cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linking the patterns in soil moisture to leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, growth, and mortality of dominant shrubs in the Florida scrub ecosystem

Patterns in soil moisture availability affect plant survival, growth and fecundity. Here we link patterns in soil moisture to physiological and demographic consequences in Florida scrub plants. We use data on different temporal scales to (1) determine critical soil moisture content that leads to loss of turgor in leaves during predawn measurements of leaf water status (Ψ crit), (2) describe the temporal patterns in the distribution of Ψ crit, (3) analyze the strength of relationship between rainfall and soil moisture content based on 8 years of data, (4) predict soil moisture content for 75 years of rainfall data, and (5) evaluate morphological, physiological and demographic consequences of spring 2006 drought on dominant shrubs in Florida scrub ecosystem in the light of water-uptake depth as determined by stable isotope analysis (δ18O). Based on 1998–2006 data, the soil moisture content at 50 cm depth explained significant variation in predawn leaf water potential of two dominant shrubs, Quercus chapmanii and Ceratiola ericoides (r 2 = 0.69). During 8 years of data collection, leaves attained Ψ crit only during the peak drought of 2000 when the soil moisture fell below 1% by volume at 50 and 90 cm depth. Precipitation explained a significant variation in soil moisture content (r 2 = 0.62). The patterns in predicted soil moisture for 75 year period, suggested that the frequency of drought occurrence has not increased in time. In spring 2006, the soil reached critical soil moisture levels, with consequences for plant growth and physiological responses. Overall, 24% of plants showed no drought-induced damage, 51% showed damage up to 50%, 21% had intense leaf shedding and 2% of all plants died. Over the drought and recovery period (May–October 2006), relative height growth was significantly lower in plants with greater die-back. All species showed a significant depression in stomatal conductance, while all but deep-rooted palms Sabal etonia and Serenoa repens showed significantly lower predawn (Ψ pd) and mid-day (Ψ md) leaf water potential in dry compared to wet season. Plants experiencing less severe die-back exhibited greater stomatal conductance, suggesting a strong relationship between physiology and morphology. Based on results we suggest that the restoration efforts in Florida scrub should consider the soil moisture requirements of key species.
Speaker-independent speech recognition using an associative memory model

A methodology for achieving isolated-utterance speech recognition with an associative recall algorithm has been proposed. Preliminary experimental results have proved this method to be quite robust in the recognition aspect. Speaker-independent recognition tests with a limited vocabulary yielded a 90% recognition rate with 10 different speakers. >
Electrode reactions of aromatic amines in solvents containing fused AlCl3

Summary The electrochemical oxidation of N,N-dimethylaniline and several substituted dimethylanilines has been investigated in AlCl 3 −NaCl melts of varying acidity (pCl). From the cyclic voltammetric results for dimethylaniline as a function of pCl we propose the rate-controlling step in the e.c.e. process is base-assisted breakage of C−H bonds (reaction C 2 above). Thus, it is the high acidity of this solvent system which accounts for the increased stability of the radical cation when compared to observation in aprotic solvents at room temperature. Cyclic voltammetric evidence is presented to show that prior to the electron transfer step, a slow acid-base reaction occurs when the aromatic amines studied are oxidized.
The Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP)

Even though Gehlke and Biehl (1934) discovered certain aspects of the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP), the term MAUP was not coined formally until Openshaw and Taylor (1979) evaluated systematically the variability of correlation values when different boundaries systems were used in the analysis. The problem is called “the modifiable areal unit” because the boundaries of many geographical units are often demarcated artificially, and thus can be changed. For example, administrative boundaries, political districts, and census enumeration units are all subject to be redrawn. When data are gathered according to different boundary definitions, different data sets are generated. Analyzing these data sets will likely provide inconsistent results. This is the essence of the MAUP.
An assessment of long-term biosand filter use and sustainability in the Artibonite Valley near Deschapelles, Haiti.

A non-randomized assessment of long-term biosand filter (BSF) use and sustainability in the Artibonite Valley near Deschapelles, Haiti was conducted during March, 2011. Of the 55 BSFs visited, 47% were no longer in use. Filter lifespan ranged from <1 year to systems still in use after 12 years. Interviews with BSF owners revealed problems related to intermittent filter use due to travel for employment or personal matters; broken or missing filter parts; and fears that the filter would not be effective against cholera. In addition, 17 BSF field studies were reviewed to identify common issues impacting usage. Culturally appropriate technologies and education materials explaining proper maintenance and operation are essential for improved filter performance and sustainability. For Haiti, education materials should be provided in Creole and French and should include, (1) diagrams and descriptions of how the BSF works, (2) how to troubleshoot common problems, (3) how to properly maintain filters, and (4) a contact in case of questions. Operational problems can be minimized by providing long-term technical support, periodic water quality monitoring, and maintenance assistance for filter users.
Effect of answer format and review method on college students' learning

