cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The state of research on early-modern Islamic sermons in an Ottoman context

This chapeter reflects preliminary findings on how Muslim preachers constructed gender identities and roles in early modern Ottoman world. Despite their significant roles in bringing the teachings of Islamic ideas on gender roles to Ottoman Mus- lims, their function and influence in this regard has not been studied yet. In studying this, there are two sources that could provide insight on the content of the sermons delivered by Ottoman preachers: the books of sermons and the conks. Following a short introduction to these sources, I will briefly analyze two popular texts: the Ṭarīḳatu'l-Muḥammediyye fī beyāni's-ṣirāṭi'n-nebeviye ve'l-Aḥmediyye (The Way of Muḥammad in Interpreting the Prophetic and Most Praiseworthy Path) by Birgivī Meḥmed Ibn Pīr ʿAlī (d. 1573), and Naṣāyiḥ ve'l-mevāʿiẓ (Advices and Sermons), a compilation of ʿAzīz Maḥmūd Hudāyī's (d. 1628) sermons. A close reading of these texts shows that preachers had different approaches to gender.
Medication use and microscopic colitis.

BACKGROUND Microscopic colitis is an increasingly common cause of watery diarrhoea. Several classes of medications have been associated with microscopic colitis in prior studies. AIMS To determine the association between the use of previously implicated medications and microscopic colitis. METHODS This was a case-control study of patients referred for elective, outpatient colonoscopy for diarrhoea. Patients were excluded for inflammatory bowel disease, C difficile, or other infectious diarrhoea. Colon biopsies were reviewed by the study pathologist and patients were classified as microscopic colitis cases or non-microscopic colitis controls. RESULTS The study population included 110 microscopic colitis cases and 252 controls. The cases were older, better educated and more likely to be female. Cases reported a greater number of loose, watery, or liquid stools, nocturnal stools, more urgency and weight loss compared to controls. There was no association with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), adjusted OR (aOR) 0.66, 95% CI 0.38-1.13 or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.40-1.17. Cholecystectomy was less common in cases, aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17-0.64, but microscopic colitis cases had more frequent bowel movements following cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION Compared to similar patients with diarrhoea, cases with microscopic colitis were not more likely to have taken previously implicated medications. They had more diarrhoea following cholecystectomy, suggesting that bile may play a role in symptoms or aetiology. We conclude that the appropriate choice of controls is crucial to understanding risk factors for microscopic colitis.
NASA Tropics Pathfinder and Constellation Mission Preparations for Launches in 2021 and 2022

The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission was selected by NASA as part of the Earth Venture–Instrument (EVI-3) program. The TROPICS Engineering Qualification Unit has been refurbished for flight, and a launch is planned for June 2021 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 to a 550-km sun synchronous orbit. This Pathfinder mission will provide risk reduction for the subsequent TROPICS constellation mission, which comprises six CubeSats in three low-Earth low-inclination orbital planes, with launches planned beginning in early 2022. Each of these identical CubeSats will host a high performance radiometer to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using three channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements (when combined with higher resolution water vapor channels), and a single channel at 205 GHz that is more sensitive to precipitation-sized ice particles. The TROPICS mission highlights a number of aspirations of future earth observing sysems, including high revisit rate, system resilience, rapid technology infusion, and low cost. This paper presents these elements with an eye toward future operational architectures for weather and climate monitoring.
ADSORPTION ON SINGLE-CRYSTAL PLANES OF TUNGSTEN. I. NITROGEN.

Abstract Flash desorption experiments indicate that nitrogen is adsorbed with high sticking probability on W(100), (310) and (210) at 300°K, to give a single binding state on each plane. Saturation coverage is believed to be half a monolayer of atoms on each plane. LEED observations show that the surface structures are double-spaced along [001] directions on each plane, and single-spaced along the next most closely packed surface directions, [0 1 1], [ 1 31] and [ 1 20] respectively. On W(310)and (210), surface interactions over 10.5 A and 7.1 A respectively are required to produce the observed structures. After adsorption at 300° K the half-order diffraction features are weak and diffuse for (310) and (210), but upon anneal they become strong and sharp. The work function change produced by adsorption at 300°K is a decrease on (100) and an increase on (310) and (210), the maximum changes being −0.60, +0.20 and +0.27 eV. Subsequent anneal reduces the increase in work function on (310) and (210), coincident with the appearance of sharp LEED patterns. No change of work function with anneal occurs for (100) which is correlated with the observation that the LEED pattern from (100) is strong even before anneal. The present data, together with previous adsorption studies on tungsten planes, suggest that rapid adsorption of nitrogen at 300 °K occurs only on planes which contain 4-coordinate sites, as found on W(100). Thus prediction can be made of the reactivity of a given plane, W (hkl), toward nitrogen at 300 °K.
Interactive Video Training of Perceptual Decision-Making in the Sport of Baseball

