cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Threat-protection mechanics of an armored fish

Abstract It has been hypothesized that predatory threats are a critical factor in the protective functional design of biological exoskeletons or “natural armor”, having arisen through evolutionary processes. Here, the mechanical interaction between the ganoid armor of the predatory fish Polypterus senegalus and one of its current most aggressive threats, a toothed biting attack by a member of its own species (conspecific), is simulated and studied. Finite element analysis models of the quad-layered mineralized scale and representative teeth are constructed and virtual penetrating biting events simulated. Parametric studies reveal the effects of tooth geometry, microstructure and mechanical properties on its ability to effectively penetrate into the scale or to be defeated by the scale, in particular the deformation of the tooth versus that of the scale during a biting attack. Simultaneously, the role of the microstructure of the scale in defeating threats as well as providing avenues of energy dissipation to withstand biting attacks is identified. Microstructural length scale and material property length scale matching between the threat and armor is observed. Based on these results, a summary of advantageous and disadvantageous design strategies for the offensive threat and defensive protection is formulated. Studies of predator-prey threat-protection interactions may lead to insights into adaptive phenotypic plasticity of the tooth and scale microstructure and geometry, “adaptive stalemates” and the so-called evolutionary “arms race”.
Excitonic enhancement of two-photon absorption in semiconductor quantum-well structures

A theoretical treatment of the excitonic enhancement of two-photon absorption is presented for quasi-twodimensional quantum-well structures. The two-photon absorption coefficient and the nonlinear index of refraction are calculated for TM and TE polarizations. Significant enhancement is observed in the TM case as a result of excitonic effects. This treatment differs from previous ones in that simple analytical expressions are derived. Moreover, we consider the asymptotic behavior as the size of the quantum well increases toward a three-dimensional system.
Measurement of the Rates of Secretion and of Peripheral Metabolism of Two Interconvertible Compounds: Dehydroisoandrosterone-Dehydroisoandrosterone Sulfate

The problem of determining the secretory rate of 2 peripherally interconvertible hormones by tracer techniques has been examined. A mathematical analysis has afforded expressions from which the calculations can be made of the rates of irreversible production of the interconvertible hormones in such a pair as well as the rates of their interconversion. Special cases in which some of the rates of secretion or interconversion are zero have been considered. The applicability of the analysis to the pair, dehydroisoandrosterone-dehydroisoandrosterone sulfate is discussed.
Pervaporation separation of aromatic/aliphatic hydrocarbons by crosslinked poly(methyl acrylate-co-acrylic acid) membranes

Abstract Copolymers of methyl acrylate and acrylic acid were synthesized to fabricate membranes ionically crosslinked using aluminum acetylacetonate for the separation of toluene/ i -octane mixtures by pervaporation at high temperatures. The formation of the ionic crosslinking via bare aluminum cations was characterized by UV–VIS spectroscopy and solubility tests. Reproducibility and the reliability of the methodology for membrane formation and crosslinking were confirmed. The effects of acrylic acid content, crosslinking conditions, pervaporation temperature, and feed composition on the normalized flux and the selectivity for toluene/ i -octane mixtures were determined. A typical crosslinked membrane showed a normalized flux of 26 kg μm m −2 h −1 and a selectivity of 13 for a 50/50 wt.% feed mixture at 100°C. The pervaporation properties including solubility selectivity and diffusivity selectivity are discussed in terms of swelling behavior. The performance of the current membranes were benchmarked against other membrane materials reported in the literature.
An Interconnection Architecture for Seamless Inter and Intra-Chip Communication Using Wireless Links

With increase in complexity of multicore chips, efficiency of data transfer between cores of a chip is becoming increasingly challenging. Several novel on-chip network architectures are proposed to improve the design flexibility and communication efficiency in multicore chips. On the other hand, computing modules in typical data center nodes or server racks consist of several multicore chips on either a board or in a System-in-Package (SiP) environment. State-of-the-art interchip communication over wireline channels require data signals to travel from internal nets to the peripheral I/O ports and then get routed over the interchip channels to the destination chip. After reaching the destination chip they will be finally routed from the I/O to the internal nets there. This multihop communication increases latency and energy consumption while decreasing data bandwidth in a multichip system. Moreover, intrachip and interchip communication within such a multichip system is often decoupled to facilitate design flexibility. However, a seamless interconnection between on-chip and off-chip data transfer can improve the communication efficiency significantly. In this work we propose the design of a seamless hybrid wired and wireless interconnection network for multichip systems in a package with dimensions spanning up to tens of centimeters with on-chip wireless transceivers. This enables direct chip-to-chip communication between internal cores. We demonstrate with cycle accurate simulations that such a design increases the bandwidth and reduces the energy consumption in comparison to state-of-the-art wireline I/O based multichip communication.
Variations regarding susto causality among the Cakchiquel of Guatemala.

