cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring management-induced spatio–temporal changes in soil quality through soil sampling directed by apparent electrical conductivity

Characterizing spatial and temporal variability of soil properties at field and landscape scales is tremendously important for a variety of agronomic and environmental concerns including solute transport modeling of non-point source pollutants in the vadose zone, site-specific crop management, and soil quality assessment, to mention a few. Currently, there is a global need to develop tools that evaluate the overall quality of soil to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of farm-management practices. The knowledge now exists for characterizing the spatial variability of soil quality with non-invasive geophysical measurements of apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) using mobile GPS-based systems. The objective of this research was to evaluate ECa-directed soil sampling as a means for monitoring management-induced spatio–temporal changes in soil quality. Appraisal was made of a specific management practice, the reuse of irrigation drainage water applied to a saline–sodic soil in central California. A soil quality assessment study was conducted on a 32.4-ha saline–sodic field comprised of 8 rectangular paddocks in California’s San Joaquin Valley from August 1999 to April 2002. The study evaluated the spatio–temporal changes that had occurred as a result of irrigation with drainage water over that time period. Using geospatial electromagnetic induction (EMI) measurements of ECa and a spatial response surface sampling design, 40 sites were selected that reflected the spatial variability of the ECa measurements. Duplicate samples were taken at eight selected sites (one randomly selected site from each paddock) to study local-scale variability. At each site soil-core samples were taken at 0.3-m intervals to a depth of 1.2 m and analyzed for
Fiber-Dependent and -Independent Toxicity of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide

The 37-residue peptide hormone islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) plays a central role in diabetes pathology. Although its amyloid fiber aggregation kinetics and cytotoxicity to β-cells are well documented, few reports have directly assessed the role of fibers in cell-based toxicity experiments. Here, we report that amyloid formation of IAPP can be strongly inhibited by the extracellular environment of live cells. For example, fiber formation is more strongly suppressed in cell culture medium than in aqueous buffer. The serum component of the medium is responsible for this inhibition. Although amyloid formation was previously shown to be catalyzed by both synthetic and chloroform-extracted phospholipid surfaces, it is instead inhibited by membrane surfaces prepared directly from the plasma membranes of an immortal β-cell line. This disparity is reconciled by direct assessment of fibers in cell-culture-based toxicity experiments. We discovered that fibers are nontoxic if they are washed free of adsorbed nonfibrillar components. Moreover, toxicity is not only rescued when monomers are added back to fibers but is greater than what is observed from the precursor alone. Our results are interpreted in light of the capacity of the fiber surface to template amyloid nucleation.
LTE-advanced: next-generation wireless broadband technology [Invited Paper]

LTE Release 8 is one of the primary broadband technologies based on OFDM, which is currently being commercialized. LTE Release 8, which is mainly deployed in a macro/microcell layout, provides improved system capacity and coverage, high peak data rates, low latency, reduced operating costs, multi-antenna support, flexible bandwidth operation and seamless integration with existing systems. LTE-Advanced (also known as LTE Release 10) significantly enhances the existing LTE Release 8 and supports much higher peak rates, higher throughput and coverage, and lower latencies, resulting in a better user experience. Additionally, LTE Release 10 will support heterogeneous deployments where low-power nodes comprising picocells, femtocells, relays, remote radio heads, and so on are placed in a macrocell layout. The LTE-Advanced features enable one to meet or exceed IMT-Advanced requirements. It may also be noted that LTE Release 9 provides some minor enhancement to LTE Release 8 with respect to the air interface, and includes features like dual-layer beamforming and time-difference- of-arrival-based location techniques. In this article an overview of the techniques being considered for LTE Release 10 (aka LTEAdvanced) is discussed. This includes bandwidth extension via carrier aggregation to support deployment bandwidths up to 100 MHz, downlink spatial multiplexing including single-cell multi-user multiple-input multiple-output transmission and coordinated multi point transmission, uplink spatial multiplexing including extension to four-layer MIMO, and heterogeneous networks with emphasis on Type 1 and Type 2 relays. Finally, the performance of LTEAdvanced using IMT-A scenarios is presented and compared against IMT-A targets for full buffer and bursty traffic model.
Enhancement of the protective efficacy of inactivated influenza A virus vaccine in aged mice by IL-2 liposomes

Abstract A dose-dependent, vaccine-induced protection of aged and young Balb/c mice against lethal influenza A virus challenge has been demonstrated. Low dose formalin-inactivated influenza A virus vaccine was protective in young mice, but not in aged mice, while a higher dose was protective in both. Administration of low dose vaccine with IL-2 liposomes conferred protection comparable to the high dose in aged mice. Serum neutralizing antibody responses were stimulated by vaccine in a dose-dependent manner while IL-2 liposomes significantly enhanced responses in the low dose vaccine group in both aged and young mice. Reduction in lung virus titres 4 days following challenge paralleled protection in young but not in aged mice. Lung interferon levels paralleled lung virus titres in young but not in aged mice. CTL responses in infected mice were generally higher in young than aged mice. These results demonstrate efficacy of IL-2 liposomes as an adjuvant for influenza virus vaccines in the aged.
Inbreeding avoidance in chimpanzees

