cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current and Future Carbon Storage Capacity in a Southeastern Pennsylvania Forest

Temperate forests have a strong carbon sink capacity, although the future of this ecosystem service is uncertain in the eastern United States in light of widespread changes affecting succession. This study quantified aboveground carbon accumulation and storage in a southeastern Pennsylvania forest fragment, while assessing whether carbon storage capacity will be supported in the future. Six 0.2 ha plots were censused in 2013 and 2018 for living tree and dead wood carbon storage, as well as tree species composition. Three plots were in a 100-year-old forest, while the remainder were in a 200-year-old forest. Living tree carbon storage increased significantly over time (p 60 cm). Compositional data suggest decreased future canopy tree diversity, with the native Fagus grandifolia and nonnative Acer platanoides dominating forest understories. While there is high living tree carbon storage capacity, the dead wood pool will increase over time as many large trees die. Intervention to augment regeneration and maintain sink strength in the 200-year-old forest is needed. Action to limit the spread of A. platanoides and increase native regeneration throughout the forest will support forest resilience and long-term carbon storage capacity. Assessments of understory conditions are critical in supporting forests' carbon sink capacity into the future.
Quantifying Load Uncertainty Using Real Smart Meter Data

As we get closer to customers in distribution systems, load stochasticity increases. In the past, due to lack of real-time data, the comprehensive knowledge of load behavior was limited, and simplistic assumptions had to be made for distribution system modeling and analysis, especially in the processes of network design and expansion. With the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), ample real-time smart meter data has become available to utilities. In this paper, using real hourly smart meter data, we have quantified load uncertainty in terms of average, maximum and maximum noncoincident demands on a daily basis, as well as load factor and diversity factor. These uncertainty metrics are examined for individual residential, commercial and industrial customers, as well as distribution transformers serving residential customers. This paper provides a benchmark on load uncertainty quantification for practicing engineers and researchers.
Reconfigurable microwave metadevices based on organic electrochemical transistors

Electrically tunable metadevices can add novel functionalities to electronic and electromagnetic systems such as antennas and cloaking technologies. However, current microwave metadevices are based on materials that require sophisticated and expensive fabrication processes, and are not compatible with large-area and high-throughput deposition techniques on flexible platforms. Here we report reconfigurable microwave resonators that are electrically tuned by organic electrochemical transistors. The devices are fabricated via inkjet printing onto polyimide substrates using commercial metal nanoparticle and conducting polymer inks. By applying electrostatic gating to the polymer—a mixed ion–electron conductor—we show that the amplitude and frequency of different microwave resonant structures, including individual magnetic and electric split-ring resonators as well as a metasurface, can be modulated in the sub-5-GHz range. Electrically tunable metamaterial-inspired devices in the microwave range can be created by using resonators that are integrated with organic electrochemical transistors and are entirely fabricated via inkjet-printed onto polyimide substrates.
Leisure experience and participation and its contribution to stress-related growth amid COVID-19 pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to alter daily life and its long-term impact remains unknown, research is needed to examine the effects of this unprecedented pandemic on public health and well-being. Leisure has the potential to facilitate personal growth and to serve as a vehicle for personal transformation under stressful circumstances. The purpose of the study is two-fold: (1) to explore leisure experiences and participation during the COVID-19 global pandemic;and (2) to examine how leisure experiences and participation contribute to stress-related growth during this public health crisis. A total of 470 U.S. residents completed an online survey in July 2020. The results indicated a decline in participation for all types of leisure activities. Changes in leisure activities varied by age and income but social activities had the most substantial decline, followed by outdoor and physical activities. Leisure needs, satisfaction, and social activities were statistically significant predictors of stress-related growth during the pandemic. These findings provide further understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted engagement in leisure activities, and additional evidence that participating in leisure can facilitate personal growth during periods of adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Leisure Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Optimal Domestically-Sourced Commodity Portfolios for Re-Emerging Civil-Strife-Torn MENA Agriculture Sectors

The Middle East and North Africa region is arguably the most politically volatile and food insecure area on earth. The sum of civil disruption and endemic food-security constraints has reduced many MENA nations to the equivalent of small, import-dependent countries, regardless of population. Such countries are especially vulnerable to commodity-price volatiltity, the focus of this paper. As MENA countries begin to arise from civil strife, they must attempt to diminish the food-price risk that results from import dependence. This paper describes a constrained-optimization model that can produce optimal domestically-source commodity portfolios for re-emerging MENA agricultural sectors, nested in domestic production and strategic storage. The model is driven by the use of financial-economics concepts to inform a representation of commodity-price volatility.
MeTooBots and the AI Workplace

