cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of High Unemployment on Bargaining Structure

The rise in unemployment in Western industrialised countries might be expected to have major consequences for the structure of their collective bargaining. The paper addresses the question through a consideration of the British private sector. Since the Second World War this has movedfrom a reliance on multi-employer, industry-wide agreements, superficially similar to those still prevailing in the rest of Western Europe, to a mixed system in which single-employer agreements dominate, similar to that existing in the United States. The coming of high unemployment might be expected to lead to a reversion to multi-employer bargaining. It would provide employers with the opportunity to develop greater solidarity and trade unions would be able to fall back on the security of a minimum wage at a time when shop steward organisation is weak. In fact no such reversion is occurring. The explanation lies in the alternative strategy adopted by employers of using company bargaining to isolate their workforces from the ...
Measurement of Cryoprotectant Permeability in Adherent Endothelial Cells and Applications to Cryopreservation

Vitrification is a promising approach for cryopreservation of adherent cells because it allows complete avoidance of ice formation. However, high cryoprotectant (CPA) concentrations are required to prevent freezing, and exposure to high CPA concentrations increases the risk of osmotic and toxic damage. Although cell membrane transport modeling can be used for rational design of CPA equilibration procedures, the necessary permeability data is extremely scarce for adherent cells. This study validates a method for in situ measurement of water and CPA permeability in adherent cells based on the fluorescence quenching of intracellular calcein. Permeability parameters for endothelial monolayers were measured during exposure to four common cryoprotectants (dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerol) at temperatures of 4, 21, and 37 °C. Propylene glycol exhibited the highest permeability and gycerol the lowest. The data was fit using an Arrhenius model, yielding activation energies ranging from 45 to 61 kJ/mol for water transport and 84 to 99 kJ/mol for CPA transport. These permeability parameters will facilitate the development of mathematically-optimized CPA equilibration procedures for vitrification of adherent endothelial cells. Our results establish calcein fluorescence quenching as an effective method for measurement of CPA permeability in adherent cells.
Evaluation of a Point-of-Care Blood Analyzer for Use in Determination of Select Hematological Indices in the Seminole Killifish

Abstract Conventional methodologies for hematological analysis are gradually being replaced with new technologies. Point-of-care blood analyzers are both efficient and user friendly. As the use of such technologies becomes more pervasive in current literature, investigations into the accuracy and reliability of point-of-care analyzers for evaluating fish hematological indices are warranted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a point-of-care blood analyzer (i-STAT®) and chosen cartridge (E3+) against conventionally accepted instrumentation (CAI) for use in determination of hematocrit, sodium, potassium, and chloride values in Seminole killifish Fundulus seminolis. Whole blood, a whole-blood heparin dilution, and undiluted plasma were analyzed in the point-of-care unit to determine hematological parameters of interest. The Bland–Altman method for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement was used as well as calculations of correlation coefficients and two-tailed paired Student's...
Lattice energies of calcite-structure metal carbonates I. Calculation of carbonate ion charge distributions from oxygen polarizabilities

Abstract Carbonate ion charge distributions of five calcite-structure metal carbonates (i.e., CaCO 3(s) , CdCO 3(s) , FeCO 3(s) , MgCO 3(s) , and MnCO 3(s) ) have been calculated by a two-step process. First, electronic polarizabilities for oxygen in the above-mentioned metal carbonates were determined from experimental crystal refractivity data by employing the Lorentz local field method (Lawless, W. N. and DeVries, R. C., J. Phys. Chem. Solids , 1964, 25 , 1119) in the point dipole approximation. By varying the size of the spherical Lorentz cavity, convergence of the calculated components (parallel and perpendicular) of the oxygen atom polarizability was observed to occur at a radius of approximately 65 A. Metal ion polarizability data was obtained from Tessman et al. [2] (Tessman, J.R., Kahn, A. H. and Shockley, W., Phys. Rev. 1953, 92 , 890) while the carbon atom polarizability was ignored. With these oxygen polarizabilities at hand, the second phase of the approach used Gaussian '94 (Revision C.3, Frisch,M. J. et al. , Gaussian, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, 1995) as a tool for performing polarizability calculations on CO 2 2− as a function of the partial charge on oxygen ( Q oxy ). By approximating the polarizability of CO 3 2− as three times the oxygen atom polarizability ( α oxy ), a correlation between α oxy and Q oxy was obtained. Upon comparing this relationship to the oxygen polarizabilities found via the Lorentz local field method, Q oxy values were predicted for all five metal carbonates.
Large Scale Preparation of Silicon-Functionalized SynPhase Polystyrene Lanterns for Solid-Phase Synthesis

The two-step functionalization of 30 000 SynPhase Polystyrene (PS) Lanterns in a 30-L glass process reactor is described. The first step involves bromination of the polystyrene backbone to afford an aryl bromide handle. Subsequent Suzuki cross coupling with the trialkylborane generated in situ from the reaction of allyldiisopropyl(4-methoxyphenyl)silane and 9-BBN provided an alkylsilyl linker ready for loading of various alcohols for solid-phase synthesis applications.
Television-Assisted Assessment of Communication Skills