Abstract In a community of chimpanzees in Gombe National Park, females' associations with their previous closest male associates (usually maternal siblings) dropped abruptly when they commenced full oestrous cycles, in some cases because the females changed their range within their natal community. Sexual activity was very infrequent between maternal siblings and between mothers and sons. Whereas males remained in their natal community all their lives, most or all females transferred to other communities during adolescence either permanently or temporarily. Inter-community transfer by females apparently resulted from attraction to unfamiliar males. Thus inbreeding appears to be avoided in this species as a consequence of reduced sexual attraction between individuals who were familiar with each other in immaturity.
The effects of illumination on the acquisition of delayed matching-to-sample

Illumination effects during steady-state performance of discrimination tasks in animals have been well documented, whereas research on illumination effects during acquisition has been largely ignored. Exceptions to this rule are Wasserman’s (1973) autoshaping experiments and Maki’s (1979) successive discrimination experiment. The present experiment investigated the effects of illumination changes on acquisition of a conditional discrimination—delayed matching-to-sample (DMTS). Pigeons were used in a between-groups design which factorially varied house-light illumination, on or off, during the presentations of DMTS stimuli, the delay interval, and the intertrial interval (ITI). DMTS performance over five blocks of sessions was the dependent variable. The major result was the three-way interaction of sessions, the intertrial interval, and the DMTS stimuli. Constant illumination resulted in the highest discrimination ratios over the last four blocks of sessions. A constant dark condition did not differ from a condition with dark ITIs and illuminated stimulus presentations or from a condition with illuminated ITIs and dark stimulus presentations. The proffered explanation of these data emphasizes the disruptive effects of stimulus changes and Wasserman’s (1973) cue localization hypothesis. The loci of the stimulus change and cue localization effect are suggested to be either at the beginning of a trial or at the end of a trial. A pretrial account emphasizes the role of stimulus changes on the encoding of the sample stimulus, and a posttrial account emphasizes the role of stimulus changes during consolidation processing.
Neonatal aldosterone administration alters later response to adrenalectomy and aldosterone infusion in the rat.

Abstract Juvenile and adult infusions of mineralocorticoids promote weight gains in rats. However, nothing is known about the effects of very early administration. As such treatments often bring about enduring changes, we examined the impact of neonatal (days 1–5 of life), followed by early adult (days 45–57 of life), administration of aldosterone (ALDO) on the weight gains of free-fed rats. Analysis revealed that neonatal ALDO exposure altered the pattern of weight gain during the later period. Specifically, acute neonatal exposure increased weight gain in adrenalectomized young adult rats. At the same time, it appeared to reduce the effects of chronic ALDO exposure in these animals.
Assessment for library instruction: The Cross/Angelo Model

Abstract Classroom assessment, a major component of classroom research in higher education, is a quick and easy way for instruction librarians to monitor what is being learned by their students and to adjust their teaching accordingly The process of adapting classroom assessment techniques to the discipline of library instruction has begun and is documented in this article Examples of classroom research from higher education are given in an attempt to lead librarians to the next logical step of integrating the process into their everyday teaching (one-time, course-related, or credit course) and publishing the results of their findings Whether classroom assessment remains in relatively isolated divisions such as the library or becomes a pan of a total campus improvement endeavor is a question for each institution to answer
Penicillin‐induced immunohemolytic anemia associated with circulating immune complexes

Eleven days after administration of multiple penicillin analogs, a 55-year-old female developed a Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia. The patient's erythrocytes were coated with IgG, complement components (C4/C3) and her serum contained elevated 125I-Clq binding activity (a measure of the presence of immune complexes). Her serum, in the presence of fresh complement and penicillin, induced complement sensitization of normal erythrocytes. Immune complex-mediated complement activation and the haptene type of erythrocyte sensitization accounted for accelerated red blood cell destruction in this patient.
Ultraspherical polynomials and statistics on the m-sphere

Abstract The purpose of this note is to establish the connection between the ultraspherical polynomials and distributions on the m-sphere. Certain functions defined on the m-sphere have an ultraspherical decomposition which can be used to advantage. Examples of their use are given.
A reflectance spectrometer/environmental chamber for frosts.

