cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corn yield as affected by row pattern, plant density, and irrigation system

Row crops normally grown in Southeast USA are cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) with a focus on the higher economic value for peanut. Peanut is typ...
Don’t Block the Ground: Reducing Discomfort in Virtual Reality with an Asymmetric Field-of-View Restrictor

Although virtual reality has been gaining in popularity, users continue to report discomfort during and after use of VR applications, and many experience symptoms associated with motion sickness. To mitigate this problem, dynamic field-of-view restriction is a common technique that has been widely implemented in commercial VR games. Although artificially reducing the field-of-view during movement can improve comfort, the standard restrictor is typically implemented using a symmetric circular mask that blocks imagery in the periphery of the visual field. This reduces users’ visibility of the virtual environment and can negatively impact their subjective experience. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a novel asymmetric field-of-view restrictor that maintains visibility of the ground plane during movement. We conducted a remote user study that sampled from the population of VR headset owners. The experiment used a within-subjects design that compared the ground-visible restrictor, the traditional symmetric restrictor, and a control condition without FOV restriction. Participation required navigating through a complex maze-like environment using a controller during three separate virtual reality sessions conducted at least 24 hours apart. Results showed that ground-visible FOV restriction offers benefits for user comfort, postural stability, and subjective sense of presence. Additionally, we found no evidence of negative drawbacks to maintaining visibility of the ground plane during FOV restriction, suggesting that the proposed technique is superior for experienced users compared to the widely used symmetric restrictor.
Research Publication in Biotechnology: An Appraisal

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of research publication in biotechnology. Publication is the primary mechanism for making the results of research in science and technology available to the community at large. The last two decades have witnessed marked changes, both quantitative and qualitative, in the character of research publication. These changes have been especially evident in the biological sciences and in related areas like biotechnology. The volume of publication in biotechnology has clearly grown much faster than the real level of economic activity in the field. This would not be a cause for apprehension, were it not for the feeling that it has been accompanied by a general decline in quality. This perceived decline in quality is even more difficult to demonstrate conclusively. Consequently, it is convenient to employ familiar rate process concepts for examining the factors that are operating either to increase publication volume or decrease quality or both. It must also be recognized that most of the material published in research journals is generated in universities rather than by industry. Thus, any consideration of factors responsible for changes in the character of research publication must necessarily give special attention to the unique character of university research and the forces operating in that environment.
Authorship, Audiences, and Anonymous Speech

A series of United States Supreme Court decisions establishes that the First Amendment provides a qualified right to speak and publish anonymously, or under a pseudonym. But the Court has never clearly defined the scope of this right. As a result, lower courts have been left with little guidance when it comes to dealing both with the Internet-fueled growth of torts and crimes committed by anonymous speakers, and with the increasing number of lawsuits aimed at silencing legitimate anonymous speech. In this Article, we provide both positive and normative foundations for a comprehensive approach to anonymous speech. We first draw upon intellectual property theory, particularly as it relates to trademarks and copyright, to develop a positive analysis of the private and social costs and benefits of anonymous speech. Traditional First Amendment jurisprudence then supplies the missing normative component by providing two crucial presumptions that suggest how to weigh the relevant costs and benefits. The first is the anti-paternalism presumption. This assumes that audiences are capable of responding to anonymous speech in much the same way they respond to generic, nontrademarked products - by recognizing that the product, in this case speech, lacks an important quality indicator and should be evaluated accordingly. In this manner, audiences can minimize the potential social harm of many forms of anonymous speech. The second presumption, which we refer to as "more is better," favors more speech over less, and thus places considerable weight on anonymity as a tool for encouraging otherwise reluctant speakers to come forward - even at the risk of simultaneously encouraging more potentially harmful speech. These twin presumptions form the basis for the detailed guidance we supply for legislatures contemplating regulation of anonymous speech, and for courts seeking to balance the rights of anonymous speakers with other important interests.
The octant rule VIII. Variable temperature circular dichroism spectra of alpha-methyl- and methoxyl-substituted 5 alpha-cholestan-2- and -3-ones.

Abstract 2α- and 2β-Methyl- and methoxy-5α-cholestan-3-ones and 3α- and 3β-methyl- and methoxy-5α-cholestan-2-ones have been synthesized and their variable temperature circular dichroism spectra obtained and analyzed. Rotatory strength (R) values for α-axial and equatorial CH3 and OCH3 groups are determined by difference measurements with the parent ketone. The (small) equatorial CH3 R-values do not consistently follow the Octant Rule. Axial OCH3 groups do not obey the Octant Rule (“anti-octant” behavior) and impose a bathochromic shift on the C = 0 n-π∗ transition. Equatorial OCH3 groups do not consistently follow octant or “anti-octant” behavior.
Preparing language teachers to teach in virtual worlds: Analyzing their content, technological, and pedagogical needs

