cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrated Inertial Measurement Unit

With the more advanced pitch and roll gyroscope designs and microfabrication platform, achieving consistent high performance in all three axes using robust high-frequency resonant MEMS gyroscopes becomes possible. This chapter presents the first demonstration of a high-performance timing and inertial measurement unit (TIMU) with robust 3-axis resonant gyroscopes integrated and wafer-level packaged (WLP) on a single chip. Each of the integrated sensing elements on the TIMU demonstrated high performance with small form factor and high robustness, showing great potentials for navigational applications.
Parallelizing a serial code: open–source module, EZ Parallel 1.0,and geophysics examples

Abstract. Parallel computing can offer substantial speedup of numerical simulations in comparison to serial computing, as parallel computing uses many processors simultaneously rather than a single processor. However, it typically also requires substantial time and effort to convert a serial code into a parallel code. Here, a new module is developed to reduce the time and effort required to parallelize a serial code. The tested version of the module is written in the Fortran programming language,while the framework could also be extended to other languages (C++, Python, Julia, etc.). The Message Passing Interface is used to allow for either shared-memory or distributed-memory computer architectures. The software is designed for solving partial differential equations on a rectangular two-dimensional or three-dimensional domain, using finite difference, finite volume, pseudo-spectral, or other similar numerical methods. Examples are provided for two idealized models of atmospheric and oceanic fluid dynamics: the two-level quasi-geostrophic equations, and the stochastic heat equation as a model for turbulent advection–diffusion of either water vapor and clouds or sea surface height variability. In tests of the parallelized code, the strong scaling efficiency for the finite difference code is seen to be roughly 80 % to 90 %, which is achieved by adding roughly only 10 new lines to the serial code. Therefore, EZ Parallel provides great benefits with minimal additional effort.
Are Mechanical Prostheses Valid Alternatives to the Ross Procedure in Young Children Under 6 Years Old

Background Aortic valve replacement in young children is associated with technical difficulties and potential morbidity. In contrast to the versatile Ross operation, mechanical prostheses (MP) are uncommonly used. Methods We examined transplant-free survival and cardiac reoperation among 124 young children (aged 1-6 years) who underwent the Ross operation (n = 84) or MP (n = 40) for congenital disease (1982-2003) using the Pediatric Cardiac Care Consortium database. We explored variables influencing outcomes. Results Children who received MP were operated in an earlier era and were more likely to have aortic regurgitation, conotruncal abnormalities, prior aortic valve surgery, and to need Konno annular enlargement. Although no significant differences were found in hospital mortality (1.2% vs 5.0%, P = .24) or 15-year transplant-free survival (94.1% vs 87.5%, P = .16) between Ross and MP recipients, survival diverged with later follow-up (91.3% vs 68.9%, respectively, at 25 years; P = .01). On multivariable regression analysis the association of MP use and transplant-free survival changed over time (hazard ratios, 0.8 [95% confidence interval, 0.1-4.4; P = .78] vs 6.0 [95% confidence interval, 0.6-63.1; P = .13], respectively) before and after 17 years. Cumulative incidence of cardiac reoperation at 10 years was 37.7% and 53.6% after the Ross procedure and MP, respectively (P = .05). The most common reoperation after the Ross procedure was conduit replacement and pacemaker ± automated internal cardiac defibrillator and after MP was pacemaker ± automated internal cardiac defibrillator and redo aortic valve replacement. Conclusions Over the study period there was a trend for increased Ross utilization. Interestingly MP use was associated with comparable operative mortality and survival up to 17 years, albeit with higher need for redo aortic valve replacement. On longer follow-up survival diverged with increased attrition in the MP group, likely because of late valve– and reoperation-related complications.
Likelihood approximation networks (LANs) for fast inference of simulation models in cognitive neuroscience

Cognitive neuroscience studies the links between the physical brain and cognition. Computational models that attempt to describe the relationships between the brain and specific behaviours quantitatively is becoming increasingly popular in this field. This approach may help determine the causes of certain behaviours and make predictions about what behaviours will be triggered by specific changes in the brain. Many of the computational models used in cognitive neuroscience are built based on experimental data. A good model can predict the results of new experiments given a specific set of conditions with few parameters. Candidate models are often called ‘generative’: models that can simulate data. However, typically, cognitive neuroscience studies require going the other way around: they need to infer models and their parameters from experimental data. Ideally, it should also be possible to properly assess the remaining uncertainty over the parameters after having access to the experimental data. To facilitate this, the Bayesian approach to statistical analysis has become popular in cognitive neuroscience. Common software tools for Bayesian estimation require a ‘likelihood function’, which measures how well a model fits experimental data for given values of the unknown parameters. A major obstacle is that for all but the most common models, obtaining precise likelihood functions is computationally costly. In practice, this requirement limits researchers to evaluating and comparing a small subset of neurocognitive models for which a likelihood function is known. As a result, it is convenience, rather than theoretical interest, that guides this process. In order to provide one solution for this problem, Fengler et al. developed a method that allows users to perform Bayesian inference on a larger number of models without high simulation costs. This method uses likelihood approximation networks (LANs), a computational tool that can estimate likelihood functions for a broad class of models of decision making, allowing researchers to estimate parameters and to measure how well models fit the data. Additionally, Fengler et al. provide both the code needed to build networks using their approach and a tutorial for users. The new method, along with the user-friendly tool, may help to discover more realistic brain dynamics underlying cognition and behaviour as well as alterations in brain function.
Crystal Plasticity Modeling of Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Related Defects in Initial Yield and Plastic Flow of Single-Crystal Stainless Steel 316L

