cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biochemical genetics of Tribolium. I. The foundation population.

The life cycle characteristics of Tribolium castaneum for body weight, RNA Concentration, soluble protein concentration and the rates of four dehydrogenases were examined using an outbred wild type stock. Average egg weight decreased until hatching occurred. Larval growth showed an exponential pattern over time reaching a maximum body size just prior to pupation (14 days). Adults increased in size only slightly. Maximum RNA and soluble protein concentrations were observed at 9 and 14 days, respectively, and decreased rapidly thereafter. Activities of glucose-6-phosphate, 6-phosphogluconate, lactate and NADP-linked isocitrate dehydrogenases also were maximal at 14 days, the time of most rapid growth rate. The data suggest a definite relational pattern between growth rate, RNA and protein synthesis at least during larval development.
A convenient bioassay for detecting nanomolar concentrations of tetrodotoxin

We describe a convenient as well as highly sensitive bioassay procedure for detecting nanomolar concentrations of tetrodotoxin. The method utilizes desheathed frog (Rana pipiens) sciatic nerve mounted in a modified sucrose gap apparatus and depends on a measure of the reduction of the compound action potential height when the nerve bundle is exposed to the test solution (ca. 1 ml). The concentration of TTX needed to effect a 50 per cent reduction in height of the compound action potential was found to be 8 nM. We have shown that the Oregon newt Taricha granulosa contains on the order of 1 mg of TTX per g of newt.
High‐impact‐strength poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) from virgin and recycled resins

The impact strength of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been dramatically improved by blending with a copolyester thermoplastic elastomer, or an acrylate core/shell elastomer. The addition of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) to the polyester elastomer/PET blends, encouraged molecular weight buildup and resulted in improved impact strength and tensile properties. Up to 60 fold increase in impact strength of PET was obtained by blending with elastomers in the presence of TPP. It was suspected that the phosphite interacts chemically with the components of the blend during processing and produces the improvements. Phosphorus-31 ({sup 31}P) NMR techniques have provided a direct spectroscopic probe of the chemical nature of the phosphite additive after the processing steps. Solution and solid state spectra have revealed the presence of products in which the polymer chains are grafted and cross-linked through the phosphorus additive.
The effects of early hypo- and hyperthyroidism on the development of rat cerebellar cortex. I. Cell proliferation and differentiation.

Abstract Cell proliferation and differentiation were studied in the cerebellar cortex of rats made hypo- and hyperthyroid from birth. Hyperthyroidism caused: (1) decreased body, brain and cerebellar weight, (2) early termination of cell proliferation in the external granular layer accompanied by early disappearance of this layer, (3) early cell differentiation in the molecular and internal granular layers, (4) terminal decrease in granule cells, basket cells, and astrocytes. Hypothyroidism caused: (1) decreased body, brain and cerebellar weight, (2) prolonged cell proliferation in the external granular layer and retarded disappearance of this layer, (3) retarded cell differentiation in the molecular and internal granular layers, (4) terminal increase in granule cells and astrocytes, and decrease in basket cells. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism had different effects on the inner and outer halves of the molecular layer, which differentiate sequentially. Hypothyroidism caused a retardation of the peak of cell differentiation in the inner half from 5 to 10 days whereas hyperthyroidism caused an overall acceleration of differentiation in both zones, with an early peak of differentiation in the outer zone at 5 days. These results are discussed with regard to mechanisms of differentiation of cells derived from the external granular layer, and the role played by thyroid hormone in the initiation of cell differentiation in the central nervous system.
STM Nanolithography and Characterization of Passivated Silicon and Gallium Arsenide

The emerging field of nanoelectronics will soon demand innovative methods for the fabrication and characterization of nanometer-sized structures. This paper reviews ongoing efforts at NIST to develop an integrated approach to nanometer-scale lithography for silicon and gallium arsenide using the scanning tunneling microscope in conjunction with other advanced techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy and reactive ion etching.
Natural variation in the temperature range permissive for vernalization in accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Vernalization is an acceleration of flowering in response to chilling, and is normally studied in the laboratory at near-freezing (2-4 °C) temperatures. Many vernalization-requiring species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, are found in a range of habitats with varying winter temperatures. Natural variation in the temperature range that elicits a vernalization response in Arabidopsis has not been fully explored. We characterized the effect of intermediate temperatures (7-19 °C) on 15 accessions and the well-studied reference line Col-FRI. Although progressively warmer temperatures are gradually less effective at activating expression of the vernalization-specific gene VERNALIZATION-INSENSITIVE 3 (VIN3) and in accelerating flowering, there is substantial natural variation in the upper threshold (T(max) ) of the flowering-time response. VIN3 is required for the T(max) (13 °C) response of Col-FRI. Surprisingly, even 16 °C treatment caused induction of VIN3 in six tested lines, despite the ineffectiveness of this temperature in accelerating flowering for two of them. Finally, we present evidence that mild acceleration of flowering by 19 °C exposure may counterbalance the flowering time delay caused by non-inductive photoperiods in at least one accession, creating an appearance of photoperiod insensitivity.
Channels and codes for magnetooptical recording

