cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnesium, hemostasis, and outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that admission serum magnesium levels are associated with hematoma volume, hematoma growth, and functional outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Patients presenting with spontaneous ICH were enrolled in an observational cohort study that prospectively collected demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and outcome data. We performed univariate and adjusted multivariate analyses to assess for associations between serum magnesium levels and initial hematoma volume, final hematoma volume, and in-hospital hematoma growth as radiographic measures of hemostasis, and functional outcome measured by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 3 months. Results: We included 290 patients for analysis. Admission serum magnesium was 2.0 ± 0.3 mg/dL. Lower admission magnesium levels were associated with larger initial hematoma volumes on univariate ( p = 0.02), parsimoniously adjusted ( p = 0.002), and fully adjusted models ( p = 0.006), as well as greater hematoma growth ( p = 0.004, p = 0.005, and p = 0.008, respectively) and larger final hematoma volumes ( p = 0.02, p = 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). Lower admission magnesium level was associated with worse functional outcomes at 3 months (i.e., higher mRS; odds ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.03–0.64, p = 0.011) after adjustment for age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, initial hematoma volume, time from symptom onset to initial CT, and hematoma growth, with evidence that the effect of magnesium is mediated through hematoma growth. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that magnesium exerts a clinically meaningful influence on hemostasis in patients with ICH.
First Report of Black Leaf Mold of Tomato Caused by Pseudocercospora fuligena in North Carolina

Diseased tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) samples were submitted to the Plant Disease and Insect Clinic from a commercial greenhouse in Sampson County, North Carolina in January 2017. Disease incidence was reported as moderately high with 25 to 35% of plants affected. Fungicide applications and routine leaf removal prevented spread to healthy plants. Pale yellow lesions were observed on the upper side of the leaves. Older lesions had brown centers surrounded by zones of pale-green to yellow. Blackish-gray fungal sporulation was observed on the underside of the leaf tissue in association with the lesions. Severely affected leaves appeared twisted, with dense, black sporulation visible. Microscopic examination revealed Cercospora-like conidia (Deighton 1976). Conidia were cylindrical, 35.77 μm to 91.42 μm long by 4.21 to 5.00 μm wide, with 3 to 7 septations per conidium (n=50). Conidiophores were 33.42 μm to 51.05 μm by 4.30 μm to 4.99 μm wide (n=25). Conidia were streaked onto clarified V8 juice agar (CV8A) a...
Primary Hyperuricaemia in Cystinuria

The association of cystinuria with primary hyperuricaemia has not been noted in the literature on urolothiasis and related metabolic and systemic disorders (Emmerson and Ravenscroft, 1975). Only a few studies suggest that the concurrence of these two metabolic disorders may appear more often than is currently suspected (Melony and Canary, 1967).
Comparative Study between SPWM and SVPWM control of a three level voltage inverter dedicated to a variable speed wind turbine

In this paper, a power production system containing a variable speed wind turbine equipped with a Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) is presented, the DFIG stator is connected directly to the grid, and the rotor is connected by a three level three phase inverter with a Neutral Point Clamping structure (NPC). This last must be then dimensioned to forward only the available power of the rotor. In this work, a comparative study of two command strategies of the inverter is detailed, by separate order control: Firstly Sinus Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) and secondly Sinus Vectorial Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM). All the simulation models are built in MA TLAB/Simulink software and the performance of the control system is evaluated through FFT analysis of results.
Effects of aging and sex on redox-regulation of ischemic vascularization

Glutathione (GSH) adducts formation on protein thiols (S-glutathionylation), an oxidative post-translational modification, is reversed by glutaredoxin-1 (Glrx). We previously found that Glrx transgenic mice showed impaired blood flow recovery after femoral artery ligation (Murdoch 2014), while this ischemic revascularization was improved in Glrx knockout mice in association with the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activation (Watanabe 2016). Ischemic limb recovery is blunted by aging. Also, clinical studies indicate that ischemic limb recovery is worse in female than male patients. Mouse studies showed poor recovery of hindlimb ischemia in females. Although it is considered that Glrx activity is decreased in aged animals, the regulation of Glrx, anti-angiogenic enzyme, by aging or sex is not well studied. Using mouse (4-24 months old) tissues obtained from NIA tissue bank, we assessed overall GSH adducts in muscles by Western blot with an anti-GSH antibody. Glrx activity in skeletal muscles and serum of male and female mice was measured using a Glutaredoxin Assay Kit (IMCO) that uses fluorescent eosin-GSSG as a substrate, more sensitive than usual assay measuring NADPH consumption. Our data showed an increase of GSH adducts in skeletal muscle of male and female mice of 12 and 24 months old, comparing with 4 months old mice. However, surprisingly muscle tissues from older mice (12 and 24 months old) showed a 2-fold increase in Glrx activity than muscles of younger mice [males and females: p
In elective arch surgery with circulatory arrest, does the arterial cannulation site really matter? A propensity score analysis of right axillary and innominate artery cannulation