Understanding of and accounting for various mechanisms that affect inelastic deformation of crystalline metals in the presence of hydrogen remains an unsettled issue. Macroscopic experimental observations contradict limited atomistic simulations, complicating the situation. In this work, we extend a recent physically based crystal viscoplasticity framework to include constitutive equations with a direct dependence on relevant hydrogen and hydrogen-related defect concentrations. Focusing on initial yield and post-yield strain hardening, we consider hydrogen solute drag on mobile dislocations as well as the role of dilute concentrations of hydrogen-vacancy complexes as obstacles to dislocation motion. Furthermore, the evolution of hydrogen and hydrogen-affected defect concentrations is explicitly considered via evolving hydrogen trap concentrations. The resulting framework is used to investigate hydrogen effects on the quasistatic, monotonic, strain-controlled uniaxial loading of single-crystal stainless steel 316L smooth specimens at room temperature in an attempt to connect atomistic insight and the resulting mesoscale model framework with experimental interpretations. Attributing the primary role of hydrogen in this manner is shown to produce good agreement with experiments in the initial yield and post-yield regime. The dominance of various hydrogen effects mechanisms is discussed.
Food Insecurity and Chronic Diseases among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the US: Results of a Population-based Survey

Data from the 2014 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) National Health Interview Survey were used to examine associations between food security and individual chronic diseases, total number...
Variation in the response to malaria in Diversity Outbred mice

We infected Diversity Outbred mice with Plasmodium chabaudi to better understand how the host response to infection can vary and to try to identify genetic loci responsible for this variation. We identified two loci correlating with binary traits: one on chromosome two was linked to undetectable parasite loads and another on chromosome ten which was linked to death. Though we tested many variable traits, none of those reached statistical significance using the 489 mice we tested.
COVID-19 aerosol transmission simulation-based risk analysis for in-person learning

Abstract As educational institutions begin a school year following a year and a half of disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, risk analysis can help to support decision-making for resuming in-person instructional operation by providing estiamtes of the relative risk reduction due to different interventions. In particular, a simulation-based risk analysis approach enables scenario evaluation and comparison to guide decision making and action prioritization under uncertainty. We develop a simulation model to characterize the risks and uncertainties associated with infections resulting from aerosol exposure in in-person classes. We demonstrate this approach by applying it to model a semester of courses in a real college with approximately 11,000 students embedded within a larger university. To have practical impact, risk cannot focus on only infections as the end point of interest, we estimate the risks of infection, hospitalizations, and deaths of students and faculty in the college. We incorporate uncertainties in disease transmission, the impact of policies such as masking and facility interventions, and variables outside of the college’s control such as population-level disease and immunity prevalence. We show in our example application that universal use of masks that block 40% of aerosols and the installation of near-ceiling, fan-mounted UVC systems both have the potential to lead to substantial risk reductions and that these effects can be modeled at the individual room level. These results exemplify how such simulation-based risk analysis can inform decision making and prioritization under great uncertainty.
First Report: Rare RNF213 Variant Associated with Familial Moyamoya Disease in an African American Family

Abstract Objective To investigate potential genetic susceptibility for moyamoya disease (MMD) in an African American family. Materials and methods Neurovascular imaging and analyses of MMD susceptibility genes RNF213 and/or ACTA2 in a young proband with MMD and two first-degree relatives. Results The proband presented with pseudobulbar affect and chorea, then had a right hemispheric ischaemic stroke and rapidly fatal course. One relative had a mild haemorrhagic thalamic stroke and clinically silent ischaemic infarct. Despite evidence of slowly progressive disease, he remained clinically stable. Another relative was neurologically intact with normal cerebrovascular imaging to date. All three have the rare R4131C (p.Arg4131Cys or p.R4131C, c.12391C>T) variant of the RNF213 gene. They are the first Black people and only the 5th family worldwide known to harbour this variant. MMD was confirmed in both of the patients with neurological events. Conclusions Our report provides compelling evidence that MMD is a clinically complex, heritable genetic disease. It supports the probable pathogenicity of R4131C. Furthermore, it illustrates the wide phenotypic spectrum of R4131C, from asymptomatic carrier to late presenting, mild disease to catastrophic, rapidly fatal childhood disease. To our knowledge, this is also the first report of heritable MMD in a Black family. Finally, this study highlights the importance of racially and ethnically diverse participants in biomedical research.
Hypervelocity impact of a pressurized vessel: Comparison of ballistic limit equation predictions with test data and rupture limit equation development