George Foster's model of ‘personalistic’ and ‘naturalistic’ disease theories is employed in the present analysis of fright-sickness among Cakchiquel villagers in highland Guatemala. Field data from Panajachel and San Antonio Aguas Calientes suggest that pronounced intrasocietal competition favors personalistic interpretation, with sorcery cited as the ultimate source, rather than naturalistic interpretation, which emphasizes chance or destiny. Village differences in subsistence ecology and internal competition apparently underlie variations in both the social function and assumed etiology of fright-sickness.
Reaction-Time Differences Between the Left and Right Hemispheres for Face and Letter Discrimination in Children and adults

Summary Twenty boys at each age level 7, 10, and 13 years and 20 adult males were tested for choice manual reaction times to photographs of faces or letter pairs tachistoscopically presented 31/2° to the left or 31/2° to the right of a central fixation point, in the left visual field (LVF) or the right visual field (RVF ) respectively. all subjects were right-handed. Subjects were tested monocularly. They used a different hand and a different eye in the first and second half of trials. Eye order and hand order were randomized across subjects. Seven- and 10-year-olds were intermittently rewarded with a poker chip following fast correct responses. analysis of correct reaction time scores indicated an overall LVF superiority for the speed of response to faces, but no significant field differences for responses to letter pairs. The interaction of these field-stimulus effects with age was not significant, suggesting that the obtained field effects with faces and letter pairs were consistent across the range of ages tested. The results of comparisons of field differences within individual subjects suggested a “switchover” from a leftfield advantage with letter pairs at age 7 to a right-field advantage at the adult level; this tendency, however, was not significant. None of these results was influenced by the use of different hands or eyes or to frequencies of commission of errors. The results suggested that a left-field advantage in speed of response to familiarized faces is found as early as 7 years of age and does not change appreciably thereafter. The finding of a significant left-field advantage for faces in the 7-year-old group represented an earlier age of left-field, right hemisphere lateralization for face stimuli than that previously obtained by other investigators. The failure to find overall field differences with letter pairs was attributed to a possible tendency among subjects to process to letters visually (i.e., graphemically), a tendency which may have been more marked in the 7-year-old group due to the relative inexperience of children of this age with alphabetical material.
Effect of Drug Information Request Templates on Pharmacy Student Compliance with the Modified Systematic Approach to Answering Drug Information Questions

Background:The modified systematic approach to answering drug information questions is a technique used in drug information practice and in teaching pharmacy students to effectively provide drug information. Drug information request templates were developed to prompt students and other trainees to ask appropriate background questions and perform an effective search.Objective:An evaluation was conducted to determine whether use of drug information templates by fourth-year pharmacy students during their drug information experiential rotation improved compliance with the modified systematic approach.Methods:Fifty documented drug information requests, including 25 prior to template implementation (August 2005–August 2006) and 25 after template implementation (August 2007–August 2008), were randomly selected for evaluation. Each question was evaluated for completeness of background information obtained, categorization and identification of the ultimate question, completeness of references searched, and formula...
Calibration and characterization of a digital camera for bidirectional reflectance distribution function retrieval of vicarious calibration sites

This work describes the calibration and characterization of a commercial digital camera that is being evaluated as a potential inexpensive imaging system to measure the bidirectional reflectance factor of the test site surfaces that are used by the Remote Sensing Group for the ground-based vicarious calibration of airborne and spaceborne systems. The main advantage to using a lightweight digital camera in combination with a fisheye lens is that a test site can be simultaneously spatially and spectrally sampled with greater ease. The motivation for using an inexpensive, lightweight digital camera to measure surface bidirectional distribution factor is the ability to spatially sample many points on the ground. An additional benefit to such cameras is their ability to operate without the need for cooling, which was required on a previous camera system developed at the Remote Sensing Group. Laboratory measurements include the gain and offset, spectral responsivity, linearity, cosine response, and point spread function. The results show that the uniformity of the Nikon detector array ranges from 0.7%-1.2%. The spectral bandwidth is approximately 90 nm for the blue channel, and 110 nm for the green, and 75 nm for the red channel. Linearity measurements show that the camera responsivity is nonlinear due to the internal image-processing algorithms, and a logarithmic fitting function is suggested. Measurements of the camera response versus the angle of incidence reveal that the camera does not exhibit a cos4 falloff on detector irradiance as one would expect, which is another consequence of the internal algorithms.
Estrogen Promotes Germ Cell and Seminiferous Tubule Development in the Baboon Fetal Testis