Interactive instructional methods are characterized by engaging students with the course material and involve delivering feedback for their efforts. Using a mixed 2 x 2 factorial experiment, we compared the effects of multiple choice answer formats (word versus letter) and methods (automated versus manual) on 70 undergraduate students' acquisition of instructional material. Although there was no significant difference in participants' gain scores between automated (''clickers'') and manual (holding up response cards) methods, significantly greater learning occurred when participants used the word rather than letter answer format. Despite participants' preference for letter over word format, instructors may still want to require students to write out answers to review questions given the improved performance it yields.
Clebsch potentials and the visualization of three-dimensional solenoidal vector fields

Clebsch potentials are of tremendous value in visualizing the flux lines of a three-dimensional solenoidal vector field. Unfortunately, only a local theory of Clebsch potentials exists, and their use in visualizing arbitrary three-dimensional solenoidal vector fields requires a global theory. Furthermore, such a global theory must be built on constructive techniques which yield practical algorithms. The virtues of Clebsch potentials are reviewed and a question about their global existence is formulated. The subtlety of this question is illustrated through an analogy with micromagnetic theory. A formalism for addressing questions about Clebsch potentials is presented. >
Short-Range Mechanical Properties of Myocardium from Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is often associated with abnormalities in active relaxation and passive stiffness of the left ventricle but the molecular mechanisms responsible for the dysfunction are not yet clear. This study was designed to identify the molecular components that are responsible for the increased myocardial stiffness associated with diabetes. Multicelluar myocardial preparations were isolated from control Sprague-Dawley rats and an experimental group of rats injected 4 weeks previously with streptozotocin (model of Type I Diabetes). Preparations were subjected to paired ramp stretches/releases imposed under fiber length control in a series of calcium activations (pCa 4.5 - 9.0). The relative short-range force and elastic limits were substantially higher in the diabetic groups. The rate of tension recovery (ktr) was considerably lower in the diabetic groups. Short range stiffness values did not differ in the control and diabetic animals. Gel electrophoresis showed that the relative content of slower beta Myosin heavy chain increased from 34±15% in control hearts to 100% in the diabetic rat hearts. These results support the hypothesis that pathological changes in the mechanical properties of diabetic rat myocardium are mostly due to alterations in the active component (cycling cross-bridges) of ventricular stiffness.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Design and implementation of a 9-bit 8MHz DPWM with AMI06 process

This paper presents one solution to a question what is the maximum switching frequency of a hybrid digital pulse width modulator (DPWM) if semiconductor process is given and resolution bit number is set high. This paper also proposes a hybrid DPWM structure where voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) and delay line are separated so as to enhance design flexibility and decrease power consumption. And, a phase locked loop is included in the DPWM providing wide-frequency range signal synchronization as well as process, voltage and temperature (PVT) insensitivity facilitating accurate switching frequency control. Taking low cost two metal layers 0.6?m AMI06 process and 9-bits resolution bit requirement as an example, a 8MHz switching frequency DPWM is designed and implemented in 0.703mm2 die via MOSIS educational program. Chip test result showed that the maximal switching frequency approaches 7.4MHz when DPWM performance is guaranteed, the power consumption is 144?A/MHzand the synchronization switching frequency range is from 1.8MHz to 7.4MHz.
The Geometry of Rectangles

The methods developed earlier to intersect planar convex polygons are certainly applicable to a collection of rectangles. Similarly, a collection of segments, each of which is either parallel or orthogonal to any other member of the collection, can be handled by the general segment intersection technique described in the preceding chapter. However, the very special nature of segments having just two orthogonal directions, or of rectangles whose sides are such segments, suggests that perhaps more efficientad hoctechniques can be developed to treat such highly structured cases. And in the process of studying this class of problems one may acquire more insight into the geometric properties possessed by the objects mentioned above—rectangles and orthogonal segments—and may succeed in characterizing the wider class to which the techniques are still applicable.
Two's a crowd: suppressed V4 visual responses to sequential stimuli.

Every minute, we sweep our eyes over multiple objects. We look at one object and then another, shifting our gaze across cluttered scenes when, for example, searching a desktop for car keys. Such real world complexities are difficult to model in the laboratory. Instead, a single stimulus is often
Formation of the permanent dentition in Arikara Indians: Timing differences that affect dental age assessments

This report concerns one problem encountered with application of American white dental formation standards to age assessment of sub-adults of archaeological context. Dental ages for eight mandibular permanent teeth and maxillary central and lateral incisors of Arikara Indian immature skeletons were determined according to degree of crown or root mineralization. Ages assigned to the various teeth of the same individual were compared. They showed similarities as well as patterned differences. First premolar, second premolar, and mandibular incisor ages closely approximated one another. In relation to this complex, dental ages for maxillary incisors and mandibular second molars were older by 0.5 to 1.1 years. Developmental ages assigned to individuals on the basis of third molars showed relative advancement by more than 2 years. The systematic occurrence of these observations reflects more than just individual variability; it shows the presence of population differences in tooth-formation timing. Timing differences complicate assessment of dental ages needed for growth or demographic studies.
Bilateral scaphoid ganglion cysts in an adolescent

