cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling harmful algal blooms in a changing climate

This review assesses harmful algal bloom (HAB) modeling in the context of climate change, examining modeling methodologies that are currently being used, approaches for representing climate processes, and time scales of HAB model projections. Statistical models are most commonly used for near-term HAB forecasting and resource management, but statistical models are not well suited for longer-term projections as forcing conditions diverge from past observations. Process-based models are more complex, difficult to parameterize, and require extensive calibration, but can mechanistically project HAB response under changing forcing conditions. Nevertheless, process-based models remain prone to failure if key processes emerge with climate change that were not identified in model development based on historical observations. We review recent studies on modeling HABs and their response to climate change, and the various statistical and process-based approaches used to link global climate model projections and potential HAB response. We also make several recommendations for how the field can move forward: 1) use process-based models to explicitly represent key physical and biological factors in HAB development, including evaluating HAB response to climate change in the context of the broader ecosystem; 2) quantify and convey model uncertainty using ensemble approaches and scenario planning; 3) use robust approaches to downscale global climate model results to the coastal regions that are most impacted by HABs; and 4) evaluate HAB models with long-term observations, which are critical for assessing long-term trends associated with climate change and far too limited in extent.
Application of "4-in-1 osteosynthesis" in the combined surgical technique for the treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia in children

Objective To investigate the indications, operative technique, and outcomes of combined surgical technique and "4-in-1 osteosynthesis" for congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). Methods A retrospective study was performed on 12 patients (10 boys and 2 girls) with CPT and fibular pseudarthrosis who were treated with combined surgical technique and "4-in-1 osteosynthesis" from May 2012 to September 2014. The average age during surgery was 4.4 years (1.2-10.1 years). Five patients were under the age of 3 years old. Seven patients had no previous surgery, but 5 patients underwent between one and four unsuccessful procedures in other hospital. Of the 12 patients, two had proximal tibia dysplasia, seven cases exhibited neurofibromatosis type Ⅰ. 10 cases showed limb length discrepancy (LLD) with an average limb length of 4.5 cm (2-11 cm). Combined surgical technique and "4-in-1 osteosynthesis" included intramedullary rod insertion, installation of Ilizarov's fixator, tibio-fibular cross union, and wrapping autogenic iliac bone graft. Seven patients were planned by proximal tibial lengthening. The incidence of refracture, ankle valgus, tibial valgus and LLD in patients were investigated with an average followup time of 28.5 months (14.3-45.7 months). Results Seven patients were treat by tibia lengthen at the same time. The average operating time was 4 h (3.5-4.5 h); the average blood loss was 113 ml (60 -150 ml). All patients achieved primary union, and the average primary union time was 4.1 months (3.3-4.8 months). Seven (58%) cases showed LLD with an average limb length of 2.9 cm (0.8-5.0 cm), four patients were treat by tibia lengthen. Two (17%) cases exhibited tibial valgus; one case with the tibial valgus deformity of 13°; one case with the tibial valgus deformity of 15°. The cross sectional area of bone graft was enlarged to 2.3 times (1.5-2.8 times) of the tibia shaft. No case showed refracture and ankle valgus during the follow-up periods. Eight cases restored movement of ankle joint with an average dorsiflexion 23° (20°-30°) and an average plantar flexion 42° (40°-50°), and the function of ankle joint was normal. The ankle joint in other 4 cases were fixed in neutral position. Conclusion Combined surgical technique and "4-in-1 osteosynthesis" can provide satisfactory results in short-term follow-up in treating CPT. By the help of this procedure, the early healing rate is high with larger cross-sectional area in fusion joint. However, some complications, such as tibial valgus and unequal leg length, should be considered. Key words: Child; Pseudarthrosis; Tibia; Treatment outcome
Exploring Impact of Profile Data on Code Quality in the HotSpot JVM

Managed language virtual machines (VM) rely on dynamic or just-in-time (JIT) compilation to generate optimized native code at run-time to deliver high execution performance. Many VMs and JIT compilers collect profile data at run-time to enable profile-guided optimizations (PGO) that customize the generated native code to different program inputs. PGOs are generally considered integral for VMs to produce high-quality and performant native code. In this work, we study and quantify the performance benefits of PGOs, understand the importance of profiling data quantity and quality/accuracy to effectively guide PGOs, and assess the impact of individual PGOs on VM performance. The insights obtained from this work can be used to understand the current state of PGOs, develop strategies to more efficiently balance the cost and exploit the potential of PGOs, and explore the implications of and challenges for the alternative ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation model used by VMs.
Temporal Dynamics of Large-Scale Networks Predict Neural Cue Reactivity and Cue-Induced Craving.

