cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of methanogenic bacteria from rice paddies

Abstract Enrichment cultures for H2CO2, methanol- or acetate-utilizing methanogens were prepared from two rice field soil samples. All the cultures except one acetate enrichment showed significant methane production. Pure cultures of Methanobacterium- and Methanosarcina-like organisms were isolated from H2CO2 and methanol enrichment cultures, respectively, and were characterized for various nutritional and growth conditions. The organisms had an optimal pH range of 6.4–6.6 and a temperature optimum of 37°C. The Methanobacterium isolates were able to utilize H2CO2 but no other substrates as sole energy source, while the Methanosarcina isolates were able to utilize methanol, methylamines or H2CO2 as sole energy sources. Both Methanobacterium isolates and one isolate of Methanosarcina were able to use dinitrogen as the sole source of nitrogen for growth. The isolates used several sulfur compounds as sole sources of sulfur.
The impact of α-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10 and caloric restriction on life span and gene expression patterns in mice

We evaluated the efficacy of three dietary interventions started at middle age (14 months) to retard the aging process in mice. These were supplemental alpha-lipoic acid (LA) or coenzyme Q(10) (CQ) and caloric restriction (CR, a positive control). LA and CQ had no impact on longevity or tumor patterns compared with control mice fed the same number of calories, whereas CR increased maximum life span by 13% (p <.0001) and reduced tumor incidence. To evaluate these interventions at the molecular level, we used microarrays to monitor the expression of 9977 genes in hearts from young (5 months) and old (30 months) mice. LA, CQ, and CR inhibited age-related alterations in the expression of genes involved in the extracellular matrix, cellular structure, and protein turnover. However, unlike CR, LA and CQ did not prevent age-related transcriptional alterations associated with energy metabolism. LA supplementation lowered the expression of genes encoding major histocompatibility complex components and of genes involved in protein turnover and folding. CQ increased expression of genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation and reduced expression of genes involved in the complement pathway and several aspects of protein function. Our observations suggest that supplementation with LA or CQ results in transcriptional alterations consistent with a state of reduced oxidative stress in the heart, but that these dietary interventions are not as effective as CR in inhibiting the aging process in the heart.
Antarctic mass rates from GRACE

[1] We estimate mass trends over Antarctica using gravity variations observed by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite mission during its first 3.5 years (April 2002–November 2005). An image of surface mass trends is constructed from 1° × 1° pixels over the entire continent, and shows two prominent features, a region of mass loss along the coast of West Antarctica, and one of accumulation in East Antarctica. After adjusting for bias due to smoothing and to GRACE's limited spatial resolution, and removing post glacial rebound (PGR) effects, the rate in West Antarctica is −77 ± 14 km3/year, similar to a recent estimate of ice mass loss from satellite altimetry and remote sensing data. The prominent East Antarctic feature in the Enderby Land region has a rate of +80 ± 16 km3/year. Published snow/ice mass rates from remote sensing measurements indicate approximate ice mass balance in this region, suggesting that this feature is either from unquantified snow accumulation in this region or more likely due to unmodeled PGR.
Defect modes in photonic crystal slabs studied using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

We describe broadband coherent transmission studies of two-dimensional photonic crystals consisting of a hexagonal array of air holes in a dielectric slab in a planar waveguide. By filling several of the air holes in the photonic crystal slab, we observe the signature of a defect mode within the stop band, in both the amplitude and phase spectra. The experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical calculations using the transfer matrix method.
A model of microbial growth and decay in a closed habitat based on combined Fermi's and the logistic equations

Microbial growth in a closed system can be described by a model based on the continuous logistic equation on which a Fermi's term is superimposed. The first component of the combined model accounts for growth and the second for decay. It has the form : N(t) = N s /{1 + exp[k g (t cg - t)]}/(1 + exp[k 1 (t - t cl )]) or N(t) = N 0 + [N s - N 0 ]/{1 + exp[k g (t cg - t)]}/(1 + exp[k 1 (t - t cl )]} where N(t) and N 0 , are the instantaneous and initial numbers of cells, or an equivalent population size or density measure, and N s the medium's capacity ; k and t c are rate constants and characteristic times with the subscript g or l signifying growth or decay, respectively. The model has the versatility to account for a short or long lag time, populations starting from a very small or substantial inoculum and asymmetric or symmetric growth curves with a broad or sharp peak. The model was tested with published experimental growth curves of bacteria and cell cultures grown under very different conditions and had a good fit in all the cases. Its parameters could be used for quantitative comparison between growth patterns and assessment of the relative overall role of growth-promoting and decay-causing agents that shape the growth curve. At least in principle, they can also be used to map the effects of factors such as temperature and pH algebraically or graphically.
Geochemistry of the Onyx River (Wright Valley, Antarctica) and its role in the chemical evolution of Lake Vanda