Abstract Objective The preferred arterial cannulation site for elective proximal aortic procedures requiring circulatory arrest varies, and different sites have been tried. We evaluated the relationships between arterial cannulation site and adverse outcomes, including stroke, in patients undergoing elective aortic arch surgery. Methods We reviewed the records of 938 patients who underwent elective hemiarch or total arch surgery with circulatory arrest between 2006 and 2016. Five cannulation sites were used: the right axillary (n = 515; 54.9%), innominate (n = 376; 40.1%), and right common carotid arteries (n = 15; 1.6%), each with a side graft; the ascending aorta (n = 19; 2.0%); and the femoral artery (n = 13; 1.4%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to model the effects of cannulation site on adverse outcomes for the entire cohort and for a subcohort of 891 patients who underwent innominate or axillary artery cannulation. Propensity-matching yielded 564 patients (282 pairs) from the right axillary and innominate artery groups. Results For the entire cohort, mortality, stroke, and composite adverse outcome (operative death or persistent stroke or renal failure at hospital discharge) rates were 7.0%, 4.1%, and 9.8%. In the multivariable analysis of the axillary/innominate subcohort, cannulation site did not independently predict operative mortality, persistent stroke, or composite adverse event. These results were confirmed with the propensity-matched analysis, where both axillary and innominate artery cannulation provided equivalent composite adverse event rates, operative death rates, and overall stroke rates. Conclusions During elective arch surgery, right axillary artery cannulation and innominate artery cannulation (both via a side graft) produce excellent results and can be used interchangeably.
Fabrication of ZrN Barrier Coatings for U-Mo Microspheres Via Fluidized Bed Chemical Vapor Deposition Using a Metalorganic Precursor

AbstractA fluidized bed chemical vapor deposition (FB-CVD) system with an inverted reactor was used to develop barrier coatings of zirconium nitride on the surface of U 8 wt% Mo microspheres in order to examine the resulting coating structure and composition, as well as to evaluate the effects of certain process parameters on the coating properties. The process utilized the metal-organic precursor tetrakis(dimethylamino)zirconium heated to 51°C ± 2°C. Time-dependent studies analyzed the coating produced after 2 to 8 days of operation at 100 mL/min precursor carrier flow rate and 500 mL/min fluidization flow rate. Flow-rate–dependent studies produced coated samples using a total flow rate of 600 mL/min, with the precursor carrier flow rate ranging from 100 to 300 mL/min and the fluidization flow rate adjusted accordingly. Ultrahigh-purity argon was used for the precursor carrier and fluidization gas. The CVD reaction was carried out at 280°C ± 10°C with precursor transport tubes heated to 60°C to 75°C. The...
Repairing Leaks in the Chemistry Teacher Pipeline: A Longitudinal Analysis of Praxis Chemistry Subject Assessment Examinees and Scores

Teachers play a critical role in the preparation of future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals. What teachers know about their discipline (i.e., content knowledge) has been identified as an important aspect of instructional effectiveness; however, studies have not yet assessed the content knowledge of aspiring chemistry teachers in the United States. The Praxis Chemistry Subject Assessment is the most nationally representative measure of teacher content knowledge, used in 39 U.S. states in the past decade. In the presented study, we report findings concerning (i) the demographics of Praxis Chemistry Subject Assessment examinees (i.e., prospective chemistry teachers); and (ii) the longitudinal trends in exam performance across several demographic test-taker characteristics. These findings reveal substantial differences in performance and pass rates among examinees of different genders, races/ethnicities, undergraduate majors, undergraduate GPAs, and geographic locales...
Approaching saturation limits

The energy density of aqueous organic flow batteries is generally low primarily because of the low solubility or instability of charge-storing organic molecules. Now, a phenazine-derived molecule is shown to have both high solubility and long-term stability, leading to an exceptionally high capacity in an aqueous flow battery.
Shooting for Perfection: Hawaii’s Goal of 100% Renewable Energy Use

In the United States, 29 states, Washington, D.C. and three territories have adopted a mandatory Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) for their electric power systems, while eight states and one territory have set renewable energy goals. Many foreign nations have adopted an RPS as well. Thus far, almost all RPSs across the United States have met their interim goals with targets and timetables that vary widely. Hawaii’s RPS is the most ambitious, with a 100% target set for 2045 (though Vermont set a 75% target for 2032). This paper provides a case study of the Hawai’i RPS. The paper focuses on geographical issues and perspectives that may tease out the course of the states’ electricity future: sensitivity to climate change, population distribution, interisland rivalries, as well as the need for greater energy storage and complementary policies. An important complexity is the challenge of meeting electricity demand on six separate Hawaiian Islands (because of the lack of an interisland transmission cable), although all of them have substantial renewable energy resources.
Strain energy density and surface layer energy for blunt cracks or notches