In spite of the increased use of virtual worlds for language teaching and learning, few empirical studies have addressed the teachers’ perspectives regarding teaching in these 3D virtual environments. An understanding of how virtual worlds such as Second Life may be beneficial for the design of enriching language learning experiences helps teachers decide if and how to best use them. The main purpose of this dissertation was to identify the competencies language teachers need in order to teach in Second Life (or a similar virtual world) and the best ways to prepare them to integrate virtual worlds into their language classes. To this end, language teachers participated in a course specifically designed to train them to use Second Life and teach in this 3D virtual environment. Their evaluation of language teachers’ needs, the virtual world itself, and their experience throughout the course aided in the identification of key competencies and best practices. A case study methodology was employed in this study. Two groups of teachers were part of two teacher development courses carried out in Second Life on the topic of teaching languages in this 3D environment. Both quantitative, two Likert-scale surveys administered before and after the course, and qualitative data sources (interviews, reflective blogs, and transcripts from synchronous meetings) were analyzed. Findings indicate that, besides knowing how to use Second Life and identify its affordances and constraints, language teachers need to be able to make pedagogical decisions such as choosing an in-world place to teach and deciding how to monitor their students’ work. Teachers should also consider the context, the students’ needs, and the
Compound-Cognizant Feature Compression of Gas Chromatographic Data to Facilitate Environmental Forensics

We present complementary compound-cognizant data engineering techniques for feature compression and data indexing across two-dimensional gas chromatographic (GC×GC) datasets with petroleum forensics as the primary application. We propose single-linkage clustering of dominant compounds (targets) along with local interpretation across biomarker peak profiles. Our methods enable high-volume data compression, along with robust querying and forensic distinction between similar sources. We validate our techniques against a diverse dataset of thirty-four crude oil injections collected from nineteen distinct sources across the planet, with emphasis on Macon do well, the source of Deepwater Horizon disaster (Gulf of Mexico, April 2010).
Sexual aggression: The dark side of sexuality in relationships

Romantic relationships often include sexual interactions. Unfortunately, such interactions may involve sexual aggression whereby one partner uses coercive or assaultive tactics to achieve a sexual ...
Switch in antiviral specificity of a GTPase upon translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus.

Abstract The Mx2 protein of rats is a cytoplasmic GTPase that protects cells against vesicular stomatitis virus but not against influenza virus. Since vesicular stomatitis virus replicates in the cytoplasm and influenza virus replicates in the nucleus, it was possible that the antiviral specificity of rat Mx2 protein was determined solely by the protein's subcellular localization. Here, we found that, indeed, rat Mx2 protein lost its anti-vesicular stomatitis virus activity and gained anti-influenza virus activity when it was directed to the nucleus by way of a foreign nuclear-transport signal appended to its amino terminus. These data show that rat Mx2 protein possesses an antiviral activity that is revealed only when the protein is shuttled to the nucleus.
Activation of IKK2-NF-κB in adult mouse liver produces a cytoprotective gene expression profile without signs of inflammation, insulin resistance, or fibrosis (1115.4)

The NF-kB signaling, regulated by IKK1 and IKK2, is activated by various stresses to protect or damage the liver, in context-specific manners. Two studies of liver-specific expression of constituti...
Comparison of starting values for iterative solutions to a universal Kepler's equation

General starting values for the iterative numerical solution of a universal Kepler's equation for position in a conic orbit at a specified time are investigated. Three starting values based on recent refinements of previously obtained bounds on the solution are derived and tested numerically. Of these, a simple starting value based on a cubic approximation to Kepler's equation provides the most rapid convergence using both first and second order Newton algorithms. The performance of the starting values are compared with similar studies which used the restricted case of elliptical orbits with the initial epoch at periapse.
Aggrecan core protein is expressed in membranous bone of the chick embryo. Molecular and biomechanical studies of normal and nanomelia embryos.

The recessive mutation nanomelia blocks the synthesis of a large aggregating proteoglycan (aggrecan) by avian embryo chondrocytes. Lack of aggrecan is associated with short stature, multiple morphological defects in cartilage, and embryo lethality. Bony defects have also been described, but were assumed to be a secondary consequence of the cartilage defect. However, two lines of evidence presented in this paper indicate that the aggrecan deficiency directly affects intramembranous bone. First, the morphology (i.e. projected area and shape) of certain membranous bones of nanomelia embryos was abnormal. Second, membranous bone from nanomelia embryos proved to be significantly stiffer in biomechanical tests that measured functional properties of the extracellular matrix. These findings were unexpected because intramembranous bones normally develop from mesenchyme and not from a cartilage intermediate, and they prompted a search for evidence of aggrecan expression in the bone of normal chick embryos. We report that: 1) aggrecan mRNA was identified by PCR analysis of total RNA isolated from day-13 chick embryo calvarium, 2) the PCR method successfully amplified aggrecan mRNA from primary chick embryo osteoblasts in culture, 3) in situ hybridization of membranous bone tissue sections demonstrated aggrecan expression by chick embryo osteoblasts in vivo, and 4) the aggrecan message was identified in Northern blots of calvarial mRNA probed at high stringency. The results of the molecular and biomechanical studies provide evidence that aggrecan is indeed expressed in membranous bone as well as cartilage. Altogether, these results suggest that aggrecan may contribute to the functional properties and the normal growth and development of avian membranous bone.
Reduction of Specular Reflectance on Projectiles and Toolmarks by Ammonium Chloride Fuming

