cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification in Ozark stream ecosystems

Crayfish (Orconectes spp.), Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea), northern hog sucker (hog sucker; Hypentelium nigricans), and smallmouth bass (smallmouth; Micropterus dolomieu) from streams in southeastern Missouri (USA) were analyzed for total mercury (HgT) and for stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C), nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), and sulfur (δ³⁴S) to discern Hg transfer pathways. HgT concentrations were generally lowest in crayfish (0.005-0.112 μg/g dw) and highest in smallmouth (0.093-4.041 μg/g dw), as was δ¹⁵N. HgT was also lower and δ¹⁵N was higher in all biota from a stream draining a more heavily populated historical lead-zinc mining area than from similar sites with mostly undeveloped forested watersheds. δ¹³C in biota was lowest at spring-influenced sites, reflecting CO₂ inputs and temperature influences, and δ³⁴S increased from south to north in all taxa. However, HgT was not strongly correlated with either δ¹³C or δ³⁴S in biota. Trophic position (TP) computed from crayfish δ¹⁵N was lower in hog suckers (mean=2.8) than in smallmouth (mean=3.2), but not at all sites. HgT, δ¹³C, δ³⁴S, and TP in hog suckers increased with total length (length) at some sites, indicating site-specific ontogenetic diet shifts. Changes with length were less evident in smallmouth. Length-adjusted HgT site means in both species were strongly correlated with HgT in crayfish (r²=0.97, P 0.05). ANCOVA and regression models incorporating only TP and, for hog suckers, length, accurately and precisely predicted HgT concentrations in both fish species from all locations. Although low compared to many areas of the USA, HgT (and therefore methylmercury) concentrations in smallmouth and hog suckers are sufficiently high to represent a threat to human health and wildlife. Our data indicate that in Ozark streams, Hg concentrations in crayfish are at least partly determined by their diet, with concentrations in hog suckers, smallmouth, and possibly other higher-level consumers largely determined by concentrations in crayfish and other primary and secondary consumers, fish growth rates, and TP.
Effect of Disease on Days Open Assessed by Survival Analysis

Survival analysis, a regression technique for analyzing data in which the time to an event is the measured outcome, was used to quantify the effects of five common herd diseases on days open in dairy cattle. Data were collected retrospectively from health and production records of 467 cows in five herds. In the 5-yr study period, 1059 lactations were followed to a conception or culling event. Retained placenta, nonsystemic metritis, systemic metritis, ovarian cysts, and lameness were associated with a decrease in conception rate and an increase in median days open. The hazard ratios for conception were .66, .83, .70, .70, and .69 and the increase in median days open 5, 15, 13, 22, and 28 d for the five diseases, respectively. Several attributes of survival analysis make it a valuable tool for quantifying days open in dairy cattle, including the ability to use reproductive information from observations which fail to conceive. Additionally, results obtained from survival analysis complement economic and decision analyses and will facilitate accurate cost assessment of suboptimal reproductive performance.
A Hermeneutical Reading of Confucianism

Defendant une interpretation dynamique et creatrice de la tradition chinoise comprise dans ses canons, l'A. mesure l'importance de l'hermeneutique du Dao de Chung-Ying Cheng pour l'avenir des etudes confuceennes, definissant le confucianisme non pas comme un metarecit, mais comme une comprehension en pleine expansion.
Offshore wind decommissioning regulations and workflows in the Outer Continental Shelf United States

Abstract Decommissioning regulations for offshore renewable energy facilities require that all facilities be removed and the seafloor cleared of all obstructions at the end of the life of the lease. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the expected workflows and stages of decommissioning that are likely to arise for offshore wind farms, to describe the exposure and liability of the parties involved and to compare offshore wind and oil and gas decommissioning. An alternative method for turbine removal is proposed which, if feasible, will reduce decommissioning cost. The objectives of a bonding program are motivated and discussed.
Effect of microscopic and macroscopic discontinuities on the response of cardiac tissue to defibrillating (stimulating) currents

What transmembrane potentials are produced in cardiac tissue in response to the application of defibrillating (or stimulating) currents? Such transmembrane potentials are found here by means of an idealised one-dimensional model of cardiac tissue that incorporates intracellular and extracellular current flow paths and allows variable (intracellular) junction resistance. Markedly different transmembrane potentials were computed near the ends (compared with the centre) of 30- and 60-cell strands. With high junction resistance, periodic positive and negative transmembrane potentials occurred within each cell near the centre of the strand. The results in the aggregate paint a picture quite different from that of uniform depolarisation.
Microstructural development of eutectic Bi-Sn and eutectic In-Sn during high temperature deformation