Abstract Most spacecraft have at least one pressurized vessel on board. For robotic spacecraft, it is usually a liquid propellant tank. One of the design considerations of such spacecraft is the possible damage that might occur in the event of an on-orbit impact by a micro-meteoroid or orbital debris (MMOD) particle. While considerable effort has been expended in the study of the response of non-pressurized spacecraft components to these kinds of impacts, relatively few studies have been conducted on the pressurized elements of such spacecraft. This paper presents the results of a study performed to address the following aspects of this problem: how well current ballistic limit equations predict impact-induced perforation damage that might occur in pressurized spacecraft components such as tanks; and, the development of data-driven rupture limit equations that can be used to differentiate between impact conditions that would result in only a small hole or crack, from those that would cause catastrophic tank failure. This information would be useful to a design engineer who might be able to select tank materials to avoid catastrophic tank failure in the event of a perforating on-orbit MMOD particle impact. Tank perforation would typically result in a failed mission; and catastrophic tank failure might generate multiple pieces of new debris, increasing the risk to other spacecraft.
The Impact of Mobile Application Information on Application Download: A Text Mining Approach

The effects of customers’ reviews on products have been understood in the initial digital purchase context. This study extends this literature by exploring the reviews in the mobile environment. It calls for understanding the context of reviews which types of information in the review have significant impact on customers’ behavior. This study applied text mining in analyzing customers’ reviews in purchasing mobile applications and find out important applications’ features valuable for customers by discovering meaningful information in influential words. We find that for mobile applications, specific expressions in online customer review, companies’ reply to the review, and quality certifications from application store have significant impacts on the number of download. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
RBP-Jκ-dependent Notch signaling is required for murine articular cartilage and joint maintenance.

Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease resulting in severe joint cartilage destruction and disability. While the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of OA are poorly understood, gene mutations have been identified within cartilage-related signaling molecules, implicating impaired cell signaling in OA and joint disease. The Notch pathway has recently been identified as a crucial regulator of growth plate cartilage development, and components are expressed in joint tissue. This study was undertaken to investigate a novel role for Notch signaling in joint cartilage development, maintenance, and the pathogenesis of joint disease in a mouse model. Methods We performed the first mouse gene study in which the core Notch signaling component, RBP-Jκ, was tissue specifically deleted within joints. The Prx1Cre transgene removed Rbpjk loxP-flanked alleles in mesenchymal joint precursor cells, while the Col2CreERT2 transgene specifically deleted Rbpjk in postnatal chondrocytes. Murine articular chondrocyte cultures were also used to examine Notch regulation of gene expression. Results Loss of Notch signaling in mesenchymal joint precursor cells did not affect embryonic joint development in mice, but rather, resulted in an early, progressive OA-like pathology. Additionally, partial loss of Notch signaling in murine postnatal cartilage resulted in progressive joint cartilage degeneration and an age-related OA-like pathology. Inhibition of Notch signaling altered the expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM)–related factors type II collagen (COL2A1), proteoglycan 4, COL10A1, matrix metalloproteinase 13, and ADAMTS. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the RBP-Jκ–dependent Notch pathway is a novel pathway involved in joint maintenance and articular cartilage homeostasis, a critical regulator of articular cartilage ECM-related molecules, and a potentially important therapeutic target for OA-like joint disease.
Towards Well-Behaved Schema Evolution

We study the problem of schema evolution in the RDF data model. RDF and the RDFS schema language are W3C standards for exibly modeling and sharing data on the web. Although schema evolution has been intensively studied in the database and knowledge-representation communities, only recently has progress been made on the study of RDFS schema evolution. Indeed, the exible nature of RDF poses novel challenges. In particular, since the data model does not strictly distinguish data from metadata, schema evolution is intimately related to data updates. A major issue encountered during RDFS database updates is a certain type of \nondeterminism" exhibited during schema evolution. In current solutions, such nondeterminism is handled by extralogical rules or heuristics. Is it possible to characterize the class of RDFS updates which are well-behaved, that is, with a well-dened semantics avoiding ad-hoc solutions? In this
Composition of human saliva. Parotid gland secretory rate and electrolyte concentration in children with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract Parotid saliva secretion rate and electrolyte composition were determined in thirty-one healthy children and twenty-nine children with cystic fibrosis. Flavoured chicle was used as the stimulatory agent and the uncontaminated parotid fluid was collected by means of a vacuum cup. The resultant data indicated that there were no significant differences in the secretion rate, pH, potassium and bicarbonate values between the groups. Although higher sodium and chloride concentrations were noted in the saliva obtained from the fibrocystic patients, the difference between the patient and control groups was only of “borderline” significance. Calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly elevated in the fibrocystic group. After subdivision of the control and fibrocystic groups, using the median secretion rate to divide each group, there was a statistically significant difference in the salivary sodium concentration between normal and fibrocystic children, at low rates of secretion. At both low and high flow rates the salivary calcium concentration of the children with cystic fibrosis was significantly higher than the levels observed for the normal group. There was a significant difference in phosphorus concentration between normal and fibrocystic patients only in the subgroups above the median secretion rate. Information obtained in the current study seems to indicate that a defect exists in the metabolism of the parotid gland duct cells in children with cystic fibrosis. Presumably the duct cells fail to re-absorb sodium to the extent observed in normal children, and secrete excessive amounts of calcium and phosphorus.
Growth Inhibition and Increase of Insulin Receptors in Antiestrogen-resistant T47Dco Human Breast Cancer Cells by Progestins: Implications for Endocrine Therapies