A method for reducing specular reflectance from metallic surfaces in which ammonium chloride is used as a fuming reagent is described. This method has the advantage of being easily controlled, and is rapid. The deposit of ammonium chloride salt on the metallic surface is easily and effectively removed by washing.
Progress in indium (III) sulfide (In2S3) buffer layer deposition techniques for CIS, CIGS, and CdTe-based thin film solar cells

Abstract Recent progress with indium (III) sulfide (In 2 S 3 )-buffered thin film solar cells (TFSC) was briefly reviewed. In 2 S 3 has emerged as a promising low-hazard buffer (or window) material, and has proven to improve the properties of the solar cells, while reducing toxicity. Various deposition techniques have been employed to synthesize In 2 S 3 films on different types of substrates. Until now, atomic layer deposition (ALD) and ionic layer gas atomic reaction (ILGAR) techniques have been the two most successful, yielding maximum energy conversion efficiencies up to 16.4% and 16.1%, respectively. The impact of varied deposition parameters upon the In 2 S 3 film properties and performance of cadmium (Cd)-free solar cells has been outlined. A comparative/operational analysis (solar cell efficiencies above 9% reported for cell area ⩽ 1 cm 2 ) of various buffer layers used in two primary types of TFSC technology: chalcopyrite (CIS/CIGS)- and CdTe-based solar cells was also performed to measure the progress of In 2 S 3 compared to its counterparts.
Small pancreatic tumors : Is size an indication of curability?

Small pancreatic tumors ( 4 cm in diameter. The implications of these observations are discussed.
Mechanism of immunosuppressive effect of alprazolam: Alprazolam suppresses T-cell proliferation by selectively inhibiting the production of IL2 but not acquisition of IL2 receptor

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of action of alprazolam on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced murine T-cell proliferation. Splenic cells of BALB/c mice were first cultured with an optimum dose of Con A in the presence or absence of varying doses of alprazolam to assess effects of alprazolam on T-cell proliferation, interleukin 2 (IL2) production and IL2 receptor (IL2R) expression. Then, Con A-induced T-blast cells from BALB/c mice were cultured with an excess dose of human recombinant IL2 (rIL2) or crude rat IL2 supernate in the presence or absence of alprazolam to assess the effects of alprazolam on the interaction of IL2 and IL2R. The results of these studies clearly demonstrated that alprazolam can inhibit the T-cell proliferation in response to Con A but not to IL2. Alprazolam also reduced the production of IL2 by splenic T-cells, but did not alter the expression of IL2R on Con A-induced T-blast cells. Furthermore, the results also showed that (a) alprazolam did not inhibit the proliferative response of splenic T-cells to a combination of phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, and (b) the addition of exogenous IL2 reversed the inhibitory effect of alprazolam on T-cell proliferation. Finally, the addition of alprazolam produced a time-dependent inhibiting effect on T-cell proliferation. However, this inhibitory effect of alprazolam was abolished when the drug was added to the cultures of competent cells that fully expressed IL2R. Taken together, these results suggest that alprazolam inhibits murine T-cell proliferation by affecting the mitogenic receptor-mediated events (initiation) rather than the IL2R-mediated events (progression) of ligand-activated T-cells through the cell cycle.
Life expectancy and median survival time in the permanent vegetative state

The authors studied life expectancy and risk factors for mortality of persons in the vegetative state (VS). The study participants were 1,021 California patients in the VS during 1981-1996. Because of the large sample size, the authors were able to use multivariate methods to assess the effect of several risk factors on mortality. The authors found a strong secular trend in infant mortality, with rates in the mid-1990s being only one third of those in the early 1980s (P < 0.01). A smaller secular trend was observed for children aged 2-10 years and none for older patients. The mortality risk for older patients fell by approximately 8% for each year since the onset of the VS. The need for gastrostomy feeding was associated with a substantially higher risk, especially for infants and older patients (P < 0.01). Ventilator dependence also appeared to be a risk factor. On the basis of recent mortality rates, life expectancy in the VS is frequently higher than has generally been thought. For example, it is 10.5 additional years (+/- 2 years) for a 15-year-old patient who has been in the VS for 1 year, and 12.2 years for a 15-year-old patient who has been in the VS for 4 years.
Comparative effectiveness of behavioral and relationship group treatment in the secondary prevention of school maladjustment