Eutectic Bi-Sn and In-Sn solder joints were subjected to high temperature deformation in shear in order to determine whether microstructural instabilities are generated during testing. Dynamic recrystallization had previously been observed in Sn-Pb solder joints during creep and fatigue in shear. The current study shows that Bi-Sn can recrystallize during deformation in creep or at constant strain rate, whereas no microstructural changes are observed in In-Sn. Recrystallization of Bi-Sn is concentrated in a narrow band along the length of the sample, parallel to the direction of shear strain, similar to behavior in Sn-Pb. The recrystallization appears to proceed by migration of interphase boundaries rather than by a nucleation and growth mechanism. A minimum total strain is required to induce obvious recrystallization in Bi-Sn, independent of applied stress or strain rate. This value of strain is much higher than the strain at initiation of tertiary creep or at the maximum shear stress. Onset of tertiary creep and strain softening occur as a result of nonuniform deformation in the samples that is independent of the microstructural instabilities. The creep behavior of In-Sn is relatively straightforward, with a single creep mechanism operating at all temperatures tested. The creep behavior of Bi-Sn is temperature-dependent. Two mechanisms operate at lower temperatures, but there is still some question as to whether one or both of these, or a third mechanism, operates at higher temperatures.
Impact of regional transport on the anthropogenic and biogenic secondary organic aerosols in the Los Angeles Basin

Abstract This manuscript explores the role of regional transport on anthropogenic and biogenic secondary organic carbon (SOC) concentrations in ambient fine particulate (PM2.5) organic carbon (OC) in the Los Angeles (LA) Basin. Daily organic molecular markers, water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), OC, and elemental carbon (EC) measurements from May 2009 through April 2010 at a central site in downtown LA, and results from a positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of these data, were used to understand the role of regional transport on SOC concentrations. A backward-trajectory analysis, coupled with the measurements and estimated source contributions, were used to evaluate the origins of SOC aerosols. Anthropogenic and biogenic SOC were identified in central LA over the study period, together contributing 40% of the annual average PM2.5 OC mass. There were distinct seasonal variations, with high contributions of anthropogenic SOC in summer, and high contributions of biogenic SOC in spring. The back-trajectory analysis, coupled with daily source contributions of SOC and organic compounds as indicators, allowed us to identify potential source locations and dominant meteorological conditions contributing to elevated SOC at the measurement site. The results show that air mass movements from the Pacific Ocean are associated with higher contributions of anthropogenic SOC to the PM2.5 OC in downtown LA, suggesting that the combination of local meteorological conditions and local anthropogenic emissions led to an increase in the anthropogenic SOC. In contrast, air masses passing over the Central Valley and forested areas where there are biogenic hydrocarbon emissions are closely associated with higher contributions of biogenic SOC in the region. The study emphasizes that higher anthropogenic SOC contributions are due to the combination of local emissions with humidity air from the ocean, and that higher biogenic SOC contributions are impacted by transport of pollutants from regions outside the LA Basin.
Introducing quality in healthcare: an international perspective.

Several models for implementing quality improvement have been developed, but they have been applied primarily in the United States. One model developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development Quality Assurance Project has been applied in several other countries. This article discusses the steps to introduce the continuous quality improvement process, issues related to successful implementation of the process, and the methods by which Jordan and Saudi Arabia have introduced quality improvement into their healthcare systems.
Slip velocity during the flow of a liquid over a solid surface

An equation is derived for the slip velocity when a nonequilibrated drop is spreading over a solid surface. This velocity is obtained as the product of the force induced by the gradient of the chemical potential along the surface with Einstein’s expression for the mobility of the molecules. A similar approach was applied to the flow in a capillary. In that case, the surface diffusion coefficient evaluated by comparing the obtained theoretical expression with experiment is orders of magnitude larger than expected. For this reason, one concludes that the observed slip is apparent and is caused by the formation of a gap of gas separating the flowing liquid from the solid surface.
Who pays for a life of crime? an empirical assessment of the assorted victimization costs posed by career criminals

Little research has investigated the victimization costs posed by habitual offenders. The current study seeks to fill this void using a cohort of 500 adult career criminals. The group amassed 29,882 arrests including 58 murders, 201 rapes, 55 kidnappings, 405 armed robberies, and 1101 aggravated assaults; 2801 felony convictions, and 1739 prison sentences. Their collective criminal behavior generated $415 804 000 in victim costs, $137 305 000 in criminal justice costs, and $14 736 500 in lost earnings. The average career criminal created $831 608 in victim costs, $274 610 in criminal justice system costs, and $29 473 in lost productivity, a total in excess of $1.14 million. Because a relatively small group of 500 offenders produced in excess of $570 million in human, victimization, and attendant costs, we conclude that, per capita, career criminals are among the most socially costly individuals in American society.
Biological Sciences: Model for the Secondary Structure of the Denatured Conformer of Yeast tRNA3Leu

