cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ubiquitous binding of benzo[a]pyrene metabolites to DNA and protein in tissues of the mouse and rabbit

The in vivo formation of benzo[alpha]pyrene (BP) metabolite-DNA adducts in several tissues of mice and rabbits was examined. Included were tissues with widely divergent xenobiotic metabolizing capabilities such as liver and brain. The major adduct identified in each tissue was the (+)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP (BPDEI)-deoxyguanosine adduct. A 7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 beta,10 beta-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-BP (BPDEII)-deoxyguanosine adduct, a (-)-BPDEI-deoxyguanosine adduct and an unidentified adduct were also observed. These adducts were present in all of the tissues of the mice and in the lungs of the rabbits; only BPDEI and BPDEII were seen in the rest of the rabbit tissues. In all of the tissues studied, the DNA adduct levels were unexpectedly similar. For example, the BPDEI-DNA adduct levels in muscle and brain of mice were approx. 50% of those in lung and liver at each oral BP dose examined. After an i.v. dose of BP in rabbits, the BPDEI adduct levels in lung were three times those in brain or liver and twice those in muscle. The binding of BP metabolites to protein was also determined in these tissues. The tissue-to-tissue variation in protein binding levels of BP metabolites was greater than that for BPDEI-DNA adducts. There are several possible explanations for the in vivo binding of BP metabolites to DNA and protein of various tissues. First, oxidative metabolism of BP in each of the examined tissues might account for the observed binding. Second, reactive metabolites could be formed in tissues such as liver and lung and be transported to cells in tissues such as muscle and brain where they bind to DNA and protein. In any case, the tissue-to-tissue variations in protein and DNA binding of BP-derived radioactivity do not correlate with differences in cytochrome P-450 activity.
Rapid subduction of organic matter by maldanid polychaetes on the North Carolina slope

In situ tracer experiments conducted on the North Carolina continental slope reveal that tube-building worms (Polychaeta: Maldanidae) can, without ingestion, rapidly subduct freshly deposited, algal carbon ( 13 C-labeled diatoms) and inorganic materials (slope sediment and glass beads) to depths of 10 cm or more in the sediment column. Transport over 1.5 days appears to be nonselective but spatially patchy, creating localized, deep hotspots. As a result of this transport, relatively fresh organic matter becomes available soon after deposition to deep-dwelling microbes and other infauna, and both aerobic and anaerobic processes may be enhanced. Comparison of tracer subduction with estimates from a diffusive mixing model using 234 Th-based coefficients, suggests that maldanid subduction activities, within 1.5 d of particle deposition, could account for 25-100% of the mixing below 5 cm that occurs on 100-day time scales. Comparisons of community data from the North Carolina slope for different places and times indicate a correlation between the abundance of deep-dwelling maldanids and the abundance and the dwelling depth in the sediment column of other infauna. Pulsed inputs of organic matter occur frequently in margin environments and maldanid polychaetes are a common component of continental slope macrobenthos. Thus, the activities we observe are likely to be widespread and significant for chemical cycling (natural and anthropogenic materials) on the slope. We propose that species like maldanids, that rapidly redistribute labile organic matter within the seabed, probably function as keystone resource modifiers. They may exert a disproportionately strong influence (relative to their abundance) on the structure of infaunal communities and on the timing, location and nature of organic matter diagenesis and burial in continental margin sediments.
Spermatozoal response to osmotic stress

The process of sperm cryopreservation imparts on sperm cells the stress of low-temperature and drastic osmotic change. Damage to the cell plasma membrane results in cell injury in a number of cellular structures and associated functions. Studies in the author's laboratory have focused upon the various mechanisms of osmotic and thermal injury including plasma membrane lipid structure, mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular signaling. We have determined that cryoinjury to sperm, as for somatic cells, is a multi-factorial event and some of these events are reversible while some are not.
Effects of Dissolved Oxygen in Fruit Juices and Methods of Removal

ABSTRACT: In 2006, the U.S. fruit juice production was 7.6 million metric tons for oranges, apples, grapes, grapefruit, pineapples, and cranberries. Dissolved oxygen (DO) incorporated into fruit juices during processing affects quality parameters such as vitamin C, color, and aroma. Studies of dissolved oxygen effects on ascorbic acid degradation, nonenzymatic and enzymatic browning, and Strecker degradation are presented here. This article provides an overview of the basis of oxygen solubility, describes the changes in the food components most susceptible to degradation due to dissolved oxygen, and discusses different methods to eliminate dissolved oxygen. Kinetics and reaction mechanisms are discussed in view of conflicting results found in the literature.
Reduction of metmyoglobin in myocytes

