cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of herbivory in controlling phytoplankton abundance: annual pigment budget for a temperate marine fjord

An annual pigment budget was constructed for Dabob Bay, Washington (USA) by comparing the downward vertical loss of phytoplankton pigments (chlorophyll and pheopigments) to the production of chlorophyll within the euphotic zone. The vertical flux of pigments was measured with sediment traps deployed at intervals of 1 to 6 wk over a 2.5 yr period yielding 763 d of trap exposure (28 November 1978–16 June 1981). The production rate of chlorophyll was calculated from measurements of algal specific growth rates, chlorophyll (chl) crops, primary production (as carbon) and appropriate C: chl ratios. Sixty one to 77% of the annual chlorophyll production was accounted for by the vertical flux of pheopigments resulting from herbivorous zooplankton grazing (macrozooplankton). Algal sinking, represented by downward chlorophyll flux, accounted for only 5 to 6% of the annual chlorophyll production. The remaining fraction of chlorophyll production was estimated to be consumed by small herbivores (microzooplankton), whose fecal material contributes to the suspended pool of pheopigments found in the euphotic zone. The suspended pheopigments are continuously removed by photodegradation. In Dabob Bay, the major process controlling phytoplankton abundance is zooplankton grazing and it appears that the ultimate fate of most phytoplankton is to be consumed by herbivores.
Collective modes in electron-hole liquids

Abstract Under favourable conditions, a collective mode of the acoustic kind can exist in degenerate electron-hole liquids. The dispersion and damping of such a mode in a model semiconductor is calculated within a generalized random phase approximation and the implications of the results are discussed.
MATING SYSTEMS IN HYMENOMYCETES : NEW REPORTS AND NEW SPECIES

Mating systems are reported for the follow? ing fungi: Amyloflagellula pseudoarachnoidea (unifac? torial), Campanella cf. aeruginosa (bifactorial), C. ru- bescens (bifactorial), Collybia dichrous (bifactorial), C. iocephala (bifactorial), C. polyphylla (bifactorial), Mega- collybia platyphylla (bifactorial), Mycena albiceps (bifac? torial), M. carolinensis (bifactorial), Oudemansiella brun- neomarginta (bifactorial), Panellus mitis (bifactorial), P. patellaris (bifactorial), P. ringens (bifactorial), Pleuro- topsis guatemalensis (new species; unifactorial), Poly- porus umbellatus (bifactorial), Tetrapyrgos nigripes (bi? factorial), T. subdendrophora (bifactorial), T. tropicalis (new species; amphithallic). Discussion is included on the implication of these reports on systematics in the
Narrow bandwidth spectral analysis of the textures of interstitial lung diseases

The object of this study was to develop a classifier for distinguishing between regions-of-interest (ROIs) from normal lung radiographs and ROIs from radiographs showing interstitial lung disease. The method used was to estimate the covariance statistics of the ROIs of the lung interstitial space and, based on the estimate, to design filters for isolating statistically significant components of the spectrum. The energy of filtered images was used as a classifier. Additionally, the filtered images were analyzed and classified using a convolution neural network (CNN). The procedure used to generate the filters was: (1) Convert 2D neighborhoods of pixels to vectors. (2) Form the sample covariance matrix from the vectors. (3) Compute the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the matrix. (4) Convert the eigenvectors back to 2D form and use as filters. The images selected for study included normal lungs, and lungs with different types and profusions of pneumoconiosis opacities. One group of ROIs of the interstitial space was used to design filters. Another group was used as a test of classification accuracy. The results showed that the designed classifier was effective in discriminating ROIs with small pneumoconiosis opacities from normal ROIs.
Green accounting: A primer ☆

Abstract This article, intended as a collateral reading assignment for a principles or intermediate accounting course, explores the current state and future issues of environmental accounting and reporting. The primer is divided into two parts: (1) a brief rationale directed to accounting professors for allocating precious class time to environmental reporting, and (2) a much fuller exposition for students of the associated issues past, present, and future that will serve to generate classroom discussion. Accounting faculty can use the student portion of the primer to incorporate environmental accounting and reporting into their courses without the need for extensive advance preparation.
Assessing design instability in iterative (agile) object‐oriented projects

Assessing progress and stability in rapid, highly iterative and agile object-oriented software development processes is difficult because program evolution appears somewhat disorderly. With agile software development methods, the expected time to reach software stability is obscured by the dynamic nature of the agile process itself. The System Design Instability (SDI) metric was developed to help analyze object-oriented software evolution under these conditions. In this paper we examine a new version of SDI, called SDIe, based on the maximum entropy in a system. We believe our new measure is easier to calculate than the original version of SDI since it is based on data that are more commonly available than those used by SDI; also, SDIe gives a more accurate indication of software stability and maturity since it suffers less from data spikes. To validate the new metric, we use maintenance data from a commercial software project, developed using an agile process; these are the same data that were collected and analyzed in the original SDI study. In addition, we apply the refined SDI metric to the evolution of a well-established, open-source, iteratively-developed software product. The results of our case study indicate our new SDIe metric is a viable measure of system design stability. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Factors influencing the time of onset of the first heart sound in normal subjects.