The prediction that behavioral intervention would be more effective and efficient than relationship intervention after 10 weeks of treatment was supported by teachers' ratings of the classroom adjustment of 119 children in first, second, and third grades. Children in the behavioral groups improved most, followed by children in the relationship groups, followed, in turn, by a group of untreated controls who did not change over time. Furthermore, more children were successfully terminated from the behavioral program than from the relationship program after 10 weeks. Program terminators in each intervention maintained their treatment gains over a 4-month follow-up period. Generally, however, each intervention was more successful for children with moderate rather than severe school maladjustment, and the more maladjusted children showed relatively modest improvement in classroom behavior even with additional treatment.
Influence of viscosity and surface tension on the effective mass transfer area of structured packing

The effective mass transfer area (ae) of three structured packings (Mellapak 250Y, Mellapak 500Y, and Flexipac 1Y) was measured via chemical absorption in a 0.427 m ID column as a function of liquid load (1–30 gpm/ft2 or 2.4–73.2 m3/m2.h), liquid viscosity (1−−15 mPa.s), and surface tension (30–72 mN/m). Viscosity had no effect and surface tension had only a weak effect on the effective area. The ratio of effective area to specific surface area (ae/ap) was correlated as a function of the liquid Weber and Froude numbers within limits of ±15% for the entire experimental database: aeap=1.362[(WeL)(FrL)−1/3]0.122.
Chance expectancy with trial-by-trial feedback and random sampling without replacement

Most of the easily accessible statistical models for estimating chance performance assume random sampling with replacement, but the objectives of psychological experiments commonly require sampling without replacement. It is often desirable, for example, to administer a repeated series of measurements to the same individual while balancing conditions, types of stimulus event, or types of response alternative. Since both human and nonhuman subjects can detect the nonrandom effects of sampling without replacement (Jenkins, 1965), a precise estimate of chance performance must take this into account. Consider the following experimental example generated by a well-known and hotly-disputed theoretical question. Gardner and Gardner (1978) reared five chimpanzees, Washoe, Moja, Pili, Tatu, and Dar, under conditions that closely simulated the rearing conditions of human infants. Where earlier experiments in cross-fostering such as Kellogg and Kellogg (1933) and Hayes and Hayes (1951) used speech, Gardner and Gardner used American Sign Language (ASL), the gestural language of the deaf in North America. Naturalistic observations of the young chimpanzees yielded results that closely approximate the results of similar observations of very young human children. While other developmental similarities were accepted without dispute, the evidence for verbal skills generated heated controversy (e.g., Umiker-Sebeok & Sebeok, 1980). One of the more pertinent arguments that have been raised concerns the validity of adventitious, naturalistic observations, particularly in the case of verbal behavior. Under the rich, informal conditions of cross-fostering, observers may read more meaning than is actually present in the signs. The fact that the remarkable linguistic skills that have been attributed to very young human children are based on equally informal observations (c.f. Bloom, 1970; Brown, 1973) only serves to underscore the need for more stringent evidence. Early in Project Washoe, Gardner and Gardner (1971, pp. 158-161) began a series of vocabulary tests designed to demonstrate that cross-fostered chimpanzees could communicate to a human observer under conditions in which the only information available to the observer was the sign language of the chimpanzees. To accomplish this, exemplars of nameable objects were photographed on 35-mm slides which were back-projected on a screen that could be seen by the chimpanzee subject, but could not be seen by the observers. A second objective was to demonstrate that independent observers agreed with each other. To accomplish this, there were two observers. The first observer served as interlocutor in the testing room with the chimpanzee.
Carbon nanoparticles as an interfacial layer between TiO2-coated ZnO nanorod arrays and conjugated polymers for high-photocurrent hybrid solar cells

A thin layer of water-soluble carbon nanoparticles, prepared by a simple, efficient and scalable high energy ball milling technique, is applied as an interfacial layer between TiO2-coated ZnO nanorod arrays and P3HT, leading to hybrid solar cells with the highest photocurrent ever reported for ZnO nanorod arrays/P3HT-based devices.
Laboratory tests of ammonium and barley straw extract as agents to suppress abundance of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum and its toxicity to fish

Prymnesium parvum is a harmful alga whose blooms can cause fish kills in brackish waters. Two potential suppressants of this alga were tested, ammonium and barley straw extract (BSE), at temperatures of 10, 20 and 30 °C. Laboratory batch cultures were grown for 3 weeks at each temperature, with weekly doses of ammonium or BSE at either low or high levels, or a no-dose control treatment. The growth rate of P. parvum during exponential phase was highest at 20 °C and lowest at 10 °C, and was stimulated by the highest ammonium dose. Only cultures grown at 20 °C were toxic to fish. The highest ammonium dose abolished such toxicity and reduced the endpoint population density of P. parvum. BSE did not reduce the exponential growth rate, endpoint density, or toxicity to fish of P. parvum. The results support the use of ammonium additions, but not BSE, to suppress harmful blooms of P. parvum in those circumstances where the possible disadvantages can be managed.
Interaction of oxygen and Ni on W(110)