Abstract Myocytes from rat heart ventricle rapidly reduce intracellular metmyoglobin back to the oxygen-binding form at an initial rate of 0.30 ± 0.03 nmol/min/106 cells, and the reaction is complete in about 10 min. The results indicate that the heart has a considerable capacity to maintain its myoglobin in the ferrous state, and the reaction rate is similar to the analagous methemoglobin reduction rate in erythrocytes. Metmyoglobin reduction in myocytes can be stimulated by including the vitamin K derivative, menadione, in the incubation mixture, and it can be inhibited by adriamycin or dicumarol. These latter results raise the possibility that the enzyme DT diaphorase may be involved in metmyoglobin reduction in vivo.
Computer-assisted analysis of visual pigments

Abstract Computing methods have been applied to the analysis and graphing of partial bleaching experiments. The programs are designed to handle automatically a broad range of experiments with different visual pigments. Individual and total difference spectra, scaled in either absorbance or percentage units, are drawn by a graphic plotter. Whether the retinal extracts are homogeneous or contain a mixture of visual pigments can be decided by inspection of the plotted difference curves. The absorbance peaks of single pigments are estimated by fitting the data to visual pigment nomograms. If a retinal extract contains a mixture of two known visual pigments, their proportions are calculated. Interpretation gains in precision from the fact that many more data points are taken than was possible heretofore. The number of partial bleaching experiments that can be performed and fully analyzed is greatly increased.
Approaches to improving health literacy: lessons from the field.

Despite growing evidence of the magnitude and consequences of low health literacy, little, if any, work has explored how federal health agencies or other organizations are responding to this proble...
New LSD Therapies Unfolding

NIH researchers report results of a qHTS hunt for new chemical chaperones for the treatment of Gaucher disease [1].
Agonist Binding and Desensitization of the μ-Opioid Receptor Is Modulated by Phosphorylation of the C-Terminal Tail Domain.

Sustained activation of G protein–coupled receptors can lead to a rapid decline in signaling through acute receptor desensitization. In the case of the μ-opioid receptor (MOPr), this desensitization may play a role in the development of analgesic tolerance. It is understood that phosphorylation of MOPr promotes association with β-arrestin proteins, which then facilitates desensitization and receptor internalization. Agonists that induce acute desensitization have been shown to induce a noncanonical high-affinity agonist binding state in MOPr, conferring a persistent memory of prior receptor activation. In the current study, live-cell confocal imaging was used to investigate the role of receptor phosphorylation in agonist binding to MOPr. A phosphorylation cluster in the C-terminal tail of MOPr was identified as a mediator of agonist-induced affinity changes in MOPr. This site is unique from the primary phosphorylation cluster responsible for β-arrestin binding and internalization. Electrophysiologic measurements of receptor function suggest that both phosphorylation clusters may play a parallel role during acute receptor desensitization. Desensitization was unaffected by alanine mutation of either phosphorylation cluster, but was largely eliminated when both clusters were mutated. Overall, this work suggests that there are multiple effects of MOPr phosphorylation that appear to regulate MOPr function: one affecting β-arrestin binding and a second affecting agonist binding.
Control system performance under dynamic quantization: the scalar case

This paper derives an upper bound on the quantization error generated by a scalar quantized feedback control system. We assume a dynamic quantization policy in which feedback data is randomly dropped in accordance with an (m, k)-firm guarantee rule. Our main result identifies the minimum quantization level required to assure a specified signal-to-quantization ratio (SQR). We also show that these performance bounds scale in an exponential manner with k - m, thereby suggesting that real-time systems enforcing an (m, k)-firm guarantee rule should seek to keep k as small as possible.
Situation assessment via multi-target identification and classification in radar sensor networks

DoD has defined three levels of data fusion for Network Centric Warfare (NCW). Level 1 data fusion combines data from single or multiple sensors and sources to provide the best estimate of objects and events in the battlespace. Level 2 data fusion focuses on situation assessment. Level 3 data fusion is threat assessment. To facilitate situation assessment, we investigate the problem of jointly classifying and identifying multiple targets in radar sensor networks where the maximum number of categories and the maximum number of targets in each category are obtained a priori based on statistical data. However, the actual number of targets in each category and the actual number of target categories being present at any given time are assumed unknown. It is assumed that a given target belongs to one category and one identification number. The target signals are modeled as zero-mean complex Gaussian processes. We propose a joint multi-target identification and classification (JMIC) algorithm for radar surveillance using cognitive radars. The existing target categories are first classified and then the targets in each category are accordingly identified. Simulation results are presented to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed JMIC algorithm in a query surveillance region.
Contextualized questioning to scaffold learning from simulations

Abstract Computer-based clinical simulations have a long history in medical education. Often they are used to provide practice in diagnostic skills or for evaluation. A different approach to medical education is problem-based learning which helps students learn biomedical science as they solve problems in a small-group, student-centered environment, with minimal guidance by a facilitator. We have merged these techniques of simulation and problem-based learning. Our strategy has been to situate questions within a simulation, thus setting the context for collaborative problem-based discussions. These questions are designed to help the students focus on the important aspects of the case and to bridge the gap between clinical skills and conceptual science knowledge. Moreover, these questions serve to model the kinds of questions students need to be asking themselves to further their understanding. The discussions of these questions help provide a shared context for learning. This paper reports on a field-based study in which we implemented this approach with first-year medical students.
Ground-layer plant community responses to even-age and uneven-age silvicultural treatments in Wisconsin northern hardwood forests