As part of a study of frost spectral properties, a low incident energy, near ir reflectance spectrometer has been designed and built as an integral part of an environmental chamber. The total incident energy on the sample from the monochromater and cooled chamber, 4 × 10−3 W cm−2, is one to two orders of magnitude less than in previous ir spectral measurements of frosts and avoids thermal metamorphism of the sample. All supports, connections, and windows are mounted in the chamber lid allowing very simple, readily interchangeable chambers to be used. This permits growth of samples under a variety of controlled conditions and allows spectral measurements over a wide range of inclinations. The apparatus allowed photography and access to the sample so that sample density, thickness, grain size, and composition of H2O-CO2 frosts could be determined.
Hemoglobin A1C in childhood diabetes

A1C hemoglobin is a glycoprotein hemoglobin formed in greater than normal amounts in overt diabetes mellitus. Levels were normal in nine children with asymptomatic hyperglycemia and high in children with overt insulin-dependent disease.
Low Self-Control, Deviant Peer Associations, and Juvenile Cyberdeviance

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s (1990) general theory of crime and Akers’ (1998) social learning theory have received strong empirical support for explaining crime in both the physical and cyberworlds. Most of the studies examining cybercrime, however, have only used college samples. In addition, the evidence on the interaction between low self-control and deviant peer associations is mixed. Therefore, this study examined whether low self-control and deviant peer associations explained various forms of cyberdeviance in a youth sample. We also tested whether associating with deviant peers mediated the effect of low self-control on cyberdeviance as well as whether it conditioned the effect. Low self-control and deviant peer associations were found to be related to cyberdeviance in general, as well as piracy, harassment, online pornography, and hacking specifically. Deviant peer associations both mediated and exacerbated the effect of low self-control on general cyberdeviance, though these interactions were not found for the five cyberdeviant types examined.
Bound niacin in sorghum and its availability

Abstract Two varieties of Sorghum vulgare , milo and jowar, have been studied. Samples cooked at neutral pH gave total niacin values of 46 and 29 mg/kg, respectively, on an air-dry basis. In extracts made from these at neutral pH and fractionated after gel-filtration, most of the niacin was in high molecular weight (i.e., bound) forms. In a bioassay for niacin, the boiled milo gave a growth response equivalent to 34% of its total niacin being available to young rats. Sorghum has behaved similarly to other mature cereal grains in these tests of niacin availability.
Prevalence and functioning of children with cerebral palsy in four areas of the United States in 2006: A report from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network

Abstract Aim To estimate the prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and the frequency of co-occurring developmental disabilities (DDs), gross motor function (GMF), and walking ability using the largest surveillance DD database in the US. Methods We conducted population-based surveillance of 8-year-old children in 2006 (N = 142,338), in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Missouri. This multi-site collaboration involved retrospective record review at multiple sources. We reported CP subtype, co-occurring DDs, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and walking ability as well as CP period prevalence by race/ethnicity and sex. Results CP prevalence was 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1–3.7) per 1000 and varied by site, ranging from 2.9 (Wisconsin) to 3.8 (Georgia) per 1000, 8-year olds (p Interpretation Surveillance data are enhanced when factors such as functioning and co-occurring conditions known to affect clinical service needs, quality of life, and health care are also considered.
Molecular evolution of sensory domains in cyanobacterial chemoreceptors.

Components of the chemotaxis system encoded in multiple heomologous operons were identified in five cyanobacterial genomes. Analysis of phylogenetic profiles, genomic context, domain architectures and sequence identity reveal that sensory modules of chemoreceptors that detect environmental cues are the subject of frequent domain birth and death events and have accelerated rates of sequence evolution. This fact could explain a remarkable diversity of the sensing repertoire of chemotaxis receptors in microorganisms.
Analysis of Internal Heating Shock Effects in Reactor Fuel Components

Abstract Under conditions of rapid fission heating, large dynamic stresses may be induced in a reactor fuel component. Various calculational techniques have been developed to determine the expansions and stresses in a specific fuel element geometry. This paper discusses one-dimensional calculational procedures for a sphere, infinite cylinder, slab, or rod. Two-dimensional techniques for a finite cylinder are also presented. Elastic, elastic-plastic, and elastic-viscoplastic material behavior are included and calculated results are given. Some comparisons between theory and experiment are made for elastic and elastic-plastic analyses in one and two dimensions.
Differences in activities of daily living performance between long-term pediatric sarcoma survivors and a matched comparison group on standardized testing.

Background In a cross-sectional study examining late effects of pediatric sarcoma therapy, long-term survivors were evaluated on their activities of daily living (ADL) performance. Procedure Thirty-two persons with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors, rhabdomyosarcoma, and non-rhabdomysarcoma-soft tissue sarcoma enrolled an average of 17 years after treatment. Participants were evaluated using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) 1, a standardized observational evaluation of ADL task performance. Means and 95% confidence intervals for ADL motor and ADL process ability measures were calculated for four groups: (1) sarcoma survivors, (2) “well” adults matched for age and gender, (3) “well” adults matched for gender that were 10 years older, and (4) “well” adults matched for gender that were 20 years older. Results ADL motor ability was significantly lower for sarcoma survivors than for the age- and gender-matched comparison group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between ADL motor ability of sarcoma survivors and the comparison group 10 years older, but sarcoma survivors had significantly better ADL motor ability (P < 0.05) than the oldest comparison group (20 years older). Sarcoma survivors had significantly worse ADL process ability than the age-matched group (P < 0.05). There was no difference in ADL process ability between the sarcoma survivors and comparison groups that were 10 and 20 years older. Conclusions This first report of a clinical evaluation of ADL limitation in pediatric sarcoma survivors treated with intensive multimodal cancer therapy suggests that influences on performance of daily life activities are more common than previously reported. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:622–628. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thermochemical characterization of some thermally stable thermoplastic and thermoset polymers