This paper describes an assessment procedure which employed television in the clinical evaluation of an unintelligible preschool child referred for speech-language evaluation. Taking advantage of a preschooler's familiarity with and interest in television, an extended sample of clinical communication and linguistic skills was elicited from an otherwise noninteractive youngster.
Human Papillomavirus Infection and Genital Warts: Update on Epidemiology and Treatment

The treatment of genital warts remains frustrating since it is often painful, expensive, and unsuccessful. Moreover, little is known about the infectivity and natural history of exophytic genital warts or subclinical genital infection with human papillomavirus. The traditional goals of therapy for sexually transmitted diseases--eradication of infection, elimination of symptoms, prevention of long-term sequelae, and interruption of transmission--are currently not attainable for or applicable to genital warts. The medical literature from January 1988 to August 1993 was reviewed for recent studies on the treatment of exophytic warts. The following treatments were included in the reviewed studies: podofilox (which was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration), podophyllin, cryotherapy, topical 5-fluorouracil, intralesional interferon, systemic interferon, and laser surgery. No single treatment modality was superior to another, and recurrence rates associated with all modalities were high. Treatment of genital warts should be guided by preferences of the patient, and a specific therapeutic regimen should be chosen with consideration of expense, efficacy, convenience, and potential for adverse effects.
Comparison of bone healing by demineralized bone matrix and autogenous cancellous bone in horses.

Objective— The purpose of this study was to compare bone healing induced by equine demineralized bone matrix (DBM) to autogenous cancellous bone graft (ACB) or no graft (control) in a rib-defect model in horses. Study Design— The osteogenic properties of ACB and DBM were evaluated in bilateral 19-mm circular defects created in the outer cortex of the 6th and 8thribs of each horse. Animals or Sample Population— Eight mature horses. Methods— Three rib defects in each horse were randomly treated with each of the 3 treatment groups, and the fourth rib defect received a random treatment. Rib sections, including the defects, were harvested 56 days after implantation and examined for bone mineral density, percent ash and calcium and graded for signs of radiographic and histological healing. Results— All ribs were fractured at the defect site and were classified as nonunion fractures 56 days after implantation. There were no significant differences among groups in bone mineral density and signs of radiographic or histological healing. There was an increased volume of bone in control and ACB-treated sites compared with DBM-treated sites. Rib defects treated with ACB were significantly higher in percent ash and calcium than those treated with DBM. DBM elicited no inflammatory reaction, and remodeling occurred around the periphery and within vascular channels of the decalcified particles. Conclusion— DBM particles remodel from the periphery, which may explain the significantly lower percent ash, calcium, and bone when compared with ACB, because 2- to 4-μL pieces of DBM may act as space-occupying masses until completely mineralized. There was no evidence of enhanced healing associated with the use of DBM in this model. Clinical Relevance— Particles of 2 to 4 mm DBM should not be used as an aid to fracture repair because particles of this size interfere with normal mineralization. However, our model of nonunion fracture healing may be useful in future studies.
Constructing atom-molecule potential surfaces from ab initio data : a method combining quadrature and interpolation

Abstract We study methods for approximating a function defined on the unit sphere in R 3 from the value of the function at several isolated points on the sphere, a problem that arises in the development of intermolecular potential energy surfaces from ab initio quantum chemical calculations. Conventional quadrature-based approximation schemes involve some loss of information about the function's behavior. This information can be recovered by combining a quadrature-based approximation with a corrective interpolant which is tailored to the topology of the unit sphere. Numerical experiments show that the combination of quadrature and interpolation generates potential surfaces with substantially higher global accuracy than does a method based on quadrature alone.
Generating isomorphous heavy-atom derivatives by a quick-soak method. Part II: phasing of new structures.

A quick-soak method has been applied to generate de novo heavy-atom phasing to solve two new protein structures, a type II transforming growth factor β receptor (TBRII) and a natural killer cell receptor–ligand complex, NKG2D–ULBP3. In the case of TBRII, a crystal derivatized for only 10 min in saturated HgCl2 provided adequate phasing for structure determination. Comparison between HgCl2 derivatives generated by 10 min soaking and by 12 h soaking revealed similar phasing statistics. The shorter soak, however, resulted in a derivative more isomorphous to the native than the longer soak as judged by changes in the unit-cell parameter a upon derivatization as well as by the quality of a combined SIRAS electron-density map. In the case of the NKG2D–ULBP3 structure, all overnight soaks in heavy-atom solutions resulted in crystal lattice disorder and only the quick soaks preserved diffraction. Despite fragile lattice packing, the quick-soaked K2PtCl4 derivative was isomorphous with the native crystal and the electron-density map calculated from combined SIR and MAD phases is better than that calculated from MAD phases alone. Combined with mass-spectrometry-assisted solution heavy-atom derivative screening and the use of synchrotron radiation, the quick-soak derivatization has the potential to transform the time-consuming conventional heavy-atom search into a real-time `on-the-fly' derivatization process that will benefit high-throughput structural genomics.
NEST-SITE CHARACTERISTICS OF RED-TAILED TROPICBIRDS ON ROSE ATOLL, AMERICAN SAMOA