Abstract One hundred “normal” subjects, aged 2 to 35 years, had simultaneously recorded electrocardiograms and phonocardiograms to determine the time from the beginning of ventricular excitation to the first rapid vibrations of the first heart sound. This Q-1 interval varied directly with age, weight, and the QRS duration, but most significantly with the subject's height.
Leukotrienes potentiate the effects of epinephrine and thrombin on human platelet aggregation.

Abstract A cooperation between leukocytes and platelets relative to metabolism of arachidonic acid has been observed in animal studies. To determine potential stimulatory effects of leukotrienes (LTs) on human platelets, LTs were incubated with platelet rich plasma followed by addition of subthreshold concentration of aggregatory stimulus. LTs (LTE 4 LTD 4 LTC 4 ) alone had no direct effect on platelet aggregation, but potentiated the effects of subthreshold concentrations of epinephrine and thrombin and caused complete platelet aggregation. This potentiation was similar in citrated or heparinized blood and was unaffected by exogenous CaCl 2 . LTs did not induce secondary wave of aggregation in aspirin or selective TXA 2 -synthetase blocker OKY-O46-treated platelets. In addition, LTs stimulated TXA 2 biosynthesis by platelets in the presence of subaggregatory concentrations of epinephrine, but not when platelets had been pretreated with OKY046. These data indicate that LTs potentiate epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation by modulating TXA 2 synthetase activity.
An acquired and a native penicillin-binding protein cooperate in building the cell wall of drug-resistant staphylococci

The blanket resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to all β-lactam antibiotics—which had such a devastating impact on chemotherapy of staphylococcal infections—is related to the properties of the key component of this resistance mechanism: the “acquired” penicillin-binding protein (PBP)-2A, which has unusual low affinity for all β-lactam antibiotics. Until now, the accepted model of resistance implied that in the presence of β-lactam antibiotics in the surrounding medium, PBP2A must take over the biosynthesis of staphylococcal cell wall from the four native staphylococcal PBPs because the latter become rapidly acylated and inactivated at even low concentrations of the antibiotic. However, recent observations indicate that this model requires revision. Inactivation of the transglycosylase domain, but not the transpeptidase domain, of PBP2 of S. aureus prevents expression of β-lactam resistance, despite the presence of the low-affinity PBP2A. The observations suggest that cell-wall synthesis in the presence of β-lactam antibiotics requires the cooperative functioning of the transglycosylase domain of the native staphylococcal PBP2 and the transpeptidase domain of the PBP2A, a protein imported by S. aureus from an extra species source.
Lattice pseudoscalar-meson wave-function properties.

Using lattice gauge theory in the quenched approximation we calculate the decay constants and second moments of wave functions of pseudoscalar mesons containing nonstrange, strange, and charmed quarks. We find f/sub D/ = 134(23) MeV and f/sub D//sub >//sub s/ = 157(11) MeV. We use the methodology of two recent computations of the second moment of the pion wave function, and find that a nonperturbative treatment of operator mixing gives results consistent with calculations using sum rules.
Challenges and Opportunities for State Tracking in Statistical Spoken Dialog Systems: Results From Two Public Deployments

Whereas traditional dialog systems operate on the top ASR hypothesis, statistical dialog systems claim to be more robust to ASR errors by maintaining a distribution over multiple hidden dialog states. Recently, these techniques have been deployed publicly for the first time, making empirical measurements possible. In this paper, we analyze two of these deployments. We find that performance was quite mixed: in some cases statistical techniques improved accuracy with respect to the top speech recognition hypothesis; in other cases, accuracy was degraded. Investigating degradations, we find the three main causes are (non-obviously) inaccurate parameter estimates, poor confidence scores, and correlations in speech recognition errors. Overall the results suggest fundamental weaknesses in the formulation as a generative model, and we suggest alternatives as future work.
Treatment of strategies in an urban Indian alcoholism program.