We describe an adolescent girl with symptoms secondary to bilateral, symmetrical ganglion cysts of the scaphoid bones. From the roentgenographic and operative findings, it was believed that the cysts were the penetrating type. The patient is among the youngest reported with carpal bone ganglion cysts and the first with bilateral scaphoid cysts completely described in the English-language medical literature.
Fatherhood in Kenyan ethnic communities: Implication for child development

This article reviews the traditional and evolving constructions of fatherhood in Kenyan society, with an emphasis on fatherhood’s impact on child development outcomes. Western influence and increased access to technology have changed the role of the Kenyan father, and in turn affected his role in the family. Special attention is given to implications for child development and for educators working with children and families in Kenya.
Summary: Cognition in 2014

The goal of the 79th Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology on Cognition held on May 28-June 2, 2014 was to survey recent advances in cognitive neuroscience and assess future prospects. The symposium succeeded beyond the dreams of the organizers and the participants were treated to an extraordinarily rich feast of 58 long talks, six short talks, and 137 posters. Equally important to the success of the symposium was the perfect setting for informal scientific exchange between 260 participants generously provided by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The sense that emerged from the symposium was that a threshold had been crossed and a new era in the study of cognition was underway. My attempt here will be to capture that sense of awakening, to trace the strands that gave rise to it, and to access its implications for future discoveries.
New or little-known species of exotic Tipulidae (Diptera). XIII

Synopsis All species considered belong to the tribe Pediciini. Descriptions are given of one new species of Pedicia from Assam, and of one from Sikkim. Two species of Dicranota (Rhaphidolabis) from Assam and four from Sikkim are described.
Apical targeting and endocytosis of the sialomucin endolyn are essential for establishment of zebrafish pronephric kidney function

Kidney function requires the appropriate distribution of membrane proteins between the apical and basolateral surfaces along the kidney tubule. Further, the absolute amount of a protein at the cell surface versus intracellular compartments must be attuned to specific physiological needs. Endolyn (CD164) is a transmembrane protein that is expressed at the brush border and in apical endosomes of the proximal convoluted tubule and in lysosomes of more distal segments of the kidney. Endolyn has been shown to regulate CXCR4 signaling in hematopoietic precursor cells and myoblasts; however, little is known about endolyn function in the adult or developing kidney. Here we identify endolyn as a gene important for zebrafish pronephric kidney function. Zebrafish endolyn lacks the N-terminal mucin-like domain of the mammalian protein, but is otherwise highly conserved. Using in situ hybridization we show that endolyn is expressed early during development in zebrafish brain, eye, gut and pronephric kidney. Embryos injected with a translation-inhibiting morpholino oligonucleotide targeted against endolyn developed pericardial edema, hydrocephaly and body curvature. The pronephric kidney appeared normal morphologically, but clearance of fluorescent dextran injected into the common cardinal vein was delayed, consistent with a defect in the regulation of water balance in morphant embryos. Heterologous expression of rat endolyn rescued the morphant phenotypes. Interestingly, rescue experiments using mutant rat endolyn constructs revealed that both apical sorting and endocytic/lysosomal targeting motifs are required for normal pronephric kidney function. This suggests that both polarized targeting and postendocytic trafficking of endolyn are essential for the protein's proper function in mammalian kidney.
Improved methods of combining forecasts

It is well known that a linear combination of forecasts can outperform individual forecasts. The common practice, however, is to obtain a weighted average of forecasts, with the weights adding up to unity. This paper considers three alternative approaches to obtaining linear combinations. It is shown that the best method is to add a constant term and not to constrain the weights to add to unity. These methods are tested with data on forecasts of quarterly hog prices, both within and out of sample. It is demonstrated that the optimum method proposed here is superior to the common practice of letting the weights add up to one.
The comparative chronic toxicities of fumaric, tartaric, oxalic, and maleic acids.

Data are given on the effects of the oral administration of fumaric, tartaric, oxalic, and maleic acids. The results of the study indicate a low degree of toxicity for fumaric, oxalic, and tartaric acids. The oxalic and tartaric acids were not toxic in concentrations as high as 1.2% and fumaric acid was toxic only at the 1.5% concentration. Maleic acid was toxic at concentrations of 0.5% or more.
W. H. R. RIVERS PRIZE PAPER

An ecological model of asthma is developed based on a review of literature from the fields of epidemiology, allergy, and psychosomatic medicine. This model is then applied to two Puerto Rican neighborhoods in Hartford, Connecticut. A series of research hypotheses is developed to link the ecological model to the real living conditions of Puerto Ricans in Hartford. Eighteen cases of asthma events are analyzed to highlight isues relevent to the interaction between Puerto Ricans with asthma and the health-care system.
Funding a Job Guarantee

