cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Denitrification in the vadose zone and in surficial groundwater of a sandy entisol with citrus production

A portion of nitrate (NO 3 − ), a final breakdown product of nitrogen (N) fertilizers, applied to soils and/or that produced upon decomposition of organic residues in soils may leach into groundwater. Nitrate levels in water excess of 10 mg L−1 (NO3–N) are undesirable as per drinking water quality standards. Nitrate concentrations in surficial groundwater can vary substantially within an area of citrus grove which receives uniform N rate and irrigation management practice. Therefore, differences in localized conditions which can contribute to variations in gaseous loss of NO 3 − in the vadose zone and in the surficial aquifer can affect differential concentrations of NO3–N in the groundwater at different points of sampling. The denitrification capacity and potential in a shallow vadose zone soil and in surficial groundwater were studied in two large blocks of a citrus grove of ‘Valencia’ orange trees (Citrus sinensis (L.) Obs.) on Rough lemon rootstock ( Citrus jambhiri (L.)) under a uniform N rate and irrigation program. The NO3–N concentration in the surficial groundwater sampled from four monitoring wells (MW) within each block varied from 5.5- to 6.6-fold. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 30, 30 to 90, or 90 to 150 cm depths, and from the soil/groundwater interface (SGWI). Groundwater samples from the monitoring wells (MW) were collected prior to purging (stagnant water) and after purging five well volumes. Without the addition of either C or N, the denitrification capacity ranged from 0.5 to 1.53, and from 0.0 to 2.25 mg N2O–N kg−1 soil at the surface soil and at the soil/groundwater interface, respectively. The denitrification potential increased by 100-fold with the addition of 200 mg kg−1 each of N and C. The denitrification potential in the groundwater also followed a pattern similar to that for the soil samples. Denitrification potential in the soil or in the groundwater was greatest near the monitor well with shallow depth of vadose zone (MW3). Cumulative N2O–N emission (denitrification capacity) from the SGWI soil samples and from stagnant water samples strongly correlated to microbial most probable number (MPN) counts (r2 = 0.84 – 0.89), and dissolved organic C (DOC) (r2 = 0.96 – 0.97). Denitrification capacity of the SGWI samples moderately correlated to water-filled pore space (WFPS) (r2 = 0.52). However, extractable NO3-N content of the SGWI soil samples poorly (negative) correlated to denitrification capacity (r2 = 0.35). However, addition C, N or both to the soil or water samples resulted in significant increase in cumulative N2O emission. This study demonstrated that variation in denitrification capacity, as a result of differences in denitrifier population, and the amount of readily available carbon source significantly (at 95% probability level) influenced the variation in NO3–N concentrations in the surficial groundwater samples collected from different monitoring wells within an area with uniform N management.
Dubuar Memorial Forest, New York, United States of America

Abstract The 2,732-acre (1,106 hectare) James F. Dubuar Memorial Forest serves as a year-round, outdoor classroom for undergraduate students attending the State University of New York—College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Recent revisions to an existing management plan aimed to improve the coordination of roles and responsibilities among the departments charged with managing the forest. The new plan also includes tools that help guide the siting of academic exercises, research and demonstration areas, timber harvests, and recreation activities. The plan is structured into three components—strategic, tactical, and operational—and deliberate connections are maintained among all three. An enduring contribution of the plan is the establishment of the Dubuar Forest Management Review Committee. The committee meets regularly to review requests related to the forest and to formulate annual work plans that are consistent with long-term goals and short-term objectives.
What Makes Dealers Central? Evidence from Credit Interdealer Networks

We present a novel method for identifying the effect of search costs, risk appetite, and skill in explaining the differences between core and periphery dealers in the U.S. corporate bond market. Using a hand-constructed dataset that matches the trading activity of credit dealers in corporate bonds and positions from trading in CDS markets, we investigate the interdealer network structure at the bond-issuer level across both markets. We analyze the mean, volatility, and skewness of market-making returns to test theoretical predictions on dealer centrality and the distribution of their profit. Bond dealer centrality is associated with greater skill and risk appetite. More central dealers appear to have significantly less negative skewness in their trading returns, indicative of their ability to avoid bad trades. Bond underwriters, who have a search advantage, exhibit even less negative skewness, but lower mean and volatility of profits. Taken together, the moments of trading returns reveal a dealer's role in a market. These findings inform our understanding of regulatory policies such as the Volcker rule which target dealer trading in OTC markets.
Localized coral reef mortality event at East Flower Garden Bank, Gulf of Mexico

Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary contains the northernmost coral reef ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico, with >50% living coral cover. Historically, this reef system has harbored a healthy coral community, relatively free of disease with limited mortality from bleaching or other factors. In July 2016 an unprecedented localized mortality event was documented at East Flower Garden Bank affecting an area of approximately 5.6 ha (2.6% of the coral reef). Within this area, up to 82% of the coral colonies succumbed to partial or total mortality, along with invertebrates spanning numerous taxa, including cnidarians, poriferans, echinoderms, crustaceans, and mollusks. Within the affected area, the impact was highly stratified, with many coral colonies exhibiting a clear line of delineation with polyps above appearing healthy, and those below exhibiting paling, bleaching, tissue sloughing, and/or mortality. The mortality of sessile invertebrates across multiple taxa was similar to observations from coral mortality events in other regions associated with low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. While instrumentation for measuring DO was not in place on East Flower Garden Bank, DO sensors at similar depths located 50–70 km northwest of East Flower Garden Bank confirmed low DO levels (<3.5 mg L–1) at the time of the event. The mortality event likely resulted from a combination of stressors, but localized low DO is implicated as the primary contributing factor.
A Survey of the Marcus–de Oliveira Conjecture

We classify and survey the progress on the famous Marcus–de Oliveira determinantal conjecture (MOC) and related problems. The MOC claims that for two normal matrices A and B with eigenvalues \(a_1,\ldots , a_n\) and \(b_1,\ldots ,b_n\), respectively, the set \(\varDelta (A,B)=\{\det (A+UBU^*): U \text { is unitary}\}\) is in the convex hull of the set \(\{\prod _{i=1}^{n} (a_i+b_{\sigma (i)}):\sigma \in S_n\}\). We review the origin and the motivations of this conjecture from M. Fiedler’s work in the Hermitian case to Marcus and de Oliveira’s independent questions. Then, we survey the major positive cases of the MOC in terms of matrix degree, eigenvalues, and other things. We also describe some known properties of the set \(\varDelta (A,B)\), including compactness, connectivity, simply connectivity, convexity, star shapedness, and boundary and corner properties. Finally, we list some extended results that are related to the MOC. The main goal of this article is to provide a fairly comprehensive and brief overview of the progress of the MOC to interested readers and researchers for further explorations of the subject.
141 Cost effectiveness of a peer mentoring intervention to improve disease self-management practices and self-efficacy among African American women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background The annual medical costs for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients can reach up to $62 651 due to complex care needs. This presents a major challenge for all SLE patients, but it is compounded in African American women who experience the disease at a disproportionate rate and severity compared to other demographic cohorts. Peer mentoring interventions are one method examined in other chronic disease populations that has conferred self-management improvements for those patients. The Peer Approaches to Lupus Self-Management (PALS) is one such program, tailored for African American women with SLE,that could lead to cost-effective reductions in disease severity, flares, and subsequent resource utilization and medical costs. Methods Validated measures of quality of life, disease self-management, disease activity, depression, and anxiety were collected pre- (0 weeks) and post- (12 weeks) intervention. Total direct program costs per-participant were totaled and used to determine average per-unit improvement in programmatic outcome measures. Additionally, the benefit cost ratio and pre- versus post- intervention hospital charges were examined. Results Twenty mentees completed the study. Statistically significant reductions in disease activity, anxiety, and depression, were observed post-intervention. Patient self-management also improved, however did not reach statistical significance. Total cost per patient was $1,882.83 or $91.14 per week. This yielded a cost benefit ratio of $3423 per 1 unit decrease in the Generalized Anxiety Disorder score, $818 per 1 unit decrease in the PHQ-8 (depression) score, and $85.74 per 1 unit decrease in the SLAQ (disease activity) score. There was a statistically significant difference in pre-intervention hospital charges ($24,289, 95% CI: $55, $48,524) and post- hospital charges ($872, 95% CI: -$324, $2,070) (p=0.047), representing a substantial mean charge savings of $23 426 per individual. The benefit cost ratio was 12.44 per patient which implies that benefits were over 12 times higher than the cost per patient. Conclusions These findings indicate that the PALS intervention was not only effective in improving patient-level factors such as depression, anxiety, and self-reported disease activity, but the program was also highly cost-effective. These findings suggest that if adopted on a larger scale, this approach could significantly reduce financial burden on patients and medical facilities, as well as improve the quality of life of a high-risk patient population. Future research will need to validate these findings in a larger sample. Funding Source(s): This project was supported by NIH/NCATS Grant Number UL1, the Rheumatology and Immunology MCRC NIH/NIAMS Grant Number AR062755, NIH/NIAMS K23 AR052364, and NIH/NCRR UL1 RR029882.
Longitudinal beam dynamics with a higher-harmonic cavity for bunch lengthening

We discuss the longitudinal beam dynamics in storage rings in the presence of a higher-harmonic cavity (HHC) system for bunch lengthening. First, we review the general conditions for HHC operations, both in active or passive modes, assuming the stability of the system. For uniform filling patterns, a distinction is made between operations with a normal-conducting HHC, where optimal conditions for bunch lengthening can be satisfied, and operations with a super-conducting HHC, where optimal conditions can be met only approximately. Second, we discuss the option to operate the NSLS-II storage ring with a passive, super-conducting third harmonic cavity (3HC) system. The stability and performance of the system in the presence of a gap in the uniform filling, which corresponds to the present mode of operation of the NSLS-II storage ring, is investigated with self-consistent Vlasov–Fokker–Planck simulations performed with the code SPACE. [G. Bassi, A. Blednykh and V. Smaluk, Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 19, 024401 (2016).]
Case 13: Pulmonary Arteritis… The Great CTEPH Mimic

There are a number of clinical conditions that mimic the radiographic findings in CTEPH, but few are as difficult to distinguish from CTEPH as pulmonary arteritis. However, as the presented case will demonstrate, there are often hints in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension to suggest large vessel arteritis as the principal diagnosis.
FUNCTIONALIZED ELECTROSPUN POLYMER NANOFIBERS FOR TREATMENT OF WATER CONTAMINATED WITH URANIUM.