her complicated because of difficulty in defining the nature, or even the size, of the problem. Research literature concerning the definition, etiology, dynamics, assessment and treatment of alcoholism among American Indians is abundant but of unequal quaL ity and questionable usefulness. No single agency or organization collects or has access to information on alcohol use among native peoples. Only on the Pine Ridge and Makah Reservations has an epidemiological survey of an entire tribal population been made regarding mental health and alcoholism (1). The native peoples of North America are a heterogeneous population with diverse cultures, attitudes and religious persuasions in which alcohol has a number of uses and meanings. In response to this diversity, as well as to the overwhelming need in local Indian communities, over a hundred new Indian-run alcoholism treatment programs have developed since the American Indian SelfDetermination Act of 1975. Few of these programs have reported their treatment approaches or have investigated the effectiveness of tribal-specific treatment of Indian problem drinkers. This paper examines the relationship between treatment approaches used in the Seattle Indian Alcoholism Program and treatment outcome. The program was established by the local Seattle Indian community and is recognized by both Indian and nonIndian community alcoholism treatment agencies as a successful program. This survey may aid other alcoholism treatment programs that are attempting to provide treatment, education and support to Indian alcoholics.
The VIIRS Ocean Data Simulator Enhancements and Results

The VIIRS Ocean Science Team (VOST) has been developing an Ocean Data Simulator to create realistic VIIRS SDR datasets based on MODIS water-leaving radiances. The simulator is helping to assess instrument performance and scientific processing algorithms. Several changes were made in the last two years to complete the simulator and broaden its usefulness. The simulator is now fully functional and includes all sensor characteristics measured during prelaunch testing, including electronic and optical crosstalk influences, polarization sensitivity, and relative spectral response. Also included is the simulation of cloud and land radiances to make more realistic data sets and to understand their important influence on nearby ocean color data. The atmospheric tables used in the processing, including aerosol and Rayleigh reflectance coefficients, have been modeled using VIIRS relative spectral responses. The capabilities of the simulator were expanded to work in an unaggregated sample mode and to produce scans with additional samples beyond the standard scan. These features improve the capability to realistically add artifacts which act upon individual instrument samples prior to aggregation and which may originate from beyond the actual scan boundaries. The simulator was expanded to simulate all 16 M-bands and the EDR processing was improved to use these bands to make an SST product. The simulator is being used to generate global VIIRS data from and in parallel with the MODIS Aqua data stream. Studies have been conducted using the simulator to investigate the impact of instrument artifacts. This paper discusses the simulator improvements and results from the artifact impact studies.
Convergence of two-dimensional Nyström discrete-ordinates in solving the linear transport equation

In the discrete-ordinates approximation to the linear transport equation, the integration over the directional variable is replaced by a numerical quadrature rule involving a weighted sum over functional values at selected directions. The purpose of this paper is to show that the Nystrom technique of defining the angular flux in directions other than the quadrature points, as outlined by P.M. Anselone and A. Gibbs and utilized by P. Nelson for anisotropically scattering slabs, produces an approximation scheme which is stable, consistent with, and convergent to the transport equation in two-dimensional geometry.
Integrating Home and School Identities of Recent-Immigrant Hispanic English Language Learners Through Classroom Practices

The negotiation of integrated home and school identities of 3 second grade Hispanic English language learners (ELLs) included in an English–dominant classroom are explored through sociocultural paradigms, with an emphasis on the role of the individual's agency in the social construction of identities. In addition, we examine the conditions within the classroom context and practices that may influence the negotiation of the children's home and school identities. These identified conditions include (a) opportunities for students to perform home and community roles in the classroom, (b) space for students' (and their families') voices to be expressed and valued, and (c) access to meaningful participation of students and their families in “school learning” activities. Our data provide examples of classroom practices that may constrain these conditions. Based on our findings, we make suggestions for mediations that can facilitate the integration of home and school identities for ELLs.
A method of moments interpretation of sequential estimators

Abstract It is shown that sequential estimators can be interpreted as members of a class method of moments of estimators, and that this interpretation facilities derivation of asymptotic covariance matrices for two-step estimators. An example is given which deals with a two-step least squares estimator used to estimate rational expectations models.
Access rate as a determinant of sucrose or water preference in water-deprived rats.

Abstract Water-deprived rats' licking on either of two discs was reinforced on a fixed interval 19-sec schedule involving successive choices between 6.2 μl drops of 8% sucrose solution and water. Three of 5 rats showed a water preference whereas the remaining two exhibited a position preference. For rats that preferred water, increasing the number of continuously reinforced licks at the end of each fixed interval from 1 to 40 or decreasing the fixed-interval from 19 to 0.25 sec (one reinforcement/interval) reversed preference from water to sucrose solution. It was concluded that with highly restricted accessibility to 8% sucrose solution and water during successive tests, a decrease in access rate can reverse preference from sucrose solution to water independently of the quantity of fluid consumed.
Achalasia of the Esophagus: Results of Therapy by Dilation, 1950-1967