The foundation for development of the male reproduction system occurs in utero, but relatively little is known about the regulation of primate fetal testis maturation. Our laboratories have shown that estrogen regulates key aspects of the physiology of pregnancy and fetal development. Therefore, in the present study, we characterized and quantified germ cells and Sertoli cells in the fetal baboon testis in late normal gestation (i.e., Day 165; term is 184 days) and in baboons administered the aromatase inhibitor letrozole throughout the second half of gestation to assess the impact of endogenous estrogen on fetal testis development. In untreated baboons, the seminiferous cords were comprised of undifferentiated (i.e., type A) spermatogonia classified by their morphology as dark (Ad) or pale (Ap), gonocytes (precursors of type A spermatogonia), unidentified cells (UI), and Sertoli cells. In letrozole-treated baboons, serum estradiol levels were decreased by 95%. The number per milligram of fetal testis (×104) of Ad spermatogonia (0.42 ± 0.11) was 45% lower (P = 0.03), and that of gonocytes (0.58 ± 0.06) and UI (0.45 ± 0.12) was twofold greater (P < 0.01 and P = 0.06, respectively), than in untreated baboons. Moreover, in the seminiferous cords of estrogen-deprived baboons, the basement membrane appeared fragmented, the germ cells and Sertoli cells appeared disorganized, and vacuoles were present. We conclude that endogenous estrogen promotes fetal testis development and that the changes in the germ cell population in the estrogen-deprived baboon fetus may impair spermatogenesis and fertility in adulthood.
La necesidad de diseñar, implementar y mantener un sistema de educación dental internacional/global

Antes de que la medicina o la odontologia pudieran enfrentar a las enfermedades con la promesa del beneficio de los cuidados, ambas tuvieron que volverse cientificas. Durante los ultimos cien anos literalmente ha habido revoluciones en la fisica, quimica, biologia, ingenieria electrica, aviacion y navegacion, comunicacion, medicina, odontologia, en la industria farmaceutica, enfermeria, asi como en todas las ciencias afines a la salud tales como la terapeutica fisica y la biocinesiologia. Durante estos ultimos cien anos, la medicina y la odontologia se han ido transformando hasta convertirse en areas del conocimiento cientificamente orientados y basados en evidencia.
The Glycoprotein D (US6) Homolog Is Not Essential for Oncogenicity or Horizontal Transmission of Marek’s Disease Virus

RB1BUS6lacgpt, a Marek’s disease virus (MDV) mutant having a disrupted glycoprotein D (gD) homolog gene, established infection and induced tumors in chickens exposed to it by inoculation or by contact. Lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from RB1BUS6lacgpt-induced tumors harbored only the mutant virus. These results provide strong evidence that an intact gD homolog gene is not essential for oncogenicity or horizontal transmission of MDV.
Self-reported familiarity with acute respiratory infection guidelines and antibiotic prescribing in primary care

Objective. Familiarity with guidelines is generally thought to be associated with guideline implementation, adherence and improved quality of care. We sought to determine if self-reported familiarity with acute respiratory infection (ARI) antibiotic treatment guidelines was associated with reduced or more appropriate antibiotic prescribing for ARIs in primary care. Design, Setting, Participants and Main Outcome Measures. We surveyed primary care clinicians about their familiarity with ARI antibiotic treatment guidelines and linked responses to administrative diagnostic and prescribing data for non-pneumonia ARI visits. Results. Sixty-five percent of clinicians responded to the survey question about guideline familiarity. There were 208 survey respondents who had ARI patient visits during the study period. Respondents reported being ‘not at all’ (7%), ‘somewhat’ (30%), ‘moderately’ (45%) or ‘extremely’ (18%) familiar with the guidelines. After dichotomizing responses, compared with clinicians who reported being less familiar with the guidelines, clinicians who reported being more familiar with the guidelines had higher rates of antibiotic prescribing for all ARIs combined (46% versus 38%; n ¼ 11 164; P , 0.0001), for antibioticappropriate diagnoses (69% versus 59%; n ¼ 3213; P , 0.0001) and for non-antibiotic appropriate diagnoses (38% versus 28%; n ¼ 7951; P , 0.0001). After adjusting for potential confounders, self-reported guideline familiarity was an independent predictor of increased antibiotic prescribing (odds ratio, 1.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.25 – 1.48). Conclusions. Self-reported familiarity with an ARI antibiotic treatment guideline was, seemingly paradoxically, associated with increased antibiotic prescribing. Self-reported familiarity with guidelines should not be assumed to be associated with consistent guideline adherence or higher quality of care.
Minimum dependence distance tiling of nested loops with non-uniform dependences

We address the problem of partitioning nested loops with non-uniform (irregular) dependence vectors. Although many methods exist for nested loop partitioning, most of these perform poorly when parallelizing nested loops with irregular dependencies. We apply the results of classical convex theory and principles of linear programming to iteration spaces and show the correspondence between minimum dependence distance computation and iteration space tiling. The cross-iteration dependencies are analyzed by forming an Integer Dependence Convex Hull (IDCH). A simple way to compute minimum dependence distances from the dependence distance vectors of the extreme points of the IDCH is presented. Using these minimum dependence distances the iteration space can be tiled. Iterations in a tile can be executed in parallel and the tiles can be executed with proper synchronization. We demonstrate that our technique gives much better speedup and extracts more parallelism than the existing techniques. >
Congestion Prediction based on NexRad Radar with Application to In-vehicle Information