The author outlines the technology used in the optical recording channel concentrating on magnetooptical recording and describes some of the major formats, codes, and data detection methods which are being developed. A sophisticated model of the optical recording channel was used as a way to make fair comparisons of these candidates, without skewing the results because of different disk or drive quality, degrees of hardware development, test procedures, etc. The author describes strengths and weaknesses of some of the leading contenders for current and future optical recording channels. >
Performance modeling of a class of low Earth orbit satellite networks

The performance of a class of low Earth orbit satellite networks used for instant global communications is investigated. Three different topologies varying in connectivity are investigated. The average delay per message of these topologies under different traffic patterns is obtained through using stochastic Petri net (SPN) modeling schemes and the use of Little's theorem. Analytical results, such as mean message traversal, are included in constructing the SPN models, thereby maintaining a manageable size of each model without sacrificing the accuracy. The problem of link contention is considered in the estimation of the average message delay of all three topologies. In a 64/8/3 delta network, it is roughly a 33% reduction in the average message delay if each satellite is equipped with four links, compared with three links. Furthermore, the SPN models presented in this paper are applicable to other data networks. >
Memory effects for the heat conductivity of random suspensions of spheres

The presence of a particulate phase defines the effective response of a suspension to changes of the average heat flux. Using the random-point approximation we show that within the first order in the concentration, one needs to solve the problem for the temperature field created by a single inclusion in a matrix subject to an unsteady temperature gradient at infinity. We solve this problem by means of Laplace transform and use the solution as the first-order kernel in the functional expansion. From this kernel, we find the statistical average for the heat flux, which turns out to be a memory integral of the spatially averaged time-dependent temperature gradient. Thus, we discover that the constructive relationship between the average flux and averaged temperature gradient is not local in time, but rather involves a convolution integral that represents the memory due to the heterogeneity of the system. This is a novel result, which inter alia gives a rigorous justification to the usage of generalizations of the heat conduction law involving fractional time derivatives. The decay of the kernel is very close to t −1/2 for dimensionless times lesser than one and abruptly changes to t −3/2 for larger times.
How Books Stop Time: The Problem Of Originality And Artists' Books

By representing bookishness in non-traditional forms, Book Artists have opened up new ways of thinking about and theorizing about The Book. Books represented as coffee tin wrappers, glass coronets in a pool of Parrish blue, painted undergarments, as hats and boots and Dr. Seuss-like musical instruments in a wordless performance that itself pantomimes the temporality and interpretive choreography of reading, liberate the imagination from the dead letter of convention. This rigorous, forty year project of interrogating the premises of the codex book has, with increasing energy and, some might say, shamelessness, exposed The Book as a notional reality, a powerful symbolism subject to seemingly inexhaustible figuration. "It is this experience of the sacred," writes Mircea Eliade, "that generates the idea of something which really exists and, in consequence the notion that there are absolute intangible values which confer a meaning upon human existence"("Structure and Changes in the History of Religion" 366). The task of this paper is to suggest how the Artists' Book constitutes the experience of Eliade's "sacred," within a discussion of the implications of originality and the concomitant problems of Aristotelian and non-Aristotelian Time.
Bender-Gestalt Performance and Recall in an Asthmatic Sample

In a sample of intractable adult asthmatics, the prevalence of Bender-Gestalt signs suggestive of neuropsychological problems was documented. Sixty-five per cent of the sample was found to have equivocal or definite Bender-Gestalt signs suggestive of cerebral dysfunction. A clear majority of the asthmatics manifested definite signs of memory impairment when they were asked to recall the Bender designs. The study provides the first documentation of the neuropsychological sequelae of asthma in adults.
Nanotechnology and biomaterials for orthopedic medical applications

Future prospects for nanotechnology and biomaterials in medical applications appear to be excellent. In orthopedic applications, there is a significant need and demand for the development of a bone substitute that is bioactive and exhibits material properties (mechanical and surface) comparable with those of natural, healthy bone. Particularly, in bone tissue engineering, nanometer-sized ceramics, polymers, metals and composites have been receiving much attention recently. This is a result of current conventional materials (or those materials with constituent dimensions >1 microm) that have not invoked suitable cellular responses to promote adequate osteointegration to enable these devices to be successful for long periods. By contrast, owing to their ability to mimic the dimensions of constituent components of natural bone (e.g., proteins and hydroxyapatite), nanophase materials may be an exciting successful alternative orthopedic implant material. In this article, the ability of novel nanomaterials that promote osteointegration is discussed. Potential pitfalls or undesirable side effects associated with the use of nanomaterials in orthopedic applications are also reviewed.
Enhanced proton magnetic resonance imaging of experimental mammary tumors