Abstract We examined nest sites of Red-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) on Rose Island of the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, American Samoa, to determine habitat features important for nest-site selection of this species. We quantified habitat characteristics at 27 nest sites and at 27 random sites during September 1991. All nests were located under beach heliotrope (Messerschmidia argentea) shrubs or pisonia (Pisonia grandis) trees. Nest sites were placed farther under the nest shrub, had more stems in the nest space, and greater percent shade cover than random sites. Nest sites averaged 24.9 m from their nearest neighbor, ≥20 m greater than has been reported elsewhere for this colonial species. We suggest that an overpopulation of Polynesian rats (Rattus exelans) may have influenced nest-site selection by Red-tailed Tropicbirds on Rose Island.
A comprehensive approach for sclera image quality measure

Poor quality images can affect sclera recognition accuracy. An image quality measure can help improve the recognition system performance. In this paper, we proposed a comprehensive approach for sclera image quality measure, which includes quality filter and quantitative quality assessment unit, segmentation evaluation unit, feature evaluation unit, and score fusion unit. The experimental results show that the combination score is highly correlated with the sclera recognition accuracy and can be used to improve and predict the performance of sclera recognition systems.
Radiation dose measurements and monitoring for fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures

Fluoroscopic imaging is the primary or only imaging modality used in a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. In general, the clinical benefits of fluoroscopically guided interventions (FGIs) outweigh all risks of the procedures, including radiation risk [1-6]. Occasionally, radiation dose is high enough to cause hair loss, skin injuries [7], possibly cataracts, and perhaps late cancer. The goal is to perform these procedures without unnecessary patient irradiation. Tracking actual radiation use for all patients provides essential information for both individual patient management and for departmental quality improvement processes [13,6]. We briefly outline some current and near-future technologies for individual patient dose capture, analysis, and utilization. In 2012, most interventional fluoroscopes are equipped with air kerma–area product, total fluoroscopic time, and cumulative reference air kerma indicators. Doserelated information is displayed during the procedure at both the operator’s working position and the fluoroscopic control room console.
Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects.

Editor,—Rigby's editorial on transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects is a generally well written review,1 but several misconceptions pertaining to buttoned device are apparent. Device delivery sheath —Rigby states that the buttoned device is delivered through a 6–8 F catheter. In each of the publications on this device,2-7 it is clearly stated that the device is delivered via an 8–9 F sheath. Device retrieval —Rigby stated that the retrieval is difficult. The device can easily be retrieved transvenously7 with the help of the loading wire. To prevent inadvertent disconnection of the loading wire with the occluder, we use an additional snare. Even after release from the loading wire, the device can be retrieved by use of a simple snare. However, the device is damaged during the retrieval and cannot be reused. Embolisation rate —The embolisation rate quoted by Rigby for the buttoned device was 10%, which is very high and we believe is unsupported by the data. In the first 180 implantations in the international trial, …
The war of the roses: demilitarizing invasion biology

Biologists need to continuously reflect upon the ethical and rhetorical dimensions of their language when communicating about invasive species. In particular, is current language likely to promote social cohesion and, consequently, effective and appropriate action towards invasive species? To address this question, I focus on prevailing militaristic and combative metaphors within invasion biology. I argue that these metaphors are problematic because (1) they lead to an inaccurate perception of invasive species; (2) they contribute to social misunderstanding, charges of xenophobia, and loss of scientific credibility; and (3) they reinforce militaristic patterns of thought that are counterproductive for conservation. Therefore, while these metaphors may effectively motivate conservation action in the short term, they could be ineffective in the long term. Alternatives to militarism will better promote realistic management and conservation goals in a multicultural context.
Mental Health in Prison-The African Perspective

Conditions of prisons in Africa are reviewed. Practical suggestions regarding improvement are indicated.
Apicobasal Polarity and Lumen Formation During Development

Networks of interconnected tubes form the basic structural element of many organs. Tubes are composed of polarized epithelia that enclose a lumen. During organogenesis, lumens form by several distinct mechanisms, ranging from wrapping of an epithelial sheet to generation of a lumen de novo within a rod of cells. Nevertheless, all tube formation processes share some basic common principles that result in the generation of a single, continuous lumen. Interactions with the surrounding environment direct epithelial cell polarization that governs physiological regulators of lumen formation including the actin cytoskeleton, adhesion, vesicular transport, and fluid secretion. Polarized physiological processes mediate the mechanical interactions between epithelial cells and their environment. Polarity within actin cytoskeleton generates contractile forces generating morphogenetic movements. Secretion of fluid or matrix into the lumen generates outward forces driving lumen opening and expansion. Thus, cell polarity is crucial for vectorial transport processes and structural asymmetries during lumen formation. Here we focus on recent discoveries illuminating the relationship between lumen formation and cell polarity in vivo.
Phylogeography and Postglacial Dispersal of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) into the Great Lakes

Refugia and dispersal routes of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) into the Great Lakes were identified using 427 mitochondrial sequences from across their native range. Overall, smallmouth bas...
Perceived Academic Preparedness of First-Generation Latino College Students.