Abstract Background Cue reactivity, a core characteristic of substance use disorders, commonly recruits brain regions that are key nodes in neurocognitive networks, including the default mode network (DMN) and salience network (SN). Whether resting-state temporal dynamic properties of these networks relate to subsequent cue reactivity and cue-induced craving is unknown. Methods The resting-state data of 46 nicotine-dependent participants were assessed to define temporal dynamic properties of DMN and SN states. Temporal dynamics focused on the total time across the scan session that brain activity resides in these specific states. Using regression models, we examined how the total time in each state related to neural reactivity to smoking cues within key DMN (posterior cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex) or SN (anterior insula, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex) nodes. Mediation analyses were subsequently conducted to study how neural cue reactivity mediates the relationship between total time in state at rest and subjective cue-induced craving. Results Increased time spent in the DMN state and decreased time spent in the SN state predicted subsequent cue-induced increases in the anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, respectively. Cue-induced anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex activity significantly mediated the relationship between time spent in DMN/SN and cue-induced subjective craving. Conclusions Our findings showed a significant relationship between resting-state dynamics of the DMN/SN and task-activated SN nodes that together predicted cue-induced craving changes in nicotine-dependent individuals. These findings propose a neurobiological pathway for cue-induced craving that begins with resting-state temporal dynamics, suggesting that brain responding to external stimuli is driven by resting temporal dynamics.
A Case Report of Fever in an Intravenous Drug User: A Reminder of Cognitive Bias

The practice of medicine requires a widespread knowledge base. Both experienced and newly trained physicians develop heuristics to help sort through the extensive list of diagnoses and the symptoms, signs, and sequelae associated with each one. This case highlights the importance of taking a diagnostic time out when a patient is not improving clinically despite aggressive treatment. Fever is a common symptom encountered in clinical practice, and our case highlights a rare etiology of fever in a young male. This report presents a young male with fever, back pain, and a history of intravenous drug use. It was initially labeled as a straight-forward case of an epidural abscess; however, after a long hospital course, it evolved into a diagnostic dilemma. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with ALK-anaplastic large cell lymphoma, an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy. Diagnosis may have been delayed due to cognitive bias and anchoring on an initial diagnosis suspected to be from an infectious process. It is essential for all practitioners to be mindful of their heuristics in clinical practice and susceptibility to cognitive biases. This can avoid delays in diagnosis and ensure timely treatment of potentially aggressive malignancies.
Before the Neoliberal Campus: University, Place and the Business of Higher Education

This article examines the relationship between the university and physical place over time, setting out the rise of the placed-based higher education institution leading to its current role as an a...
The natural history of fetal gallstones: a case series and updated literature review.

The incidence of fetal gallstones is estimated at 0.45% and its clinical relevance after birth remains unknown. This study aimed to describe the natural history of fetal gallstones and their clinic...
Malpractice Considerations in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction

Benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck are oftentimes extensive, resulting in severe disfigurement and loss of quality of life. Microvascular reconstructive surgery for the head and neck enables surgeons to return patients to their preoperative functional status after oncologic resections. However, these surgeries are inherently complex and can result in minor and major complications. The relatively high rate of perioperative complications associated with these surgeries requires proper informed consent, extensive preoperative planning, multidisciplinary care, and surgical expertise. Additionally, the high rate of morbidity accompanying these types of surgeries present an opportunity for litigation in the event of an adverse event. Reviewing the literature and publicly available case law, there are no specific litigations as a result of complications of microvascular reconstructive surgeries of the head and neck. However, there are other microvascular reconstructive cases related to other surgical specialties that head and neck reconstructive surgeons performing these extensive surgeries can learn from in order to reduce the likelihood of litigation.
APOE4 accelerates advanced-stage vascular and neurodegenerative disorder in old Alzheimer’s mice via cyclophilin A independently of amyloid-β

Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), the main susceptibility gene for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), leads to vascular dysfunction, amyloid-β pathology, neurodegeneration and dementia. How these different pathologies contribute to advanced-stage AD remains unclear. Using aged APOE knock-in mice crossed with 5xFAD mice, we show that, compared to APOE3, APOE4 accelerates blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, loss of cerebral blood flow, neuronal loss and behavioral deficits independently of amyloid-β. BBB breakdown was associated with activation of the cyclophilin A-matrix metalloproteinase-9 BBB-degrading pathway in pericytes. Suppression of this pathway improved BBB integrity and prevented further neuronal loss and behavioral deficits in APOE4;5FAD mice while having no effect on amyloid-β pathology. Thus, APOE4 accelerates advanced-stage BBB breakdown and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s mice via the cyclophilin A pathway in pericytes independently of amyloid-β, which has implication for the pathogenesis and treatment of vascular and neurodegenerative disorder in AD. This study shows that APOE4, one of the largest genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, promotes advanced-stage vascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration in old mice via activation of the cyclophilin A pathway in pericytes and independently of the presence of amyloid-β.
Application of RSClin to guide treatment recommendations for premenopausal patients with early-stage hormone-positive breast cancer and intermediate risk oncotype recurrence scores.