The proton magnetic resonance imaging contrast of experimental mammary tumors in rats has been dramatically improved. The technique developed combines T2 weighting and chemical-shift imaging in order to suppress the thoracic wall, muscle, and subcutaneous fat contributions to the image. The technique is demonstrated using the R3230AC mammary adenocarcinoma in F344 rats at 4.7 T. © 1988 Academic Press, Inc.
James Cameron speaks out about ocean discovery and protection

Ocean explorer and filmmaker James Cameron delivered his DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible vehicle to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Woods Hole, Mass., on 14 June, following a cross-country journey from California. He has donated the vehicle to WHOI as part of a new Center for Marine Robotics. Cameron, who will serve on the center's advisory board, used the submersible in March 2012 to dive to the deepest part of the ocean, the Challenger Deep section of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean (see Eos, 93(50), 523, doi:10.1029/2012EO500003).
Enantioselective Detoxication of Optical Isomers of Glycidyl Ethers

The detoxication of the enantiomers of glycidyl 4-nitrophenyl ether (GNPE), (−)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-GNPE, and glycidyl 1-naphthyl ether (GNE), (−)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-GNE, by rat liver glutathione transferase and epoxide hydrolase was studied. Enantioselectivity was observed with both enzymes favoring the (R)-isomers as determined by the formation of conjugate, diol, and remaining substrate measured by HPLC. Enantiomers of GNE were detoxified by cytosolic epoxide hydrolase but those of GNPE were not. Substantial nonenzymatically formed conjugates of enantiomers of GNPE were detected showing (S)-GNPE the more reactive of the pair. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On the Time to Conclusion of Phase II Cancer Clinical Trials and Its Application in Trial Designs

Most phase II cancer trials evaluate total response (TR) rate using a single-arm open-label design. Simon's two-stage design minimizes either the expected or the total number of patients. In this article, we investigate the distribution of time to reaching trial conclusion (TRTC) of such two-stage trials, which considers the accrual rate, time to TR, futility, and efficacy decision rules. We develop a Monte Carlo algorithm for the distribution of TRTC for both one- and two-stage phase II designs. We further propose an optimal design that balances the needs of concluding the trial within the required time period and minimizing the expected sample size. Generalized recursive formulas are derived analytically in the Appendix, which are theoretically interesting but not recommended for practical use. In conclusion, a consideration of the TRTC can lead to an optimal design with a minimum increase in the expected number of patients but an increased confidence in reaching study conclusions within the required time.
Time domain testing of large nonlinear circuits

This paper presents a new approach to analog and mixed mode testing based on a decomposition technique. Voltage measurements placed at the partition points are used to reduce the effect of a faulty element to a local area, thus facilitating the test. Limiting the effect of a fault to a local area allows the separation of digital and analog parts as their analyses do not have to be performed simultaneously. In the proposed testing technique measurements play an active role not only on the assessment of circuit functionality but on the circuit simulation as well. The authors present the description of their method for time domain testing. The method can be extended for the measurements of harmonic components of the periodic response. They discuss the nonlinear system equations and sensitivity approach, then introduce the decomposition approach. The test procedure of the proposed approach is given. >
The Origin of the Biphasic Flow Response to Local Heat in Skin

Objective: Although it is well established that the application of local heat causes a biphasic increase in skin blood flow, the responsible microvessels have not been identified.Methods: A bifurcating network of arterioles (1st–5th orders, 60–15 μm, n = 10 per group) of the intact, unanesthetized, translucent bat wing were visualized on a transparent heat plate via intravital microscopy. Similar to previous bat wing studies, plate temperature was set at 25°C for 10 min then increased to 37°C for 20 min. Vessel diameter and red blood cell velocity were recorded and used to calculate resistance and blood flow.Results: The average flow response in arterioles was biphasic (p = 0.02) and proportional to the temporal decrease in total resistance calculated from 1st–5th order arterioles. Metarteriole (i.e., 5th order arteriole) resistance had the greatest impact on total resistance (−67.0 ± 20.7%) and exhibited a biphasic trend that was opposed by temporal changes in resistance of 1st–4th order arterioles.Concl...
Movements and swimming behavior of three species of sharks in La Jolla Canyon, California