Responding to the #MeToo Movement, companies across the United States and Europe are beginning to offer products that use AI to detect discrimination and harassment in digital communications. These companies promise to outsource a large component of the EEO compliance function to technology, preventing the financial costs of toxic behavior by using AI to monitor communications and report anything deemed inappropriate to employer representatives for investigation. Highlighting the problem of underreporting of sexual harassment and positing that many victims do not come forward out of a fear of retaliation, these “#MeTooBots” propose to remove the human element from reporting and rely on AI to detect and report unacceptable conduct before it contaminates the workplace. This new technology raises numerous legal and ethical questions relating to both the effectiveness of the technology and the ways in which it alters the paradigm on which anti-discrimination and anti-harassment doctrine is based. First, the notion that AI is capable of identifying and parsing the nuances of human interactions is problematic as are the implications for underrepresented groups if their linguistic styles are not part of the AI’s training. More complicated, however, are the questions that arise from the technology’s attempt to eliminate the human reporter: (1) How does the use of AI to detect harassment impact employer liability and available defenses since the doctrine has long been based on worker reports? (2) How does this technology impact alleged victims’ vulnerability to retaliation when incidents may be detected without a victim’s report? (3) What is the impact on the power of victim voice and autonomy in this system? and (4) What are the overall consequences for organizational culture when this type of technology is employed? This Article examines the use of AI in EEO compliance and considers whether the elimination of human reporting requires a reconsideration of the U.S.’s approach to discrimination and harassment. Appearing on the heels of revelations about the use of non-disclosure agreements and arbitration clauses to silence victims of sexual harassment, this Article posits that the use of AI to detect and report improper communications, an innovation that purports to help eradicate workplace harassment, may, in reality, be problematic for employers and employees alike, including functioning as a new form of victim abuse. Lastly, the Article considers the difficult work of creating open, healthy workplace cultures that encourage reporting, and the impact of outsourcing this work to Artificial Intelligence. Rather than rejecting what may be an inevitable move towards incorporating artificial intelligence solutions in the workplace, this Article suggests more productive uses of AI at work and adjustments to employment discrimination doctrine to be better prepared for an AI-dependent world.
BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING AND MARKET VALUE OF FIRMS

A profound change that has occurred over the last two decades has been the tendency of firms to increasingly outsource tasks and functions that were traditionally done in-house. Business process outsourcing which involves the management and execution of the processes and functions of a firm by an external service provider (Michell and Fitzgerald 1997) first attempted in the mid 90s has become popular more recently with the growth of the Internet and with the recognition that non-core but yet critical processes can be handled offsite by external providers. The potential for cost reduction and the increased flexibility that comes with outsourcing explains why outsourcing is favorably viewed by business leaders. While these benefits are important motivations for firms to outsource, the current trends in outsourcing also reflects the bandwagon effects common when new paradigms come into vogue (Swanson & Ramilier, 2004). The decision to outsource business processes might not always be for reasons of cost reduction but could be driven by pressures to be isomorphic to the environment. Thus it remains to be seen if and whether outsourcing pays off for many of these firms.
Effects of desipramine on irritable bowel syndrome compared with atropine and placebo

Antidepressant treatment trials of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have suggested beneficial effects. Twenty-eight patients with the disorder (9 constipation-predominant, 19 diarrhea-predominant) completed a double-blind crossover study using desipramine, atropine, and placebo in random sequence. A four-week observation period preceded three six-week test periods. Bowel habits, abdominal distress, and affect were reported daily and in biweekly evaluations. Psychological assessments and rectosigmoid contractile studies were done in each period. Stool frequency, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, and slow contractions decreased significantly more in diarrhea-predominant patients during desipramine compared with placebo and atropine treatments. Diarrhea-prone patients' depression scores fell more in all periods than constipation-prone patients. Fifteen patients (13 diarrhea-predominant) improved globally during desipramine, five during placebo and six during atropine treatments. Desipramine may be helpful in treating IBS, perhaps through antidepressant and antimuscarinic effects.
Strategically Locating Wildlife Crossing Structures for Florida Panthers Using Maximal Covering Approaches

Crossing structures are an effective method for mitigating habitat fragmentation and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, although high construction costs limit the number that can be implemented in practice. Therefore, optimizing the placement of crossing structures in road networks is suggested as a strategic conservation planning method. This research explores two approaches for using the maximal covering location problem (MCLP) to determine optimal sites to install new wildlife crossing structures. The first approach is based on records of traffic mortality, while the second uses animal tracking data for the species of interest. The objective of the first is to cover the maximum number of collision sites, given a specified number of proposed structures to build, while the second covers as many animal tracking locations as possible under a similar scenario. These two approaches were used to locate potential wildlife crossing structures for endangered Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in Collier, Lee, and Hendry Counties, Florida, a population whose survival is threatened by excessive traffic mortality. Historical traffic mortality records and an extensive radio-tracking dataset were used in the analyses. Although the two approaches largely select different sites for crossing structures, both models highlight key locations in the landscape where these structures can remedy traffic mortality and habitat fragmentation. These applications demonstrate how the MCLP can serve as a useful conservation planning tool when traffic mortality or animal tracking data are available to researchers.
Wavelets in Nonlinear Semiconductor Devices

