cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deglacial water-table decline in Southern California recorded by noble gas isotopes.

Constraining the magnitude of past hydrological change may improve understanding and predictions of future shifts in water availability. Here we demonstrate that water-table depth, a sensitive indicator of hydroclimate, can be quantitatively reconstructed using Kr and Xe isotopes in groundwater. We present the first-ever measurements of these dissolved noble gas isotopes in groundwater at high precision (≤0.005‰ amu-1; 1σ), which reveal depth-proportional signals set by gravitational settling in soil air at the time of recharge. Analyses of California groundwater successfully reproduce modern groundwater levels and indicate a 17.9 ± 1.3 m (±1 SE) decline in water-table depth in Southern California during the last deglaciation. This hydroclimatic transition from the wetter glacial period to more arid Holocene accompanies a surface warming of 6.2 ± 0.6 °C (±1 SE). This new hydroclimate proxy builds upon an existing paleo-temperature application of noble gases and may identify regions prone to future hydrological change.
Residents’ Attitudes Toward Tourism Development in a Rural Community: A Qualitative Approach

In North America, many rural communities with rich amenities have experienced increased population, often referred to as “amenity migration.” This type of change theoretically impacts residents’ attitudes toward tourism development but has not been studied in this community context. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use the interaction approach to uncover residents’ attitudes toward tourism development in one rural community experiencing amenity migration. The interaction approach has been commonly used to address residents’ response to “…place relevant matters” (Bridger et al., 2010, p. 2). However, it has rarely been used to address tourism development in rural communities within North America, and never with residents experiencing amenity migration as well as ongoing tourism development.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 residents of three communities in Tucker County, West Virginia. Participant observation and secondary data collection were also employed. Results indicated residents had positive (i.e., an increase in economic development, more recreation opportunities, and positive social interactions); negative (i.e., exploitation and type of job growth, and housing issues); and ambivalent attitudes toward tourism development in Tucker County. Residents’ ambivalence focused on the future of tourism development and what impacts it will have on their communities. The impacts they addressed ranged from increased prices for housing, to changes in community dynamics, to protection of the culture and character of the County. The results associated with positive and negative attitudes toward tourism development were generally in line with the literature. The introduction of ambivalent attitudes, however, was unexpected and a contribution to the literature. Further, most residents recognized amenity migration as having a positive effect on the area; this may change as tourism development and the influx of new residents continues. Using an interactional approach to uncover residents’ attitudes toward tourism development proved successful as residents’ ambivalence, focus on the need for collaboration and controlled growth in the future, and more would not have been uncovered using traditional quantitative measures. Scholars should continue to use this approach to study residents’ attitudes toward tourism development and use their results to inform community officials, lawmakers, and advocacy groups who are advocating for sustainable tourism development in rural communities throughout North America. Subscribe to JPRA
Bridging Science and Technology through Academic-Industry Partnerships

Scientific research and its translation into commercialized technology is a driver of wealth creation and economic growth. Partnerships to foster such translational processes between public research organizations, such as universities and hospitals, and private firms are a policy tool that has attracted increased interest. Yet questions about the efficacy and the efficiency with which funds are used are subject to frequent debate. This paper examines empirical data from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation (DNATF), an agency that funds partnerships between universities and private companies to develop technologies important to Danish industry. We assess the effect of a unique mediated funding scheme that combines project grants with active facilitation and conflict management on innovative performance, namely the quantity, citation count and collaborative nature of patents and papers, by comparing funded and unfunded firms. Because randomization of the sample was not feasible, we address end...
Establishing Internationally Competent Leaders for the Future: Promoting an Agenda for Social Justice, Equity, and Intercultural Sensitivity:

To be successful in a global economy, U.S. candidates must possess international knowledge, intercultural communication skills, and global perspectives to effectively teach diverse student populati...
Two rare cases of sinonasal vascular malformation in the pediatric population.

Abstract Vascular malformations presenting in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare. Differentiating benign vascular malformations of the sinonasal cavity from other pathologic entities can be challenging and the role of preoperative angiography and embolization is not well defined. We present two unique cases of large pediatric sinonasal vascular malformations and describe their presentation, diagnosis and subsequent management. Both patients underwent embolization of the ipsilateral arterial supply followed by successful and complete endonasal surgical excision. This report provides description of management of the very rare occurrence of sinonasal vascular malformation in two adolescents.
Segmentation: Unsupervised Clustering Methods for Exploring Subpopulations

In this chapter, we tackle a canonical marketing research problem: finding, assessing, and predicting customer segments. In previous chapters we’ve seen how to assess relationships in data (Chap. 4), compare groups (Chap. 5), and assess models (Chap. 7). In a real segmentation project, one would use those methods to ensure that data have appropriate multivariate structure, and then begin segmentation analysis.
Supporting free clinic patients' social needs with MSW interns: A pilot study.