We tracked six individuals of three shark species, the shortfin mako, Isurus oxyrinchus, great white, Carcharodon carcharias, and blue, Prionace glauca, near the submarine canyon off La Jolla, southern California during the summers of 1995 and 1997. The duration of tracking ranged from 2 to 38 h per shark. The mode of travel differed in one respect among species. The rate of movement of the endothermic species, the mako and white shark, exceeded that of the ectothermic species, the blue shark. Similarities among species were more common. Firstly, individuals of all three species swam in a directional manner. Secondly, individuals constantly moved up and down in the water column, exhibiting oscillatory or yo-yo swimming. Thirdly, members of the three species swam at the surface for prolonged periods. Finally, the movements of the mako and white sharks were at times loosely associated with bottom topography. We discuss the various adaptive advantages that have been proposed for these behavioral patterns. Oscillatory swimming has been attributed to the following: (1) heating the body in the warm surface waters after swimming in cold, deep water, (2) alternating between two strata of water, one carrying chemical information as to its source, and deriving a direction to that stratum's origin, (3) conserving energy by quickly propelling oneself upward with many tail beats and slowly gliding downward with few beats, and (4) descending to where magnetic gradients are steeper, more perceptible, and useful to guide migratory movements. At the surface, an individual would be able to swim in a straight line by using following features as a reference: (1) celestial bodies, (2) polarized light, or (3) the earth's main dipole field. Furthermore, an individual would conserve energy because of the greater ease to maintaining a warm body in the heated surface waters.
Using EVA As A Decision Metric In Capital Budgeting

Economic Value Added (EVA) has been growing in popularity within the business community as a measure of both value and performance. Despite this growth, EVA has yet to receive significant attention in the academic literature, particularly in micro decision-making areas such as capital budgeting. This paper examines the efficacy of EVA as a capital budgeting decision-making aid. Although a theoretical link between EVA and net present value (NPV) has been noted, issues related to its implementation have yet to be addressed. Our analysis details conditions under which EVA produces managerial decisions similar to those obtained by the NPV rule. Contrary to some claims, we find EVA and NPV produce different accept/reject decisions in a variety of commonly encountered capital budgeting situations.
The Relationship of Ash Weight and Organic Weight of Human Skeletons

One hundred twenty adult skeletons, equally divided among white and Negro skeletons of both sexes were ashed. The weight of the ash in terms of per cent of the dry, fat-free weight of the bones was determined for the total skeleton and for twenty subdivisions of each skeleton (mandible, cranium, humeri, radii, ulnae, femora, tibiae, fibulae, clavicles, scapulae, hand bones, patellae, foot bones, hip bones, ribs of both sides; four segments of the vertebral column, and sternum). The resultant determinations of percentage ash weight were analyzed statistically to determine possible effects of age, sex, race, and type of bone (that is, ratio of compact to cancellous substance). It was found that: 1. The percentage ash weight of neither the total skeleton nor any of its twenty subdivisions was affected by age in any sex-race group; 2. The individual percentage ash weights of each bone series did not vary symmetrically around the mean but had an excessive scatter of low values with the scatter increasing as the means decreased; 3. The twenty subdivisions had approximately the same rank order of percentage ash weight among the thirty skeletons of each sex-race group; 4. The ratio of inorganic to organic substance within the bones was constant except for random variation in the cranium, humeri, fibulae, radii, ulnae, femora, tibiae, patellae, and foot bones; this ratio showed an increase with increasing organic weight in the mandible series and a decrease with increasing organic weight in all other Series; 5. The mean percentage ash weight of all subdivisions except mandible, eranium, humeri and ulnae, and possibly the total skeleton, was significantly higher in males than in females; 6. The mean percentage ash weight of eight of the twenty bone series (clavicles, scapulae, hand bones, ribs, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, and sternum) was significantly higher in Negro than in white skeletons; 7. The order of the skeletal subdivisions arranged according to decreasing means of percentage ash weight and according to decreasing ratios (estimated) of compact to cancellous substance was very nearly the same in each sex-race group; 8. In all sex-race groups the means percentage ash weight of the mandible was significantly higher than that of any other subdivision of the skeleton; the mean of the femora series was the lowest of the long-limb bones and was significantly lower than the means of the ulnae, radii, and fibulae; the mean percentage ash weights of the hip bones, ribs, and cervical vertebrae were higher than those of time other vertebral segments; and the mean of the sternum (except in the Negro male group) was lower than that of any other subdivision of the skeleton.
ATLAST ULE mirror segment performance analytical predictions based on thermally induced distortions

The Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) is a concept for a 9.2 m aperture space-borne observatory operating across the UV/Optical/NIR spectra. The primary mirror for ATLAST is a segmented architecture with pico-meter class wavefront stability. Due to its extraordinarily low coefficient of thermal expansion, a leading candidate for the primary mirror substrate is Corning’s ULE® titania-silicate glass. The ATLAST ULE® mirror substrates will be maintained at ‘room temperature’ during on orbit flight operations minimizing the need for compensation of mirror deformation between the manufacturing temperature and the operational temperatures. This approach requires active thermal management to maintain operational temperature while on orbit. Furthermore, the active thermal control must be sufficiently stable to prevent time-varying thermally induced distortions in the mirror substrates. This paper describes a conceptual thermal management system for the ATLAST 9.2 m segmented mirror architecture that maintains the wavefront stability to less than 10 pico-meters/10 minutes RMS. Thermal and finite element models, analytical techniques, accuracies involved in solving the mirror figure errors, and early findings from the thermal and thermal-distortion analyses are presented.
Contesting the Government's Financial Interest in Drug Cases

