cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution and dynamics of large woody debris and organic matter in a low-energy meandering stream

This field-based study, using a combination of bed sediment sampling and large woody debris (LWD) tracking, explores the storage of organic matter and mobility of LWD in Poplar Creek, a low-energy meandering river that contains a diverse arrangement of large woody debris (LWD). This research addresses the following questions: 1) Does LWD influence the spatial pattern of the storage of benthic organic matter in meander bends? 2) How mobile is the LWD in low-gradient meandering systems? 3) Do characteristics of LWD such as length/bankfull channel width ratio, affect movement? Based on detailed sampling of sediment and LWD monitoring, this study provides a detailed representation of the influence of LWD on the storage of benthic organic matter in meander bends, as well as a detailed documentation of the mobility of LWD in the study reach. This study has demonstrated that: 1) LWD strongly influences patterns of storage of benthic organic matter in low-gradient meander bends; 2) removal of LWD from meander bends in low-gradient systems can substantially reduce the storage of benthic organic matter; and 3) the LWD within the study reach at Poplar Creek is highly mobile. The high mobility of LWD, observed in this study, contrasts with the rates observed in high-gradient systems and suggests that LWD-influenced patterns of storage of organic matter are temporally variable and that storage of benthic organic matter occurs in pulses, interspersed with transport, that are keyed to the mobility of LWD. Although LWD may exert an equally significant control over patterns of storage of organic matter in high- and low-gradient systems, the differences in the mobility rates of LWD suggest a fundamental difference in the dynamics of LWD-mediated organic matter between low- and high-gradient systems.
Image resolution and evaluation of genetic hypotheses for planetary landscapes

The spatial resolution of image data tends to constrain the horizontal length scale of genetic hypotheses that are addressable by those data. No ‘simple’ formula exists when image resolution is sufficient to test a given geomorphic process, which is dependent on what characteristics are diagnostic of the particular process. Genetic hypotheses should be formulated along the lines of the “multiple working hypotheses” concept as described in a classic paper by Chamberlin [J. Geol. 5 (1897) 837]. An essential element of a viable working hypothesis is a clear indication of the characteristics predicted by, or a consequence of, the hypothesis. An untestable hypothesis is not an effective working hypothesis. The history of the study of lunar sinuous rilles is outlined as an illustration of the influence of image resolution and the formulation of genetic hypotheses on the subsequent advancement of understanding of the problem. Sinuous rilles on Venus and Mars, and controversial sinuous ridges on Mars are also reviewed. In the lunar case, the three-order-of-magnitude improvement in spatial resolution provided by Lunar Orbiter photographs over Earth-based telescopic photographs did not result in definitive examination and elimination of published hypotheses for the formation of sinuous rilles. Topographic data obtained from cartographically controlled Apollo orbital photographs, along with important observations and samples obtained by the astronauts on the lunar surface, did test and exclude several hypotheses. The formulation of a genetic hypothesis, including testable consequences of that hypothesis, is a greater determinant of its ultimate utility to the scientific community than is the image resolution available at any given time.
Oxygen Incorporation Mechanism during Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3 onto H-Passivated Si(100)-2×1

Using electronic structure calculations, a new oxygen incorporation mechanism is predicted for the atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 from trimethylaluminum (TMA) and H2O. During the TMA exposure, trace amounts of H2O can react with the H/Si(100) surface to form a surface hydroxyl group through a mechanism involving the coadsorbed reactants (TMA and H2O). As compared to the isolated H2O + H/Si(100) reaction, the H2O + TMA + H/Si(100) reaction is strongly preferred both kinetically and thermodynamically. This reaction is relevant to the formation of the SiO2 interfacial oxide layer, which is an unwanted feature produced during the deposition process.
Simulation based performance analysis of an intelligent robotic system control architecture

This paper presents a discrete event simulation approach to the analysis of intelligent robotic systems. These systems require the integration and control of many diverse functions. The simulation model is constructed in SIMAN, and the performance measure is the average time required to complete a task. The model is intended to help balance system design decisions. Future work will focus on methods to use the simulation model to improve operation of the robotic system.
Histamine sensitizing activity of lentinan, an antitumour polysaccharide.