Adopting a conventional view of the need for governments to raise the funds they spend, I have argued that a well-designed Job Guarantee (JG) programme could be funded entirely from the savings and additional revenues it would generate (Harvey, 1989; 1995). In contrast, JG advocates working in the Post Keynesian tradition have grounded their proposal for funding such a programme on a more expansive view of the fiscal capacities of currency-issuing governments. Based on that view, they have argued that a JG programme could be funded without relying on any of the funding sources identified in my analysis of the issue (Mitchell and Wray, 2005; Tcherneva and Wray, 2005; Mitchell and Watts, 2005). This article argues that these two approaches to the funding issue are not inconsistent with one another and that they jointly reinforce the conclusion that a JG programme could achieve full employment without generating unacceptable levels of inflation.
Cardiac Muscle Changes in Senescence

The biophysical and biochemical mechanisms that govern cardiac muscle function change with age resulting in characteristic alterations in muscle function (22). This chapter reviews our present understanding of how the excitation, activation, and contraction mechanisms in cardiac muscle change with senescence. Many of the studies discussed here measured cardiac muscle function in thin trabeculae or papillary muscles that had been removed from the heart and superfused in physiologic saline. In these preparations the cardiac systole is simulated as a twitch or contraction elicited by an action potential that occurs in response to external electrical stimulation. A brief summary of the mechanisms that underlie the coupling of cardiac excitation, activation, and contraction is useful for an integrated interpretation of studies that have examined the impact of age on these mechanisms.
Developmental pattern of Thy-1 immunoreactivity in the human kidney and the application to pediatric renal neoplasms.

The localization of Thy-1, a surface membrane lipoglycoprotein, was investigated using a monoclonal antibody specific for human Thy-1 (HB-2S-1). The localization of Thy-1 during development was established in a series of five fetal, three childhood, and two adult normal kidneys. In this series, Thy-1 immunolocalization progressed from mesangial and endothelial cell staining in the 16- to 17-week fetuses to similar staining along with staining of the parietal epithelium of the capsule and proximal tubule staining in the 20- to 24-week fetuses. Glomerular mesangial cell and endothelial cell staining was absent by 9 months postnatally when the adult pattern of staining was apparent. The localization of Thy-1 during development was also compared with a series of pediatric renal tumors including 14 Wilms' tumors, 3 congenital mesoblastic nephromas, 1 clear cell sarcoma, and 1 pediatric renal cell carcinoma. Thy-1 staining was demonstrated in epithelial tubules of Wilms' tumors and in the spindle-shaped cells o...
The Use of Hybrid Proteins to Isolate Kinetic Export Intermediates

The general export pathway in E. coli is responsible for the localization of proteins to the periplasm and the outer membrane. Its operation relies on the function of multiple signals within the precursor protein to be localized (intragenic) and cellular components (extragenic) located both in the cytosol and in the inner membrane. Intragenic export signals include the N-terminal signal sequence and regions within the mature portion of the polypeptide. Extragenic components include the products of the sec and prl genes.
The Study of Contemporary Chinese Politics: Some Remarks on Retarded Development

Aretrospective assessment at mid-century might have suggested that the course of Chinese history between 1900 and 1950 recorded only two events of enduring political significance: the first, the fall of the Ch'ing dynasty in October 1911 and, with it, destruction of the imperial system which had lasted for two millennia; the second, the establishment of the People's Republic of China in October 1949 and, through it, commitment to accelerated modernization and forced industrialization along lines similar to those plotted earlier by the Soviet Union. Simultaneously, assessment of the future might well have concluded, with prescience born of objectivity, that the effect of the Chinese Communist explosion on both Chinese and world politics would merit a major effort on the part of American social science research.
Inhibitory Effects of Light on Ascospore Germination of Pseudoarachniotus marginosporus

Visible light inhibits ascospore germination in Pseudoarachniotus marginosporus. The per cent germination was inversely related to the duration of exposure. Sensitivity to short periods of illumina...
Unplanned Repeat Echocardiography with Sedation in Children: Patient Risk Factors

Patient selection criteria for echocardiography with sedation in children are not well defined. We attempted to identify predictors of unplanned repeat echocardiography with sedation. This was a single-center, case–control study of echocardiograms performed in children aged 1–36 months. Cases underwent unplanned repeat examinations with sedation, while controls did not. Patient variables and study indications were compared. Logistic regression identified the most significant predictors. Cases (n = 104, median time to repeat echocardiogram 17 days, median age 12.9 months) were older than controls (n = 212, median age 5.0 months, P < 0.001). Significantly more cases than controls had structural cardiac disease (64 vs. 23 %) and anatomic complexity ≥moderate (38 vs. 5 %, P < 0.001 for both). Cases more often had Kawasaki disease (11 vs. 2 %), and controls more often had murmur (56 vs. 11 %, P < 0.001 for both). Logistic regression identified age 6 months to <2 years (OR 3.26, 95 % CI 1.70–6.28, P < 0.001), Kawasaki disease (OR 5.20, 95 % CI 1.46–18.50, P = 0.01), and known pre-echocardiogram anatomic complexity ≥moderate (OR 3.99, 95 % CI 1.64–9.66, P = 0.002) as significant risk factors. An indication for murmur was protective (OR 0.32, 95 % CI 0.13–0.76, P = 0.01). We identified several risk factors for unplanned repeat echocardiography with sedation in children, including age 6 months to <2 years, higher anatomic complexity, and Kawasaki disease. Murmur was a protective factor. These results may help pediatric echocardiography laboratories establish criteria for sedation.
Three-Dimensional Coral-Like Structure Constructed of Carbon-Coated Interconnected Monocrystalline SnO2 Nanoparticles with Improved Lithium-Storage Properties