There is renewed interest in the use of progestins to treat advanced breast cancer because results with these agents are comparable to those obtained with antiestrogens. However, it is not known whether progestins inhibit the growth of breast tumor cells directly and independently of estradiol. To study this, we have used T47DCO human breast cancer cells. The progesterone receptors in these cells do not require estrogen induction, and this permits study of pure progestin effects without interference by estradiol. We report here that, in the absence of estradiol, physiological concentrations of progestins directly inhibit proliferation of these cells. At the same time, progestins increase the levels of the receptors for insulin, a common cell mitogen. Ten days of treatment with 1 or 10 nM of the synthetic progestin R5020 suppresses cell growth approximately 50 to 60%. This is consistent with the concentrations that either partially (approximately 10%) or more extensively (greater than 60%) translocate cytoplasmic progesterone receptors. Even a brief 1-hr pulse of R5020 has long-term growth-inhibitory effects. Progesterone is also antiproliferative, but its effects are attenuated because, unlike R5020, it is rapidly metabolized in the medium. Other synthetic progestins also inhibit cell growth, but unrelated steroids (estradiol, androgens, glucocorticoids, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) are ineffective. While growth is suppressed by R5020, insulin receptors increase rapidly and then fall to a new, elevated steady state as the cells slowly begin to proliferate. Only progestins have this effect on insulin receptors. We conclude that the hormonal regulation of breast tumor cell growth is complex and includes progestins among the regulating factors. Furthermore, since T47Dco cells are antiestrogen-resistant and estrogen receptor-negative, the antiproliferative effects of progestins must be mediated through mechanisms that differ from the cytotoxic effects of antiestrogens. We propose that, clinically, antiestrogens and progestins may have complementary uses in breast cancer treatment, and we outline two therapeutic strategies.
A 99nW 70.4kHz resistive frequency locking on-chip oscillator with 27.4ppm/ºC temperature stability

We present a low power on-chip oscillator for system-on-chip designs. The oscillator introduces a resistive frequency locking loop topology where the equivalent resistance of a switched-capacitor is matched to a temperature-compensated resistor. The approach eliminates the traditional comparator from the oscillation loop, which consumes significant power and limits temperature stability in conventional relaxation oscillators. The oscillator is fabricated in 0.18μm CMOS and exhibits 27.4ppm/oC and <7ppm long-term stability while consuming 99.4nW at 70.4 kHz.
A Modified Fast Analog Technique for Determining Luminescence Decay Times of Scintillators

We have modified our previous fast analog technique to determine the luminescence decay times of scintillators following an excitation with a Sr90 β-source. In the original technique [1], the sample was excited with a nitrogen-pumped dye laser, and the fluorescence pulses (consisting of typically 50 to 1000 photons) were detected by a multi-channel plate photomultiplier tube (MCP-PMT). The output from the MCP-PMT was directed to a fast waveform digitizer triggered externally by the exciting laser. In the modified technique, the digitizer acquires the fluorescence decay in the internal trigger mode, as no corresponding external trigger pulse is available from the Sr90 source. For efficient light collection from scintillators, an ellipsoidal mirror assembly has been tested. The fluorescence decays are acquired as multi-photon pulses and are subsequently corrected for the temporal instrument response by using a deconvolution technique. The overall time resolution of the technique is about 100 ps. The fluorescence decay time obtained using this technique for a commercial scintillator (SCSN-81) agrees well with literature. We also discuss our results on new epoxy-polymer based scintillators prepared in our laboratory. The primary motivation for this work was development of new scintillators with shorter fluorescence decay times for high collision rate experiments.
The algal toxicity of silver engineered nanoparticles and detoxification by exopolymeric substances

In this study, we report that silver ions (Ag(+)) from the oxidative dissolution of silver engineered nanoparticles (Ag-ENs) determined the EN toxicity to the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. Most of the Ag-ENs formed non-toxic aggregates (>0.22 microm) in seawater. When the free Ag(+) concentration ([Ag(+)](F)) was greatly reduced by diafiltration or thiol complexation, no toxicity was observed, even though the Ag-ENs were better dispersed in the presence of thiols with up to 1.08 x 10(-5) M Ag-ENs found in the <0.22 microm fraction, which are orders of magnitude higher than predicted for the natural aquatic environment. The secretion of polysaccharide-rich algal exopolymeric substances (EPS) significantly increased at increasing [Ag(+)](F). Both dissolved and particulate polysaccharide concentrations were higher for nutrient-limited cells, coinciding with their higher Ag(+) tolerance, suggesting that EPS may be involved in Ag(+) detoxification.
Effect of acute and chronic glutathione depletion on renal function in the rat