E dimostrato che lentinan, polisaccaride antineoplastic, e capace di aumentare la sensibitita del topo contro istamina. La presomministrazione di lentinan invece non aumenta l'attivita del fattore istamina sensibilizzante dellaBordetella pertussis. Lentinan non induce linfocitose nel topo.
Ground truthing modeled kPAR and on deck primary productivity incubations with in situ observations

The Arabian Sea Process Study carried out on six cruises in 1995 provided observations that make possible the ground truthing of model estimates of kPAR and on deck productivity incubations with direct kPAR observations and in situ productivity incubations. THe Morel 1988 optical model did a good job of reproducing the observed values. Comparison of on deck and in situ depth profiles suggested that on deck incubators received more irradiance across the entire light gradient. This subsidy in E0 apparently came from efficient absorption of reflected light and low angle sunlight by small incubators. When depths were recalculated taking into account the irradiance subsidy, profiles of productivity as a function of depth determined by on deck incubations were essentially identical to in situ profiles.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Advancing the understanding of the embryo transcriptome co-regulation using meta-, functional, and gene network analysis tools

Embryo development is a complex process orchestrated by hundreds of genes and influenced by multiple environmental factors. We demonstrate the application of simple and effective meta-study and gene network analyses strategies to characterize the co-regulation of the embryo transcriptome in a systems biology framework. A meta-analysis of nine microarray experiments aimed at characterizing the effect of agents potentially harmful to mouse embryos improved the ability to accurately characterize gene co-expression patterns compared with traditional within-study approaches. Simple overlap of significant gene lists may result in under-identification of genes differentially expressed. Sample-level meta-analysis techniques are recommended when common treatment levels or samples are present in more than one study. Otherwise, study-level meta-analysis of standardized estimates provided information on the significance and direction of the differential expression. Cell communication pathways were highly represented among the genes differentially expressed across studies. Mixture and dependence Bayesian network approaches were able to reconstruct embryo-specific interactions among genes in the adherens junction, axon guidance, and actin cytoskeleton pathways. Gene networks inferred by both approaches were mostly consistent with minor differences due to the complementary nature of the methodologies. The top-down approach used to characterize gene networks can offer insights into the mechanisms by which the conditions studied influence gene expression. Our work illustrates that further examination of gene expression information from microarray studies including meta- and gene network analyses can help characterize transcript co-regulation and identify biomarkers for the reproductive and embryonic processes under a wide range of conditions.
Improving the Design of Amphibian Surveys Using Soil Data: A Case Study in Two Wilderness Areas

ABSTRACT: Amphibian populations are known, or thought to be, declining worldwide. Although protected natural areas may act as reservoirs of biological integrity and serve as benchmarks for comparison with unprotected areas, they are not immune from population declines and extinctions and should be monitored. Unfortunately, identifying survey sites and performing long-term fieldwork within such (often remote) areas involves a special set of problems. We used the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database to identify, a priori, potential habitat for aquatic-breeding amphibians on North and South Manitou Islands, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, and compared the results to those obtained using National Wetland Inventory (NWI) data. The SSURGO approach identified more target sites for surveys than the NWI approach, and it identified more small and ephemeral wetlands. Field surveys used a combination of daytime call surveys, nighttime call surveys, and ...
Regeneration of Plants from Embryogenic Suspension Culture Protoplasts of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

We describe the regeneration of plants from protoplasts of wheat isolated from a regenerable embryogenic suspension culture that was initiated from immature embryo-derived ‘aged’ compact callus. Proto-colonies were also obtained from a non-regenerable cell line established from friable callus that arose spontaneously on the aged callus, but did not give rise to any plants. Plating efficiencies well in excess of twenty percent were routinely obtained from protoplasts isolated from the regenerable as well as the non-regenerable cell lines in Kao and Michyaluk, as well as Murashige and Skoog based, nutrient media. Four to five week old protocolonies, derived from regenerable suspension culture protoplasts, formed distinct somatic embryos and shoots upon transfer to various regeneration media. Shoots were rooted on transfer to rooting media. Successive transfer of the plantlets to MS or half-strength MS medium, with or without activated charcoal, produced healthy plants that were successfully transferred to soil and grown in the greenhouse.
The Effect of and Correction for Different Wet-Bulb and Dry-Bulb Response in Thermocouple Psychrometry

Abstract Fast-responding thermocouple psychrometers are often used in atmospheric boundary-layer turbulence measurements for the computation of heat and moisture fluxes. Small size, low cost, ease of interchange-ability and the use of the familiar psychrometric equations make this an ideal sensor for many applications at temperatures above freezing. However, a feature of these instruments that is frequently disregarded is that, due to wicking, the wet-bulb sensor has a frequency response that is an order of magnitude slower than the dry-bulb sensor. This difference in response time between the wet and dry sensors causes errors in the variances of humidity in one set of data as large as a factor of 5 and major errors in the shape of the humidity spectrum at high frequencies. We present a known but infrequently applied solution to this problem of sensor response differences in the hope that its simplicity, together with the reminder that a problem exists, will serve to encourage its use in the computation o...
Micromelting for Laser Micro Polishing of Meso/Micro Metallic Components

