cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geological-reasoning training as preparation for the “thinking warfighter” in the next-generation military

On the modern battlefield, unimagined missions occur faster than military schools can prepare their forces. Militaries, therefore, would be better served if recruits entered the armed forces preconditioned with an intellectual agility that will help them execute missions using limited time, resources and support. Geological-reasoning training at the high school and college level could be the answer. Militaries have realized that they need to train and equip a modern thinking force; however, they are not prepared to train the critical-thinking skills needed. This dilemma can no longer be ignored, for counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine expects troops to have an adaptable and flexible mindset with the ability to constantly learn and adapt. Training in geological reasoning, therefore, may be a key to helping alleviate the problem of a ready-to-go, “thinking warfighter.” Kastens et al. [1] suggest geological reasoning is unique and founded in four areas (which support COIN expectations): a) deep-time thinking, b) understanding the Earth as a complex system, c) using the field environment as a learning tool and d) the requirement of spatial thinking. This multivariate approach to problem solving is paramount in solving tactical and strategic problems, which rarely have a “correct” answer. As a foundation, geological-reasoning training at the high-school/college level can be vital in preparing recruits to be ready-made critical thinkers. Recognition of the importance of geology training as a tool to help develop problem recognition and solution development has not gone unnoticed by the U.S. government. For over 50 years, NASA has required their astronaut corps to undergo extensive classroom and field-based training in geology for the sole purpose of developing observational skills and problem recognition and solution. [2] Most recently, soldiers (geoscientists), as a part of small, specialized, COIN teams, such as the joint U.S. Army-National Guard Agriculture Development Teams have demonstrated to command personnel the potential of a tactical, thinking warfighter. These thinking warfighters make quality observations and interpretations in restricted spatio-temporal environments where data are lacking and, probably most importantly, are able to effectively communicate the results to their commanders for strategic use. [1] Kim A. Kastens, Cathryn A. Manduca, Cinzia Cervato, Robert Frodeman, Charles Goodwin, Lynn S. Liben, David W. Mogk, Timothy C. Spangler, Neil A. Stillings and Sarah Titus“How geoscientists think and learn.” Eos, Transactions. American Geophysical Union 90 (2009): pp. 265-272. [2] Dean B. Eppler, Andrew Feustel, J. Mark Erickson, Kip Hodges, Laszio P. Keszthelyi, Mark Helper, William R. Muehlberger, William Phinney, Art Snoke and Barbara J. Tewksbury. 2008. “Apollo/Constellation geologic training workshop: reviewing Apollo’s accomplishments and preparing a new generation of geologic explorers for Lunar field geology,” (Paper presented at the annual meeting for the Geological Society of America, Houston, Texas, October 5-9).
Defective interfering particles of poliovirus: mapping of the deletion and evidence that the deletions in the genomes of DI(1), (2) and (3) are located in the same region.

Abstract The deletions in RNAs of three defective interfering (DI) particles of poliovirus type 1 have been located and their approximate extent determined by three methods. (1) Digestion with RNase III of DI RNAs yields the same 3′-terminal fragments as digestion with RNase III of standard virus RNA. The longest 3′-terminal fragment has a molecular weight of 1.55 × 106. This suggests that the deletions are located in the 5′-terminal half of the polio genome. (2) Fingerprints of RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotides of all three DI RNAs are identical and lack four large oligonucleotides as compared to the fingerprints of standard virus, an observation suggesting that the deletions in all three DI RNAs are located in the same region of the viral genome. The deletion-specific oligonucleotides have also been shown to be within the 5′-terminal half of the viral genome by alkali fragmentation of the RNA and fingerprinting poly (A)-linked (3′-terminal) fragments of decreasing size. (3) Virion RNA of DI(2) particles was annealed with denatured double-stranded RNA (RF) of standard virus and the hybrid heteroduplex molecules examined in the electron microscope. A single loop, approximately 900 nucleotides long and 20% from one end of the molecules, was observed. Both the size and extent of individual deletions is somewhat variable in different heteroduplex molecules, an observation suggesting heterogeneity in the size of the deletion in RNA of the DI(2) population. Our data show that the DI RNAs of poliovirus contain an internal deletion in that region of the viral genome known to specify the capsid polypeptides. This result provides an explanation as to why poliovirus DI particles are unable to synthesize viral coat proteins.
High performance and energy efficient wireless NoC-enabled multicore architectures for graph analytics

With its applicability spanning numerous data-driven fields, the implementation of graph analytics on multicore platforms is gaining momentum. The most important component of a multicore chip is its communication backbone. Due to the inherent irregularities in data movements manifested by graph based applications, it is essential to design an efficient on-chip interconnect for multicore chips performing graph analytics. In this paper we present a detailed analysis of the traffic patterns generated by graph-based applications when mapped to multicore chips. Based on this analysis, we present the design of wireless Network-on-Chip (WiNoC)-enabled multicore platforms for efficient implementation of graph analytics. When compared to traditional wireline mesh architecture, WiNoC enables a faster data exchange among the computing cores, leading to reduced execution times and lower energy dissipation. We demonstrate that depending on the particular graph application, the WiNoC reduces the execution time up to 35% and lowers the energy dissipation up to 40% when compared to traditional wireline mesh.
Top-down and bottom-up controls on Dalmatian toadflax ( Linaria dalmatica ) performance along the Colorado Front Range, USA