Renal function was evaluated in normal and acid-loaded rats following acute and chronic depletion of glutathione (GSH) by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Creatinine clearance and fractional excretion of electrolytes were normal. There was no acidification or concentration defect detected in animals with acute or chronic GSH depletion.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance in Bismuth Metal

The nuclear magnetic resonance in bismuth metal powder has been observed from 9 to 19 Mc/sec at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The isotropic and anisotropic Knight shifts and the quadrupole coupling constant have been determined as (-1.25\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}.30)%, (-0.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)%, and 2.10\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}.05 Mc/sec, respectively. The intrinsic linewidth was found to be 130\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20 kc/sec. A technique is developed to take into consideration the broadening of the observed lines due to the combined effects of the magnetic dipolar broadening and the width due to the quadrupolar splitting of each line.
Comparative scanning electron microscopic investigations of the sensory epithelia in the teleost sacculus and lagena.

Scanning electron microscopic studies were conducted on the sensory epithelia of the auditory portions of the ears in teleost species representing wide taxonomic diversity. A number of the features of the ears investigated resem- bled features found in other teleost species, although some major exceptions to earlier patterns were found, particularly in the saccular sensory epithelium. The saccular maculae of all but one species contained basically similar ciliary bundles on the sensory hair cells while there was some significant variation on the lagenar maculae. Hair cell orientation patterns on the sacculus contained four orientation groups in all of the species, other than the mormyrid, Gnathonemus, which only had two groups. Lagenar maculae had two orientation groups, and the orientation patterns were similar to one another. The most divergent form of lagenar macula was found in Gnathonemus. These data, combined with data from earlier investigations, provide a broad overview of the surface features of the ear in teleost fishes. Most significantly, it now appears that there are at least five different saccular hair cell orientation patterns among teleost fishes, and all of these patterns are found spread through many major teleost taxa. While there is some similarity in ear structures among some groups of closely related species, such as the Elopomorpha and the Gadiformes, it is becoming more apparent that there is extensive convergence in a number of features of the teleost ear that most likely reflect similar selective pressures during the evolution of the ear. The nature of these selective pressures, however, are not well understood.
Evidence for the extrusion of an incompletely folded form of penicillinase during secretion by protoplasts of bacillus licheniformis 749/C1

Summary The cell-bound and exocellular penicillinases of B. licheniformis 749/C are resistant to trypsin and chymotrypsin. The production of penicillinase sensitive to these proteases has been detected utilizing protoplasts stripped of part of their bound enzyme. The proteases most likely act at the outer surface of the membrane, degrading the emerging polypeptide before it can assume a resistant conformation. In the absence of protease, these protoplasts incorporate nascent penicillinase in amounts approximating that previously removed.
Lipid synthesis in germinating Tradescantia pollen

Abstract Synthesis of neutral and polar lipids in pollen of Tradescantia paludosa during germination and tube growth was studied by the incorporation of acetate-[1- 14 C] into lipids in the presence and absence of inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. The proteins required for the synthesis of both neutral lipids and phospholipids are not made de novo during germination but are already present in the mature ungerminated pollen grain and they are functionally stable during the first 2 hr of pollen growth.
Experimental Test of Density and Energy‐Balance Corrections on Carbon Dioxide Flux as Measured Using Open‐Path Eddy Covariance

Eddy covariance is the most direct technique for measuring water, C, and energy fluxes above crops and managed ecosystems. When using open-path gas analyzers, corrections for air density fluctuations due to heat and watervapor flux must be applied, and these corrections are often larger in magnitude than the CO 2 fluxes. Lack of energy balance closure, a common problem when using eddy covariance, implies that CO 2 fluxes often are underestimated. Research was conducted to evaluate performance of the density corrections by making eddy covariance measurements above a large parking lot where CO 2 and water vapor fluxes were almost zero. Uncorrected and corrected flux measurements were compared to the "known" values to determine accuracy. Data also were collected from a tallgrass prairie and a cedar forest to examine how density corrections and adjustments for energy balance closure affected daily C balances. Raw measurements from the parking lot showed apparent, density-induced, downward CO 2 fluxes (i.e., apparent photosynthesis) of approximately-0.4 mg m - 2 s - 1 that were correlated with sensible heat. On average, the daily uncorrected CO 2 flux was-12.7 g m - 2 d - 1 , but the density correction reduced and changed the direction of the flux to 1.8 g m - 2 d - 1 , which was very close to independent chamber measurements of 2.8 g m - 2 d - 1 . Density corrections in the forest and prairie changed average daily CO 2 fluxes by 20 to 80%. Energy balance closure averaged 80 and 95% in the prairie and forest, respectively. Corrections based on energy balance closure changed daily C balances by 16 to 35%. A plethora of post-measurement corrections, coupled with lack of energy balance closure, signals the need for additional research before eddy covariance can be routinely applied in agronomic research.
Time-dependent effect of ethanol upon discrimination behavior.

