a beta blocker and 75% were on ACEi, ARB, or ARNI. Twelve out of 31 survivors were on ivabradine versus 0 out of 12 who died (p=0.08). The mean rate of EF decline in the overall cohort was about 3.1% per year (3.0% per year for DMD, 4.4% year for BMD); see Figure 1. The mean rate of EF decline in those who died was 3.7% per year, and 2.8% in those who are still alive. Conclusions Dystrophinopathic cardiomyopathies are associated with progressive left ventricular remodeling and about 3% per year mean drop in EF. Survival tended to be greater in patients treated with ivabradine. Further research is needed in the adult muscular dystrophy population to evaluate the effectiveness of contemporary heart failure therapy including ivabradine in slowing the progression of their cardiomyopathy
Emerging Practices in Game-Based Assessment

Educational assessment has evolved over the past several years from traditional pen and paper-based tests to the use of technology (such as games) and continues to evolve. The assessments must provide feedback to learners and diagnostic information to teachers. Game-based learning offers an interactive environment for the students to learn in a fun and challenging way while keeping them engaged in the learning process. Game-based assessment (GBA) offers a way to assess them in this setting while they are interacting with a game. GBA may be composed of built-in quizzes and surveys to assess the student learning while they are playing. However, such methods tend to distract their attention from learning to complete the assessment. Stealth assessment is a way to assess the learners while they are playing an educational video game without breaking their flow. The future of GBA will be made up of a content-agnostic stealth assessment with a model of student’s knowledge built into it. The student model will help to adapt the game-play and accommodate the game to an individual learner. Content-agnostic game engineering (CAGE) is a framework that helps provide multiple learning contents within a single game to achieve content-agnostic assessment. Finally, adding a student model which makes the game and learning adapt to an individual student driven by their pace and performance while learning in the game is the need of the hour.
VWAN: Virtual WiFi ANtennas for Increased Indoor Localization Accuracy

Indoor localization techniques, both device-based and device-free, using WiFi signals is advancing with an ever-increasing pace. Despite being limited by the number of physical antennas, smaller bandwidth range (20 MHz/40 MHz) and non-trivial phase noises, decimeter-level localization using commodity WiFi chipsets (802.11n) is becoming a reality. Unlike specialized wireless modules, commodity devices face the accuracy limitation dictated by antenna count for Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) methods and bandwidth for Time-of-Flight (ToF) methods. Promising state-of-the-art localization schemes like Chronos overcomes the bandwidth limitation by emulating a wideband WiFi radio through frequency hopping. In this paper, we investigate if an increase in effective bandwidth also solves the problem of fewer antennas and enables superior resolution of Multipath Component (MPC) separation. Our study has led to a system called VWAN which is a virtual antenna extension solution that entails no hardware changes. Simulation results demonstrate that VWAN can accurately disentangle almost all MPCs. This capability to precisely separate all MPCs and consequently completely characterize wireless channel will not only increase localization accuracy but enormously benefit other applications such as passive tracking, WiFi imaging and gesture recognition.
Cafa Mass Action: If It Looks Like a Duck, Walks Like a Duck, and Quacks Like a Duck, It Surely Is Not Several, Separate, and Distinct Lawsuits

This Article presents a crucial, unsettled, and recurrent question concerning the “mass action” provisions of the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). Under CAFA, a removable “mass action” is a minimally diverse civil action in which the monetary claims of 100 or more persons are “proposed to be tried jointly on the ground that the plaintiffs’ claims involve common questions of law or fact.” The courts of appeals are divided as to whether a sua sponte proposal by a state court — as opposed to a proposal by plaintiffs — can trigger mass action removal. However, courts should follow the Tenth and Eleventh Circuits, which have noted the passive construction of “proposed to be tried jointly” and suggested that a court’s sua sponte action qualifies for removal.
Exploring How Gender and Enjoyment Impact Learning in a Digital Learning Game