This article examines federal forfeiture laws, which enable local and state law enforcement agencies to retain 80% of the drug related assets they seize. It notes the perverse policy incentives created by these laws, and inventories constitutional and statutory objections to its provisions.
Sorting the Wolves from the Sheep

The year 2004 marked the 15th anniversary of the combat operations that took place in the Republic of Panama in 1989-1990 during Operation Just Cause and Operation Promote Liberty. After investigations into the conduct of detainee operations in Iraq, and in commemoration of successful operations in Panama, this article recounts the operational and legal issues encountered there. Comments on displaced civilian (DC) and civilian internee (CI) issues relate primarily to enemy prisoner of war (EPW) status determination problems, not to the extensive civil affairs and civil military portions of Operation Promote Liberty.
The EVA Paradox: Why So Many Firms Mess with Success

Nearly three-fourths of firms that adopt EVA or similar value-based management programs end up dropping them within five years of adoption, even though those firms are seeing the shareholder value gains promised by these programs. The reward to shareholders for sticking it out is significant; companies on the programs for longer than five years outperform their sector peers by an average eight percentage points per year in total shareholder returns. Companies that dropped their plan within five years also outperformed their market peers by a lesser, but still significant amount.So why would firms performing so well under a value-based management program discard it? A review of the literature and interviews revealed five main reasons for dropping their programs:o The incentive plan didn’t pay out for one or more yearso Managers or board members felt the measure was too complicatedo The measure was repeatedly, significantly changed from year-to-yearo The program champion left the firmo The program lost momentum after initial flurry of gainsThe longest-term adopters consistently did three things well:o Measurement: They developed a simple, but robust version of EVA (one that needed little modification over time)o Communications: They continually invested in financial literacy via steady training and reporting; managers and directors understood ito Incentives: They incorporated the value-based measure into a value-sharing incentive planFirms that successfully integrated all three elements into their management system found that each element reinforced the others, making it more likely that the program would survive a departure of its champion, or the higher expectations created by initial successes.
Comparative Risk Assessment

Reliable and comparable analysis of risks to health is essential for preventing disease and injury. Analysis of disease and mortality due to risk factors has frequently been conducted in the context of methodological traditions of individual risk factors and for selected populations, hence restricting comparability. Comparative risk assessment (CRA) involves systematic evaluation of changes in population health that would result from modifying the population distribution of exposure to a risk factor or a group of risk factors, using consistent and comparable methods. Application of this framework to major risk factors for the global burden of disease illustrates a large disease burden associated with childhood and maternal undernutrition, unsafe sex, indoor air pollution from use of household solid fuels, and unsafe water and sanitation in developing countries. Other major risk factors include smoking and oral tobacco use, alcohol use, high blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and overweight and obesity in many world regions.
The Motion Picture Screen as a Lighting Problem

The motion picture on the screen is discussed as a visual task, and its lighting and that of its environs is approached in the manner recommended by the authors for all lighting problems. After choosing the proper quality of light and having a screen brightness as great as is practicable, the problem becomes chiefly one of quality of lighting or distribution of brightness in the visual fields. Various aspects of visibility and psychophysiological effects of seeing are discussed. The problem is subdivided into two parts: (1) The attainment of maximal visibility within the central field (the motion picture on the screen) without regard to the surroundings; and (2) the illumination of the surroundings in such a manner as to produce maximal comfort and minimal loss of visibility. — The problem is unravelled from the usual entanglement of physiological optics, much of which is largely of academic interest rather than of practical importance. It is shown to be one of lighting to be guided by the same concepts, principles, and knowledge embodied in the science of seeing as are other lighting problems. Suggestions are made for practical studies of the possibilities of evolving the lighting of the motion picture screen and its environs from its present primitive stage of purely localized lighting, which is generally undesirable.
Time-Resolved Fourier Transform Spectroscopy: Application to Chemical Kinetics

Elementary gas-phase chemical kinetics can be studied using absorption-based time-resolved FTIR. We show that a Herriott cell can be used instead of a White cell to provide long absorption pathlengths.
Biomass Production and Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio Influence Ecosystem Services from Cover Crop Mixtures