This paper develops a quantitative relationship between Nexrad radar reflectivity and surface traffic conditions. Data from two data mines on the University of Washington campus are combined to evaluate the quantitative relationship between freeway speed reduction and rain fall rate as measured by Doppler radar. Radar data are converted into rainfall rates and speed data from the inductance loop speed traps are converted into a deviations from a normal performance measure. The deviation from normal and the rainfall rate are used to construct an impulse response function that can be applied to radar measurements to predict traffic speed reduction. These data can then be made available in-vehicle as a new form of real-time traveler information.
A fully statistical framework for shape detection in image primitives

We present a fully statistical framework for detecting pre-determined shape classes in 2D clouds of primitives (points, edges, and arcs), which are in turn extracted from images. An important goal is to provide a likelihood, and thus a confidence, of finding a shape class in a given data. This requires a model-based approach. We use a composite Poisson process: 1D Poisson process for primitives belonging to shapes and a 2D Poisson process for primitives belonging to clutter. An additive Gaussian model is assumed for noise in shape primitives. Combining these with a past stochastic model on shapes of continuous 2D contours, and optimization over unknown pose and scale, we develop a generalized likelihood ratio test for shape detection. We demonstrate the efficiency of this method and its robustness to clutter using both simulated and real data.
Laser-MBE deposition of epitaxial oxides and nitrides using ultrafast laser pulses

Summary form only given.A laser-MBE system, operating at a base pressure of 5/spl times/10/sup -9/ Torr, is used in conjunction with a 10-Hz ultrafast laser facility for monolayer deposition of various oxide (SnO/sub 2/) and nitride (TiN and BN) thin films under laser-induced gas discharge conditions. The laser delivers pulses in the range of 80 to 150 fs, which are capable of depositing approximately 0.01 monolayer per pulse. Details of the growth mechanisms are followed using a RHEED in-situ monitor where single atomic layer growth processes may be observed. In this way, we have grown extremely high-quality epitaxial films of SnO/sub 2/ on sapphire.
Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of Caltha (Ranunculaceae) based on analyses of multiple nuclear and plastid sequences

Caltha is a widely distributed genus in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) showing interesting distribution patterns in both hemispheres. Evolutionary history of Caltha was examined by means of phylogenetic, molecular dating, and historical biogeographic analyses with a more comprehensive sampling than previous studies. The internal transcribed spacer from the nuclear genome and trnL-F and atpB-rbcL regions from the plastid genome were used and analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian methods. Divergence time was estimated using Bayesian dating analyses with multiple fossil calibrations. Historical biogeography was inferred using the Bayes-DIVA method implemented in RASP. We obtained a well-resolved and well-supported phylogeny within the Caltha lineage. Caltha natans Pall. diverged first from the genus and the other species grouped into two clades. Our expanded sampling scheme revealed a complicated evolutionary pattern in the C. palustris complex. Caltha sinogracilis W. T. Wang was resolved to be a member of the C. palustris complex, rather than closely related to C. scaposa Hook. f. & Thomson. Caltha rubriflora B. L. Burtt & Lauener was also revealed to be not just a red-flower form of C. sinogracilis. The diversification of the genus began at 50.5 mya (95% high posterior density: 37.1–63.9 mya), and its ancestral range was very probably in the Northern Hemisphere. The South American species may derive from western North American ancestors that dispersed along the western American Cordillera during the Cenozoic era. The vicariance model of the Southern Hemisphere species proposed by a previous study was rejected in this study.
Assuming the Costs of War: Events, Elites, and American Public Support for Military Conflict

Many political scientists and policymakers argue that unmediated events—the successes and failures on the battlefield—determine whether the mass public will support military excursions. The public supports war, the story goes, if the benefits of action outweigh the costs of conflict. Other scholars contend that the balance of elite discourse influences public support for war. I draw upon survey evidence from World War II and the current war in Iraq to come to a common conclusion regarding public support for international interventions. I find little evidence that citizens make complex cost/benefit calculations when evaluating military action. Instead, I find that patterns of elite conflict shape opinion concerning war. When political elites disagree as to the wisdom of intervention, the public divides as well. But when elites come to a common interpretation of a political reality, the public gives them great latitude to wage war.
A subpicosecond tunable ring dye laser and its applications to time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy

The design and operation of a subpicosecond CW passively mode-locked dye laser is described. The laser is tunable, stable, and operates at a low power threshold (below 1 W). The use of this laser in a new time-resolved fluorescence technique is also described.
DUALITY THEORY AND VALUE CONSTRAINT

In this paper, the authors generalize the quantity rationing problem and assume that, rather than quantities being constrained, the decisionmaker has to spend a certain amount on some goods. They show that the cost function inferred from this model need not be quasi-concave in prices. The authors end the paper by showing how a duality theory may be developed under these conditions. Copyright 1993 by Scottish Economic Society.
El Niño–southern oscillation influences on rice production in Sri Lanka