Abstract The Onyx River (Wright Valley, Antarctica) is a dilute meltwater stream originating in the vicinity of the Wright Lower Glacier. It acquires a significant fraction of its salt content when glacial meltwaters contact Wright Valley soils at Lake Brownworth and the concentrations of all ions increase with distance along the 28-km channel down to Lake Vanda. Average millimolar concentrations of major ions at the Vanda weir during the 1980–1981 flow season were: Ca = 0.119; Mg = 0.061; Na = 0.212; K = 0.033; Q = 0.212; SO4 = 0.045; HCO3 = 0.295; and SiO2 = 0.049. Based on the flow measurements of Chinn (1982), this amounts to an annual flux (in moles) to Lake Vanda of: Ca = 0.238 × 106; Mg = 0.122 × 106; Na = 0.424 × 106; K = 0.066 × 106; Cl = 0.424 × 106; SO4 = 0.09 × 106; HCO3 = 0.59 × 106; SiO2 = 0.098 × 106. In spite of the large salt input from this source, equilibrium evaporation of Onyx River water would have resulted in early calcite deposition and in the formation of a Na-Mg-Cl-HCO3 brine rather than in the Ca-Na-Mg-Cl waters observed in Lake Vanda. The river alone could not have produced a brine having the qualitative geochemical features of the lower saline waters of Lake Vanda. It is proposed that the Vanda brine is instead the result of past ( > 1200 yrs BP) mixing events between Onyx River inflows and calcium chloride-rich deep groundwaters derived from the Don Juan Basin. The mixing model presented here shows that the Onyx River is the major contributor of K, HCO3, SO4, and (possibly) Mg found in the lake and a significant contributor (approximately one half) of the observed Na. Calcium and Cl, on the other hand, came largely from deep groundwater sources in the Don Juan Basin. All concentrations except Mg are well predicted by this model. The chemical composition of the geologically recent upper lake is explained in terms of ionic diffusion from the pre-formed brine, coupled with Onyx River inflow. Ionic ratios calculated from this latter model are in very good agreement with those observed in the lake at 35 meters.
Transient Viscous Heating of Liquid Layers under Intense Shear

Viscous heating under high shear has been proposed as a possible cause for the accidental ignition of liquid monopropellants. A typical experiment consists of the rapid compression of a drop of liquid between two parallel solid plates. This process is simulated numerically by solving a boundary-layer version of the Navier-Stokes equations. It is found that allowing for the decrease of viscosity with increasing temperature leads to a major reduction in the estimated peak temperature. On the basis of these results, it would seem that accidental ignition by viscous heating is an unlikely event. The effect of wall slip is also briefly considered.
Implementation of the modified power iteration method to two-group Monte Carlo eigenvalue problems

Abstract In nuclear engineering field, the Monte Carlo method has been used to solve the eigenvalue or criticality problem for many years. The theoretical basis for solving the eigenvalue problem is the power iteration method, which exhibits slow convergence when the dominance ratio of the system is close to one. To overcome this drawback, a modified power iteration method, which could compute the first two eigenpairs at the same time, was proposed and its validity was exemplified for one-dimensional mono-energetic problems. In this paper, we implemented this method to one-dimensional two-group problems and proved its validity for these problems. This work indicates the capability of the modified power iteration method to solve practical multi-group or continuous energy problems.
Congruence between Objective and Self-Report Data in a Sample of Young Adolescents

Methodology texts frequently emphasize the limitations of self-report measures. Empirical information on the validity of self-report data, however, tends to be limited to particular topics and populations. This paper examines the validity of self-report data in a sample of young adolescents for whom objective and self-report data were available on course grades, height, and weight. A comparison of the two kinds of data generally supported the validity of the self-reports, although there was some evidence of response effects. It was concluded that while young adolescents exhibit some systematic errors in reporting, self-reports can provide a useful substitute for some kinds of objective data.
Dietary-fat intake in the US population

Objective: This article looks at the food group choices by individuals grouped based on fat intake, saturated fat intake, and use of lowfat foods.Methods: Food consumption data from USDA’s National Food Consumption Surveys (NFCS) and the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) were used to look at changes in the mean energy, percent calories from fat and saturated-fat and total-fat intakes over time. USDA’s 1995 CSFII data were used to evaluate the diets of individuals grouped based on percent calories from fat and use of low-fat foods. Individuals six to 50 years old who had complete food intake records were included and five age-gender classifications were used.Results: The percent of calories from total fat and saturated fat have steadily declined over the last 30 years, and the amount of fat in the diet has increased from 1989 to 1995. Those whose diets met the Dietary Guidelines Recommendations for fat and saturated fat had lower fat intakes. Except for adult males, those with low-fa...
Ion motion in conjugated polyelectrolyte electron transporting layers.