We evaluated ground-layer plant diversity and community composition in northern hardwood forests among uncut controls and stands managed with even-age or uneven-age silvicultural systems. Even-age treatments included diameter-limit cuttings (20-cm diameter at 30-cm stem height) in 1952 and shelterwood removals in 1964. Uneven-age treatments included three intensities of selection harvest (light, 20.6 m 2 /ha residual basal area after harvest; medium, 17.2 m 2 /ha residual basal area; and heavy, 13.8 m 2 /ha residual basal area) that were applied in 1952, 1962, 1972, and 1982. All treatments were winter logged over snow pack. In 1991, plant diversity and community composition were examined. Species richness for spring ephemerals ranged from 1 to 6 species/150-m 2 , spring ephemeral diversity (Shannon’s Index of Diversity) averaged 0.57 � 0.04 and evenness averaged 0.45 � 0.03. Summer flowering species richness ranged from 1 to 18 species/1-m 2 , with an average diversity of 0.71 � 0.07 and evenness of 0.42 � 0.03. We found no significant differences among treatments for any of these variables, although power to detect a difference (at p = 0.05) was low in all cases (0.15–0.55) due to high variance and low replication. Community composition was not significantly different among the treatments, for either spring ( p = 0.09) or summer ( p = 0.79) flora. Few exotic species were found in any treatment. Lack of exotic invasions and minimal differences in plant diversity or composition among treatments may be due, in part, to the negligible amount of soil disturbance that resulted from winter logging. While other (unmeasured) ecosystem components may differ among these silvicultural treatments, our results suggest that ground-layer plant communities in northern hardwood ecosystems are either resistant to change or have recovered within the 40 years since disturbance in the even-age treatments and within 10 years since disturbance in the uneven-age treatments. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Opposite Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by Complexes I and III during Heart Ischemia/Reperfusion

In mitochondria, the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) generators are complexes I and III. Mitochondrial ROS generation has been implicated in cellular damage occurring in a variety of pathologies including ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Most of the studies have observed an increase of ROS production after I/R. However, there is evidence of an increase of ROS production after cardioprotection by preconditioning interventions.We investigated the differential production of ROS by complex I and III in I/R and sham isolated mitochondria heart mice, and the action of pro-apoptotic drugs (rotenone and antimycin A) on ROS production by these complexes in sham animals.Mitochondrial ROS generation by both complexes was measured using amplex red in the presence of horseradish-peroxidase. Specific substrates for complex I (glutmate/malate) and complex II (succinate), and the inhibitors (rotenone and antimycin-A) were used. Mitochondria from I/R mice produced more ROS than mitochondria from sham when the substrate for complex I was used. In contrast, with the substrate of complex II, mitochondria from I/R mice produced less ROS than sham. Application of rotenone and antimycin-A in mitochondria from sham heart significantly increased ROS production when the substrate for the complex I was used. Surprisingly, these inhibitors decreased the ROS production when the substrate for the complex II was used. This data indicate the ambivalent production of ROS by the respiratory chain complexes I and III, and suggest opposite role of ROS depending on the complex being cardio-deleterious for complex I and cardio-protective for complex III. Supported by NIH and AHA.
The North Karelia Project: what it tells us about the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The article by McAlister, et al, in this issue of the Journal' provides a selective overview of the North Karelia Project. For readers wanting a more complete picture of this ,much publicized effort in the community control of cardiovascular disease (CVD), an exhaustive description of the program, the evaluation methods, and the various results2 is now available. It is worth reading and pondering by enthusiasts and skeptics alike as it makes clearer what the Project contributes to our understanding of CVD prevention. The North Karelia Project was a direct response to a broadly supported local demand that something be done about the high rates ofCVD documented in Eastern Finland. The intervention plan evolved as a pragmatic synthesis of available ideas and experience culminating in a multifarious set of objectives and activities directed at the county's population as a whole, not a subgroup selected at random or because of their increased risk. A complex set of interrelated efforts involving the use of media, environmental changes, reorganization of health services, training of professionals and lay people, and community organization proceeded simultaneously, making it difficult, if not impossible, to disentangle the independent contributions of specific interventions. Conversely, the project was not, except in the broadest sense of the term, an experiment to test the efficacy of a discrete intervention strategy. Experimentation in the sense of providing services to some North Karelians but not to others was neither politically possible nor consistent with the primary project objective of reducing the rates of CVD morbidity and mortality in the county as a whole. It was neither conceived of nor executed as a test of any particular behavioral or biological hypothesis as McAlister, et al, point out.' This recitation of "negatives" is important because of
Comparison of deuterium arc and Smith-Hieftje background correction for graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry of fluoride and chloride