Social needs, which are social risk factors including lack of access to stable housing, healthy food, or reliable transportation, are recognized as integral to health. Free clinics tend to serve pa...
Electronic Textile Gaia: Ubiquitous Computational Substrates Across Geometric Scales

From in-body implantables to geotextiles and large-area spacecraft blankets, electronic fabric is now poised to operate across geometric scales that span many orders of magnitude, and thus across operational contexts with divergent material resiliency requirements, reaching far beyond the wearable device regime that is typically considered. This article reviews the key technical trends and lingering hurdles that are relevant to using functional fibers and e-textiles for operating at disparate scales—from microns to kilometers. We focus in particular on leveraging the unique material properties of a textile and the miniaturization of electronic devices in concert with the revolution in mass-manufacturing and digital fabrication technologies used to customize the device at the level of polymer, fiber, fabric, three-dimensional form, and system. We also offer a personal perspective on interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers, scientists, designers, and manufacturers for tackling some of the challenges in scaling and translation of electronic textiles.
Forward: Terrorism on Trial

While the Lockerbie approach is currently out of vogue, are there nonetheless lessons from Lockerbie that policy makers can draw on in determining how to best use law as a weapon against terrorism in the future? To explore this important and timely question, the Frederick K. Cox International Law Center assembled a group of high level United Nations officers, former U.S. government officials, noted prosecutors and defense counsel, and prominent journalists and scholars for a day-long symposium at Case Western Reserve University School of Law on October 8, 2004, entitled "Terrorism on Trial." The conference, which was cosponsored by the American Society of International Law, the American Branch of the International Law Association, and the International Association of Penal Law, consisted of five panels: (1) "Use of Force Versus Use of Courts in the War on Terrorism"; (2) "Is Terrorism Worth Defining?" (3) "Lessons Learned from the Pan Am 103 Bombing Trial"; (4) "Suing Terrorists in U.S. Court"; and (5) "The Trials of al Qaeda: Federal Court Versus Military Commission." This special two volume issue of the Case Journal of International Law contains twenty articles generated by this conference, which we believe make a significant contribution to the literature on the legal response to terrorism.
Defining the reference range for right ventricular systolic strain by echocardiography in healthy subjects: A meta-analysis.

Background Right ventricular (RV) systolic strain has recently demonstrated prognostic value in various cardiovascular diseases. Despite this, the reference range including the lower limit of normal (LLN) and factors associated with RV strain measurements are not well-established. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the mean and LLN of two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) right ventricular global (RVGLS), free wall (RVFWLS) and interventricular septal wall (IVSLS) longitudinal strains in healthy individuals and factors that affect strain measurements. Methods In this meta-analysis, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched until 31 July 2020 for eligible studies reporting RVGLS, RVFWLS and/or IVSLS in at least 30 healthy subjects. We pooled the means and LLNs of RV strains by two- (2D) and three- (3D) dimensional echocardiography, and performed meta-regression analyses. Results From 788 articles screened, 45 eligible studies totaling 4439 healthy subjects were eligible for analysis. Pooled means and LLNs with 95% confidence intervals for 2D- RV strains were RVGLS -23.4% (-24.2%, -22.6%) and -16.4% (-17.3%, -15.5%) in 27 studies; RVFWLS -26.9% (-28.0%, -25.9%) and -18.0% (-19.2%, -16.9%) in 32 studies; and IVSLS -20.4% (-22.0%, -18.9%) and -11.5% (-13.6%, -9.6%) in 10 studies, and similar results for 3D- RV strains. Right ventricular fractional area change and vendor software were associated with 2D-RVGLS and RVFWLS means and LLNs. Conclusion We reported the pooled means and LLNs of RV systolic strains in healthy subjects, to define thresholds for abnormal, borderline and normal strains. Important factors associated with RV systolic strains include right ventricular fractional area change and vendor software.
Race-Based Medical Mistrust, HIV-Related Stigma, and ART Adherence in a Diverse Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men with HIV.

