cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Vocal and Violin Vibrato with Relationship to the Source/Filter Model

Although the source/filter model is often mentioned in the literature of acoustics and signal processing (e.g., Gold and Morgan, Speech and Audio Signal Processing, Wiley), it has seldom been implemented for musical instrument sounds. For operatic style male voices with sufficient vibrato depth, overlapped harmonic amplitude-versus-frequency (HAF) graphs can yield displays that trace out vocal tract resonances quite effectively (Maher and Beauchamp in Appl Acoust 30:219–245, 1992 [4]; Arroabarren and Carlosena J Acoust Soc Am 119(4):2483–2497, 2006 [5]). If the glottus signal can be derived, its spectrum (in dB) can be subtracted from the HAF data to reveal a vocal tract transfer function. However, for the violin the HAF method with vibrato excitation has proved unsuccessful because (1) violin vibrato depths are generally insufficient and (2) HAF traces appear too steep to be caused by actual violin resonances. Therefore, a violin glide tone (C5-to-C4, performed in an anechoic chamber) was used instead. Based on an assumption that the source signal spectrum was independent of fundamental frequency (F0), average ratios between adjacent harmonic amplitudes were measured making it possible to derive a source spectrum (within a scale factor). From this the violin transfer function was derived. As a comparison, a pair of violin glide signals (one at the bridge and the other radiated) supplied to the author by Alfonso Perez-Carrillo (J Acoust Soc Am 130(2): 1020–1027, 2011 [19]) were analyzed. The measured bridge spectrum was similar to that of the C5-to-C4 tone’s derived source spectrum, but the derived filter was quite different, as might be expected considering the different violins and arbitrary microphone positions used in the two cases.
Clinical implications of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase on 5-FU pharmacology.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the initial rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), accounting for catabolism of over 85% of an administered dose of 5-FU. DPD plays an important role in regulating the availability of 5-FU for anabolism. DPD also accounts for much of the variability observed with the therapeutic use of 5-FU. This includes variable 5-FU levels over 24 hours during a continuous infusion; the widely reported variability in the pharmacokinetics of 5-FU; the observed variable bioavailability that led to the recommendation that 5-FU not be administered as an oral agent; and lastly, the observed variability in both toxicity and drug response (resistance) after identical 5-FU doses. Knowledge of the DPD level, as well as the levels of other potentially important molecular markers (e.g., thymidylate synthase), may permit adjustments or modulation of the 5-FU dose that can result in an increase in the therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU.
Opening Section Critique

This note was written to evaluate an opening section of a business case study. It was developed for case writing workshops and may be useful for new case writers seeking to appraise their own material. How searchable would your case be in a database? Is there at least one sentence in the opening paragraph(s) that acts as a guide for case analysis? Excerpt UVA-PHA-0067 Apr. 12, 2012 Opening Section Critique 1. Read a colleague's opening section. Case title: Reviewer's name: . . .
Experimental manipulation of emotion regulation self-efficacy: Effects on emotion regulation ability, perceived effort in the service of regulation, and affective reactivity

Abstract Deficits in emotion regulation self-efficacy (Tamir & Mauss, 2011) may be a risk factor for psychological distress. The present study sought to test the hypothesis that participants who were led to believe that emotion regulation self-efficacy was enhanced (expected success condition: n = 34), versus those in a control condition (n = 36), would report relatively less negative affective reactivity in response to a negative mood induction. Additionally, we hypothesized that those in the expected success condition would perform better than those in the control condition on an emotion regulation task. As predicted, those in the expected success condition reported less negative affective reactivity compared to control participants, but no difference was observed between groups on the emotion regulation task. Thus, a one-session manipulation of emotion regulation self-efficacy appears to directly influence self-reported affective reactivity, but not an individual's emotion regulation ability.
A Novel Wind Power Prediction Technique Based on Radial Basis Function Neural Network

To ensure the stability of power system and wind farm operation, it is important for power system dispatch in to forecast wind power outputs exactly. The historical data are acquired from an operating wind farm. According to a well-developed Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural network, a wind power predictive model is established, using the historical data such as wind speed, environmental temperature, wind power and so on. Comparing with the actual power output of the wind, the forecasting results show that the proposed method can predict a comparatively accurate and lead to stable results. The proposed power prediction method can be used to make more reasonable dispatching plans.
A 10-MHz 2–800-mA 0.5–1.5-V 90% Peak Efficiency Time-Based Buck Converter With Seamless Transition Between PWM/PFM Modes