Abstract Molecular absorption spectrometry (MAS) in a graphite furnace, which is a sensitive method for the determination of halides, involves the formation of a diatomic molecule containing a metal reagent and a halide (the analyte). Other reagents, called chemical modifiers, are also added to increase the number of molecules formed. However, the utility of the technique for practical analysis has been limited by spectral and chemical interferences. Large amounts of reagents (μg amounts) produce relatively large background signals. Previous MAS work has employed deuterium arc background correction to account for these signals, but this method has been shown to be unable to accurately correct for large backgrounds. In this work, Smith-Hieftje background correction was employed for the first time with molecular absorption spectrometry for the determination of fluoride and chloride. For fluoride, a platinum hollow cathode lamp (HCL) was employed as the light source; aluminum was added as a reagent to produce AlF, the molecule whose absorbance was measured; and barium was added as a chemical modifier. The chemical and furnace conditions were optimized, but no AlF signal was obtained with Smith-Hieftje background correction. The absence of a signal was attributed to the involatility of platinum, which is poorly self-reversed during the Smith-Hieftje correction step, the use of a high level HCL line that was poorly self-reversed, and to the large width of the AlF molecular line (0.08 nm). Using deuterium arc background correction, a detection limit of 200 pg, a characteristic mass of 370 pg, and a linear dynamic range of 1.6 orders of magnitude were obtained. This technique was employed for the determination of fluoride in oyster tissue and dental rinse, but poor recovery (
Intra-subject Variability of Noninvasive Oxygen Measurements*

We studied ten healthy, nonsmoking adults to determine the intra-subject variability for repeated measurements of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (tcPo2) and oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry (SaO2). Intra-subject variability was less for SaO2 than for tcPo2 and increased at lower arterial oxygen tensions. Inter-machine variability was an important contributor to intra-subject variability for tcPo2. The percentage change from baseline required to detect a significant physiologic change while breathing room air was 1.2 percent for SaO2 and 13.8 percent for tcPo2. When subjects breathed a 15 percent oxygen mixture, the percentage change for significance increased to a maximum of 4.7 percent for SaO2 and 35.8 percent for tcPo2. These results are applicable to non-neonatal pediatric and adult patients and demonstrate the importance of intra-subject variability when performing noninvasive measurements of patient oxygenation over time.
A Study of Certain Environmental Factors on the Reproductive Performance of Large White Turkeys

Abstract The study presented was designed to determine the effects of light intensities of 5.4 and 86.1 lux, of laying cages versus conventional litter floors and of constant environmental temperatures of 12.8°, 21.1° and 29.4°C. on the reproductive performance of Large White female turkeys. A light intensity of 5.4 lux yielded comparable results to that of 86.1 lux when 16 hours of light were provided. Turkey females in laying cages laid at a higher rate over the first 12 weeks of production and showed an increase in feed consumption and body weight over those maintained in conventional litter pens. No significant differences were observed between the two pen environments for total egg production, hatchability of fertile eggs and egg weights. Percentage settable eggs and percentage fertility were lower from females maintained in cages. The percentage of cracked and broken, and soft- and thin-shelled eggs from cage birds increased over the production period. A constant pen temperature of 29.4° C. dramatically reduced egg production below that obtained from females maintained at 12.8° and 21.1° C. The high pen temperature also reduced feed consumption, body weights, egg weights, the effectiveness of broodiness control and increased the incidence of birds molting and mortality. Fertility, hatchability, percentage settable eggs and shell thickness were unaffected by the imposed temperature environments. Pen temperatures of 12.8° and 21.°C. yielded comparable results for all reproductive parameters studied. It is concluded that reproductive potential of turkeys in the present study was maximized on conventional litter floors with constant temperatures between 12.8° and 21.1° C. and light intensities between 5.4 and 86.1 lux.
Complexities in Common Property

In an optimal growth setting, where the only productive asset is a renewable resource which is jointly exploited, it is shown that competitively the resource may be over-used or under-used. The diversion from optimal use arises due to the externality embodied in the jointness of exploitation and would intuit over-use. Surprisingly, under-use has been derived as an equilibrium phenomenon by Dutta and Sundaram [93] when agents strategically interact in a dynamic game. However, as is shown here, strategic interaction is not necessary. The phenomenon of under-use may arise within a perfectly competitive model because the externality pushes implicit resource prices above the optimal when the discount rate is less than natural adjustment.
Cytokine - Processing Enzymes: Stopping the cuts

The recently discovered enzymes that process the precursors of inflammatory cytokines are good targets for the design of new anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.
Primary Abelian Groups Whose Countable Subgroups Have Countable Closure