Disparities in antiretroviral treatment (ART) access by race for men who have sex with men (MSM) with HIV persist. We assessed whether race-based medical mistrust and HIV stigma impact ART adherence among MSM with HIV. Longitudinal data were drawn from a RCT of a messaging intervention to promote sexual health among MSM. Regression models tested associations between baseline race-based medical mistrust, HIV stigma, and ART adherence at follow-up. In multivariable models with the overall sample of MSM with HIV (n = 383), baseline medical mistrust was negatively associated with ART adherence 3-months post-baseline. Among participants of color (i.e., Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, or another race; n = 301), HIV stigma was negatively associated with optimal ART adherence 6-months post-baseline. Medical mistrust was longitudinally associated with reduced ART adherence among racially and ethnically diverse MSM with HIV. HIV-related services might prioritize patients reporting medical mistrust for additional supports.
Prognostic value of exercise thallium-201 imaging performed within 2 years of coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract Objectives. We sought to determine the prognostic capabilities of exercise thallium (Tl)-201 tomographic imaging performed relatively early (within 2 years) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Background. Exercise testing is commonly performed after CABG, but few data exist demonstrating its prognostic value in this setting. Methods. Four hundred eleven patients were followed up for a median duration of 5.8 years. Eleven prospectively chosen clinical, exercise and Tl-201 variables were tested for their associations with outcome end points by means of proportional hazards regression models. Results. During follow-up there were 60 deaths from any cause, 53 initial cardiac deaths or nonfatal myocardial infarctions (MIs) and 22 late (>3 months after the Tl-201 study) revascularization procedures. The number of abnormal Tl-201 segments on the postexercise image was the only variable in the multivariate analyses to show a significant association with all three outcome end points: chi-square 7.3, p = 0.007 for overall mortality; chi-square 8.1, p = 0.004 for cardiac death or MI; chi-square 7.8, p = 0.005 for any cardiac event. Other independent predictors of outcome were exercise duration (chi-square 10.7, p = 0.001) and age (chi-square 3.9, p = 0.049) for overall mortality and exercise angina score (chi-square 8.7, p = 0.003) for cardiac death or MI. The 5-year survival rate free of cardiac death or MI was 93% for patients without angina and a normal image or small postexercise perfusion defect versus 71% for patients with angina and a medium or large defect. Conclusions. Exercise Tl-201 imaging performed within 2 years of CABG can stratify patients into low and high risk subgroups.
Modeling of radial microstrip bends

Equivalent curved waveguide and lumped circuit models are presented and used to compute the transmission characteristics of radial microstrip bend discontinuities. The calculated results are compared with both transmission and resonance measurements to validate the accuracy of the models. The conductor and radiation losses for the bend discontinuity are included in the model. >
Protective efficacy of Nigella sativa seeds and oil against columnaris disease in fishes.

Columnaris disease, caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium columnare, is currently the most frequently reported bacterial disease affecting farm-raised channel catfish in the USA. Common treatments against the disease include the use of medicated feed that has led to emergent antibiotic resistant strains of F. columnare. Nigella sativa (Black cumin) is a medicinal herb commonly used by many cultures as a natural remedy for numerous disorders. Recently, we have discovered the antibacterial activity of N. sativa and its oil extract against F. columnare. In this study, we showed N. sativa oil (NSO) strongly inhibited the growth of all of the strains of F. columnare tested and yielded significantly larger zones of inhibition than those produced by oxytetracyclin. We tested the protective effect against columnaris disease in vivo by incorporating NSO (5%) or N. sativa seeds (NSS) (5%) into fish feeds. Fishes (Ictalurus punctatus and Danio rerio) fed amended diets displayed significantly lower mortality than those fed control diets. Per cent mortalities in control groups ranged from 77% to 44% and from 70% to 18% in zebrafish and channel catfish, respectively. A dose study using different NSS concentrations showed that 5% NSS offered the most protection against columnaris disease in channel catfish.
Impact of Atrial Fibrillation and Sinus Rhythm Restoration on Reticulated Platelets

Abstract Objective To assess the impact of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) and sinus rhythm restoration on the distribution of reticulated platelets (RPs), which are known to be associated with thrombotic propensity and have a greater predilection for thrombus participation. Participants and Methods The RP content was assessed by flow cytometry (thiazole orange/CD61) in 110 consecutive patients with NVAF before and 3 to 4 months after catheter ablation of the pulmonary veins. Results were compared with those of 55 age- and sex-matched controls with normal sinus rhythm. Results The mean ± SD percentage of RPs was higher in patients with NVAF compared with controls (28.5%±7.3% vs 6.4%±5.3%; P 2 DS 2 -VASc score. After catheter ablation of the pulmonary veins, 63 patients were available for follow-up assessment. A significant reduction of RPs was observed compared with preintervention values (29.85%±7.1% vs 20.79%±7.6%; P P =.01). Conclusion Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation affects the percentage of RPs, independent of the CHA 2 DS 2 -VASc score. After ablation, RP content dropped significantly. High RP content in patients with NVAF may explain the potential mechanism of thromboembolic complications and the lack of efficacy of currently available antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention in this dysrhythmia.
Development of a guide to recommended print materials for diabetes patient education.