Time-based controllers are well suited for implementing both single- and multi-phase wide bandwidth high switching frequency pulsewidth modulation (PWM)-based dc–dc converters. They also consume very little quiescent current but their light load efficiency is severely degraded by switching losses. We explore pulse frequency modulation (PFM) that is commonly used to improve light load efficiency in voltage-mode controllers and extend its operation to time-based controllers. To maintain high efficiency even in the presence of dynamic load variations, we present techniques to perform automatic and seamless switching between PWM/PFM modes. Fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS, the prototype buck converter using the time-based PWM/PFM control achieves 90% peak efficiency and >80% efficiency over a load current range of 2–800 mA. Output voltage changes by less than 40 mV during PWM to PFM transitions.
Circulating Dkk1 and TRAIL Are Associated With Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling, Older Adults With Cognitive Concerns

Background Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease are common diseases of aging that would seem to be unrelated, but may be linked through the influence of bone-derived signals on brain function. The aim of the current study is to investigate the relationship between circulating levels of bone-related biomarkers and cognition. Methods The population included 103 community-dwelling older individuals with memory concerns but without cognitive impairment. A global cognition summary measure was collected at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months post-enrollment by converting raw scores from 19 cognitive function tests to z-scores and averaging. Baseline plasma concentrations of bone-related biomarkers, including undercarboxylated, carboxylated, and total osteocalcin, parathyroid hormone, C-terminal telopeptide of collagen 1 (CTX-1), procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide, osteoprotegrin, osteopontin, Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 1 (Dkk1), sclerostin, and amyloid β peptides (Aβ40 and Aβ42), were measured. Results Using sex, age, and education-adjusted mixed-effects models, we found that baseline levels of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL; p < .001), Dkk1 (p = .014), and CTX-1 (p = .046) were related to the annual rate of change of global cognition over the 18 month follow-up. In cognitive domain-specific analysis, baseline TRAIL was found to be positively related to the annual rate of change in episodic (p < .001) and working memory (p = .016), and baseline Dkk1 was positively related to semantic memory (p = .027) and negatively related to working memory (p = .016). Conclusions These results further confirm the link between bone and brain health and suggest that circulating levels of bone-related biomarkers may have diagnostic potential to predict worsening cognition.
Access to information, technology, and justice: a critical intersection

Gorham is a licensed attorney and served as a law clerk in appellate and bankruptcy courts, before pursuing her Ph.D. in Library and Information Science. This book is a published version of her dis...
Space, Time and Matter: The Foundations of Geometrodynamics

At the 1960 International Philosophy of Science Congress, J. A. Wheeler gave a synoptic paper entitled ‘Curved Empty Space-Time as the Building Material of the Physical World’. In this paper, Wheeler (1962a) posed the following question (p. 361): Is space-time only an arena ithin which fields and particles move about as ‘physical’ and ‘foreign’ entities? Or is the four-dimensional continuum all there is? Is curved empty geometry a kind of magic building material out of which everything in the physical world is made: (1) slow curvature in one region of space describes a gravitational field; (2) a rippled geometry with a different type of curvature somewhere else describes an electromagnetic field; (3) a knotted-up region of high curvature describes a concentration of charge and mass-energy that moves like a particle? Are fields and particles foreign entities immersed in geometry, or are they nothing but geometry?
Liberalism, Imperialism, and the Historical Imagination: Re-imagining a Greater Britain: J. A. Froude: counter-romance and controversy