Plant performance is influenced by both top-down (e.g., herbivores) and bottom-up (e.g., soil nutrients) controls. Research investigating the collective effects of such factors may provide important insight into the success and management of invasive plants. Through a combination of observational and experimental field studies, we examined top-down and bottom-up effects on the growth and reproduction of an invasive plant, Linaria dalmatica. First, we assessed attack levels and impacts of an introduced biocontrol agent, the stem-mining weevil Mecinus janthinus, on L. dalmatica plants across multiple years and sites. Then, we conducted a manipulative experiment to examine the effects of weevil attack, soil nitrogen availability, and interspecific competition on L. dalmatica. We found substantial variations in weevil attack within populations as well as across sites and years. Observational and experimental data showed that increased weevil attack was associated with a reduction in plant biomass and seed production, but only at the highest levels of attack. Nitrogen addition had a strong positive effect on plant performance, with a two-fold increase in biomass and seed production. Clipping neighboring vegetation resulted in no significant effects on L. dalmatica performance, suggesting that plants remained resource limited or continued to experienced belowground competitive effects. Overall, our research indicates that M. janthinus can exert top-down effects on L. dalmatica; however, weevil densities and attack rates observed in this study have not reached sufficient levels to yield effective control. Moreover, bottom-up controls, in particular, soil nitrogen availability, may have a large influence on the success and spread of this invasive plant.
Kinetic theory of ion collection by probing objects in flowing strongly magnetized plasmas.

A new one-dimensional collisionless kinetic model is developed for the flow of ions to probing structures in drifting plasmas. The cross-field flow into the presheath is modeled by accounting consistently for particle exchange between the collection flux tube and the outer plasma. Numerical solutions of the self-consistent plasma-sheath equations are obtained with arbitrary external ion temperature and parallel plasma flow velocity. Results are presented of the spatial dependence of the ion distribution function as well as its moments (density, particle flux, temperature, and power flux). The ion current to the probe is obtained and the ratio of the upstream to downstream currents is found to be well represented by the form R = exp(Ku/sub d/), where Kapprox.1.7 and u/sub d/ is the drift velocity in units of ..sqrt..(T/sub e//m/sub i/) . The results are in good agreement with comparable recent fluid calculations but show substantial deviations from other models which ignore particle exchange out of the presheath. No evidence is found of the formation of shocks in the downstream wake, contrary to the implications of some fluid theories.
Anatomy of equilibrium receptors and cerci of the burrowing desert cockroach Arenivaga (Insecta, Blattodea)

The anatomy of the cerci of a burrowing desert cockroach, Arenivaga sp., with particular emphasis on equilibrium receptors was studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. Each cercus has two parallel rows of pendulous equilibrium receptors called tricholiths; the rows are parallel to the long axis of the cercus. The cerci and rows of tricholiths are orthogonally positioned with respect to the long axis of the insect at the posterior end of the abdomen and rotated laterally by about 25° from the horizontal plane. Tricholiths of each row are inserted in their sockets toward the midline of the cercus and their elliptical attachment to the gasket is parallel to the long axis of the cercus. The combination of these anatomical features constrains tricholith movements to 90° from the long axis of each cercus and accounts for the physiological findings that (1) interneurons receiving afference from tricholiths are maximally sensitive to displacements of the insect at 45°, 135°, 225°, and 315°, and (2) interneurons receiving input from the lateral rows respond to smaller displacements than those driven by medial rows (Walthall and Hartman 1981). First instar cockroaches have only one tricholith on each cercus. Subsequent molts result in the addition of tricholiths, usually paired. After six molts, the adult female bears six pairs; the adult male seven pairs of tricholiths. The additional afference is presumably required to drive the increasingly larger interneurons.
Bipolar operation of power junction field effect transistors

Bipolar-mode power j.f.e.t. operation is demonstrated to result in a significant improvement in the on resistance, especially for high-voltage devices. Theoretical analysis and experimental data show that the on resistance varies inversely as the square root of the gate current. High-speed switching in this mode has also been achieved.
Ultrasonic Attenuation in the Heisenberg Paramagnet

Two models which describe the interaction between the spin system and the lattice are presented for examining the propagation of sound waves in ferromagnetic insulators. In particular, expressions for the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient at high temperatures and near the Curie point are obtained in terms of time-dependent correlation functions. The attenuation coefficient is found to be proportional to the square of the phonon frequency and to increase rapidly in the vicinity of the Curie point.
Impact of field-scale nighttime air temperatures during kernel development on rice milling quality