There are hundreds of current booklets, pamphlets, and manuals available for diabetes patient educa tion. Everyone, it seems, is writing them from large pharmaceutical com panies and publishing houses to small rural hospitals.A national review of those materials has led to the development of an an notated resource booklet entitled "Recommended Print Materials for Diabetes Patient Education, 1984. " This article discusses the overall results of the review and the methodology used in its formation.
Inherited long QT syndromes: a paradigm for understanding arrhythmogenesis.

LQTS as a Paradigm. The inherited long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a familial disease characterized by QT interval changes that often are labile, syncope, and sudden death due to arrhythmias, predominantly in young people. Multiple mutations in five genes encoding structural subunits of cardiac ion channels now have been identified in families with LQTS. Correlations are being described between genotype and specific clinical features in LQTS. However, increasing screening of affected families and sporadic cases has identified incomplete penetrance with highly variable clinical manifestations, even among individuals carrying the same mutations. The identification of LQTS disease genes represents a crucial first step in developing an understanding of the molecular basis for normal cardiac repolarization. This information will be important not only for identifying new therapies in LQTS, but also in further understanding arrhythmias, and their potential therapies, in situations such as heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, or sudden infant death syndrome, where abnormal repolarization has been linked to sudden death. LQTS thus presents a new paradigm to cardiac electrophysiology, in which new molecular information is being brought to bear both on clinical management of patients and on development of a new framework to study the fundamental causes of arrhythmias and new approaches to therapy.
Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in never smokers: analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and survival.

Abstract Purpose To examine the relationship between tobacco smoking history and the clinicopathologic and survival characteristics of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Materials and methods This is a retrospective review of 531 patients treated for OCSCC from January 1998 to December 2009 at a tertiary care medical center. Results Thirty-two percent of OCSCC patients were never smokers. There were significant differences in tumor location between ever smokers and never smokers (p Conclusions Primary tumor location and T-status in OCSCC differed between never smokers and smokers. Compared to smokers, never smokers had fewer locally advanced tumors and better overall survival.
Simple and fast surrogate constraint heuristics for the maximum independent set problem

In a recent paper Glover (J. Heuristics 9:175---227, 2003) discussed a variety of surrogate constraint-based heuristics for solving optimization problems in graphs. The key ideas put forth in the paper were illustrated by giving specializations designed for certain covering and coloring problems. In particular, a family of methods designed for the maximum cardinality independent set problem was presented. In this paper we report on the efficiency and effectiveness of these methods based on considerable computational testing carried out on test problems from the literature as well as some new test problems.
The Effects of Exercise on Growth

The way in which exercise influences statural, hypertrophic and reparative growth is examined from the perspective of the human lifespan. Statural growth depends on a neuroendocrine programme which channels nutrient energy towards increments in lean body mass. Exercise can facilitate statural growth and is a necessary stimulus for reparative growth through its stimulatory effects on secretion of growth hormone (GH) and other anabolic hormones. An exercise-associated increase in GH secretion is a response to acute or prolonged exercise-induced fuel shortage that directs metabolism towards utilisation of lipids and promotes growth. Exercise can transiently block the expression of statural growth by competitively removing the necessary nutritional support for growth. Statural growth retardation can be corrected by catch-up growth, but stunting may also be permanent (depending on the timing and magnitude of the energy drain). Hypertrophic growth is less dependent on hormonal and nutritional support than statural growth, and exercise provides the necessary mechanical stresses for growth and remodelling of the musculoskeletal system. Excessive mechanical strain may suppress hypertrophic growth. The intermittent nature of exercise provides temporal organisation that is necessary for the normal operation of cellular growth processes. Exercise by pregnant women does not appear to influence fetal growth. Evaluation of the effect of exercise on growth of children and adolescents is complicated by nonrandom selection of individuals for participation in organised sports, and by lack of information on the magnitude of exercise-induced energy drain. Exercise is essential for regulation of body composition in adulthood. It provides mechanical and metabolic stimuli that are necessary for hypertrophy of the musculoskeletal system and increased GH secretion for reparative growth.
Time‐dependent self‐consistent field (TDSCF) approximation for a reaction coordinate coupled to a harmonic bath: Single and multiple configuration treatments

This paper explores the usefulness of the time‐dependent self‐consistent field (TDSCF) approximation for treating the dynamics of a reaction coordinate coupled to a bath of harmonic degrees of freedom. The reaction coordinate is a one‐dimensional double well potential, typical of a hydrogen atom isomerization process. The standard (i.e., one configuration) TDSCF approximation is found to provide a very poor description of the effect of coupling to the bath on the isomerization rate. A multiconfiguration (MC‐TDSCF) treatment is thus developed and found to provide a much improved description.
Comparison Between Healthy and Reduced Hand Function Using Ranges of Motion and a Weighted Fingertip Space Model