Although much effort has been spent in the past to develop failure theories, there is still considerable uncertainty involved in determining the strength of a material. A central problem facing the designer today is optimizing the use of the multivarious materials now known to him and available for application under various loading and environmental conditions. This calls for an a priori knowledge of the kind of failure expected before design limits can be established. To acquire this knowledge, it is essential to know, at a minimum, the nature of loading, the prevailing environments, the material behavior, and whether there are any damaging cracks, notches or other mechanical imperfections present in the solid.
Simple, selective, and identifiable analysis of aromatic monoamines with a surrogate on sulfuric acid impregnated filters by derivatization with an acid chloride reagent and HPLC with fluorescence detection

A simple and selective derivatization and detection method for o-toluidine, o-anisidine, and 2,4-dimethylaniline was developed using a sulfuric acid impregnated filter, 4-(N-chloroformylmethyl-N-methylamino)-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole, and a surrogate (o-ethylaniline), which allowed simple, rapid, selective, and identifiable analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. These amines were successfully derivatized in a pH 5 buffer solution containing acetonitrile at 35°C for 10 min (linear in the range 0-400 ng/mL, n = 5, aromatic amines: r > 0.9980, aromatic amines with surrogate correction: r > 0.9997, aromatic amines in the presence of phenol and aliphatic amines with surrogate correction: r > 0.9996). The retention times of these derivatized aromatic amines were <17 min using isocratic elution. No derivatives corresponding to phenol or the aliphatic amines (i.e., cyclohexylamine and hexylamine) were detected in the reaction solution. This method can therefore be considered applicable for the analysis of samples from occupational environments, as samples were successfully extracted, derivatized, and measured by high-performance liquid chromatography following spiking of a sulfuric acid impregnated filter with aromatic amines, phenols, and aliphatic amines. Indeed, only the aromatic amines were quantitatively detected without pretreatment, with no other spiked compounds being detected.
The Crystal Backlighter Imager: A spherically bent crystal imager for radiography on the National Ignition Facility

The Crystal Backlighter Imager (CBI) is a quasi-monochromatic, near-normal incidence, spherically bent crystal imager developed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF), which will allow inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions to be radiographed close to stagnation. This is not possible using the standard pinhole-based area-backlighter configuration, as the self-emission from the capsule hotspot overwhelms the backlighter signal in the final stages of the implosion. The CBI mitigates the broadband self-emission from the capsule hot spot by using the extremely narrow bandwidth inherent to near-normal-incidence Bragg diffraction. Implementing a backlighter system based on near-normal reflection in the NIF chamber presents unique challenges, requiring the CBI to adopt novel engineering and operational strategies. The CBI currently operates with an 11.6 keV backlighter, making it the highest energy radiography diagnostic based on spherically bent crystals to date. For a given velocity, Doppler shift is proportional to the emitted photon energy. At 11.6 keV, the ablation velocity of the backlighter plasma results in a Doppler shift that is significant compared to the bandwidth of the instrument and the width of the atomic line, requiring that the shift be measured to high accuracy and the optics aligned accordingly to compensate. Experiments will be presented that used the CBI itself to measure the backlighter Doppler shift to an accuracy of better than 1 eV. These experiments also measured the spatial resolution of CBI radiographs at 7.0 μm, close to theoretical predictions. Finally, results will be presented from an experiment in which the CBI radiographed a capsule implosion driven by a 1 MJ NIF laser pulse, demonstrating a significant (>100) improvement in the backlighter to self-emission ratio compared to the pinhole-based area-backlighter configuration.
Breakpoint determination when multiple organisms are tested for effect targets.

Abstract Determination of the susceptibility breakpoint for antibiotics is important, as it guides the use of agents in the clinical setting. Currently, breakpoints are often evaluated using a Probability of Target Attainment Analysis in which the targets are set through pre-clinical experiments, often by examining a strain of a target pathogen in a murine model such as a neutropenic thigh infection model. However, regulatory authorities are often rightly concerned about the setting of breakpoints when a number of isolates of target pathogens are evaluated and there is a sizeable spread of the drug exposures necessary to achieve the target with a sufficiently high (usually 90%) probability. Here, we propose a method for supporting a breakpoint determination for this circumstance. We examined 8 isolates of resistant Enterobacteriaceae in a neutropenic murine thigh infection model. The stasis exposure was determined and ranged from 5.70 to 43.5 AUC/MIC Ratio. The mean ± standard deviation was 20.05 ± 13.05. A 5000-iterate Monte Carlo simulation was performed to generate a range of stasis targets and Probability of Target Attainment Analyses were calculated at the 1st, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentiles of the distribution. Breakpoints were determined at each percentile. Breakpoints ranged from 2 mg/L to 32 mg/L. A weighted (by the percentages of the distribution) breakpoint was calculated and determined to be 4 mg/L. This method is a rational approach to identifying breakpoints when there is substantial between-isolate variability in exposure targets.
Are polar bear habitat resource selection functions developed from 1985-1995 data still useful?