The past two decades have seen changing patterns of therapy for achalasia of the esophagus. Availability of esophageal motility studies and cineradiography has made more accurate diagnosis posssible. Whereas, in the past, forceful dilation was the only definitive mode of treatment, the success of esophagomyotomy has resulted in its increasing use. Of 456 patients treated primarily by dilation at the Mayo Clinic from 1950 through 1967, 408 patients had hydrostatic dilation performed one or more times, whereas 48 had simple dilation with sounds. Long-term follow-up data on 77 percent of patients who had forceful dilation revealed that 65 percent had excellent or good results, 16 percent were improved but still had significant symptoms, and 19 percent were not improved. Fifty patients subsequently underwent esophagomyotomy because of unsatisfactory initial results. Of 19 patients with complications, ten required mediastinotomy and surgical repair of instrumental perforations. Although forceful dilation can be used in poor risk patients and those who decline operation, the significant incidence of complications and the frequent need for multiple dilations have made esophagomyotomy the preferred form of initial treatment.
Incomplete-data classification using logistic regression

A logistic regression classification algorithm is developed for problems in which the feature vectors may be missing data (features). Single or multiple imputation for the missing data is avoided by performing analytic integration with an estimated conditional density function (conditioned on the non-missing data). Conditional density functions are estimated using a Gaussian mixture model (GMM), with parameter estimation performed using both expectation maximization (EM) and Variational Bayesian EM (VB-EM). Using widely available real data, we demonstrate the general advantage of the VB-EM GMM estimation for handling incomplete data, vis-a-vis the EM algorithm. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the approach proposed here is generally superior to standard imputation procedures.
Sub-band decomposition for projection magnetic resonance imaging of dynamic phenomena

The author summarizes some recent work by Olson, Weaver, and himself concerning the imaging of time varying objects from a sequence of projections taken during the evolution of the object. Reconstruction of coarse features, corresponding to low spatial-frequency data, can be made nearly instantaneously in time from the evolving data. A temporal sequence of these low spatial-frequency reconstructions can be used to estimate the motion of the object. Once the motion is estimated, one may use the estimate to compensate for some of the motion of fine scale features. This enables accurate reconstructions of the time varying fine structure in several cases. The algorithm is demonstrated for a joint motion case study. In general, this technique shows promise for a wide variety of applications in MRI, and fast imaging using X-ray CT. Clinical applications should include both functional MRI such as dynamic imaging of oxygen usage and blood flow in the brain, and motion imaging of joints, angiography in the lungs, and heart imaging. >
Is RORγ a therapeutic target for treating Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections

Summary A link is hypothesized between inhibition of the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γ (RORγ) and treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. An unexpected overlap was found between inhibitors of both Mtb H37Rv with RORγ in PubChem. Since RORγ is not present in Mtb, a commonality was reasoned to be cholesterol. Gemfibrozil is a RORγ inhibitor that was inactive against Mtb cells. Yet, gemfibrozil has been shown to inhibit Mtb growth in macrophages, supporting the hypothesis that RORγ inhibitors could show therapeutic benefit in Mtb infection. 7
Left ventricular dysfunction in duchenne muscular dystrophy and genotype.

Prognosis in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is guarded, and most deaths are due to cardiac or respiratory causes. It is unclear if some DMD gene mutations might be predictive of either mild or severe cardiac dysfunction. We studied 75 patients with DMD followed at our institution. Cardiac function, as assessed by yearly echocardiography, showed marked variability in left ventricular (LV) function. Some patients in their 3rd decade had no or minimal dysfunction, whereas others in their 2nd decade had very severe dysfunction. Therefore, 4 severity groups were defined ranging from no or mild LV dysfunction to severe LV dysfunction using patient age at first abnormal echocardiographic finding and degree of LV dysfunction. Genetic data were collected for all patients. Most patients had mutations from exon 1 to 20 to exon 41 to 55. The distribution of the 4 severity groups of LV dysfunction did not significantly differ between these 2 mutation groups. An analysis based on the number of exons involved (
Effect of temperature on the ozone cracking of butyl rubbers

Abstract Rates of growth of single ozone cracks have been measured for vulcanizates of two butyl rubbers over the temperature range of 20-160° C. Over most of this range the rates are quantitatively related to the segmental mobility of the polymer and depend upon temperature in accord with the appropriate form of the WLF relation. The rates are also proportional to the concentration of ozone. It is therefore concluded that diffusion of ozone into the polymer before reaction is the rate-controlling step. This is contrasted with the behavior of butadiene styrene copolymers, for which rates of crack growth are also quantitatively related to the segmental mobility, but the rates are somewhat larger at equivalent mobilities and the dependence upon ozone concentration is smaller. The difference is attributed to different penetration distances before reaction in polymers containing low and high densities of reactive sites.
Physiological variability in neonatal armadillo quadruplets: within- and between-litter differences