The time responses of polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) incorporating conjugated polyelectrolyte electron transport layers (ETLs) are reported. Longer times are required with thicker ETL layers and with smaller applied voltages. These observations are consistent with a reduction of the electron injection barrier that depends on the ion motion in the ETL. The devices are a hybrid between PLEDs and light-emitting electrochemical cells.
Motivation for Math in Rural Schools: Student and Teacher Perspectives.

Rural schools, students, teachers, administrators, families and community leaders face unique challenges from those of their urban and suburban counterparts. This paper investigates motivation in rural secondary schools, with a particular focus on mathematics, from teacher and student perspectives. It integrates recent research on math learning and motivation from the fields of educational psychology, human neuroscience and rural education, to present an integrated systemic view of motivation for learning math in rural schools.
Non-lethal hyperoxic potentiation of lung disease in the rat following subcutaneous administration of bleomycin.

Abstract Rats were treated with subcutaneous injections of either saline or 1, 3, or 5 units of bleomycin (BLM) each day for 5 days (5, 15, or 25 units total dose). One half of each group of animals was exposed to 80% oxygen for 4 days during BLM dosings. Rats treated with both 25 units BLM and hyperoxia died after being returned to room air. All remaining rats were sacrificed 6 weeks following the end of treatment. Of the BLM rats in room air, only the lungs of the 15-unit group exhibited histological change, a mild diffuse interstitial disease. Both lower dose groups demonstrated slight increases in hydroxy - proline (OHP) content, a marker of collagen deposition or lung injury. The lungs of BLM rats exposed to hyperoxia demonstrated greater increases in total lung OHP levels. The lungs of the 15-unit group demonstrated lesions consistent with diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Short-term, sublethal hyperoxia clearly potentiated injury in the rat following subcutaneous BLM treatment as assessed by either lethality or markers of pulmonary pathology.
Rod and cone disc shedding in light-entrained tree squirrels

Abstract Adult tree squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) entrained to a daily lighting cycle of 12L:12D, display a biphasic rhythm of disc shedding. One peak occurs 1–2 hr after light onset. The second peak occurs during the middle of the dark period, about three-quarters of a cycle out of phase with the morning peak. Rod disc shedding predominates in the morning, and cone shedding predominates during the dark, but both cell types shed discs throughout the cycle. These findings indicate that rod shedding in this species is temporally linked to light onset in a way consistent with earlier reports on a variety of other species. On the other hand, cone shedding is not temporally related to the onset of darkness in the same way that rod shedding is related to the onset of light.
Body Depilation in Males: A New Body Image Concern?

Twenty individual structured interviews were undertaken to investigate several facets of a relatively new phenomenon: the removal of body hair by men. In addition to the interviews, participants were asked to highlight a body figure drawing to illustrate the areas of their bodies where hair was either removed or reduced. It was found that males were removing or reducing body hair in areas commonly covered up as well as parts of the body that are usually seen in public, such as the forearms. In addition to items related to the practice of hair removal, other questions targeted affective aspects of hair removal. Many participants reported that it was of high importance to remove hair prior to a social exchange. Findings are considered in light of increasing interest in men’s body image and the possibility of a novel body image issue for men: body depilation.
Preparation of cluster glycosides ofN-acetylgalactosamine that have subnanomolar binding constants towards the mammalian hepatic Gal/GalNAc-specific receptor

Preparation of di-and tri-valent cluster glycosides containingN-acetyl-d-galactosamine (GalNAc) is described. Oligopeptides that contain a protected amino group and two or three free carboxyl groups are activated by methyl chloroformate and then coupled to 6-aminohexyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-galactopyranoside. The concentrations of the divalent GalNAc glycosides needed to produce 50% inhibition of the binding of asialoorosomucoid to the isolated, purified rat liver receptor specific for galactose and GalNAc and to the receptor on the hepatocyte surface were of the order of 10−8 M and 10−9 M, respectively. The binding affinity of the trivalent glycoside was 10-to 20-fold stronger than the divalent glycosides towards both the soluble receptor and intact hepatocyte.
Genetic and autoradiographic studies of tritiated thymidine in testes of Drosophila melanogaster.

Die Aufnahme von H3-Thymidin in 16 h alte mannliche Larven vonDrosophila melanogaster wurde autoradiographisch verfolgt und die mutagene Wirkung des einverleibten H3-Thymidin durch die Bestimmung der Haufigkeit der geschlechtsgebundenen rezessiven Mutationen gemessen. Es zeigte sich, dass das der mannlichen Larve derDrosophila melanogaster verabreichte H3-Thymidin eine bedeutende Haufigkeit der Mutationen verursacht.
On the structure and linkage of the covalent cofactor of methylamine dehydrogenase from the methylotrophic bacterium W3A1.