This study builds on a body of research in sports science that has used video as a means of measuring and training perceptual and decisionmaking skills in a variety of sports. Expert-novice studies using a video occlusion method have shown that expert athletes are able to make better and earlier recognition of an opponent’s action, such as a baseball pitch, priming a rapid response. Training using video occlusion targets the time frame, measured in less than one-half second, which is associated with expert perception and decision-making. This is the first such study to measure transfer of video training to game performance. Video training in pitch recognition was associated with significantly better batting averages for college baseball players, as measured by rank correlation. The part-task approach has implications for training expert perceptual decision-making in other sports and in areas beyond sports, such as emergency response, vehicle operation, and use-of-force training.
Young Adolescents’ Conflicts with Siblings and Friends

One hundred twelve white, middle class 10–14-year-olds participated in a descriptive study of conflict with their closest sibling and best friend. Analysis of questionnaire ratings (completed by all participants) revealed that frequency of conflict was significantly related to ratings of the friend's importance and satisfaction with the friendship but was not related to sibling relationship ratings. Descriptions of specific conflicts in the two relationships (provided by 81 youngsters) were compared to examine the onset, process, and aftermath of conflict. Conflicts between siblings and friends differed in how they were structured and experienced, suggesting that conflict functions differently in each relationship. The possible developmental implications of relationship differences in interpersonal conflict are discussed, and directions for future research identified.
Comparison of blood plasma sample preparation methods for combined LC–MS lipidomics and metabolomics

The goal of this research was to find the most comprehensive lipid extraction of blood plasma, while also providing adequate aqueous preparation for metabolite analysis. Comparisons have been made previously of the Folch, Bligh-Dyer, and Matyash lipid extractions; furthermore, this paper provides an additional comparison of a phospholipid removal plate for analysis. This plate was used for lipid extraction rather than its intended use in lipid removal for polar analysis, and it proves to be robust for targeted lipid analysis. Folch and Matyash provided reproducible recovery over a range of lipid classes, however the Matyash aqueous layer compared well to a typical methanol preparation for polar metabolite analysis. Thus, the Matyash method is the best choice for an untargeted biphasic extraction for metabolomics and lipidomics in blood plasma.
Novel bronchoscopic strategies for the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesions: Present techniques and future directions

The diagnosis of the peripheral lung lesion has been a long-standing clinical challenge—balancing accuracy with patient safety. With recent data revealing mortality benefits with lung cancer screening via low-dose computed tomography, now more than ever, clinicians will be challenged with the task of providing the means to provide a safe and minimally invasive method of obtaining accurate tissue diagnostics for the pulmonary nodule. In this review, we present available technologies to aid clinicians in attempts at minimally invasive techniques and the data supporting their use. In addition, we review novel tools under investigation that may further increase yield and provide additional benefit in obtaining an early diagnosis of lung cancer.
Progress of maggot therapy

Abstract A survey has been made of the use of sterile blowfly maggots in surgery in the treatment of suppurative infections. The treatment has been given in every State in the United States and in Canada, and 605 surgeons have used the method upon 5750 cases. It has also spread to many other countries. A list is given of the various infections which have been treated with maggots. The opinion of the surgeons using this method was obtained and is shown in tabular form: 8.8 per cent of the opinion was unfavorable or neutral and 91.2 per cent favorable to the maggot treatment. The objections to the method which were made are shown and discussed. A representative bibliography is given.
Integrated impedance-matched photonic Dirac-cone metamaterials

We design and fabricate an on-chip Dirac-cone metamaterial with impedance-matched zero index at 1550 nm. This design can serve as an on-chip platform to implement applications of Dirac-cone metamaterials in integrated photonics, such as supercoupling.
Finding Pictures in Context

This research explores the interaction of textual and photographic information in multimodal documents. The WWW may be viewed as the ultimate, large-scale, dynamically changing, multimedia database. Finding useful information from the WWW without encountering numerous false positives (the current case) poses a challenge to multimedia information retrieval systems (MMIR). We exploit the fact that images do not appear in isolation, but rather with accompanying, collateral text. Taken independently, existing techniques for picture retrieval using (i) collateral text-based and (ii) image-based methods have several limitations. Text-based methods, while very powerful in matching context, do not have access to image content. Image-based methods compute general similarity between images and provide limited semantics. Our research focuses on improving precision and recall in a MMIR system by interactively combining text processing with image processing (IP) in both the indexing and retrieval phases. A picture search engine is demonstrated as an application.
A simple, single stage technique to harvest optimal ethmoid bone grafts for caudal septal deflections