39 Ecosystem services are the benefi ts ecosystems off er to humans such as providing food and energy, regulating water quality, and supporting nutrient cycling (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Increasing ecosystem services from agriculture is essential to meeting the needs of a growing global population while mitigating environmental degradation (Foley et al., 2011). One potential strategy to augment services from row crops is to increase plant diversity (Robertson et al., 2014). For example, diverse crop rotations can increase key services such as yield and water quality improvement (Tonitto et al., 2006; Smith et al., 2008). Although spatial diversity through intercropping also has the potential to increase services (Vandermeer, 1989), applications of this strategy for row crops may have limited feasibility due to management constraints and possible impacts on yield. Cover crops, which are grown during otherwise fallow periods of a crop rotation, may present opportunities to increase both temporal and spatial plant diversity and, consequently, increase ecosystem services in agronomic systems. In this paper, we measure ecosystem services associated with multi-species cover crop mixtures in a corn (Zea mays L.)-small grain rotation and identify cover crop characteristics that infl uence service provision. Cover crops are increasingly recognized as a critical piece of sustainable agronomic production based on their ability to enhance farm productivity while reducing environmental risks (Snapp et al., 2005; Schipanski et al., 2014). Multi-species cover crop mixtures have been proposed as a strategy to augment services from cover crops, in part due to expected increases in biomass production from mixtures (Creamer et al., 1997; Smith et al., 2014). Expectations of higher productivity are based on extensive research in natural ecosystems demonstrating that increasing plant diversity leads to greater primary production (Hooper et al., 2005; Cardinale et al., 2011). Whether this relationship holds for cover cropping systems is largely unexplored, and there are important contrasts between agronomic and natural systems that may limit the eff ects of diversity on cover crop productivity. Cover crops are annual species grown for a short time period, while the natural systems in which the diversity productivity relationship has been studied include perennial species and consider productivity over several years (Tilman et al., 2006; Marquard et al., 2009). While cover crop bicultures (Ranells and Organic Agriculture & Agroecology
Annealing of Alpha-Recoil Damage in Natural Titanite, CaTiSiO5.

Isothermal and isochronal annealing of alpha-recoil damage was performed on the mineral titanite, CaTiSiO5. Crushed-grain samples were heated for 21 hrs, at 100°C intervals from 300°–700°C. HRTEM imaging of alpha-recoil collision cascades (amorphized regions), after each temperature interval, showed that there was no change in the abundance or appearance of the cascades at 300°C, but an apparent decrease in cascade size occurs at 400°C (from 3.8 nm to 2.4 nm diameter). A decrease in the size of collision cascades may indicate repair of interstitial defects at cascade boundaries (where interstitials dominate), while the cascade cores remain amorphous (cores acquire more extensive knock-on damage). At 500°C, the number of collision cascades observed decreases by greater than 90%, indicating major annealing of the amorphous cascade cores, and precipitates appear on titanite grain surfaces. At 600°C, changes do not occur. At 700°C, both the cascades and precipitates are absent; the alpha-recoil damage is fully annealed.
Double closed-loops control for arc length and current in consumable double electrode gas metal arc welding process

A novel and highly effective consumable double electrode gas metal arc welding method was introduced.However,the coupled arc and welding process were very unstable in practice and led to serious defects in the weld bead.A new double closed-loop control plan was proposed and simulated after analysis of the relationship between welding parameters to control the bypass arc through the bypass feed speed and control the motherboard current through the bypass current.Then the experiments with this plan were carried out using rapid prototyping and Matlab/Simulink.The results show that the stable welding process and motherboard current could be achieved,and the welds with less defects and good appearance were also obtained.
Is phentolamine stable in solution with papaverine

AbstractAlthough the intracorporeal injection of mixtures of phentolamine and papaverine is used commonly in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction, pharmacological data relating to the stability of such drug mixtures are lacking. The stability of phentolamine mesylate in aqueous solution and in solution with papaverine (0.83mg. per cc phentolamine and 25mg. per cc papaverine) was ascertained by high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. No degradation of phentolamine occurred during 40 days whether the drug or drug combination was refrigerated or stored at room temperature. Phentolamine is stable for at least 40 days when mixed with papaverine. (J. Urol., 140: 970–971, 1988)
Performance of sample covariance based capon bearing only tracker