In digital learning games, do game mechanics that promote learning and those that promote enjoyment have different effects on students’ experience? Do males or females learn from or enjoy games more? We explored these questions in Decimal Point, a digital learning game that teaches decimal numbers and decimal operations to middle school students. In this work, we conducted a classroom study with two versions of the game, one that encourages students to play to learn and one that encourages students to play for enjoyment. We compared these two conditions to a control condition that is neutral regarding learning and enjoyment. Our results indicated that the enjoyment-focused group learned more efficiently than the control group, and that females had higher learning gains than males across all conditions, particularly on the near and middle transfer learning items. Post hoc analyses also revealed that the learning-focused group engaged in re-practicing the same mini-games, while the enjoyment-focused group demonstrated more exploration of different mini-games. These findings suggest that emphasizing learning or enjoyment can result in distinctive gameplay behaviors from students, and that our game can help bridge the typical gender gap in math education.
Identifying the sources of air pollution in an urban-industrial setting by lichen biomonitoring - A multi-tracer approach

Abstract This study applies a multi-tracer biomonitoring approach for identifying the sources of atmospheric toxic metals in Middletown, Ohio, a mixed-use urban-industrial setting with several potential significant pollutant sources, including steel and coke production, traffic, and regional coal fired power plants. Lichen samples were analyzed for trace elements and Pb and Nd isotopes to evaluate the impact of various anthropogenic sources of pollution on the atmospheric chemistry, and to determine the relative contribution of each source to the atmospheric toxic metal budget. Additionally, atmospheric particulate matter (PM) from the vicinity of the principal pollutant sources was analyzed for trace metal and Pb isotopic composition, as well as scanning electron microscopy, to characterize the most recent emissions. Pb isotopic ratios of the lichen samples fall along a 2-component mixing line between background and traffic related emissions, and do not clearly resolve steel production related emissions, as they are isotopically similar to the background signature, and are inconsistent in 208Pb/206Pb – 207Pb/206Pb space with a significant contribution from coal/fly ash. Nd isotopes, however, provide clear evidence for particulate matter released by the steel industry, including coal/fly ash, because the eNd values of steel-related emissions are distinct from that of the background and traffic emissions. The results highlight the importance of using a multi-tracer approach when investigating the sources of atmospheric pollutants in mixed-use areas. The PM samples differ in composition from those of the lichens collected in the same general location. This indicates that the composition of atmospheric PM varies through time, as the lichen samples preserve particulate matter emitted over the past several decades, whereas the PM samples represent ~1 month in the past year. It is important to consider this difference when evaluating the impact of potential legacy pollution, as current PM emissions may not be representative of past emissions.
In Vitro Stimulation of Whole Milk Specimens: A Field-Friendly Method to Assess Milk Immune Activity.

BackgroundThe immune system of milk protects against infections and guides immune system development. A system-level understanding of milk immune activity is critical for research into infant infec...
Making at a Distance: Teaching Hands-on Courses During the Pandemic

Classes involving physical making were severely disrupted by COVID-19. As workshops, makerspaces, and fab labs shut down in Spring 2020, instructors developed new models for teaching physical prototyping, electronics production, and digital fabrication at a distance. Instructors shipped materials and equipment directly to students, converted makerspaces to job-shops, and substituted low-tech construction methods and hobbyist equipment for industrial tools. The experiences of students and instructors during the pandemic highlighted new learning opportunities when making outside the makerspace. Simultaneously, the shutdown raised new questions on the limits of remote learning for digital fabrication, electronics, and manual craft. This panel brings together experts in making to discuss their experiences teaching physical production in art, design, and engineering during the pandemic. Panelists will discuss their teaching strategies, describe what worked and what did not, and argue for how we can best support students learning hands-on skills going forward.
Burnout: A Review of the Literature:

In this review of literature related to burnout, I compiled definitions of the term, discussed factors contributing to burnout, effects of burnout, and prevention/possible remedies for burnout. Alt...
The importance of peak pricing in realizing system benefits from distributed storage