Two subgroups H and K of G are said to be equivalent if there is an automorphism of G that maps H onto K. Using Martin’s Axiom, we establish an equivalence theorem for countable subgroups of a class of groups called c.c. groups. More precisely, we find necessary and sufficient conditions for two countable subgroups of a c.c. group to be equivalent. A p-primary abelian group G is a c.c. group if every countable subgroup has countable closure in the p-adic topology. The equivalence theorem is then used to obtain some structural results and homological properties of c.c. groups.
Egg coloration is correlated with female condition in eastern bluebirds (Sialia sialis)

Egg coloration has been hypothesized to reflect female condition. Because of the proposed physiological costs associated with deposition of biliverdin pigments and because of their conspicuousness, eggs with blue-green coloration mayreliably convey information aboutfemale or brood quality. We tested the hypothesis that expression of blue-greencolorationofeasternbluebird(Sialiasialis)eggs positively correlates to female condition. First, we doc- umented the incidence of egg color polymorphism within the population. We observed that 98% of females laid blue- green eggs while less than 2% laid white eggs and less than 1% laid pink eggs. In a subset of clutches, we used full spectrum reflectance spectrometry (300-700 nm) to com- pare eggshell coloration to measures of female condition. We found that the color of eggs within clutches was more similar than the color of eggs from different clutches, and that the blue-green eggs have spectral peaks that are con- sistent with the characteristic absorbance spectra of bili- verdin pigmentation. Females in better body condition and older females laid more colorful eggs. Moreover, individual females laid morecolorful eggslater inthe layingsequence. Overall, these data indicate that egg coloration covaries with female condition, suggesting that egg coloration could function as a reliable signal of female quality or that egg coloration may allow females to recognize eggs laid by conspecific brood parasites.
Density matrix methods in orbital optimization for MCSCF calculations

The problem considered is that of selecting the finite orbital basis which will minimize the energy in a given size CI calculation. A one-body operator is defined which has as eigenfunctions the desired optimal basis. The operator is defined in terms of the basis which leads to a self-consistency problem of Hartree-Fock type. A method of successive orbital rotations is defined which is shown to have desirable convergence properties. 6 references.
Validity of the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR): Effort Considered in a Clinical Sample of U.S. Military Veterans

The current study represents an examination of the construct validity of the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) among a sample of U.S. military veterans referred for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation that included a measure of negative response bias, namely, the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM). This retrospective data analysis examined the relationship between the WTAR and measures of current verbal general intellectual function and current cognitive skills. Findings showed that, among patients passing the TOMM (N = 98), WTAR scores were most highly correlated with current verbal IQ but also showed significant correlations with verbal memory and lesser, but still significant, correlations with measures of visual-spatial memory. Discriminant validity for the WTAR was also shown among the group passing the TOMM in the sense that the WTAR, which is designed to measure verbal premorbid general intellectual skill, was not as highly correlated with measures of learning and memory as was a measure of current verbal general intellectual skill. Whereas scores on most study measures did significantly differ between the groups that passed versus failed the TOMM (N = 26), scores on the WTAR did not, suggesting that the WTAR may remain robust even in the face of suboptimal effort.
Quantitation of the reconstruction quality of a four-dimensional computed tomography process for lung cancer patients.

sReceived 1 July 2004; revised 21 January 2005; accepted for publication 21 January 2005;published 16 March 2005dWe have developed a four-dimensional computed tomography s4D CTd technique for mappingbreathing motion in radiotherapy treatment planning. A multislice CT scanner s1.5 mm slicesdoperated in cine mode was used to acquire 12 contiguous slices in each couch position for 15consecutive scans s0.5 s rotation, 0.25 s between scansd while the patient underwent simultaneousquantitative spirometry measurements to provide a sorting metric. The spirometry-sorted scanswere used to reconstruct a 4D data set. A critical factor for 4D CT is quantifying the reconstructeddata set quality which we measure by correlating the metric used relative to internal-object motion.For this study, the internal air content within the lung was used as a surrogate for internal motionmeasurements. Thresholding and image morphological operations were applied to delineate theair-containing tissuesslungs, trachead from each CT slice. The Hounsﬁeld values were converted tothe internal air content sVd. The relationship between the air content and spirometer-measured tidalvolume snd was found to be quite linear throughout the lungs and was used to estimate the overallaccuracy and precision of tidal volume-sorted 4D CT. Inspection of the CT-scan air content as afunction of tidal volume showed excellent correlations stypically r.0.99d throughout the lungvolume. Because of the discovered linear relationship, the ratio of internal air content to tidalvolume was indicative of the fraction of air change in each couch position. Theoretically, due to airdensity differences within the lung and in room, the sum of these ratios would equal 1.11. For 12patients, the mean value was 1.08±0.06, indicating the high quality of spirometry-based imagesorting. The residual of a ﬁrst-order ﬁt betweennand V was used to estimate the process precision.For all patients, the precision was better than 8%, with a mean value of 5.1% ±1.9%. This quan-titative analysis highlights the value of using spirometry as the metric in sorting CT scans. The 4Dreconstruction provides the CT data required to measure the three-dimensional trajectory of tumorand lung tissue during free breathing. © 2005 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.fDOI: 10.1118/1.1870152gKey words: breathing motion, spirometry, radiation therapyI. INTRODUCTIONInternal respiratory organ motion is the principal reason thatintensity modulated radiation therapy has not been widelyaccepted for lung and upper-abdominal cancer treatments.
Spatial patterns of soil moisture under forest and grass land cover in a suburban area, in Maryland, USA