Background Curvature of the caudal septum is a challenging area to surgically address because it is a tip supporting structure. Several methods to straighten the caudal septal deviation have been described to date. One commonly described technique is the placement of a bony septal batten graft. However, the harvest and subsequent ex vivo shaping of the bone graft can be difficult and lead to fracture of the graft superstructure. Here we discuss a novel single stage endoscopic approach to harvest a preformed batten graft and apply it to correct a caudal septal curvature deformity. Methods Description of a novel endoscopic technique for the single stage harvest of a bone graft for the correction of a caudal septal deflection utilizing an open Jansen-Middleton septum forceps. Results We have successfully utilized this technique in 10 patients with a caudal septal curvature deformity with no complications. All patients had symptomatic improvement of nasal obstruction symptoms. Conclusion The open Jansen-Middleton septum forceps allow for a reproducible, single stage, harvest of a bone graft from the perpendicular plate or vomer when addressing a caudal septal deformity using an endoscopic septoplasty approach.
Distribution and licensing of drug discovery tools – NIH perspectives

Now, more than ever, drug discovery conducted at industrial or academic facilities requires rapid access to state-of-the-art research tools. Unreasonable restrictions or delays in the distribution or use of such tools can stifle new discoveries, thus limiting the development of future biomedical products. In grants and its own research programs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is implementing its new policy to facilitate the exchanges of these tools for research discoveries and product development.
Post-synthesis leakage power minimization

We developed a new post-synthesis algorithm that minimizes leakage power while strictly preserving the delay constraint. A key aspect of the approach is a new threshold voltage (V T ) assignment algorithm that employs a cost function that is globally aware of the entire circuit. Thresholds are first raised as much as possible subject to the delay constraint. To further reduce leakage, the delay constraint is then iteratively increased by Δ time units, each time enabling additional cells to have their threshold voltages increased. For each of the iterations, near-optimal cell size selection is applied so as to reacquire the original delay target. The leakage power iteratively reduces to a minimum, and then increases as substantial cell upsizing is required to re-establish the original delay target. We show results for benchmark and commercial circuits using a 40nm cell library in which four threshold voltage options are available. We show that the application of the new leakage power minimization algorithm appreciably reduces leakage power after multi-V T synthesis by a leading commercial tool, achieving an average post-synthesis leakage reduction of 37% while also reducing total active area and maintaining the original delay target.
Using an electronic spreadsheet to analyze manufacturing flow systems

Abstract Contemporary use of electronic spreadsheets has centered on financial- and accounting-type analysis. Models are described in this paper that facilitate the use of an electronic spreadsheet for analyzing the flow of work in process through manufacturing system. It is shown that the spreadsheet-modeled analytic approach works best for the flow shop configuration: however, some job shop deviations can be considered. Stochastic elements must be approximated, but results are surprisingly close to those that come from the same system modeled with FORTRAN-based languages such as SLAM or INSIGHT. [A. A. Pritsker & C. D. Pegden, Introduction to Simulation and SLAM . Halsted Press, New York (1979); S. D. Roberts, Simulation Modeling and Analysis with INSIGHT . Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, Indianapolis (1982).] The advantages, limitations and assumptions of spreadsheet simulation and analysis models are discussed at length.
Organosilicon compounds IV. Synthesis of organosilicon substituted bunte salts and mercaptoethylamines

Organosilicon-containing derivatives of 2- aminoethanethiols and 2-aminoethanethiosulphuric acids as radiation protective agents
Response of carbon metabolism to night temperature in cotton

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is sensitive to low temperatures during all phases of growth. Throughout the cotton growing season on the High Plains of Texas, days provide optimal sunlight and temperature for metabolism followed by nights with temperatures of 15 to 20°C, well below the optimum. The present growth chamber study compared the response of specific components of C metabolism in vegetative cotton grown with 28°C/28° C and 28°C/20°C day/night regimes. Photosynthesis for cool-night (20°C) plants measured at 28°C the following day was only 77% of 28°C night plants. Less starch accumulation occurred during the day in the cool-night plants, yet their predawn starch levels were approximately 2.5-fold higher than the 28°C plants. Pools of triose phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate were lower at night at 20°C than at 28°C. The glucose 6-phosphate/fructose 6-phosphate ratio was higher for the cool-night plants, however, indicative of an apparent limitation in sucrose synthesis subsequent to cytosolic fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase. The most interesting observation is the maintenance of equal sucrose pools in both treatments, even though the amount of starch catabolized at night was different. This study shows that cool night temperatures alone alter cotton C metabolism throughout each 24-h period.
Optimizing MapReduce for GPUs with effective shared memory usage

Accelerators and heterogeneous architectures in general, and GPUs in particular, have recently emerged as major players in high performance computing. For many classes of applications, MapReduce has emerged as the framework for easing parallel programming and improving programmer productivity. There have already been several efforts on implementing MapReduce on GPUs.In this paper, we propose a new implementation of MapReduce for GPUs, which is very effective in utilizing shared memory, a small programmable cache on modern GPUs. The main idea is to use a reduction-based method to execute a MapReduce application. The reduction-based method allows us to carry out reductions in shared memory. To support a general and efficient implementation, we support the following features: a memory hierarchy for maintaining the reduction object, a multi-group scheme in shared memory to trade-off space requirements and locking overheads, a general and efficient data structure for the reduction object, and an efficient swapping mechanism.We have evaluated our framework with seven commonly used MapReduce applications and compared it with the sequential implementations, MapCG, a recent MapReduce implementation on GPUs, and Ji et al.'s work, a recent MapReduce implementation that utilizes shared memory in a different way. The main observations from our experimental results are as follows. For four of the seven applications that can be considered as reduction-intensive applications, our framework has a speedup of between 5 and 200 over MapCG (for large datasets). Similarly, we achieved a speedup of between 2 and 60 over Ji et al.'s work.
Increasing CO2 accelerates root growth and enhances water acquisition during early stages of development in Larrea tridentata