Uranium (U) contamination of drinking water often affects communities with limited resources, presenting unique technology challenges for U6+ treatment. Here, we develop a suite of chemically functionalized polymer (polyacrylonitrile; PAN) nanofibers for low pressure reactive filtration applications for U6+ removal. Binding agents with either nitrogen-containing or phosphorous-based (e.g., phosphonic acid) functionalities were blended (at 1–3 wt%) into PAN sol gels used for electrospinning, yielding functionalized nanofiber mats. For comparison, we also functionalized PAN nanofibers with amidoxime (AO) moieties, a group well-recognized for its specificity in U6+ uptake. For optimal N-based (Aliquat® 336 or Aq) and P-containing [hexadecylphosphonic acid (HPDA) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (HDEHP)] binding agents, we then explored their use for U6+ removal across a range of pH values (pH 2–7), U6+ concentrations (up to 10 μM), and in flow through systems simulating point of use (POU) water treatment. As expected from the use of quaternary ammonium groups in ion exchange, Aq-containing materials appear to sequester U6+ by electrostatic interactions; while uptake by these materials is limited, it is greatest at circumneutral pH where positively charged N groups bind negatively charged U6+ complexes. In contrast, HDPA and HDEHP perform best at acidic pH representative of mine drainage, where surface complexation of the uranyl cation likely drives uptake. Complexation by AO exhibited the best performance across all pH values, although U6+ uptake via surface precipitation may also occur near circumneutral pH values and at high (10 μM) dissolved U6+ concentrations. In simulated POU treatment studies using a dead-end filtration system, we observed U removal in AO-PAN systems that is insensitive to common co-solutes in groundwater (e.g., hardness and alkalinity). While more research is needed, our results suggest that only 80 g (about 0.2 lbs.) of AO-PAN filter material would be needed to treat an individual's water supply (contaminated at ten-times the U.S. EPA maximum contaminant level for U) for one year.
Measuring the Fine-Structure Constant to Test Fundamental Laws of Physics

We have measured the fine-structure constant via the ratio h/mCs of the Planck constant and the mass of the cesium atom. In this proceedings, we will comment on prospects for further improvements.
Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. This disease is significantly underdiagnosed and is more common than previously appreciated, particularly among older adults and people of African descent. This review discusses recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment for ATTR-CM. Historically, ATTR-CM was diagnosed via endomyocardial biopsy, a resource-intensive and invasive approach. However, in most cases, ATTR-CM can now be diagnosed non-invasively using bone tracer cardiac scintigraphy, which may facilitate earlier diagnosis. In recent clinical trials, a transthyretin stabilizer (tafamidis) and transthyretin gene silencers (patisiran and inotersen) have emerged as effective ATTR amyloidosis therapies and have been approved for use in the USA and many other countries. ATTR-CM is now recognized as an important cause of heart failure. Approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of ATTR-CM are rapidly evolving. Now, more than ever, there are opportunities to improve clinical care of patients with this challenging disease.
Hybrid modeling and prediction of oyster norovirus outbreaks

This paper presents a hybrid model for predicting oyster norovirus outbreaks by combining the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methods and using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite remote-sensing data. Specifically, 10 years (2007-2016) of cloud-free MODIS Aqua data for water leaving reflectance and environmental data were extracted from the center of each oyster harvest area. Then, the PCA was utilized to compress the size of the MODIS Aqua data. An ANN model was trained using the first 4 years of the data from 2007 to 2010 and validated using the additional 6 years of independent datasets collected from 2011 to 2016. Results indicated that the hybrid PCA-ANN model was capable of reproducing the 10 years of historical oyster norovirus outbreaks along the Northern Gulf of Mexico coast with a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 99.9%, respectively, demonstrating the efficacy of the hybrid model.
Discovery of Potent and Brain-Penetrant Tau Tubulin Kinase 1 (TTBK1) Inhibitors that Lower Tau Phosphorylation In Vivo

Structural analysis of the known NIK inhibitor 3 bound to the kinase domain of TTBK1 led to the design and synthesis of a novel class of azaindazole TTBK1 inhibitors exemplified by 8 (cell IC50: 571 nM). Systematic optimization of this series of analogs led to the discovery of 31, a potent (cell IC50: 315 nM) and selective TTBK inhibitor with suitable CNS penetration (rat Kp,uu: 0.32) for in vivo proof of pharmacology studies. The ability of 31 to inhibit tau phosphorylation at the disease-relevant Ser 422 epitope was demonstrated in both a mouse hypothermia and a rat developmental model and provided evidence that modulation of this target may be relevant in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
Fraternize or Not to Fraternize at a Community College?: Now That Is the Question (Presentation Slides)