He [Macaulay] was the creation and representative of his age … launched into life when the fever of revolution was recommencing. Once more the enthusiastic and hopeful part of the world was beginning to believe that an extension of political power to the masses of the people was a panacea for all the woes which afflicted society … The commercial organization was in its most wholesome condition when every individual was pursuing his own interests in an enlightened manner. The same principle was extended to every province of human activity. The interest of the community was said to be identical with the interest of the individual … A better state of society might be anticipated from the unshackled efforts of every single person to improve his own condition than had ever been arrived at under the paternal authority of the best kings or aristocracies. J. A. Froude, “Lord Macaulay,” Fraser's Magazine , NS, 13 (June, 1876), 675–94, quotes at 679, 681 When James Anthony Froude published this retrospective on Macaulay, he wrote in confidence that the spirit of the age had changed. Society no longer automatically acceded to individual self-interest when its collective survival was deemed to be at stake. The cants of liberty and progress were no longer allowed to pass without question. “What kind of liberty,” people now asked, “liberty to the good, or liberty to the fool and knave? The liberty of anarchy, or the liberty of wisdom and self-restraint?”
Performance of an Electrochemical Carbon Monoxide Monitor in the Presence of Anesthetic Gases

Objective. The passage of volatile anesthetic agents through accidentallydried CO2 absorbents in anesthesia circuits can result in thechemical breakdown of anesthetics with production of greater than 10 000 ppmcarbon monoxide (CO). This study was designed to evaluate a portable COmonitor in the presence of volatile anesthetic agents. Methods. Two portableCO monitors employing electrochemical sensors were tested to determine theeffects of anesthetic agents, gas sample flow rates, and high COconcentrations on their electrochemical sensor. The portable CO monitorswere exposed to gas mixtures of 0 to 500 ppm CO in either 70% nitrousoxide, 1 MAC concentrations of contemporary volatile anesthetics, or reactedisoflurane or desflurane (containing CO and CHF3) in oxygen.The CO measurements from the electrochemical sensors were compared tosimultaneously obtained samples measured by gas chromatography (GC). Datawere analyzed by linear regression. Results. Overall correlation between theportable CO monitors and the GC resulted in an r2 value>0.98 for all anesthetic agents. Sequestered samples produced anexponential decay of measured CO with time, whereas stable measurements weremaintained during continuous flow across the sensor. Increasing flow ratesresulted in higher CO readings. Exposing the CO sensor to 3000 and 19 000ppm CO resulted in maximum reported concentrations of approximately 1250ppm, with a prolonged recovery. Conclusions. Decrease in measuredconcentration of the sequestered samples suggests destruction of the sampleby the sensor, whereas a diffusion limitation is suggested by the dependencyof measured value upon flow. Any value over 500 ppm must be assumed torepresent dangerous concentrations of CO because of the non-linear responseof these monitors at very high CO concentrations. These portableelectrochemical CO monitors are adequate to measure CO concentrations up to500 ppm in the presence of typical clinical concentrations of anesthetics.
Distribution of insulin in trigeminal nerve and brain after intranasal administration

In the brain, insulin acts as a growth factor, regulates energy homeostasis, and is involved in learning and memory acquisition. Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases are characterized by deficits in insulin signaling. Pre-clinical studies have shown that intranasal insulin is neuroprotective in models of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Clinical trials have also shown that intranasal insulin elicits beneficial cognitive effects in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It is known that insulin can be detected in the CNS within minutes following intranasal administration. Despite these advances, the anatomical pathways that insulin utilizes to reach the CNS and the cellular CNS targets after intranasal administration are not fully understood. Here, we intranasally administered fluorescently labeled insulin and imaged its localization within the brain and trigeminal nerves. Our data indicates that intranasal insulin can reach cellular CNS targets along extracellular components of the trigeminal nerve. Upon CNS entry, we found insulin significantly increased levels of an activated form of the insulin receptor. These findings suggest that the intranasal route of administration is able to effectively deliver insulin to CNS targets in a biologically active form.
Stochastic models for surface adsorption and reaction processes

We analyze a simple model for CO-oxidation on surfaces which incorporates both rapid diffusion of adsorbed CO, and superlattice ordering of adsorbed immobile oxygen. The adsorption sites are assumed to form a square lattice, and the superlattice ordering derives from an "eight-site adsorption rule", wherein diatomic oxygen adsorbs dissociatively on diagonally adjacent empty sites, provided that none of the six additional neighboring sites are occupied by oxygen. A "hybrid" formalism is applied to implement the model. Adsorbed CO is assumed randomly distributed on sites not occupied by oxygen (which is justified if one neglects CO-CO and CO-0 adspecies interactions), and is thus treated within a mean-field framework. In contrast, the distribution of adsorbed oxygen is described within a lattice-gas framework. A comprehensive description of steady-state bifurcation behavior is provided using both conventional and "constant-coverage ensemble" Monte Carlo simulations. This behavior is compared with predictions of a suitable analytic pair-approximation. We show
Electricity rates for electric vehicle direct current fast charging in the United States