The relative surface accuracy (surface roughness/feature size) of meso/micro parts fabricated by emerging meso/micro manufacturing processes is generally worse than that of macro parts fabricated by conventional processes. Meso/micro parts have unique tribology issues and surface roughness strongly impacts their performance, hence there is a demand for effective polishing of their complex shapes. A laser micro polishing method based on rapid surface micromelting is described. To develop a fundamental understanding of the underlying processes, a nickel sample was fabricated using silicon-based microfabrication and electroplating techniques. Results demonstrating the effectiveness of laser polishing using a pulsed 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser are presented. These results show that brief (200–300 ns) laser pulses can significantly improve the sample surface roughness (Ra). Additionally, by examining surface profile data in the spatial frequency domain it is clear that using pulses (up to 300 ns), laser polishing can effectively remove surface roughness features greater than 200 mm−1 in spatial frequency.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Optimum Sample Size for Determining Disease Severity and Defoliation Associated with Septoria Leaf Spot of Blueberry

Ojiambo, P. S., and Scherm, H. 2006. Optimum sample size for determining disease severity and defoliation associated with Septoria leaf spot of blueberry. Plant Dis. 90:1209-1213. In a 3-year field study, Premier rabbiteye blueberry plants were sampled at three hierarchical levels (leaf, shoot, and bush) to assess severity of Septoria leaf spot (caused by Septoria albopunctata) and incidence of defoliation. A positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.977, P 90% of the total variation. Based on the variance components and linear cost functions (which considered the time required to assess each leaf and select new shoots and bushes for assessment), the optimum sample size for assessing disease severity as number of spots per leaf (with an allowable variation of 20% around the mean) was 75 leaves, one each selected from three shoots per bush on 25 bushes (total time required for assessment: 36.1 min). For disease severity expressed as percent necrotic leaf area, the corresponding values were 144 leaves, two each sampled from three shoots per bush on 24 bushes (total time required: 21.7 min). Thus, given the strong correlation between the two disease variables demonstrated in this study, visual assessment of percent necrotic area was the more efficient method. With an allowable variation of 10% around the mean, a sample of 27 shoots from nine bushes was the optimum sample size for assessing defoliation across the 3 years.
Gluconeogenesis in jejunal mucosa of guinea pig

Abstract Jejunal mucosa of the guinea pig contains significant activities for the important, rate-limiting enzymes of gluconeogeneses: glucose-6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9), fructosediphosphatase (EC 3.1.3.11), phosphopyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.32), and pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1). Homogenates of jejunal mucosa from 72-h starved guinea pigs had glucose production rates of 4.8 ± 0.3 μmoles/h per g mucosa. These studies suggest that intestinal mucosa may be an important source of glucose production in the starved guinea pig.
Temporal and spatial variations in structural protein expression during the progression from stunned to hibernating myocardium.

Background— Dysfunctional and normally perfused remote regions show equal myolysis and glycogen accumulation in pig hibernating myocardium. We tested the hypothesis that these arose secondary to elevations in preload rather than ischemia. Methods and Results— Expression of structural protein (desmin, desmoplakin, titin, cardiotin, α-smooth muscle actin, lamin-A/C, and lamin-B2) in viable dysfunctional myocardium was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. We performed blinded analysis of paired dysfunctional left anterior descending coronary artery and normal remote subendocardial samples from stunned (24 hours; n=6), and hibernating (2 weeks; n=6) myocardium versus sham controls pigs (n=7). Within 24 hours, cardiac myocytes globally reexpressed α-smooth muscle actin. In stunned myocardium, cardiotin was globally reduced, whereas reductions in desmin were restricted to the dysfunctional region. Alterations progressed with the transition to hibernating myocardium, in which desmin, cardiotin, and titin were globa...
Structural study of the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition in TlTiOPO4

Abstract The crystal structures of thallium titanyl phosphate, TlTiOPO4, have been determined at room temperature, at 500 °C, and at 650 °C, by using time-of-flight neutron single crystal diffraction. The structures below and above the ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition (Tc = 583 °C) are compared: the data suggest a displacive second order phase transition which is dominated by thallium ion motion, but is also accompanied by subtle displacements of the framework atoms, during which, one of the two distinct TiO6 octahedra regularizes to 1 symmetry.
Development and Implementation of an Electronic Health Record Generated Surgical Handoff and Rounding Tool

Electronic health records (EHR) have been adopted across the nation at tremendous effort and expense. The purpose of this study was to assess improvements in accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety for a high-volume pediatric surgical service with adoption of an EHR-generated handoff and rounding list. The quality and quantity of errors were compared pre- and post-EHR-based list implementation. A survey was used to determine time spent by team members using the two versions of the list. Perceived utility, safety, and quality of the list were reported. Serious safety events determined by the hospital were also compared for the two periods. The EHR-based list eliminated clerical errors while improving efficiency by automatically providing data such as vital signs. Survey respondents reported 43 min saved per week per team member, translating to 372 work hours of time saved annually for a single service. EHR-based list users reported higher satisfaction and perceived improvement in efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Serious safety events remained unchanged. In conclusion, creation of an EHR-based list to assist with daily handoffs, rounding, and patient management demonstrated improved accuracy, increased efficiency, and assisted in maintaining a high level of safety.
Vectorial scale-based fuzzy-connected image segmentation