Current research shows how bullying in the workplace at community colleges need to be addressed (Hollis, 2016). In this paper, issues surrounding bullying in the workplace at Southern Defamation Community College (SDCC) will addressed. Working at SDCC, administration realize bullying may stem from the dangers of fraternization in the workplace, leadership dynamic evolving around employee dating, and having no policies and procedures regarding relationship dating in the place of work. The dangers of fraternization in the workplace was presented by Hollis (2016) where a case study was done at SDCC indicating a defamation of character and bullying by a disgruntle employee. According to Hollis (2016), the case study involved an African American male who was a recruiter for three years and a female recently hired as a financial aid assistant. The case study pointed out how the recruiter politely asked the financial aid assistant out to coffee in which she graciously accepted. During the coffee conversation, the financial aid assistant informed the recruiter that her motive for meeting with him was to know him more beyond their working environment. The recruiter made it clear to the financial aid assistant by stating, “I’m sorry, I don’t date people at work” (Hollis, 2016, p. 149). This comment from the recruiter was not received by the female financial aid assistant whereby, she left the coffee conversation totally in array. Furthermore, the case study indicated how immediately animated emails regarding the recruiter went out to his colleagues defaming his character. However, animated emails continued for weeks causing disturbance among coworkers at SDCC. Hollis (2016) illustrated how conversations regarding the animated emails presented the African American recruiter’s character in a different light.
Time trends and factors related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy from January-May 2021 among US adults: Findings from a large-scale national survey

Importance: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has become a leading barrier to increasing the US vaccination rate. Objective: To evaluate time trends in COVID-19 vaccine intent during the US vaccine rollout, and identify key factors related to and self-reported reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in May 2021. Design, Participants and Setting: A COVID-19 survey was offered to US adult Facebook users in several languages yielding 5,088,772 qualifying responses from January 6 to May 31, 2021. Data was aggregated by month. Survey weights matched the sample to the age, gender, and state profile of the US population. Exposure: Demographics, geographic factors, political/COVID-19 environment, health status, beliefs, and behaviors. Main Outcome Measures: "If a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 were offered to you today, would you choose to get vaccinated." Hesitant was defined as responding, probably or definitely would not choose to get vaccinated (versus probably or definitely would, or already vaccinated). Results: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy decreased by one-third from 25.4% (95%CI 25.3-25.5) in January to 16.6% (95%CI, 16.4-16.7) in May, with relatively large decreases among participants with Black, Pacific Islander or Hispanic race/ethnicity and ≤high school education. Independent risk factors for vaccine hesitancy in May (N=525,644) included younger age, non-Asian race, =45 years old), and vice versa. Almost half of vaccine hesitant respondents reported fear of side effects (49.2% [95%CI, 48.7-49.7]) and not trusting the COVID-19 vaccine (48.4% [95%CI, 48.0-48.9]); over one-third reported not trusting the government, not needing the vaccine, and waiting to see if safe. Reasons differed by degree of vaccine intent and by race/ethnicity. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy varied by demographics, geography, beliefs, and behaviors, indicating a need for a range of messaging and policy options to target high-hesitancy groups.
Acute cardiovascular responses of wildland firefighters to working at prescribed burn.

Abstract Wildland firefighters at prescribed burns are exposed to elevated levels of wildland fire smoke (WFS) while performing physically demanding tasks. WFS exposure has been linked to increases in hospital and emergency admissions for cardiovascular disorders in the general population. However, knowledge about the cardiovascular effect of occupational WFS exposure among wildland firefighters is limited. To provide a better understanding of the effect of this exposure scenario on acute hemodynamic responses, resting systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and heart rate (HR) of wildland firefighters were measured before (pre-shift), after (post-shift), and the morning (next morning) immediately following prescribed burn shifts (burn days) and regular work shifts (non-burn days). A total of 38 firefighters (34 males and 4 females) participated in this study and resting BP and HR were recorded on 9 burn days and 7 non-burn days. On burn days, HR significantly increased from pre-to post-shift (13.25 bpm, 95% CI: 7.47 to 19.02 bpm) while SBP significantly decreased in the morning following the prescribed burns compared to pre-shift (−6.25 mmHg, 95% CI: −12.30 to −0.20 mmHg). However, this was due to the decrease of SBP in the firefighters who were hypertensive (−8.46 mmHg, 95% CI: −16.08 to −0.84 mmHg). Significant cross-shift reductions (post-shift/next morning vs. pre-shift) were observed in SBP on burn days compared to non-burn days (−7.01 mmHg, 95% CI: −10.94 to −3.09 mmHg and −8.64 mmHg, 95% CI: −13.81 to −3.47 mmHg, respectively). A significant reduction on burn days was also observed from pre-shift to the following morning for HR compared to non-burn days (−7.28 bpm, 95% CI: −13.50 to −1.06 bpm) while HR significantly increased in pre-to post-shift on burn days compared to non-burn days (10.61 bpm, 95% CI: 5.05 to 16.17 bpm). The decreased BP observed in wildland firefighters might be due to a high level of carbon monoxide exposure and exercise-induced hypotension. The increase in HR immediately after prescribed burns might be attributable to WFS exposure and physical exertion in prescribed burn shifts. The results suggest that wildland firefighting exposure might cause a distinct hemodynamic response, including SBP reduction and HR increment, especially for those who have pre-existing hypertension.
Analysis of the Complex Dielectric Permittivity Behavior of Composites based on Al 2 O 3 /AIN and Precursor-Derived-SiC in the 1 MHz 18GHz Frequency Range