Abstract While several efforts are promoting a widespread and convenient network of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations to support electric vehicles, there is limited understanding of the magnitude and variability of the cost of electricity for these applications. This information gap may hinder optimal investing and planning for charging station placement and in turn affect electric vehicle adoption and usage. Here, we assess the electricity cost for different scenarios of DCFC station size and use based on over 7500 commercial and industrial electricity rates available for 2017 across the United States. Results show that the cost of electricity for DCFC varies dramatically, ranging from less than $0.10 to over $2 per kilowatt-hour, depending on station design and high uncertainty in use. The main driver of cost is low utilization, which results from a combination of few charging events and limited energy recharged during each event. Low utilization leads to significantly higher electricity cost, particularly for rates with demand charges; however, cost decreases rapidly as utilization increases. For high-utilization stations, selecting rates with demand charges can actually reduce electricity costs compared to non-demand-charge rates. Moreover, significant opportunities for cost savings based on existing rates include preferential charging during off-peak hours and limiting multi-plug station power so that not all plugs can be used simultaneously at maximum power.
529 College Savings Plans under the TCJA: Evaluating Age-Based Portfolios

The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) introduces some of the most sweeping tax law changes in more than 30 years and enhances the flexibility investors have when using 529 college savings plans for more than just qualified higher education expenses. Investors can now use funds from these accounts to pay for qualified K–12 tuition expenses without being taxed or penalized on the earnings associated with the distributions at the federal level. While this new provision may make 529 college savings plans more attractive, investors may now need to reevaluate their investment holdings in these plans especially if they are using age-based portfolios and are planning for pre-undergraduate education expenses, post-graduate education expenses, or are considering using a combination of in-state and out-of-state 529 college savings plans to achieve their education planning goals. TOPICS:Portfolio management/multi-asset allocation, fundamental equity analysis
CRLF2 rearrangement in Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia predicts relative glucocorticoid resistance that is overcome with MEK or Akt inhibition

Philadelphia chromosome-like (Ph-like) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a genetically heterogeneous subtype of B-cell ALL characterized by chromosomal rearrangements and mutations that result in aberrant cytokine receptor and kinase signaling. In particular, chromosomal rearrangements resulting in the overexpression of cytokine receptor-like factor 2 (CRLF2) occur in 50% of Ph-like ALL cases. CRLF2 overexpression is associated with particularly poor clinical outcomes, though the molecular basis for this is currently unknown. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are integral to the treatment of ALL and GC resistance at diagnosis is an important negative prognostic factor. Given the importance of GCs in ALL therapy and the poor outcomes for patients with CRLF2 overexpression, we hypothesized that the aberrant signal transduction associated with CRLF2 overexpression might mediate intrinsic GC insensitivity. To test this hypothesis, we exposed Ph-like ALL cells from patient-derived xenografts to GCs and found that CRLF2 rearranged (CRLF2R) leukemias uniformly demonstrated reduced GC sensitivity in vitro. Furthermore, targeted inhibition of signal transduction with the MEK inhibitor trametinib and the Akt inhibitor MK2206, but not the JAK inhibitor ruxolitinib, was sufficient to augment GC sensitivity. These data suggest that suboptimal GC responses may in part underlie the poor clinical outcomes for patients with CRLF2 overexpression and provide rationale for combination therapy involving GCs and signal transduction inhibitors as a means of enhancing GC efficacy.
Properties of aggregate fines influencing modulus and deformation behaviour of unbound aggregates

Unbound aggregate base and subbase layers distribute traffic induced wheel loads in a pavement and protect the weak subgrade. In this study, effects of plasticity index (PI), fines content (FC) (pe...
Emotional Support from Social Media and Face-to-Face Relationships: Associations with Depression Risk Among Young Adults