Abstract The adsorption of Ni on O-covered W(110) and of oxygen on Ni-covered W(110) and subsequent behavior on heating have been studied via thermal desorption, XPS, Auger, work function, and LEED measurements. Adsorption of Ni on O/W(110) does not lead to NiO formation, but on heating to T > 400 K to dewetting and at even higher temperatures to segregation which seems complete near 1000 K. After segregation Ni forms (111)-oriented islands, while O is forced into a p(1 × 8) structure, which corresponds to p(1 × 1) with regularly spaced defect lines every eighth (non-primitive) unit cell, running along 〈100〉 directions. There is evidence for a dead zone between Ni and O islands, as also observed in other systems. Ni desorption temperature is reduced appreciably, relative to Ni on clean W(110). Adsorption of oxygen on Ni W (110) occurs on a saturated Ni monolayer (corresponding to Ni W = 1.29 , i.e. virtually to the density of a Ni(111) plane) with constant sticking coefficient s = 0.74 at 90 K up to O W = 0.9 . Maximum O uptake corresponds to O Ni ≈ 1 or O W ≈ 1.3 . For lower Ni coverage, Ni W = 0.94 ( Ni 0.73 W(110) relative to saturation Ni coverage), s is initially higher but decreases more rapidly than on Ni 1 W (110) . In both cases O adsorption leads to disorder of the composite surface. For Ni W (110) chemisorption occurs up to O W = 0.3 at 90 K, accompanied by a linear increase in work function. Above this coverage oxidation sets in, as indicated by Ni core level shifts; φ remains constant to nearly saturation coverage, where a steep increase, attributable to O2 species occurs. On heating these desorb at 150–200 K. NiO decomposes between 400 and 600 K with O becoming chemisorbed on the W surface. Additional heating leads to desorption of WO2 between 1000 and 1250 K, with remaining O coverage O/W = 0.7. Ni-O segregation occurs above 600 K. Oxygen adsorption also occurs on Ni1O0.6/W(110) to the extent of O W = 0.7. Similarities and differences between these results and those obtained for O-Cu, O-Pd and O-Ag interactions on W(110) are discussed.
Structural Characterization of Native Mouse Zona Pellucida Proteins Using Mass Spectrometry

The zona pellucida is an extracellular matrix consisting of three glycoproteins that surrounds mammalian eggs and mediates fertilization. The primary structures of mouse ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 have been deduced from cDNA. Each has a predicted signal peptide and a transmembrane domain from which an ectodomain must be released. All three zona proteins undergo extensive co- and post-translational modifications important for secretion and assembly of the zona matrix. In this report, native zonae pellucidae were isolated and structural features of individual zona proteins within the mixture were determined by high resolution electrospray mass spectrometry. Complete coverage of the primary structure of native ZP3, 96% of ZP2, and 56% of ZP1, the least abundant zona protein, was obtained. Partial disulfide bond assignments were made for each zona protein, and the size of the processed, native protein was determined. The N termini of ZP1 and ZP3, but not ZP2, were blocked by cyclization of glutamine to pyroglutamate. The C termini of ZP1, ZP2, and ZP3 lie upstream of a dibasic motif, which is part of, but distinct from, a proprotein convertase cleavage site. The zona proteins are highly glycosylated and 4/4 potential N-linkage sites on ZP1, 6/6 on ZP2, and 5/6 on ZP3 are occupied. Potential O-linked carbohydrate sites are more ubiquitous, but less utilized.
Updating the CTD Story: From Tail to Epic.

Eukaryotic RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) not only synthesizes mRNA but also coordinates transcription-related processes via its unique C-terminal repeat domain (CTD). The CTD is an RNAPII-specific protein segment consisting of repeating heptads with the consensus sequence Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7 that has been shown to be extensively post-transcriptionally modified in a coordinated, but complicated, manner. Recent discoveries of new modifications, kinases, and binding proteins have challenged previously established paradigms. In this paper, we examine results and implications of recent studies related to modifications of the CTD and the respective enzymes; we also survey characterizations of new CTD-binding proteins and their associated processes and new information regarding known CTD-binding proteins. Finally, we bring into focus new results that identify two additional CTD-associated processes: nucleocytoplasmic transport of mRNA and DNA damage and repair.
Quantifying flexibility of residential thermostatically controlled loads for demand response: a data-driven approach

Power systems are undergoing a paradigm shift due to the influx of variable renewable generation to the supply side. The resulting increased uncertainty has system operators looking to new resources, enabled by smart grid technologies, on the demand side to maintain the balance between supply and demand. This study uses a unique data set to estimate and validate models of demand response from residential thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs)---specifically, HVAC units---and quantifies the extent to which a population of TCLs can provide demand response (DR). We use measured temperature setpoints, internal temperatures, compressor cycling ratio and metered energy data collected from over 4200 homes in Texas during the summer of 2012. Using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) models for individual households, we investigate the instantaneous power shed, the duration of the power shed, steady state energy savings and total energy savings. Specifically, we provide insight into the dependency of household DR availability to the temperature setpoint schedule, outdoor air temperature and time of the day.
Failure to produce taste‐aversion learning in rats exposed to static electric fields and air ions