Abstract Recent research has shown that elevated nighttime air temperatures (NTATs) may contribute to increased chalk and reduced milling quality. The objective of this study was to develop a method to quantify the effects of elevated NTATs on chalk formation and peak head rice yield (pHRY) in field-grown rice cultivars. To do so, 95th percentiles of NTAT frequencies (NT95) occurring during reproductive (R) stages of Bengal, Jupiter, Cypress, LaGrue, Wells, and XL723 cultivars were correlated with chalk levels and pHRYs observed during the 2007 through 2009 harvest seasons. Chalk levels were strongly correlated with NT95 during the R7 and R8 stages for all cultivars, except Bengal. Peak HRYs of Cypress, LaGrue, Wells, and XL723 were linearly and inversely related to NT95 occurring during the R8 stage, while pHRYs of Bengal and Jupiter showed no significant correlations with this percentile at any R-stage. Although strong correlations of chalk levels and pHRYs with NT95 were observed during the R8 stage of cultivar development, it is speculated that rice plants classified in this stage actually exhibit many kernels that lag in development and exist in the R6 and R7 grain-filling stages, where elevated NTATs are thought to have deleterious effects on chalk levels and milling quality.
Effects of AFB1 embryonic exposure on chicken mononuclear phagocytic cell functions.

Effects of embryonic exposure to aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) on the postnatal development of chicken mononuclear phagocytic system function was examined. Single exposure of 6-d chick embryos to 0.1, 0.5, and 1 micrograms AFB1 in 10 microL acetone was employed. Control embryos received 10 microliters solvent and sham-treated controls included embryos with a hole in the egg shell with no compound added. Aflatoxin B1 exposure caused a dose-related increase in embryonic mortality. After hatch, no differences were observed in body weight gain among treatment groups. The incidence of circulating thrombocytes was reduced in chicks exposed to the highest AFB1 dose with enhancement in monocyte and lymphocyte cell populations. Birds exposed to 1 microgram AFB1 recruited fewer macrophages in the peritoneal cavity after i.p. Sephadex elicitation along with reduced substrate adherence potential of peritoneal exudate cells. Similarly, macrophages from 0.5 and 1 micrograms AFB1-treated birds had depressed phagocytic potential. These results suggest that long-term immune depression of macrophage-mediated functions can occur following embryonic exposure to AFB1.
A scintillator purification system for a large scale solar neutrino experiment

Abstract An on-line purification system for a large-scale low-background liquid scintillation detector has been tested with the 5 t liquid scintillation detector, the Counting Test Facility at Gran Sasso. Counter-current water extraction removes polar and charged impurities such as ions and metal salts. Vacuum distillation of the entire scintillator has been applied to remove both radioactive impurities and chemical impurities that affect the optical properties of the scintillator. Filtration with a 0.05 μm particulate filter removed suspended dust particles that may contain U, Th and K. Nitrogen stripping was employed to remove dissolved water and noble gases (e.g. 85 Kr) from the scintillator. The system has effectively reduced the internal back in the 5 t liquid scintillation detector from 470±90 events/d to the detection limit of the detector (±45 events/d) in the energy window 250 E
Author's Reply to Comment by Kenneth Wang

T solution by Wang and Ting was obtained by assuming Vj contained in the term [(gRo/V) — 1], equal to the initial entry speed V f , which is a constant. After initial portion of entry [say, y/(gfE0) less than 1], Fis quite different from the initial entry speed V/; consequently, the solution no longer applies. The numerical values (0.986 and 10°32') calculated by Wang agree well with both the second-order solution and the exact numerical solution, Figs. 8c and 8d, but they are for "from entry to skip/' which is the initial portion of the overall re-entry trajectory dealt as a whole by the second-order theory. When the second-order solution applies only to the initial portion of the overall re-entry trajectory [say, for V/(gRo) = 2 to 1 or approximately 1], the second-order solution reduces to Wang's solution.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) functional group mimetics: design, synthesis, and characterization as NPY receptor antagonists

Abstract N,N′-bis-[2-N-(O-2,6-dichlorobenzyl-L-tyrosyl)aminoethylguanyl]cystamine 3 and N,N′-bis-[2-N-(O-2,6-dichlorobenzyl-L-tyrosyl)aminoethyl]-1,6-hexanediguanidine 4 have been designed as neuropeptide Y (NPY) functional group mimetics. Both 3 and 4 displace N-[propionyl- 3 H]-NPY from rat brain binding sites, and are NPY receptor antagonists in rat femoral artery ring segments.
Pharmacokinetics of Common Analgesics, Anti-Inflammatories and Antipyretics in Children