YEAST tRNA3Leu is one of the more thoroughly investigated tRNA species because it can exist in two conformations which can be interconverted1–5. The native (N) conformer has full biochemical activity, whereas the denatured (D) conformer is inactive with respect to aminoacylation. Although other tRNAs can be reversibly denatured6–8, the D conformer of yeast tRNA3Leu is quite stable1–5. Because of these properties, yeast tRNA3Leu has been studied in the hope that it might provide insight into the synthetase recognition problem. This aim has been thwarted, however, by lack of information on the secondary structure of the D conformer. Even less is known about the tertiary structure of this molecule in solution.
Characterization of tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi)

We describe the isolation and amplification of 21 potential tetranucleotide microsatellites for the Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi). After initial testing, eight microsatellites were removed from future analysis for non-resolvable electropherograms. The remaining 13 loci were screened against a total of 772 individuals from 12 populations. The thirteen polymorphic loci amplified between four and forty-eight alleles per locus with expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.41 to 0.95. These markers should aid in conservation and the description of population structure of this state sensitive species.
Cellular mechanisms of connexin32 mutations associated with CNS manifestations

Both oligodendrocytes and myelinating Schwann cells express the gap junction protein connexin32 (Cx32). Mutations in the gene encoding Cx32 (GJB1) cause the X-linked form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMTX). Although most CMTX patients do not have clinical central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, subclinical evidence of CNS dysfunction is common. We investigated the cellular effects of a subgroup of GJB1/Cx32 mutations that have been reported to cause clinical CNS dysfunction. We hypothesized that these mutants have dominant-negative effects on other connexins expressed by oligodendrocytes, specifically Cx45. We expressed these and other Cx32 mutants in communication-incompetent as well as Cx45-expressing HeLa cells, and analyzed the transfected cells by immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. In communication-incompetent cells, the mutants associated with CNS phenotypes failed to reach the cell membrane and were instead retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (A39V, T55I) or Golgi apparatus (M93V, R164Q, R183H), although rare gap junction plaques were found in cells expressing M93V or R183H. In HeLa cells stably expressing Cx45, these Cx32 mutants showed a similar expression pattern, and did not alter the pattern of Cx45 expression. These results indicate that Cx32 mutants that are associated with a CNS phenotype do not interact with Cx45, but may instead have other toxic effects in oligodendrocytes. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
``Unsealing' the Letters': The Making of an Artist in David Grossman's The Book of Internal Grammar

Abstract The writings of David Grossman (b. 1954) have become important landmarks on the Israeli cultural landscape. His journalistic works, The Yellow Wind (1987) and Present Absentees (1992), have contributed significantly to the public debate between right- and left-wing proponents over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Grossman's novels are striking literary attempts to explore controversial issues that lie at the core of Israel's existence. The Smile of the Lamb (1983) probes moral and philosophical predicaments as they arise from the Arab-Israeli conflict. His next novel, See: Under Love (1986), examines a fundamental issue in Israel's reality, making an ambitious attempt to confront the Holocaust memory and to assess its impact upon Israeli consciousness. Grossman's latest work, The Book of Internal Grammar (1991), is no exception. As with the writer's previous works, this novel has generated wide public interest and a plethora of critical responses—a circumstance arising from its subject matter, l...
Food deserts and overweight schoolchildren: evidence from Pennsylvania.

Abstract The concept of the food desert, an area with limited access to retail food stores, has increasingly been used within social scientific and public health research to explore the dimensions of spatial inequality and community well-being. While research has demonstrated that food deserts are frequently characterized by higher levels of poverty and food insecurity, there has been relatively little research examining the relationship between food deserts and obesity, particularly in rural areas. In this article we use Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to identify food desert areas in rural Pennsylvania. We then analyze student body mass index (BMI) data along with census and school district-level data to determine the extent to which the percentage of a school district's population residing within a food desert is positively associated with increased incidence of child overweight among students within the district. We find that school districts with higher percentages of populations located within food deserts are more likely to be structurally and economically disadvantaged. Net of these district-level structural and economic characteristics, we additionally find a positive relationship between increased rates of child overweight and the percentage of the district population residing in a food desert.
Dressed stationary states in quantum electrodynamics

Abstract Schrodinger's equation is solved to first-order accuracy in the charge for approximate vacuum, one-electron, and one-photon dressed stationary states.
Long-term Efficacy of Fluid Ability Interventions with Older Adults

Three-year follow-up data were gathered from 108 elderly persons to investigate the long-term efficacy of fluid ability (Gf) interventions with the aged. Results suggested that the effects of reminding older persons to use previously acquired training strategies facilitated 3-year Letter Series performance, particularly so for stress inoculation participants. No reminder effects were observed for Letter Sets scores. While 3-year declines in Letter Sets performance were observed for all persons, losses in Letter Sets performance were minimized to a greater extent for stress inoculation group participants than for those in both the induction training and control conditions. These data collectively underscore the interaction between qualitatively different types of Gf interventions and the ongoing use of previously acquired training strategies as factors in the maintenance of Gf training effects in older persons.
Combination Therapy with Inhaled Long‐Acting β2‐Agonists and Inhaled Corticosteroids: A Paradigm Shift in Asthma Management