Abstract A fundamental policy question for distributed energy resources (DER) is whether they create system benefits shared by all utility customers in addition to being profitable for the installing customer. This question has received considerable attention in “value of DER” and net metering reform proceedings for behind-the-meter solar photovoltaics in recent years. Commercial customer-sited lithium-ion batteries with a primary use case of demand charge management are forecast to greatly increase in the coming decade due to falling storage costs, making comparison of their customer and system benefits a timely topic in DER valuation. We conduct an overview of the system benefits of standalone commercial customer-sited storage on United States’ electric tariffs and find system benefits will not be realized for many standalone commercial customer-sited storage installations in the absence of incentives for storage dispatch during the top 50–100 annual hours that drive grid infrastructure investment. Regulatory implementation of default peak pricing during a small subset of annual hours for customer-sited storage can realize additional system benefits and offer Pareto improvement. Additional transparency in regulatory estimates of these system benefits helps catalyze longer-term visions for increased competition at the retail level using DERs.
Characteristics and significance of intravolcanic saprolite paleoweathering and associate paleosurface in a silicic effusive volcano: The case study of Monte Amiata (middle Pleistocene, Tuscany, Italy)

Abstract A paleoweathering saprolite mantle and an associated paleosurface have been recognized into the stratigraphic volcanic succession of the silicic effusive (trachydacite) middle Pleistocene Monte Amiata volcano (Italy). This element has been used for applying UBSU (Unconformity Bounded Stratigraphic Units) subdivision to the volcano stratigraphy. All the lavas emplaced in the onset of the volcanic activity (Bagnore Synthem, BAS) have been indistinctly affected by a saprolite in-situ alteration. Saprolite facies varies from poor lithoid consistency but with conservation of the original texture, to fractured rock with spheroidal weathering, to incoherent rock consisting of a prevalent sandy fraction, up to accumulations of residual lava blocks (core-stones, mainly in coincidence with the arcuate ridges on top of the main lava flows). Unaltered lavas of the younger phase of volcanic activity (Monte Amiata Synthem, MAS) have preserved the paleosurface within its own saprolite. Where the MAS cover is absent, the saprolite mantle represents a relict paleosurface on the present landscape. Weathering of the silicic lavas was favored by the vitrophyric texture of the parent rock and by moderate topographic reliefs formed by extensive lava plateaus positioned at various elevations. The palaeowathering saprolite is indicative of warm and relatively humid temperate climatic conditions and relative tectonic and morphogenetic stability.
John Owen as proto-social trinitarian? Reinterpreting Owen and resisting a recent trend

Contrary to much of the recent literature on the trinitarian theology of John Owen, which often ascribes radical personal distinction to his account of triune relations and actions, this paper argues that Owen's account of distinct divine persons and trinitarian actions ought not to be contrasted with his theological forebears: Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and Calvin. Instead, his account of trinitarian ontology and operation is thoroughly consistent with (and dependent upon) the Augustinian principles that these interpreters suspect Owen is rejecting. The argument unfolds by presenting four putative points of strong personal distinction in John Owen's trinitarian theology and then reinterpreting each of the themes and passages that these four points are supposedly rooted in, evidencing his Augustinian account of trinitarian unity and distinction.
Implicit sequence learning using auditory cues leads to modality-specific representations

The implicit acquisition of statistical information from the environment is considered a fundamental type of human learning. Paradigms using visually cued sequences have been frequently used to study implicit learning. However, learning sequences of auditory cues is likely to be important in domains such as language or music. In three experiments, we established a novel auditorily cued implicit perceptual-motor sequence learning paradigm to compare to traditional visually cued sequence learning and identify whether this type of learning generalizes across cue modality. Participants exhibited reliable sequence-specific learning to auditory cues in all three experiments (Experiments 1-3), which was generally not influenced by explicit knowledge (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, a large drop in knowledge expression in the novel cue modality was observed, suggesting that the acquired implicit sequence knowledge depended largely on sensory-specific representations. Overall, auditorily cued learning was similar to, though proceeded faster than, learning in comparable visually cued sequence learning paradigms. Similarity between learning from cues in different sensory modalities suggests that there may be a common process for the automatic extraction of sequential statistical structure. However, the lack of robust transfer sequence knowledge across modalities argues against a purely domain-general learning mechanism for all kinds of sequences. By expanding quantitative methodologies to characterize sequence learning in the auditory domain, these findings illustrate the possibility of bridging research in sequence and statistical learning domains to identify common mechanisms of complex cognitive skill and language learning.
Detection of a buried horizon with a high thermal diffusivity using thermal remote sensing