Short amino acid sequences around the two linkage sites of the cofactor of methylamine dehydrogenase are presented. Mass spectral data indicates that the covalently bound cofactor is the tricylic pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ). However, the 3 carboxyl groups characteristic of this o-quinone are absent. A cysteine thioether, via a methylene bridge, and a serine ether link the cofactor to the small subunit of methylamine dehydrogenase.
RESEARCH ON ACHIEVEMENT DETERMINANTS IN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS--A SURVEY.

Abstract This survey of research on educational achievement reviews problems researchers have had in isolating input-output relations in public elementary and secondary school systems. Studies using student achievement as the school system output exhibit difficulty in specifying inputs with sufficient analytic and empirical clarity for them to be precisely differentiated from one another. Much past research has been unintegrated. It, therefore, has been easy to misinterpret. Only recently do researchers give evidence of communality of approaches and goals. Longitudinal data at school and individual student levels is needed if future research is to fulfill its promises. The review includes work done between 1960 and the present time.
Correlation of stream‐flow and snow‐cover in Colorado

The project, Snow-Surveys and Irrigation-Water Forecasts, now carried on in the western mountain States is conducted in many of the States under the direction of the Division of Irrigation, Soil Conservation Service, and for Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona this work is supervised through the office at Fort Collins, Colorado. The project is a cooperative one in which various Federal, State, and other agencies help in making possible this work. Because of the nature of this particular project there is a wide-spread interest in the information made available to the public through the results of the snow-surveys. The problem of forecasting stream-flow as a seasonal water-supply for irrigation, dependent upon the preceding winter's snow-cover, is one of real importance to those who live in the arid west.
Leader Communication: Faculty Perceptions of the Department Chair

This project asked 202 randomly selected faculty members to evaluate the supportive and defensive communication and leadership behaviors of their department chair. The supportive behavior of problem orientation alone explained 43% of the variance in faculty ratings of chair job effectiveness. On the other hand, empathy explained 68% of the variance in faculty ratings of relational satisfaction with their department chair. In addition, a t test revealed that more effective chairs utilized all 6 of Gibb's supportive communication behaviors more, and 5 of 6 defensive behaviors less, than their more negatively evaluated peers. Second, a series of stepwise regression procedures explained 16% of the variance in bureaucracy scores, 69% of the variance in Machiavellianism, and 62% of the variance in transformational leadership. Finally, the communication behaviors of strategy, neutrality, and problem orientation explained 56% of the variance in faculty job satisfaction and strategy, neutrality, evaluation, gender...
Intraoperative respira-tory complications in patients with upper respiratory tract infections

A retrospective survey of 3,585 patients aged newborn to 20 years was performed to investigate the prevalence of intraoperative respiratory complications in patients with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). There were no significant differences in complication rates between asymptomatic patients (1.61 per 100) and those with symptoms (1.64 per 100); however, patients who were asymptomatic but had a recent history of an URI had a significantly higher complication rate (5.31 per 100; p less than 0.05) than the asymptomatic patients. There were no significant differences in intraoperative complications between patients managed with and without tracheal intubation, nor was there any association between the type of anaesthetic agent used and the development of intraoperative respiratory complications. Results from the study suggest no increased risk of respiratory complications for patients presenting with uncomplicated URIs. However, patients who were asymptomatic but had a recent history of an URI showed a significantly increased risk for the development of intraoperative complications.
Pathogenicity of Yersinia pestis Synthesis of 1-Dephosphorylated Lipid A

Synthesis of Escherichia coli LpxL, which transfers a secondary laurate chain to the 2′ position of lipid A, in Yersinia pestis produced bisphosphoryl hexa-acylated lipid A at 37°C, leading to significant attenuation of virulence. Our previous observations also indicated that strain χ10015(pCD1Ap) (ΔlpxP32::PlpxL lpxL) stimulated a strong inflammatory reaction but sickened mice before recovery and retained virulence via intranasal (i.n.) infection. The development of live, attenuated Y. pestis vaccines may be facilitated by detoxification of its lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Heterologous expression of the lipid A 1-phosphatase, LpxE, from Francisella tularensis in Y. pestis yields predominantly 1-dephosphorylated lipid A, as confirmed by mass spectrometry. Results indicated that expression of LpxE on top of LpxL provided no significant reduction in virulence of Y. pestis in mice when it was administered i.n. but actually reduced the 50% lethal dose (LD50) by 3 orders of magnitude when the strain was administered subcutaneously (s.c.). Additionally, LpxE synthesis in wild-type Y. pestis KIM6+(pCD1Ap) led to slight attenuation by s.c. inoculation but no virulence change by i.n. inoculation in mice. In contrast to Salmonella enterica, expression of LpxE does not attenuate the virulence of Y. pestis.
The Politics of Management Thought: A Case Study of the Harvard Business School and The Human Relations School

This article describes the early development of the Human Relations School at the Harvard Business School under the leadership of Elton Mayo and Wallace Donham. It shows how both achieved early success by positioning themselves as solutions to pressing social, economic, and political issues of the period between World War I and the New Deal.
Our city councils IV. New York—the eclippse of the aldermen