Detection and quantification of changes in hand function are important for patients with loss of function and clinicians who are treating them. A recently developed model, the weighted fingertip space (WFS) quantifies the hand function of individuals in three-dimensional space and applies kinematic weighting parameters to identify regions of reachable space with high and low hand function. The goal of this research was to use the WFS model to compare and contrast the functional abilities of healthy individuals with the abilities of individuals with reduced functionality due to arthritis (RFA). Twenty two individuals with no reported issues with hand function and 21 individuals with arthritis affecting the hand were included in the research. Functional models were calculated from the ranges of motion and hand dimension data for each individual. Each model showed the volume of reachable space for each fingertip of each hand, the number of ways to reach a point in space, the range of fingertip orientations possible at each point, and the range of possible force application directions (FADs) at each point. In addition, two group models were developed that showed how many individuals in both the healthy and RFA groups were able to reach the same points in space. The results showed differences between the two groups for the range of motion (ROM) measurements, the individual model calculations, and the group models. The ROM measurements showed significant differences for the joints of the thumb, extension of the nonthumb metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, and flexion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints. Comparing the models, the two groups qualitatively showed similar patterns of functional measures in space, but with the RFA group able to reach a smaller volume of space. Quantitatively, the RFA group showed trends of smaller values for all of the calculated functional weighting parameters and significantly smaller reachable volume for all of the fingers. The group models showed that all healthy individuals were able to reach an overlapping space, while 18 of 21 RFA individuals were able to reach similar spaces. Combined, the results showed that the WFS model presents the abilities of the hand in ways that can be quantitatively and qualitatively compared. Thus, the potential of this hand model is that it could be used to assess and document the changes that occur in hand function due to rehabilitation or surgery, or as a guide to determine areas most accessible by various populations.
The disabled body in the fabliaux

This article analyzes the disabled body in three fabliaux, examining encounters with mutilated, handicapped, and deformed bodies, whose centrality to the tales represent a departure from the healthy and beautiful bodies that feature prominently in this comic genre. It explores how the disabled bodies – although a priori an object of curiosity – soon become a site on which power relations converge. In all three tales, representations of disabled or malformed bodies give rise to a deconstruction and reconstruction of notions of knowledge, gender, and the social implications of disability itself.
"What a tricke wee'le serve him": A Possible Source for Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"

(2004). 'What a tricke wee'le serve him': A Possible Source for Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado' ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 41-44.
Thermalization of hot carriers in quantum wells

Abstract We discuss experimental and theoretical results on the energy relaxation of hot electrons in GaAs AlGaAs quantum wells. The experiments make use of optical spectroscopy for determining the carrier distribution. In particular, steady-state hot photoluminescence measurements have been employed with modulation-doped quantum wells in order to minimally perturb the system by the photo-excited carriers. Both the relaxation of very energetic electrons and the cooling of a hot thermalized carrier distribution are considered. The quantum well results are compared with similar experiments on bulk GaAs. We also discuss the role of non-equilibrium phonons and screening of the electron-phonon interaction.
Region processing algorithm for HSTAMIDS

The AN/PSS-14 (a.k.a. HSTAMIDS) has been tested for its performance in South East Asia (Thailand), South Africa (Namibia) and in November of 2005 in South West Asia (Afghanistan). The system has been proven effective in manual demining particularly in discriminating indigenous, metallic artifacts in the minefields. The Humanitarian Demining Research and Development (HD R&D) Program has sought to further improve the system to address specific needs in several areas. One particular area of these improvement efforts is the development of a mine detection/discrimination improvement software algorithm called Region Processing (RP). RP is an innovative technique in processing and is designed to work on a set of data acquired in a unique sweep pattern over a region-of-interest (ROI). The RP team is a joint effort consisting of three universities (University of Florida, University of Missouri, and Duke University), but is currently being led by the University of Florida. This paper describes the state-of-the-art Region Processing algorithm, its implementation into the current HSTAMIDS system, and its most recent test results.
Recursive Partitioning Analysis of a Large Structure−Activity Data Set Using Three-Dimensional Descriptors1

Large chemical data sets are becoming available from high throughput screening of corporate collections and chemical libraries. There is a growing need to develop three-dimensional pharmacophores from these large data sets to guide database screening, chemical library design, and lead optimization. Recursive partitioning (RP) is a statistical method that can be used to analyze very large data sets; data sets of over 100 000 observations and over 2 000 000 descriptors pose no computational problems. Our idea is to encode the three-dimensional features of chemical compounds into bit strings and use RP to determine the important features that statistically correlate to the biological activities of these compounds. This kind of structure−activity relationship analysis (SAR) can be considered as the first step to the goal of pharmacophore identification for large chemical data sets. We report here our RP work that for the first time successfully retrieved 3D SARs from a large, heterogeneous data set of 1650 mo...
Modulation of refractive index in polymer composites: toward a synthetic bio-optic lens