The thermochemical and flammability properties of some thermally stable polymers considered for use in aircraft interiors are described. The properties studied include: (1) thermomechanical properties such as glass transition and melt temperature; (2) dynamic thermogravimetric analysis in anaerobic environment; (3) flammability properties such as oxygen index, flame spread, and smoke evolution; and (4) selected physical properties. The thermoplastic polymers evaluated include polyphenylene sulfide, polyaryl sulfone, 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-fluorene polycarbonate-poly(dimethylsiloxane) and polyether sulfone. The thermoset polymers evaluated include epoxy, bismaleimide, a modified phenolic, and polyaromatic melamine resin. These resins were primarily used in the fabrication of glass-reinforced prepregs for the construction of experimental panels. Test results and relative rankings of some of the flammability parameters are presented, and the relationship of the molecular structure, char yield, and flammability properties of these polymers are discussed.
A cache-based method for accelerating switch-level simulation

Switch-level simulation has become a common means of validating the behavior of MOS circuits. In this paper, we present a new cache-based simulation method that significantly reduces the cost of subnetwork evaluation during switch-level simulation. The method speeds up simulation by as much as a factor of two. While caching may require additional memory, the structural hierarchy can be exploited to quickly identify subnetworks computing identical functions, merge their cache tables, and significantly reduce the memory requirements. >
The importance of disability as a health issue for mid-life women

Data suggest that disability prevalence among mid-aged populations is increasing in recent years; current prevalence estimates for mid-aged adults range from 20 to 40 %. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning (ICF) has provided a multi-dimensional biopsychosocial model to understand disability that is highly relevant to mid-aged populations. Under the ICF framework, mid-aged women experience high levels of work, non-work, and mobility-associated disability but very little difficulty with self care. Despite the high prevalence, evidence suggests that there is a large proportion of non-chronic disability and that mid-aged women can both worsen and improve their functioning. Thus, the mid-life period may represent a critical window during which interventions to improve disability may be most efficacious for the improvement of current and future functioning. Interventions that are initiated during the mid-life are highly relevant as a strategy to reduce disability during this life stage and prevent or forestall the onset of late life disability. Targets for intervention include improvement of depressive symptoms and increasing physical activity levels, both of which have shown to be efficacious in older populations and are correlates of mid-life functioning and disability.
Designing the future of collaborative workplace systems: lessons learned from a comparison with alternate reality games

Alternate reality games (ARGs) represent a unique form of group collaboration. A careful comparison of ARGs to more traditional collaborative systems reveals areas for innovation in tools to support ad-hoc teaming. This comparison specifically focuses on processes of group formation, task management, information discovery and collective storytelling. Opportunities for innovation are highlighted, as are future research questions.
Inhibition of Cytokine Gene Expression by Sodium Salicylate in a Macrophage Cell Line through an NF-κB-Independent Mechanism

Macrophage-derived cytokines and chemokines are involved at multiple steps of immune and inflammatory responses, and the transcriptional factor NF-κB appears to play a pivotal role in their coordinated upregulation. The anti-inflammatory agents salicylates have been proposed to act in part by inhibiting NF-κB. We have therefore studied the effects of sodium salicylate on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced κB-binding activity and on cytokine and chemokine gene expression in the RAW264.7 murine macrophage cell line and compared them to those of an established NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC). PDTC (100 μM) completely abrogated LPS-induced κB-binding activity and also profoundly inhibited the induction of interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and MCP-1 and, to a lesser extent, leukemia inhibitory factor, RANTES, and IL-1Ra. In contrast, sodium salicylate (15 to 20 mM) had no effect on NF-κB activation but, nevertheless, suppressed several LPS-induced cytokine and chemokine genes to a degree similar to that obtained with PDTC. However, compared to PDTC, sodium salicylate caused significantly less inhibition of IL-1Ra and IL-10 gene expression after LPS stimulation. Neither LPS-induced MIP-1α, MIP-1β, nor MIP-2 was significantly affected by PDTC or sodium salicylate, demonstrating that NF-κB is dispensable for the transcriptional regulation of these genes by LPS. In summary, these results suggest that both NF-κB-dependent and NF-κB-independent pathways are necessary for the induction by LPS of a complex cytokine and chemokine response. In the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, suprapharmacological concentrations of sodium salicylate exert a potent inhibitory effect on LPS-induced cytokine gene induction but appear to accomplish this by interfering with NF-κB-independent pathways of activation.
Intron homing with limited exon homology. Illegitimate double-strand-break repair in intron acquisition by phage t4.