Another article in our series on City Councils. IT shows how the board of estimate, which strictly speaking was not designed as a legislative body, has become the actual legislature, and why.
Scalable Techniques for Transparent Privatization in Software Transactional Memory

We address the recently recognized privatization problem in software transactional memory (STM) runtimes, and introduce the notion of partially visible reads (PVRs) to heuristically reduce the overhead of transparent privatization. Specifically, PVRs avoid the need for a "privatization fence" in the absence of conflict with concurrent readers. We present several techniques to trade off the cost of enforcing partial visibility with the precision of conflict detection. We also consider certain special-case variants of our approach, e.g., for predominantly read-only workloads. We compare our implementations to prior techniques on a multicore Niagara1 system using a variety of artificial workloads. Our results suggest that while no one technique performs best in all cases, a dynamic hybrid of PVRs and strict in-order commits is stable and reasonably fast across a wide range of load parameters. At the same time, the remaining overheads are high enough to suggest the need for programming model or architectural support.
Control of GaAs Domain Formation Via Monolayer and Multilayer Steps on Misoriented Si(100)

Reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) measurements indicate that the adsorption of As on misoriented Si(100) surfaces drives a multilayer step transition. We find that the formation of multilayer steps is a strong function of substrate temperature and As pressure. Monolayer steps are metastable at low substrate temperature or As pressure. The subsequent nucleation and growth of GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is controlled by the initial Si step distribution. Single domain GaAs grown on the monolayer stepped substrate has Ga terminated steps. Conversely, single domain GaAs grown on the multilayer stepped substrate has As terminated steps.
Correlates of Functional Capacity Among Centenarians

This study investigated correlates of functional capacity among participants of the Georgia Centenarian Study. Six domains (demographics and health, positive and negative affect, personality, social and economic support, life events and coping, distal influences) were related to functional capacity for 234 centenarians and near centenarians (i.e., 98 years and older). Data were provided by proxy informants. Domain-specific multiple regression analyses suggested that younger centenarians, those living in the community and rated to be in better health were more likely to have higher functional capacity scores. Higher scores in positive affect, conscientiousness, social provisions, religious coping, and engaged lifestyle were also associated with higher levels of functional capacity. The results suggest that functional capacity levels continue to be associated with age after 100 years of life and that positive affect levels and past lifestyle activities as reported by proxies are salient factors of adaptatio...
Unmixing coral fluorescence emission spectra and predicting new spectra under different excitation conditions

An algorithm was developed that uses prototype spectra and least-squares minimization to unmix the relative contributions of individual pigments to the composite fluorescence emission spectrum of reef corals. Field measurements indicated that it was necessary to include allowance for spectral shift of the wavelength peak of the prototype emission spectra. The unmixed spectra are used to predict the shape and amplitude of composite spectra that would be expected under different excitation conditions. We found that, for cases in which the pigments occur singly or with significant spectral separation, it is necessary to consider the properties of the excitation light sources, only, to make accurate predictions. In cases with spectral overlap the contribution of interpigment coupling cannot be neglected.
The latitudinal gradient of species diversity among North American grasshoppers (Acrididae) within a single habitat: a test of the spatial heterogeneity hypothesis

The spatial heterogeneity hypothesis predicts a positive relationship between habitat complexity and species diversity: the greater the heterogeneity of a habitat, the greater the number of species in that habitat. On a regional scale, this hypothesis has been proposed to explain the increase in species diversity from the poles to the tropics: the tropics are more diverse because they contain more habitats. On the local scale, the spatial heterogeneity hypothesis suggests that the tropics are more diverse because they contain more microhabitats. The positive relationship between habitat heterogeneity and species diversity, on the local scale, is well documented. In this paper, we test whether habitat heterogeneity on the local scale can explain the latitudinal gradient of species diversity on the regional scale. We determined the latitudinal gradient of species diversity of 305 species of North American grasshoppers using published
Development of Provisional Specification Language for Chemical Treatments for Unpaved Roads

There is increasing interest in the use of chemical treatments to reduce maintenance and gravel replacement on gravel roads. However, selecting the most appropriate chemical treatment is difficult because of the proprietary nature of many of the chemical treatments available and limitations by many agencies in procuring such proprietary products. Of the approximately 200 chemical treatment products available in the United States, only calcium chloride and asphalt emulsion carry formal ASTM and AASHTO specifications. Some federal and county road agencies have additional, very basic product specifications for some other categories of products; however, these are generally not linked to ASTM and AASHTO testing criteria. This situation has led to limited use of many chemical treatments. This paper provides sample provisional specification language that road agencies and road owners can use to procure and apply chemical treatments on unpaved roads. This provisional specification language was developed in conju...
Copepod biodiversity as an indicator of changes in ocean and climate conditions of the northern California current ecosystem