Summary • Stimulation of root growth under elevated CO2 has been hypothesized to enhance soil water uptake under water-limiting conditions. The objectives of this study were to quantify the effects of rising CO2 on root development and soil water uptake in Larrea tridentata and to quantify root proliferation into small water patches. • Seedling communities of L. tridentata were grown in rhizotrons under controlled environmental conditions at three CO2 concentrations (280, 360, and 600 µl l−1). Patches of water were applied to small areas of the root systems in the rhizotrons and to L. tridentata shrubs in the field. • Rising CO2 significantly stimulated root length production, but only in the lower half of the soil profile. Stimulation of root production led to faster depletion of soil water. Neither mature shrubs nor seedlings responded to water-enriched soil patches via root proliferation. • The results of our study indicate that rising CO2 may accelerate seedling root growth in L. tridentata, could lead to proportionally greater investment of roots in deeper soil layers and may enhance water acquisition.
Ca2+ Pulses Control Local Cycles of Lamellipodia Retraction and Adhesion along the Front of Migrating Cells

Ca(2+) signals regulate polarization, speed, and turning of migrating cells. However, the molecular mechanism by which Ca(2+) acts on moving cells is not understood. Here we show that local Ca(2+) pulses along the front of migrating human endothelial cells trigger cycles of retraction of local lamellipodia and, concomitantly, strengthen local adhesion to the extracellular matrix. These Ca(2+) release pulses had small amplitudes and diameters and were triggered repetitively near the leading plasma membrane with only little coordination between different regions. We show that each Ca(2+) pulse triggers contraction of actin filaments by activating myosin light-chain kinase and myosin II behind the leading edge. The cyclic force generated by myosin II operates locally, causing a partial retraction of the nearby protruding lamellipodia membrane and a strengthening of paxillin-based focal adhesion within the same lamellipodia. Photo release of Ca(2+) demonstrated a direct role of Ca(2+) in triggering local retraction and adhesion. Together, our study suggests that spatial sensing, forward movement, turning, and chemotaxis are in part controlled by confined Ca(2+) pulses that promote local lamellipodia retraction and adhesion cycles along the leading edge of moving cells.
An X-ray Diffraction Study of Crystalline Cholesteryl Myristate and Cholesteryl Stearate

Abstract Powdered samples of the solid crystalline phase of cholesteryl myristate and stearate, crystallized at various temperatures from the melt and from solution, were studied by X-ray diffraction. The type and parameters of the unit cell were determined. The myristate and the stearate have monoclinic unit cells that are nearly identical except that the stearate has a larger c parameter. The structure has essentially no similarity to the corresponding structure in the mesophase. Temperature dependent measurements show that in a temperature range below the melting point imperfections are introduced. These imperfections are concentrated in directions perpendicular to the long axis of the molecules. This result is discussed in terms of the structure of the mesophase.
Racial concentration and segregation across U.S. counties, 1950-1980.

By presenting race-specific population concentration indexes for U.S. counties for the 1950–1980 period, this paper updates and extends previous analyses of 19001974 patterns of population concentration by Duncan et al. (1961) and Vining and Strauss (1977). Declines in population concentration persisted through 1980 only among the white population. Blacks continued to experience increases in population concentration between 1970 and 1980. These racially divergent patterns of concentration in the 1970s have translated into increases in segregation between blacks and whites across U.S. counties.
A foundation for generalizing Clifford algebras with applications to 9- and 10-dimensional spacetimes

The Dirac algebra has already been extended by incorporating complex octonions as a separate subsystem, along with the Dirac subsystem, and this seems to give 10-vectors in a natural way. But there is also a way to see 9-vectors as natural. «Links» are made here between Edmonds’ earlier developments and Clifford algebras, to show how they may be generalized and to see how 9-vectors may be more physical.
Aortic Pulse-Wave Velocity in Chickens and Ducks

Abstract Previous researchers have indicated that birds possess an inelastic arterial tree with a high aortic pulse-wave velocity. The present study establishes the pressure-radius and pressure-volume relationships of thoracic and abdominal aortic segments of chickens and mallards. Each segment was affixed to rigid tubing such that the length could not change. The segment was filled with saline at constant flow by an infusion/withdrawl pump to an intraluminal pressure of 300 mm Hg. The pressure-volume curves for the thoracic segments were sigmoidal with greatest compliance in the physiological pressure range. The abdominal segments were less compliant than thoracic segments. Incremental pulse-wave velocities in the physiological pressure range, calculated from the pressure-volume curves, were similar to those of mammals, i.e., 6 to 10 m/sec. Turkey aortic pulse-wave velocities in the physiological pressure range were calculated from pressure-volume curves in the literature as 8 to 12 m/sec. Thus, the pulse-wave velocities of turkeys, chickens, and ducks are similar to mammals.
Developmental Signaling in Hydra: What Does It Take to Build a “Simple” Animal?