The applications of alloying/dealloying materials as anode for LIB electrode are hindered by its dramatic volume variations and sluggish kinetics. Herein, to overcome these challenges, we report a facile and scalable approach fabricating coral-like SnO2/C composite electrodes through a top-down strategy followed by a sol–gel carbon-coating method. During the synthesis, well-defined SnS2 nanoflowers and dopamine serve as structural template and carbon source for integrating the desired structure. The three-dimensional coral-like SnO2/C composite exhibits a high reversible capacity of 648 mAh g−1 after 50 electrochemical cycles and a low capacity fading of 0.778 % per cycle from the 2nd to the 50th cycle, demonstrating an outstanding cycling stability. It also shows a discharge capacity of 1294, 784, 658, 532, and 434 mAh g−1 at a specific current of 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 mAh g−1, respectively, and retains a specific capacity of 719 mAh g−1 when the specific current goes back to 100 mA g−1, displaying an excellent rate capability. Compared to SnS2 nanoflowers and bare interconnected SnO2 nanoparticles anode, the optimized coral-like SnO2/C composite shows significantly improved electrochemical performances in terms of rate capability and cycling reversibility, demonstrating great potential as superior anodes in next-generation lithium ion batteries.
MR of esthesioneuroblastoma (olfactory neuroblastoma) and appearance after craniofacial resection.

PURPOSE To analyze the MR characteristics of a series of patients with esthesioneuroblastoma and discuss the typical surgery and its postoperative MR appearance. METHODS The MR studies of 15 patients with the pathologic diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma (also known as olfactory neuroblastoma) were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with CT and surgical findings. The postoperative MR studies of 10 patients who underwent craniofacial resection were also reviewed. RESULTS In all cases the tumors arose in the superior nasal cavity and extended into the ethmoid cells. In some instances the tumors extended into the other paranasal sinuses, orbits, anterior cranial fossa, and cavernous sinus. The tumors were typically expansile and destructive in their growth patterns. Compared with brain gray matter, the tumors were hypointense on T1-weighted images and isointense to hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Nine tumors were heterogeneous and 6 were homogeneous. Contrast enhancement ranged from mild to marked. MR was useful for characterizing the various tissues and distinguishing fluid in the postoperative nasal cavity. CONCLUSIONS Esthesioneuroblastoma, although an uncommon tumor, may be suspected in lesions of the superior nasal cavity demonstrating both expansile and destructive growth properties. The MR findings are otherwise nonspecific. MR is the imaging modality of choice for depicting local tumor extension and evaluating for recurrence after craniofacial resection.
Design and application of intelligent open-box monitor

Aiming to the increasingly serious electric larceny,this paper introduces the structure,characteristics and application of a new intelligent open-box monitor to prevent electric larceny.Practice proves that the monitor responds well and reliably in anti-electric larceny and provides compelling evidence for investigating and punishing electric larceny.
Macrophage Fc receptor activity modulates mesangial cell proliferation and matrix synthesis

Substantial in vivo evidence exists to implicate the macrophage (M phi) in modulating mesangial expansion and glomerulosclerosis (GS) following renal injury. We studied in an in vitro system how M phi activation via Fc-receptor-mediated endocytosis, such as occurs in immune complex-mediated disease states, may influence the effect of M phi secretory products (MSP) on mesangial cell (MC) proliferation and matrix synthesis. MSP from M phi incubated with immunoglobulin G (IgG) complexes caused significantly greater (P < 0.001) enhancement of MC [3H]thymidine incorporation compared with MSP from unstimulated M phi or from M phi activated via nonspecific endocytosis (P < 0.001). MSP from M phi incubated with IgG complexes plus the inhibitor of endocytosis cytochalasin B showed an attenuated effect on MC proliferation (P < 0.02). MSP were also found to enhance MC matrix synthesis (P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that MSP can play a direct role in mesangial expansion by increasing both MC proliferation and matrix synthesis. Surface binding alone of IgG complexes may not be sufficient to activate M phi and enhance their mitogenic effect on MC as endocytosis appears to be required. These findings lend in vitro support to a potential role for the M phi in the process of mesangial expansion and GS following renal injury.
Nasogastric tube feedings. Practical considerations in prescription and evaluation