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a major component of paediatric therapeutics. This paper summarises the clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of some commonly used NSAIDs as well as paracetamol (acetaminophen), which has very weak anti-inflammatory activity. Available information is reviewed in an attempt to evaluate the basis for paediatric dosing recommendations and to underline known or likely differences in drug disposition that result from diseases and changes in developmental physiology. Clinically important general considerations are stressed, including areas in which age-appropriate pharmacological information is needed but unavailable. The review is not exhaustive, as only the following selected drugs are surveyed: paracetamol, ibuprofen, indomethacin, diclofenac, naproxen and sulindac. Some compounds of interest, including salicylates (e.g. aspirin, salsalate), recently introduced drugs (e.g. ketoprofen, nimesulide) and those withdrawn (e.g. zomepirac, benoxaprofen), are not included. Non-NSAID analgesics (e.g. dextropropoxyphene, narcotics) are also not included.
Effects of state Medicaid home care Medicare maximization programs on Medicare expenditures.

ABSTRACT Some state Medicaid programs have attempted to shift home health care costs to Medicare by using retrospective Medicare maximization billing practices. We used a two-part model with random effects to analyze whether retrospective billing practices increase Medicare expenditures for dual eligibles by analyzing primary data collected from 47 state Medicaid offices supplemented with Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) data from 1992–1997. Retrospective billing practices were projected to increase Medicare home health care expenditures by $73.8 million over six years, although this was not statistically significant. We also found significantly higher Medicare spending in states with lower Medicaid spending levels, suggesting that states with high Medicaid utilization have potential to shift some of these expenditures to Medicare.
Analysis and encoder prevention techniques for pathological IDCT drift accumulation in static video scenes

This paper discusses the problem of severe pathological encoder-decoder IDCT drift in video compression coding when using a very small quantization step size and typical encoding techniques to encode video sequences with areas of completely static source content. We suggest that there are two ways to try to address the problem: 1) using a highaccuracy IDCT (or an encoder-matched IDCT) in a decoder design, and 2) using encoder techniques to avoid such drift build-up. The primary problem is asserted to be the encoder's behavior. Effective encoder techniques to avoid the problem are described, including a simple "generalized Morris drift test", which is suggested as being superior to the test currently described in the MPEG-2 video specification. Experiment results are reported to show that performing this test in an encoder will completely solve the problem. Other encoding techniques to address the problem are also discussed.
Sampling strategies for the analysis of glass fragments by LA-ICP-MS Part I. Micro-homogeneity study of glass and its application to the interpretation of forensic evidence.

Abstract The authors have previously reported the use of laser ablation ICP-MS as a powerful analytical tool for elemental analysis of glass. LA is a simpler, faster and less intrusive sample introduction method than the conventional solution ICP-MS. Due to the minute amount of material removed in LA (∼300 ng, 50 μm crater size), the analyst should be aware of special sampling considerations such as characterization of the glass fragments originating from the “known” source, fragment size and selection of the area and surface of ablation. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the micro-homogeneity of the elemental composition of glass samples commonly found in crime scenes like containers, architectural windows and windshields. The set of glasses under study was comprised of 56 fragments originated from glass containers, 28 fragments from automobile windshields and 20 fragments from architectural windowpanes. All fragments were selected with a size smaller than 2 mm 2 in order to simulate the typical glass fragments transferred from the crime scenarios. A Nd:YAG laser, 266 nm, flat top beam profile was used in single point mode sampling 50 μm spot size for 50 s at 10 Hz (500 shots). In this study, 29 Si was used as an internal standard and the standard reference material, SRM NIST 612, was used as a single point external calibrator. In addition, SRM 621 was used as another control standard for the containers set and SRM 1831 for the automobile and architectural window sets due to their very similar matrix with the samples of interest. For each set of glasses, the mean values and standard deviation of 10 replicates ( n = 10) of a single fragment were compared with the values obtained from 10 ( n = 10) different fragments of glass within the area of interest in order to evaluate whether or not the variation within a glass was bigger than the variation due to the method. In addition, a subset of tempered glasses was evaluated to perform an elemental composition profile within different depths of the fragments. Single shot (one laser pulse per analysis) was also evaluated and its limitations for the forensic analysis of glass are also presented. The results show that float glass is homogenous even at the micro-range level allowing LA-ICP-MS as an alternative technique to perform elemental analysis of glass. However, the variation of elemental composition of headlamps and containers is larger over the source than the instrumental variation due to inherent heterogeneity and therefore specific statistical methods are recommended to compare the glass samples.
The Diffusion of Ferricyanide Through Perfluorinated Ionomer (Nafion) Membranes

Abstract The diffusion coefficient for ferricyanide anion in perfluorinated ionomer films (Nafion) have been measured. They are low enough to permit the use of ferricyanides to detect the presence of defects in such films.
The CDK-activating Kinase (Cak1p) from Budding Yeast Has an Unusual ATP-binding Pocket