Despite advances in the capacity to predict the evolution of the El Ni˜ no–southern oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and advances in understanding the influence of ENSO on rainfall in tropical regions such as Sri Lanka, there has been limited use of climate predictions for agricultural decision-making. Climatic fluctuations have a profound influence on the cultivation of crops such as rice, which is the staple food in Sri Lanka. Here, the relationship between the sea-surface temperature-based ENSO index of NINO3.4, rainfall and the departure of Sri Lankan rice production from long-term trends, is analysed for the ‘Maha’ (October to March) and ‘Yala ’ (April to September) cultivation seasons between 1952 and 1997. During the El Ni˜ no phase, the Maha rice production frequently increased (10 out of 15 seasons) and the Yala production frequently decreased (10 out of 14 seasons). Conversely, during the La Ni˜ na phase, the Maha production decreased (seven out of ten seasons) and Yala production increased (six out of eight seasons). Floods, state interventions, civil disturbances, fertilizer price hikes and extreme anomalies in the previous season were noted in the majority of seasons in which these ENSO–production linkages were violated. The correlation of the Maha rice production anomaly with the average NINO3.4 from October to December was significant at the 5% level and that with the aggregate October to December rainfall was significant at the 1% level. Yala rice production showed a significant relationship with concurrent NINO3.4 and a strong correlation (r = 0.60) with the previous season’s rainfall. Yala cultivation is water constrained, and carryover storage from the previous season is often used to determine the extent of planting. The relationships between ENSO and seasonal rice production and the relationship between Yala rice production and previous Maha rainfall could be used for agricultural management and policy formulation. Copyright  2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Advancing Pharmacy Practice Through Social Theory

Although there is a substantial role for social theory in explaining patients’ health behaviors, it does not appear that pharmacists commonly use such theories to provide patient care. This paper attempts to demonstrate an explicit link between social theory and pharmacy practice. The theory of structure and agency and the practice problem of poor medication adherence (MA) in patients with HIV/AIDS are used as exemplars to illustrate such a link. Factors influencing MA were identified from qualitative studies of adherence in patients with HIV/AIDS. All factors identified were stratified into one of four categories: agency related factors that facilitate MA; agency related factors that are barriers to MA; structural factors that facilitate MA; structural factors that are barriers to MA. Stratifying MA in this manner allows pharmacists to identify clinical interventions that are targeted towards the specific cause of MA problems.
DECOMPOSITION-BASED ASSEMBLY SYNTHESIS OF A 3D BODY-IN-WHITE MODEL FOR STRUCTURAL STIFFNESS

This paper presents an extension of our previous work on decomposition-based assembly synthesis for structural stiffness (1), where the 3D finite element model of a vehicle body-in- white (BIW) is optimally decomposed into a set of components considering the stiffness of the assembled structure under given loading conditions, as well as the manufacturability and assembleability of components. Two case studies, each focusing on the decomposition of a different portion of a BIW, are discussed. In the first case study, the side frame is decomposed for the minimum distortion of front door frame geometry under global bending. In the second case study, the side/floor frame and floor panels are decomposed for the minimum floor deflections under global bending. In each case study, multi-objective genetic algorithm (2,3) with graph-based crossover (4,5), combined with FEM analyses, is used to obtain Pareto optimal solutions. Representative designs are selected from the Pareto front and trade-offs among stiffness, manufacturability, and assembleability are discussed.
Ratification counts: US investment treaties and FDI flows into developing countries

ABSTRACT The proliferation of North–South bilateral investment treaties (BITs), which provide investors with favorable treatment and legal protections, is one of the most remarkable trends of the contemporary global economy. Presumably, developing countries conclude these agreements in order to attract much-needed capital to their economies. Although the positive effect of BITs on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows may seem straightforward, the findings produced by extant research are mixed. This article advances the study of the relationship between BITs and FDI in two manners. First, it draws attention to the often underappreciated distinction between signed and mutually-ratified treaties. It argues that only BITs in force function as a costly signal of pro-investment climate and a credible commitment to the protection of FDI. Second, it employs a comprehensive data set on American investment in developing countries to empirically evaluate the effect of BITs on FDI inflows. Employing a variety of m...
Is it a Gender Gap or a GenderED Gap? Gendered Personalities and Political Behavior

While partisan "gender gap" research focuses on biological sex as the key to understanding the gap, almost none of the research actually hypothesizes that biological distinctions are at the heart of it. Addressing this paradox, I argue that biological sex is merely a corollary of a gender-related gap in political differences, not a cause. I offer a "gendered gap" theory positing that gendered personalities are at the heart of political differences we traditionally attribute to men and women. Holding feminine personality traits drives individuals, regardless of sex, towards Democratic leanings while masculine traits encourage Republican preferences. This paper presents an analysis of gendered personality effects on individuals’ party affiliation and partisan vote choices in 2008 and 2010, using an original national survey. The results demonstrate that gendered personalities contribute to partisan differences, explaining the small amount of variance traditionally explained by biological sex (both theoretically and statistically) and more.
Field-Measured, Hourly Soil Water Evaporation Stages in Relation to Reference Evapotranspiration Rate and Soil to Air Temperature Ratio