In this chapter we study the drift-diffusion (DD) model, which is the simplest version of the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) coupled with Poisson's equation. The DD model has handled most engineering problems to date reasonably well. Having studied the DD model, we then use spherical expansion and Galerkin's method to solve the 1D BTE, obtaining more advanced information of hot carrier effects and ballistic transport for deep-submicron SMOS devices, or high-frequency compound semiconductor devices.
Twenty Years of Cable-in-Conduit Conductors: 1975-1995

This paper reviews our progress during the last two decades in understanding cable-in-conduit conductors. The emphasis is on the physical principles governing the behavior of cable-in-conduit conductors, and no detailed mathematics is presented. The paper is constructed as a historical narrative.
eDemocs: Electronic Distributed Election Monitoring over Cellular Systems

Formal election observation involves appointed ob- servers recording and reporting remote observations over the duration of an election and analysts promptly issuing conclusions based on studying these observations. This paper discusses the design and performance of eDemocs (Electronic Distributed Election Monitoring over Cellular Systems), created to aid the election monitoring process by enabling rapid and trustworthy flow of observations from the reporting sites along with immediate access to the observations by the analysts. We discuss the architecture for our system and evaluate a prototype implementation and trial deployment in a US election. Our architecture is shown to be feasible and to demonstrate several desirable qualities, including integrity guarantees and full deploy ability in developing countries through reliance on SMS messaging without requiring Internet connectivity.
Lowering communication barriers in operating room technology.

Objectives: This paper examines the effects of new technology on team communication and information flow in a complex work environment, and offers design suggestions for improved team performance. Background: Case study of a robot-assisted cholecystectomy procedure revealed teamwork disruption and an increase in the complexity of information flow and communication in the operating room as a result of the novel technology. A controlled experiment using a between-subjects design was conducted to test the hypothesis that providing critical information in a timely and accessible manner would increase communication efficiency and reduce errors in task performance. Methods: Eighteen pairs of participants took part in a simulated tool-changing task in surgery under one of three communication conditions: (a) no rules, (b) scripted, or (c) automated. Results: Teams in the scripted and automated conditions performed significantly faster than the no-rules teams (p < .05). Teams in the automated condition made signif...
Modified Assay Methods for Crude Drugs Involving the Removal of Interfering Substances by Enzymatic Digestion. I. Modified Assay Method for Colchicum Corm and Seed

Abstract A modification of the N. F. VIII assay for colchicum corm and seed involving the enzymatic digestion of interfering substances with pancreatin, and with “Taka-Diastase” is described. This procedure was found to improve the official procedure by eliminating emulsions, shortening extraction time, and yielding purer alkaloidal residues. The quantitative recovery of colchicine was comparable to the official procedure.
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PHOSPHOMONOESTERASES

Summary Researches of the past ten years bearing on the physiological significance of the common acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases may be summarized in the following facts and concepts, (i) The alkaline phos-phomonoesterase appears to be a salt-soluble, the acid a water-soluble, substance; both consist of a metallic coenzyme and a protein-like carrier. Neither depends oh sulphydryl groups for activity, but the alkaline phosphatase seems to require amine and phenolic hydroxy! groups; it is affected only by strong oxidizing agents. There is not yet any incontestable evidence that alkaline phosphomonoesterases of different sources are not identical. (2) Phosphatases probably catalyse only hydrolyses, not syntheses. (3) The content of both phosphatases in the blood serum is characteristic of age and physiological state, and is used in the diagnosis of bone and liver disorders; biliary obstruction results in elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase probably because phosphatase is normally excreted by way of liver and gut, but other explanations are possible. Diet influences serum alkaline phosphatase level. (4) The study of phosphatase function has been advanced by the development of techniques for the histochemical demonstration of acid and alkaline phosphatases. (5) It is certain that alkaline phosphatase is indispensable in normal ossification; it is generally instrumental in abnormal calcifications, but in a few cases calcification occurs without it. (6) Glycolysis seems to accompany normal bone formation, but this fact does not clarify all the unsolved problems of ossification. (7) Hormones and vitamins influence both alkaline phosphatase activity and bone formation. (8) In kidney tubules alkaline phosphatase probably functions in dephosphorylating sugar molecules that are removed from the tubular fluid by phosphorylation. The enzyme is present at other sites where it might serve in a similar manner. (9) Phosphatases are commonly found in the cytoplasm of growing, regenerating, and secreting cells in which protein synthesis is being carried on; there appears to be a correlation in such cells between content of pentosenucleic acid and of phosphatase. In dividing nuclei, phosphatase parallels desoxyribonucleic acid. (10) Acid phosphatase is found in seminal fluid, and may help to nourish the sperm. (11) The occurrence of two common phosphomonoesterases with widely different pH optima may indicate a mechanism for allowing two dephosphorylating steps to go on simultaneously in a single cell. In tissues which carry on much traffic in glycogen, acid phosphatase is possibly provided to prevent bone formation. (12) The actual role which the phosphatases play in the physiology of the organism will be understood only with elucidation of the complete enzyme systems of which the phosphatases are a part.
Kinetics of antimicrobial peptide activity measured on individual bacterial cells using high-speed atomic force microscopy.