Abstract Knowledge about the effects of changing environmental factors on stability of spatial structure of soil moisture is important in measurement design and spatial and land-atmosphere modeling, but was rarely considered. We examined the effects of soil temperature and moisture on spatial structure of daily soil moisture at 10-cm and 20-cm depth covering forest and grass sampling points (31 and 11, respectively) over 10 months with a maximum between-point distance of 130 m. For average seasonal conditions, the peak variance (sill) was 4.8–7.5%2, spatial correlation scale was 0–56 m, and temporal scale was 5–90 days depending upon season, vegetation type and depth. Changes in soil temperature and moisture moderately affected parameters of the spatial structure, the variance (heterogeneity) and correlation length (continuity), and the effects were higher at 10-cm depth compared to 20-cm depth. Increase in soil temperature by 1 °C increased the correlation length by about 0.6 m only at the upper depth. Heterogeneity of soil moisture was affected by interaction of variability of soil temperature and moisture so that the peak variance changed by as much as 5%2 and 0%2 under changing soil temperature and by 6%2 and 3%2 under changing soil moisture over almost a year at 10-cm and 20-cm depths, respectively. The spatial structure was relatively stable under changing soil temperature and moisture as the correlation length would not change considerably under small (e.g., inter-annual) in contrast to large (inter-seasonal) variations in soil temperature and intra-annual changes in variance were also not high.
The robustness of stochastic switching networks

Many natural systems, including chemical and biological systems, can be modeled using stochastic switching circuits. These circuits consist of stochastic switches, called pswitches, which operate with a fixed probability of being open or closed. We study the effect caused by introducing an error of size. to each pswitch in a stochastic circuit. We analyze two constructions.simple series-parallel and general series-parallel circuits.and prove that simple series-parallel circuits are robust to small error perturbations, while general series-parallel circuits are not. Specifically, the total error introduced by perturbations of size less than ∈ is bounded by a constant multiple of ∈ in a simple series-parallel circuit, independent of the size of the circuit. However, the same result does not hold in the case of more general series-parallel circuits. In the case of a general stochastic circuit, we prove that the overall error probability is bounded by a linear function of the number of pswitches.
Feature selection based on sparse imputation

Feature selection, which aims to obtain valuable feature subsets, has been an active topic for years. How to design an evaluating metric is the key for feature selection. In this paper, we address this problem using imputation quality to search for the meaningful features and propose feature selection via sparse imputation (FSSI) method. The key idea is utilizing sparse representation criterion to test individual feature. The feature based classification is used to evaluate the proposed method. Comparative studies are conducted with classic feature selection methods (such as Fisher score and Laplacian score). Experimental results on benchmark data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of FSSI method.
Small mammals in agricultural areas of the Western Llanos of Venezuela: community structure, habitat associations, and relative densities.

We used mark–recapture and removal trapping during 37 months to examine structure of small-mammal assemblages in agricultural and pastoral areas on the western llanos of Venezuela. Among 34 sites sampled, species richness, diversity, population densities, and relative contribution to the assemblage by 10 rodent and 3 marsupial species varied by habitat or land-use category, major vegetative formation, and (within agricultural systems) crop species. Most habitat types, especially relatively uniform areas of mechanized agriculture, were numerically dominated by 2 rodents, Sigmodon alstoni and Zygodontomys brevicauda. Subsistence agriculture plots were more variable and had the highest species richness and diversity. Peridomestic habitats were dominated by Rattus rattus. In contrast to findings in agroecosystems in the United States and Argentina, relative densities were not lower in crop fields than in adjacent borders nor were there differences in the structure of the rodent assemblages. Captures of Heteromys anomalus, Oecomys speciosus, and Oecomys trinitatus document range extensions for these species on the western llanos.
The epidemiology of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the United States and other established market economies

Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to multiple antituberculosis drugs emerged as a serious threat to tuberculosis (TB) control efforts in the United States (US) in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The strains responsible for the extended and large outbreaks in hospitals and correctional facilities, reported primarily from New York, were resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, and the term multidrug-resistant (or MDR) became used to refer selectively to resistance to at least these two key first-line drugs. The outbreaks primarily involved patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and were characterized by high morbidity and mortality, delayed diagnosis, extended infectious periods and multiple generations of source cases [1“5]. Although drug-resistant TB was not a new phenomenon, MDRTB had rarely been encountered in the US [6]. This chapter describes the emergence of MDRTB in the US, the steps that led to improved surveillance for drug-resistant TB, and key characteristics of MDRTB patients during 1993-1998, based on national surveillance data. In addition, a brief summary of the experience of other established market economies is also provided.
The Functional Gait Assessment in Older Adults: Validation Through Rasch Modeling.