The current research involves the synthesis of microwave-absorbing ceramic-based composites which exhibit a controllable variation in complex dielectric permittivity with respect to frequency. This study focuses on the synthesis and dielectric analysis of both porous and fully dense Al2O3-precursor-derived-SiC, as well as AlN-precursor-derived-SiC composites, obtained by applying various types of high temperature treatments to as-pyrolyzed porous composites
Enhanced cell-permeant Cre protein for site-specific recombination in cultured cells

Cell-permeant Cre DNA site-specific recombinases provide an easily controlled means to regulate gene structure and function in living cells. Since recombination provides a stable and unambiguous record of protein uptake, the enzyme may also be used for quantitative studies of cis- and trans-acting factors that influence the delivery of proteins into cells. In the present study, 11 recombinant fusion proteins were analyzed to characterize sequences and conditions that affect protein uptake and/or activity and to develop more active cell-permeant enzymes. We report that the native enzyme has a low, but intrinsic ability to enter cells. The most active Cre proteins tested contained either an N-terminal 6xHis tag and a nuclear localization sequence from SV40 large T antigen (HNC) or the HIV Tat transduction sequence and a C-terminal 6xHis tag (TCH6). The NLS and 6xHis elements separately enhanced the delivery of the HNC protein into cells; moreover, transduction sequences from fibroblast growth factor 4, HIV Tat or consisting of the (KFF)3K sequence were not required for efficient protein transduction and adversely affected enzyme solubility. Transduction of the HNC protein required 10 to 15 min for half-maximum uptake, was greatly decreased at 4°C and was inhibited by serum. Efficient recombination was observed in all cell types tested (a T-cell line, NIH3T3, Cos7, murine ES cells, and primary splenocytes), and did not require localization of the enzyme to the nucleus. The effects of different sequences on the delivery and/or activity of Cre in cultured cells could not be predicted in advance. Consequently, the process of developing more active cell-permeant recombinases was largely empirical. The HNC protein, with an excellent combination of activity, solubility and yield, will enhance the use of cell-permeant Cre proteins to regulate gene structure and function in living cells.
Information exchange and use in group decision making: you can lead a group to information, but you can't make it think

Organizations often build groups with members from different areas so that a wider range of information and opinions can be considered. When members of such groups share the information they have, the group as a whole can access a larger pool of information than any one member acting alone, potentially enabling them to make better decisions. This experiment studied groups working on a hidden profile task in which each participant received different (but not conflicting) information about the task, which they needed to combine to identify the optimal decision. Verbally interacting groups exchanged only a small portion of the available information and made poor decisions as a result. Groups interacting using a GSS exchanged about 50% more information, providing sufficient information to enable all groups to identify the optimal decision. However, GSS groups did not accurately process this information -- only one GSS group chose the optimal decision. Possible explanations for this lack of information processing are that participants were unable to integrate into their existing base of information the information received during discussions, that the way in which the GSS was used impeded information processing, that the anonymity and delayed feedback in the GSS reduced the credibility of new information so that participants chose not to process it, or that information in the GSS was less salient than verbally contributed information.
Laser Generation of “Directed” Ultrasound in Solids Using Spatial and Temporal Beam Modulation

Laser based methods for generation and detection of ultrasound are well established laboratory tools[1]. Since only beams of light interact with the surface of an object, laser ultrasonic methods are potentially non-contacting and remote and may be used in applications involving hazardous environments or unusual component geometries. However, for use in the field as a nondestructive testing tool, or in the factory as a sensor for process control, laser ultrasonic methods suffer by comparison with more conventional contact transducer techniques with regard to their generation efficiency and sensitivity. In an effort to improve the overall sensitivity of laser ultrasonic systems, schemes for temporally and spatially modulating the laser generation source have been investigated.
Large plants and animals on land

Although the greening of the land with photosynthetic microbes may have occurred well back in geological time, the appearance of multicellular creatures was a much more recent event, by current estimates Late Ordovician. The age and nature of the earliest multicellular soil creatures remain uncertain because their fossil record is so sketchy. The fossil record of early land organisms is largely known from remains preserved in nearshore aquatic environments where amphibious and aquatic creatures could have been preserved mixed with those transported from nearby land. In contrast, fossil soils offer evidence of conditions and life activities where the creatures actually lived.
Folding DNA into nucleosome and chromatin: dynamics