Observations of real-time changes in living cells have contributed much to the field of cellular biology. The ability to image whole, living cells with nanometre resolution on a timescale that is relevant to dynamic cellular processes has so far been elusive1,2. Here, we investigate the kinetics of individual bacterial cell death using a novel high-speed atomic force microscope optimized for imaging live cells in real time. The increased time resolution (13 s per image) allows the characterization of the initial stages of the action of the antimicrobial peptide CM15 on individual Escherichia coli cells with nanometre resolution. Our results indicate that the killing process is a combination of a time-variable incubation phase (which takes seconds to minutes to complete) and a more rapid execution phase. High-speed atomic force microscopy imaging in liquid reveals the variability of the onset of cell death induced by antimicrobial peptides on a cell-by-cell basis.
The genomic organization of the rat angiotensin II receptor AT1B.

Abstract Expression of two subtypes of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT 1A and AT 1B ) seems to be controlled by different mechanisms. As a step toward the elucidation of difference in the mechanism in their gene expression, the genomic organization of rat angiotensin II type 1B receptor was investigated. Rat genomic DNA fragments were cloned by screening a genomic library with fragments from two cDNA clones (2.3 and 2.2 kb) encoding the rat AT 1B receptor. Three λ clones were isolated, and the hybridizing restriction fragments were sequenced. Comparison of the genomic clone DNA and cDNA sequences revealed that the rat AT 1B receptor gene contains three exons and two introns. Two of the exons encoded 5′ untranslated sequences while the third exon contained the entire coding region. The 5′-flanking region contained the typical sequence motifs found in many eukaryotic promoters including a TATA box and a potential SP1 binding site. The transcription initiation site was located at −8 bp upstream the 5′ end of the cDNA in the 5′-flanking region.
Gravitropism in a starchless mutant of Arabidopsis: implications for the starch-statolith theory of gravity sensing.

The starch-statolith theory of gravity reception has been tested with a mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. which, lacking plastid phosphoglucomutase (EC 2.7.5.1) activity, does not synthesize starch. The hypocotyls and seedling roots of the mutant were examined by light and electron microscopy to confirm that they did not contain starch. In upright wild-type (WT) seedlings, starch-filled plastids in the starch sheath of the hypocotyl and in three of the five columellar layers of the root cap were piled on the cell floors, and sedimented to the ceilings when the plants were inverted. However, starchless plastids of the mutant were not significantly sedimented in these cells in either upright or inverted seedlings. Gravitropism of light-grown seedling roots was vigorous: e.g., 10 degrees curvature developed in mutants rotated on a clinostat following a 5 min induction at 1 g, compared with 14 degrees in the WT. Curvatures induced during intervals from 2.5 to 30 min were 70% as great in the mutant as the WT. Thus under these conditions the presence of starch and the sedimentation of plastids are unnecessary for reception of gravity by Arabidopsis roots. Gravitropism by hypocotyls of light-grown seedlings was less vigorous than that by roots, but the mutant hypocotyls exhibited an average of 70-80% as much curvature as the WT. Roots and hypocotyls of etiolated seedlings and flower stalks of mature plants were also gravitropic, although in these cases the mutant was generally less closely comparable to the WT. Thus, starch is also unnecessary for gravity reception in these tissues.
Equivalence relations in queueing models of fork/join networks with blocking

Abstract Fork/join (F/J) networks can be used to model parallel processing computer systems.and manufacturing systems. In this paper, we present some fundamental equivalence properties that hold for F/J networks with blocking. Two networks that are equivalent may appear different, but their behavior is closely related. Their throughputs are the same and there is a simple relationship between their average buffer levels. We study a model of F/J networks where processing times are exponentially distributed. We prove a theorem that provides a test for equivalence and illustrate it with several examples.
Ethical Issues in Mentoring Doctoral Students in Clinical Psychology