e12511Background: The RSClin model, which incorporates the Oncotype Recurrence Score (RS) and clinicopathologic features, was recently developed to further tailor prognosis and prediction of chemot...
How Do Prompts Shape Preservice Teachers’ Reflections? A Case Study in an Online Technology Integration Class:

To investigate how prompts shape preservice teachers’ reflections, we examined, in this exploratory case study, the written reflections responding to three types of prompts (standard-based, concept...
The Effect of Fuel Injection on NOx Emissions and Undesirable Combustion for Hydrogen-Fueled Piston Engines

Direct cylinder injection for hydrogen-fueled piston engines was studied experimentally with an ASTM-CFR (Cooperative Fuel Research) engine. An injection scheme was devised for which the combustion occurs during the period of hydrogen injection so that little unburned hydrogen accumulates in the cylinder. This scheme should preclude flashback and preignition, and lowers the rate of cylinder pressure rise to acceptable levels. The potential of hydrogen as a low pollution fuel was investigated by comparing the NOx emissions from the same engine operated on hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuel. NOx emissions for hydrogen are very low provided the equivalence ratio is less than 0.5, and provided the hydrogen and air are well mixed. For equivalence ratios greater than 0.5, NOx emissions for hydrogen fuel were higher than for hydrocarbon fuel. With hydrogen injection, indicated mean effective pressure was varied between 0.07 MPa and 0.78 MPa without intake air throttling. Indicated efficiencies higher than 40% were achieved for part-load equivalence ratios, near 0.3. The timing of hydrogen injection has a significant effect on NOx emissions.
Stress Distribution in a Bimaterial Plate under Uniform External Loadings

Elastic fields in bimaterial plate under uniform compressive and anti-plane shear loadings, finding stress distribution and induced interfacial shear stresses
Perfeita civilização: a transferência da corte, a escravidão e o desejo de metropolizar uma capital colonial. Rio de Janeiro, 1808-1821

Esse artigo desenvolve uma analise do processo ambivalente de transformacao da capital colonial em corte real, verificado no final do periodo colonial no Brasil apos a fuga da familia real de Portugal para o Rio de Janeiro. Ao "metropolizar" a cidade, oficiais regios buscaram limitar a demonstracao publica da presenca da escravidao e redefinir as fronteiras fisicas e sociais interpostas aos escravos africanos e afro-descendentes, contingente que somava cerca da metade do total da populacao da cidade. Esses esforcos foram, entretanto, limitados pela intensificacao do uso do trabalho escravo e o apego dos oficiais a certos ideais coloniais acerca dos melhores meios para assegurar a ordem na cidade.
Biosynthesis of biotin in microorganisms: IV. Repression and derepression of (+)-biotin synthesis from (±)-desthiobiotin

Abstract The enzyme system which catalyzes the conversion of (±)-desthiobiotin to (+)-biotin in Escherichia coli is formed rapidly in a basal medium during the early logarithmic phase and is repressed during the later growth phases. The biotin synthesizing enzyme system is repressed when the medium is supplemented with (+)-biotin; complete repression occurs only when the biotin content of the medium is raised above the level found intracellularly in cultures of the organism upon cessation of growth. An excess amount of desthiobiotin or oxybiotin also causes repression to some extent. Repression by the exogenous biotin vitamers is relieved rapidly when avidin is added to the cultures. Homobiotin is even more effective in relieving the repression. The kinetics of derepression follow the pattern characteristic of biosynthetic enzymes that are repressible by their end products. These findings indicated that the level of the enzyme system varied according to the demand for (+)-biotin by the organism, and supported the role of this enzymatic reaction as the key step in the physiological control of biotin synthesis.
Printed Circuit Board Layout

The initial layout of a printed circuit (PC) board is an important part of the overall EMC strategy. While for some aspects of the design there is very little that can be negotiated, it is worth the time and effort to consider what can be done.
Owens--Illinois liquid solar collector materials assessment

From the beginning, it was noted that the baseline drawings for the liquid solar collector exhibited a distinct weakness concerning materials specification where elastomers, plastics, and foam insulation materials were utilized. A relatively small effort by a competent design organization would alleviate this deficiency. Based on results obtained from boilout and stagnation tests on the solar simulator, it was concluded that proof testing of the collector tubes prior to use helps to predict their performance for limited service life. Fracture mechanics data are desirable for predicting extended service life and establishing a minimum proof pressure level requirement. The temperature capability of this collector system was increased as the design matured and the coating efficiency improved. This higher temperature demands the use of higher temperature materials at critical locations in the collector.
Fast integrators for dynamical systems with several temporal scales