The td intron of bacteriophage T4 encodes a DNA endonuclease that initiates intron homing to cognate intronless alleles by a double-strand-break (DSB) repair process. A genetic assay was developed to analyze the relationship between exon homology and homing efficiency. Because models predict exonucleolytic processing of the cleaved recipient leading to homologous strand invasion of the donor allele, the assay was performed in wild-type and exonuclease-deficient ( rnh or dexA ) phage. Efficient homing was supported by exon lengths of 50 bp or greater, whereas more limited exon lengths led to a precipitous decline in homing levels. However, extensive homology in one exon still supported elevated homing levels when the other exon was completely absent. Analysis of these “one-sided” events revealed recombination junctions at ectopic sites of microhomology and implicated nucleolytic degradation in illegitimate DSB repair in T4. Interestingly, homing efficiency with extremely limiting exon homology was greatly elevated in phage deficient in the 3′-5′ exonuclease, DexA, suggesting that the length of 3′ tails is a major determinant of the efficiency of DSB repair. Together, these results suggest that illegitimate DSB repair may provide a means by which introns can invade ectopic sites.
AGING: CONCEPTS AND CONTROVERSIES (5th Edition), By Harry R. Moody

Aging: Concepts and Controversies, by Harry R. Moody is the newest edition of this very readable book originally published in 1994. It is an excellent college teaching resource; yet the premise of ...
Psychological Reactions to Adaptive Testing

The purpose of the study was to examine how specific aspects of adaptive testing influence test-takers pre-test reactions. Specifically, three different psychological reactions were examined in the study: perceived fairness of the test, attitude toward the test, and expectations about the test. Fifty-three undergraduates were presented with descriptions of hypothetical selection tests that were manipulated to reflect characteristics of adaptive tests that differ from traditional paper-and-pencil tests. The results indicate that certain features of adaptive tests, such as the inability to skip questions, may adversely impact test-takers' reactions. Implications for test designers are discussed.
Capacitative Cation Entry in Human Myometrial Cells and Augmentation by hTrpC3 Overexpression

Transient receptor potential (Trp) channels have been implicated in mediating store- and receptor-activated Ca2+ influx. Different properties of this influx in various cell types may stem from the assembly of these Trp proteins into homo- or heterotetramers or association with other regulatory proteins. We examined the properties of endogenous capacitative Ca2+ entry in PHM1 immortalized human myometrial cells that express endogenous hTrpCs 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 mRNA and in primary human myocytes. In PHM1 cells, activation of the oxytocin receptor or depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores with the endoplasmic reticulum calcium pump-inhibitor thapsigargin induced capacitative Ca2+ entry, which was inhibited both by SKF 96365 and gadolinium (Gd3+). Whereas unstimulated cells did not exhibit Sr2+ entry, oxytocin and thapsigargin enhanced Sr2+ entry that was also inhibited by SKF 96365 and Gd3+. In contrast, Ba2+, a poor substrate for Ca2+ pumps, accumulated in these cells in the absence of the capacitative entry stimulus and also after oxytocin and thapsigargin treatment. Both types of entry were markedly decreased by SKF 96365 and Gd3+. The membrane-permeant derivative of diacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), elicited oscillatory increases in PHM1 intracellular Ca2+ that were dependent on extracellular Ca2+. These properties were also observed in primary human myocytes. Overexpression of hTrpC3 in PHM1 cells enhanced thapsigargin-, oxytocin-, and OAG-induced Ca2+ entry. These data are consistent with the expression of endogenous hTrpC activity in myometrium. Capacitative Ca2+ entry can potentially contribute to Ca2+ dynamics controlling uterine smooth muscle contractile activity.
Overcoming World in Miniature Limitations by a Scaled and Scrolling WIM

The World In Miniature (WIM) technique has effectively allowed users to interact and travel efficiently in Virtual Environments. However, WIM fails to work in worlds with tasks at various levels of scale. Such an example is using the WIM to arrange furniture and then leaving the room to travel the city using the WIM for navigation and wayfinding. To address this problem, scaling and scrolling were added to the WIM to create the Scaled Scrolling World In Miniature (SSWIM). The interface and testbed were iteratively created under expert evaluation and multiple formative user evaluations led to the final design. The WIM and SSWIM were then compared inside three differently sized cities by users who located a sphere and traveled into it to read the label at the spheres center. Users were administered two standard psychology tests to account for spatial orientation (Cube Comparison Test) and spatial scanning (Maze Tracing Test) factors. The results show that the SSWIMs added functionality, and hence complexity, caused no significant hit in user performance and additionally that users were able to use SSWIM effectively after a short instructional period. To better understand the effect of experience, a follow-up experiment was performed showing performance plateaued after ten to fifteen minutes of use.
Studies of Decay Schemes in the Osmium-Iridium Region. III. Decay of 15.8-Hour Ir 186