The role of genetics on neonatal physiological variability was examined in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Since armadillos give birth to only monozygous quadruplets, the genetic variation within litters is essentially zero. Quadruplets born in captivity were isolated and weighed within 8 h of birth. Oxygen consumption (V.(O2)) was measured in resting neonates by flow-through respirometry, heart rate obtained from an electrocardiogram and ventilation was measured by impedance techniques. Following the measurements, neonates were returned to the mother. Measurements were repeated at 4 and 8 days after birth. Mean heart rate significantly increased from 132 beats min(−1) on the day of birth to 169 beats min(−1) on day 8. Mean ventilation rate significantly decreased from 81 breaths min(−1) on the day of birth to 54 breaths min(−1) on day 8. During this same developmental period, mean mass significantly increased from 100 g to 129 g, and mean mass-specific oxygen consumption significantly decreased from 32.2 ml O(2)kg(−1)min(−1) to 28.6 ml O(2)kg(−1) min(−1). For all variables measured, within-litter variability was always significantly less than between-litter variability, confirming a ‘sibling effect’ that we attribute to the genetic components determining physiological characters.
Differential functional connectivity within an emotion regulation neural network among individuals resilient and susceptible to the depressogenic effects of early life stress.

BackgroundEarly life stress (ELS) is a significant risk factor for depression. The effects of ELS exposure on neural network organization have not been differentiated from the effect of depression. Furthermore, many individuals exposed to ELS do not develop depression, yet the network organization patterns differentiating resiliency versus susceptibility to the depressogenic effects of ELS are not clear.MethodWomen aged 18–44 years with either a history of ELS and no history of depression (n = 7), a history of ELS and current or past depression (n = 19), or a history of neither ELS nor depression (n = 12) underwent a resting-state 3-T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scan. An emotion regulation brain network consisting of 21 nodes was described using graph analyses and compared between groups.ResultsGroup differences in network topology involved decreased global connectivity and hub-like properties for the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and decreased local network connectivity for the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) among resilient individuals. Decreased local connectivity and increased hub-like properties of the left amygdala, decreased hub-like properties of the dACC and decreased local connectivity of the left vlPFC were observed among susceptible individuals. Regression analyses suggested that the severity of ELS (measured by self-report) correlated negatively with global connectivity and hub-like qualities for the left dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC).ConclusionsThese preliminary results suggest functional neural connectivity patterns specific to ELS exposure and resiliency versus susceptibility to the depressogenic effects of ELS exposure.
The elemental composition of the environments of the gametes and preimplantation embryo during the initiation of pregnancy.

Micropuncture and electron probe microanalysis were used to determine the concentrations of Na, Cl, K, Ca, Mg, S and P in picoliter volumes of fluid in the microenvironments of male and female gametes and zygotes in the female genital tract of the mouse. Since ejaculation occurs directly into the lumen of the uterine cornua, post-coital uterine fluid is the first microenvironment of sperm following coitus. This fluid is characterized by a high concentration of K (32 mM) but low concentrations of Na (114 mM), Cl (115 mM) and Ca (1 mM), relative to mouse serum. Elemental analyses of the liquid ejaculate and proestrous uterine fluid demonstrate that the liquid ejaculate is the main modifier of proestrous uterine fluid in the formation of postcoital uterine fluid. In passing from postcoital uterine fluid to the ampulla, the site of fertilization, spermatozoa experience changes in the concentrations of only two elements: Cl and Ca significantly increase. Bursal sac fluid and oviducal fluids in the microenvironment of the mouse ova have unique compositions. Bursal sac fluid is lower in Ca, S and P than serum but slightly higher in K. Ampulla and isthmus fluids contain high concentrations of K (23-25 mM) but low concentrations of Ca (1.7-2.0mM). Analyses of proestrous ampulla fluid demonstrate that high K levels in the mouse oviduct are not due to cumulus cell degeneration, but probably originate from the oviducal epithelium.
On the relationship between Schottky barrier capacitance and mixer performance at cryogenic temperatures

The flat-band voltage is the Schottky junction voltage required to shrink the depletion width to zero. At cryogenic temperatures, mixer diodes are generally biased and/or pumped beyond the flat-band condition to minimize conversion loss and noise figure. This occurs despite the presumed sharp increase in junction capacitance near flat-band, which should instead limit mixer performance. Past moderate forward bias, the diode C-V relationship is difficult to measure. A simple analytic expression for C(V) is usually used to model and predict mixer performance. This letter provides experimental data on C(V) at 77 K based on a microwave measurement and modeling technique. Data is also provided on the conversion loss of a singly balanced mixer optimized for 77 K operation. The connection between junction capacitance, flat-band potential, and conversion loss is examined. It is shown that the analytic expression greatly overestimates the junction capacitance that occurs as flat-band is approached.
A time‐series study of the vertical structure of nitrogen and particle dynamics in the Sargasso Sea