Abstract The discriminative stimulus properties produced by ethanol were employed to demonstrate differences in discriminative performance over time in rats trained at different postinjection times. Thus, one group of rats was trained to discriminate between intraperitoneally administered 600 mg/kg ethanol and its distilled water vehicle at 6-min postadministration, whereas a second group of rats was trained to make this discrimination when trained at 30-min postinjection. Subsequent to reaching criterion performance, dose-response relations to doses of ethanol from 150–900 mg/kg were determined to be similar in both groups. This indicated that the discriminative stimulus effects at the two postadministration times were equally effective for training of behavioral responding to ethanol. The rats trained at 30 min postadministration maintained criterion level discrimination performance when tested at 6-, 15- and 60-min postinjection. In contrast, the rats trained at 6-min postadministration discriminated ethanol at a reduced level (40%) when tested at 30-min postinjection. These results suggest that the nature of the discriminable stimuli produced by a low dose of ethanol are different at 6-min and at 30-min postadministration. Evidence is cited to further suggest that the earlier stimuli are excitatory whereas the later stimuli are sedative.
Renin-angiotensin polymorphisms and QTc interval prolongation in end-stage renal disease

Renin-angiotensin polymorphisms and QTc interval prolongation in end- stage renal disease. Background Polymorphisms of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) genes in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic hemodialysis may be associated with QTc interval prolongation, leading to fatal arrhythmias. The objective of this study was to determine ( 1 ) the prevalence of QTc prolongation in hemodialysis patients, and (2) the association of a prolonged QTc in these patients with RAS polymorphisms [angiotensin-converting enzyme-insertion/deletion ( ACE-I/D ), angiotensin type 1 receptor- A1166C ( AT1R-A1166C ), and angiotensinogen- M235T ( AGT-M235T )]. Methods Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs), serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and calcium), and ACE and angiotensin II levels were obtained 10 to 12 hours after a hemodialysis session in 43 patients with ESRD on chronic hemodialysis [mean age (±SD), 55 ± 14 years]. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the presence of polymorphisms of the ACE-I/D , AT1R-A1166C , and AGT-M235T genes was determined from the buccal cells. A maximum QT interval in patients with sinus rhythm and normal QRS duration was corrected for heart rate using Hodges' formula. Results Fifty-eight percent of the patients had QTc interval prolongation (>440 msec). The ACE-DD genotype ( P = 0.002) and the C allele of the AT1R-A1166C gene ( P = 0.004), but not the AGT-M235T gene, contributed to QTc prolongation. Conclusion Polymorphisms of ACE and AT1R genes additively contribute to QTc prolongation found in a great majority of ESRD patients. Therefore, ESRD patients with both or one of these polymorphisms may be at a higher risk for sudden cardiac death.
The thyroid gland is required for reproductive neuroendocrine responses to photoperiod in the ewe

A study was conducted to determine the role of the thyroid gland in three neuroendocrine responses to photoperiod; secretion of melatonin, PRL, and LH. Ewes were thyroidectomized (THX) in midsummer or left thyroid intact, and both groups were moved indoors to artificial short days (8 h of light, 16 h of darkness) for 90 days. Thereafter, a subset of both THX and thyroid-intact ewes was challenged with long days (16 h of light, 8 h of darkness) for 120 days. The other ewes remained in short days so that neuroendocrine responses to the photoperiodic shift could be distinguished from hormonal changes that occur spontaneously. Blood was sampled twice weekly for determination of serum concentrations of LH and PRL and hourly for 48 h surrounding the photoperiodic switch for assay of melatonin. All ewes were ovariectomized and treated with constant release implants of estradiol, so that PRL and LH secretion would not be influenced by alterations in gonadal steroid secretion. There was no effect of thyroidectomy on the circadian pattern of circulating melatonin or on the change in this pattern after the shift from short to long days. Similarly, thyroidectomy did not alter the PRL response to this photoperiodic shift; long days caused PRL to increase whether the thyroid was present or absent. In marked contrast, thyroidectomy blocked the effect of long days on circulating LH, a hormone indicative of reproductive neuroendocrine activity. Specifically, long days induced a precipitous drop in LH in thyroid-intact ewes, but not in THX ewes. Thus, although the thyroid plays an obligatory role in photoperiodic inhibition of the reproductive neuroendocrine axis of ewes, it may not be required for photoneuroendocrine responses in terms of melatonin and PRL secretion. Our findings suggest that in the absence of the thyroid, the reproductive neuroendocrine axis is uncoupled from the photoperiodic influence between the pineal and the GnRH neurosecretory system.
Accuracy and Reproducibility of Strain by Speckle Tracking in Pediatric Subjects with Normal Heart and Single Ventricular Physiology: A Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlative Study