First-generation Latino college students may be characterized as underprepared for college. Research points to low performance on placement tests. However, students may not perceive themselves as academically underprepared for college. This study explored first-generation Latino students’ perceptions of their academic preparedness. Seven students were interviewed with the following four themes to emerge—personal education planning, guides, academic skills, and personal impetus. Student answers show that they believed they were academically prepared for college.
Patterns of movement and seed dispersal by three lemur species.

We combined data on gut-passage times, feeding, and movement to explore the patterns of seed dispersal by Eulemur rubriventer, Eulemur rufrifrons, and Varecia variegata editorum lemurs in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. These lemur species deposited less than half of their consumed seeds >100 m away from conspecific trees (40–50%). Long-distance dispersal (>500 m) was rare and average dispersal distances were short relative to those reported of similar-sized haplorrhine primates. The three lemur species showed no significant differences in mean seed-dispersal distances. However, they differed in the shape of their frequency distributions of seed-dispersal distances as a result of differences in how they moved through their habitats. The short distances of seed dispersal we observed and the depauperate frugivorous fauna in Madagascar suggest seed-dispersal may be more limited than in other tropical forests with important implications for plant-community dynamics, biodiversity maintenance, and restoration efforts in Madagascar. Am. J. Primatol. 76:84–96, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urbanisation and City Size Distribution in China

China has been experiencing rapid urbanisation since the economic reform starting in 1978. The number of cities increased from 191 in 1978 to 667 in 1999, while the urban share of the national popu...
TGF-β1 Uses Distinct Mechanisms to Inhibit IFN-γ Expression in CD4+ T Cells at Priming and at Recall: Differential Involvement of Stat4 and T-bet

TGF-beta1 plays a critical role in restraining pathogenic Th1 autoimmune responses in vivo, but the mechanisms that mediate TGF-beta1's suppressive effects on CD4(+) T cell expression of IFN-gamma expression remain incompletely understood. To evaluate mechanisms by which TGF-beta1 inhibits IFN-gamma expression in CD4(+) T cells, we primed naive wild-type murine BALB/c CD4(+) T cells in vitro under Th1 development conditions in the presence or the absence of added TGF-beta1. We found that the presence of TGF-beta1 during priming of CD4(+) T cells suppressed both IFN-gamma expression during priming as well as the development of Th1 effector cells expressing IFN-gamma at a recall stimulation. TGF-beta1 inhibited the development of IFN-gamma-expressing cells in a dose-dependent fashion and in the absence of APC, indicating that TGF-beta1 can inhibit Th1 development by acting directly on the CD4(+) T cell. During priming, TGF-beta1 strongly inhibited the expression of both T-bet (T box expressed in T cells) and Stat4. We evaluated the importance of these two molecules in the suppression of IFN-gamma expression at the two phases of Th1 responses. Enforced expression of T-bet by retrovirus prevented TGF-beta1's inhibition of Th1 development, but did not prevent TGF-beta1's inhibition of IFN-gamma expression at priming. Conversely, enforced expression of Stat4 partly prevented TGF-beta1's inhibition of IFN-gamma expression during priming, but did not prevent TGF-beta1's inhibition of Th1 development. These data show that TGF-beta1 uses distinct mechanisms to inhibit IFN-gamma expression in CD4(+) T cells at priming and at recall.
Uptake and migration of tracers in lake sediments

Mathematical solutions are given for an equation describing transient and steady state concentrations in lake water and sediments, in the presence of adsorption, decay, sedimentation, and diffusion. The results of the model are compared with the distributions of two tracers, $sup 90$Sr and $sup 137$Cs, in the sediments of Lakes Erie and Ontario. Adsorption of the two tracers by sediment particles, supported by experimental data, can be treated as a linear exchange reaction. $sup 90$Sr is adsorbed less strongly than $sup 137$Cs by sediments, and this feature accounts for the greater depths of $sup 90$Sr occurrence in lake sediments. Distribution of the radionuclide activities in sediments is compatible with a model based on mean steady input to the lakes for 16 years (1953-1969), and the following values of diffusion coefficients in pore waters: for $sup 90$Sr, 2 x 10$sup -6$ to to 4 x 10$sup -6$ cm$sup 2$s$sup -1$, and for $sup 137$Cs, 2 x 10$sup -5$ cm$sup 2$ s$sup -1$. An additional transport mechanism in sediments, sedimentation, is more significant in Lake Erie (0.3-0.6 cm yr$sup -1$, according to the model) than in Lake Ontario (0.05 cm yr$sup -1$). Conditions are outlined under which the fluxes from lake watermore » to sediments are important in the chemical balance of medium and large lakes. (auth)« less
On optimal site assignment for relations in the distributed database environment