This paper presents an extension of previously published theory and algorithms for fuzzy-connected image segmentation. In this approach, a strength of connectedness is assigned to every pair of image elements. This is done by finding the strongest among all possible connecting paths between the two elements in each pair. The strength assigned to a particular path is defined as the weakest affinity between successive pairs of elements along the path. Affinity specifies the degree to which elements hang together locally in the image. A scale is determined at every element in the image that indicates the size of the largest homogeneous hyperball region centered at the element. In determining affinity between any two elements, all elements within their scale regions are considered. This method has been effectively utilized in several medical applications. In this paper, we generalize this method from scalar images to vectorial images. In a vectorial image, scale is defined as the radius of the largest hyperball contained in the same homogeneous region under a predefined condition of homogeneity of the image vector field. Two different components of affinity, namely homogeneity-based affinity and object-feature-based affinity, are devised in a fully vectorial manner. The original relative fuzzy connectedness algorithm is utilized to delineate a specified object via a competing strategy among multiple objects. We have presented several studies to evaluate the performance of this method based on simulated MR images, 20 clinical MR images, and 250 mathematical phantom images. These studies indicate that the fully vectorial fuzzy connectedness formulation has generally overall better accuracy than the method using some intermediate ad hoc steps to fit the vectorial image to a scalar fuzzy connectedness formulation, and precision and efficiency are similar for these two methods.
Identification of Critical Surface Displacement Parameters for Characterization of Subsurface Flaws

Several NDE methods provide accurate techniques for measuring surface displacements. While these techniques have been successful in identification of near-surface embedded flaws, they generally offer little in terms of characterization of the flaws. The ability to characterize embedded flaws from measurements of surface displacements would offer substantial benefits, especially in terms of remaining life predictions. This paper focuses on the identification of critical out-of-plane surface displacement parameters, and assessment of the potential to characterize subsurface flaw geometry based on these parameters. Finite element models of a homogeneous material have been created that vary the embedded flaw size and edge distance. The results suggest that there is potential to characterize the subsurface geometry from the surface displacement parameters.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Projection of the cochlea to cochlear nuclei in Merriam's kangaroo rat.

Projection of the cochlea onto the cochlear nuclei was studied by lesioning the spiral ganglion and tracing degenerating fibers and terminals by the Nauta-Gygax and Fink-Heimer methods. Basal turn lesions result in degeneration in the medial portion of anterior ventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) including globular cell area, small spherical cell area, and a small portion of the large spherical cell area; in dorsomedial portion of posterior ventral cochlear nucleus (PVCN) including globular cell area and octopus cell area; and in the medial extreme of the central region of dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Apical turn lesions result in degeneration in the lateral portion of AVCN including globular cell area, small spherical cell area, and a substantial amount of the large spherical cell area; in the ventrolateral portion of PVCN including globular cell area and multipolar cell area; and in the lateral extreme of the central region of DCN. Lesions in intermediate turns of the cochlea result in degeneration in correspondingly intermediate regions of the cochlear nuclear complex. The basal portion of the cochlea (high frequency) projects most strongly to the small spherical cell area and the octopus cell area. The apical turns (low frequency) project most strongly to the large spherical cell area and the multipolar cell area.
“I had a Different Way of Governing”: The Living Faith of President Carter

The norm for presidents has been to privatize their faith. While many have been regular churchgoers, affirmed some sort of denominational loyalty, and invoked the blessings and succor of the Divine, "past American presidents have followed a long tradition of keeping private faith separate from public performance of duty."1 Not President Carter. Jimmy Carter was rare in the extent he consciously allowed his faith to guide his presidential behavior, set his priorities, and inspire his post-presidential life. He did not separate his faith from politics, he applied it. It is well known that Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth President of the United States, is a man of strong religious faith. During the 1976 campaign, his faith was widely reported by the mainstream press. Candidate Carter rarely missed an opportunity to speak about his faith, what it meant to him, and how it personally changed his life. In fact, Carter, and those who know him best, frequently say that his religion is the key to understanding him as both a man and as a president. What is curious, however, is the general lack of appreciation and exploration of the role of Carter's faith in his role as president and his style of leadership. Some presidential scholars entirely ignore the role of faith in the
The breaking of tobacco mosaic virus using a new freeze drying method.