A time-series study of nitrogen and particle dynamics at a site near Bermuda was made with natural nitrogen isotopic ratios as an in situ tracer. Vertical structure in 615N values and other quantities varied both seasonally and interannually. At times during stratification, weak to moderate minima in 615N and maxima in suspended particulate nitrogen concentration (PN) were observed in association with the top of the nitracline at the base of the euphotic zone indicative of local NO,- utilization. Net transport of PN as sinking particles enriched in 15N to the lower half of the euphotic zone, however, acted to weaken or erase these features. A return flux of nitrogen from the lower to upper half of the euphotic zone was required, on a 1-3-week time scale, to prevent depletion of suspended PN in the upper 50 m. Persistently higher particle flux at 50 vs. 100 m contrasts with the findings of the VERTEX study for the NE Pacific; the upper half of the euphotic zone in the Sargasso Sea appeared to be substantially less efficient at recycling nutrients than the euphotic zone as a whole. Destruction of sinking particles within the euphotic zone was critical for determining both the overall efficiency of nutrient recycling and the vertical variations observed.
Influence of climate and environment on post-fire recovery of mountain big sagebrush

In arid and semi-arid landscapes around the world, wildfire plays a key role in maintaining species diversity. Dominant plant associations may depend upon particular fire regime characteristics for their persistence. Mountain shrub communities in high-elevation landscapes of the Intermountain West, USA, are strongly influenced by the post-fire recovery dynamics of the obligate-seeding shrub, mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle). This species is a short-distance disperser with a short-lived seedbank, leading to highly variable post-fire recovery times (15-100 years). We investigated the relative importance of site productivity and seasonal climate in explaining the variance in recovery time for 36 fires, comprising a fire chrono-sequence (from 1971 to 2007) for the Great BasinandColoradoPlateau.A.t.vaseyanarecoverywaspositivelyrelatedtoprecipitation inthecoolseasonimmediately following fire, likely because deep soil-water recharge that persists throughout the growing season enhances first-year seedling survival. Percentage sand fraction positively correlated with recovery rate yet negatively correlated with live cover in unburnt stands. Our data support the hypothesis that post-fire recovery rate of A. t. vaseyana depends on the climatically controlled ephemerality of the regeneration niche, as is likely true for many arid-land shrub species. Additional keywords: Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Colorado Plateau, fire effects, Great Basin, precipitation variability, succession.
Epoxy Putty for Free‐Form External Skeletal Fixators

Objective—To evaluate the suitability of epoxy putty for use as a connecting beam material in a free-form external skeletal fixator. Design—Mechanical evaluation of beams and the pin-material interface of commonly used methacrylates and the proposed epoxy putty. Procedure—The apparent modulus, bending strength, and toughness of 10 beams of three methacrylates (Technovit, APEF System, Bone Cement) and three epoxy putties (Oatey Epoxy Putty, All-Metals PowerPoxy, and Plumber's PowerPoxy) were determined in three-point bending. The shear strength of smooth and roughened-shaft pins embedded in the three methacrylates and the Oatey Epoxy Putty was determined by pull-out testing. Results—The epoxy putties had similar strength, greater apparent modulus, and reduced toughness when compared with the methacrylates. The shear strength of the smooth pin interface with the Oatey Epoxy putty was greater than that with the methacrylates. The interface with roughened pins was much stronger than that with smooth pins for all materials tested. Clinical Relevance—Epoxy putty is a suitable material for free-form external fixators. It is easy to handle, inexpensive, and has suitable setting times and mechanical properties.
Cell-Based Screening Identifies Paroxetine as an Inhibitor of Diabetic Endothelial Dysfunction

We have conducted a phenotypic screening in endothelial cells exposed to elevated extracellular glucose (an in vitro model of hyperglycemia) to identify compounds that prevent hyperglycemia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation without adversely affecting cell viability. From a focused library of >6,000 clinically used drug-like and pharmacologically active compounds, several classes of active compounds emerged, with a confirmed hit rate of <0.5%. Follow-up studies focused on paroxetine, a clinically used antidepressant compound that has not been previously implicated in the context of hyperglycemia or diabetes. Paroxetine reduced hyperglycemia-induced mitochondrial ROS formation, mitochondrial protein oxidation, and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA damage, without interfering with mitochondrial electron transport or cellular bioenergetics. The ability of paroxetine to improve hyperglycemic endothelial cell injury was unique among serotonin reuptake blockers and can be attributed to its antioxidant effect, which primarily resides within its sesamol moiety. Paroxetine maintained the ability of vascular rings to respond to the endothelium-dependent relaxant acetylcholine, both during in vitro hyperglycemia and ex vivo, in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Thus, the current work identifies a novel pharmacological action of paroxetine as a protector of endothelial cells against hyperglycemic injury and raises the potential of repurposing of this drug for the experimental therapy of diabetic cardiovascular complications.
Thermal sensor variation reduction in deep sub 100nm process technologies