Developmental processes in multicellular animals depend on an array of signal transduction pathways. Studies of model organisms have identified a number of such pathways and dissected them in detail. However, these model organisms are all bilaterians. Investigations of the roles of signal transduction pathways in the early-diverging metazoan Hydra have revealed that a number of the well-known developmental signaling pathways were already in place in the last common ancestor of Hydra and bilaterians. In addition to these shared pathways, it appears that developmental processes in Hydra make use of pathways involving a variety of peptides. Such pathways have not yet been identified as developmental regulators in more recently diverged animals. In this review I will summarize work to date on developmental signaling pathways in Hydra and discuss the future directions in which such work will need to proceed to realize the potential that lies in this simple animal.
Subacute Toxicity of T-2 Toxin in Broiler Chicks,

Abstract Purified T-2 toxin was fed in a diet to broiler chicks from one day to 9 weeks of age in concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 2.0, and 4.0 p.p.m. to evaluate the subacute toxicity of the toxin. There were 36 chicks per T-2 concentration and 12 chicks were necropsied at 3 week intervals. The weight gain of chicks fed a diet containing 4 p.p.m. T-2 toxin was significantly (P Oral lesions were observed in chicks fed the diet containing 4 p.p.m. T-2 toxin from the second week and nearly 75 % of the total chicks in this treatment developed oral lesions after the 3rd week. The lesions were a circumscribed proliferative yellow caseous plaque type, and occurred at the margin of the beak, mucosa of the hard palate and angle of the mouth, and tongue. The severity and incidence were proportional to the amount of T-2 toxin in the diet. There were no outward clinical or pathological signs except that a few birds fed 4 p.p.m. T-2 toxin showed necrotic lesions on the mucosal lining of the gizzard. No abnormal changes were found in the bone marrow. As compared with control chicks, there was no marked change in blood components (hematocrit, hemoglobin, erythrocyte, leukocyte, leukocyte differential count) in T-2 treated chicks. In chicks fed high concentrations of T-2 toxin, the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, LDH and cholesterol tended to decrease while uric acid increased.
Spike-based indirect training of a spiking neural network-controlled virtual insect

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have been shown capable of replicating the spike patterns observed in biological neuronal networks, and of learning via biologically-plausible mechanisms, such as synaptic time-dependent plasticity (STDP). As result, they are commonly used to model cultured neural network, and memristor-based neuromorphic computer chips that aim at replicating the scalability and functionalities of biological circuitries. These examples of SNNs, however, do not allow for the direct manipulation of the synaptic strengths (or weights) as required by existing training algorithms. Therefore, this paper presents an indirect training algorithm that, instead, is designed to manipulate input spike trains (stimuli) that can be implemented by patterns of blue light, or controlled input voltages, to induce the desired synaptic weights changes via STDP. The approach is demonstrated by training an SNN to control a virtual insect that seeks to reach a target location in an obstacle populated environment, without any prior control or navigation knowledge. The simulation results illustrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed indirect training algorithm for a biologically-plausible sensorimotor system.
Heavy metal composition of polysomal fractions following cadmium challenge.

Endogeneous levels of zinc and copper were found to be 1.2±0.1×10−2 and 0.3±0.1×10−2 μg/A260 unit, respectively, in polysomal fractions from control animals; cadmium, however, was undetectable. In experimental animals (injected with cadmium) zinc, copper, and cadmium were found in polysomal fractions isolated by two different methods. One hour after a cadmium injection there was a rise in both the zinc and copper content of the polysomal fractions, which then declined steadily to below control levels by 16 h. Neither zinc nor cadmium were dialyzable from these fractions by a TRIS buffer; however, addition of 0.01M EDTA to the buffer resulted in removal of 75% of the zinc and all of the detectable cadmium.
Long-Term Changes in Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Wheat Management Systems