Abstract An electron microscope study shows that many of the particles of a solution of tobacco mosaic virus break into smaller units when sprayed onto a cold substrate under appropriate conditions and subsequently dried. The broken units have the same diameter as the original rods, a fairly narrow distribution of lengths about 400 A, and a linear arrangement. The freeze-drying methods and the resulting micrographs are described in detail and possible causes for the breakage are suggested.
The activation enthalpy and entropy for the inversion-rotation process in dibenzylmethylamine

Abstract The temperature dependence of the PMR spectrum of the diastereotopic benzyl protons of dibenzylmethylamine has provided the activation parameters for nitrogen inversion. A method is described to account for the substantial variation in T 2 of the benzyl protons resonances as a function of temperature in the intermediate exchange region.
Comparison of condylar guidance setting obtained from a wax record versus an extraoral tracing: a pilot study.

Abstract Statement of the problem. Protrusive condylar angles can be determined by use of wax protrusive records (WPR), pantographic tracings (PT), and occlusal wear facets. These methods generate different angles in the same patient. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the condylar inclination angles found by use of the WPR in a Hanau articulator with those found by use of the Whip-Mix PT quick-set recorder. The occlusal wear facet method was not part of this study. Material and Methods. Ten subjects were chosen at random from a dental school patient population. All subjects had a majority of maxillary and mandibular teeth present and according to the examination criteria used in the school's Division of Occlusion, they were healthy with no signs/symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. The WPR was accepted when it was evident that the patient had protruded straight forward at least 6 mm anterior to centric relation, as shown on the Hanau articulator by the condylar spheres having moved anteriorly an equal distance of 6 mm on both sides. The condylar inclination on the articulator was adjusted accordingly. The PT was used according to the manufacturer's directions, which included the use of an intraoral clutch adapted to the mandibular arch, connected to an extraoral facebow with bilateral inscribing pointers. A holder frame was adapted to the face with bilateral flags where the inscribing pointers traced the protrusive movement of the jaw. All the readings were in degrees. No control was used in this project. To test whether there was a significant difference between the 2 independent samples, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed ( P =.01). Results. The mean results for the WPR were as follow: right side (28.1 degrees, SD 8.94); left side (31.50 degrees, SD 9.73). For the PT, results were: right side (41.10 degrees, SD 7.53); left side (35.5 degrees, SD 6.43). When right and left side protrusive condylar angles were combined, the values were: WPR (29.80 degrees, SD 9.25); PT (38.30 degrees, SD 6.98). The differences on the right condylar values were significant ( P =.01). There was no statistical difference on the left side. Conclusions. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the PT technique yielded greater values for the protrusive condylar inclination than the WPR. (J Prosthet Dent 2003;89:54-9.)
Impedance Spectra During Solid-State Powder Reactions of Oxide Superconductors

Complex impedance spectra over the frequency range of 5 Hz to 13 MHz were measured during the solid-state reaction of La{sub 2}CuO{sub 4} (with and without Sr doping) from the constituent oxides or carbonate (Sr). A single bulk arc was observed which could be modeled as a simple resistor-capacitor network. The resistance falls continuously with time, spanning several orders of magnitude. Complex impedance measurements appear to be quite sensitive to small volume fractions of an electronically conductive product phase, especially during the early stages of solid-state reaction. Impedance spectroscopy should therefore be a useful tool for the investigation of processing reactions in electronic ceramics.
Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance : state of the art

This short review summarizes recent and projected advances in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry instrumentation and applications, ranging from petroleomics to proteomics. More details are available from the cited primary literature and topical reviews.
Correlates of pathological gambling propensity in prison inmates

Abstract The South Oaks Gambling inventory was administered to 136 consecutively admitted inmates in a medium-security prison in Nevada. Assording to the criteria of the authors of this instrument, 22.79% of these inmates had some problem and 26% were probable pathological gamblers. Significant positive correlations with the F, depression, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia, paranoia, schizophrenia, and Mac Andrew alcoholism scales of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were found. Gambling score was negatively correlated with the Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices measure of intelligence. Clinical implications are suggested.
A flow equation for anisotropic ice

Abstract Twenty-three samples of anisotropic glacier ice were tested in simple shear at a constant stress and constant temperature to investigate the effects of crystal fabric and crystal size on ice rheology. Results indicate that minimum strain rate is sensitive to variations in both crystal fabric and crystal size; as fabric intensity increases from isotropic to strong single maximum, minimum strain rate increases by a factor of four, and if crystal size is doubled, minimum strain rate increases about nine times. Statistical treatment of the data yield an empirical flow law of the form: γ min = d lƒm ( τ β 1 ) n exp ( −Q RT ) where γ min is the minimum octahedral shear-strain rate, d is the average crystal size, f is the fabric intensity, τ is the octahedral-shear stress, Q is the activation energy for creep, R is the gas constant, T is the absolute temperature, and l, m, n, and β′ are constants.
Atypical pigment dispersion syndrome in a child