Background The Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), a measure of walking balance ability, was developed to eliminate the ceiling effect observed in the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Three presumably more difficult tasks were added and 1 easier task was removed from the original 8 DGI tasks. The effects of these modifications on item hierarchy have not previously been analyzed. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the ordering of the 10 FGA tasks and the extent to which they map along a clinically logical difficulty continuum, (2) whether the spread of tasks is sufficient to measure patients of varying functional ability levels without a ceiling effect, (3) where the 3 added tasks locate along the task difficulty continuum, and (4) the psychometric properties of the individual FGA tasks. Design A retrospective chart review was conducted. Methods Functional Gait Assessment scores from 179 older adults referred for physical therapy for balance retraining were analyzed by Rasch modeling. Results The FGA task hierarchy met clinical expectations, with the exception of the “walking on level” task, which locates in the middle of the difficulty continuum. There was no ceiling effect. Two of the 3 added tasks were the most difficult FGA tasks. Performance on the most difficult task (“gait with narrow base of support”) demonstrated greater variability than predicted by the Rasch model. Limitations The sample was limited to older adults who were community dwelling and independently ambulating. Findings cannot be generalized to other patient groups. Conclusions The revised scoring criteria of the FGA may have affected item hierarchy. The results suggest that the FGA is a measure of walking balance ability in older adults that is clinically appropriate and has construct validity. Administration of the FGA may be modified further to improve administration efficiency.
Tissue Engineered Growth of New Cartilage in the Shape of a Human Ear Using Synthetic Polymers Seeded with Chondrocytes

This report concerns the tissue-engineered growth of new cartilage in the shape of a human ear. Using synthetic biodegradable polyesters, a porous, three dimensional device in the shape of a human ear was fabricated. The polymer matrices were seeded with living chondrocytes isolated from a freshly sacrificed calf shoulder and implanted subcutaneously on the dorsum of athymic rats. This resulted in the formation of new cartilage in the shape of a human ear of approximately the same dimensions as the original implants. Histological analysis revealed the presence of mature cartilage in all specimens.
A low-temperature study of manganese-induced ferromagnetism and valence band convergence in tin telluride

SnTe is renowned for its promise in advancing energy-related technologies based on thermoelectricity and for its topological crystalline insulator character. Here, we demonstrate that each Mn atom introduces ∼4 μB (Bohr magneton) of magnetic moment to Sn1−xMnxTe. The Curie temperature TC reaches ∼14 K for x = 0.12, as observed in the field dependent hysteresis of magnetization and the anomalous Hall effect. In accordance with a modified two-band electronic Kane model, the light L-valence-band and the heavy Σ-valence-band gradually converge in energy with increasing Mn concentration, leading to a decreasing ordinary Hall coefficient RH and a favorably enhanced Seebeck coefficient S at the same time. With the thermal conductivity κ lowered chiefly via point defects associated with the incorporation of Mn, the strategy of Mn doping also bodes well for efficient thermoelectric applications at elevated temperatures.
Epidemiology of hand foot and mouth disease in Tibet,2009-2013

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of hand foot and mouth disease( HFM D) in Tibet autonomous region during 2009-2013 and provide scientific evidence for the prevention and control of HFM D.Methods The incidence data of HFM D in Tibet during 2009-2013 w as collected from national disease reporting information system to conduct descriptive epidemiological analysis,and the throat sw abs,vesicle fluids and other specimens w ere collected from the cases for pathogen detection w ith real time RT-PCR. Results A total of 4471 HFM D cases,including 17 severe cases,w ere reported in Tibet during this period,no deaths w ere reported. The annual incidence of HFM D w as 24. 95 / lakh. The annual incidence in 2010( 66. 30 / lakh) and in 2012( 42. 12 / lakh) w ere much higher than those in other years. The reported annual incidence w as highest in Lhasa( 90. 79 / lakh) and low est in Chamdo( 1. 40 / lakh). Tw o incidence peaks occurred during a year,one w as during April-July,and another one w as during September-October. M ore cases w ere reported in autumn peak. M ost cases occurred in children aged ≤5 years old,accounting for 77. 88%. Etiological surveillance indicated that EV71 w as the major pathogen,accounting for65. 18%. Conclusion HFM D occurred in a yearly up and dow n pattern in Tibet during 2009-2013. Epidemiological characteristics of HFM D in Tibet w ere different from other provinces of China. Tw o incidence peaks of HFM D w ere observed,but more cases occurred in autumn peak than in spring peak. HFM D mainly occurred in children aged ≤5years and most cases w ere caused by EV71. It is important to strengthen the prevention and control of HFM D among urban area living young children during the incidence peak period.
Serum and seminal plasma prolactin concentrations in men with normospermia, oligospermia, or azoospermia.