Crop management strategies that alter the timing, placement, quantity, and quality of crop residue input can affect the size, turnover, and vertical distribution of the active and passive pools of soil organic matter (SOM). Our objectives were to quantify long-term changes in soil organic, soil microbial biomass (SMB), and mineralizable C and N in continuous wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), continuous wheat/ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat/soybean-sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.] sequences under conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) with and without N fertilizer. A Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas was collected from a 9-yr field study. Soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) and N (SMBN) were determined with the chloroform fumigation-incubation method and mineralizable C and N were determined from 10-d aerobic incubations at 25°C. More crop residue C input was retained as soil organic C (SOC), SMBC, and mineralizable C under NT than under CT. Soil organic C, SMBC, and mineralizable C at a depth of 0 to 50 mm were 33 to 125% greater under NT than under CT. Increasing cropping intensity increased SOC up to 22%, SMBC up to 31%, and mineralizable C up to 27% under NT. Differences in crop management systems significantly altered SMB and the associated mineralizable N level, which supplies crops with mineral N. High clay content soils of central Texas can be effectively managed to increase the active and passive pools of SOM using minimal fallow with NT. View complete article To view this complete article, insert Disc 5 then click button8
Spectral Mapping of Multimode Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers by Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy

We have studied the spatial and spectral characteristics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser emission using near- field scanning optical microscopy. We report the multi- transverse-mode characteristics of 15 micrometers diameter proton- implanted 850 nm devices used in a 2 Gbit/s multimode fiber- optic links. Spectrally resolved and integrated intensity scans over a 20 X 20 area were performed. The intensity of each resolvable transverse mode was integrated and its wavelength range false-colored at each scan position. The resulting composite image displays relative intensity and spatial distribution information for each transverse mode. Correlation with the shear force data allows mapping of the optical distributions to topographical features. Lasing filaments were observed at high drive currents. Gain competition among spatially overlapping transverse modes was observed while spatially isolated modes coexisted without competition.
Occurrence of Bacterial Stripe of Pearl Millet in Georgia.

Bacterial stripe, caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae, was observed on breeding lines of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) in Georgia in 1999 and 2001. A gram-negative, oxidase-positive, rod-shaped bacterium that produced circular, cream-colored, nonfluorescent, butyrous colonies with entire margins on King's medium B was consistently isolated from leaf lesions. The bacterium was identified as A. avenae subsp. avenae by gas-chromatography of extracted, whole-cell, fatty acid methyl esters using the Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIDI, Newark, DE) and by substrate utilization patterns using the Biolog Identification System (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA). Isolates from pearl millet produced amplicons of expected size (360 bp) from 16S rDNA after conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers WFB1 and WFB2, which are specific for A. avenae. When bacterial suspensions of 1 × 108 CFU/ml were infiltrated into the intercellular spaces of leaves of pearl millet seedlings in the greenhouse, typical water-soaked, reddish-brown stripes developed and were identical to those observed in the field. In contrast to previous reports (1), the pearl millet strains produced atypical symptoms on sweet corn (cvs. Merit and Primetime). Necroses were restricted, lacked customary water-soaking, and were similar to symptoms produced by the watermelon pathogen, A. avenae subsp. citrulli, which was used as a negative control. In contrast, three strains of A. avenae subsp. avenae previously isolated from corn in Georgia produced typical water-soaked stripes in both millet and the sweet corn 'Merit'. However, like the millet strains, A. avenae subsp. avenae strains from corn produced atypical symptoms on the sweet corn 'Primetime'. Using immunomagnetic separation and PCR (2), A. avenae subsp. avenae was detected in remaining samples of pearl millet seed planted in Georgia in 2001, as well as in remnant samples of seed sent to Puerto Rico for increase in 2000. The A. avenae subsp. avenae strain recovered from seed was identified by the methods listed above, and in the greenhouse it was identified by the production of typical water-soaked stripes after inoculation of pearl millet. This is the first report of A. avenae subsp. avenae infecting pearl millet in the United States. The detection and distribution of seedborne inoculum in breeding lines is significant since the program at Tifton represents a major effort by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop higher-yielding, disease-resistant pearl millet hybrids. Furthermore, the strains from pearl millet appear to be different from previous A. avenae subsp. avenae strains isolated from corn in Georgia, because they did not produce typical disease symptoms when infiltrated in corn leaves. References: (1) L. E. Claflin et al. Plant Dis. 73:1010, 1989. (2) R. R. Walcott and R. D. Gitaitis. Plant Dis. 84:470, 2000.
Smoothened Mutants Reveal Redundant Roles for Shh and Ihh Signaling Including Regulation of L/R Asymmetry by the Mouse Node

Genetic analyses in Drosophila have demonstrated that the multipass membrane protein Smoothened (Smo) is essential for all Hedgehog signaling. We show that Smo acts epistatic to Ptc1 to mediate Shh and Ihh signaling in the early mouse embryo. Smo and Shh/Ihh compound mutants have identical phenotypes: embryos fail to turn, arresting at somite stages with a small, linear heart tube, an open gut and cyclopia. The absence of visible left/right (L/R) asymmetry led us to examine the pathways controlling L/R situs. We present evidence consistent with a model in which Hedgehog signaling within the node is required for activation of Gdf1, and induction of left-side determinants. Further, we demonstrate an absolute requirement for Hedgehog signaling in sclerotomal development and a role in cardiac morphogenesis.
Ross procedure with aortic root tailoring for aortic valve replacement in the pediatric population.