PURPOSE: To describe the features of atypical pigment dispersion in a child. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: An 8-year-old boy presented with midperipheral iris transillumination defects, iris backbowing, heavy pigmentation of the trabecular meshwork, and elevated intraocular pressure. He also had several atypical features including emmetropia, mild posterior subcapsular cataract, small pupils, and peripheral anterior synechiae. CONCLUSION: Pigment dispersion in childhood is unusual and may have different features from those classically described in adults.
Selection of pea genotypes with partial resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum across a wide range of temperatures and periods of high relative humidity

Partial resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum based on stem lesion advancement was assessed for nine wild pea genotypes from five geographic origins and two cultivated genotypes, when peas were inoculated and incubated at all combinations of five temperatures (15.6, 18.3, 21.1, 23.9, 29.4°C) and four period(s) of high relative humidity (PHRH; 12, 24, 48, 72 h). PHRH of 12 and 24 h should not be used when screening plants for resistance to S. sclerotiorum regardless of the incubation temperature, since stem lesions are rarely (2.7%) visible at 12 h and there were no significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in lesion lengths among and within genotypes at all temperatures assessed after 24 h. However, PHRH of 48 and 72 h are recommended for use to assess partial resistance since significant differences in stem lesion length among the genotypes were observed and characterized for these periods. Genotypes with cool (15.6 and 18.3°C) versus warm (23.9 and 29.4°C) temperature partial resistance to S. sclerotiorum were identified, and genotypes PI 240515 and PI 169603 appear to have the best cool and warm temperature partial resistance, respectively, among the genotypes assessed. A temperature of 21.1°C was the optimal temperature favouring lesion advancement for the majority of the genotypes evaluated. PI 169603 demonstrated the best partial resistance to S. sclerotiorum across the widest temperature and PHRH ranges and is recommended to plant breeders as the best single genotype to develop future cultivars with improved partial resistance to S. sclerotiorum based on stem lesion advancement.
Endoscope-assisted microsurgical transoral approach to the anterior craniovertebral junction compressive pathologies

At the present time, an update to the classical microsurgical transoral decompression is strongly provided by the most recent literature dealing with the introduction of the endoscopy in spine surgery. In this paper, we present our experience on the endoscope-assisted microsurgical transoral approach to anterior craniovertebral junction (CVJ) compressive pathology. We analysed seven patients (3 paediatrics and 4 adults ranging from 6 to 78 years) operated on for CVJ decompressive procedures using an open access, microsurgical technique, neuronavigation and endoscopy. All techniques mentioned were simultaneously employed. Among the endoscopic routes described in the literature, we have preferred the transoral using 30° endoscopes. In all the cases endoscopy allowed a radical decompression compared to the microsurgical technique alone, as confirmed intraoperatively with contrast medium fluoroscopy. In conclusion, endoscopy represents a useful complement to the standard microsurgical approach to the anterior CVJ; it provides information for a better decompression with no need for soft palate splitting, hard palate resection, or extended maxillotomy. Moreover, intraoperative fluoroscopy helps to recognize residual compression. Virtually, in normal anatomic conditions, no surgical limitations exist for endoscopically assisted transoral approach, compared with the pure endonasal and transcervical endoscopic approaches. In our opinion, the endoscope deserves a role as “support” to the standard transoral microsurgical approach since 30° angulated endoscopy significantly increases the surgical area exposed at the level of the anterior CVJ.
Experimental evaluation of the impact of different head-and-neck intensity-modulated radiation therapy planning techniques on doses to the skin and shallow targets.

Purpose: To investigate experimentally the impact of different head-and-neck intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning techniques on doses to the skin and shallow targets. Methods and Materials: A semicylindrical phantom was constructed with micro-MOSFET dosimeters (Thomson-Nielson, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) at 0-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-mm depths. The planning target volume (PTV) was pulled back 0, 3, or 5 mm from the body contour. The IMRT plans were created to maximize PTV coverage, with one of the following strategies: (a) aim for a maximum 110% hotspot, with 115% allowed; (b) aims for a maximum 105% hotspot; (c) aims for a maximum 105% hotspot and 50% of skin to get a maximum 70% of the prescribed dose; and (d) aim for 99% of the PTV volume to receive 90–93% of prescribed dose, with a maximum 105% hotspot, and with the dose to the skin structure minimized. Doses delivered using a linear accelerator were measured. Setup uncertainty was simulated by intentionally shifting the phantom in a range of ±8 mm, and calculating the delivered dose for a range of systematic and random uncertainties. Results: From lowest to highest skin dose, the planning strategies were in the order of c, d, b, and a, but c showed a tendency to underdose tissues at depth. Delivered doses varied by 10–20%, depending on planning strategy. For typical setup uncertainties, cumulative dose reduction to a point 6 mm deep was Conclusions: It is useful to use skin as a sensitive structure, but a minimum dose constraint must be used for the PTV if unwanted reductions in dose to nodes near the body surface are to be avoided. Setup uncertainties are unlikely to give excessive reductions in cumulative dose.
CANONICAL QUANTIZATION OF YANG-MILLS ON A CIRCLE