Abstract Ethical issues abound in any relationship that is defined by differences between the parties in rank, status, and power. Such is the case in the relationship between a doctoral student in clinical psychology and his or her mentor. In this article, we examine several potential areas of ethical concern within the mentor-student relationship. We present a series of vignettes and our analyses of the issues that arise within them as we examine romantic dual relationships, nonromantic dual relationships, and other ways in which the mentor's power may be intentionally or unintentionally misused for personal gain. We also look at several examples of unhelpful mentoring. Problematic situations often arise when there is the potential for loss of objectivity by either party or exploitation of the student by the mentor. Although the relationship with one's mentor may be one of the most important and gratifying aspects of the graduate school experience, both mentors and students should keep in mind that behavioral choices within this relationship are often complex ones that require forethought, self-monitoring, and discussion between the parties.
College Relations and Fund-Raising Expenditures: Influencing the Probability of Alumni Giving to Higher Education

Abstract Costs of fund raising and college relations data for each of three years from 17 colleges and universities have been combined with the schools' institutional characteristics to predict ratios of alumni donors to total alumni for each school. With factor analysis, expenditure and institutional variables were classified into three descriptor influences on giving: fund-raising effort, donor wealth, and school resources. The expected ratio of donors to number of available alumni for each school was then projected with the use of logit coefficients derived from the limited factor model.
Career paths in occupational medicine.

Objective:To describe career path patterns for occupational medicine (OM) physicians.Methods:A convenience sample of 129 occupational physicians described work activities and locations at several career points up to 20 years ago, first OM position, and 10 years after expectations.Results:Clinical ac
Synthesis of Oxynitride Powders via Fluidized‐Bed Ammonolysis, Part I: Large, Porous, Silica Particles

Reaction of silica (SiO{sub 2}) with triethanolamine (TEA, N(CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}OH){sub 3}) and ethylene glycol (EG) under conditions ({approximately}200 C) where byproduct water is removed resulted in the formation of the neutral silatrane glycolate complex, N(CH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}O){sub 3}SiOCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}OH (or TEASiOCH{sub 2}CH{sub 2}OH) in essentially quantitative yield. Solutions of this neutral precursor in EG, when rapidly pyrolyzed and then oxidized at 500 C, formed porous ceramic powders with high specific surface areas (>500 m{sup 2}/g). These powders were nitrided via ammonolysis in a fluidized-bed reactor at temperatures of 700--1,000 C. The resulting nitrided powders were characterized by thermal and chemical analyses, diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy, gas sorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The apparent activation energy for the nitridation process was determined to be 54 kJ/mol. Following nitridation, the powders were amorphous and had nitrogen contents as high as 21 wt% with retained surface areas >300 m{sup 2}/g at 1,000 C. Under the nitridation conditions used, the extent of nitrogen incorporation correlated linearly with increases in material density. This linearity suggested that the change in density occurred primarily because of changes in coordination that occurred as trivalent nitrogen replaced divalent oxygen in the glass structure and nominally because ofmore » viscous flow. The linear density increase also suggested that pore trapping did not occur under these processing conditions. This work serves as a model for ongoing studies on the nitridation of high-surface-area ceramic powders produced by the rapid pyrolysis of mixed-metal TEA alkoxides.« less
SU-FF-T-309: Quality Assurance for Imaging Guided Stereotactic RadioSurgery with Novalis Tx™ System

Purpose: To present QA measurements over extended periods at our institute and recommend a QA program for image‐guidedradiosurgery on Novalis Tx system. Method and Materials: Novalis Tx system is developed based on a Trilogy linear accelerator featuring BrainLAB 6D‐ExacTrac, HD120‐MLC, MV‐EPID and KV‐OBIC isocenter of couch rotation was 0.34±0.20mm, within 1mm tolerance. Other linear accelerator QA results were within TG40 criteria. 2) Treatment planning QA was conducted with spot‐checks and a RPC SRS head phantom test. In spot‐checks, dosimetric discrepancies were within 3% (3.5% for the 4mm cone). RPC radiosurgery test was passed with less than 1% dosimetric deviation, and 100% geometric match. 3) Daily MRI QA showed that average geometric distortion was −0.2±0.4mm, −0.3±0.4mm, and −0.9±0.1mm along vertical, lateral, and longitudinal directions, within 1mm on phantom, 50% of ACR specifications. 4) OBI QA showed that imaging isocenter displacement was 0.46±0.30mm at AP and 0.76±0.19mm at RLAT. 5) Over ten months, 128 patients with intracranial lesions were treated with radiosurgery. All second MU checks were within 3%, and there were none treatment errors associated with the SRStreatments.Conclusion: Comprehensive QA program for image‐guidedradiosurgery has been developed with proper methodology, frequency and criteria on Novalis Tx system, demonstrated with extensive measurements.
A Test of the Network Models of Political Priming