Background. Aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure) is being applied more commonly in children. Although indications for this procedure have been expanded, the presence of a dilated aortic annulus has remained a relative contraindication. In this condition, the use of an undersized autograft in an enlarged aortic annulus may result in significant aortic regurgitation. Methods. Among 68 children and young adults undergoing the Ross procedure, 15 (age range, 8 to 24 years) with severe aortic regurgitation or stenosis and an aortic annulus diameter that was at least 2 mm larger than the pulmonary annulus had aortic root tailoring. In this group, the diameter of the aortic annulus measured 26.6 ± 1.3 mm (mean ± standard error of the mean), whereas that of the pulmonary annulus was 22 ± 0.9 mm. The mean annular difference was 4.6 ± 0.7 mm (range, 2 to 12 mm). The aortic annulus was reduced by excising a triangular wedge of tissue posteriorly from the aortic valve annulus at the level of the commissure between the left and noncoronary cusps extending into the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. The edges were reapproximated over a calibrated dilator to adjust the final size of the aortic annulus to 2 mm smaller than that of the pulmonary autograft. Circumferential felt strips were not used in any patient. Results. All patients survived and morbidity was limited to one reoperation for bleeding. Doppler echocardiographic examination performed at discharge demonstrated that no patient had more than trace to 1+ aortic regurgitation and none had evidence of aortic stenosis. Over a mean follow-up period of 6.3 ± 1.5 months (range, 1 to 16 months) there has been no late morbidity or mortality and no progression of aortic regurgitation. Conclusions. Aortic root tailoring further extends the use of the Ross procedure to patients with excessive aortic annular dilation while maintaining the potential for growth, which is particularly important in the pediatric population.
Fnr (EtrA) acts as a fine-tuning regulator of anaerobic metabolism in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Background EtrA in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a model organism for study of adaptation to varied redox niches, shares 73.6% and 50.8% amino acid sequence identity with the oxygen-sensing regulators Fnr in E. coli and Anr in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively; however, its regulatory role of anaerobic metabolism in Shewanella spp. is complex and not well understood.
Kinetic models of concentrated NaBH4 hydrolysis

Abstract The hydrolysis of NaBH4 in liquid solution has been extensively studied in the past few years; however, data on the kinetics of self-hydrolysis in concentrated solution are few. This work reports the kinetic modeling of self-hydrolysis of 10–20 wt.% NaBH4 at 25–80 °C. Also, pH data were obtained independently of the reaction kinetics data. The data obtained from Boron-11 NMR measurements and pH are used to determine kinetic parameters. An empirical power law model is evaluated over a wide pH range. The effects of temperature, pH and initial sodium borohyride concentration are reported. The power law model reproduced the trends of the kinetics of the hydrolysis reaction. In addition, a pseudo first order model derived from a proposed reaction mechanism is evaluated. The behavior of the pseudo first order rate constant k is interpreted in terms of the effect of pH.
China and the Comparative Analysis of Land Reform

These two books illuminate different aspects of the role land reform has played in China's development process. Lippit shows how land reform helped finance industrialization. Wong, on the other hand, demonstrates that land reform was not able to solve the problems of equity or of agricultural development in the short run. These books can help other countries absorb China's important experiences. Yet at the same time, they underscore the degree to which Chinese studies can benefit by comparative analysis, as the conclusions of the books would
Atomic collisons with accelerated fullerenes

Abstract An estimation of multiple ionization of 10 MeV fullerenes in C60− → N2 collisions based on binary encounter model has been carried out taking into account plural collisions between nitrogen and carbon atoms, and the stability of the multiply charged fullerene.
Substitution effects on bipolarons in alkoxy derivatives of poly(1,4-phenylene-vinylene).

We have studied the vibrational and electronic structure and the elementary charged excitations of poly(1,4-phenylene-vinylene) and a series of its (2,5-alkoxy) derivatives including poly(2,5-methoxy-PV), poly(2,5-hexoxy-PV), poly(2,5-octoxy-PV), and poly[2-methoxy,5-(2'ethyl-hexoxy)-PV] by absorption, photoinduced (PI) absorption, and doping-induced (DI) absorption. For the pristine materials, we observe that the band gap decreases by as much as \ensuremath{\sim}0.3 eV with the introduction of alkoxy side chains. We assign the observed ir-active phonons to specific structural vibrations. Upon either PI or DI carrier injection, we observe a series of infrared-active vibrational (IRAV) modes and two subgap electronic absorptions that we associate with the formation of bipolarons. Assignment of the IRAV modes indicates that the charged bipolarons couple strongly to lattice modes of the polymer backbone, and the measured IRAV mode frequencies indicate that the pinning strength of bipolarons in a given system decreases as the length of the side chain increases. In addition, from the energy of the two subgap electronic absorptions, we determine that the confinement parameter \ensuremath{\gamma} increases, the Coulomb interaction energy ${\mathit{U}}_{\mathit{b}}$ remains unchanged, and the Coulomb binding energy ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{b}}$ decreases with side-chain length.
Adequacy of interval estimates of yield responses to ozone estimated from NCLAN data.