A theoretical framework for evaluating the approximate energy and dynamic properties associated with the folding of DNA into nucleosomes and chromatin is presented. For this purpose experimentally determined elastic constants of linear DNA and a simple fold geometry are assumed to derive constants for the higher order folding. The model predicts the correct order of magnitude for the experimentally determined Young's and shear modulus of condensed chromatin. Thus we have demonstrated that the elastic properties of DNA are the primary determinant of the elastic properties of each folded state. The derived elastic constants are then used to predict the speed of propagation of small amplitude waves. It is shown that extension/compression, twist, bend or shear waves can be excite in each folded state.
Bridging media‐specific approaches

Feminist study of media encompasses a variety of media forms, each of which possesses a distinct set of issues determined by the medium and how it is used, as well as by the variant theoretical and methodological traditions through which scholars have studied the medium. US feminist film and television criticism have maintained distinct methodological and theoretical emphases—yet the two areas of study are closely related. For example, feminist television studies developed from a synthesis of theoretical and methodological work in a range of fields, including feminist film criticism and theory, and remains at once connected to and distinct from feminist approaches to studying film...
Disease-Specific Survival with Spindle Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.

Objectives(1) Determine factors influencing survival in patients diagnosed with spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC), a rare variant of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). (2) Compare survival of...
In vivo and in vitro characterization of the light-regulated cpcB2A2 promoter of Fremyella diplosiphon.

When exposed to different spectral qualities of light, many cyanobacteria dramatically alter their phycobilisome rod composition in a process termed complementary chromatic adaptation. In the cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon, this response is associated with differential expression of the cpcB2A2, cpeBA, and cpeCDE operons, which code for the phycobiliproteins phycocyanin and phycoerythrin and the phycoerythrin linker polypeptides, respectively. To define components of the signal transduction pathway involved in light-regulated expression of genes encoding phycobilisome polypeptides, we have used in vivo and in vitro techniques to identify cis-acting sequences and trans-acting factors necessary for the regulation of the red-light-inducible cpcB2A2 operon. Deletion of the cpcB2A2 upstream sequences to -76 bp with respect to the transcription start site had no effect on red-light induction of a cpcB2A2-beta-glucuronidase (GUS) chimeric gene, while deletion to -37 bp abolished GUS expression. Furthermore, a fragment of the cpcB2A2 gene from -76 to +25 bp linked to the untranslated leader of cpcB1A1 (a constitutively expressed operon encoding phycocyanin) is sufficient to drive high-level GUS expression in red light. Therefore, the sequence between positions -76 and -37 is necessary for the expression of cpcB2A2, and the region extending from -76 to +25 is sufficient for red-light induction of the operon. Attempts were made to correlate the in vivo data with protein binding in the region upstream of the transcription start site of cpcB2A2. Using in vitro analysis, we detected two protein-binding sites in the cpcB2A2 promoter which were localized to positions -162 to -122 and -37 to +25. Proteins from both red- and green-light-grown cells interacted with the former site, while only proteins present in extracts from red-light-grown cells interacted with the latter site. The data from both the in vivo and in vitro analyses suggest that while two regions upstream of the cpcB2A2 transcription initiation site specifically bind proteins, only the binding site bordering the transcription start site is important for complementary chromatic adaptation. Images
0.56 V, –20 dBm RF-Powered, Multi-Node Wireless Body Area Network System-on-a-Chip With Harvesting-Efficiency Tracking Loop