Extensive media coverage of a political issue has been shown to influence, or prime, the criteria used to judge overall performance of political leaders. This political priming effect is traditionally explained with network models of memory, which identify priming intensity and recency as key factors in determining the strength and endurance of a priming effect. However, these two assumptions of network models have not been directly tested in media studies. The potential of priming valence to influence the priming effect also has had little treatment. This experiment evaluated priming intensity, recency, and valence within a typical political priming context. In support of previous psychological findings, priming effects were apparent immediately following positively valenced primes, dissipating quickly thereafter. For negative primes, the influence of the prime on judgment formation was contingent on the individual's political leaning, in that individuals who would likely agree with the message exhibited...
Covalent Metal−Peptide Framework Compounds That Extend in One and Two Dimensions

Peptides are attractive ligands for the design of metal organic frameworks, with the potential to confer chirality and biological activity on these materials. However, very few such materials have ...
Mammalian hypotaurine aminotransferase: Isethionate is not a product

Abstract We report that mammalian tissues posses hypotaurine (2-aminoethane- sulfinate) aminotransferase activity. One product of transamination, sulfinoacetaldehyde could theoretically undergo internal oxidation-reduction leading to isethionate (2-hydroxyethanesulfonate). This hypothesis was examined. No isethionate was formed in vitro .
Adrenarche: Changing Adrenal Response to Adrenocorticotropin

We have tested the hypothesis that adrenarche results from an altered biosynthetic response to ACTH. Adrenarche is the maturational increase in the production of adrenal 17-ketosteroids, particularly dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) and DHA-sulfate (DHAS). Apparent steroidogenic efficiency was estimated from relationships between plasma steroid intermediates after administering ACTH-(l–24). ACTH testing was performed after giving a bedtime dose of dexamethasone to suppress the early morning ACTH surge. Three groups of patients were studied: 6 prepubertal children, 10 females with isolated adrenarche, and 8 normal adult females in the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles. Prepubertal DHAS was 11, adrenarchal 105, and adult 208 μg/dl. Adults had 5-fold greater DHA and about 2-fold greater androstenedione (AD) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-PROG) than prepubertal children. Overnight dexamethasone suppression led to reduction of most steroids in most groups. Thirty minutes after a 10-eg ACTH bolus, prepuber...
Mycoplasmas of caprine pleuropneumonia in turkey and their relationship to other mycoplasmas of goats and M. mycoides var. mycoides.

Abstract Four strains of Mycoplasma isolated from contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Turkey were biochemically and serologically similar and the 3 strains tested produced classical CCPP in experimental goats inoculated by the intratracheal route. Pleuropneumonia was also produced in goats inoculated subcutaneously by 2 of these strains, and in sheep inoculated intratracheally. Two mycoplasmas ( M. agalactiae and 123LN) isolated from goats with conditions other than CCPP and 4 strains said to have originated from this disease either in Turkey or elsewhere failed to produce CCPP in experimental goats inoculated intratracheally. Strains OSB42 and Yamut B resembled the organism of “oedema disease” in their pathogenicity for goats. Comparison of the characteristics of the Mycoplasma strains tested showed that those causing CCPP in Turkey were distinct from all but one of the other CCPP agents tested.
Impact of multiple cardiovascular risk factors on femoral artery intima-media thickness in asymptomatic young adults (the Bogalusa Heart Study).

Femoral artery intima-media thickness (IMT), like carotid IMT, is a surrogate indicator of atherosclerotic coronary and peripheral vascular diseases in middle-aged and older adults. Although risk factors for coronary artery disease are also associated with increased IMT, especially as measured in carotid arteries, there is a paucity of information with respect to the femoral artery in this regard in the asymptomatic, younger adult population. This study examined the impact of multiple risk factors on the common femoral artery IMT as measured by B-mode ultrasonography in 1,080 black and white subjects aged 24 to 43 years (71% white and 43% men) enrolled in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Femoral IMT showed gender difference (men more than women, p = 0.001), but no racial difference. In a multivariate model, systolic blood pressure, age, male gender, cigarette smoking, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios related independently, in that order, to IMT. Mean IMT increased with an increasing number of risk factors defined as values above the age-, race-, and gender-specific 75th percentile of systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and insulin along with smoking status (p for trend = 0.003), with respective mean IMT values of 0.66, 0.69, 0.73, and 0.79 mm for 0, 1 to 2, 3, and 4 to 5 risk factors. The odds ratio for patients with ≥3 risk factors versus no risk factors having IMT in the top fifth percentile was 4.7 (p = 0.01). The observed adverse trend of increasing femoral IMT with an increasing number of risk factors in free-living, asymptomatic young subjects underscores the need for multiple risk factors profiling in early life. Further, ultrasonography of the femoral artery in conjunction with multiple risk factor profiling can be helpful in risk stratification.
Nonradiative Spectral and Spatial Energy Transfer in Ruby