As technology scales, the impact of process variation to device and circuit performance has increased significantly. The presented statistical design approach illustrates the importance of pre-silicon circuit performance characterization under random variation stress. The measured data shows that by applying sound analog layout rules, actual variation can be reduced by 30% and that compensation techniques like chopping for amplifier offset cancellation and current source mismatch reduction are effective in lowering variation further by up to 55%. The choice between the static and dynamic application of these techniques is also discussed.
Influence of Intensity and Duration of Regulated Deficit Irrigation on Erythroneura elegantula (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) on Grape

ABSTRACT We conducted studies in a Paso Robles, CA, grape (Vitis vinifera L.) vineyard in 2002 and 2003 to estimate the impact of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) intensity and duration on western grape leafhopper, Erythroneura elegantula Osborn. Treatments were based on deficit intensity, 50 and 25% of standard irrigation (moderate and severe deficits, respectively), and deficit duration, 3 or 6 wk time, initiated at the grape phenological stage of berry set. The standard irrigation served as the control, and was intended to be as close to 100% of evapotranspiration (1.0 ETc) for grape in this area. Each week we took counts of leafhopper nymphs and estimated stomatal conductance, and at the end of each leafhopper generation we counted live, hatched and parasitized leafhopper eggs. Second generation leafhopper nymphal density was lowered by about 38 and 70% in 2002 and 2003, respectively, but in 2003 only the severe deficit had a negative effect on the third generation. This same pattern was seen in ovi...
Adaptive Output-Feedback Stabilization and Disturbance Attenuation for Feedforward Systems with ISS Appended Dynamics

We propose an adaptive output-feedback control design technique for feedforward systems with Input-to-State Stable (ISS) appended dynamics and disturbance inputs. The design is based on our recent results on the application of dynamic high-gain scaling to state-feedback and output-feedback control of feedforward systems. Unlike previous approaches to the control of feedforward systems, the dynamic high-gain scaling technique provides robustness to additive disturbances and enabled the first output-feedback controller design for feedforward systems. In this paper, we further investigate the robustness properties of the dynamic high-gain scaling approach by introducing exogenous disturbance inputs and ISS appended dynamics coupled with all the system states and the input. The designed adaptive output-feedback controller achieves BIBS stability with respect to disturbance inputs and also provides a disturbance attenuation result. This provides the first results for feedforward systems with ISS appended dynamics and disturbance inputs.
Immunoglobulin E antibodies to seminal fluid in women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: relation to onset and timing of symptoms.

Abstract Objective Patients with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and control subjects were tested for evidence of allergy to seminal fluid to differentiate women with a clinical diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome into discrete categories. Study design Plasma samples from 52 women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and 43 control subjects were tested for immunoglobulin E antibodies to seminal fluid, total immunoglobulin E, interleukin-4, and interleukin-12 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic and medical histories were obtained by questionnaire and interview. Results Sixteen of the patients (30.8%) with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome and 2 control subjects (4.7%) tested positive for immunoglobulin E antiseminal fluid. Symptoms began after sexual intercourse in 43.8% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E positive and 11.1% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E negative ( P =.02). Symptom initiation after a yeast infection was reported by 31.3% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E positive and by 2.8% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E negative ( P =.008). Other symptom-initiating events were reported by 47.2% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E negative and by none of the women who tested immunoglobulin E positive ( P =.0008). Fifty percent of the women who tested immunoglobulin E positive, as opposed to 22.2% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E negative, reported pain only after intercourse ( P =.05). Pain at other times occurred in 50% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E positive and in 72.2% of the women who tested immunoglobulin E negative ( P =.001). There was no relation between immunoglobulin E antiseminal fluid and total immunoglobulin E, interleukin-4,or interleukin-12. Conclusion A subset of women with vulvar vestibulitis syndrome are sensitized to seminal fluid, and an allergic reaction to seminal fluid may be associated with the initiation and persistence of their symptoms.
Physical Appearance Changes in Childhood and Adolescence – Girls

Physical appearance is an important component of body image. Changes in physical appearance across childhood and adolescence present challenges to girls’ body image, partly because of changing social and cultural expectations associated with growth. Puberty is of particular interest not only because of the substantial physical changes it brings but also because of its potential relationship to body image and disordered eating. This article describes the actual physical changes in girls’ bodies during childhood and adolescence. There is a particular emphasis on body fat as well as secondary sex characteristics because of their importance in cultural ideals about women’s bodies. Causes of pubertal changes and psychosocial problems associated with puberty are also explored.
Pancreatic phospholipase A2 from the small intestine is a secretin-releasing factor in rats.