In a distributed database environment, the site assignment of relations is a critical issue. When the joint operations in a query involve relations over multiple sites, the site to carry out the joint operation can have a significant impact on the performance. Based on the query descriptions and arrival frequency to each site, a methodology is developed to assign relations and determine joint sites simultaneously. The methodology first decomposes queries into relation steps and then makes site assignments based on either a linear integer programming technique to minimize the amount of intersystem communication while balancing resource utilizations across systems, or a heuristic technique to minimize average response time under similar resource constraints. >
Combined Blockade of Src Kinase and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor with Gemcitabine Overcomes STAT3-Mediated Resistance of Inhibition of Pancreatic Tumor Growth

Purpose: We previously established a mechanistic rationale for Src inhibition as a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer and have identified activated STAT3 as a potential biomarker of resistance to Src inhibition. The purpose of this study was to translate the current understanding of complementary activated tyrosine kinase signaling pathways by targeting Src kinase and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Experimental Design: IC 50 values for dasatinib, a Src kinase inhibitor, erlotinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor and gemcitabine were determined and sensitive and resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines were identified. The in vitro and in vivo effects of these agents on multiple signaling pathways and tumorigenicity in pancreatic cancer were investigated. Results: The combination of dasatinib, erlotinib, and gemcitabine resulted in cooperative inhibition of cell migration and invasion of both sensitive and resistant pancreatic cancer cells as well as cooperative inhibition of multiple signaling pathways including FAK, AKT, ERK, JNK, MAPK, and STAT3 at concentrations that were ineffective as individual agents or as double combinations of agents. The triple combination of agents was also most effective at inhibiting the growth of xenografts of both sensitive and resistant pancreatic cancer cells in vivo without increasing toxicity. Furthermore, combined inhibition of Src and EGFR with gemcitabine inhibited constitutively activated STAT3 in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that combined targeted biological therapy in addition to cytotoxic chemotherapy can overcome treatment resistance. Such treatment strategies may be used to tailor therapy based on identified biomarkers of resistance to targeted monotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(3); 483–93. ©2011 AACR .
Black Ghetto Violence: A Case Study Inquiry into the Spatial Pattern of Four Los Angeles Riot Event-Types

A riot is not “all hell breaking loose,” but a complex sociopolitical process. Patterns not apparent on the surface characterize different forms of riotous behavior, can be uncovered through systematic analysis, and do shed new light on the rioting phenomenon. Nearly 2,000 Los Angeles riot events of four discrete classes have been coded by census tract location. Stepwise multiple regression analysis employing sociodemographic and retail-establishment-location variables has revealed remarkably ordered and structured patterns. Looting emerges as a qualitatively different phenomenon from the other riot event-types considered, calling into question the simplistic characterization of “rioting mainly for fun and profit” drawn by Banfield, and suggesting that what is needed are studies which address rioting in some measure of its true complexity. Two sociodemographic variables consistently emerge as highly predictive of riot event spatial patterns, allowing speculation concerning the sociodemographic fertile ground for violent political protest.
Catalyst enhanced micro scale batch assembly

We enhance the efficiency of assembly of microparts in batch dry assembly methods studied previously by our group. Here we study the system dynamics with the addition of a few non-participating millimeter scale parts that act as 'catalysts'. We present experimental results that show 25-50% reduction in acceleration needed to trigger part motion and up to 4 times increase in concentration of parts in motion due to addition of catalysts. We adapt a model from chemical kinetic theory to understand our system behavior.
Phylogenetic Analyses and a Method for Rapid Molecular Diagnosis of Two Sunflower Seed Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The red sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx fulvus LeConte, and gray sunflower seed weevil, Smicronyx sordidus LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), are among the most important seed pests of cultivated sunflowers, Helianthus annuus L., in the northern Great Plains. A portion of 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) sequence from specimens of 31 populations of the morphologically similar species that were collected across a wide geographic region of the United States showed a consistent separation of the two species. The restriction endonuclease HaeII digests the piece of 18S rDNA in only one of the two species, and this restriction fragment-length polymorphism can be used for species diagnosis. Phylogenetic analysis for species of four tribes of the weevil subfamily Erirhininae showed that the sunflower seed weevil tribe, Smicronychini, is monophyletic.
Spatial aspects of tree mortality strongly differ between young and old‐growth forests