We evaluated copepod taxonomic diversity as a potential biological indicator of ocean conditions in the northeast Pacific Ocean using data collected biweekly between May 1996 and December 2004 and from 1969 to 1973 and 1983 off Newport, Oregon. During the summer, low copepod biodiversity is accompanied by high biomass, with the opposite patterns prevailing in the winter. High biodiversity, and associated low biomass, is also observed during the summers of major El Nino events (1983, 1997-1998) and during years when the Pacific Decadal Oscillation is in a positive phase. From 1996 to the present, seasonally adjusted monthly anomalies of taxa richness and the Shannon-Weiner diversity index were compared to hydrographic and meteorological variables and to basin-wide climatological indices. Correlations of biodiversity with physical variables were strongest during the summer months for the Multivariate El Nino/Southern Oscillation Index, temperatures at a water depth of 50 m, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. During a 4-year cool period (1999-2002), biodiversity was low, likely a result of the increased transport of coastal subarctic waters into the northern California current. In recent years (2002-2005), however, there has been a dramatic increase in biodiversity. These increases may be attributable to the influence of a weak El Nino event in 2003; yet, high biodiversity persisted through the summer of 2005 and at times was higher than during the strongest El Nino events of the 20th century (1983 and 1997- 1998). Our analyses suggest that changes in source waters, driven by remote basin scale forcing and not local environmental events, cause interannual-to-decadal variations in copepod biodiversity in the northern California current. Numerous ecological studies have established the critical role that climate variability may play in controlling ecosystem dynamics in the north Pacific. Some classic examples include the influence of El Nino cycles; the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO); and climate regime shifts on
Effect of cryomilling times on the resultant properties of porous biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone)/poly(glycolic acid) scaffolds for articular cartilage tissue engineering

The aim of this research is to develop a parametric investigation of the fabrication of poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) scaffolds to decipher the influence of cryomilling time on the scaffolds' resultant physical, morphological and mechanical characteristics. Scaffolds were fabricated via solid-state cryomilling to prepare a homogeneous blend along with conventional compression molding and porogen leaching yielding interconnected porous scaffolds. PCL/PGA scaffolds fabricated through this technique demonstrated high porosity at all cryomilling times. Morphological analysis revealed a co-continuous interconnected pore network. While mean pore size decreased, water uptake and compressive properties increased with increasing cryomilling times. Porous scaffolds cryomilled for 12min exhibited a mean pore size within the optimal range for tissue engineering and chondrocyte ingrowth. And the compressive modulus of scaffolds cryomilled for 12, 30 and 60min matched the compressive modulus of human articular cartilage. In addition, scaffolds exhibited water uptake, a key requirement in tissue engineering. A 60 day in vitro degradation study revealed mass loss starting from day 10 and increasing through day 60, while notable reduction in compressive properties was observed. The results indicated that cryomilling times affected the resultant properties of PCL/PGA scaffolds and will be interesting candidates for articular cartilage tissue engineering.
Hierarchical neurocontroller architecture for robotic manipulation

A hierarchical neurocontroller architecture consisting of two artificial neural network systems for the manipulation of a robotic arm is presented. The higher-level network system participates in the delineation of the robot arm workspace and coordinates transformation and the motion decision-making process. The lower-level network provides the correct sequence of control actions. A straightforward example illustrates the architecture's capabilities, including speed, adaptability, and computational efficiency. >
Unidirectional self-assembly of soft templated mesoporous carbons by zone annealing

Surfactant or block copolymer-templated mesoporous films have been extensively explored, but achieving mesostructure coherence and unidirectional orientation over macroscopic dimensions has remained quite challenging for these self-assembled systems. Here, we extend the concepts associated with zone refinement of crystalline materials to soft templated mesoporous carbon films based on the cooperative assembly of commercial non-ionic surfactants (block copolymers) and phenolic resin oligomers (resol) to provide macroscopic alignment of both cubic (FDU-16) and hexagonal (FDU-15) mesostructures. The average orientation of these mesophases is determined from rotation grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) measurements. For FDU-15 templated by Pluronic P123, the orientation factor for the zone-annealed film is 0.98 based on the average of the second Legendre polynomial, but this orientation deteriorates significantly during carbonization. Notably, a thermal stabilization step following zone annealing preserves the orientation of the mesostructure during carbonization. The orientation factor for an isotropic cubic structure (FDU-16 templated by Pluronic F127) is only 0.48 (based on the 111 reflection with incident angle 0.15°) for the same zone annealing protocol, but this illustrates the versatility of zone annealing to different mesostructures. Unexpectedly, zone annealing of FDU-15 templated by Pluronic F127 leads to stabilization of the mesostructure through carbonization, whereas this structure collapses fully during carbonization even after extended oven annealing; despite no clear macroscopic orientation of the cylindrical mesostructure from zone annealing. Thermal zone annealing provides a simple methodology to produce highly ordered and macroscopically oriented stable mesoporous carbon films, but the efficacy is strongly tied to the mobility of the template during the zone annealing.
Multivariable maximum power point tracking for photovoltaic micro-converters using extremum seeking