A battery-less, multi-node wireless body area network (WBAN) system-on-a-chip (SoC) is demonstrated. An efficiency tracking loop is proposed that adjusts the rectifier's threshold voltage to maximize the wireless harvesting operation, resulting in a minimum RF sensitivity better than –20 dBm at 904.5 MHz. Each SoC node is injection-locked and time-synchronized with the broadcasted RF basestation power (up to a sensitivity of –33 dBm) using an injection-locked frequency divider (ILFD). Hence, every sensor node is phase-locked with the basestation and all nodes can wirelessly transmit TDMA sensor data concurrently. Designed in a 65 nm-CMOS process, the fabricated sensor SoC contains the energy harvesting rectifier and bandgap, duty-cycled ADC, digital logic, as well as the multi-node wireless clock synchronization and MICS-band transmitter. For a broadcasted basestation power of 20 dBm (30 dBm), experimental measurements verify correct powering, sensor reading, and wireless data transfer for a distance of 3 m (9 m). The entire biomedical system application is verified by reception of room and abdominal temperature monitoring.
A comparative evaluation of collaborative prenatal care.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an advanced-practice nurse-obstetrician collaborative prenatal practice. Methods: A group of 194 consecutively enrolled medically low-risk obstetric patients was identified between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1994 at Neighborhood Pregnancy Care, a collaborative-practice site. An equal number of medically low-risk patients attending the Louisiana State University obstetric clinic at the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans was selected randomly from among those registering the same month. The two groups were compared on the primary outcome variable, low birth weight. Data were analyzed by χ2, Fisher exact test, t test, and regression models. Results: We compared 179 collaborative-care and 181 university patients with retrievable information. By univariate analysis, collaborative-care patients more often were teenagers and black, and less likely to be married or employed. Collaborative-care patients had more prenatal visits and were more likely to participate in Medicaid, but less likely to deliver at the Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans. Birth weight and gestational age at delivery were greater. Both delivery before 37 weeks (7.3% versus 17.7%, P < .001) and birth weight less than 2500 g (8.9% versus 19.3%, P < .001) were less common. When differences identified at the initial obstetric visit were considered, multivariate weighted logistic regression confirmed the importance of prenatal care at the collaborative-practice program for low birth weight (odds ratio [OR] 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19, 0.71) and preterm delivery (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16, 0.78). When all differences were entered, low birth weight remained a significantly less likely occurrence at the collaborative-practice site (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.23, 0.92). Conclusion: An advanced-practice nurse-obstetrician collaborative practice may be implemented successfully and lead to acceptable perinatal outcomes, as judged by low birth weight and prematurity.
Managing acute liver failure

Abstract Acute liver failure in childhood is a rare but fatal disease with a mortality of 70% without transplantation. The aetiology depends on age. In neonates, sepsis or an inherited metabolic liver disease is most likely, whereas viral hepatitis or drug-induced liver failure, especially following paracetamol overdose, is common. The clinical presentation includes jaundice, coagulopathy and encephalopathy. Early diagnosis is essential in order to prevent complications such as cerebral oedema, gastrointestinal bleeding and renal failure. Poor prognostic features include a reduction in liver size, a rising bilirubin with fall in hepatic transaminases, and increasing coagulopathy. Early supportive management, particularly intravenous N-acetylcysteine, may be effective but, in most instances, liver transplantation will be the definitive treatment and thus early referral to a specialist unit for liver transplantation is mandatory.
Noise associated with recombination in the emitter space charge region of transistors

Abstract We have measured the noise associated with the recombination current IR in the emitter space charge region of a p-n-p transistor at 100°K and find IEQ = ζIR, where ξ lies above 0.75 and increases with increasing emitter current. Lauritzen's theory predicts ζ = 0.75; the reasons for this relatively small discrepancy are discussed.
Universal Android-Based Kit for Wireless Control of Wheelchairs

The use of apps on hand-held devices has the potential to offer advancements in controlling many devices with an intuitive user interface, including power wheelchair control. Many powered wheelchair users require special adaptations to their control interface in order to drive the chair. This paper presents the development and testing of an Android based control system for a powered wheelchair. The control system utilizes the Android device’s sensors to control the wheelchair. The device can be attached to various parts of the user’s body which the user can move to control the wheelchair. The accelerometers in the device are used to drive the chair using Bluetooth technology connected to the wheelchair’s control system. Subject testing was performed with the user holding the Android device in their hand while they performed a variety of structured tasks. These series of tasks were duplicated while the Android device was attached to their hat and again when strapped to the upper left arm. The results from the collected data on specific metrics were compared against similar data when the wheelchair is controlled using a standard wheelchair joystick.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
(1,3-Dimethyluracil-5-yl)mercury(II): Preparative, Structural, and NMR Spectroscopic Studies of an Analog of CH3HgII

The solution behavior of (1,3-DimeU-C5)Hg(CH3COO) (1a) (1,3-DimeU = 1,3-dimethyluracil) with regard to acetate replacement by anions X (Cl-, Br-, I-, NO3-, SCN-, CN-) and by other model nucleobases...
Active ingredients in sunscreens act as topical penetration enhancers for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

Agricultural workers are encouraged to use sunscreen to decrease the risk of UV-related skin cancer. Our previous studies have shown certain commercial sunscreens to be penetration enhancers. The focus of this project is to determine whether active ingredients in sunscreen formulations (i.e., the UV absorbing components and insect repellants for the sunscreen/bug repellant combinations) also act as dermal penetration enhancers for herbicides in vitro. The total percentages of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) penetrating through hairless mouse skin in 24 h ranged from 54.9 +/- 4.7 for the no sunscreen control to 86.9 +/- 2.5 for padimate-o. Of the active ingredients tested (7.5% octyl methoxycinnamate, 7% octocrylene, 0.6% oxybenzone, 5% homosalate, 5% octyl salicylate, 8% padimate-o, 10% sulisobenzone, and 9.5% and 19% N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide [DEET]), all but octocrylene led to a significant increase in total 2,4-D penetration as compared to the control (P < 0.05), and only octocrylene and oxybenzone did not significantly decrease the corresponding lag time. Octyl salicylate (P < 0.01) and octyl methoxycinnimate (P < 0.05) significantly increased the 3H2O penetration across mouse skin, indicating physical damage to the stratum corneum. Additional studies demonstrated that the penetration enhancement seen across hairless mouse skin also occurred with human skin. Thus, the active ingredients of sunscreen formulations enhance dermal penetration of the moderately lipophilic herbicide 2,4-D.
Structural Aspects of Salivary Glycoproteins