The first experimental evidence for distinct spectral and spatial energy transfer in ruby via nonradiative coupling is presented. Monochromatic laser excitation of the ${R}_{1}$ line results in a rise of the inhomogeneous background on a millisecond time scale, consistent with a one-phonon---assisted process and contrary to recent theory. However, time-resolved studies of trap fluorescence suggest a rapid, coherent, spatial transfer within the ${R}_{1}$ line which does not shift frequency.
Predicting multi-core performance: a case study using Solaris containers

Multi-core technology is an emerging hardware trend that provides significant capabilities for computationally expensive applications. However, it also demands a paradigm shift in the software industry, Software developers need to think about the best distribution of software components across the available CPUs, and trade-off the computational efficiency against the cost of re-structuring the standard sequential execution of software. The relationship between the measured performance and the corresponding parameters such as the number of threads and CPUs remains an interesting open problem, especially since it is a challenge to conduct controlled experiments.This paper reports a case study on the use of Solaris containers to control the assignment of threads to the available CPUs in a set of applications. We model the performance as a function of the number of threads, the number of CPUs and the type of program. We use two different modeling strategies: linear regression and Neural Networks, which are applied to the well-established Java Grande benchmark. We observe that there is a nonlinear relationship between these parameters and the associated performance. In addition, neural network models are observed to be consistently better at estimating the performance over a range of parameter values. The results reported in this paper can therefore be used to suitably re-structure software programs to fully utilize the available resources.
Advance Directive Decision Making Among Independent Community-Dwelling Older Adults A Systematic Review of Health Science Literature

The purpose of this systematic review of health science literature was to examine the current state of science regarding advance directive decision making (ADDM) among independent community-dwellin...
Comment on line-separation discrimination curve in the human fovea: smooth or segmented?

In a recent publication, Westheimer concluded that the foveal line-separation discrimination function was smooth [ J. Opt. Soc. Am. A1, 683– 684 ( 1984)]. However, when the Westheimer data are replotted in the Weber-fraction (Δs/s) form, segments in the discrimination function similar to those previously described by Hirsch and Hylton [ J. Opt. Soc. AM.72, 1367– 1374 ( 1984)] can be observed.
Lithium nitride (Li3N): heat capacity from 5 to 350 K and thermochemical properties to 1086 K

Abstract The heat capacity of a well characterized sample of lithium nitride, Li3N, was determined between 5 and 350 K. The following results were obtained from these measurements: Cpo(298.15 K) = (75.25 ± 0.15) J K−1 mol−1, So (298.15 K) = (62.59 ± 0.13) J K−1 mol−1, {Ho (298.15 K) − Ho(0)} = (11.213 ± 22) J mol−1, and {G o (298.15 K) − H o (0)} 298.15 K = −(24.99 ± 0.05) J K −1 mol −1 . Recommended values of the standard entropy of formation ΔSfo(Li3N, c, 298.15 K), the standard enthalpy of formation ΔHfo(Li3N, c, 298.15 K), and the standard Gibbs energy of formation, ΔGfo(Li3N, c, 298.15 K) are −(120.46 ± 0.54) J K−1 mol−1, −(164.56 ± 1.09) kJ mol−1, and −(128.64 ± 1.10) kJ mol−1, respectively; tabular values of these functions of Li3N are given at selected temperatures up to its melting temperature, 1086 K.
Dislocation structure of low-angle grain boundaries in YBa2Cu3O7−δ/MgO films

Grain boundaries in laser-deposited YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO)/MgO thin films have been investigated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The films exhibit perfect texturing with YBCO(001)/MgO(001) giving rise to low-angle [001] tilt grain boundaries resulting from the grains with the c axis normal to the substrate surface and with misorientation in the a-b plane. The atomic structure of the grain boundaries was analyzed by using a dislocation model. Low-angle grain boundaries have been found to be aligned along (100) and (110) interface planes. For the (110) boundary plane, the low-energy dislocation configuration was found to consist of an array of alternating [100] and [010] dislocations. We have calculated the energy of various configurations and shown that the energy of the (110) boundary with dissociated dislocations is comparable to that of the (100) boundary, which explains the coexistence of (100) and (110) interface facets along the boundary. We have also modeled critical current transport through grain boundaries with various structures and found that the low-energy (110) grain boundary with dissociated dislocation array is expected to transport a lower superconducting current (by 25% for 6° misorientation) than (100) boundaries.
Induction of FOXP3 expression in naive human CD4+FOXP3− T cells by T-cell receptor stimulation is transforming growth factor-β–dependent but does not confer a regulatory phenotype

Thymic-derived natural T-regulatory cells (nTregs) are important for the induction of self-tolerance and the control of autoimmunity. Murine CD4+CD25−Foxp3− cells can be induced to express Foxp3 after T-cell receptor (TCR) activation in the presence of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and are phenotypically similar to nTregs. Some studies have suggested that TCR stimulation of human CD4+CD25− cells results in the induction of transient expression of FOXP3, but that the induced cells lack a regulatory phenotype. We demonstrate here that TCR stimulation alone was insufficient to induce FOXP3 expression in the absence of TGFβ, whereas high levels of FOXP3 expression could be induced in the presence of TGFβ. Although FOXP3 expression was stable, the TGFβ-induced FOXP3+ T cells were neither anergic nor suppressive and produced high levels of effector cytokines. These results suggest that even high levels of FOXP3 expression are insufficient to define a human CD4+ T cell as a T-regulatory cell.
High-affinity glutamic acid binding to brain synaptic membranes.