A field investigation using thermal remote sensing was performed to test the feasibility of detecting the surface topography of granite bedrock beneath a thin cover of alluvium. Imagery of a region of the Mojave Desert were taken with an airborne multispectral scanner with thermal spectral bandwidths of 10.4 and 12.5 microns an instantaneous field of view of 2.5 mrad. It is suggested that a buried high thermal diffusivity horizon measurably lowers the surface temperature of the overlying lower diffusivity material during the peak of the annual heating cycle.
Rationale for Construction of Microcomputer-Based Evaluation Subsytems

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to use the microcomputer to extend the notion of evaluation to establish and improve the reliability and validity of an evaluation instrument. A computerized testing program collected performance data of both students and the evaluation instrument at the local level. The study was conducted in two cycles. In the first cycle potentially flawed items were identified, removed from the test pool, and then examined by the instructional staff. The faulty items were revised by the instructional staff and reinserted in the test pool. In Cycle 2 of the study, the entire test pool was readministered. Of the 34 flagged items in Cycle 1, 20 items fell within the acceptable range during Cycle 2. An added benefit to these revisions was that the mean score for each of the six behavioral objectives reflected by the test pool increased, while the standard deviation for each objective decreased. In addition to the discussion of this process in terms of reliability and validity, a discu...
DHVA magnetic susceptibility of a 2D free electron gas

The grand potential and energy of a noninteracting uncorrelated two-dimensional electron gas subject to Landau quantization in a magnetic field are examined here at low temperatures. The DeHaas-Van Alphen oscillatory magnetic susceptibility for the free 2D gas is calculated and the results presented here incorporate the effects of spin (by allowing that spin splitting may not, in general, equal Landau level separation) in formulae that have the same analytic structure for both even and odd numbers of filled Landau levels.
Reactivity of diiron nonacarbonyl in tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract Diiron nonacarbonyl and 1,3-dithiacyclohexane (l,3- dithiane) react at room temperature in THF to yield the new compound (cyclo-l,3-C4H8-S2)Fe(CO)4, The synthesis and corresponding X-ray structural analysis of the rnononuclear iron species are presented here. The compound (cyclo-l,3-C4H8SI2)Fe(CO)4 is the first example of a zerovalent transition metal complex of the synthetically important sulfur heterocycle. X.-ray analysis shows a trigonal bipyramidal geometry about the central iron atom. One sulfur atom of the l,3-dithiane ligand occupies an axial site in the substituted trigonal bipyramid and the ring adopts a chair conformation. The Fe-C axial bond length is 0.02 A shorter than that in Fe(CO)5 but is longer than those in (pyridine) Fe(CO)4 and (pyrazine)Fe(CO)4 by an equal amount. The mean Fe-C equatorial bond distance of 1.764 A is significantly shorter (0.04 to 0.073 A) than any of the distances in the three aforementioned compounds. Crystallographic data are: space group Pn21a; a = 13.488(3)A; b = 9.058(2)A; c = 9.771(2)A; Z =4; V = 1193.8(4)A3. The structure was refined anisotropically to R1 = 0.056 and R2 = 0.075. 857 reflections for which F023σ(F02) were collected.
Quality of Work-Life

Quality of work life (QWL) is an umbrella term used to capture a wide variety of organizational efforts aimed at improving a work setting to better support human needs. It has taken on a number of specific meanings in the research literature and has found its way into applied contexts as well. Recent books on high performance work settings speak to quality of work life as a key component, and a variety of organizations have provided rankings of best places to work that identify specific companies that exemplify high QWL. Keywords: employee well-being; employee engagement; work-life balance; psychological well-being; employee morale
CURRENT CONSTRAINTS TO SGR A * MASS

This paper describes the recent new results dealing with constraints to, or evaluations of, the mass of a putative black hole at the Galactic center obtained by several different methods.
Food Stamp Participation and Reasons for Nonparticipation: 1986

The decision of eligible households to participate in the food stamp program is analyzed utilizing the 1986 Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Less than one-half of the sample of eligible households receive food stamps in 1986. The results of a multinomial logit model suggest that participation is related negatively to the age and educational level of the household head and positively to the benefit level. Participation is lower for single men and households residing in the West and higher for people with disabilities and households receiving some form of public transfer income. Problems regarding information about food stamps and personal attitudes toward food stamp use have the greatest impact on the decision to participate.
Vascular and Metabolic Implications of Novel Targeted Cancer Therapies : Focus on Kinase Inhibitors