Long-acting inhaled beta2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids are classes of drugs with different mechanisms of action that are commonly used to provide effective long-term control of persistent asthma. Scientific and clinical data support the complementary mechanisms of action of the inhaled corticosteroids and the long-acting beta2-agonists in achieving a superior level of asthma control. In addition, evidence supports significant reductions in exacerbations and effective control of airway inflammation with an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist versus higher dosages of inhaled corticosteroids or combinations of other therapeutic agents with an inhaled corticosteroid. Finally, there are distinct economic advantages to combining an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting beta2-agonist in the treatment of asthma relative to other treatment regimens.
Philosophy Bound: The Fate of the Promethean Socrates

Au-dela de la conjonction previsible des figures de Socrate et de Promethee au sein d'une reflexion sur la philosophie et la tragedie, en vertu d'une certaine conception platonicienne de la prediction, l'A. etudie le Socrate prometheen confronte a sa tragedie personnelle dans le «Laches», l'«Alcibiade» et le «Protagoras» de Platon. Socrate apparait comme le double de Promethee, un Socrate epimetheen annoncant la mort de toute maitrise de l'avenir
Parametric evaluation of transmission characteristics in aircraft-like structures

Abstract The paper develops a model for the coupling between a beam and a ring which represents the joint between a wind and a fuselage ring frame. The model is used to study the transmission of structureborne disturbances from the beam to the ring. Such disturbances could arise on an actual aircraft due to a wing-mounted propeller and engine. The effects of joint placement and synchrophasing (synchronizing the phase of the propellers and/or engines) are studied as methods of noise control. The results show that the optimum phase shift between propeller inputs depends on the location of the joint between the wing and the ring frame. High and mid-wing designs generally experience lower levels of disturbance transmission than low-wing aircraft, but the combination of wing placement and phase synchronization determines the amplitude of structureborne transmission.
Race, spatial mismatch, and job accessibility: Evidence from a plant relocation

Abstract One of the most prominent explanations for minority underachievement in the labor market is what has been termed the spatial mismatch hypothesis. The original formulation of the hypothesis by John Kain focused on the effects of racially segregated housing on workers’ labor market outcomes assuming race-neutral employers. This paper reports the results of a case study designed to test Kain’s original conception of this important hypothesis within the context of a longitudinal analysis of a relocating food processing plant. Because the workers in this study did not choose the firm’s new location, the relocation can be treated as an exogenous, demand-side shock to the local labor market. This natural experiment design solves the major problem of extant approaches to the theory, i.e., the selective migration of minorities to areas with high concentrations of jobs. The study design also eliminates the confounding factor of non-race-neutral employers using space as a means to discriminate against minorities since the circumstances of this move make us confident that the firm is not moving for racial motives. We find support in favor of Kain’s version of the spatial mismatch hypothesis. Despite the firm’s best intentions and work to minimize the impact of the spatial disruption caused by the relocation, the racial segregation of the area’s housing market hampered minorities’ adjustments to the relocation. Consistent with Kain’s formulation, spatially discriminating employers are not needed to produce race differences in job accessibility; racially segregated housing markets alone can generate such outcomes.
Design, collaboration, and computation: the design studio as a model for computer supported collaboration in mathematics

The introduction of computational media to education has made the idea of learning in an open-ended, design-based environment appealing to educators. One important feature of such environments is the extent to which students are able to collaborate with teachers, experts and with their peers without losing control away their control of their own learning process. This paper looks at the architectural design studio as a model for dealing with this balance between control and collaboration in open-ended learning. In particular, this paper looks at using computers to create a "mathematics studio" where students learn mathematics using the pedagogy of the design studio. The paper presents two studies: one of how the design studio provides a model for collaborative work, the other exploring the use of computers to adapt the studio model to mathematics learning. These two studies show that the design studio can provide an effective model for thinking about collaboration through design activities, and that the design studio model can be used successfully in mathematics learning with the help of computer technology. This research also suggests that whatever model we take for supporting collaborative activities, students; experiences of collaboration are strongly influenced by their sense of control over their learning process.
Coexistent yellow nail syndrome and selective antibody deficiency.