Cak1p is an essential protein kinase that phosphorylates and thereby activates the major cyclin-dependent kinase in budding yeast, Cdc28p. The sequence of Cak1p differs from other members of the protein kinase superfamily in several conserved regions. Cak1p lacks the highly conserved glycine loop motif (GXGXXG) that is found in the nucleotide binding fold of virtually all protein kinases and also lacks a number of conserved amino acids found at sites throughout the protein kinase core sequence. We have used kinetic and mutagenic analyses to investigate whether these sequence differences affect the nucleotide-binding properties of Cak1p. Although Cak1p differs dramatically from other protein kinases, it binds ATP with a reasonable affinity, with a KM of 4.8 microM. Mutations of the putative invariant lysine in Cak1p (Lys-31), homologous to a residue required for activity in virtually all protein kinases and that interacts with the ATP phosphates, moderately reduced the ability of Cak1p to bind ATP but did not dramatically affect the catalytic rate of the kinase. Similarly, Cak1p is insensitive to the ATP analog 5'-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine, which inhibits most protein kinases through covalent modification of the invariant lysine. We found that Cak1p is tolerant of mutations within its glycine loop region. Remarkably, Cak1p remains functional even following truncation of its first 31 amino acids, including the glycine loop region and the invariant lysine. We conclude that the Cak1p nucleotide-binding pocket differs significantly from those of most other protein kinases and therefore might provide a specific target for an inhibitory drug.
Family-centered care in pediatric practice: when and how?

When a group of families and professionals sat down more than 10 years ago to summarize what leads to more effective care, it was an exciting but somewhat overwhelming task. However, since the articulation of the key elements of family-centered care in 1987, it has become clear that the most difficult challenge is to articulate how to make those principles of practice a reality. What types of interactions lead to the partnerships that are the critical cornerstones of family-centered care? How do we train professionals to develop collaborative skills? How do we support families to serve in advisory roles? How do we conduct research that documents the benefits of this approach? How do we create policies that support family-centered practice?
Effects of exposure to low levels of environmental cadmium on renal biomarkers.

We conducted a study among residents of a small community contaminated with heavy metals from a defunct zinc smelter and residents from a comparison community to determine whether biologic measures of cadmium exposure were associated with biomarkers of early kidney damage. Creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium levels did not differ between the smelter and comparison communities; thus we combined individuals from both communities (n = 361) for further analyses. The overall mean urinary cadmium level was low, 0.26 microg/g creatinine, similar to reference values observed in the U.S. general population. For children ages 6-17 years, urinary concentration of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), and albumin were positively associated with urinary cadmium, but these associations did not remain statistically significant after adjusting for urinary creatinine and other potential confounders. For adults ages 18 or older, urinary concentration of NAG, AAP, and albumin were positively associated with urinary cadmium. The associations with NAG and AAP but not with albumin remained statistically significant after adjusting for creatinine and other potential confounders. We found a positive dose-effect relationship between levels of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium and NAG and AAP activity, and statistically significant differences in mean activity for these two enzymes between the highest (> or =1.0 microg cadmium/g creatinine) and the lowest (< or =0.25 microg cadmium/g creatinine) exposure groups. The findings of this study indicate that biologic measures of cadmium exposure at levels below 2.0 microg/g creatinine may produce measurable changes in kidney biomarkers.
Adhesion Molecules (E-Selectin and ICAM-1) in Pulmonary Allograft Rejection

Vascular endothelial cells act as antigen-presenting cells in the lung allograft and stimulate alloreactive host lymphocytes. Activated lymphocytes and cytokines can induce expression of leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules that facilitate invasion of the allograft by circulating leukocytes. To define the role of endothelial HLA class II antigen and adhesion molecule expression in lung allograft rejection, we prospectively analyzed endothelial expression of HLA class II, E-selectin, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) antigens in 52 transbronchial biopsy specimens from 24 lung allograft recipients as compared to normal control subjects. Thirty-one of 52 specimens showed histologic rejection and 8 of 24 patients developed histologic obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) by the end of the study period. Increased expression of HLA class II antigen was seen in 32 of 52 (62%) lung allograft specimens, but increased expression did not correlate with acute rejection or OB. In contrast, E-selectin expression was seen in 30 of 52 (58%) biopsy specimens and was associated with acute rejection (p
Investigation of retroreflection scheme for optical phase conjugation by degenerate four-wave mixing

The authors present theoretical and experimental data which show that the value of the phase conjugate reflectivity of degenerate four-wave mixing depends on whether the retroreflection or counterpropagating schemes are used. It is also shown that the retroflection method may result in decay constants which are not related to the decay of the gratings formed in the nonlinear medium. >
Desert Ecosystems: Their Resources in Space and Time