The canonical quantization of YM on a circle in the temporal gauge is developed in two different mathematically rigorous formulations. In the first case the basic coordinates are the gauge potentials and we give a complete construction, but find no observables. In the second case the basic coordinates are the holonomy operators (Wilson loop operators) and here we also give a construction. A key ingredient is a proof that the irreducible characters of the holonomy operators are eigenvectors for the Hamiltonian.
Zidovudine Transport within the Rabbit Brain during Intracerebroventricular Administration and the Effect of Probenecid

The elimination of zidovudine (AZT) from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), its distribution from CSF to brain tissue, and its transport from brain extracellular fluid (ECF) to plasma were studied during intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion in unanesthetized rabbits. The effect of probenecid (PBD) on these transport processes was also studied. The concentration of AZT in brain ECF was measured by microdialysis with retrodialysis calibration for in vivo recovery. Plasma and CSF were sampled and analyzed for AZT and PBD using HPLC. The elimination of AZT from CSF showed nonlinear characteristics as the i.c.v. infusion rate was increased to 1 mg/h kg. The estimated maximum transport capacity and dissociation constant were 3.5 micrograms/min kg and 127 micrograms/mL, respectively. The total linear elimination clearance from CSF was 0.0073 mL/min kg. The spatial distribution of AZT in brain during i.c.v. infusion was simulated using a mathematical model which describes diffusive solute transport in brain ECF and efflux across the blood-brain barrier. This analysis yielded a brain to plasma efflux rate constant of 0.040/min. This parameter and the elimination clearance from CSF decreased significantly by the end of an 8-hour period during which PBD was infused intravenously at a rate of 15 mg/h kg.
Fostering a community of practice through a professional development program to improve elementary teachers' views of nature of science and teaching practice

This study explored the development of a community of learners through a professional development program to improve teachers' views of nature of science (NOS) and teaching practice. The Views of Nature of Science questionnaire and interviews were used to assess teachers' conceptions of NOS three times over the course of the study. Notes and videotapes taken during workshops and classroom observations were used to track influence of the community of learners on classroom practice. The community of practice (CoP) was fostered through an intensive summer workshop, monthly school site workshops, and classroom support to aid teachers in incorporating new techniques and reflecting upon their learning and practice. We found that teachers became aware of their changes in views about NOS once they struggled with the concepts in their own teaching and discussed their struggles within the professional development community. The CoP on its own was not sufficient to change teacher's practice or knowledge, but it created a well-supported environment that facilitated teacher change when paired with NOS modeling and explicit reflection. Cases of three teachers are used to illustrate changes in views and teaching practice common to the teachers in this study. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 46: 1090–1113, 2009
Cavitary Coccidioidomycosis With Fungus Ball Formation: Diagnosis by Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy With Coexistence of Hyphae and Spherules

Pulmonary cavitary coccidioidomycosis with fungus ball formation was observed in two individuals with hemoptysis. The first patient had no overt compromise; the second was an insulin-dependent diabetic. In both, fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed and cultures yielded Coccidioides immitis. The coexistence of spherules and hyphae of C immitis was seen histologically on bronchoscopic biopsy specimen of one cavitary lesion. Specific antifungal therapy and surgical excision were withheld and each patient has done well. This report provides for the first time nonsurgical confirmation that C immitis can produce an intracavitary fungus ball.
Nephroblastoma overexpressed (Nov) inhibits osteoblastogenesis and causes osteopenia.

Nephroblastoma overexpressed (Nov), a member of the Cyr 61, connective tissue growth factor, Nov (CCN) family of proteins, is expressed by osteoblasts, but its function in cells of the osteoblastic lineage is not known. We investigated the effects of Nov overexpression by transducing murine ST-2 stromal and MC3T3 osteoblastic cells with a retroviral vector where Nov is under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. We also examined the skeletal phenotype of transgenic mice expressing Nov under the control of the human osteocalcin promoter. Overexpression of Nov in ST-2 cells inhibited the appearance of mineralized nodules and decreased alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin mRNA levels. Nov overexpression inhibited the effect of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 on the phosphorylation of Smad 1/5/8; on the transactivation of 12xSBE-Oc-pGL3, a BMP/Smad signaling reporter construct, and of Wnt 3 on cytoplasmic β-catenin levels; and on the transactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling reporter construct 16xTCF-Luc. Nov overexpression did not activate Notch or transforming growth factor β signaling. Glutathione S-transferase pulldown assays demonstrated direct Nov-BMP interactions. Nov transgenic mice exhibited osteopenia. In conclusion, Nov binds BMP-2 and antagonizes BMP-2 and Wnt activity, and its overexpression inhibits osteoblastogenesis and causes osteopenia.
Suspense-Optimal College Football Playoffs