Novel targeted cancer therapies, especially kinase inhibitors, have revolutionized the treatment of many cancers and have dramatically improved the survival of several types of malignancies. Because kinases not only are important in cancer development and progression, but also play a critical role in the cardiovascular (CV) system and metabolic homeostasis, important CV and metabolic sequelae have been associated with several types of kinase inhibitors. This paper reviews the incidences and highlights potential mechanisms of vascular and metabolic perturbations associated with 3 classes of commonly used kinase inhibitors that target the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway, the ABL kinase, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. We propose preventive, screening, monitoring, and management strategies for CV care of patients treated with these novel agents.
Instabilities and chaotic behavior in a hybrid bistable system with a short delay

Abstract We analyze the instability conditions for the Ikeda model of a hybrid bistable system and study its behavior in a regime where the delay time of the feedback loop is comparable to or even smaller than the system's response time. The asymptotic behavior of the self-pulsing amplitude and of the critical slowing down in the vicinity of the instability threshold is consistent with that of other unstable systems described by a finite set of differential equations.
Drainage of Pavement Base Material: Design and Construction Issues

Moisture in pavement base material is a major contributor to pavement failure. Presented is an approach for measuring real-time moisture content in pavement bases during and after rain events. Conceptual models are formed for water flow through pavement sections, and an evaluation of the drainage performance of typical edgedrain configurations is provided. With an extensive sensor network and sophisticated data collection system, the Minnesota Road Research Project (MnROAD) provided an opportunity to study pavement drainage and associated base materials. Understanding the short-term, time-dependent variation in moisture contents allows the systematic evaluation of new and existing edgedrain systems. Two typical drainage configurations constructed at the MnROAD site were chosen for the study. The first section consisted of edgedrains that were introduced into a dense-graded base material to simulate retrofitting of pavements; the second section involved a traditional edgedrain design. Data were collected f...
EFFECTS OF TREE DENSITY AND STAND AGE ON CARBON ALLOCATION PATTERNS IN POSTFIRE LODGEPOLE PINE

Validating the components of the carbon (C) budget in forest ecosystems is essential for developing allocation rules that allow accurate predictions of C pools and fluxes. In addition, a better understanding of the effects of natural disturbances on C cycling is critical, particularly in light of alterations to disturbance regimes that may occur with global climate change. However, quantitative data about how postfire differences in eco- system structure affect C allocation patterns are lacking. For this study, we examined how above- and belowground C pools, fluxes, and allocation patterns varied with fire-initiated differences in tree density and stand age in lodgepole pine stands in Yellowstone National Park of four forest types: low ( ,1000 trees/ha), moderate (7000-40 000 trees/ha), and high tree densities (.50 000 trees/ha) in 13-year-old stands, and in ;110-year-old mature stands. C pools in live biomass and detritus were estimated with allometric equations and direct sampling. Aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) was estimated as aboveground biomass increment plus fine litterfall, and total belowground carbon allocation (TBCA) was estimated using a C balance approach. Our results indicate that the magnitude of C pools and fluxes varies greatly with fire-initiated differences in tree density and stand age. Coarse woody debris and mineral soil carbon accounted for the majority of total ecosystem C in young stands (91-99%), in contrast to mature stands where the largest amount of C was found in live biomass (64%). ANPP and TBCA increased with tree density (mean ANPP was 59, 122, and 156 g C·m 22 ·yr 21 , and TBCA was 68, 237, and 306 g C·m 22 ·yr 21 for low-, moderate-, and high-density young stands, respectively), and with stand age (ANPP was 218 g C·m 22 ·yr 21 and TBCA was 382 g C·m 22 ·yr 21 for 110-year-old stands). ANPP and TBCA were positively correlated, and both variables were well correlated with leaf area index. Notably, the ratio of TBCA to (TBCA 1 ANPP) remained remarkably constant (0.63-0.66) across extreme gradients of tree density and stand age, differing only slightly for the low-density young stands (0.54). These results suggest that C allocation patterns in a postfire lodgepole pine ecosystem are independent of tree density and stand age.
Temporal manipulation of ejaculate components by newly fertilized Drosophila melanogaster females.