Bearing estimates input to a tracking algorithm require a concomitant measurement error to convey confidence. When Capon algorithm based bearing estimates are derived from low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) data, the method of interval errors (MIE) provides a representation of measurement error improved over high SNR metrics like the Cramer-Rao bound or Taylor series. A corresponding improvement in overall tracker performance is had. These results have been demonstrated [4] assuming MIE has perfect knowledge of the true data covariance. Herein this assumption is weakened to explore the potential performance of a practical implementation that must address the challenges of non-stationarity and finite sample effects. Comparisons with known non-linear smoothing techniques designed to reject outlier measurements is also explored.
A review of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernias (PEH) is replacing the open approach. Regardless of the technique, certain aspects of the repair have proven to be beneficial while others remain controversial. METHODS: Review of the literature. RESULTS: Surgical correction of paraesophageal hernias (PEH) is the gold standard for symptomatic patients, the role of surgery in asymptomatic patients is less clear. There is not good evidence-based data to support the routine addition of an antireflux procedure. Prosthetic repair of large defects has been both advocated and condemned in the literature. Conflicting data make it unclear whether the potential benefits outweigh the risk of mesh-related complications. The incidence and clinical significance of PEH recurrence after laparoscopic repair remain undefined. The recurrence rate in the literature after laparoscopic PEH repair ranges from 0 to 42%. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is a challenging procedure, but with meticulous technique, provides excellent results.
Genomic instability and proliferation/survival pathways in RB1-deficient malignancies

Genomic instability (GIN) is a hallmark of most cancer cells. However, compared to most human cancer cell types, the retinoblastoma tumor cells show a relatively stable genome. The fundamental basis of this genomic stability has yet to be elucidated, and the role of certain proteins involved in cell cycle regulation may be the key to the development of these specific genotypes. We examined whether thyroid hormone receptor beta 1 and 2 (TRβ1 and TRβ2), known to regulate tumorigenesis, and PTTG1, a mitotic checkpoint protein, play a role in maintaining genomic stability in retinoblastoma. In order to elucidate the role of these proteins in development of aneuploidy/polyploidy, an indicator of GIN, we first studied comparative GIN in retinoblastomas and multiple RB mutant cancer cell lines using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. We then utilized pLKO lentiviral vectors to selectively modify expression of the targeted cell cycle proteins and interpret their effect on downstream cell cycle proteins and their relative effects on the development of polyploidy in multiple tumor cell lines. The SNP analysis showed that retinoblastomas displayed relatively fewer genomic copy number changes as compared to other RB1-deficient cancer cell lines. Both TRβ1 and TRβ2 knockdown led to accumulation of E2F1 and PTTG1 and increased GIN as demonstrated by an increase in polyploidy. Downregulation of PTTG1 led to a relative decrease in GIN while upregulation of PTTG1 led to a relative increase in GIN. Knockdown of E2F1 led to a downstream decrease in PTTG1 expression. Rb-knockdown also upregulated E2F1 and PTTG1 leading to increased GIN. We showed that Rb is necessary for PTTG1 inhibition and genomic stability. A relatively stable genome in retinoblastoma tumor cells is maintained by TRβ1 and TRβ2-mediated PTTG1 inhibition, counteracting Rb-deficiency-related GIN. TRβ1, TRβ2 and Rb-KD all led to the downstream PTTG1 accumulation, apparently through an activation of E2F1 resulting in extensive genomic instability as seen in other Rb-deficient tumors.
The Health Hazards of Air Pollution-Implications for Your Patients.

Air pollution has many deleterious health effects. Physicians can encourage their patients to recognize the health cobenefits of actions to support the environment.
Antimicrobial peptides are degraded by the cytosolic proteases of human erythrocytes

Abstract Well-studied and promising antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), with potent bactericidal activity, in vitro , have yet to have a significant impact in human medicine beyond topical applications. We previously showed that interactions of AMPs with concentrated human erythrocytes inhibit many of them, and suggested that screens and assays should be done in their presence to mimic host cell inhibition. Here, we use AMPs to characterize the activity of proteases that are associated with human erythrocytes. The representative AMPs, ARVA and indolicidin, are degraded significantly during incubation with dilute, washed erythrocytes and yield a variety of degradation products, suggesting significant exopeptidase activity. Comparison of these fragments with those obtained from incubation with serum shows that the proteolytic activity associated with cells yields unique products that are not explained by residual serum proteases. By separately testing the membrane and cytosolic fractions, we show that erythrocyte proteolytic activity is found only in the cytosol. Finally, we incubated a diverse cross-section of natural and synthetic linear AMPs with human erythrocyte cytosolic extracts and observed degradation of all of them. These results show that, in addition to cell binding, proteolysis can also contribute significantly to host cell inhibition of AMPs in vitro and possibly also in vivo .
Assessment of critical minerals: updated application of an early-warning screening methodology