We propose a fast integrator to a class of dynamical systems with several temporal scales. The proposed method is developed as an extension of the variable step size Heterogeneous Multiscale Method (VSHMM), which is a two-scale integrator developed by the authors. While iterated applications of multiscale integrators for two different scales increase the computational complexity exponentially as the number of different scales increases, the proposed method, on the other hand, has computational complexity linearly proportional to the number of different scales. This efficiency is achieved by solving different scale components of the vector fields with variable time steps. It is shown that variable time stepping of different force components has an effect of fast integration for the effective force of the slow dynamics. The proposed fast integrator is numerically tested on problems with several different scales which are dissipative and highly oscillatory including multiscale partial differential equations with sparsity in the solution space.
Number Fetish: Middle-class India's Obsession with the GDP

AbstractIndia has been fixated on the annual growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This number averaged about 3.5% per annum from independence to the early 1980s, leaped to twice that in recent decades before falling off in the last five years to about 5% per annum. The GDP emerged at a specific moment in the evolution of capitalism and was never intended to be a measure of the quality of life of people. Gross Domestic Product discussions reveal a desperate desire on the part of many in India to be seen as having arrived into the first world. In a context marked by the paradox of electoral democracy alongside mass poverty and rising inequality, focusing on the GDP legitimizes an unjust social order. The GDP number seeks to transform politics in a technical and asocial direction, and the obsession with it powerfully undergirds the hegemony of a neoliberal vision of India.
Problematic power quality indices

The main discussion topics are: main power quality indices and their use in standards; problems relating to missing fundamental components; problems relating to three phase voltages and currents; inter-harmonics (i.e., noninteger 'harmonics'); aperiodic signals; power factor and the relationship to losses; indices that convey information contrary to intuitive feeling; potential pitfalls in the construction of new standards; and needs in construction of new harmonic standards. In this presentation, some of these difficulties are studied with respect to the potential for counter-intuitive results. Also, the utilization of power quality indices in standards, particularly standards that relate to harmonics, can create some difficulties. These are outlined and suggestions for their correction are given.
Patients' perceptions of environmental factors that disturb sleep after cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND Effective management of sleep disturbances after cardiac surgery requires insight into patients perceptions of which factors disturb sleep in the intensive care unit and after transfer from the intensive care unit. OBJECTIVE To describe patients perceptions of environmental factors that disturbed sleep after cardiac surgery. SAMPLE A convenience sample of 102 patients was surveyed in a 300-bed, acute-care teaching hospital. METHOD Patients were interviewed several days before discharge from the hospital and rated the extent to which specific factors disturbed their sleep while in the intensive care unit and after transfer. RESULTS The group mean for the extent of disturbance scores, averaged across all 35 environmental factors studied, was low during and after stay in the intensive care unit. However, selected items such as pain, and inability to get comfortable and perform a familiar nighttime routine, were moderately disturbing to many patients across phases of recovery. Patients varied widely in the number of factors, ranging from 0 to 33 factors, that disturbed sleep at least to some extent. Patients added factors that were not included in the original monitoring instrument. CONCLUSIONS Patients attribute disturbed sleep to specific factors after cardiac surgery. The number of factors that disturb sleep varies among patients. Nurses can modify many of the factors that disturb sleep to promote an environment that will facilitate improved sleep, thereby enhancing the acute phase of recovery from cardiac surgery.
Vibrational relaxation of oxygen in an argon cage

The vibrational relaxation of oxygen embedded in an argon cage through vibrational to local translation, rotation, and argon phonon modes has been studied using semiclassical procedures. The collision model is based on the trapped molecule undergoing the restricted motions (local translation and hindered rotation) in a cage formed by its twelve nearest argon neighbors in a face-centered-cubic structure. At 85 K in the liquid argon temperature range, the deexcitation probability of O2(v=1) is 5.8×10−12 and the relaxation rate constant with the collision frequency from local translation is 23 s−1. The rate constant decreases to 5.1 s−1 at 50 K and to 0.016 s−1 at 10 K in the solid argon temperature range. Transfer of the vibrational energy to local translation, rotation (both hindered and free), and argon phonon modes is the relaxation pathway for the trapped oxygen molecule.
Inhibin and reproductive aging in women

The monotropic FSH rise is the sentinel endocrine event that first indicates a woman is approaching the end of her reproductive potential. While a deficiency in inhibin has long been postulated as the immediate cause of the monotropic FSH rise, this has only recently been demonstrated to actually occur. It is our current hypothesis that when the number of preantral follicles in both ovaries drop below a threshold, then there is a subtle decrease in inhibin B which leads to the monotropic FSH rise which, in turn, accelerates follicular depletion and the attainment of the menopause.
A note on luminance control in tachistoscopes

Procedures are described for measuring tachistoscopic luminance levels for brief light flashes and over longer intervals. Stability of luminance levels is discussed for both conditions.
Subcellular site of acetaldehyde oxidation in rat liver.