Tube feedings should provide moderate amounts of all essential nutrients in readily available form, including sufficient amounts of minerals and trace elements as well as sufficient fat and adequate (but not excessive) calories and protein. The prescription of a suitable tube-feeding formula must take into account a great many factors which influence the effectiveness of this manner of feeding for a given patient. Studies suggest that tube feedings prepared in hospital kitchens often may lack necessary minerals and vitamins.
OPEC, the Seven Sisters, and oil market dominance: An evolutionary game theory and agent-based modeling approach

Abstract A methodological toolkit comprised of evolutionary game theory and agent-based modeling is used to study OPEC and the Seven Sisters as they struggled for control over global petroleum markets during the 1960s and 1970s. An evolutionary game theory model incorporates heterogeneous populations, energy-specific variables, and behavioral considerations to capture the fundamentals of the applied problem. An agent-based model is used to provide detailed results and demonstrate the importance of the natural resource to the outcome of the model.
Exploiting the Combined Influence of Morphology and Energy Cascades in Ternary Blend Organic Solar Cells Based on Block Copolymer Additives

In recent works, we demonstrated that donor-b-acceptor block copolymer compatibilizers can be utilized in donor–acceptor blends of conjugated homopolymer donors and PCBM acceptors to target equilibrium morphologies containing the interconnected, cocontinuous structures that are desired for efficient bulk heterojunction devices. In this article, we utilize a combination of morphology and device-level simulations to demonstrate that by tuning the photoelectronic properties of the block copolymer additives, the device characteristics of such ternary blend systems can be made to outperform the idealized morphologies envisioned in donor–acceptor systems. Explicitly, we propose that by appropriately choosing the HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the block copolymer additives, an energy cascade can be exploited to reduce charge recombination and increase fill factors. The resulting device performance of such ternary blends reflects the combined influence of morphology and energy cascades, and in some instances, ter...
Effects of La 5 d and 4 f states on the electronic and optical properties of LaAlO 3

Using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) we compare the generalized gradient approximation (GGA-PBE) with a screened hybrid functional by studying the electronic and optical properties of bulk ${\mathrm{LaAlO}}_{3}$ in the cubic and rhombohedral phases. We find that both atomic and electronic structures are accurately described by the hybrid functional. The hybrid functional not only corrects the band gap, when compared to GGA-PBE, it also shifts the unoccupied La $4f$ bands to higher energies with respect to the hybridized conduction-band minimum, composed of 83% La $4d$, 5% La $4f$, 6% O $2s$, and 6% O $2p$ states. We show that this shift is essential to accurately describe the complex dielectric function, in good agreement with experimental results. We conclude that the screened hybrid functional offers a reliable description of the position of empty $f$ bands with respect to the valence- and conduction-band edges in ${\mathrm{LaAlO}}_{3}$.
Inhibition of Growth and Aflatoxin Production of Aspergilli in Medium Containing Phosphates.

Mycelial growth and mycotoxin production of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus were studied in Sabouraud dextrose agar containing pure or blended pyro-, poly- or meta-phosphates during 9 d of incubation at 30°C. Pure tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium polyphosphate, glassy (SPG, formerly hexametaphosphate), as well as a commercial phosphate blend and three combinations all containing various proportions of sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), TSPP and SPG were tested. Inhibition of growth of aspergilli was observed in media containing 2.0% TSPP and 1.0 and 2.0% SPG and 2.0% of the commercial phosphate blend. Lower concentrations of single or blended phosphates allowed only limited, atypical mycelial growth. Sporulation was totally inhibited by 2.0% concentrations of single or blended phosphates, and so was production of aflatoxins B1 and G1. TSPP or SPG at 1.0% reduced (P<0.05) aflatoxin production from parts per million (controls) to parts per billion.
Building Bridges From Pre-Service Experiences To Elementary Classroom Literacy Teaching: Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract This study investigated a) the influences on pre-service and early career teachers' literacy instructional decision-making, and b) how and in what ways transfer from literacy methods courses was evident in teachers' instructional decision-making. Although observations and interviews of ten teachers revealed some influence of teacher preparation, the school's curriculum was far more influential. Teaching fell along a knowledge transfer continuum from a conscious rejection of what was taught in pre-service education to some transfer of knowledge to transformation of knowledge. Findings suggest ways teacher educators can design assignments to maximize transfer to the classroom and support novice teachers.
The Microsoft Reactive Framework Meets the Internet of Moving Things