Upon wetting, soil water evaporation ( E ) is controlled by available energy (Stage 1, or S1), and once water becomes limiting, also by soil hydraulic characteristics (Stage 2, or S2). Determination of the transitioning between stages is important for estimating E. The objectives of this research were to compare changes in E in relation to reference evapotranspiration (ETo), or E ETo −1 , and to the ratio of surface soil temperature ( T s ) and air temperature ( T a ), or T s T a −1 , using its change from 1 as a means to identify stage transitions. Hourly E measurements were made in 17 measurement runs after irrigations ranging from 9 to 52 mm in weighing lysimeters containing clay loam, silt loam, sandy loam, and fine sand at Bushland, TX. On the day of irrigation, E exceeded ETo by 21% on average. The 3-d total E losses from bare soils averaged 47% of irrigation amounts >30 mm, 72% of irrigation amounts E averaged 28% of total E losses. On the day of irrigation, E /ETo relationships were similar for the four soils, indicating that soil texture had no effect on E /ETo during S1. The T s T a −1 ratio exhibited a consistent response to drying rate changes. For E > ETo, T s T a −1 remained ≤0.9, but would be ≥1.0 when E was ≤ETo. By using criteria based on T s T a −1 , estimates of readily available (REW) and total evaporable water (TEW) were variable but often larger for REW and within 3.5 mm for TEW, when compared with published values.
On the Supposed Expertise of Judges in Evaluating Evidence

This article is a response to Frederick Schauer, On the Supposed Jury-Dependence of Evidence Law, 155 U. Pa. L. Rev. 165 (2006). In bench trial judges often feel free to disregard some of the exclusionary rules of evidence. Such rules were designed to prevent jurors from hearing evidence that might be over-relied on or used inappropriately (e.g., be more prejudicial than probative). Judges, however, sometimes assume that they, unlike jurors, could hear the evidence and then give it the appropriate weight. A justification for this variation in procedure is that judges are experts. I dispute that claim relying on definitions of expertise from cognitive psychology. Judges might very be experts at reading and applying case law but, I argue, there is nothing in their training (either as lawyers or as judges) or their experiences that should make them better than jurors at the job of weighting evidence.
White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) fawn risk from Gray Wolf ( Canis lupus ) predation during summer

Little is known about how often various prey animals are at risk of predation by Gray Wolves ( Canis lupus ). We used a system to monitor the presence during the day of two radio-collared Gray Wolves within 2 km of a radio-collared White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ) with a fawn or fawns in August 2013 in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota. We concluded that the fawn or fawns were at risk of predation by at least one wolf at least daily.
Cytokines link osteoblasts and inflammation : microarray analysis of interleukin-17- and TNF-α-induced genes in bone cells

The novel cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 has been implicated in many infectious and autoimmune settings, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Consistent with its proinflammatory effects on bone, osteoblast cells are highly responsive to IL-17, particularly in combination with other inflammatory cytokines. To better understand the spectrum of activities controlled by IL-17, we globally profiled genes regulated by IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in the preosteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1. Using Affymetrix microarrays, 80-90 genes were up-regulated, and 19-50 genes were down-regulated with IL-17 and TNF-alpha as compared with TNF-alpha alone. These included proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, inflammatory genes, transcriptional regulators, bone-remodeling genes, signal transducers, cytoskeletal genes, genes involved in apoptosis, and several unknown or unclassified genes. The CXC family chemokines were most dramatically induced by IL-17 and TNF-alpha, confirming the role of IL-17 as a potent mediator of inflammation and neutrophil recruitment. Several transcription factor-related genes involved in inflammatory gene expression were also enhanced, including molecule possessing ankyrin repeats induced by lipopolysaccharide/inhibitor of kappaBzeta (MAIL/kappaBzeta), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (C/EBPdelta), and C/EBPbeta. We also identified the acute-phase gene lipocalin-2 (LCN2/24p3) as a novel IL-17 target, which is regulated synergistically by TNF-alpha and IL-17 at the level of its promoter. A similar but not identical pattern of genes was induced by IL-17 and TNF-alpha in ST2 bone marrow stromal cells and murine embryonic fibroblasts. This study provides a profile of genes regulated by IL-17 and TNF-alpha in osteoblasts and suggests that in bone, the major function of IL-17 is to cooperate and/or synergize with other cytokines to amplify inflammation.
A Microscale Study of the Impact of Bubble Growth Dynamics on Surface Heat Flux in Microchannel Flow Boiling Process