Abstract Slices of rat liver were incubated with ( R )ethanol-1- 3 H and ( S )ethanol-1- 3 H at a concentration of 1mg ml . During the course of the incubation, the ethanol in the flask containing the ( S ) isomer. but not the ( R ) isomer, was enriched with 3 H. For the same quantity of 3 H metabolized from the ( R )ethanol-1- 3 H as from the ( S )ethanol-1- 3 H. much less 3 H from the ( S ) than from the ( R ) isomer was incorporated into the lactate formed during the incubation. This indicates that the ( R ) hydrogen has a much greater access than the ( S ) hydrogen to the pool of NADH in the cytosol utilized in the reduction of pyruvate to lactate. It is concluded that the formation of NADH from acetaldehyde occurs under these conditions, primarily in a compartment other than the cytosol. It is presumed that this compartment is mitochondrial.
Through-the-scope balloon dilation for endoscopic ultrasound staging of stenosing esophageal cancer

Dilation of malignant esophageal strictures often is required to complete staging by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). This study was designed to determine the successful dilation rate (ability to complete staging) and complication rate of through-the-scope (TTS) balloon dilation for malignant esophageal strictures during EUS. We retrospectively reviewed EUS reports for all cases of primary esophageal cancer staged at five centers between January 2002 and October 2004. All dilations were performed with TTS balloons. Among 272 endoscopic ultrasounds, dilation was required in 77 (28%) and was successful in 73 cases (95%). There was one esophageal perforation after dilation (1.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.2-7) and one esophageal perforation after EUS without dilation (0.5%; 95% CI, 0.1-2.8; P = 0.48 by two-sided Fisher exact test). There were no other major complications. TTS balloon dilation is highly successful in permitting complete staging of obstructing tumors. The rate of complications after dilation with a TTS balloon dilator is low and similar to the baseline rate of EUS in this setting.
Value and the Unseen Producers: Wages for Housework in the Women's Movement in 1970s Italy and the Prosumers of Digital Capitalism

This article examines the problem of value in unpaid labor from the perspective of the domestic labor struggles in the Wages for Housework campaign of the early 1970s in Italy. Some of the history of this movement is recounted in regard to the question of value in capital and, importantly, beyond capital. The issues of value that are raised in this perspective by posing questions of value in domestic labor against those in digital labor are not only the analogical and even the metonymical relations of domestic sphere production to digital labor and the critical discourse on it, but the historical and the foundational quality of the former to the latter, as well. In these models the larger social and cultural traditions within which labor is literally begotten remain, and so does capital's use of them.
Do Primary Varicose Veins Lead to Ulceration

A decade ago the unequivocal answer to this question would have been 'no.' With better understanding of venous anatomy and flow patterns, the answer is now clearly 'yes.' Part of the response, of course, hinges upon accepted definitions of primary varicose veins. Superficial dilated veins, usually larger than 4 mm in diameter, are considered to be varicose. 1 Some authorities include tortuosity within this definition 2 -ie, saccular dilation of the veins which are also tortuous. Superficial and smaller blue colored reticular veins, not really varicose by the above definitions, can also contribute to ulceration. 1 Primary varicose veins are neither congenital (though this problem tends to be familial) nor are they secondary to deep venous pathology. The cause or causes of primary varicosities have yet to be identified. Venous ulceration traditionally (and incorrectly) had been linked to the post-phlebitic leg (a misnomer). Secondary varices are due to deep venous disease: proximal obstruction, valvular incompetence, or a combination of both. A better term for venous dysfunction is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) which comprises a spectrum of pathophysiology. On the basis of clinical observations and surgical results 3 after superficial venous ablation we now know that lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) and ulceration can relate to superficial venous incompetence alone. The proportion of such cases varies in different series, but has been reported to range from 17% to as high as one-half of cases of venous ulceration. 4 Effective ablation of superficial incompetence leads to healing since limbs afflicted with this form of CVI have virtually normal deep venous circulation.
On the Hemolytic Activity of Mouse Complement.

SummaryBy use of appropriate intermediates of the complement system, mouse serum has been shown to contain C'1, C'4, C'2 and the C'3 complex.
The Effects of Challenging Goal Instructions Upon Goal Setting and Performance on a Reaction-Time Task

Summary Female university students participated in a reaction-time (RT) experiment in which challenging goal instructions were manipulated under conditions of minimal feedback. Goal-instructed subjects set personally perceived challenging goals and showed a maintenance of RT performance during a 100-trial experimental session. Subjects not receiving goal instructions showed a deterioration in RT performance during the experimental session. These findings extend Locke's views of the effects of personal goals on subsequent performance to applications involving minimal implicit knowledge of results. Future research must address Locke's hypothesis that personal goal setting is a necessary condition for task motivation.
X-ray form factors and the electronic structure of graphite

The bonding and spectroscopic properties of graphite are investigated by carrying out first-principles, self-consistent electronic structure calculations, and by comparing the results with high-resolution data from recent x-ray diffraction and angle-resolved photoemission measurements. The theoretical valence-charge density is in excellent agreement with values derived from experimental x-ray from factors. Unlike other group-IV covalent materials, the bonding charge exhibits a prominent double-humped structure due to the lack of $p$ core states. The energy band structure is also in good agreement with experimental measurements and previous calculations.
Mechanisms underlying the impacts of exotic annual grasses in a coastal California meadow