Rates and spatial patterns of tree mortality are predicted to change during forest structural development. In young forests, mortality should be primarily density dependent due to competition for light, leading to an increasingly spatially uniform pattern of surviving trees. In contrast, mortality in old-growth forests should be primarily caused by contagious and spatially autocorrelated agents (e.g., insects, wind), causing spatial aggregation of surviving trees to increase through time. We tested these predictions by contrasting a three-decade record of tree mortality from replicated mapped permanent plots located in young ( 300-year-old) Abies amabilis forests. Trees in young forests died at a rate of 4.42% per year, whereas trees in old-growth forests died at 0.60% per year. Tree mortality in young forests was significantly aggregated, strongly density dependent, and caused live tree patterns to become more uniform through time. Mortality in old-growth forests was spatially aggregated, but was density independent and did not change the spatial pattern of surviving trees. These results extend current theory by demonstrating that density-dependent competitive mortality leading to increasingly uniform tree spacing in young forests ultimately transitions late in succession to a more diverse tree mortality regime that maintains spatial heterogeneity through time.
Obtaining Surface Momentum and Sensible Heat Fluxes from Crosswind Scintillometers

Abstract A crosswind scintillometer measures the average wind speed perpendicular to its propagation path, U⊥, and the refractive index structure parameter C2n. While C2n is a turbulence statistic, the worth of U⊥ for turbulence research is not immediately obvious. This paper demonstrates, however, that, with a measurement of wind direction, U⊥ converts to Uz, the mean wind speed at path height z. Furthermore, if an estimate of the roughness length for momentum, z0, is available, the surface layer similarity equations for Uz and C2n can be solved iteratively to yield two prime turbulence variables: the friction velocity u∗ and the surface flux of sensible heat Hs. A sensitivity analysis suggests that, in optimum conditions, a crosswind scintillometer should be capable of providing u∗ and Hs with uncertainties of ±10%–15% and ±20%–30%, respectively. The crosswind scintillometer, thus, can be an important tool for measuring path-averaged values of u∗ and Hs.
Disruption management in a two-period three-tier electronics supply chain

AbstractWe study strategies to manage demand disruptions in a three-tier electronics supply chain consisting of an Electronics Manufacturing Services provider, an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), and a Retailer. We model price sensitivity of consumer demand with the two functions commonly used for this purpose, linear and exponential, and introduce disruptions in the demand function. We assume each supply chain member faces an increasing marginal unit cost function. Our decentralized supply chain setting is governed by a wholesale price contract. The OEM possesses greater bargaining power and therefore is the Stackelberg leader. A penalty cost incurred by the Retailer is introduced to capture the cost of deviation from the original plan. We find exact analytical solutions of the effectiveness of managing the disruption when the consumer demand function is linear, and we provide numerical examples as an illustration when the consumer demand function is either linear or exponential. We show that the o...
Risk Communication: CASE STUDIES: APPLICATIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS

This chapter applies the general methods of the previous chapters to develop risk communications in four specific areas: climate change, power-frequency electric and magnetic fields, radon in homes, and nuclear energy sources on spacecraft. Climate Change The possibility that human activities are changing our climate has emerged as one of the primary environmental concerns of our era. Water vapor and carbon dioxide, which occur naturally in the earth's atmosphere, trap heat, giving the earth a temperature that supports life. This natural process is called the “greenhouse effect.” Burning fossil fuels releases additional carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Some is taken up by plants or dissolved in the ocean, but about half remains in the atmosphere. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by about 30%. Without dramatic changes in how we produce or use energy, that concentration will continue to rise. The amount of heat that is trapped will also increase, probably making the earth's climate warmer, modifying patterns of atmospheric and ocean circulation, changing patterns of precipitation, and causing changes in the human and ecological systems that depend on climate. We began our studies of public understanding of global climate change by constructing a series of influence diagrams similar to the one reproduced in Figure 3.11. We used it to guide pilot mental models interviews with seven staff and graduate students at Carnegie Mellon University.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Depression: An Update

Depression is an often debilitating disorder affecting a person’s ability to work and function. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) leads to many interventions and significant health care costs. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an emerging potential intervention for those with TRD who have undergone adequate medication, therapy, and rTMS/ECT trials, but who continue to suffer from unremitting depressive symptoms. The latest clinical safety and efficacy data of DBS for TRD is presented in this review. Since the origin of DBS is rooted in specific neuroanatomical targets, the discussion is organized according to target brain region. Relevant neuroimaging and animal studies are discussed, when available, as to how they shed light on possible mechanisms of action. Lastly, critical ethical issues related to informed consent and decision-making capacity are considered.
Effect of intermediate anneal on magnet wire properties of copper wire

In the early period of copper wire drawing, an intermediate annual was routinely performed to relieve stresses in the hard drawn wire. The annealing of copper “breakdown” wire helped make the subsequent drawing operation easier and with a minimum of wire breaks.
Analysis of Laboratory Diagnosed Measles Case in Huaibei City in 2004～2005