Taste-aversion (TA) learning was measured to determine whether exposure to high-voltage direct current (HVdc) static electric fields can produce TA learning in male Long Evans rats. Fifty-six rats were randomly distributed into four groups of 14 rats each. All rats were placed on a 20 min/day drinking schedule for 12 consecutive days prior to receiving five conditioning trials. During the conditioning trials, access to 0.1% sodium saccharin-flavored water was given for 20 min, followed 30 min later by one of four treatments. Two groups of 14 rats each were individually exposed to static electric fields and air ions, one group to +75 kV/m (+2 x 10(5) air ions/cm3) and the other group to -75 kV/m (-2 x 10(5) air ions/cm3). Two other groups of 14 rats each served as sham-exposed controls, with the following variation in one of the sham-exposed groups: This group was subdivided into two subsets of seven rats each, so that a positive control group could be included to validate the experimental design. The positive control group (n = 7) was injected with cyclophosphamide 25 mg/kg, i.p., 30 min after access to saccharin-flavored water on conditioning days, whereas the other subset of seven rats was similarly injected with an equivalent volume of saline. Access to saccharin-flavored water on conditioning days was followed by the treatments described above and was alternated daily with water "recovery" sessions in which the rats received access to water for 20 min in the home cage without further treatment. Following the last water-recovery session, a 20 min, two-bottle preference test (between water and saccharin-flavored water) was administered to each group. The positive control group did show TA learning, thus validating the experimental protocol. No saccharin-flavored water was consumed in the two-bottle preference test by the cyclophosphamide-injected, sham-exposed group compared to 74% consumed by the saline-injected sham-exposed controls (P < .0001). Saccharin-preference data for the static field-exposed groups showed no TA learning compared to data for sham-exposed controls. In summary, exposure to intense static electric fields and air ions did not produce TA learning as assessed by this particular design.
Altered Ca2+ sparks in aging skeletal and cardiac muscle

Ca2+ sparks are the fundamental units that comprise Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) in striated muscle cells. In cardiac muscle, spontaneous Ca2+ sparks underlie the rhythmic CICR activity during heart contraction. In skeletal muscle, Ca2+ sparks remain quiescent during the resting state and are activated in a plastic fashion to accommodate various levels of stress. With aging, the plastic Ca2+ spark signal becomes static in skeletal muscle, whereas loss of CICR control leads to leaky Ca2+ spark activity in aged cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ spark responses reflect the integrated function of the intracellular Ca2+ regulatory machinery centered around the triad or dyad junctional complexes of striated muscles, which harbor the principal molecular players of excitation-contraction coupling. This review highlights the contribution of age-related modification of the Ca2+ release machinery and the effect of membrane structure and membrane cross-talk on the altered Ca2+ spark signaling during aging of striated muscles.
Chemical dosimetry of an indirect exposure non-thermal plasma device

Summary form only given. Interest in the use of non-thermal plasmas in the biomedical setting is rapidly growing. Potential applications of such devices range from instrument sterilization to clinical therapy. One of the largest hurdles to the implementation of nonthermal plasmas, specifically in regard to patient exposure, is the relatively poor understanding of the chemical processes taking place. Recent research has focused intensely on the dynamic chemical cocktail associated with specific discharge configurations. Our group recently detailed the ability to control chemical species created by our device through modifying operating parameters, namely humidity1. Specifically, we demonstrated our device's capability to deliver the short-lived hydroxyl radical to treatment sites at a distance of over a meter from the plasma discharge. This recent development of our remote design allows for potential user-defined specificity in both concentration and flavor of chemical exposure to the treatment environment. Introduction of non-thermal plasma devices to the clinical setting, specifically in the United States, will inevitably require a certain degree of therapeutic control. We report on the in vitro “plasma dosimetry” related to the application of our device. Control of the device effluent's chemical makeup allows for parameterization of treatment-related variables like the ratio of inactivation or DNA oxidation between prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. Building on previous work using electron spin resonance spectroscopy to enumerate free radicals delivered to our treatment site, we demonstrate the potential for a therapeutic window of operation. Such regulation provides the potential to tune non-thermal plasma based devices with regard to the contamination or infection being treated.
Data-driven techniques to overcome workload disparity

General-purpose computing on graphics processing unit (GPGPU) architectures rely on data locality and regular computation to leverage parallel resources to achieve performance benefits over multi-core systems. Current GPUs often cannot effectively accommodate irregular algorithms and non-uniform memory accesses. Irregular execution corrupts the efficiency of the rigid GPU groups of threads that lead to idle execution execution and workload disparity in the GPU architecture. While hardware aspects of branch divergence, local memory bank conflicts, and non-coalesced memory accesses cause workload disparity, the greater issue is the lost of execution potential from other GPU workgroups. This paper sets out to characterize the workload disparity and toexplore data-driven models for executing irregular computations on GPU architectures.
Some problems of pulsar physics or I'm madly in love with electricity