Biological invasions can impact the abundance and diversity of native species, but the specific mechanisms remain poorly discerned. In California grasslands, invasion by European annual grasses has severely reduced the quality of habitat for native forb species. To understand how introduced grasses suppress native and exotic forbs, we examined the response of a Southern California grassland community to factorial removals of live grass and the litter produced in previous seasons. To examine the role that belowground competition for water plays in mediating the impact of grasses, we crossed grass and litter removal treatments with water addition. Our results show that forbs were almost equally suppressed by both competition from live grass and direct interference by litter. Water addition did not ameliorate the effect of grass competition, suggesting that water was not the resource for which plants compete. This evidence is consistent with the susceptibility of forbs to light limitation, especially considering that litter does not consume water or nutrients. Interestingly, despite different histories of co-occurrence with annual grass dominants, native and exotic forbs were comparably suppressed by exotic grasses. Our results indicate that suppression by both live and dead stems underlie the influence of exotic grasses on forb competitors.
Motion Description Language-Based Topological Maps for Robot Navigation

Robot navigation over large areas inevitably has to rely on maps of the environment. The standard manner in which such maps are defined is through geometry, e.g. through traversability grid maps or through a division of the environment into free-space and obstacle-space. In this paper, we combine certain aspects of the geometric maps, through the notion of distinctive places, with a topological description of how these places are related. What is novel is the idea that the adjacency relation is defined by the existence of a control law that drives the robot between topologically connected places. Moreover, these maps can be automatically constructed based on the premise that the nodes correspond to places associated with a hightened control activity. 1. Introduction. The production of maps for navigation purposes only becomes meaningful if the maps are somehow coupled to their expected use. For example, a pedestrian map may contain many small roads, while an automotive map covering the same area only contains roads big enough for cars to drive on. Similarly, air- planes employ a completely different set of maps than land-based vehicles. What this somewhat informal discussion immediately tells us is that when maps are to be produced for robotics applications, they only become useful when they respect the constraints (may they be dynamic or geometric) imposed by the actual vehicle. This issue is highlighted clearly when constructing configuration spaces for mobile robots that take the spatial dimensions of the robots into account (12, 13). In this paper we make this observation concrete by explictly taking the capabilities of the robot into account through a collection of predetermined control modes (or behaviors). This navigation system structure, i.e. decomposing a task into building blocks, has proven to be useful in that it allows the designer to produce controllers that are dedicated to performing specialized tasks, such as avoiding obstacles, clearing steep gradients, approaching landmarks, and so on. (See for example (2, 7).) Rather than constructing a single controller, the high-level mission is executed by a supervisor that determines what mode of operation to use in a particular situation. The selection of a set of modes has implications for what the robot can actually do, which we intend to make explicit in this paper. As the mission scenarios for mobile robots become more elaborate, the trade- off between complexity and expressiveness of the map becomes an issue that must be taken into account (13, 18). In other words, a highly detailed map may not be particularly useful in that planning over this map might take too long as compared to
Unique three-repeat sequences containing FVa, LVb/C4, and CORE motifs in LTR-U3 of Friend murine leukemia virus clone A8 accelerate the induction of thymoma in rat

Friend murine leukemia virus (Fr-MLV) clone A8 causes thymoma 7 weeks postinfection in rats with a more rapid progression than clone 57. The U3 region of A8-LTR contains a unique structure of enhancer motifs consisting of three repeats of a 38-bp sequence containing FVa, LVb/C4, and CORE motifs. Replacement or deletion of the 38-bp sequence in the A8-U3 resulted in a marked reduction in tumorigenicity. Furthermore, the virus with 57-U3 gained high tumorigenicity after construction of the three 38-bp repeats in the U3 region. These findings indicated that the repeats of the 38-bp sequence of A8-LTR are essential for the rapid induction of thymoma. Interestingly, the repeat of the 38-bp sequence did not accelerate the amount of integrated viral DNA in the thymus during the early phase of infection, although it contributed to higher production of infectious virus. Thus, it was demonstrated that the ability to induce thymoma, which correlates with virus titer in the thymus, is not determined by the rate of viral DNA integration into the host genome.
Recent computer-related design in the USA

Abstract The paper looks at the current research in computer-aided design at US universities. Design research in the US has increased dramatically in the last four years. The major sponsoring agencies for this research are named, as are the conferences and journals where the results of this research are presented. Emphasis is placed on research dealing with the design process itself. The areas of new design theories and methodologies, feature-based modelling, and knowledge-based CAD systems are included. Concurrent engineering is becoming a prominent research area.
Costimulation of resting B lymphocytes alters the IL-4-activated IRS2 signaling pathway in a STAT6 independent manner: implications for cell survival and proliferation