Connected moving objects with location sensors form the world of the Internet of Moving Things. This world includes people, animals, vehicles, drones, and vessels, to name a few. The conventional spatial libraries including Microsoft SQL Server Spatial (SqlSpatial) are primarily developed to evaluate spatial operations on stationary things. When it comes to real-world applications for the Internet of Moving Things that require realtime tracking and processing, the limitations of these libraries float to the surface. Unfortunately, the SqlSpatial library has very limited operations in this domain. This paper presents the Reactive eXtension Spatial (RxSpatial) library developed to provide real-time processing of spatio-temporal operations on moving objects connected through the Internet of Things. The superiority of the RxSpatial over the basic SqlSpatial is demonstrated throughout extensive experimental evaluations on real and synthetic data sets.
An out-of-plane "hinge-shaped" nano-gap accelerometer with high sensitivity and wide bandwidth

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a novel "hinge-shaped" out-of-plane differential accelerometer utilizing nanometer sensing gap (300 nm) electrodes. The increased electromechanical coupling provided by narrow gap allows the design of micro-g accelerometers with high resonant frequency (> 10 kHz), which would extend the operational bandwidth as well as the input acceleration range compared to conventional devices. Furthermore, the proposed design provides an increased immunity against stiction without reducing device sensitivity. The out-of-plane accelerometers are fabricated on a 60 μm thick silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers, and subsequently interfaced with the readout electronics to fully characterize its performance. Measurement results show a scale factor of 1.266 V/g, noise density level of 72.05 μg/•Hz at 1 Hz, bias drift of 106.57 μg, and velocity random walk (VRW) of 50 μg/•Hz. The noise floor of the device can be improved to better than 10 μg/•Hz by packaging the current design in vacuum, without facing any stability issues.
Laboratory and Field Susceptibility of Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae) to Entomopathogenic Fungal Mycoses1

Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura; Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a recently established invasive insect pest of berries and stone fruits. We tested the susceptibility of adult D. suzukii to infection by four species of entomopathogenic fungi: Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., strains GHA and HF-23; Isaria fumosorosea Wize, strains FE-9901 and Apopka 97; Metarhizium anisopliae var anisopliae (Metschn.), strain F-52; and Metarhizium robertsii, strain DW-346; in laboratory bioassays. Scanning electron micrographs confirmed germination of conidia on D. suzukii integument. Exposure to conidia of all fungal isolates significantly increased mortality rates in comparison to untreated flies. In a subsequent bioassay of the two most virulent isolates, increasing pathogen dose from 0–16,000 conidia mm−2 of B. bassiana strain GHA increased fly mortality and proportion of sporulating cadavers. While fly inoculations with M. anisopliae at 0–4000 conidia mm−2 did not yield any measurable mortality response, a positive correlation was observed between dose and frequency of sporulating cadavers. In addition, we found that oocyte maturation rates were curtailed through one week of adulthood development after sub-lethal exposure to B. bassiana conidia. Despite promising laboratory results, a field cage experiment demonstrated that application of B. bassiana did not protect fruit from infestation. Taken together, these results show that entomopathogenic fungi are virulent against D. suzukii in the laboratory, but application in the field did not show promise.
Altered Bone Remodeling in Psoriatic Disease: New Insights and Future Directions

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory rheumatic disorder that occurs in patients with psoriasis and predominantly affects musculoskeletal structures, skin, and nails. The etiology of PsA is not well understood but evidence supports an interplay of genetic, immunologic, and environmental factors which promote pathological bone remodeling and joint damage in PsA. Localized and systemic bone loss due to increased activity of osteoclasts is well established in PsA based on animal models and translational studies. In contrast, the mechanisms responsible for pathological bone remodeling in PsA remain enigmatic although new candidate molecules and pathways have been identified. Recent reports have revealed novel findings related to bone erosion and pathologic bone formation in PsA. Many associated risk factors and contributing molecular mechanisms have also been identified. In this review, we discuss new developments in the field, point out unresolved questions regarding the pathogenetic origins of the wide array of bone phenotypes in PsA, and discuss new directions for investigation.
Solitary retinal hemangioblastoma findings in OCTA pre- and post-laser therapy.

Abstract Purpose To report optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings pre- and post-thermal laser therapy of a rare, asymptomatic, unilateral, isolated retinal hemangioblastoma. Observations A 40-year-old asymptomatic Caucasian man was found to have an isolated, unilateral retinal hemangioblastoma after referral for possible retinal hole. Comparison of OCTAs pre- and post-thermal laser therapy demonstrated a significant reduction of blood flow toward and within the lesion, in addition to contraction of the lesion and constriction of the accompanying feeder vessels. A 4-month follow-up OCTA showed marked reduction of lesion size, and caliber of treated vessels. Conclusions and importance Non-invasive OCTA imaging of a retinal hemangioblastoma demonstrated decreased blood flow signal and vessel caliber after treatment. OCTA shows potential as a new tool to improve our understanding of the effectiveness of therapy in these lesions.
Near-Infrared Fluorescence Probes