US college football's traditional bowl system, and lack of a postseason playoff tournament, has been controversial for years. The conventional wisdom is that a playoff would be a more fair way to determine the national champion, and more fun for fans to watch. The colleges finally agreed to begin a playoff in the 2014-15 season, but with just four teams, and speculation continues that more teams will be added soon. A subtle downside to adding playoff teams is that it reduces the significance of regular season games. We use the framework of Ely, Frankel and Kamenica (2012) to directly estimate the utility fans would get from this significance, i.e., utility from suspense, under a range of playoff scenarios. Our results consistently indicate that playoff expansion causes a loss in regular season suspense utility greater than the gain in the postseason, implying the traditional bowl system (two team playoff) is suspense-optimal. We analyze and discuss implications for TV viewership and other contexts.
Motion invariance and custom blur from lens motion

We demonstrate that image stabilizing hardware included in many camera lenses can be used to implement motion invariance and custom blur effects. Motion invariance is intended to capture images where objects within a range of velocities appear defocused with the same point spread function, obviating the need for blur estimation in advance of de-blurring. We show that the necessary parabolic motion can be implemented with stabilizing lens motion, but that the range of velocities to which capture is invariant decreases with increasing exposure time. We also show that, when that range is expanded through increased lens displacement, lens motion becomes less repeatable. In addition to motion invariance, we demonstrate that stabilizing lens motion can be used to design custom defocus kernels for aesthetic purposes, and can replace lens accessories.
Management of Recurrent Cervical Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies, and it is often associated with an excellent prognosis. However, it has been shown to recur in the lymph nodes in the neck. The management of these lymph nodes remains controversial, and current treatment strategies include observation, surgery, radioactive iodine ablation, and percutaneous ethanol injection. These various treatment modalities are discussed in this article.
Renewable and cooling aware workload management for sustainable data centers

Recently, the demand for data center computing has surged, increasing the total energy footprint of data centers worldwide. Data centers typically comprise three subsystems: IT equipment provides services to customers; power infrastructure supports the IT and cooling equipment; and the cooling infrastructure removes heat generated by these subsystems. This work presents a novel approach to model the energy flows in a data center and optimize its operation. Traditionally, supply-side constraints such as energy or cooling availability were treated independently from IT workload management. This work reduces electricity cost and environmental impact using a holistic approach that integrates renewable supply, dynamic pricing, and cooling supply including chiller and outside air cooling, with IT workload planning to improve the overall sustainability of data center operations. Specifically, we first predict renewable energy as well as IT demand. Then we use these predictions to generate an IT workload management plan that schedules IT workload and allocates IT resources within a data center according to time varying power supply and cooling efficiency. We have implemented and evaluated our approach using traces from real data centers and production systems. The results demonstrate that our approach can reduce both the recurring power costs and the use of non-renewable energy by as much as 60% compared to existing techniques, while still meeting the Service Level Agreements.
The process of change in cognitive therapy for depression when combined with antidepressant medication: Predictors of early intersession symptom gains.

Objective: Previous studies of cognitive therapy (CT) for depression have examined therapist adherence and the therapeutic alliance as predictors of subsequent symptom change. However, little is known about these CT process variables when CT is delivered in combination with antidepressant medication. Method: In a sample of 176 depressed outpatients randomized to the combined condition of a clinical trial, we examined ratings of adherence and alliance as predictors of subsequent session-to-session symptom change across early CT sessions. Results: Both adherence to Behavioral Methods/Homework and the therapeutic alliance significantly predicted session-to-session symptom change. In models in which patients’ medication regimen and prior symptom change were covaried, only Behavioral Methods/ Homework remained a significant predictor of subsequent symptom change. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the utility of Behavioral Methods/Homework in combined treatment for promoting early session-to-session symptom change.
Extending agroecology: Grower participation in partnerships is key to social learning

The extension of agroecology requires an alternative extension pedagogy. Agroecology is more than merely the promotion of new technologies or practices, but rather a fresh understanding of how to optimize the configuration of biological and technological components of farming systems informed by ecological principles. This necessarily requires a shift in roles among growers and extensionists so that they can actively participate in networks of social learning. Agro-environmental partnerships have emerged in California as the primary strategy for extending alternative, agroecological knowledge in conventional agriculture. Partnerships are an intentional, multi-year relationship among at least growers, a growers' organization, and one or more scientists to extend agroecological knowledge and protect natural resources through a field-scale demonstration. Partnerships have been particularly successful in perennial crop farming systems, and have played critical roles in helping California's almond and pear growers to reduce organophosphate use by over 75%. This study provides a cross partnership comparison of grower participation in partnerships and proposes a five-part typology to rank this.