Background Yellow nail syndrome (YNS) is a rare, often underdiagnosed condition of unknown origin. The clinical features of the syndrome include yellow nails, chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, and lymphoedema. Despite the frequent occurrence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in patients with YNS, comprehensive analysis of their humoral immunity has not been previously reported. Objective To present the case of a patient with YNS whose recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections may have been caused by an underlying selective antibody deficiency that manifests as impaired IgG antibody response to polysaccharide antigens. Methods The patient underwent cultures of purulent sputum for Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, bronchial washings for H. influenzae, and nail scrapings for fungi. Her serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG subclasses, and serum titers of IgG antitetanus toxoid, anti-H. influenzae, and anti-S. pneumoniae antibodies were measured. Results Cultures of purulent sputum were positive on multiple occasions for S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae and bronchial washings were positive for H. influenzae. Nail scrapings were consistently negative for fungi. She had no reductions in serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, or IgG subclasses and had normal serum titers of IgG antitetanus toxoid antibodies. However, she demonstrated impaired IgG antibody responses following immunization with Pneumovax and an H. influenza B vaccine. Conclusions This case report describes the first comprehensive analysis of humoral immune function in a patient with YNS. The finding of a selective antibody deficiency in our patient provides a potential explanation for the occurrence of respiratory infections in YNS. Accordingly, we recommend that functional antibody determinations and quantitative serum immunoglobulins be evaluated in patients diagnosed as having this unusual, enigmatic syndrome.
Near-Inertial Wave Wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita over Mesoscale Oceanic Eddies

Abstract Tropical cyclones (TCs) Katrina and Rita moved as major hurricanes over energetic geostrophic ocean features in the Gulf of Mexico. Increased and reduced oceanic mixed layer (OML) cooling was measured following the passage of both storms over cyclonic and anticyclonic geostrophic relative vorticity ζg, respectively. This contrasting thermal response is investigated here in terms of the evolution of the storms’ near-inertial wave wake in geostrophic eddies. Observational data and ray-tracing techniques in realistic geostrophic flow indicate that TC-forced OML near-inertial waves are trapped in regions of negative ζg, where they rapidly propagate into the thermocline. These anticyclonic-rotating regimes coincided with the distribution of reduced OML cooling because rapid downward dispersion of near-inertial energy reduced the amount of kinetic energy available to increase vertical shears at the OML base. By contrast, TC-forced OML near-inertial waves were stalled in upper layers of cyclonic circula...
Amplification Biases and Consistent Recovery of Loci in a Double-Digest RAD-seq Protocol

A growing variety of “genotype-by-sequencing” (GBS) methods use restriction enzymes and high throughput DNA sequencing to generate data for a subset of genomic loci, allowing the simultaneous discovery and genotyping of thousands of polymorphisms in a set of multiplexed samples. We evaluated a “double-digest” restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) protocol by 1) comparing results for a zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) sample with in silico predictions from the zebra finch reference genome; 2) assessing data quality for a population sample of indigobirds (Vidua spp.); and 3) testing for consistent recovery of loci across multiple samples and sequencing runs. Comparison with in silico predictions revealed that 1) over 90% of predicted, single-copy loci in our targeted size range (178–328 bp) were recovered; 2) short restriction fragments (38–178 bp) were carried through the size selection step and sequenced at appreciable depth, generating unexpected but nonetheless useful data; 3) amplification bias favored shorter, GC-rich fragments, contributing to among locus variation in sequencing depth that was strongly correlated across samples; 4) our use of restriction enzymes with a GC-rich recognition sequence resulted in an up to four-fold overrepresentation of GC-rich portions of the genome; and 5) star activity (i.e., non-specific cutting) resulted in thousands of “extra” loci sequenced at low depth. Results for three species of indigobirds show that a common set of thousands of loci can be consistently recovered across both individual samples and sequencing runs. In a run with 46 samples, we genotyped 5,996 loci in all individuals and 9,833 loci in 42 or more individuals, resulting in <1% missing data for the larger data set. We compare our approach to similar methods and discuss the range of factors (fragment library preparation, natural genetic variation, bioinformatics) influencing the recovery of a consistent set of loci among samples.
Hitler: Beyond Evil and Tyranny. By R. H. S. Stolfi. (Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 2011. Pp. 499. $27.00.)

Biographers have hitherto said remarkably little regarding Adolf Hitler as a human being and about how his personality affected his decision‐making process. Indeed, as R. H. S. Stolfi points out, t...
The Effect of Leg Specialization in a Biomimetic Hexapedal Running Robot

The biologically inspired Sprawl family of hexapedal robots has shown that fast and stable running is possible with only open-loop control. Proper design of the passively self-stabilizing leg structure has enabled these robots to run at speeds of up to 15 bodylengths/s and over uneven terrain. Unlike other running robots built to date, the Sprawl robots'front and rear legs are designed to preform distinct functional roles. Like the cockroaches that inspired them, the front legs of the robots act to lift and decelerate, while the rear legs provide the primary forward thrust. This paper uses a dynamic simulation to investigate the effect that changing the robot's leg structure and posture has on its performance. The simulation results support our hypothesis that the use of a differential leg function induced through postural adjustments effectively trades efficiency for stability.
Scaling Methods of Sediment Bioremediation Processes and Applications