Background Myocardial strain is a sensitive measure of ventricular systolic function. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSE) is an angle-independent method for strain measurement but has not been validated in pediatric subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of 2DSE-measured strain against reference tagged magnetic resonance imaging–measured strain in pediatric subjects with normal hearts and those with single ventricles (SVs) of left ventricular morphology after the Fontan procedure. Methods Peak systolic circumferential strain and longitudinal strain (LS) in segments ( n = 16) of left ventricles in age-matched and body surface area–matched 20 healthy and 12 pediatric subjects with tricuspid atresia after the Fontan procedure were measured by 2DSE and tagged magnetic resonance imaging. Average (global) and regional segmental strains measured by the two methods were compared using Spearman's and Bland-Altman analyses. Results Global strains measured by 2DSE and tagged magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated close agreements, which were better for LS than circumferential strain and in normal left ventricles than in SVs (95% limits of agreement, +0.0% to +3.12%, −2.48% to +1.08%, −4.6% to +1.8%, and −3.6% to +1.8%, respectively). There was variability in agreement between regional strains, with wider limits in apical than in basal regions in normal left ventricles and heterogeneity in SVs. Strain values were significantly ( P Conclusions Strains measured by 2DSE agree with strain measured by magnetic resonance imaging globally but vary regionally, particularly in SVs. Global strain may be a more robust tool for cardiac functional evaluation than regional strain in SV physiology. The reliability of 2DSE-measured strain is affected by the frame rate, the nature of strain, and ventricular geometry.
Attraction and mortality of Bactrocera dorsalis (Diptera: Tephritidae) to STATIC Spinosad ME weathered under operational conditions in California and Florida: a reduced-risk male annihilation treatment.

ABSTRACT Studies were conducted in 2013–2014 to quantify attraction, feeding, and mortality of male oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), to STATIC SpinosadME a reduced-risk male annihilation treatment (MAT) formulation consisting of an amorphous polymer matrix in combination with methyl eugenol (ME) and spinosad compared with the standard treatment of Min-U-Gel mixed with ME and naled (Dibrom). Our approach used a behavioral methodology for evaluation of slow-acting reduced-risk insecticides.MEtreatments were weathered for 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d under operational conditions in California and Florida and shipped to Hawaii for bioassays. In field tests using bucket traps to attract and capture wild males, and in toxicity studies conducted in 1-m3 cages using released males of controlled ages, STATIC Spinosad ME performed equally as well to the standard formulation of Min-U-GelMEwith naled for material aged up to 28 d in both California and Florida. In laboratory feeding...
(On)Line Dancing: Choosing an Appropriate Distance Education Partner

Online-delivered distance education is a burgeoning component of professional development and continuing education. Distance education programs allow individuals to learn in a different location and/or at a different time from fellow learners, thereby increasing the flexibility and number of learning options. Selecting the “right” program for personal development from the ever-growing body of online-delivered education is an individualized decision that can become an overwhelming and challenging process. This Tool presents four important definitions for navigating distance education program description materials and outlines a five-step process to assist in identifying an appropriate program for personal development. The five-step process includes key questions and points to consider while conducting a candid self-assessment, identifying and investigating distance education programs, and then compiling information, comparing programs, and prioritizing a list of programs suitable for application. Furthermore, this Tool highlights important websites for distance education degree program reviews, accreditation information, and open educational resources.
An exception to island loss in the engineered Upper Mississippi River: History of land growth in Pool 6 and implications for restoration

Abstract Over 150 years of intense river engineering has radically altered the morphodynamics of the Upper Mississippi River System, with island loss a dominant trend and restoration efforts underway. In Pool 6 of the UMRS, deposition over the last 40 years has produced substantial island growth. To understand patterns of land growth in Pool 6, and what has enabled it, historical aerial photography and survey datasets were analyzed using a spatially nested approach. Between 1895 and 1931, land emerged around wing and closing dikes. Within the 29.9 km2 managed channel, land area increased 22%, with a 40% increase in land area in the 3.65 km2 lower pool. Following construction of the Lock and Dam system in 1936, which raised water levels, land area declined 45% in the pool and 78% in its downstream portion, or lower pool. Since 1975, land grew throughout the pool, and particularly in the lower pool. In this area, 0.37 km2 of island area has emerged, increasing land area by 88% relative to 1975. Around one island complex in the lower pool, sediments have aggraded 2.2 m in 111 years, with the Lock and Dam having only a slight effect on aggradation rate. The location of wing and closing dikes in a wide secondary channel within an overall constricted river width appears to have contributed to island emergence and growth. Restoration efforts that mimic the conditions of Lower Pool 6 may enhance success at creating self-sustaining islands.
Adsorption and Dissociation of H2O2 on Pt and Pt−Alloy Clusters and Surfaces