A secretin-releasing activity exists in the upper small intestine and pancreatic juice in the rat and the dog. Group I pancreatic phospholipase A2(PLA2) in canine pancreatic juice and porcine pancreatic PLA2 stimulate the release of secretin from both STC-1 cells and a secretin-producing cell (S cell)-enriched preparation isolated from rat duodenal mucosa. We investigated the distribution and release of pancreatic PLA2-like immunoreactivity in the gastrointestinal tract and the role of PLA2 on the release of secretin and pancreatic exocrine secretion in response to duodenal acidification in anesthetized rats. PLA2-like immunoreactivity was detected in the mucosa throughout the gastrointestinal tract. High concentrations of PLA2 were found in both the small intestine and the pancreas. Duodenal acidification significantly increased the release of PLA2from the upper small intestine (385% over basal secretion). Intravenous infusion of an anti-PLA2 serum (anti-PLA2) dose-dependently inhibited the release of se...
Sociological Aspects of the Low-Income Farm Problem

THIS paper has been prepared with the assumption that although primary attention will be given to farm operators and their families in the United States, the farm labor group may legitimately be considered as a part of the low-income farm problem. It also assumes that other papers in this session and recently issued reports describe in detail the number and distribution of the contemporary low-income farm population and its major demographic and economic characteristics.' Accordingly, this paper is limited (a) to some comments on the low-income concept, (b) to a brief analysis of the low-income farm problem in the United States when viewed in historical perspective and (c) to reviewing some implications of sociological theory and research for measures to alleviate the low-income farm problem. The point of view to be developed may be summarized in this way: (1) Specific agreement remains to be reached on the low-income concept. (2) However conceptualized, the low-income farm group is basically heterogeneous and represents multiple problems. (3) The concentration of low-income farmers in certain "problem areas" has been persistent. (4) The causes of this persistence include certain institutional and cultural barriers to social change. (5) Change to reduce the incidence and the concentration of low-income farmers may be facilitated both by indirect impersonal social forces and by direct action. (6) Sociological theory and research indicates both barriers and aids to effectively working directly with the low-income group. Concepts Low income. The concept of 'low-income farmer" is itself relatively new, finding little expression in the United States before the early 1930's.2
Recent Developments in Control of Forest Insects

I am pleased to have this opportunity to discuss with you briefly some recent advances which have been made in the control of forest insects. We in the Forest Service feel that considerable progress has been made in this difficult field, especially since World War II. Later on I shall mention certain achievements which I believe represent real advancement. I shall also have something to say about the magnitude of the forest insect problem in this country. Considering the losses which I shall bring to your attention, it may be that some of you will conclude that our so-called advances are more fancied than real. Admittedly, forest insect-caused losses are high—possibly they have been at an all-time high during the past few years. It is unfortunate, but true, that this has occurred in spite of some rather outstanding achievements in research during the period. We believe that they would have been considerably greater in the absence of such progress as has been made.
Temporal Stability of Coda Q−1 in Southern California

Some studies of coda Q −1 have found temporal changes that may be associated with earthquake activity, but these analyses are subject to biases due to differences in source locations and other nonstationary behavior in earthquake catalogs. These biases can be greatly reduced by using clusters of repeating earthquakes; studies using this approach have generally found no resolvable changes in coda Q −1. We examine coda Q −1 variations across southern California using 22 similar event clusters identified from a recent large‐scale waveform cross‐correlation project to improve earthquake locations. These clusters are found across the region and span the time period between 1981 and 2005. We apply the method of Beroza et al. (1995) to compute differential coda Q −1 using waveforms from similar earthquake pairs and analyze the results to constrain any possible temporal variations. Results from individual event pairs show a great deal of scatter in differential coda Q −1, but exhibit no clear temporal variations or changes associated with large earthquakes. Application of a median filter to smooth the results shows that any persistent large‐scale changes in coda Q −1 during this time period are less than about 30%.
Forensic Examination and Failure Analysis of a 220-MVA Step-Up Transformer Fire

The paper presents the results of investigation and engineering analysis by Exponent of the failure of a 220-MVA generator step-up transformer in Southern California. The incident was caused by a dielectric breakdown from the high-side C-phase bushing to the side wall of the transformer. The ensuing fire continued for 27 hrs, fueled by approximately 11,000 gal of dielectric HYTRANS 61 oil. The paper will discuss the investigation conducted as per the IEEE C57.125 “Guide for Failure Investigation, Documentation, and Analysis for Power Transformers and Shunt Reactors,” [1] and the engineering review and analysis to identify the likely failure scenario(s). This article is available in the ASME Digital Collection at http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4033405.
Survey on benefit vehicle route problem

Vehicle route problem is the key point to realize enterprise delivery task.This paper reviews on vehicle route problem with profits.According to stato research situation,correlative problems are classified and researched.Its characteristics is analyzed and corresponding 0-1 integer programming model and set partition model about such problems are discussed.The exact and heuristic algorithms to solve the given problem are concluded This paper introduces some real applications about this problem,prospects its future research field and points out correlative research directions.