In this study, the physics of microscale heat transfer events at the wall-fluid interface during the growth of a moving bubble in a microchannel is analyzed. The study is enabled through development of a novel device that utilizes 53 microscale platinum resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) embedded in a composite substrate made of a high thermal conductivity material coated by a thin layer of a low thermal conductivity material. This sensors arrangement enables resolving the thermal field at the bubble-wall interface with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions of 40–65 μm and 50 μs, respectively. To prevent random bubble inception, a 300 nm in diameter cavity is fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB) at the center of a pulsed function microheater. A detailed analysis of the surface heat transfer events and their relations to time scale of formation and dimensions of bubbles are conducted to decipher the underlying physics of the flow boiling process. Experimental results show that four mechanisms of heat transfer are active as a bubble grows and flows through the channel. These mechanisms of heat transfer are 1) microlayer evaporation, 2) interline evaporation, 3) transient conduction, and 4) micro-convection. The results suggest that the average surface heat flux enhances as the bubble grows in size resulting in expansion of the surface area over which the thin film evaporation mechanism is active. Above a certain bubble size, the average surface heat flux declines due to the formation of a dry region at the bubble-wall interface. Hence, the results indicate that there is an optimal bubble length at which the average surface heat flux is maximum.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Interfacial behavior of OEG-linear dendron monolayers: aggregation, nanostructuring, and electropolymerizability.

We report on the interesting interfacial behavior of oligoethylene glycol or OEGylated linear dendron monolayers at the air–water interface as a function of (a) carbazole dendron generation, (b) the length of the OEG units, and (c) the surface pressure applied upon compression. Surface pressure–area isotherms, hysteresis studies, and isobaric creep measurement revealed a structure–property relationship consistent with the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance of a linear dendron with the OEG group serving as the surface anchor to the water subphase. AFM studies revealed that all the OEGylated carbazole dendrons self-assemble into spherical morphology at low surface pressures but form ribbonlike structures as the surface pressure is increased. This nanostructuring is primarily imparted by the increase in van der Waals forces with increasing amount of carbazole units per dendron generation on a hydrophilic mica surface. Further, electrochemical cross-linking of the carbazole molecules by cyclic voltammetery (CV) o...
DYNAMIC STALL GENERATED AIRFOIL OSCILLATIONS INCLUDING CHAOTIC RESPONSES

A model is developed and utilized to investigate the effect of separated flow, specifically dynamic stall, on stall flutter, including nonlinear flow induced airfoil response. The periodic and chaotic motions of an airfoil experiencing dynamic stall are investigated by means of a typical section airfoil and a semi-empirical dynamic stall model. This relatively simple model captures the nonlinear airfoil behavior generated by the dynamic stall and is also used to investigate bifurcations and routes to chaos. The characteristic route to chaos is found to be the quasi-periodic scenario, with the Poincare" section map, the Power Spectral Density and the Lyapunov exponents determined to provide an understanding of the fundamental mechanisms.
Limited irradiance, artificial fluorescent irradiance, and nitrate-N:ammonium-N impact on biomass and essential oil production of Ocimum basilicum L.

In the United States, there is an increasing trend in consumer participation in herb gardening. One of the more popular herbs available, basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a culinary herb with a wide variety of uses and cultivars. With an increased need to support the growing demand for herbs, it is important to understand how various growing practices impact basil production. In particular, this research investigates several aspects of growing basil, including how limited irradiance, artificial fluorescent irradiance, and nitrate-N:ammonium-N fertilizer influences growth and essential oil production. In our limited irradiance study, ‘Genovese’ basil plants were grown in a greenhouse under shade structures that provided 0%, 30%, 50%, or 70% shade. Basil fresh weight and shoot indices increased as percent shade decreased. Essential oil peak areas were predicted to be the greatest for eucalyptol at 60% shade, linalool at 30% shade, and eugenol at 40% shade. Irradiance intensity is typically suboptimal for growing plants indoors. Fluorescent lighting systems are recommended for supplemental lighting in a residential setting. In our study with basil, it was found that plants grown under fluorescent grow lamps tended to have higher shoot indices and higher fresh weight compared with plants grown under cool white fluorescent lamps; yet no differences were found in essential oil content among lighting systems tested. Nitrate and ammonium forms of N are commonly used to fertilize plants. Different nitrate-N:ammonium-N treatments were tested with basil plants, which included 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 and a non-fertilized control to compare plant growth and essential oil content. Basil plants grown with a nitrate-N:ammonium-N of
Role of autophagy in differential sensitivity of hepatocarcinoma cells to sorafenib.