Greenhouse‐gas‐induced warming in the Arctic has caused declines in sea ice extent and changed its composition, raising concerns by all circumpolar nations for polar bear conservation. Negative impacts have been observed in three well‐studied polar bear subpopulations. Most subpopulations, however, receive little or no direct monitoring, hence, resource selection functions (RSF) may provide a useful proxy of polar bear distributions. However, the efficacy of RSFs constructed from past data, that is, reference RSFs, may be degraded under contemporary conditions, especially in a rapidly changing environment. We assessed published Arctic‐wide reference RSFs using tracking data from adult female polar bears captured in the Beaufort Sea. We compared telemetry‐derived seasonal distributions of polar bears to RSF‐defined optimal sea ice habitat during the period of RSF model development, 1985–1995, and two subsequent periods with diminished sea ice: 1996–2006 and 2007–2016. From these comparisons, we assessed the applicability of the reference RSFs for contemporary polar bear conservation. In the two decades following the 1985–1995 reference period, use and availability of optimal habitat by polar bears declined during the ice melt, ice minimum, and ice growth seasons. During the ice maximum season (i.e., winter), polar bears used the best habitat available, which changed relatively little across the three decades of study. During the ice melt, ice minimum, and ice growth seasons, optimal habitat in areas used by polar bears decreased and was displaced north and east of the Alaska Beaufort Sea coast. As optimal habitat diminished in these seasons, polar bears expanded their range and occupied greater areas of suboptimal habitat. Synthesis and applications: Sea ice declines due to climate change continue to challenge polar bears and their conservation. The distribution of Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears remained similar during the ice maximum season, so the reference RSFs developed from data collected >20 years ago continue to accurately model their winter distribution. In contrast, reference RSFs for the ice transitional and minimum seasons showed diminished predictive efficacy but were useful in revealing that contemporary polar bears have been increasingly forced to use suboptimal habitats during those seasons.
Old childbirth educators never die ... They just labor away.

Teaching childbirth education classes year after year can become monotonous or stale for some educators. Consequently, their students may also become bored. Rejuvinating one's professional self takes effort; however, the results are a renewed sense of purpose and a more exhilarating atmosphere in class.
Design Principles of Self-Compensated NBTI-Free Negative Capacitor FinFET

The Landau field-effect transistors have been previously investigated to lower the power dissipation of integrated circuits by reducing the subthreshold swing (SS) below the Boltzmann limit of 60 mV/dec. The basic idea is to replace the classical gate insulator with dielectrics that exhibit a negative capacitance (NC) associated with the double-well energy landscape, for example, ferroelectrics (FE), air-gap capacitors, or a combination thereof. In this article, we demonstrate that the same NC effect can also be used to achieve the devices more robust to negative-bias temperature instability (NBTI), which continues to be a major reliability challenge for scaled p-type transistors. We demonstrate that with careful design of an NC-based Landau switch, the intrinsic NBTI degradation can be fully compensated while still maintaining hysteresis-free operation and steeper slope needed for the logic switch. In fact, the parasitic capacitances in a FinFET counterintuitively make a negative capacitance field effect transistor (NCFET) more NBTI tolerant. The proposed device is validated using the numerical simulations by technologically relevant p-type SiGe FinFeTs. The results suggest the intriguing possibility that a careful, physics-informed NCFET design can simultaneously achieve reliability performance metrics.
Criminalizing Pregnancy Loss and Jeopardizing Care: The Unintended Consequences of Abortion Restrictions and Fetal Harm Legislation.

Abstract This commentary outlines how growing efforts to restrict abortion may create a legal and medical environment that criminalizes pregnancy loss and limit clinicians’ ability to provide the highest quality care to those who experience pregnancy loss. We examine how “fetal harm” laws have been used against pregnant people in cases of pregnancy loss, in the context of experiencing physical trauma, declining medical advice, and substance use in pregnancy. We highlight how the patient-provider relationship may be negatively altered by laws criminalizing substance use in pregnancy and self-managed abortion, by jeopardizing confidentiality and trust when seeking medical care. Laws restricting treatment methods for abortion may also unintentionally limit treatment options for pregnancy loss, particularly when using mifepristone or dilation and evacuation to treat pregnancy loss. For many, pregnancy loss comes with significant grief and stigma; fear of legal action could have the unintended consequence of deterring these individuals from obtaining needed prompt, high-quality, and compassionate care.
The sense of obligation in children's testimonial learning