Abstract It is well-known that distributed architectures such as micro-converters and micro-inverters for photovoltaic (PV) systems can recover between 10% and 30% of annual performance loss or more that is caused by partial shading and/or module mismatch. In this work, we present a novel multivariable gradient-based extremum-seeking (ES) design to extract maximum power from an arbitrary micro-converter configuration of PV modules, that includes cascade and parallel connections. Conventional maximum power point tracking (MPPT) schemes for micro-converters (where each PV module is coupled to its own DC/DC converter) employ a distributed control, with one peak seeking scheme per each PV module, thereby requiring one control loop and two sensors per module (one each for current and voltage). By contrast, the scheme that we present employs a single control loop with just two sensors, one for the overall array output current and the other one for the DC bus voltage. This multivariable design provides more flexibility in tuning the parameters of the controller, and also takes into account interactions between PV modules. The computational effort of our design is not higher than that of the conventional scheme, and simulation and experimental results show that our proposed design outperforms the conventional one. Thus, our proposed design offers two benefits: (i) the balance-of-system (BOS) cost reduction as a result of the lower number of sensors, and (ii) improved performance, both contributing towards reduced average cost/watt, and enhancing the economic viability of solar.
Power recovery property of electrical active suspension systems

This paper addresses the application of electric motors as the primary actuators of an active suspension system of a road vehicle. In particular, the authors focus on the power recovery property of such a system. A quarter-car model with a linear quadratic optimal control law is used as a model in their study. The amount of potentially recoverable power and suspension force are determined based on a power spectral density analysis and computer simulations. They determined that an active system on a mid-size car can potentially recover up to 100 W power per wheel in a highway driving condition. However, such a system consumes power at lower speed city driving condition.
Identification, potential inoculum sources and pathogenicity of botryosphaeriaceous species associated with grapevine dieback disease in New Zealand

This study investigated the prevalence and identity of botryosphaeriaceous dieback pathogens in necrotic grapevines tissues in New Zealand vineyards, and other woody hosts growing nearby. The presumptive identities of the isolates by conidial and cultural morphology were confirmed with ITS sequence data as Neofusicoccum australe, N. luteum, N. parvum and Diplodia seriata. They were isolated predominantly from necrotic stems of grapevine and other hosts, but also from leaves, flowers and wood debris of grapevines. Inoculation with conidia and mycelium of multiple isolates of each species onto excised and attached green shoots and trunks of five grapevine varieties, Cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Riesling, and Sauvignon blanc, showed that all varieties became infected to a similar extent. All species except D. seriata were pathogenic, irrespective of the host source, with N. luteum being the most and D. mutila the least pathogenic (P < 0.05). On trunks, N. parvum caused cankers and the other pathogenic species caused die-back when the inoculated vines became winter-dormant. Conidia were produced from green shoot lesions and die-back wood, which indicates potential inoculum sources for vineyard infection.
Do image descriptions underlie word recognition in reading

This article is a commentary on 'The utility of image descriptions in the initial stages of vision: A case study of printed text' (Watt & Dakin, 2010).
Valproic Acid Induces Monoamine Oxidase A via Akt/Forkhead Box O1 Activation

Valproic acid (VPA) has been widely used in clinics for the treatment of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, such as epilepsy and bipolar disorder. One of the mechanisms by which VPA exerts its effect is through regulating the brain levels of serotonin. However, the molecular basis of this VPA action is not fully understood. Here, we report for the first time that VPA activates monoamine oxidase (MAO) A catalytic activity, mRNA level, and promoter activity. MAO A is a key enzyme that degrades a number of monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Our results show that VPA increased the phosphorylation of both Akt and Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), whereas pretreatment of cells with 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride (LY294002) (a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor) reduced the VPA activation of MAO A. Overexpression of FoxO1 dramatically repressed both the basal and VPA-induced MAO A catalytic and promoter activities to 30 to 60%. Small interfering RNA knockdown of FoxO1 attenuated the stimulating effect of VPA on MAO A. Moreover, introduction of a constitutively active form of FoxO1 abolished the activation of MAO A by VPA and Akt. These results suggest that FoxO1 is a repressor for MAO A transcription, and its phosphorylation is involved in VPA activation of MAO A. Sequence analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further showed the presence of a functional FoxO1-binding site in MAO A core promoter. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MAO A is a novel target for VPA via Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway. This information provides new insights into the pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic implications of VPA action.
Two remarks on Fourier-Stieltjes transforms

Special refinements of a theorem of Rajchman are given, along with some comments on approximation of certain Fourier-Stieltjes transforms.
Microdosimetry and Compound Factors for Neutron Capture Therapy