As an option in the creation of a synthetic bio-optic lens, we propose that spatial modulation of refractive index can be realized in polymer composites containing a colloidal ionophoric phase. The variation of refractive index could result from electric field induced orientation or polarization of the dispersed phase. Devices are envisioned in which the refractive index gradient will be controlled by variation of the local applied field with matrix-addressed microelectrode arrays. Of particular utility in the demonstration of this phenomena are ionophoric and ionomeric block copolymers containing poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, poly(acrylic acid), PAA, and poly(methylmethacrylate), PMMA, chain segments. Systems that will be discussed relative to the provision of options in the creation of a synthetic biooptic lens are: (1) Electric field induced polarization of electrorefractive moieties localized in nanoscopic, salt-doped PEO domains of PS-b-PEO composites and (2.) localized deformation of salt-doped elastomeric PDMS-b-PEO composites.
A comparison of plant available nutrients on decomposed granite cut slopes and adjacent natural soils

Decomposed granite (DG) slopes are often difficult to revegetate after existing topsoil and vegetative cover have been removed. In this study, naturally vegetated soils and denuded DG cut slopes were evaluated to compare edaphic (soil-related) conditions that may differ between the vegetated and non-vegetated states. Potential plant nutrient deficiencies were evaluated by soil nutrient extraction, plant tissue analysis and by greenhouse bioassay methods. The DG cut slopes have approximately one-quarter to one-half the clay content, soil organic matter, water-holding capacity, and total and available nitrogen (N) of the adjacent natural soils. Soil extraction tests for phosphorus (P) availability gave variable results, but a growth response to P amendment was observed in a greenhouse bioassay. The native topsoils and the DG cut slope materials had non-limiting levels of pH, exchangeable Ca, Mg and K, and total P. Cation exchange capacity and sulfate–sulfur (S) were low but similar between the two soil groups. Principle nutrient limitations are interpreted to be N, P, and possibly S and boron (B), in order of decreasing severity. Based on these results, we conclude that the removal of humified soil organic matter on the cut slopes reduces plant growth directly by lowering several of these essential nutrients, and indirectly by decreasing the soil's water-retention and infiltration capacity. Soil organic matter is viewed as a critical factor and major contrast between barren and revegetated DG materials. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recruiting and mentoring minority faculty members

For the foreseeable future, community colleges must seriously address hiring, retaining, and facilitating upward mobility for faculty members. Moreover, they should recruit a faculty corps that is more reflective of both the students they serve and the demographics of their college service area. It is critical for community colleges to employ and retain a diverse faculty.
Foraging behavior of adult female Steller sea lions during the breeding season in Southeast Alaska

During the 1990s, the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus Schreber) Western Alaska stock (WS) suffered steep population decline while the Eastern Alaska stock (ES) steadily increased. One bottom-up forcing hypothesis explaining this decline predicted lactating adult female foraging behavior would be different between stocks. To investigate this effect, we monitored 11 ES females at two breeding rookeries using satellite dive recorders (SDR) during the early breeding seasons of 1992–1993, examined their behavior with respect to prey, physiological limitations, and habitat, and made limited comparisons to observations of WS female behavior reported in the literature. ES females were not operating at the extremes of ability, with most diving within the limits of aerobic metabolism, less than one-quarter of possible foraging time during trips spent submerged and most foraging trips requiring less than one-half the lipid store fasting ability of dependent pups. Thus, females may have some capacity to alter behavior to accommodate future changes in foraging conditions, but the extent of this plasticity is unknown. Because recent work suggests WS recovery is impeded by low natality, future studies should test differences between reproductive and non-reproductive mature females in order to properly assess the contribution of foraging ecology to SSL population dynamics.
Erratum to: ''Carbon analysis using energetic ion beams'' [Nucl. Instr. and Meth. B 222 (2004) 538-546]

This paper corrects the energy calibration for the accelerator system we used for carbon cross section measurements.
Stress and psychiatric disorders

Abstract Acute and/or chronic life stressors have long been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of numerous psychiatric diseases and in the exacerbation of symptoms. Some of the evidence from life events research supporting a link between stress and psychiatric disease is reviewed. The evidence that in general dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and specifically of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), the central mediator of the mammalian stress response, plays a pre-eminent role in the pathophysiology of mood and anxiety disorders is described.
Reflections on national unity in South Africa: A comparative approach

(1992). Reflections on national unity in South Africa: A comparative approach. Third World Quarterly: Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 607-625.
Regulatory T Cells Occupy an Isolated Niche in the Intestine that Is Antigen Independent