The dynamics of desert ecosystems control levels of resources that are essential to the survival of desert biotas. Because precipitation is both low and relatively unpredictable in arid regions, the climates, topographies, and soils, of these areas present formidable constraints to resource availability in space and time. And for the same reason, the processes of production, consumption, decomposition, and nutrient-cycling in deserts are also highly irregular and difficult to predict with accuracy. For example, global models relating actual evapotranspiration to primary production and decomposition apply poorly in arid regions.Surprisingly great amounts of carbon are stored in desert soils, particularly in caliche deposits which represent a major ‘sink’ of carbon from the atmosphere. In Arizona desert soils, inorganic carbon exceeds organic carbon by a factor of > 10. Direct use of organic carbon is made principally by organisms that break down desert litter and simultaneously cause relatively high rates of nitrogen mineralization. While nitrogen is traditionally considered deficient in arid environments, its flux is considerable because of high rates of gain by fixation and loss by denitrification and volatilization. Nitrogen accumulates in ‘islands of fertility’ beneath desert shrubs where it becomes relatively available because of (i) its high concentration in plant litter, and (ii) reduced activity of any aromatic modifiers that retard decomposition.It is misleading in deserts to relate nutrient availability to yearly averages, as nutrients may become highly available following pulses of ‘effective’ precipitation. Moreover, mineralization and subsequent availability to plants of phosphorous, the ‘master element’ in nutrient cycling, are moderately independent of nitrogen mineralization and can proceed rapidly. Clearly, the case for nutrient deficiency in deserts may be overstated.Consumption of primary production has varying effects on rates of resource availability in desert ecosystems. Generally weak regulation of primary production is predicted for consumers of green vegetation, except occasionally during early drought. Carnivores should exert variable controls over their prey, while pollinators, seed-eaters, and detritivores—most of which are strongly soil-associated—should have the greatest impacts on primary production and nutrient cycling.
Getting it together: signal transduction in G-protein coupled receptors by association of receptor domains

The mechanism of signal transduction by G-protein coupled receptors is unknown. Here, we propose that these receptors signal in a way that is qualitatively similar to that seen in the chemokine and endocrine hormone receptor families; the signal occurs when two domains of the receptor are brought together, although this is not the only requirement for signaling.
Cholecysto-duodeno-colic fistula with gallstone ileus: report of a case.

The fourth case of cholecysto-duodenocolic fistula with gallstone ileus is reported. We advise treatment of this condition in stages. In the absence of common duct obstruction the biliary enteric fistula may close spontaneously. Closure of the fistula may be attempted if symptoms persist.
An adaptive modeling and monitoring approach to describe the hydrologic behavior of small catchments

Abstract An adaptive combination of field mapping, simple hydrologic monitoring, and hydrologic modeling was used to describe the hydrologic behavior of two zero-order catchments: one undeveloped forest, the other suburban. Field mapping was used to delineate hydrologic process zones and provide guidance for the location of monitoring stations. Hydrologic monitoring included continuous streamflow and precipitation, as well as limited piezometer information. The hydrologic model was developed in conjunction with the measurement program to assure that the level of model detail was consistent with the level of field measurements used for model input and testing. At the start of the work it was anticipated that saturation overland flow would drive peak discharge in the forested catchment and Horton overland flow from impervious surfaces would dominate storm runoff in the suburban catchment. Instead, subsurface flow was found to dominate both annual and peak discharge in the forested site, and discharge from lawns and other pervious areas accounted for roughly 60% of annual and storm runoff from the suburban catchment. The adaptive combination of modeling and measurements was essential to elucidate the various components of flow production and flow paths in these catchments.
TH‐C‐201B‐04: Methods to Account for Imaging Doses from Diagnostic MDCT or Kilovoltage CBCT in Prostate Treatment Planning: Monte Carlo Studies Using Scanner Models and Patient‐Specific Anatomy

Purpose: MDCT and kilovoltage CBCT are increasingly used in IGRT. AAPM TG‐75 has made a series of recommendations on imagingdoses. Recent studies have focused on an inclusion of imagingdoses using a radiation treatment planning (RTP) system. This paper describes the use of Monte Carlo methods to calculate imagingdose for a prostate IGRTtreatment case. Methods: An IMRT treatment plan per RTOG 0126 for a prostate carcinoma was used involving 28 initial fractions and a boost in 16 fractions. Constraints to rectum bladder and femoral heads were enforced. A total of 40 imaging procedures were considered involving a MDCT or a KVCBCT scanner that is operated at 250 mAs. A GE LightSpeed 16‐MDCT scanner and a Varian On‐Board Imager (OBI) were modeled with parameters reported in the literature. Planning CT images were used to construct a patient phantom within the MCNPX simulation environment. OARs and background voxels were categorixed into six tissue types. Results: For a total of 40 scans rectum received 69.7 cGy and 68.2 cGy from MDCT and KVCBCT respectively. The bladder received slightly greater doses 73.3 cGy and 69.3 cGy while the femoral heads received much higher doses 161.9 cGy and 125.7 cGy respectively. To investigate the impact MDCT imagingdoses are added to those from the original treatment plans and dose‐volume histograms evaluated. Among notable findings: the rectum dose after adding the imagingdoses may increase to or above the maximum acceptable level. Conclusion:Imagingdoses can reach the level that may require the adjustment of original planning in order to still satisfy the constraints. RTP systems may not be suitable for low‐energy X‐rays especially for bones and lungs. The data are expected to be useful to the newly formed AAPM TG‐180.
Neuronal correlates of visual time perception at brief timescales