Abstract Observations of newly mated Drosophila melanogaster females suggest that females control the times at which components of the ejaculate cause behavioural and physiological changes characteristic of fertilized females. Females that were assayed immediately after they mated elicited as much courtship as they did when they were virgins, but were unreceptive to copulation. Within a few minutes of when they disengaged from copulation, most females performed ovipositor extrusion, which has been classified as a rejection behaviour, in response to courting males or males that had previously performed courtship. Most females that were assayed immediately after mating had already ovulated. The females, however, do not begin to lay eggs until 4–6 h after mating, at which time they elicit very little courtship (Scott & Richmond 1985, Anim. Behav. , 33, 817–824). Our observations suggest that neither ovipositor extrusion nor male-synthesized pheromones that are transferred to females’ cuticles during copulation inhibit males’ courtship of newly fertilized females. Thus, males cannot determine that newly fertilized females are unreceptive to copulation. These observations also indicate that the failure of newly fertilized females to mate with males is not a consequence of the females’ inability to elicit vigorous courtship.
Acute pain management – new challenges

Abstract Although almost universal in UK hospitals today, inpatient acute pain services (APS) were uncommon prior to 1990 when a review by the commission on the provision of surgical services demonstrated significant shortfalls in patient care. Established to provide simple analgesic interventions in the postoperative setting, today's APS faces many new challenges, such as the management of acute neuropathic pain and peri-operative pain control in patients with chronic pain or who are opioid tolerant. The APS has a developing role to educate, to prevent post-surgical chronic pain and to facilitate enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programmes. New ways of utilizing old drugs, and novel regional analgesic techniques are helping the modern APS to meet the demands of inpatient pain management.
Abstract 4670: Identification of common genetic variants contributing to cisplatin-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in lymphoblastoid cell lines

Cisplatin is a platinum agent effective against head and neck, ovarian, cervical, testicular, and lung cancers; however, severe toxicities and intrinsic/acquired resistance hinder its utility. Identifying genetic variants to predict patients at risk for toxicity or non-response would be highly beneficial. To this end, we utilized lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) to identify variants associated with cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity (cell growth inhibition) and apoptosis (caspase 3/7 activity). International HapMap LCLs derived from populations of Northern and Western European (CEU), African (YRI), and African-American (ASW) ancestry were phenotyped for cell growth inhibition and caspase 3/7 activity followed by Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Analysis revealed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) enrichment in cytotoxicity-associated SNPs (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4670. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4670
Research Note: The Exchange Rate, Euro Switch and Tourism Revenue in Greece

The exchange rate and switch to the euro may be thought to have lowered tourism revenue in Greece. These effects are examined with data from 1974 to 2006 in an error correction model of optimal tourist spending that includes source country income and air travel costs. The results may be relevant for touristic countries considering competitive devaluation or a monetary union. This paper focuses on the effects of the real exchange rate and the switch to the euro on tourism revenue in Greece from 1974 to 2006. Tourism is a major part of the Greek economy, over one-tenth of the national income and perhaps one-fifth of employment. The present error correction model includes an index of air travel cost and tourist income represented by US income per capita. Greece may offer lessons for other touristic economies considering devaluation or a monetary union. Positive effects of the euro switch include exchange rate stability, lower transaction costs and competition in the government-owned banking industry. Negative effects include appreciation against other currencies, increased competition with alternative euro destinations, higher wages and lost manipulation of the drachma for the tourist season. Dritsakis (2004) and Dritsakis and Gialetaki (2004) model European demand for tourism in Greece as a function of the real exchange rate and EU income with monthly data up to the euro switch. They find that drachma appreciation increases tourism revenue, implying inelastic demand, and that Greek tourism
Determination of uranium and radium concentrations in the waters of the Grand Canyon by alpha spectrometry