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are CD4(+) T cells that maintain immune homeostasis and prevent autoimmunity. Like all CD4(+) T cells, Tregs require antigen-specific signals via T cell receptor-major histocompatibility complex class II (TCR-MHCII) interactions for their development. However, the requirement for MHCII in Treg homeostasis in tissues such as intestinal lamina propria (LP) is unknown. We examined LP Treg homeostasis in a transgenic mouse model that lacks peripheral TCR-MHCII interactions and generation of extrathymic Tregs (iTregs). Thymically generated Tregs entered the LP of weanlings and proliferated independently of MHCII to fill the compartment. The adult LP was a closed niche; new thymic Tregs were excluded, and Tregs in parabiotic pairs were LP resident. The isolated LP niche was interleukin-2 (IL-2) independent but dependent on commensal bacteria. Thus, an LP Treg niche can be filled, isolated, and maintained independently of antigen signals and iTregs. This niche may represent a tissue-specific mechanism for maintaining immune tolerance.
Low-temperature microbial aerobic degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment

To test for low-temperature microbial aerobic PCB degradation, water-saturated samples of PCB-contaminated upper Hudson River sediment spiked with Aroclor 1242 were incubated at 4 °C for several months. Principal components analysis of the PCBs, quantified by GC- ECD and GC-MS, indicated the loss of specific congeners within the top 15 mm of sediment. In contrast, no loss of PCBs was observed in the deeper region (>15 mm from the surface) of the sediment or in any region of similarly treated sediment samples that were autoclaved prior to Aroclor 1242 addition. Loss of specific di- and trichlorobiphenyls typical of microbial aerobic degradation was first indicated at 1.4 months, and >50% loss had occurred by 5 months. Initially, the sediment was dark brown. However, by 2 months a lighter, rust-colored layer developed at the top 6 mm that increased to ∼10 mm by 5 months and to ∼15 mm by 10 months. The color change, due at least in part to formation of hydroxylamine-reducible ferric oxide, indicated the depth to which oxygen was available and the depth to which PCB degradation occurred. In addition, chlorobenzoic acid metabolites of microbial aerobic PCB degradation were detected in the rust-colored layer. These observations demonstrate that low-temperature microbial aerobic PCB degradation can occur in PCB-contaminated sediment.
Criterion-referenced and norm-referenced assessment of minority group children

Abstract A variety of problems have been experienced with psychological assessment of minority children. Traditional norm-referenced measurement has repeatedly received criticism concerning cultural unfairness or bias. Responses to such accusations primarily have been in the form of new instrumentation aimed at attaining a culture fair assessment. Little response has been evident from a conceptual standpoint addressing the issues of purpose and use of test results Although many have turned to criterion-referenced measurement as an answer to the problems of norm-referenced evaluation, cultural bias is not necessarily avoided in this framework either. Issues of who determines criteria and what those criteria include must be addressed if criterion-referenced measurement is to meet adequately the challenge of multicultural evaluation.
Numerical simulation of fluid flow around a vertical-axis turbine

A novel, vertical-axis turbine has been designed to meet a specific power-generation need. It is intended that the turbine will provide local electricity to off-grid cellular communication towers. It is intended that the turbine will reduce or eliminate the use of diesel-power generation for these towers and result in a reduction of operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The design effort has had two main stages. First, a prototype turbine blade was designed and tested in a large-scale wind tunnel. The initial design was based on available literature information. Subsequently, numerical simulations of the fluid flow patterns around the turbine blade were used to create improvements to the design. These improvements include the use of venting apertures in the turbine blade to reduce negative drag and thrust loading and the use of caps to improve power-generation efficiency. Through numerical modeling, significant improvements in performance were achieved resulting in a viable turbine design.
Effects of 1α,25-,24R,25-, and 1α,24R,25-hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D3on calcium and phosphate absorption by duodenum from intact and nephrectomized rats

Abstract The effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 , 24 R ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and 1α,24 R ,25-trihydroxyvitamin D 3 on active calcium and phosphate transport by rat duodenum were studied in vitamin D-deficient rats that either underwent sham surgery or were bilaterally nephrectomized. Both 1α, 25-dihydroxy- and 1α,24 R ,25-trihydroxyvitamin D 3 markedly stimulated calcium and phosphate absorption with similar effects in shamoperated and nephrectomized rats. A 10-fold higher dose of 24 R ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 was required for an equivalent stimulation of absorption in sham-operated rats, and this compound had no effect on duodena from nephrectomized rats. These data provide the first evidence that 24 R ,25-dihydroxy- and 1α,24 R ,25-trihydroxyvitamin D 3 can stimulate the active intestinal absorption of phosphate. The lack of response to 24 R ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in nephrectomized rats confirms prior results which indicated that renal metabolism of this secosteroid to 1α,24,25-trihydroxyvitamin D 3 is required for biological activity. In addition, we describe a simple bioassay technique which apparently reflects, with reasonable accuracy, the changes in duodenal calcium and phosphate absorption which occur under more rigorous short-circuited conditions and, in particular, can be used for screening putative 1α-hydroxyl analogs of vitamin D in nephrectomized rats.
Antimicrobial tissue concentrations