Objective In order to get information about the surveillance condition and analyze surveillance effects of laboratory for measles.Methods The serum samples of 458 cases of suspected measles were collected from Huaibei city and were tested for specific measles IgM Ab in laboratory with the analysis of single case investigation materials.Results We found that the laboratory diagnosed cases showed several features below: 75.55% cases appeared in April to June,82.12% cases were children younger than 15 years old,70.80% cases did not have measles vaccination experience or the vaccination history was unclear,1.82% diagnosed cases did not have one of the clinic phenomenon such as cough,atarrhal rhinitis,and conjunctiva bleeding.The measles IgM Ab positive rate in the period of 4 to 21 day of disease onset was higher than the period of 0 to 3 day.Conclusion The results showed that according to current condition in Huaibei city,immunation should be practiced in counties with high-risk of measles to reduce the incidence of measles,especially for children younger than 15 years old.The construction of measles surveillance network should be enhanced in order to improve the surveillance quality.
Ubiquitination of the Transcription Factor IRF-3 Activates RIPA, the Apoptotic Pathway that Protects Mice from Viral Pathogenesis

The transcription factor IRF-3 mediates cellular antiviral response by inducing the expression of interferon and other antiviral proteins. In RNA-virus infected cells, IRF-3's transcriptional activation is triggered primarily by RIG-I-like receptors (RLR), which can also activate the RLR-induced IRF-3-mediated pathway of apoptosis (RIPA). Here, we have reported that the pathway of IRF-3 activation in RIPA was independent of and distinct from the known pathway of transcriptional activation of IRF-3. It required linear polyubiquitination of two specific lysine residues of IRF-3 by LUBAC, the linear polyubiquitinating enzyme complex, which bound IRF-3 in signal-dependent fashion. To evaluate the role of RIPA in viral pathogenesis, we engineered a genetically targeted mouse, which expressed a mutant IRF-3 that was RIPA-competent but transcriptionally inert; this single-action IRF-3 could protect mice from lethal viral infection. Our observations indicated that IRF-3-mediated apoptosis of virus-infected cells could be an effective antiviral mechanism, without expression of the interferon-stimulated genes.
SINGULAR THEY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF GENERIC PRONOUN USE

The present study addresses an issue of the English language that has been discussed at length for the past several decades: Which pronoun should one use when referring to a singular, genderless antecedent (e.g., student)? Though much has been written on the subject of the use of the generic masculine, singular they, and he or she constructions in published works, and other studies have looked at how English speakers process and interpret the aforementioned pronouns in writing, few studies have researched the use of these pronouns in free response to questions including a singular, genderless referent. The present study contributes to the last of these three methodologies by exploring which pronouns native English speakers use when writing about a genderless person (i.e., "the ideal student"). The results of this study indicate that a large majority of participants (79%) include a gender-inclusive approach (he or she type constructions or singular they) when referring to a singular, genderless antecedent; 68% use singular they. However, participants note that he or she type variations do not include some who may not identify within the gender binary.
Universal Design in Materials Development

The teaching of English as an additional language has a long history of creating instructional materials that document major technological innovations: from the plume, to the pencil, to Guttenberg’s printing press, to audio, to video, to the Internet, to mobile and cloud computing. As it accommodates new technologies, it offers newer ways of teaching and learning, from the grammar translation method, to audio-lingual methods, to communicative and community-centered approaches, and from teacher-centered practices to learner- and learning-centered activities.
America Will Take This Continent in Hand Alone

The 1865–1912 era in U.S.–Latin American relations began with Secretary of State William Seward forswearing landed conquest in Mexico and the Congress rejecting footholds in the Caribbean– Central American region, even when tempted by the centuries-old dream of exclusive rights to an isthmian canal. The era ended with the United States exclusively owning and fortifying the canal, militarily and economically dominating the Caribbean through a network of bases, occupying Nicaragua with U.S. Marines, and verging on an invasion of Mexico. Clearly these years are pivotal in understanding how the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which ruled out foreign interference in Latin American affairs, became the Monroe Doctrine of 1912, which justified unilateral U.S. intervention in those affairs. It is equally clear, given the prominence of U.S. military forces in the region after the 1880s, that the nation’s foreign policies did not primarily seek order and stability in Latin America. They instead placed the greatest emphasis on obtaining economic opportunity and strategic footholds from which they could move to obtain further opportunities. These policies, even by the early 1890s, led to disorder and clashes that, in turn, helped pressure U.S. officials to build the naval forces necessary to maintain their new interpretations of the Monroe Doctrine.
Effect of Membrane Lipid Composition on Mobility of Lymphocyte Surface Immunoglobulins