Three methods of estimating confidence intervals for the parameters of Weibull nonlinear models are examined. These methods are based on linear approximation theory (Wald), the likelihood ratio test, and Clarke's (1987) procedures. Analyses are based on Weibull dose-response equations, developed from the National Crop Loss Assessment Network (NCLAN), that estimate yield as a function of ozone concentration. Comparisons among the three methods of confidence interval construction were also made for relative yield loss, a nonlinear function of the Weibull parameters. The results of these comparisons are considered along with the conclusions indicated using Clarke's measures of parameter-effects curvature and his seriousness criteria. Plots of the Wald and likelihood ration confidence intervals are shown for comparison. It is shown that in two cases the Wald confidence intervals are misleading, but in a third case they are entirely adequate. Clarke's methods identified the two cases where the linear approximation is inadequate and also showed whether his adjustment to the Wald would result in acceptable confidence intervals. The failure of the linear approximation appeared to be due to high variability and/or incomplete coverage of the response curve by the data. Comparisons of the Wald and likelihood ration confidence interval estimates for six othermore » data sets showed the linear approximation to be adequate.« less
Maximizing School Counselors' Efforts by Implementing School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A Case Study from the Field.

School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) are school-wide, data-driven frameworks for promoting safe schools and student learning. This article explains PBIS and provides pr...
CME interactions with coronal holes and their interplanetary consequences

A significant number of interplanetary (IP) shocks (-17%) during cycle 23 were not followed by drivers. The number of such "driverless" shocks steadily increased with the solar cycle with 15%, 33%, and 52% occurring in the rise, maximum, and declining phase of the solar cycle. The solar sources of 15% of the driverless shocks were very close the central meridian of the Sun (within approx.15deg), which is quite unexpected. More interestingly, all the driverless shocks with their solar sources near the solar disk center occurred during the declining phase of solar cycle 23. When we investigated the coronal environment of the source regions of driverless shocks, we found that in each case there was at least one coronal hole nearby suggesting that the coronal holes might have deflected the associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) away from the Sun-Earth line. The presence of abundant low-latitude coronal holes during the declining phase further explains why CMEs originating close to the disk center mimic the limb CMEs, which normally lead to driverless shocks due to purely geometrical reasons. We also examined the solar source regions of shocks with drivers. For these, the coronal holes were located such that they either had no influence on the CME trajectories. or they deflected the CMEs towards the Sun-Earth line. We also obtained the open magnetic field distribution on the Sun by performing a potential field source surface extrapolation to the corona. It was found that the CMEs generally move away from the open magnetic field regions. The CME-coronal hole interaction must be widespread in the declining phase, and may have a significant impact on the geoeffectiveness of CMEs.
Effects of vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation on serum levels of tocopherols, retinol, and specific vitamin D metabolites

γ-Tocopherol (γT) protects against DNA-damaging effects of nitrogen oxides, yet its physiologic regulation in vivo is unknown. Observational studies indicate inverse associations of 25[OH]-vitamin D with γT and leptin. To determine whether vitamin D(3) supplementation alters levels of lipid-soluble micronutrients, serum samples (N = 85 subjects) from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of vitamin D(3) (800 IU) and calcium (2 g), alone and in combination, were analyzed for lipid micronutrients and specific vitamin D metabolites at baseline and after 6 mo of supplementation. Serum 25[OH]-vitamin D(3) levels increased 55% (P < 0.0001) and 48% (P = 0.0005), whereas 25[OH]-vitamin D(2) levels were lower by 48% (P = 0.26) and 21% (P = 0.36) in the vitamin D(3) and vitamin D(3) plus calcium groups, respectively. At baseline, γT levels were inversely associated with 25[OH]D (r = -0.31, P = 0.004). With vitamin D(3) plus calcium treatment, serum α-tocopherol decreased 14% (P = 0.04), whereas similar changes in γT (19% lower, P = 0.14) were observed. No significant effects were observed for D(3) supplementation on leptin or retinol levels. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that vitamin D(3) ± calcium affects serum tocopherol and 25[OH]D(2) levels; however, studies using larger, more homogeneous populations are warranted.
Imaging of the temporomandibular joint: A position paper of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

Various imaging techniques for the temporomandibular joint are discussed with respect to uses, strengths, and limitations. An imaging protocol is outlined for evaluating patients with a wide variety of temporomandibular joint related signs and symptoms.
DIABETES INSIPIDUS AND NONOBSTRUCTIVE DILATION OF URINARY TRACT

Two cases of diabetes insipidus (hypothalamic and nephrogenic) with massive nonobstructive trabeculation and dilation of the bladder and hydroureteronephrosis are reported. The cases are evaluated thoroughly--radiologically and urodynamically. Treatment options are discussed, including the use of an important new drug, dDAVP. The general subject of diabetes insipidus and its urologic implications is reviewed.