We extend Tomasello's discussion of children's developing sense of obligation to testimonial learning. First, we review a battery of behaviors in testimonial exchanges that parallel those described by Tomasello. Second, we explore the variable ways in which children hold others accountable, suggestive that children's evaluations of moral and epistemic responsibilities in joint collaborative activities are distinct.
Transnational hair (and turban): Sikh masculinity, embodied practices, and politics of representation in an era of global travel:

This article explores what it means to be a Punjabi Sikh man in an era of transnational migration. I look at how Sikh men from India access global migrant flows and negotiate the formal and informa...
Whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: new biomarkers to target

Many biomarkers indicate prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia; such as fluorescence in situ hybridization testing: 17p or 11q deletions have a worse prognosis than trisomy 12, 13q deletion or normal result, or the mutational status of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGHV): unmutated IGHV have a worse prognosis than mutated IGHV. Recently, many gene mutations (TP53, NOTCH1 etc.,) have been linked to a worse prognosis. With the new era of high-throughput sequencing, it has become easier to study gene mutations and their implication in predicting prognosis. In this review, we aim to review all the studies that performed whole-exome sequencing or whole-genome sequencing on chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and explore the implication of various genes in disease prognosis.
The Legal-Political Barriers to Ramping Up Hydro (symposium)

Hydroelectric energy is the oldest major source of non-carbon, renewable energy and is the only conventional renewable resource in the current energy mix. More importantly, hydroelectric energy is a relatively climate friendly, non-carbon source of energy. Thus, increased generation of bluegreen energy would seem a logical component of any policy designed to help wean the United States from its growing dependence on politically unstable hydrocarbon sources and to help mitigate global climate change. For example, increased hydroelectric generation has been identified as a source of emission credits for coal CO2 emissions because hydro does not produce significant greenhouse gases.2 Conventional hydroelectric generation uses gravity or the energy of a river’s flow to produce electricity by three methods. The most efficient way to generate power is to use falling water stored behind a dam in a high elevation canyon to turn a turbine which generates electricity. 3 Gravity does the job. The second method is a run-of-the-river facility which usesthe energy of a river’s current to turn the blades of the turbine.4
Enzymatically-inactive Tissue-type Plasminogen Activator Reverses Disease Progression in the Dextran Sulfate Sodium Mouse Model of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Enzymatically inactive tissue-type plasminogen activator (EI-tPA) does not activate fibrinolysis, but interacts with the N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) and low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein-1 (LRP1) in macrophages to block innate immune system responses mediated by toll-like receptors. Herein, we examined the ability of EI-tPA to treat colitis in mice, induced by dextran sulfate sodium. In two separate studies, designed to generate colitis of differing severity, a single dose of EI-tPA administered after inflammation established significantly improved disease parameters. EI-tPA–treated mice demonstrated improved weight gain. Stools improved in character and became hemoccult negative. Abdominal tenderness decreased. Colon shortening significantly decreased in EI-tPA–treated mice, suggesting attenuation of irreversible tissue damage and remodeling. Furthermore, histopathologic evidence of disease decreased in the distal 25% of the colon in EI-tPA–treated mice. EI-tPA did not decrease the number of CD45-positive leukocytes or F4/80-positive macrophage-like cells detected in extracts of colons from dextran sulfate sodium–treated mice as assessed by flow cytometry. However, multiple colon cell types expressed the NMDA-R, suggesting the ability of diverse cells, including CD3-positive cells, CD103-positive cells, Ly6G-positive cells, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule–positive epithelial cells to respond to EI-tPA. Mesenchymal cells that line intestinal crypts and provide barrier function expressed LRP1, thereby representing another potential target for EI-tPA. These results demonstrate that the NMDA-R/LRP1 receptor system may be a target for drug development in diseases characterized by tissue damage and chronic inflammation.
COVID-19’s Impact on Gendered Household Food Practices: Eating and Feeding as Expressions of Competencies, Moralities, and Mobilities

This article is based on research conducted in Colorado in late-2019 and again post-COVID outbreak, from April through May of 2020. In addition to (virtual) face-to-face interviews, the study used ...
Influence of Light and CO2 on Nitrate Assimilation by Barley Seedlings

Although the role of light in nitrate assimilation has been studied extensively (Beevers and Hageman, dy1969, 1972), controversy continues as to whether nitrate reduction normally occurs in darkness. Nitrate reduction under anaerobic conditions has been reported in tissue slices in darkness; it was detected as nitrite accumulation in the medium (Atkins and Canvin, 1975; Klepper et al., 1971; Radin, 1973; Sawhney et al., dy1978a,b). Under aerobic conditions, however, nitrite does not accumulate in the dark (Aslam et al., 1979). That observation has been ascribed to two contradictory processes: 1) that O2 inhibited nitrate reduction (Atkins and Canvin, 1975; Sawhney et al., dy1978a,b); or 2) that both nitrate and nitrite reduction occurred in the presence of O2. This contradiction can be resolved by following each of the processes involved: nitrate uptake, accumulation, and reduction or at least the disappearance of the product (nitrite). When the appearance of nitrite is the only assay, it is not possible to determine whether nitrate reduction was inhibited by O2 or whether nitrite was further reduced. Either case would account for the inability to find nitrite in the incubation medium. Others did not find proof that 15NO3 − converts into amino acids in barley leaves in darkness during short-term experiments (Canvin and Atkins, 1974). The purpose of this report was to describe nitrate and nitrite assimilation by barley seedlings in light and darkness.
Spike timing precision changes with spike rate adaptation in the owl's auditory space map.