Bioremediation has been argued to be one of the most cost-effective remediation technologies available to reduce soil, sediment, or groundwater contamination, particularly because this approach may allow for the implementation of in-place strategies. Recent trends have advocated the application of innovative sediment stabilization strategies through placement of (reactive) capping material to allow long-term biodegradation of contaminants in these complex biogeochemical environments. The potential long-term risk reduction associated with this approach requires a demonstration of causal relationships between sediment or contaminant stability on the one hand, and microbial reactivity on the other. The spatial analysis needed to fully understand and quantify these correlations requires sensitive probabilistic techniques. Geostatistics has been used for the characterization of multi-scale spatial patterns for the last few decades, and the analysis of microbial attributes has shown significant spatial structures on microbial abundance and activity. However, there is a dearth of information on the applicability of geostatistics to quantitatively describe the interaction between the microorganisms and their environment. Using the Passaic River (NJ) dioxin data as a model dataset, multiple scaling models were applied to scale and interpolate sampled dioxin data and derive dechlorination signatures in sediments. Unlike conventional geostatistic tools that are based on the pointto-point spatial structures, the new multi-scale model (M-Scale) introduces a new framework for spatial analysis in which regional values at different scales are anchored by the correlations to each other. Spatial dioxin distributions and microbial dechlorination signatures were used as benchmarks for comparison of M-Scale to ordinary kriging. The results from cross-validation and jackknifing approaches applied to these datasets were analyzed and compared using Quantile-Quantile (Q–Q) plots and reproduction coefficients. These plots indicated that the M-Scale better preserves the local features of hotspots during data interpolation to a basin-wide scale. Current efforts focus on mapping microbial abundance and respiratory competence in the Anacostia River, based on measurements at three different scales. The outcomes of this work will be used to develop an uncertainty-based spatial decision tool for site remediation in this watershed using various capping strategies.
Adult-onset obesity induced by early life overnutrition could be reversed by moderate caloric restriction

Overnutrition during the suckling period (small litter, SL) results in the development of adult-onset obesity. Our aim was to investigate whether two levels of caloric restriction (CR) in the early...
Common vs rare variants and a case for neurodevelopment in schizophrenia

Rare structural variants disrupt multiple genes in neurodevelopmental pathways in schizophrenia Walsh et al. (2008) Science 320 (5875): 539–543. Epub 27 March 2008
Towards Deformable Mirror Calibration using Phase Diversity in Objective Coupled Planar Illumination Microscopy

We have introduced a deformable mirror (DM) in the emission path of an OCPI microscope to allow for adaptive optics using phase diversity imaging. Currently we are implementing phase diversity algorithms to calibrate the DM.
GNL3L stabilizes the TRF1 complex and promotes mitotic transition

Telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TRF1) is a component of the multiprotein complex “shelterin,” which organizes the telomere into a high-order structure. TRF1 knockout embryos suffer from severe growth defects without apparent telomere dysfunction, suggesting an obligatory role for TRF1 in cell cycle control. To date, the mechanism regulating the mitotic increase in TRF1 protein expression and its function in mitosis remains unclear. Here, we identify guanine nucleotide-binding protein-like 3 (GNL3L), a GTP-binding protein most similar to nucleostemin, as a novel TRF1-interacting protein in vivo. GNL3L binds TRF1 in the nucleoplasm and is capable of promoting the homodimerization and telomeric association of TRF1, preventing promyelocytic leukemia body recruitment of telomere-bound TRF1, and stabilizing TRF1 protein by inhibiting its ubiquitylation and binding to FBX4, an E3 ubiquitin ligase for TRF1. Most importantly, the TRF1 protein-stabilizing activity of GNL3L mediates the mitotic increase of TRF1 protein and promotes the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. This work reveals novel aspects of TRF1 modulation by GNL3L.
Spatial Assessment of Five Years of WSR-88D Data over the Mississippi River Basin and Its Estimation Bias around Rain Gauge Sites

AbstractStatistical analyses were performed using five years (1996–2000) of Weather Surveillance Radar–1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) weather-radar rainfall estimates that were produced for the Global-Continental Scale International Project over the entire Mississippi River basin. The project radar rainfall estimates were adjusted using a Z-R relation optimized to improve performance at the time scale of individual storms. The accuracy of radar-rainfall estimates were analyzed during the warm season considering a number of factors, including number of overlapping radars, distance from gauge to nearest radar, gauge elevation, and the geographic location of the radar. Results were used to identify optimal radar-rainfall estimation areas (ORREAs) within the Mississippi River basin with high correlation between storm-total radar and rain gauge rainfall. Additionally, estimation of the bias between storm-total radar-rainfall and rain gauge rainfall accumulations in areas without gauges was assessed to identify the app...
40 Gb/s Field-Modulated Wavelength Converters for All-Optical Packet Switching