Some current topics in the theory of pulsar magnetospheres and their emission are reviewed. The mode of plasma supply and its consequences for structure of planetary and stellar magnetospheres is discussed. In the pulsar case, the plasma is supplied by electrical forces, in contrast to all other known examples. The resulting theories of particle acceleration along polar field lines are then reviewed, and the total energization of the charge separated plasma is summarized, when pair creation is absent. The effects of pair creation are reviewed using models of the resulting steady and unsteady flows, when the polar zones of the pulsar emit either electrons or ions. The application of these theories of acceleration and plasma supply to pulsars is discussed, with particular attention paid to the total amount of electron-positron plasma created and its momentum distribution. Qualitative agreement is shown between the spatial structure of the relativistically outflowing plasma described in one version of these models and the morphology of pulsar wave forms. Various aspects of radiation emission and transport are summarized, based on the polar current flow model with pair creation, and the phenomenon of marching subpulses is discussed. The corotation beaming and the relativistically expanding current sheet models for pulsar emission are also discussed briefly, and the paper concludes with a brief discussion of the relation between the theories of polar flow with pair plasma and the problem of the energization of the Crab Nebula.
Geochemical Studies of Grants Mineral Belt, New Mexico: ABSTRACT

Several hundred clay mineral and whole rock samples of ores and barren rocks from the Grants mineral belt have been analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and delayed neutron activation analysis (DNAA). The DNAA method allows high precision and accuracy for uranium and thorium determination, whereas the INAA method allows determination of 20 to 30 trace elements. The trace-element data can only be interpreted properly if the clay-mineral (-2µ) fraction is compared directly with whole-rock samples. The INAA data support mineralization of trend ore as due to southeast-flowing solutions; the DNAA determination of uranium suggests that the source of uranium in the Westwater Canyon Member of the Jurassic was not from the overlying Brushy Basin Formati n. Local zonation of trace elements, especially the rare earth elements (REE), indicates fixation of many trace elements when uranium mineralization occurred. Thus, REE-depleted, oxidized ground can, with caution, be used for exploration purposes. Vanadium originally precipitated as V3+ in chlorites remains in the original sites after oxidation to V5+ and is thus also valuable as a pathfinder. Data for antimony suggest that it, too, may be useful. In general, trend-ore deposits are characterized by a high chlorite + illite, illite + illite-montmorillonite, or illite + chlorite + illite-montmorillonite, whereas ore near the redox front may contain primary kaolinite. The REE are concentrated greatly in all types of ore, primary or secondary, and, coupled with uranium aloes, are useful as ore guides. End_of_Article - Last_Page 687------------
Process and Lessons-Learned From an Interdisciplinary Collaboration in the Design and Construction of a Net-Zero Energy Solar House

This paper reviews the development process of a net-zero-energy modular house, called UrbanEden, which was the UNC-Charlotte entry to the 2013 US Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition. It reports the collaboration of students and faculty from various colleges and schools at UNC-Charlotte working towards delivering a net-zero energy house for the competition held in October in Irvine California.The study presents the participation of students involved in various phases of schematic design, design development and construction. It also identifies the composition and organization of students through the two-year progress and how it evolved throughout the process. The paper also reviews the curriculum integration in school of Architecture with Engineering. The lessons learned from the process will be discussed.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A priori estimates for solution operators of diffusion equations

The diffusion equation [d]=Au is considered, where u=u(t,x), t>0, and A is a second order uniformly elliptic differential operator in Rm Whose coefficients are bounded. Other conditions are prescribed on A to generate known soiution operators. We derive growth estimates for these solution operators in certain function spaces together with estimates for their derivatives in t and also estimates on the products of the first two spatial derivatives with these solution operators. Bounds on the solution operators are given which depmd only upon the i.u.b.'s for the ternination coefficients of A and the formal adjoint A_ * of A : These estimates are best with respect to each function space considered in the sense that equality holds for a particular solution operator
Fatigue Characteristics of Superpave and Hveem Mixtures

A study was conducted to evaluate the fatigue characteristics of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures designed using the Superpave volumetric method and Nevada's Hveem method. Fatigue characteristics were evaluated using the flexural beam fatigue test under the strain-controlled mode of loading. The influence of long-term oven aging on the fatigue performance was also evaluated. Analysis of variance statistic and principal component analysis were used for comparing and ranking mixtures fatigue performance. Results indicate that Superpave mixtures performed better in fatigue than Nevada's Hveem mixtures on two projects while the opposite was observed on the other project. Additionally a reduction in fatigue life was observed for the unmodified asphalt mixtures in general as a result of aging, whereas the polymer modified asphalt mixtures didn't show any reduction in fatigue resistance due to aging. An increase in the initial flexural stiffness didn't necessarily reduce the beam fatigue life in the strain-controlled mode of loading. Two generalized performance models are presented in this paper. The first model relates the number of load repetitions to failure to the tensile strain and the flexural stiffness of the mixture, while the second model includes a volumetric term that is a function of the asphalt binder content and air voids. The multiple linear regression analysis indicates that the model accuracy increases significantly when the volumetric term is included.
Bis(4,4'-bipyridinium) hexacyanoplatinate(IV) bis(4,4'-bipyridine).