Spike rate adaptation (SRA) is a continuing change of responsiveness to ongoing stimuli, which is ubiquitous across species and levels of sensory systems. Under SRA, auditory responses to constant ...
Empirical evidence on competitive bidding: Some surprising results

Abstract This paper compares the assumptions and predictions of common values auction theory with OCS leasing data. We find that the general assumption of continuous bid density functions is not supported by the empirical evidence. This leads us to suggest several lines for future theoretical, experimental and empirical research.
Quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) communication link for near and mid-range RFID systems

We present the theory and design equations for leveraging vector modulation in the form of M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) for LF near and mid-range RFID systems, which can allow for the design of high bandwidth passive near and mid-range devices. The theory is developed through the impedance transformations that occur in coupled coil antennas. Using the developed theory along with system simulations, we determine the necessary load impedances for 4-QAM constellations at various distances for a carrier frequency of approximately 2.4 MHz and present 3 prototype boards that yield the desired reflections. The achievable data rates are investigated through a custom IQ demodulator, and we show that for communication distances of 17 cm, 29 cm, and 45 cm, which represent scaled coil diameter distances, data rates of 409.6 kbps, 307.2 kbps, and 153.6 kbps can be achieved. This corresponds to bandwidth percentages of 17%, 12%, and 6.5%, which surpasses the bandwidth percentage of typical NFC communication systems of about 3% for a carrier of 13.56 MHz (424 kbps).
Application of neuroanatomical features to tractography clustering.

Diffusion tensor imaging allows unprecedented insight into brain neural connectivity in vivo by allowing reconstruction of neuronal tracts via captured patterns of water diffusion in white matter microstructures. However, tractography algorithms often output hundreds of thousands of fibers, rendering subsequent data analysis intractable. As a remedy, fiber clustering techniques are able to group fibers into dozens of bundles and thus facilitate analyses. Most existing fiber clustering methods rely on geometrical information of fibers, by viewing them as curves in 3D Euclidean space. The important neuroanatomical aspect of fibers, however, is ignored. In this article, the neuroanatomical information of each fiber is encapsulated in the associativity vector, which functions as the unique “fingerprint” of the fiber. Specifically, each entry in the associativity vector describes the relationship between the fiber and a certain anatomical ROI in a fuzzy manner. The value of the entry approaches 1 if the fiber is spatially related to the ROI at high confidence; on the contrary, the value drops closer to 0. The confidence of the ROI is calculated by diffusing the ROI according to the underlying fibers from tractography. In particular, we have adopted the fast marching method for simulation of ROI diffusion. Using the associativity vectors of fibers, we further model fibers as observations sampled from multivariate Gaussian mixtures in the feature space. To group all fibers into relevant major bundles, an expectation-maximization clustering approach is employed. Experimental results indicate that our method results in anatomically meaningful bundles that are highly consistent across subjects. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2089–2102, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discussion of the paper "Clustering Random Curves Under Spatial Interdependence with Application to Service Accessibility" by Jiang and Serban.

We first congratulate Drs. Jiang and Serban on their interesting and important contribution to the literature of clustering functional data. The paper provides a comprehensive framework of clustering spatially dependent curves, namely the functional-spatial clustering models (FSCM), by nicely integrating important techniques, including the EM algorithm, Monte-Carlo approximation, dimension reduction, and model selection. The authors relaxed a common independence assumption, that is, curves are assumed to be independent in space. The authors demonstrate that when clustering a collection of curves distributed over space, releasing such an independence assumption represents a big improvement over existing clustering methods for functional data in the literature. We appreciate the opportunity to comment on several aspects of this nice work. The motivating application for the authors is clustering service accessibility within a geographically distributed service network. Our discussions, however, are motivated by the analysis of massive functional imaging data, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which are commonly observed over both time and space. There are some common features between the two contexts, such as spatial-temporal dependent functions, but significant structural differences still exist. Such differences form the basis for our specific comments reported in Sections 2 to 4, regarding (i) spatial dependence and neighborhood, (ii) spatial and temporal smoothing, and (iii) computational efficiency. We first give some brief background on fMRI data. fMRI experiments record images of brain activities over time. An fMRI dataset is four-dimensional, consisting of a three-dimensional spatial image being observed over time. Each 3D fMRI image contains a certain number of two-dimensional slices, and each slice is made up of individual cuboid elements called voxels. The time series at each voxel can be viewed as a temporal function, which is distributed spatially across the voxels on the brain. For example, Figure 1(a) shows a particular 2D fMRI image slice, where the red and blue regions are either activated or deactivated by certain experimental stimuli; the goals of fMRI analysis are usually to detect the activation/deactivation regions. More details on fMRI data and related statistical techniques can be found in, for example, Yue et al. (2009), Wang et al. (2011), and Lee et al. (2011). Figure 1 Spatial regions with sharp boundaries: (a) An fMRI slice example; (b) Illustration of spatial neighborhood in a 2-D space. A and B are two locations that are close to the boundary of an activated region. The online version of this figure is in color.
Molecular mechanics parameters for electronically excited states: The (n, π*) singlet state of formaldehyde