Some types of cellular regulation are known to be associated with changes in membrane fluidity. For example, it has been shown that the neoplastic transformation of cells from a variety of origins is accompanied by a marked increase in cell surface fluidity (Inbar et al., 1973; Shinitzky and Inbar, 1974; Ben-Bassat et al., 1977; Inbar et al., 1977a). Both cell cycle regulation (deLatt et al., 1977) and contact inhibition of cells in vitro (Inbar et al., 1977b) are also known to be linked with membrane fluidity changes. These changes in fluidity have been demonstrated to be a function of the membrane cholesterol/phospholipid (c/p) ratio (Shinitizky and Inbar, 1974; Chen et al., 1975; Borochov and Shinitzky, 1976; Cooper et al., 1978), so that the relatively low ratios are associated with increased fluidity. The c/p ratio in cell membranes can be experimentally manipulated by mixing the cells with liposomes of various cholesterol content (Borochov and Shinitzky, 1976; Cooper et al., 1978; Inbar and Shinitzky, 1974; Alderson and Green, 1975; Dunnick et al., 1976; Chen and Keenan, 1977).
Perinatal and Neonatal Outcomes of Triplet Gestations Based on Chorionicity.

Objective To compare perinatal and neonatal outcomes of dichorionic (DC) and monochorionic (MC) with trichorionic (TC) triplet gestations. Methods A retrospective cohort study of DC + MC versus TC triplet gestations delivered at a tertiary care hospital from 2009 to 2015. The results include 42 sets of triplets (TC, n = 26; DC + MC, n = 16). Maternal demographics and pregnancy data were compared. Neonatal outcomes were assessed using composite morbidity and mortality. Results Maternal baseline characteristics including age, mode of conception, race, parity, body mass index, and previous preterm delivery were statistically comparable. Comparison of prenatal management and complications yielded no significant differences in terms of presence of shortened cervix, cerclage placement, use of tocolytics, intrauterine growth restriction, premature rupture of membranes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, or gestational diabetes. However, evaluation of composite morbidity and mortality (RDS, IVH, NEC, IUGR, and death) illustrated that all infants born from DC + MC triplet gestations suffered some morbidity or mortality compared with TC pregnancies ( p Conclusion DC + MC triplet gestations are at an increased risk of neonatal morbidity and mortality compared with TC triplet gestations.
Exogenous Acrolein intensifies sensory hypersensitivity after spinal cord injury in rat

Abstract Acrolein, an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde associated with oxidative stress, is also a major toxic component of tobacco cigarette smoke, which has been reported in the clinic to coincide with the exacerbation of neuropathic pain after SCI. Previous reports have shown that acrolein involvement in spinal cord injury (SCI) is crucial to the development and persistence of neuropathic pain. Through the activation and upregulation of the transient receptor protein ankyrin-1 (TRPA1) cation channel, acrolein is capable of sensitizing the central nervous system in the acute and chronic stages of SCI. Here, we report that the acute or delayed nasal exposure of acrolein, apart from cigarette smoke but at concentrations similar to that found in cigarette smoke, resulted in increased neuropathic pain behaviors in a rat model of contusion SCI. We also found that this hyperalgesia occurred concurrently with an augmentation in systemic acrolein, detected by an acrolein-glutathione metabolite in the urine. The application of an acrolein scavenger, phenelzine, was shown to reduce the hyperalgesic effect of acrolein inhalation. The previously determined ability of acrolein to bind to and activate the TRPA1 channel and elicit algesic responses may be a mechanism of the phenomenon seen in this study. Upon the exposure to actual cigarette smoke after SCI, intensified neuropathic pain behaviors were also observed and persisted for at least 1 week after the cessation of the exposure period. Taken together, these results indicate that cigarette smoke, through mechanisms involving acrolein, poses a threat to the vulnerable CNS after SCI and can contribute to neuropathic pain. This investigation also provides further evidence for the potential utility of acrolein scavengers as a therapeutic strategy in SCI-resultant neuropathic pain.
MICROFLUIDIC SPERM PROCSSING AS A POTENTIAL TREATMENT FOR MALE INFERTILITY

Â Â Â Â Â Â Microfluidics is the precise control and manipulation of small-volume fluids in order to observe behavior of the fluid itself or its contents. One recently explored application of microfluidics is gamete sorting and selection for use in In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Previous applications of microfluidic techniques for sperm manipulation involved healthy sperm cells swimming to a collection area. However, these techniques cannot be applied to samples containing healthy non-motile sperm cells, such as for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. The microfluidic device used in this study gives the opportunity for the separation and organization for non-motile sperm using an innovative spiral-shape, and gives possible current treatments. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The overall goal of this exploration is to design a spiral channel device in order to sort non-motile sperm cells. The objective of this study is to determine the effects that the device has on cell motility and viability; and describe the consequences of changing various aspects of the device. Using in-lab assays as well as simulations in the COMSOL software, the planned outcome will be to optimize the device to allow desired results.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The effectiveness of the device at separating desired, healthy cells from other cells and debris in the sample was shown. First, data suggested that the device was usable because a sufficient live:dead ratio of cells was maintained. Additionally, simulations supported the phenomenon that particles were focused in the inner channel. These results show that the device has the potential to offer a cell-separating mechanism for patients with reproductive disorders such as azoospermia.Â