In the title compound, (C 10 H 9 N 2 ) 2 [Pt(CN) 6 ].2C 10 H 8 N 2 or [(Hbpy) + ] 2 [Pt(CN) 6 ] 2- .2bpy, where bpy is 4,4'-bipyridine, the Hbpy + cations and bpy molecules form a hydrogen-bonded two-dimensional cationic approximately square grid parallel to the (110) plane. The [Pt(CN) 6 ] 2- dianions reside in the cavities within this grid, with the nitrile N atoms forming weak hydrogen bonds with the CH groups in the cationic lattice.
A note on hispanic values and subcultural research: An alternative view

This paper is offered as a constructive comment on a previously published article. Using two separate approaches, the authors reexamine data presented by Valencia (1989), and suggest an alternative interpretation of the cultural value orientations among Hispanic and White ethnic groups. Theoretical and methodological discussion is provided in an attempt to show how utilization of different methodologies can derive different conclusions, and result in different marketing strategy recommendations.
Applying broader strokes: Extending institutional perspectives and agendas for international entrepreneurship research

Abstract The role of the external environment is critical to understanding international entrepreneurial behavior. Scholars in this area seek to understand the role that the state and international organizations play in entrepreneurship, often employing an institutional theory perspective to analyze the phenomenon. However, the existing literature conceptualizes institutional theory in a very limited way, relying mainly on Scott's “three pillars”. We review recent work on institutional theory and international entrepreneurship in order to understand how scholars have applied institutional theory. We then discuss current trends in institutional theory. We conclude with suggestions for a deeper application of institutional arguments in international entrepreneurship research, with extensions from current literature in organization studies that can contribute to a richer research agenda.
A new cell type identified in the external globus pallidus casts a ‘Hunter's Net’ of inhibition in striatum

Abstract A recent study from Dr. Magill's group published in Neuron [Mallet et al. (2012). Dichotomous Organization of the External Globus Pallidus. Neuron 74 (6): 1075–86] breaks new ground in our understanding of the anatomical and functional understanding of the external globus pallidus (GPe). The classical understanding of GPe as a monolithic population of neurons serving the indirect pathway to subthalamic nucleus and basal ganglia output neurons is given its final parting shot. We learn that up to half of GPe neurons in the rat project solely back to striatum with massive axonal termination areas. This newly identified cell type termed ‘arkypallidal’ (from Greek ‘arkys’ for ‘Hunters Net’) further shows distinct phase relationships with oscillatory activity patterns in unilaterally 6-OHDA lesioned rats. While pallido-striatal connections have been identified before, the new-found dominance of this pathway and its distinct activity pattern call for a fundamental re-evaluation of the functional integration of GPe into basal ganglia networks. Significantly, the potential for a maintained separation of direct and indirect pathways in the GPe is raised, and an important role for arkypallidal neurons in the generation of beta oscillations is suggested. This work is sure to spawn a multitude of future experimental studies and calls for important modifications of existing basal ganglia network models.
Temporal and Regional Trends in Black Bass Release Rates in Minnesota

Abstract Determining the prevalence of voluntary catch and release occurring in recreational fisheries for black bass Micropterus spp. is important in selecting and evaluating harvest regulations. Voluntary release rates of black bass have increased in some southern U.S. fisheries, but release rates could vary spatially. We used angler interviews from 245 open-water creel surveys conducted on 167 Minnesota bodies of water during 1984–2006 to determine whether black bass release rates differed among anglers specifically targeting black bass and anglers that were not targeting black bass, among geographic regions within the state, and among time periods. Ranked values of release rate did not significantly differ between anglers targeting black bass and anglers not targeting them for any of the four time periods. Before 1990, median black bass release rates were similar in northern and southern regions of the state and did not exceed 80% in either region. During 1990–1994 and 1995–1999, median release rates ...
Proving and Extending Greub-Reinboldt Inequality Using the Two Nonzero Component Lemma

We will use the author’s Two Nonzero Component Lemma to give a new proof for the Greub-Reinboldt Inequality. This method has the advantage of showing exactly when the inequality becomes equality. It also provides information about vectors for which the inequality becomes equality. Furthermore, using the Two Nonzero Component Lemma, we will generalize Greub-Reinboldt Inequality to operators on infinite dimensional separable Hilbert spaces.