The decay of 15.8-h ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{186}$ was studied with a double-focusing electron spectrometer, a lens spectrometer, and scintillation spectrometers. Several coincidence experiments were also performed. About two-thirds of the 101 transitions observed could be fitted into a level scheme for ${\mathrm{Os}}^{186}$ consisting of a ground-state ($K=0$) band, a $K=2$ (gamma-vibrational) band, and several other levels. The positron spectrum shows at least two branches; the branch with the highest end-point energy (1.94\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 MeV) populates the $I=6$, $K=0$, state at 0.869 MeV. The total positron intensity is (2.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7)%. The most probable spin assignment for ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{186}$ (15.8-h) is 7. Energies of the collective levels of ${\mathrm{Os}}^{186}$, and relative transition probabilities, are discussed in the framework of the existing knowledge of other even-$A$ osmium isotopes, and are compared with the predictions of the band-mixed strong coupling model and of various versions of the asymmetric rotor model. An appendix gives data accumulated during the course of this work on transitions following the decay of ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{185}$ and of ${\mathrm{Ir}}^{187}$.
Verbal Fluency in Parkinson's Patients with and without Bilateral Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus: A Meta-analysis.

Objectives: Patients with Parkinson’s disease often experience significant decline in verbal fluency over time; however, deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) is also associated with post-surgical declines in verbal fluency. The purpose of this study was to determine if Parkinson’s patients who have undergone bilateral STN-DBS have greater impairment in verbal fluency compared to Parkinson’s patients treated by medication only. Methods: A literature search yielded over 140 articles and 10 articles met inclusion criteria. A total of 439 patients with Parkinson’s disease who underwent bilateral STN-DBS and 392 non-surgical patients were included. Cohen’s d, a measure of effect size, was calculated using a random effects model to compare post-treatment verbal fluency in patients with Parkinson’s disease who underwent STN-DBS versus those in the non-surgical comparison group. Results: The random effects model demonstrated a medium effect size for letter fluency (d=−0.47) and a small effect size for category fluency (d=−0.31), indicating individuals with bilateral STN-DBS had significantly worse verbal fluency performance than the non-surgical comparison group. Conclusions: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease who have undergone bilateral STN-DBS experience greater deficits in letter and category verbal fluency compared to a non-surgical group. (JINS, 2016, 22, 478–485)
Control of Several Cotton Pests with Systemic Insecticides

In field experiments American Cyanamid CL-47470 (cyclic propylene (diethoxyphosphinyl)dithioimidocarbonate), CL-47031 (cyclic ethylene (diethoxyphosphinyl) dithioimidocarbonate), and Union Carbide UC-21149 (2-methyl-2-(methylthio) propionaldehyde O -(methylcarbamoyl) oxime) granules applied in the furrow at planting controlled thrips ( Frankliniella sp.), cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, and serpentine leafminer, Liriomyza brassicae (Riley), for 4–6 weeks after planting. UC-21149 controlled the fleahopper, Psallus seriatus (Reuter), for about 8 weeks after planting. CL 47031 applied as a granule sidedress treatment and as a lanolin-paste stem treatment gave fair cotton fleahopper control. As a sidedress treatment material it gave season-long control of the desert spider mite, Tetranychus desertorum Banks, and the stem treatment gave control for about 2 months.
Epidemiology characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Shenzhen, 2010-2011

Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-and-mouth disease(HFMD) in Shenzhen and provide scientific evidence for control and prevention measures.Method Descriptive epidemiological approached were used to analyze the information on HFMD cases and outbreaks of Shenzhen from 2010 to 2011.Results A total of 48 102 cases were reported with the average annual incidence of 234.32 / 105;The cases were mainly reported during the period from April to July,accounted for 56.89%,and reported in each district in Shenzhen city,the differences of the incidence of different regions were significant(P 0.001).The cases were mostly reported among children under 6 years old,accounted for 94.19%,of which 75.05% were scattered children,The differences between male and female cases were significant(P0.001).Among 245 severe cases reported during 2010-2011,cases peaked in the 1-4 age groups,accounted for 88.57%,and severe cases were mainly occurred among scattered children,accounted for 86.12%.EV71 was the epidemic strain.During the period from 2010 to 2011,189 outbreaks were reported,of which were mostly reported during April to June and occurred mainly in child care institutions.Conclusions The incidence of HFMD varied by age,sex,occupation and season in Shenzhen.It is necessary to take effective control and prevention measures to decrease the mortality.
Are Four Simple Questions Able to Predict Weight Loss in Outpatients With Metastatic Cancer? A Prospective Cohort Study Assessing the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire

ABSTRACTBackground: Severe weight loss is directly responsible for up to one-fifth of all cancer deaths and has a major impact on quality of life. The simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire (SNAQ) was validated to predict weight loss within 6 mo in community-dwelling adults and nursing home residents. Methods: We prospectively assessed the SNAQ in 133 palliative cancer outpatients. The SNAQ predictions were validated after 3 and 6 mo with the observed weight change. In addition, the treating oncologists gave their predictions concerning future weight loss according to their clinical judgment. Results: A significant weight loss of 5% of the original body weight within 6 mo occurred in 20 (24%) of the 133 patients. The SNAQ predicted weight loss with a sensitivity of 0.38 and a specificity of 0.66 (P-value 0.81). The treating oncologists predicted weight loss with a sensitivity of 0.67 and a specificity of 0.7 (P-value 0.002). Conclusion: The SNAQ does not represent a useful tool to predict impending...
Bi-directional conversion between microwave and optical frequencies in a piezoelectric optomechanical device