We have developed parameters for molecular mechanics and dynamics simulations of the excited (n, π*) singlet state in formaldehyde based on data from ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Structural parameters are derived from geometry optimizations, whereas the classical force constants are determined from fits to computed (scaled) vibrational frequencies. The partial atomic charges are obtained from a natural atomic orbital population analysis of the excited state wavefunction. The theoretical parameters are compared to those derived from experimental spectroscopic data. Some initial results with the excited state parameters on the structural relaxation of formaldehyde during a molecular dynamics simulation following optical excitation in the presence of a large number of water molecules are presented.
Crystal Structure of the Catalytic α Subunit of E. coli Replicative DNA Polymerase III

Summary Bacterial replicative DNA polymerases such as Polymerase III (Pol III) share no sequence similarity with other polymerases. The crystal structure, determined at 2.3 A resolution, of a large fragment of Pol III (residues 1–917), reveals a unique chain fold with localized similarity in the catalytic domain to DNA polymerase β and related nucleotidyltransferases. The structure of Pol III is strikingly different from those of members of the canonical DNA polymerase families, which include eukaryotic replicative polymerases, suggesting that the DNA replication machinery in bacteria arose independently. A structural element near the active site in Pol III that is not present in nucleotidyltransferases but which resembles an element at the active sites of some canonical DNA polymerases suggests that, at a more distant level, all DNA polymerases may share a common ancestor. The structure also suggests a model for interaction of Pol III with the sliding clamp and DNA.
FDI distribution within China: An integrative conceptual framework for analyzing intra-country FDI variations

The literature on foreign direct investment (FDI) has evolved in separate theoretical silos and a holistic conceptualization is yet to emerge. Research has focused mostly on inter-country differences and not much on explaining intra-country FDI variations. Traditionally FDI locations have been evaluated through country-level FDI determinants even though provinces differ widely in infrastructure and other attributes. Further, neither is the varying importance of FDI determinants to different industries factored in, nor are the differing FDI incentives from national and provincial governments integrated into a single framework. To address these gaps this study synthesizes insights from three streams of FDI research and develops an integrative conceptual framework that can comprehensively analyze intra-country FDI inflows. We demonstrate the usefulness of the framework by empirically analyzing FDI trends within China’s 31 provinces. The study thus makes a substantive contribution by offering scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners a holistic conceptual and methodological approach for understanding FDI trends within a country.
Testicular Cancer: When Less is More

Clinical stage I testicular cancer is highly curable. The treatment options include adjuvant chemotherapy or surveillance for most patients, radiotherapy for seminoma, and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for selected patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. This review discusses the decision points with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages of each management option.
Heavy metal concentrations in floodplain surface soils, Lahn River, Germany

Even relatively pristine drainage basins in industrial countries would appear to have received anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals. Investigation of floodplain surface soils in the Lahn River drainage basin, west-central Germany, indicates that the Cu concentration is 1.5 times the pre-industrial level, Pb and Zn contents twice the pre-industrial level; Cd, Co, and Cr concentrations are nearly equal to background metal values. Based on contamination standards developed for the Lahn River, floodplain soils are moderately contaminated with Pb and Zn, slightly contaminated with Cu. Metal contents are uniform across the floodplain, with the exception of a peak immediately adjacent to the Lahn River. Floodplain surface soil metal contents are less in the Lahn River basin than in larger drainage systems of Germany. Although Lahn River metalliferous sediments are presently immobile, they would, if eroded, contribute to downstream heavy metal concentrations. Consequently, metal storage in smaller drainage basins such as the Lahn should be considered in predictions of future metal loads in major river systems, for aggregate small basins could serve as significant metal contributors.
Batch size and stocking levels in multi-echelon repairable systems