We present a high-functionality photonic integrated circuit that performs field-modulated wavelength conversion. This device incorporates an on-chip sampled grating distributed Bragg reflector laser for wide tunability. Wavelength conversion is accomplished using a preamplified semiconductor optical amplifier photodiode receiver interconnected with a traveling-wave modulator to form a high-speed optical gate. This paper discusses the design and performance of this device, as well as its potential for optical packet switching applications. Error-free wavelength conversion is demonstrated at 40 Gb/s with 1-3 dB power penalty compared with back-to-back transmission over 22 nm of input and output tuning. Output extinction in all cases is greater than 9 dB, and conversion efficiency ranges from -2 to -6 dB over the tuning range. This device additionally demonstrates the capability for external 10 Gb/s modulation, which can be used for optical label encoding.
Advancements in aircraft model force and attitude instrumentation by integrating statistical methods

Applying statistical methods in conjunction with instrumentation expertise has resulted in a dramatic reduction in calibration time and expense, while simultaneously improving the calibration quality. In this paper, we illustrate the application of response surface methodology and statistical quality control to two quintessential instruments used in aeronautical wind-tunnel experiments, namely, the force balance and the triaxial accelerometer. We emphasize the benefits that have been achieved by integrating the statistical design with the mechanical calibration system. For both instruments, we discuss the development of an experimental design that accommodates physicsbased constraints and highlight an innovative calibration apparatus. As a result of reduced calibration time, the frequency of calibration can be increased, which enables the monitoring of instrument stability over time. Throughout the calibration process, we emphasize efficient allocation of experimental resources to achieve the calibration requirements.
Are There Differences in Neurocognitive Function and Symptoms Between Male and Female Soccer Players After Concussions

Background:Researchers have suggested that there are sex differences in outcomes after sport-related concussions. Factors such as sport type/rules, age, and body mass index (BMI) may influence these differences.Hypotheses/Purpose:The purposes of this study were (1) to examine neurocognitive performance after concussions between male and female soccer players and (2) to compare concussion symptoms between male and female soccer players. We hypothesized that female concussed soccer players would report more concussion symptoms and worse cognitive performance compared with male concussed soccer players.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A total of 39 male (mean BMI, 22.21 ± 2.34 kg/m2; mean age, 17.69 ± 2.10 years) and 56 female (mean BMI, 23.47 ± 2.66 kg/m2; mean age, 17.78 ± 2.30 years) concussed soccer players participated in this study. Participants were similar in age, history of concussion, sport, and time since injury. Participants completed computerized neurocognitive tests and s...
Mortality reductions for older adults differ by race/ethnicity and gender since the introduction of adult and pediatric pneumococcal vaccines.

Objective We determined the effectiveness of a 23-valent-polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV-23) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in reducing adult pneumococcal mortality by comparing historically predicted declines in pneumococcal disease mortality with observed patterns since the introduction of PPV-23 and PCV-7, including analyses of age, gender, and racial/ethnic subgroups. Methods We analyzed all deaths registered on U.S. death certificates reporting any site of pneumococcal infection (e.g., meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, bacteremia, and peritonitis) from 1968 to 2006. We used time-series dynamic linear regression on annual pneumococcal mortality rates to determine the percentage reduction in post-1983 mortality rates for a given increase in PPV-23 vaccination rates and post-2000 mortality rates for a given increase in PCV-7 vaccination rates. Results Pneumococcal mortality decreased well before the introduction of PPV-23 in 1983 and again before the introduction of PCV-7 in 2000. The level of PPV-23 vaccination was associated with a direct and significant reduction in adult mortality, especially white female adults > or = 65 years of age. In contrast, the level of PCV-7 vaccination in the population was not associated with an indirect and significant reduction in pneumococcal mortality beyond the historical pace of decline. Conclusions PPV-23 introduction was associated with a reduction in pneumococcal mortality among older adults > or = 65 years of age beyond levels predicted by secular trends, whereas PCV-7 introduction was not. Mortality reduction was not uniformly experienced across the population, revealing the need for additional strategies to reduce pneumococcal mortality in older adults.
The Personal Adjustment of Navajo Indian Migrants to Denver, Colorado'

Urban migration creates many adjustment problems for those American Indians who find economic opportunities on their reservations inadequate. Their extremely high rate of arrest in comparison with other urban groups, almost all for drunkenness or drinking-related offenses, is testimony to the extent of their difficulties and the inadequate resources that they possess for coping with them. A systematic investigation of 259 male Navajo Indian migrants to Denver over the last ten years reveals a number of economic, social, and psychological pressures and constraints bearing on them, which account in large part both for intragroup differences in adjustment among them, and for their high arrest rates in comparison with other minority groups. The interaction among these determinants, as well as feedback from the migrant's behavioral response, is analyzed as a system of mutually interlocking and reinforcing variables through time. Practical implications of this study are briefly explored, including the apparent primary role played by the migrant's marginal economic position in the city.
Both central command and exercise pressor reflex activate cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in decerebrate cats