Abstract Rat brain homogenate preparations exhibited two types of glutamine binding, one a high-affinity ( K 1 = 0.2 μ M ) and the other a low-affinity type ( K 2 = 4.4 μ M ). The high-affinity binding was primarily associated with the plasma membrane subcellular fractions and in particular with the synaptic membrane subfraction. This l -glutamate binding was found to be strongly stereospecific for the l -form and was almost totally reversible. The synaptic membrane glutamate binding was partialy inhibited by neuro-excitatory and neuro-inhibitory amino acids but was not affected by amino acids lacking in neuropharmacologic activity. The membrane-associated l -glutamate binding system could be solubilized by Triton X-100 without loss of its high-affinity binding activity. The chemical nature of this glutamate binding component was found to be that of a glycolipoprotein. It is proposed that this glutamate binding system represents the physiologic receptor on neuronal membranes of this amino acid.
1689 EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION ON MYELIN SYNTHESIS IN THE DEVELOPING BRAIN

Therapeutic radiation to the central nervous system may result in acute encephalopathy and necrosis. To study the effects of radiation on the developing brain, we measured myelin synthesis following radiation in vivo and in vitro. For in vivo studies, 5 day old rat pups received whole head radiation of 0, 500 or 1500 rads. At 19 days of age, the time of maximal myelin synthesis, radiolabeled SO4 incorporation into brain sulfatides was used as an index of myelin synthesis. Compared to controls, SO4 incorporation was reduced 40% and 60% in animals that received 500 and 1500 rads respectively. To determine that the radiation influenced the cells of the CNS, we prepared rotation-mediated reaggregate cultures from 16 day fetal rat brains. These cultures contain both neuronal and glial elements and have a rapid increase in SO4 incorporation starting at 16 days in culture (DIC). Irradiation of the reaggregate cultures (0, 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 rads) at 12 DIC produced a dose dependent decrease in SO4 incorporation at 21 DIC. By 28 DIC the cultures exposed to 250 and 500 rads were similar to controls, while the 1000 and 1500 rad cultures continued to be depressed. There was no effect of radiation on leucine incorporation into protein or on the morphology of the reaggregates. These studies demonstrate that radiation exposure prior to the onset of maximal myelin synthesis results in a delay or decrease of myelin production. The effect is due to a primary effect of radiation on brain cells. (Supported by NCI 2-P01CA11051-15A1).
How older adults make decisions regarding smart technology: an ethnographic approach.

ABSTRACT Comparatively little research has been conducted regarding the smart technology needs of the older adult population despite the proliferation of smart technology prototypes. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceived smart technology needs of older adults with mobility impairments while using an ethnographic research approach to construct a preliminary decision tree model of how these smart technology decisions are made. In-depth individual interviews with 11 older adults aged 65 and older with mobility impairments provided insight into how older adults perceived smart technology. Audio-taped interviews were transcribed verbatim, then analyzed for key phrases that represented participant decision criteria. Decision criteria concepts were combined to construct an older adult smart technology decision tree model. The model consisted of a preliminary decision stage that participants engaged in to make the decision of whether a change was needed in their current pattern of behavior; follo...
Temporal patterns of response to ecdysone and juvenile hormone in the epidermis of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

When abdomens were isolated from larvae during a critical period of the molting cycle, only parts of the abdominal epidermis had seen sufficient ecdysone to render them capable of forming a new cuticle independent of the prothoracic glands. By isolating abdomens at various times, it was found that the epidermis of a segment gains independence according to a reproducible pattern. The pattern of independence seen for a larval molt is roughly the reverse of that seen for a pupal molt. The presence or absence of juvenile hormone commits the epidermis towards the synthesis of larval or pupal cuticle, respectively. Under the influence of juvenile hormone, the pattern by which the various areas of the epidermis become committed to make larval cuticle is very similar to the larval pattern of independence from the prothoracic glands. This commitment to larval differentiation occurs at approximately the time when the epidermis becomes independent. In the absence of JH (in preparation for the pupal molt), the pattern by which the epidermis is committed to synthesis of pupal cuticle is the reverse of that seen for the larval molt. Moreover, the epidermis becomes committed to pupal differentiation 2 days prior to the time that it actually becomes able to secrete a pupal cuticle in the absence of the prothoracic glands.