The adsorption of H(2)O(2) on Pt and Pt-M alloys, where M is Cr, Co, or Ni, is investigated using density functional theory. Binding energies calculated with a hybrid DFT functional (B3PW91) are in the range of -0.71 to -0.88 eV for H(2)O(2) adsorbed with one of the oxygen atoms on top Pt positions of Pt(3), Pt(2)M, and PtM(2), and enhanced values in the range of -0.81 to -1.09 eV are found on top Ni and Co sites of the Pt(2)M clusters. Adsorption on top sites of Pt(10) yields a weaker binding of -0.48 eV, whereas on periodic Pt(111) and Pt(3)Co(111) surfaces, H(2)O(2) generally dissociates into two OH radicals. On the other hand, attempts to attach H(2)O(2) on bridge sites cause spontaneous dissociation of H(2)O(2) into two adsorbed OH radicals, suggesting that stable adsorptions on bridge sites are not possible for any of the clusters or extended surfaces that are being studied. We also found that the water-H(2)O(2) interaction reduces the strength of the adsorption of H(2)O(2) on these clusters and surfaces.
A methane-water model for coarse-grained simulations of solutions and clathrate hydrates.

Methane is the prototypic hydrophobic molecule; it has an extremely low solubility in liquid water that leads to phase segregation. On the other hand, at moderate pressures and room temperature, water and methane form hydrate clathrate crystals with a methane to water ratio up to a 1000 times higher than the saturated aqueous phase. This apparent dichotomy points to a subtle balance between the strong water−water hydrogen bonding, responsible for the hydrophobic effect, and water−methane attraction. Capturing these nuances with molecular models requires an appropriate balance of intermolecular interactions. Here we present such a coarse-grained molecular model of water and methane that represents each molecule by a single particle interacting through very short-range interaction potentials. The model is based on the monatomic model of water mW [Molinero, V.; Moore, E. B. J. Phys. Chem. B 2009, 113, 4008] and is between 2 and 3 orders of magnitude more computationally efficient than atomistic models with E...
Simultaneous acquisition of proton density, t1, and t2 images with triple contrast rare sequence

A fast multislice sequence that gives proton density (PD)-, T1-, and T2-weighted images simultaneously has been developed. The triple contrast RARE (TCRARE) is based on RARE and uses two interleaved TR intervals to obtain PD-, T1-, and T2-weighted images without spatial misregistration or RF gain mismatch within 2 min. By adding a fat suppression pulse before one of two excitation pulses, it is also possible to obtain an image set with and without fat suppression in a single acquisition.
n-Weakly hypercyclic and n-weakly supercyclic operators

If X is a locally convex topological vector space over a scalar field F=R or C and if E is a subset of X, then we define E to be n-weakly dense in X if for every onto continuous linear operator F:X→Fn we have that F(E) is dense in Fn. If X is a Hilbert space, this is equivalent to requiring that E have a dense orthogonal projection onto every subspace of dimension n. We then consider continuous linear operators on X that have orbits or scaled orbits that are n-weakly dense in X. We show that on a separable Hilbert space there are non-trivial examples of such operators and establish many of their basic properties. A fundamental tool is Ballʼs solution of the complex plank problem which implies that certain sets are 1-weakly closed.
The New Education Fellowship and UNESCO's programme of fundamental education

This paper will examine the attitudes of progressive educators toward poverty in developing countries. The reformers who formed the New Education Fellowship (NEF) in 1921 will be the subjects. They expanded their thinking from concerns about student freedom to efforts to encourage social reform, and by 1946 they participated in the creation of UNESCO. The NEF and UNESCO built on the faith that an appropriate education would reduce the causes of international war. This faith in education may have reinforced two related problems. Because an aspect of the faith in education was the belief that people would cooperate to serve the common good, the leaders of the conferences and planning sessions did not seek agreement on specific programmes. This was the first problem and it led to a second problem when the participants agreed that the programmes should adopt flexible methods to achieve a wide range of goals. The goals of the programmes expanded beyond the capacities of the agencies because there was no limit ...
A method for recovering resting spores of entomophthorales (zygomycetes) from soil

Abstract Resting spores of insect pathogenic fungi (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) were extracted from soil with a method utilizing discontinuous density gradients. Combinations of CaCl 2 , surcrose, and glycerol, or these solutions alone, yielded high recoveries of Conidiobolus thromboides resting spores. The extracting solutions yielding the maximal number of spores of both C. thromboides and Entomophaga grylli were composed of 2.5 or 3 m sucrose and 7 m CaCl 2 . Average recovery of resting spores from artificially infested soil was 79.1%, with a range of 59.4–87.5%. Resting spores were also recovered using this method from field-collected soil.
Symmetry and similarity in distributed systems

Similarity is introduced as a model-independent characterization of symmetry. It can be used to decide when a concurrent system has a solution to the selection problem. It can also be used to compare different models of parallel computation, including differences in scheduling policy and instruction set, and the consequences of using randomization.