Abstract Successful interaction with the world depends on accurate perception of the timing of external events. Neurons at early stages of the primate visual system represent time-varying stimuli with high precision. However, it is unknown whether this temporal fidelity is maintained in the prefrontal cortex, where changes in neuronal activity generally correlate with changes in perception. One reason to suspect that it is not maintained is that humans experience surprisingly large fluctuations in the perception of time. To investigate the neuronal correlates of time perception, we recorded from neurons in the prefrontal cortex and midbrain of monkeys performing a temporal-discrimination task. Visual time intervals were presented at a timescale relevant to natural behavior (<500 ms). At this brief timescale, neuronal adaptation—time-dependent changes in the size of successive responses—occurs. We found that visual activity fluctuated with timing judgments in the prefrontal cortex but not in comparable midbrain areas. Surprisingly, only response strength, not timing, predicted task performance. Intervals perceived as longer were associated with larger visual responses and shorter intervals with smaller responses, matching the dynamics of adaptation. These results suggest that the magnitude of prefrontal activity may be read out to provide temporal information that contributes to judging the passage of time.
True intercorrelation among job components, time delay in rating, and rater intelligence as determinants of accuracy in performance ratings

Abstract Ninety subjects viewed one of three sets of videotapes which presented simulated work performances by five ratees. Subjects viewed videotapes where the true intercorrelation among the three job components was either high, moderate, or low. Half of the subjects completed ratings immediately after viewing all five ratees and again, 24 h later. The remaining subjects completed ratings only once, 24 h after viewing the videotapes. Rater intelligence was assessed via the Wesman Personnel Classification Test. Performance ratings for each ratee on each of the three job components were completed using a magnitude estimation scale. Subjects' ratings were compared to ratee true scores (based on objective worker output) to obtain four components of rater accuracy: elevation, differential elevation, stereotype accuracy, and differential accuracy as well as a measure of overall accuracy. Results indicated that subjects' ratings were more accurate with respect to overall accuracy and differential accuracy when the true intercorrelation among job components was high rather than low. Rater intelligence was significantly correlated with stereotype accuracy. In addition, rater intelligence was significantly related to overall accuracy, differential elevation, and elevation, but only when the true intercorrelation among job components was moderate or high. Also, there was a curvilinear component to the relationship between intelligence and both differential accuracy and stereotype accuracy such that the most intelligent raters tended to be less accurate than more moderately intelligent raters who were, in turn, more accurate than the least intelligent raters. Finally, subjects' immediate ratings were not more accurate than ratings provided by subjects who completed only delayed ratings. However, repeated measures analyses found that for subjects who completed both immediate and delayed ratings, delayed ratings were less accurate than immediate ratings with respect to overall accuracy, differential accuracy, and differential elevation.
Verbal solutions to parent-child problems.

Children frequently cross the adult-defined boundaries which separate desirable and undesirable behavior. When this occurs, adults, especially parents, often take action aimed at the reduction of these "boundarycrossings." Study of this action promises to yield valuable information concerning the parent's concept of the parental role, his basic attitudes toward the use of authority, the nature of the child, etc. The importance of this action from the standpoint of its effect upon children is obvious. It is hardly surprising then that some of the earliest studies in the area of child development concerned an analysis of parental control and of children's attitudes toward that control (12). Despite the importance of the problem, empirical investigations of parental reaction to a child's misbehavior have been less than successful. The obvious difficulty which confronts the researcher is the unpremeditated or spontaneous character of these events. He just cannot be there when it happens. If he is fortunate enough to be present, his very presence represents a variable which may affect quite drastically the events he hopes to observe. As a substitute for this "on the spot" observing, researchers have most frequently used two approaches. They have turned either to reports of parents or children concerning past parental action (4, 9, 14) or to some assessment of parental attitudes toward children (2, 3, 6, Io, I1, 13). The techniques used to accumulate this information have ranged from survey questionnaires to clinical interviews. Conclusions based upon data provided
Alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the uremic rat.

Abstract An increase in liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity was detected after 6 days of uremia in the rat, with a maximum increase occurring after 10 days. The increase was documented in the oxidative and reductive directions with ethanol and acetaldehyde as substrates, respectively; was not found in organs other than the liver and was not accompanied by increases in other cytosolic enzymes. The enzyme in the uremic animal did not differ in pH optimum for ethanol oxidation, K m for ethanol and NAD + or in electrophoretic mobility from the enzyme in the normal animal. Adrenalectomy prevented the increase. It is suggested that the increase in liver alcohol dehydrogenase requires intact adrenal glands and is most likely caused by the stress of surgery and the uremic state.
Twelve-year depressive symptom trajectories and their predictors in a community sample of older adults.