The protective functions of saliva are attributed, in part, to its serous and mucous glycoproteins. We have studied, as representative molecules, the proline-rich glycoprotein (PRG) from human parotid saliva and the high (MG1) and low (MG2) molecular weight mucins from submandibular-sublingual saliva. PRG (38.9 kDa) contains 40% carbohydrate consisting of 6 triantennary N-linked units and a single peptide chain of 231 amino acids, 75% of which = PRO + GLY + GLN. PRG's secondary structure is comprised of 70% random coil (naked regions) and 30% beta-turns (glycosylated domains). MG1 (greater than 10(3) kDa) contains 15% protein (several disulfide linked subunits), 78% carbohydrate (290 units of 4-16 residues), 7% sulfate, and small amounts of covalently linked fatty acids. MG2 (200-250 kDa) contains 30% protein (single peptide chain), 68% carbohydrate (170 units of 2-7 residues), and 2% sulfate. The major carbohydrate units of MG2 are: NeuAc alpha 2,3Gal beta 1,3GalNAc,Gal beta 1,3GalNAc, and Fuc alpha 1,2Gal beta 1,3GalNAc. MG1 contains hydrophobic domains, as evidenced by its ability to bind fluorescent hydrophobic probes; MG2 does not. Collectively, the biochemical and biophysical comparisons between MG1 and MG2 indicate that these two mucins are structurally different. Several functional properties of MG1, MG2, and PRG have been examined, including their presence in two-hour in vivo enamel pellicle, binding to synthetic hydroxyapatite, lubricating properties, and interactions with oral streptococci. The data presented suggest that these glycoproteins may have multiple functions which are predicated, in part on their carbohydrate units. The potential significance of the structure-function relationships of these glycoproteins to the oral ecology is discussed.
Using online social networks to support underrepresented students' engagement in postsecondary education

Participation in elective online social networks that enhance learners' connections to their local community and to distant others they perceive as similar may be especially important to the educational attainment and engagement of low-income students traditionally underrepresented in higher education compared to their upper-to-middle income peers. This poster presents the conceptual framework for the design and implementation of an online social network aimed at increasing the educational attainment, leadership and social engagement of such students.
Land and water systems: managing the hydrological risk.

The paper suggests that the expansion of irrigated agriculture in the 20th century has de-coupled the water user from the inherent risk of exploiting both surface and groundwater resources. The apparent reliability of storage and conveyance infrastructure and the, relative cheapness and flexibility of groundwater exploitation offered by mechanised drilling and pumping have sheltered the end user from natural hydrological risk. The imperative for in-field irrigation efficiency has been effectively removed since the physical and economic management of the resource is determined by command area authorities or, in the case of some groundwater pumping, by the performance of power utilities, who have no direct interest in integrated resource conservation. As a result, the resource base has been degraded, and in some cases irreparable damage has occurred. It is argued that the rigidity of the resource management in many irrigation systems is not attuned to the inherent variability of natural systems upon which they depend. Further, the paper argues that irrigation management systems can work toward sustainability by spreading risk equitably, and transparently, amongst the resource regulators, managers and users. This has to involve a much more flexible approach to natural resource management that is conditioned not only by natural parameters, but also by the socio-economic settings. A range of examples highlights the variability and scale issues involved.
The relationship of demographic and psychosocial variables to pain-related outcomes in a rural chronic pain population

Rural residency and low socioeconomic status (SES) are associated with increased likelihood of chronic pain. Other demographics are also differentially associated with the experience of pain. This study examines the relations between demographic and pain-related variables in a virtually unstudied population of rural Alabama chronic pain patients. One hundred and fifteen patients completed validated measures of pain catastrophizing, depression, pain intensity, pain interference, perceived disability, and life satisfaction. Average age of study participants was 52-years, 79% were female, 74% were African-American, 72% reported annual income between 00,000–12,999, and 61% were unemployed. Although average years of reported education was 12.26, reading level percentile (primary literacy indicant) was 17.33. Cross-sectional multivariate and univariate analyses were conducted to examine associations among demographic and psychosocial variables in relation to various pre-treatment pain-related variables. The mediating role of pain catastrophizing and depression was investigated. Results indicate that race was significantly associated with pain intensity and pain interference, such that African-Americans reported higher scores than White-Americans. Pain catastrophizing was uniquely associated with pain intensity, pain interference, and perceived disability; depression was uniquely associated with pain interference and life satisfaction. Pain catastrophizing mediated the relation between primary literacy and pain intensity; age effects were differentially mediated by either pain catastrophizing or depression. These analyses provide an insight into the specific demographic and psychosocial factors associated with chronic pain in a low-literacy, low-SES rural population.