IL-4 is an important B cell survival and growth factor. IL-4 induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS2 in resting B lymphocytes and in LPS- or CD40L-activated blasts. Phosphorylated IRS2 coprecipitated with the p85 subunit of PI 3' kinase in both resting and activated cells. By contrast, association of phosphorylated IRS2 with GRB2 was not detected in resting B cells after IL-4 treatment although both proteins were expressed. However, IL-4 induced association of IRS2 with GRB2 in B cell blasts. The pattern of IL-4-induced recruitment of p85 and GRB2 to IRS2 observed in B cells derived from STAT6 null mice was identical to that observed for normal mice. While IL-4 alone does not induce activation of MEK, a MEK1 inhibitor suppressed the IL-4-induced proliferative response of LPS-activated B cell blasts. These results demonstrate that costimulation of splenic B cells alters IL-4-induced signal transduction independent of STAT6 leading to proliferation. Furthermore, proliferation induced by IL-4 in LPS-activated blasts is dependent upon the MAP kinase pathway.
Protective strategies: A mediator of risk associated with age of drinking onset

The goal of the current study was to determine if failure to develop/utilize alcohol-specific strategies to manage drinking behavior might serve as a mechanism through which early alcohol exposure leads to higher levels of later alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences, while taking into account impulsivity as an underlying risk factor for both of these outcomes. Data were collected between September and December of 2005 from a random sample of college students via an online survey. A total of 309 students provided complete data on all measure of interest. Separate regression analyses predicting typical weekly alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems indicated that use of alcohol-specific protective strategies partially mediated the effect of age of first use on these outcomes. An earlier age of onset was associated with less frequent use of alcohol-specific protective strategies, which in turn was associated with drinking- and alcohol-related problems. Implications for tailoring alcohol prevention and intervention programs targeting adolescents are discussed.
Ultrastructural Examination of Egg Albumen Protein Foams

Transmission electron microscopy studies of protein foams revealed the presence of a layer of cross-linked polypeptides at the surface of the film enveloping an air inclusion. Scanning electron microscopic examination of a whipped solution with high levels of ovomucin and without lysozyme showed that the protein concentrated at the film surface and considerably decreased film continuity. The membrane appeared less cohesive in nature and draped fluidly over the torn edges. Inclusion of lysozyme improved the overall foam appearance. The effects of lysozyme on foaminess in the presence of ovomucin were apparently associated with formation of ovomucin-lysozyme complex. This complex seemed to alter the viscous nature of ovomucin.
Apparent combined length of two-line and four-line sets

Recent studies, using single-line stimuli, show apparent length to be a power function, with exponent 1.0, of objective or physical length. If apparent lengths are additive, then, given the 1.0 exponent, two lines should appear to S to have the same total length as the single line they would form if physically joined. When S adjusted the length of one line to match the combined length of two other lines, however, he generally made the variable line much longer than the actual combined length of the two lines. Dividing the total length equally between the two lines, so that each had 50%, represents the greatest departure from a single line, yet the largest overestimation occurred when one of the two lines had 65% to 75% of the total length. The overestimation was greater when the lines were spaced farther apart, suggesting that the amount of area occupied by the lines affected apparent combined length.
Scaffolding in technology-enhanced learning environments

Scaffolding has proven an especially interesting and promising area for supporting teaching and learning practices. Particular interest has emerged in scaffolding student learning in technology-enhanced environments. In this paper, we discuss how scaffolding is implemented in technology-enhanced environments, provide an overview of scaffolding processes and techniques in various contexts, and then provide empirically based guidelines for designing scaffolding in technological environments. We examine current research to identify two primary design components, cognitive and interface, and suggest how scaffold design might be improved for more effective use by learners. We conclude by identifying practice and research implications.
A continuously variable transmission for efficient urban transportation

This paper describes a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) that may be used in a variety of machines and transport devices. Unlike many CVTs that are relatively heavy and bulky, the present CVT, named “eDrive”, is fairly small and lightweight. These attributes allow eDrive to be used in human-powered transport devices such as bicycles. The eDrive incorporates a sprocket able to vary its effective diameter via computer controlled actuation. The sprocket accommodates a rotational input and provides an output using a loop belt rotationally engaged with sprocket. The eDrive promises to increase a bicyclist's user experience, provide more efficient conversion of human energy to locomotion, and overall promote sustainable urban transportation. In addition, eDrive can be configured and scaled to provide CVT functionality for a variety of other vehicles and machines, such as wind or water turbines and electric vehicles.
Optimization of loss-balanced multicast in all-optical WDM networks

In wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks, multicast is implemented by constructing a light-forest, which is a set of light-trees with each light-tree rooted from the multicast source and terminated at a partition subset of the destination nodes. Multicast routing scenario has considerable impact on the quality of optical signal received at each destination. To guarantee the fairness of signal quality at different destinations in a multicast session, it is desirable to construct a loss-balanced light-forest to deliver the multicast traffic. A loss-balanced light-forest is composed of a set of light-trees bounded in size (number of destinations per multicast tree), in size variation (difference in the number of destinations among different multicast trees), and in dimension (maximum source-to-destination distance on each multicast tree). This paper investigates the multicast routing and wavelength assignment (MC-RWA) problem under the loss-balance constraint. The problem is formulated as an optimization model using integer linear programming (ILP). Numerical solutions to the optimization model can supply useful performance benchmarks for loss-balance-constrained optical multicast in WDM networks.
An Unusual Exposure to Methyl Bromide Leading to Fatality

AbstractIntroduction; Methyl bromide has been responsible for deaths that usually occur from its accidental inhalation during fumigation. Case Report; We report an accidental fatality that occurred after methyl bromide seeped through underground conduits from a fumigated building to an adjacent guest house on the same property. The patient developed refractory seizures, intermittent fever, and multiorgan system failure before dying 19 days after exposure. The initial serum bromide was 27 mg/dL. Postmortem analysis detected methyl bromide concentrations of 2.9 mg/dL in the blood, 1.7 mg/dL in the bile, 24 μg/g in the liver, and 28 μg/g in the adipose tissue. Conclusion; Methyl bromide, although applied under acceptable safety standards, led to the inadvertent death of a young woman. Extreme care must be used when fumigating to insure no unsuspected seepage routes exist.
Subcutaneous metastases without visceral metastases from an adenocarcinoma of the rectum.

Skin metastasis from colorectal carcinoma without evidence of visceral metastases is exceedingly rare. However, it must be considered when-ever a new skin growth appears in a patient with a history of carcinoma. A diagnostic biopsy is mandatory as the appearance of these metastases is not distinctive.
Obturator mononeuropathy caused by pelvic cancer Six cases

Objective: To report the clinical and pelvic CT findings in six patients with obturator mononeuropathy caused by cancer. Design: A clinical case series of six patients followed for 2 months to 10 years (one patient lost to follow-up). Setting: Three referral centers. Patients: Three men and three women, ages 52 to 81 years. Three patients had transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, and one patient each had pelvic papillary carcinoma, carcinoma of unknown origin, and lymphoma. Main results: In each patient, symptoms of obturator mononeuropathy were the sole presenting sign of new or recurrent pelvic cancer. Three patients had ipsilateral leg edema in addition to the typical sensory and motor findings of obturator mononeuropathy. Tumor sites detected on pelvic CT that correlated with obturator nerve compression or infiltration, singly or in combination, included the posterolateral wall of the upper pelvis or midpelvis, the anterior wall of the lower pelvis, and the external obturator and pectineus muscles extrinsic to the bony pelvis. Antineoplastic treatment provided symptomatic relief in four patients. Conclusions: Pelvic CT or MRI should be performed to exclude pelvic tumor in patients with obturator mononeuropathy if there is no temporal association with pelvic trauma or intra-abdominal, pelvic, or hip surgery.
Effects of scopolamine methylbromide on shock-induced gastric lesions in the unrestrained rat

Abstract Gastric lesions were produced in unrestrained rats subjected to a 6 hr shock stress session. A perch-contingent yoked design compared the degree of gastric pathology exhibited in animals subjected to an avoidance-avoidance conflict, with yoked animals receiving equivalent amounts of noncontingent shock. There were no differences in the amount of gastric lesion formation produced by these two procedures. Scopolamine methylbromide (0.50 and 1.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased ulcer development (i.e., percentage of animals exhibiting pathology, number of lesions per animal and severity of lesioning) in all groups tested.
DEVELOPMENT OF A CHITIN ASSAY FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF FUNGUS

Chitin, a unique structural polysaccharide found in fungi and arthropods, is not produced by vertebrates. Thus, the potential applications of a specific and sensitive assay for chitin are numerous, including the evaluation of the extent of fungal keratitis. Chitin is a homopolymer of beta (1, 4) linked D-N-acetylglucosamine. We have developed a simple and reproducible assay for chitin and applied it to Candida albicans cultures. The assay involves homogenization of the culture and treatment with 21.1 M KOH to remove soluble materials, including proteins. This base treatment also deacetylates the chitin to the glucosamine polymer, chitosan. Chitosan is hydrolyzed by 0.5 M H2SO4 to glucosamine monomers which are then deaminated by the addition of NaNO2 to the acid solution. The resulting 2,5-anhydromannose is reduced by NaB[3H]4 to 1-[3H] 2,5-anhydromannitol. This radiolabelled sugar is isolated by paper chromatography and quantified via liquid scintillation. The sensitivity of this assay is assessed by comparison of colony forming units (CFU's) with a glucosamine standard. A typical run of the assay detects 53.1 CFU/c.p.m., and 356,000 c.p.m. per nanomole of N-acetylglucosamine. The specificity of the assay is very high because of the unique nature of chitin. This method of chitin determination may be a useful alternative method for future investigations involving the study of fungal infections in mammalian tissues.