Introduction The aim of this study is to understand the long-term course and outcomes of depressive symptoms among older adults in the community by examining trajectories of depressive symptoms over time and identifying profiles of depressive symptoms predicting different trajectories.
Coming of Age Online: The Developmental Underpinnings of Girls’ Blogs:

Adolescent girls have emerged as the largest demographic of bloggers in the United States. In this study, the author interviewed 20 girls, aged 17 to 21, who had been blogging for 3 or more years. ...
Improved tableting properties of p-hydroxybenzoic acid by water of crystallization: a molecular insight

Purpose. To understand the influence of water in the crystal structure on the compaction properties of otherwise structurally similar crystals, p-hydroxybenzoic acid anhydrate (HA) and the monohydrate (HM) were used as model compounds.
The Cross-Immune Relationship of Variocs Strains of Plasmodium Cathemerium and P. Relictum

Although the cross-immune reactions of numerous species and strains of avain malaria have been studied by various workers, the present investigation is an attempt to clarify some of the problems associated with the varying reciprocal cross infections that have been observed. The two new strains which have been used vary in some characteristics from the classical strains of the corresponding species used by most investigators. Therefore, an attempt has been made to correlate the immune reactions to them with other variations.
Source of apparent attenuation-notch splitting in long-period fiber grating bend sensors

Long-period fiber gratings (LPFGs) have recently been utilized as optical bend sensors by observing changes in their transmission spectra as the fiber is bent. One such spectral change reported is the "splitting" of each attenuation notch into two. To date, explanations given for this apparent notch splitting have proven unsatisfactory. In this communication, we show that the apparent notch splitting is due neither to a splitting of degenerate cladding modes nor to the phase-matching condition being satisfied at multiple wavelengths for a given cladding mode. In contrast, bending causes new notches to be formed at nearby wavelengths as a result of coupling to asymmetric cladding modes that are not coupled to in a straight UV-induced LPFG. With increased bending, these new notches' central wavelengths shift in the opposite direction as the original notches, thus causing the apparent splitting of the latter. We use a numerical analysis to show that the cladding modes of a fiber undergo large spatial changes when the waveguide is bent. These changes allow coupling in a bent fiber between modes with differing azimuthal symmetry even with a uniform UV-induced index perturbation. All of the primary experimental effects published thus far are well-described with this analysis. This improved understanding of bent LPFGs will be important for the development of devices and is also relevant whenever there is interaction with the cladding modes in a curved optical fiber.
Teachers' Ratings of Effective School Psychology Consultants: An Exploratory Factor Analysis Study.

Abstract Consultation research has focused especially on the process and implementation of consultation, the clinical outcomes of consultation, and the use of school psychology consultation by other school professionals. The present study used an empirically based scale designed to investigate the characteristics and behaviors of effective consultants as perceived by a large sample of classroom teachers (a) to determine their perceptions of the consultants' effectiveness, (b) to compare the factor structure of the scale with previous research, and (c) to investigate how the teachers' professional and demographic characteristics were related to their responses. The results indicated (a) that teachers found most of the consultant characteristics and behaviors that were rated to lie between important and extremely important on the scale's five-point rating scale; (b) that two factors (Consultant Knowledge, Process, and Application Skills; Consultant Interpersonal and Problem-Solving Skills) emerged from a factor analysis of the teachers' scale responses; (c) that these two factors compared favorably with previous research; and (d) that teachers' gender, age, highest degree earned, and years of teaching experience had significant impact on some of the scale responses. Limitations of the study and directions for future research also were addressed.
Photo-luminescence of the Z3 center in LiF:Mg

Abstract Photo-luminescence has been observed in X-irradiated magnesium-doped LiF. A measurement of the excitation spectrum for this emssion shows that it arises from the Z 3 center in this material.
The Most Frequently Used English Phrasal Verbs in American and British English: A Multicorpus Examination

This study uses the Corpus of Contemporary American English and the British National Corpus as data and Biber, Johansson, Leech, Conrad, and Finegan's (1999) and Gardner and Davies' (2007) informative studies as a starting point and reference. The study offers a cross-English variety and cross-register examination of the use of English phrasal verbs (PVs), one of the most difficult aspects of English for learners of English as a foreign language or English as a second language. The study first identified the frequency and usage patterns of the most common PVs in the two corpora and then analyzed the results using statistical procedures, the chi-square and dispersion tests, to determine any significant cross-variety or -register differences. Besides validating many of the findings of the two previous studies (although neither was a cross-English variety examination), the results of this study provide new, useful information about the use of PVs. In addition, the study resulted in a comprehensive list of the most common PVs in American and British English, one that complements those offered by the two previous studies with more necessary items and more detailed usage information. The study also presents a cross-register list of the most frequent PVs, showing in which register(s) each of the PVs is primarily used. Finally, pedagogical and research implications are discussed.