In order to establish baseline information for current and future mining operations, water samples from the Colorado River and its tributaries have been analyzed for Ra-226 and uranium isotopes. Ra-226 was separated by coprecipitation on BaSO4 followed by alpha spectrometry. Ba-133 was used as a tracer for yield determination. Uranium was separated by a combination of BaSO4 precipitation and solvent extraction followed by coprecipitation on CeF3 for alpha spectrometry. Results indicate that radium and uranium levels in the Colorado River and its tributaries, except the Little Colorado River, are below the EPA specifications [1] for drinking water of 185 mBq/liter (5 pCi/1) for Ra-226 and 433 mBq/liter (11.7 pCi/1) for U-238. However, the specific sources for elevated uranium and Ra-226 concentrations in the Little Colorado River should be identified, and the potential impacts from leaching of the naturally exposed mineralization inside the Grand Canyon should be investigated.
Damage Localization and Quantification from the Image of Changes in Flexibility

AbstractAn approach to interrogate changes in flexibility regarding the severity of damage is presented. The approach is built on two results. The first shows that the influence lines of stress resultants at damage locations are a basis for the difference in the displacement field between the damaged and reference states for arbitrary loading. The second result shows that the coefficients that combine the basis are the magnitudes of discontinuities in the differential displacement field at the damage locations. The approach quantifies the damage severity by finding changes in sectional stiffness that justify, over reasonable smearing distances, the computed discontinuities. It is shown that at damage locations where the relevant stress resultant is statically determinate the solution is in closed form, while in the indeterminate case it is the fixed point of a nonlinear function.
Outbreak of Sugarcane Mosaic in Commercial Sugarcane Cultivar CP 72-2086, in Florida.

In May 1996, an outbreak of sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) was detected in Florida affecting a major commercial sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) cultivar, CP 72-2086. Identification of SCMV was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with SCMV antiserum (ATCC no. PVAS 115), and by reverse transcription(RT)-PCR (1,2). The strain of SCMV was identified as E with an RT-PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (1). Although SCMV strain E has been detected in Florida for many decades, it had been confined primarily to S. officinarum clones, to occasional susceptible sugarcane clones in breeding programs, and to various grasses throughout the sugarcane production area. CP 72-2086 plus seven other sugarcane cultivars and 10 sorghum cultivars reacted similarly to inoculation with the isolate of SCMV found recently on CP 72-2086 and an isolate of SCMV collected in 1986. CP 72-2086 was released in 1982 and currently is the second most widely grown cultivar, constituting 18.0% of th...
A method for the measurement of the parameters of a two-layer stratified earth

A two-layer stratified model is assumed for the earth. The distances involved are assumed to be sufficiently short that the earth can be considered flat. The measurement of the parameters of the top layer can easily be made from the surface, but the parameters of the lower layer are somewhat more difficult. A method is given for the evaluation of these quantifies in terms of measurements of propagation between two antennas located at the surface of the earth. The theoretical solution for the field of an antenna located at the surface of a flat stratified earth has been given by J. R. Wait. This solution is taken as the starting point; it is put into a form which explicitly shows the influence of the parameters of the lower layer. The method of least squares is then used to evaluate the unknown parameters in terms of the measurements. This process allows the use of a large number of measurements which are essentially subjected to an averaging procedure. This prevents localized irregularities in the earth's surface from unduly affecting the results.
Comment on “Order parameter fluctuations at the critical point”

Abstract It is pointed out that a recent analytical derivation of the scaling law δ = (d + 2 − η) (d − 2 + η) is not generally valid.
Synthesis and Modeling of Novel α-Aminoalkylphosphonate Ester Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Prostate-Specific Antigen; A Comparison Study