AIM: To investigate the role of sorafenib (SFN) in autophagy of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated how SFN affects autophagy signaling pathway in human HCC cell lines. METHODS: Two different human HCC cell lines, Hep3B and Huh7, were subjected to different concentrations of SFN. Cell viability and onset of apoptosis were determined with colorimetric assay and immunoblotting analysis, respectively. The changes in autophagy-related proteins, including LC3, ULK1, AMPK, and LKB, were determined with immunoblotting analysis in the presence or absence of SFN. To assess autophagic dynamics, autophagic flux was measured with chloroquine, a lysosomal inhibitor. The autophagic responsiveness between different HCC cell lines was compared under the autophagy enhancing conditions. RESULTS: Hep3B cells were significantly more resistant to SFN than Huh7 cells. Immunoblotting analysis revealed a marked increase in SFN-mediated autophagy flux in Huh7 cells, which was, however, absent in Hep3B cells. While both starvation and rapamycin enhanced autophagy in Huh7 cells, only rapamycin increased autophagy in Hep3B cells. Immunoblotting analysis of autophagy initiation proteins showed that SFN substantially increased phosphorylation of AMPK and consequently autophagy in Huh7, but not in Hep3B cells. CONCLUSION: The autophagic responsiveness to SFN is distinct between Hep3B and Huh7 cells. Resistance of Hep3B cells to SFN may be associated with altered autophagy signaling pathways.
Design and Research for DDA Interpolation Algorithm Based on dsPIC

Make use of dsPIC30 F series of digital signal controllers as hardware control core which is produced by Microship,build the appropriate hardware system. Adopt DDA method to achieve linear and circular interpolation. Aid MPLAB-IDE software development environment,using C language designed DDA interpolation algorithm to achieve a high-precision,high-efficiency,low-cost liner and circular interpolation.In this papper,algorithm simulation results show that,compared with the point-by-point comparision algorithm,for liner interpolation,DDA algorithm improve the interpolation efficiency more than 40%,interpolation accuracy more than 50%,for circular interpolation semi-loaded DDA improve efficiency more than10%,interpolation accuracy more than 29%.
142 FREQUENCY AND IMPACT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY COUNSELING IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.

Background Despite the benefits of physical activity, overall engagement time in physical activity is low among American youth, even among preschool-aged children. Parental perceptions and attitudes may be influential in promoting physical activity in children. Objective To assess parental receipt of physical activity health promotion counseling for their children and associations with perceptions and attitudes regarding physical activity and television viewing in their preschool children. Study Design As part of an intervention to increase physical activity in a group of inner city, Title I, preschool children, a questionnaire regarding physical activity was completed by the preschooler9s parent (or guardian). Questions assessed frequency of parental counseling by school or health provider, parental perception of activity level, time engaged in television viewing and eating dinner while watching television. Frequencies of responses were obtained for each question and chi-square analysis was used to assess the relationship between variables of interest. Results 1,178 parents were surveyed. 1,100 (93%) completed part or all of the questionnaire. Overall 88% of respondents felt their child got about the right amount or too much physical activity. Children9s TV/computer/video time was reported as $ 2 hours/day for 38% on weekdays and 57% on weekends while 62% of children ate dinner at least 2 times a week while watching television. Overall, only 22% of parents felt their child9s TV/computer/video time was too much. The association between perceptions of the right amount of TV viewing and the hours of television viewed was significant (p Conclusion Many preschool parents do not receive counseling about the importance of physical activity and decreasing sedentary behaviors at their child9s school or by health providers. Parental receipt of counseling at their child9s health clinic but not school was related to their child9s physical activity time. It was not related to children9s sedentary behaviors or parent9s perceptions about these behaviors.
Dose-dependent immunomodulating effects of endotoxin in allergic airway inflammation.

How very high exposure levels to endotoxin in a farming environment provide protection against respiratory allergic symptoms and low-to-moderate levels of endotoxin in urban homes promote allergic ...
The Symmetry, or Lack of it, Between Matter and Antimatter

This talk reviews the history of ideas on antimatter, the symmetry of physical laws for matter and antimatter, and the breaking of that symmetry, in these laws and in the evolution of the Universe.
Neural Substrates of Depression and Resilience

There is an urgent need for more effective medications to treat major depressive disorder, as fewer than half of depressed patients achieve full remission and many are not responsive with currently available antidepressant medications or psychotherapy. It is known that prolonged stressful events are an important risk factor for major depressive disorder. However, there are prominent individual variations in response to stress: a relatively small proportion of people (10-20%) experiencing prolonged stress develop stress-related psychiatric disorders, including depression (susceptibility to stress), whereas most stress-exposed individuals maintain normal psychological functioning (resilience to stress). There have been growing efforts to investigate the neural basis of susceptibility versus resilience to depression. An accumulating body of evidence is revealing the genetic, epigenetic, and neurophysiological mechanisms that underlie stress susceptibility, as well as the active mechanisms that underlie the resilience phenotype. In this review, we discuss, mainly based on our own work, key pathological mechanisms of susceptibility that are identified as potential therapeutic targets for depression treatment. We also review novel mechanisms that promote natural resilience as an alternative strategy to achieve treatment efficacy. These studies are opening new avenues to develop conceptually novel therapeutic strategies for depression treatment.