Optical fiber detectors (OFD) are devices that measure electromagnetic radiation transmitted through optical fibers to produce a quantitative signal in response to the chemical or biochemical recognition of a specific analyte. Ideally, an OFD should produce a specific and accurate measurement, continuously and reversibly, of the presence of a particular molecular species in a given sample medium. Additionally, OFD should provide maximum sensitivity and minimal interferences from superfluous ions or molecules to obtain low detection limits. Other attractive features include the miniaturization of the fiber’s tip to accommodate single-cell analysis and portable instrumentation to allow in situ analysis. OFDs can be divided into two subclasses: (1) optical fiber chemical detectors (OFCD) which detect the presence of chemical species in samples, and (2) optical fiber biomolecular detectors (OFBD) which detect biomolecules in samples. Each subclass can be divided further into probes and sensors, and bioprobes and biosensors, respectively. As a result of the rapid expansion of optical research, these terms have not been clearly defined and to date, the terms “probe” and “sensor” have been used synonymously in the literature. As the number of publications increases, the terminology should be clarified. Although both probes and sensors serve to detect chemicals in samples, they are not identical. The same situation exists with “bioprobes” and “biosensors.” Simply, probes and bioprobes are irreversible to the analyte’s presence, whereas sensors and biosensors monitor compounds reversibly and continuously. Progress in the development of OFD has been parallel to advances in the production of optical fibers. Fiber production and reliability have increased and fiber costs have decreased; therefore, routine use of OFD has become more practical. The increased availability of OFD has produced a surge of publications on its applications including quantitative metal detection, pH determination, immunoassays, and the
Multi-User Communication and Interference Cancellation

As the first effort to cope with interference, we try to minimize its effect in physical layer. One of the most common cases where interference will be crucial is when the base station is receiving data from several users at the same time. In this chapter we will propose a method to cancel out interference in this case using antennas at the base station.
Finding all optimal solutions to the reserve site selection problem: formulation and computational analysis

The problem of selecting nature reserves has received increased attention in the literature during the past decade, and a variety of approaches have been promoted for selecting those sites to include in a reserve network. One set of techniques employs heuristic algorithms and thus provides possibly sub-optimal solutions. Another set of models and accompanying algorithms uses an integer programming formulation of the problem, resulting in an optimization problem known as the Maximal Covering Problem, or MCP. Solution of the MCP provides an optimal solution to the reserve site selection problem, and while various algorithms can be employed for solving the MCP they all suffer from the disadvantage of providing a single optimal solution dictating the selection of areas for conservation. In order to provide complete information to decision makers, the determination of all alternate optimal solutions is necessary. This paper explores two procedures for finding all such solutions. We describe the formulation and motivation of each method. A computational analysis on a data set describing native terrestrial vertebrates in the state of Oregon illustrates the effectiveness of each approach.
CULTURALLY COMPETENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION RESEARCH AMONG RURAL NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

Substance abuse is seen as the major contributing factor to the disarray of many rural Indian communities. The majority of rural Native American communities exist either within the boundaries of tribal trust lands, commonly referred to as reservations, or in close proximity to reservations; these communities are often made up of members from a common tribal population. These tribal-specific populations are very diverse in terms of cultural norms, language, and, as studies have found, in their degree of illegal drug use (Beauvais and LaBoueff 1985; May 1992; Oetting et al. 1983).
X-linked agammaglobulinemia and Bruton's tyrosine kinase.

The genetic defect associated with human X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) and murine X-linked immunodeficiency (XID) was recently identified as the deficiency of function of a new cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk)1,2,3,4. The phenotypes associated with these immunodeficiencies indicate that Btk plays a crucial role in B lymphocyte development.
Dichotic Listening Test-Retest Reliability in Children.

Purpose The objective of the study was to compare test–retest reliability of three dichotic listening tests: SCAN–3 Competing Words Test (Words; Keith, 2009a, 2009b), Double Dichotic Digits Test (D...
Ammonia volatilization from a seasonally and spatially variable grazed grassland: Yellowstone National Park

We measured ammonia volatilization at three topographic positions(hilltop, mid-slope, slope-bottom) on three grassland landscapes at threetimes during 1995 (April, May, July) on the northern winter range ofYellowstone National Park that supports large herds of native ungulates.Percent ammonia-N lost from all sites during the study ranged 1–24%of urea-N applied. Volatilization among sites was negatively related tosoil cation-exchange capacity (r = –0.85) and rates were highest inJuly. We used the relationship between soil CEC and percent Nvolatilized from urea-amended plots to estimate annual ammonia-Nvolatilization from 5 sites for which annual ungulate urine inputs werepreviously determined (Frank et al. 1994). Estimated mean annualammonia-N volatilized from those sites was 1.4 kg/ha/yr, which wasless than a previously reported regional atmospheric deposition rate (2kg/ha/yr; Swank 1984). Results indicate the need to understand theinteraction between (1) spatially heterogeneous patterns of soilprocesses, and 2) nonuniform patterns of ungulate use of landscapes todetermine rates of ecosystem-level N-gaseous loss. Findings alsosuggest that ammonia-N volatilized from urine patches should not leadto a decline in soil N in this ecosystem.