The clinical outcome of anti-infective treatment is determined by both PK and PD properties of the antibiotic. Only the free tissue concentrations of antibiotics at the target site, which are usually lower than the total plasma concentrations, are responsible for therapeutic effect. The free antibiotic concentrations at the site of action are a more appropriate PK input value for PK-PD analysis. The unbound tissue concentrations can be measured directly by microdialysis. Using plasma concentrations overestimates the target site concentrations and its clinical efficacy. The optimal dosing regimens of antibiotics have an impact on patients' outcome and cost of therapy, and reduce the emergence of resistance.
On our knowledge of matters of fact

It is sometimes objected that if we require that knowers always be able to ground what they know, provided it is not self-evident, then what ordinarily passes for knowledge would be little of the sort. I happen to know, for example, that Alamogordo is north of El Paso, but I doubt that I could establish it froin memory: I cannot cite any authoritative inap or encyclopaedia where I saw or read it, etc. In spite of this, however, it seems to me that even the traditional account cali be defended here. For even though I may not remember wvhat specific evidence I had in coming to know the relative position of the two towns, I can still remember that I once had such evidence, and perhaps what type of evidence it was, and that I have not since then found any contrary evidence. And this, I think, is enough to justify my continuing to believe. Indeed, even just the fact that one seems to remember may be enough for those of us with a good inemory. Much of our mathematical knowledge has a similar basis. Few of us can produce mathematical proofs at will. Even if we cannot liow produce a proof, nevertheless, we may still remlember well that we once did, or at least that we once saw it don-e, and this somletimles suffices to justify present belief. Other doubts about the traditional account cannot be remo(jved so easily. Suppose, for exaimiple, that I hallucinate a bear in the
Modern treatment strategies in polycythemia vera.

Abstract Polycythemia vera (PV), one of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), is characterized by predominant erythroid proliferation and secondary platelet proliferation, and by progression from a proliferative stage to a metastatic phase and finally a malignant phase. These characteristics expose patients to increased risk for thrombohemorrhagic complications, myeloid metaplasia, myelofibrosis, and acute leukemic conversion irrespective of treatments. Currently, there are three agents—hydroxyurea (HU), interferon-alfa (IFN-α), and anagrelide—that differ in mechanisms of action and in treating specific phenotypic manifestations of PV, suggesting a potential role for combination therapy. They also differ widely in side effects profiles and severity. Because of the differing risks for long-term complications associated with these agents, age is an important variable in selecting treatments. Patients at high risk for thrombohemorrhagic complications all require cytoreduction, as do patients at intermediate risk who are not effectively managed by phlebotomy and low-dose aspirin. In younger patients, the safest and most effective combination treatment appears to be anagrelide plus IFN-α, while in older patients anagrelide plus hydroxyurea may be effective. HU is used sparingly in younger patients because of the long-term increased risk of mutagenicity and possibly leukemogenesis. IFN-α is particularly indicated for patients with myeloid metaplasia evidenced by splenomegaly. Anagrelide, which acts on the mature megakaryocyte to prevent platelet budding, is uniquely efficacious in the control of platelet counts. Semin Hematol 40 (suppl 1):26-29. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Can we measure success in preventing child abuse? Issues in policy, programming and research.

Can we measure success in preventing child abuse? As the field of child abuse and neglect prevention matures intellectually and as more and more agencies require evaluative research to substantiate claims of programmatic success, this issue is emerging with ever growing vigor. This paper reviews efforts to set prevention goals in the United States, e.g., by the federal government's Surgeon General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and by the National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse. For such goal setting to be defensible and socially productive, it must be linked to a research base. This research base is growing and maturing. The home health visitor concept, in particular, has received clear and powerful support as a preventive strategy. However, many issues remain concerning other strategies. Of equal or greater importance are the many difficulties we face in documenting base rates of maltreatment with which to assess the impact of preventive interventions. Questions remain about the adequacy of infant mortality data, child injury rates, and the validity of officially reported cases of child maltreatment. The paper reviews the data available to clarify and resolve these issues, and outlines a strategy for assessing success of efforts to reduce severity and incidence of child abuse in the United States. These efforts are presented in the context of a series of principles regarding child abuse prevention, e.g., the difference between prevention linked to broad social and economic reforms versus preventive programming targeted at ameliorating the lives of high-risk families in the absence of broad socioeconomic change.