We describe the principles of design, fabrication, and operation of a piezoelectric optomechanical crystal with which we demonstrate bi-directional conversion of energy between microwave and optical frequencies. The optomechanical crystal has an optical mode at 1523 nm co-located with a mechanical breathing mode at 3.8 GHz, with a measured optomechanical coupling strength gom/2π of 115 kHz. The breathing mode is driven and detected by curved interdigitated transducers that couple to a Lamb mode in suspended membranes on either end of the optomechanical crystal, allowing the external piezoelectric modulation of the optical signal as well as the converse, the detection of microwave electrical signals generated by a modulated optical signal. We compare measurements to theory where appropriate.
Devilish Effects of Taz in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis leads to cirrhosis and cancer in a rising number of patients with metabolic syndrome. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Wang et al. (2016) identify the transcriptional co-activator Taz as a driver of inflammation and fibrosis through the induction of Indian hedgehog in hepatocytes, which stimulates fibrogenesis by hepatic stellate cells.
Voltage endurance committee round robin. Aging by full and half wave signals

For the past several years, the Voltage Life Committee of the EIS has been investigating the question of the frequency accelerated aging of magnet wire twists. The frequency acceleration of voltage endurance testing was reviewed and summarized in a recent IEEE symposium report [1]. While the intended purpose of such reviews is to evaluate the “state of the art” regarding a particular topic, they invariably raise additional questions for consideration. In this way, questions about the expected performance of magnet wire twist materials under variable frequency impulse stresses and about voltage aging of twists as a function of rectified half waves were brought up. The University of Connecticut, with the support and guidance of the Voltage Life Committee, has attempted to explore these questions as part of a summer program. Some results from this collaborative research are being reported in this paper.
Differential Protein Expression of Zinc Finger Proteins and Cell Cycle Regulators between Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Activated Cord Blood (CB) and Adult Peripheral Blood (APB) Dendritic Cells (DC) Derived from Monocytes: Implication of CB Versus APB DC Differential Innate and Adaptive Immunity.

LPS induces the maturation and activation of dendritic cells in part by inducing toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and subsequent activation of specific signal transduction pathways (Medzhitov, Nat Rev Immunol., 2001). We and others have identified differential CB-DC versus APB-DC immune functional responses (Bradley/Cairo, Human Immunol., 2005). We have recently identified differential gene expression patterns in CB versus APB monocytes (Jiang/Cairo, J. of Immunol., 2004) and DC (Jiang/Cairo, Blood/ASH, 2004). Significant different gene expression patterns have been identified including cell surface molecules, cytokines/chemokines, signaling molecules, immune regulators and transcription factors. The differential expression of some of these genes may in part be responsible for the functional differences of CB versus APB DC. We therefore sought to examine quantitative differential protein expression patterns between CB and APB DC using proteomic tool (isotope-coded affinity tagging (ICAT TM ) followed by liquid chromatography (LC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)). Briefly, Mo were purified from fresh CB or APB and cultured for 8 days with GM-CSF and IL-4 (immature DC (iDC)) and activated by LPS for mature DC (mDC). Equal amounts of protein (1 mg) obtained from total cell lysates were reduced and labeled with isotope by mixing 1 unit of light (control) and heavy (treated) cleavable ICAT reagent and subjected to avidin affinity chromatography. Offline fractions were collected, digested with trypsin and analyzed by automated reverse phase nanospray LC-MS/MS. The MS/MS acquired data was searched with SEQUEST against amino acid sequences in the UniProt protein database to identify specific proteins. Our preliminary data demonstrated approximately 25 proteins overexpressed and 51 proteins underexpressed (> or
Thermoelectric properties of AMg2X2, AZn2Sb2 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Sb, Bi), and Ba2ZnX2 (X = Sb, Bi) Zintl compounds

We report a theoretical investigation of the electronic structure and transport properties of eleven Zintl compounds including nine 122 phases (AMg2X2, AZn2Sb2 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Sb, Bi)) and two 212 phases (Ba2ZnX2 (X = Sb, Bi)). The electronic structures and electrical transport properties are studied using ab initio calculations and semi-classical Boltzmann theory within the constant relaxation time approximation. All the compounds are semiconducting. We find that the n-type 122 phases with the CaAl2Si2 structure type show better performance than p-type materials due to the multi-valley degeneracy with anisotropic carrier pockets at and near the conduction band minimum. The pocket anisotropy is beneficial in achieving high conductivity and Seebeck coefficient simultaneously. This mechanism yields substantial improvement in the power factor. The general performance of 212 phases is inferior to that of the 122 phases, with the Ba2ZnSb2 compound showing better performance.
Microgravity, Macro Investment: Overcoming International Space Station Utilization Challenges Through Managerial Innovation