In multi-echelon repairable inventory systems with high set-up cost for order and/or high demand rates, the use of batch ordering may be more cost-effective than the common S-1, S ordering policy. This paper addresses the issue of determining the optimal order batch size and stocking levels at the stocking locations in such a system. A power approximation is used to estimate the total system stock and backorder levels from which the optimal batch size can be readily determined. A search routine involving "one-pass" searches are then followed to obtain the stocking levels at the depot and the local sites of the system. This procedure has been evaluated using 900 test cases and has been found to be very effective. The power approximation approach also results in a simple analytical relationship to test whether or not S-1, S is an optimal ordering policy for repairable items in a multi-echelon environment.
The Effectiveness of Instruction for Home Enteral Nutrition

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To define areas of effectiveness of education for home enteral nutrition as well as areas needing improvement. Patients who received home enteral nutrition (HEN) education from registered dietitians were surveyed 2 weeks after instruction to determine whether they felt prepared to handle their tube feedings, whether they found the instructional materials helpful, and who they contacted with additional questions. They were asked the feeding and water-flush volumes they were taking and their tolerance to the feedings, including occurrence of constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, tube clogging, or other complications. Of 57 patients surveyed, 93% reported feeling prepared to handle the feedings at home at the time of discharge, 98% reported that the instruction materials provided were helpful. Fifty-three percent had questions after discharge, related to tolerance, complications, and supplies. Persons contacted to answer their questions included the dietitians, physicians, nurses, and home care suppliers. Twenty-eight percent of patients reported intake of less than 90% of their prescribed formula and water flushes on a daily basis, due to intolerance or unspecified reasons. The most common complications included constipation (23 cases), diarrhea (11 cases), and tube-clogging (8 cases). Complications could not be related directly to any specific type of formula, but were associated with suboptimal intake. Patients frequently experience changes in feeding plans for a variety of reasons that may not be anticipated by the health care provider. Providing patients with a variety of approaches for handling intolerances or changes in feeding schedules may improve the delivery of the enteral feedings and water flushes. While HEN instructions given by dietitians prepared the patients for administration of their tube feedings, incorporating follow-up phone calls may improve adequacy of intake, complications and attainment of home tube feeding goals, such as weight maintenance.
Searching image in blue jays: Facilitation and interference in sequential priming

Repeated exposure to a single target type (sequential priming) during visual search for multiple cryptic targets commonly improves performance on subsequent presentations of that target. It appears to be an attentional phenomenon, a component of the searching image effect. It has been argued, however, that if searching image is an attentional process, sequential priming should also interfere with performance on subsequent nonprimed targets, and such interference has never been unequivocally demonstrated. In blue jays (Cyanocitta cristata) searching in an operant apparatus for targets derived from images of cryptic moths, detection performance was strongly facilitated in the course of a sequential prime but was relatively unaffected by sequences of mixed target types. Detection accuracy in subsequent probe trials was enhanced by priming with targets of the same type, whereas accuracy on cryptic probes following priming with a more conspicuous target was significantly degraded. The results support an attentional interpretation of searching image.
Ground-based cw atmospheric Doppler performance modeling

Doppler lidar provides atmospheric wind velocity measurements at locations in the atmosphere that are remote from the lidar platform. Critical factors in lidar wind velocity measurement performance are (a) the received signal photons that are backscattered from atmospheric aerosols in the measurement region of interest, (b) the background photons that are scattered from aerosols within the lidar field of view and do not contribute to the signal but do introduce photon noise in the coherent detection receiver, and (c) the focussing of the lidar transmitter and coherent detection receiver to provide range resolution and to optimize velocity measurement performance when using a CW laser. Tbis paper models the interaction of these factors for a ground based lidar in a monostatic geometry for potential application to atmospheric research, atmospheric microburst detection for aircraft warning, and other areas. By analogy to established methods for characterizing the performance capability of other sensor systems, the lidar performance is characterized by the carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) and by a noise equivalent scattering coefficient (NESC).
The brain serotonergic system in the affective disorders.

Abstract 1. 1. An alteration in the brain serotonergic system in individuals with depression, and possibly mania, has been proposed on the basis that these patients have reduced 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid. 2. 2. Reduced brain serotonin concentrations have also been observed in some studies of suicides. 3. 3. Other investigations of serotonin-related functions in depressed patients have yielded equivocal results, although potentiation of the therapeutic effects of antidepressant drugs by L-tryptophan, and their reversal by p-chlorophenylalanine, are in agreement with animal pharmacological studies indicating that antidepressant drugs act in part via serotonergic mechanisms. 4. 4. The biochemical basis for the suggested serotonergic system alterations in the affective disorders remains unknown. 5. 5. Additional basic information is needed on (a) the storage, transport and synthesis of indoleamines, (b) adaptational mechanisms within the system and their relationships to other neurotransmitter systems, and (c) correlations with behavior in animals and man. 6. 6. Such studies may further our understanding of the role which the serotonergic system alterations may play in the affective disorders.