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers diagnosed in adult males. Described as an omnipresent illness, it is believed that the diagnosis is inevitable for men as life expectancy increases worldwide. Clinically, a diagnosis of prostate cancer is determined by measuring quantitatively prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein in blood serum. It has been implicated that high PSA concentrations in blood plasma is a biomarker for not only prostate cancer but also the metastasis of the tumor cells into the bone and lymph nodes via IGFBP-3/IGF-I & -II and TGF-β pathways. Although the precise role of PSA in carcinogensis and tumor progression is currently disputed, compounds specific towards PSA binding have been synthesized towards understanding the molecular mechanisms of the protease and inhibiting its proteolytic activity. Here, we describe the mechanism of α-aminoalkylphosphonate ester derivatives as potent irreversible inhibitors of PSA. Autodock4.2 molecular dynamics package was utilized to model covalent and non-covalent binding of this class of inhibitors to predict crystallographic poses and compare experimental IC50 dose-response curves and in silico potencies for future rational drug design research. The study not only introduces aminoalkylphosphonates as a potential drug candidate for targeting PSA, but also provides insight to drug binding and validation of Autodock4.2 in future drug development using quantitative structure-activity relationships.
Brain region-specific regulation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone messenger ribonucleic acid in the male ferret: interactions between pubertal maturation and testosterone.

This study examined the regulation of LHRH messenger RNA (mRNA) during pubertal maturation and by testosterone in male ferrets. Prepubertal and postpubertal ferrets were either intact or were castrated and treated with daily injections of oil or 5 mg/kg testosterone propionate for 14 days. In situ hybridization for LHRH mRNA was performed using an 35S-labeled 48-base oligonucleotide complementary to the human LHRH-coding region. Computerized image analysis was performed on cells in the preoptic area, retrochiasmatic area, arcuate nucleus (ARC), and median eminence; cells were classified as labeled if the number of pixels representing silver grains over the cell was 5 or more times the number of background silver grain pixels. Both pubertal maturation of intact males and castration of prepubertal males resulted in an increase in the number of labeled cells in the ARC. These effects were not observed in any of the other three brain regions, suggesting that ARC LHRH-producing neurons are of primary importanc...
Organocatalytic stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of lactide with dimeric phosphazene bases.

Highly isotactic polylactide with a high melting temperature was synthesized from rac-lactide through an organocatalytic route using dimeric phosphazene base 1-tert-butyl-2,2,4,4,4-pentakis(dimethylamino)-2Λ5,4Λ5-catenadi(phosphazene) (P2-t-Bu) catalyst at low temperature. Microstructural analysis of the prepared polymer using homodecoupled 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed the formation of a stereoblock architecture containing long isotactic sequence of R and S blocks in the main chain. A proposed mechanism involving chain-end control and stereoerror explains the stereoselective polymerization.
Advancing research in second language writing through computational tools and machine learning techniques: A research agenda

This paper provides an agenda for replication studies focusing on second language (L2) writing and the use of natural language processing (NLP) tools and machine learning algorithms. Specifically, it introduces a range of the available NLP tools and machine learning algorithms and demonstrates how these could be used to replicate seminal studies in L2 writing that concentrate on longitudinal writing development, predicting essay quality, examining differences between L1 and L2 writers, the effects of writing topics, and the effects of writing tasks. The paper concludes with implications for the recommended replication studies in the field of L2 writing and the advantages of using NLP tools and machine learning algorithms.
A New Fabrication Approach For Planar, Ion-Implanted InP JFETs

A new, planar, fully ion-implanted indium phosphide (InP) junction field-effect transistor (JFET) fabrication process is described which utilizes n* source-drain implantation, Be and Be/P p+ gate implantation, a AuZn/Ni/TiW/Au gate metallization and proximity rapid thermal annealing. The JFETs exhibit a gate leakage current of approximately 40 nA at -8 V for a 1 pm x 150 μm gate, a reverse breakdown voltage of 17.5 V at 25 μA, and a maximum transconductance of 140 mS/mm. The addition of a Ni layer in the gate metallization significantly improves its adhesion. The specific contact resistance of the new gate structure is measured to be as low as 2 x 10 5 ohm-cm2,which is the lowest value reported to date for contacts to p-type InP.
The binary system SrF2-MgF2: Phase diagram and study of growth of SrMgF4

Abstract The binary phase diagram of the SrF2-MgF2 system below 1200°C has been constructed from DTA cooling data. The system shows an eutectic at 48.4 mole % MgF2 and 871°C, and a peritectic at 50 mole % and 880°C, corresponding to the compound SrMgF4, previously prepared here by solid state reaction. A solid-solid transition in SrMgF4 occurs at about 809°C. Small single crystals of SrMgF4 were obtained by extremely slow cooling of a stoichiometric melt.