Increasing reliance on non-renewable mineral resources reinforces the need for identifying potential supply constraints before they occur. The US National Science and Technology Council recently released a report that outlines a methodology for screening potentially critical minerals based on three indicators: supply risk (R), production growth (G), and market dynamics (M). This early-warning screening was initially applied to 78 minerals across the years 1996 to 2013 and identified a subset of minerals as “potentially critical” based on the geometric average of these indicators—designated as criticality potential (C). In this study, the screening methodology has been updated to include data for 2014, as well as to incorporate revisions and modifications to the data, where applicable. Overall, C declined in 2014 for the majority of minerals examined largely due to decreases in production concentration and price volatility. However, the results vary considerably across minerals, with some minerals, such as gallium, recording increases for all three indicators. In addition to assessing magnitudinal changes, this analysis also examines the significance of the change relative to historical variation for each mineral. For example, although mined nickel’s R declined modestly in 2014 in comparison to that of other minerals, it was by far the largest annual change recorded for mined nickel across all years examined and is attributable to Indonesia’s ban on the export of unprocessed minerals. Based on the 2014 results, 20 minerals with the highest C values have been identified for further study including the rare earths, gallium, germanium, rhodium, tantalum, and tungsten.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Pathophysiology and Definition

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an adaptive immune response to patient-specific antigens, mostly foods. Eosinophilic esophagitis is not solely IgE-mediated and is likely characterized by Th2 lymphocytes with an impaired esophageal barrier function. The key cytokines and chemokines are thymic stromal lymphopoeitin, interleukin-13, CCL26/eotaxin-3, and transforming growth factor-β, all involved in eosinophil recruitment and remodeling. Chronic food dysphagia and food impactions, the feared late complications, are related in part to dense subepithelial fibrosis, likely induced by interleukin-13 and transforming growth factor-β.
Abstract 19850: Elevated Exercise Blood Pressure in Middle Aged Women Identifies Features of Stage A Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)

Introduction: Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) during exercise is associated with abnormal vascular function and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. While women have lower exercise BP compared to men, few studies have explored the underlying sex differences associated with exercise BP response. We hypothesized women who generated higher exercise SBP would be more likely than men to have abnormal measures of cardiac and vascular stiffness as well as lower aerobic fitness, features associated with stage A HFpEF. Methods: We studied 85 (45% male) healthy normotensive middle aged subjects (53 ± 5 yrs). VO2 (Douglas bags) and BP (ECG gated electrosphygmomanometry) were measured at rest and maximal exercise. Resting cardiac function was assessed using echo (2D, 3D) and invasive measurement (right heart catheterization) of LV filling pressure under varying preloads. LV stiffness was calculated by curve fit of the diastolic portion of the pressure-volume curve. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central aortic pressure were measured by arterial tonometry. Two factor ANCOVA was used to determine interaction between men and women using SBP as the independent variable. Results: In men, low fitness (peak VO2) was the best predictor of elevated exercise SBP. (R2 0.24) Similarly for women, fitness was predictive of exercise SBP in addition to vascular stiffness (PWV). (R2 0.55) When compared to men, women with elevated exercise SBP were distinctly more likely to have higher LV and vascular stiffness, impaired LV relaxation (IVRT; isovolumic relaxation time) as well as higher body fat percentage. (Table) Conclusions: In otherwise healthy middle aged women, elevated exercise BP was associated with increased LV and vascular stiffness, impaired LV relaxation and higher body fat, pre-clinical features consistent with stage A HFpEF. These relationships were not seen in men. Elevated exercise SBP in middle aged women may help identify a vulnerable population at risk for future HFpEF.
Interpersonal Reliability and Validity of TIARA: Analysis of Results Across All Participants

This chapter presents the summary of research that employed the TIARA method and provides an overview of the results on interpersonal reliability and validity obtained in the series of five studies. It also describes the implications of these results, methodology, and procedure for such analysis.
Using Behavior Over Time Graphs to Spur Systems Thinking Among Public Health Practitioners

Public health practitioners can use Behavior Over Time (BOT) graphs to spur discussion and systems thinking around complex challenges. Multiple large systems, such as health care, the economy, and education, affect chronic disease rates in the United States. System thinking tools can build public health practitioners' capacity to understand these systems and collaborate within and across sectors to improve population health. BOT graphs show a variable, or variables (y axis) over time (x axis). Although analyzing trends is not new to public health, drawing BOT graphs, annotating the events and systemic forces that are likely to influence the depicted trends, and then discussing the graphs in a diverse group provides an opportunity for public health practitioners to hear each other's perspectives and creates a more holistic understanding of the key factors that contribute to a trend. We describe how BOT graphs are used in public health, how they can be used to generate group discussion, and how this process can advance systems-level thinking. Then we describe how BOT graphs were used with groups of maternal and child health (MCH) practitioners and partners (N = 101) during a training session to advance their thinking about MCH challenges. Eighty-six percent of the 84 participants who completed an evaluation agreed or strongly agreed that they would use this BOT graph process to engage stakeholders in their home states and jurisdictions. The BOT graph process we describe can be applied to a variety of public health issues and used by practitioners, stakeholders, and researchers.
US-based social media use and American life: A study of Chinese students’ acculturation and adaptation in America:

This study investigated how the use of major US-based social media is related to the acculturation and adaptation among Chinese students in America. Survey data collected from 408 respondents showe...