The International Space Station, operated by NASA in cooperation with 14 partner nations, is one of the most expensive and widely touted scientific resources ever created. This essay explores NASA’s efforts to live up to the financial investment and scientific promise of the orbiting laboratory through innovative management strategies, specifically the formation of a nonprofit organization to market and manage utilization of the US station module. The events and ideas that led to this innovation reveal tension between NASA’s mission objectives, federal pressure to commercialize the space station, and the diverse expectations of the station’s user base of academic scientists, engineers, and industrialists. The fate of the nonprofit organization remains to be seen, but its ultimate success or failure will have important consequences for future large-scale federally funded scientific assets. (Emily A. Margolis)
How Web 2.0 is Changing the Way Students Learn: The Darwikinism and Folksonomy Revolution

eleed, Iss. 8 - In the 21st century, some argue that we have a new breed of students (Oblinger & Oblinger, 2005; Prensky, 2001). Technologies such as Web 2.0 have been held responsible for these changes as students are now becoming active, critical consumers of information (Klamma, Cao, & Spaniol, 2007). Two components of this Web 2.0 revolution are the ideas behind Darwikinism and folksonomy. Darwikinism is a portmanteau of Darwinism and Wikis, which describes how a system similar to Darwin’s theory of evolution is ordering and processing wiki information. Folksonomy, again a portmanteau of folk and taxonomy, refers to the way in which Web 2.0 users (folk) are creating a classification system of information on the web. This article looks at the way in which student learning is changing and evolving, driven by the users of Web 2.0.
Rumor response, debunking response, and decision makings of misinformed Twitter users during disasters

The rapid spread of rumors occurring on social media is a critical problem that poses a great risk to emergency situation navigation, especially during disasters. Many research questions, such as how misinformed users judge potential rumors or how they respond to them, are crucial issues for crisis communication, but have not been extensively studied. This paper fills this gap by originally documenting and studying Twitter users’ rumor and debunking response behaviors during disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013. To this end, two rumors from each disaster and their related tweets are documented for analysis. Users who were misinformed and involved in the rumor topic by posting tweet(s), could respond to a rumor by: (1) spreading (85.86–91.40%), (2) confirmation-seeking (5.39–9.37%), or (3) doubting (0.71–8.75%). However, if the rumor-spreading users were debunked, they would respond by: (1) deleting rumor tweet(s) (2.94–10.00%), (2) clarifying rumor information with a new tweet (0–19.75%), or (3) neither deleting nor clarifying (78.13–97.06%). We conclude that Twitter users perform poorly in rumor detection and rush to spread rumors. The majority of users who spread rumors do not take further action on their Twitter accounts to fix their rumor-spreading behaviors.
UGA Read-Through Artifacts -When Popular Gene Expression Systems Need a pATCH

pET and similar vectors are widely used for efficient gene expression in Escherichia coli and subsequent protein purification, often by means of a C-terminal histidine (His) tag. We found that the ...
Networked Life: 20 Questions and Answers

How does Google sell ad space and rank webpages? How does Netflix recommend movies and Amazon rank products? How can you influence people on Facebook and Twitter and can you really reach anyone in six steps? Why doesn't the Internet collapse under congestion and does it have an Achilles' heel? Why are you charged per gigabyte for mobile data and how can Skype and BitTorrent be free? How are cloud services so scalable and why is WiFi slower at hotspots than at home? Driven by twenty real-world questions about our networked lives, this book explores the technology behind the multi-trillion dollar Internet and wireless industries. Providing easily understandable answers for the casually curious, alongside detailed explanations for those looking for in-depth discussion, this thought-provoking book is essential reading for students in engineering, science and economics, for network industry professionals and anyone curious about how technological and social networks really work.
Haloviruses of Great Salt Lake: A Model for Understanding Viral Diversity

Our understanding of halovirus diversity is limited since viral isolation is traditionally based on the ability to culture the host species. Here, we review current knowledge of viruses in hypersaline environments. Many of these studies, however, do not reveal the true level of diversity in the microbial community. We describe a study of the hypersaline region of Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA, which utilizes a non-cultivation approach, which combines fractionation and negative staining transmission electron microscopy, to analyze viral diversity. Examination of the haloviruses pelleted from brine revealed haloviruses of the three major morphological types previously reported in other hypersaline waters: fusiform, spherical, and head–tail species. Partial success was accomplished in separating the different forms by cesium chloride density banding. We also discovered abundant filamentous viruses suggesting that “filamentous” should be considered a major new category of halovirus forms.
Monsters, Black Holes and Entropy

Classical general relativity allows for compact objects—“monsters”—with more entropy than black holes of equal mass. We construct examples of such configurations and describe their general properties. Monsters are problematic for certain versions of the AdS/CFT duality, and possibly even for the application of statistical mechanics to quantum gravity. It is possible that they are somehow excluded from the Hilbert space of quantum gravity, although this would be in contrast to the usual case in which coarse-grained, semiclassical configurations have (many) quantum counterparts.