Semen analyses were performed and serum and seminal plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations were determined in 165 samples from 120 men seen with their wives because of infertility. The mean (±standard deviation) serum and seminal plasma PRL concentrations were 6.5±3.3 and 7.5±3.1ng/ml, respectively. The mean concentrations of PRL in serum and seminal plasma were similar in groups of men divided by sperm concentration. Seven men had an increased serum PRL concentration. Three of these 7 men had sperm concentrations less than 20 million/ml and none of these 7 men had an increased seminal plasma PRL concentration. Four men had an increased seminal plasma PRL concentration; the serum PRL concentration, sperm concentrations, and motilities were normal in all 4. No man had a decreased serum or seminal plasma PRL concentration. Increased serum PRL concentrations were found infrequently and the increase was slight (23.2ng/ml or less). Seminal plasma PRL concentrations were related directly to sperm concentrations and motilities, relationships that were statistically significant.
Impact of femoropopliteal endovascular interventions on subsequent open bypass

Objective An endovascular-first approach has been widely adopted as an alternative to surgical bypass in patients who need lower extremity revascularization for femoropopliteal disease. This study evaluated anatomic changes in the extent of bypass and outcomes of open bypass (OBP) surgery after failed endovascular treatment (EVT). Methods We reviewed consecutive patients treated by endovascular femoropopliteal revascularization from 2002 to 2012. Patients requiring OBP after failed EVT were analyzed. Blinded investigators reviewed preoperative and postintervention angiographies. The location of the intended distal anastomosis before the endovascular intervention was compared with the open procedure after failed EVT, and results were analyzed for amputation and patency rates. Results There were 566 patients (322 men [57%]) who underwent 836 endovascular femoropopliteal revascularizations in 665 limbs. Patients were a mean age of 72 ± 11 years. Mean follow-up was 20 months. Indication for revascularization was critical limb ischemia in 33% of patients before the index endovascular procedure. Interventions were performed for de novo lesions in 604 procedures (72%) or restenosis in 232 (28%). TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease A and B lesions were treated in 547 patients (65%). Balloon angioplasty was used in 822 interventions (98%), with primary or secondary stenting using self-expandable stents performed in 367 (44%). Thirty OBPs were required in 566 patients (5.3%) at an average of 15 months after the index EVT. OBP consisted of 6 above-knee, 14 below-knee, and 10 tibial bypasses. Vein and prosthetic conduits were used equally. Location of the distal anastomosis changed to a more distal target in 13 (5 below-knee and 8 tibial) of 30 patients (43%). Median follow-up was 36 months (range, 0.5-104 months), with a primary patency of 66% at 1 year and 46% at 3 years. Of the 30 bypasses, seven patients required reintervention with percutaneous angioplasty (n = 4) and patch angioplasty (n = 3). Five patients required redo bypass after failed endovascular salvage (lysis or angioplasty, or both), and redo bypass was not attempted in two. Eight patients (27%) progressed to major amputation, for an amputation-free survival of 79% at 1 year and 67% at 3 years. Conclusions OBP after failed EVT was needed in a minority of patients. A change in the bypass target to a more distal site was identified in nearly half of patients. Although an endovascular-first approach to treating claudication and critical limb ischemia is safe and resulted in few progressing to OBP, poor outcomes of open interventions after EVT can be expected if EVT fails.
FTC Consumer Protection at 100: 1970s Redux or Protecting Markets to Protect Consumers?

Throughout most of the Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC” or “Commission”) history, the agency has been condemned as ineffective. Indeed, the prestigious 1969 American Bar Association Report said that the FTC should either change or be abolished. The disastrous decade of the 1970s followed, in which the FTC tried to become the second most powerful legislature in Washington. The Commission then finally developed a bipartisan regulatory program, recognizing that the FTC was not the star player in the economy but had an important role in enforcing the rules that facilitate market interactions. Following the ABA report’s recommendation, the program’s consumer protection foundation was a systematic and aggressive attack on consumer fraud.This Article discusses this modern FTC, providing details on programs involving fraud, conventional advertising, and privacy. We explain how, embracing a more limited role and recognizing its past mistakes, the FTC became one of the world’s most widely respected government agencies. Unfortunately, the agency has recently lost its way in regulating traditional advertising, threatening to restrict truthful information to consumers that is vital to the optimal performance of competitive markets. We also discuss the newest part of the FTC’s mission, protecting consumer privacy. The heart of the program has been to prevent harmful misuse of sensitive information, most notably the National Do Not Call Registry, one of the most popular government initiatives ever. In attempting to broaden the basis for protection of privacy, the agency currently threatens to impede rapidly evolving information technology markets.