It has been suggested1 that in order to inactivate a cell, the nucleus must receive one or more direct hits from a heavy charged particle. This principle could be extended to the a particles and the 7Li recoil ions produced in the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction, which is central to the principle of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). As a result, the microdistribution of a boron compound in tissue can drastically change the dose needed to inactivate malignant cells. Therefore, being able to determine microscopically the effect of different boron compounds through their microdistributions is clearly of major importance to BNCT. Previous microdosimetric analyses of the 10B(n,α)7Li reaction have been accomplished by assuming mathematical models of cells and calculating the absorbed doses due to the α particle and 7Li recoil ion based on assumed boron microdistribution 2–7
Sex Trafficking: Policies, Programs, and Services

Sex trafficking (ST), a contemporary form of female slavery, is a human rights issue of critical concern to social work. The global response to ST has been substantial, and 166 countries have adopted anti-ST legislation. Despite considerable efforts to combat ST, the magnitude is increasing. To date, the majority of anti-ST efforts have focused on criminalization policies that target traffickers or purchasers of sexual services, who are predominantly male; prevention programming and services for predominantly female victims have received less support. Therapeutic services to assist pornography addicts and purchasers of sexual services are also necessary. In this article, authors examine current anti-ST policies, programs, and services, both domestically and globally, and present an innovative paradigm that addresses social inequities and emphasizes prevention programming. They conclude with a discussion of the paradigm's implications for social work policies, practices, and services.
The Glenoid Labrum: Basic Science and Clinical Correlation

Rehabilitation of the shoulder offers many challenges. Arthroscopic and advanced imaging techniques have facilitated significant changes in our perception and management of glenoid labral pathology. Despite this progress, controversies involving the glenoid labrum continue to exist. This paper presents an overview of glenoid labral histology, morphology, and vascularity. Labral injuries are investigated and categorized. The management of glenoid labral pathology is discussed along with ramifications for shoulder rehabilitation.
Measuring public spending preferences using an interactive budgeting questionnaire

This paper considers an innovative approach to measuring public spending preferences using an interactive budgeting questionnaire. After being presented with the President’s requested budget for the upcoming fiscal year, survey respondents were asked to adjust spending levels in line with their personal preferences, subject to budgetary trade-offs. An analysis of survey results reveals that responses sharply contrast with those recovered by traditional survey measures. The results are then used to examine the relationship between fiscal preferences and self-reported ideology, and to explore the structure of budgetary preferences. It is found that preferences scale to two substantive dimensions: the first measures the trade-off between security and non-security spending and strongly correlates with self-reported ideology; and the second reveals a crosscutting cleavage that has attracted little, if any, attention in previous research. Specifically, it measures each respondent’s relative preference for rival...
MapReduce Algorithms

We begin with a sketch of how MapReduce works and how MapReduce algorithms differ from general parallel algorithms. While algorithm analysis usually centers on the serial or parallel running time of the algorithms that solve a given problem, in the MapReduce world, the critical issue is a tradeoff between interprocessor communication and the parallel running time. We examine a fundamental problem, in which the output depends on comparison of all pairs of inputs (the "all-pairs" problem), and show matching upper and lower bounds for the communication/time tradeoff. Finally, we consider special cases of all-pairs, where only a subset of the pairs of inputs are of interest; an example is the problem of similarity join.
André Suarès, Moralist

Andre Suares, following in the tradition of the great French moralists of the past, is an acute and profound contemporary observer of the universe and of himself. Yet, except for an occasional passing remark by a critic identifying him as a moralist, he is generally not given such recognition, a failure partly due, no doubt, to the fact that his observations and intellectual reflections are not conveniently and systematically placed at the disposal of his reader. Instead of offering in one or two handy volumes the fruits of his survey of the universe, as do such moralistic ancestors as Montaigne, Pascal, La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyere and Vauvenargues, Suares keeps adding to or amplifying his repertoire of observations from volume to volume. Everywhere, even in his studies or portraits, whether they be of Baudelaire or Pascal, Ibsen or Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky or Goethe, he intersperses his reflections on life and human behavior. Nor are these observations always put in an epigrammatic or sententious form. Despite discouragement, however, the reader upon closer study soon sees that Suares has the gift and capacity for extracting even from the most insignificant matter “tout le suc humain.” This he is able to do because he probes deeply into human behavior and because in every one of man's relationships he glimpses the stream of life.
Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition of InP by Pulsing Precursors

We have grown InP by supplying precursors alternately into the reactor of a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition system. Epitaxial growth has been obtained with a substrate temperature as low as 330 °C. The growth process is mass-transport-limited in the temperature range of 420 to 580 °C. It is kinetic-controlled below 400 °C. At 340 °C, we have achieved monolayer growth in each cycle, i.e., atomic layer epitaxy.