Both static and dynamic exercise are known to increase cardiac pump function as well as arterial blood pressure. Feedforward control by central command and feedback control by the exercise pressor reflex are thought to be the neural mechanisms causing these effects during exercise. It remains unknown as to how each mechanism activates cardiac sympathetic nerve activity (CSNA) during exercise, especially at its onset. Thus we examined the response of CSNA to stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR, i.e., central command) and to static muscle contraction of the triceps surae muscles or stretch of the calcaneal tendon in decerebrate cats. We found that MLR stimulation immediately increased CSNA, which was followed by a gradual increase in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and ventral root activity in a stimulus intensity-dependent manner. The latency of the increase in CSNA from the onset of MLR stimulation ranged from 67 to 387 ms. Both static contraction and tendon stretch also rapidly increased CSNA. Their latency from the development of tension in response to ventral root stimulation ranged from 78 to 670 ms. These findings suggest that both central command and the muscle mechanoreflex play a role in controlling cardiac sympathetic outflow at the onset of exercise.
The Paucity of Evidence Supporting Screening for Stages 1–3 CKD in Asymptomatic Patients with or without Risk Factors

The American College of Physicians recently published a guideline on screening for CKD that recommends against screening for CKD in asymptomatic adults without risk factors. The generally accepted criteria for population-based screening for disease state that screening should improve important clinical outcomes while limiting harms for those individuals screened. However, CKD screening does not meet these criteria. There is currently no evidence evaluating or demonstrating benefits for providing early treatment for patients identified via screening who do not have risk factors. On the other hand, harms are associated with the screening and include false-positive results, unnecessary testing and treatment, and disease labeling.
Inter-domain routing for military mobile networks

As more and more tactical Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs) are deployed at the edge, there is a need to interconnect these heterogeneous MANETs to enable increased connectivity and robust communication services to the war fighters. Traditionally, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is considered the de facto standard inter-domain routing protocol. It was originally designed for wired networks and does not respond well to the challenges posed by mobile networks. With intermittent wireless links and frequent topology changes in tactical networks, BGP suffers from network partitioning, specifically the traditional Autonomous System (AS) split issue. One option is to re-architect the use of BGP to prevent AS splits as shown in [1]. A more scalable approach is to develop a new inter-domain routing protocol that fundamentally addresses BGP protocol limitations. The InterMR protocol proposed by UCLA dynamically detects and heals network splits. In this paper, we implement, demonstrate and evaluate the performance of interMR for connecting ground tactical MANETs with an airborne backbone. Implementation of the protocol required several design choice and adaptations. We use OPNET to compare the performance of the interMR protocol to a flat OSPF architecture and BGP with virtual routers under various mobility models. We show that InterMR heals network splits and provides a scalable approach for interconnecting MANETs.1
Evaluation of 968 children with corrosive substance ingestion.

Background and Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the etiology, treatment, and prognosis in children who had presented at our clinic with corrosive substance ingestion and comparison of our results with the literature. Materials and Methods: The patients were put on nil by mouth and broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered. Oral fluids were started for patients whose intraoral lesions resolved and who could swallow their saliva. Steroids were not given, a nasogastric catheter was not placed, and early endoscopy was not used. Results: A total of 968 children presented at our clinic for corrosive substance ingestion during the 22-year period. The stricture development rate was 13.5%. Alkali substance ingestion caused a stricture development rate of 23%. A total of 54 patients required 1-52 sessions (mean 15 ± 12) of dilatation. Conclusion: We do not perform early endoscopy, administer steroids, or place a nasogastric catheter at our clinic for patients who had ingested a corrosive substance. This approach has provided results similar to other series. We feel that determining the burn with early esophagoscopy when factors that prevent or decrease the development of corrosive strictures will be very important.
Comparative study of the military academy moral education model

The objective of the present study is to compare the effect of three moral education models: the bag-of-virtues, value-clarification, and virtue-ethics models. Students from military colleges in Taiwan were used as research samples, and a questionnaire survey with counterbalanced designs was conducted. The research results indicate that the value-clarification model exhibited lower educational effectiveness than the other two models did, but the virtue-ethics model increased student moral behavior, and the bag-of-virtues model facilitated the construction of student moral values. Additionally, the students rated the bag-of-virtues model as the most educationally effective among the three models.
Mitogen-activated protein kinases mediate heat shock-induced delayed protection in mouse heart

We determined the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), 72-kDa heat shock protein (HSP72), and antioxidant enzymes in whole body heat stress (HS)-induced cardioprotection in mouse he...