Abstract Background Emotional support is highly protective against poor mental health. Though several measures of emotional support exist, none specifically addresses social media (SM) as a source of emotional support. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine if SM-based emotional support is an extension of or distinct construct from face-to-face (FTF) emotional support and to assess the independent associations between each domain of emotional support and depression risk among U.S. young adults. Methods In March 2018, we surveyed 2408 18–30 year olds. We assessed perceived FTF emotional support with the brief PROMIS emotional support scale and perceived SM-based emotional support using a new four-item measure. Depression risk was assessed using the PHQ-9. We performed factor analysis (FA) to determine the underlying factor structure of all items and to develop composite scales. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the independent association between each resulting emotional support scale and depression risk. Results FA revealed two distinct constructs. FTF emotional support was associated with 43% lower odds of depression per 1-unit increase on the 5-point scale (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.52–0.63). However, SM-based emotional support was significantly associated with 20% greater odds of depression per 1-unit increase on the 5-point scale (AOR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.09–1.32). Limitations This study utilized a cross-sectional design and self-report data. Conclusions While FTF emotional support was associated with slightly lower odds of depression, SM-based emotional support was associated with slightly greater odds of depression. It may be valuable for clinicians treating individuals with depression to ask about sources of emotional support.
On graceful labelings of trees

We prove via a composition lemma, the Kotzig-Ringel-Rosa conjecture, better known as the Graceful Labeling Conjecture. We also prove via a stronger version of the composition lemma a stronger form of the Graceful Labeling Conjecture.
Neutron Therapy for High-Grade Salivary Carcinomas in the Adjuvant and Primary Treatment Setting.

Objectives/hypothesis Our primary objective was to compare differences in survival of patients with high-grade salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) receiving adjuvant neutron versus photon radiotherapy using a hospital-based national cohort and restricted mean survival time (RMST) analysis. Our secondary objective was to compare survival of similar patients treated with primary neutron versus photon radiation. Study design Multicenter, retrospective population-based study of patients within the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2014. Methods One thousand eight hundred forty-four patients were selected on diagnosis of high-grade parotid and submandibular malignancies. One thousand seven hundred seventy-seven patients receiving photon and 67 patients receiving neutron therapy were identified who met inclusion criteria. Patients were then categorized as having primary surgery with adjuvant radiation or primary radiation without prior surgery. Bivariate analysis was performed to assess for differences between groups, and RMST analysis was performed at 1-, 2-, and 5-year timepoints with controlling for available covariate data. Results There was no significant difference in RMST for patients receiving neutrons over photons at 1, 2, and 5 years in the adjuvant setting. Among patients undergoing primary radiotherapy, there was a difference in RMST of 2.29 months at 1 year and 5.05 months at 2 years for neutrons over photons, though this benefit was not observed at 5 years post-therapy. Conclusions For patients with high grade SGCs undergoing adjuvant photon versus neutron radiotherapy, there was no difference in RMST. There was observed to be a significant difference in RMST at 1 and 2 years among patients undergoing primary neutron therapy of up to 5 months. Given the benefit observed with primary neutron therapy, it should be considered in both the primary and adjuvant treatment setting. Level of evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:541-547, 2021.
Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success

Background The role of simulation-based training in coronary artery bypass grafting remains undefined. Barriers to simulator use include clinical and personal obligations, insufficient materials, and lack of mentorship. The purpose of this study was to implement a longitudinal, residency-wide coronary anastomosis simulation curriculum. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted from 2018 to 2019 at a single academic center. All residents of the Thoracic Surgery training program participated. Each participant was provided a low-fidelity coronary anastomosis simulator, high-quality instruments, and faculty mentor. Formal assessments were held quarterly, and residents were encouraged to practice alone and with their mentor. Baseline and follow-up metrics were compared with simple descriptive statistics. Results Seventeen residents and 12 faculty participated in the study. Residents demonstrated increased use of the simulator, with 21% participating in independent practice at baseline and 82% in the fourth quarter (P = .02). The median score on the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association Vessel Anastomosis Assessment improved from 42 out of 65 at baseline to 54 out of 65 in the fourth quarter (P = .04), and mean anastomosis time was reduced by 5 minutes 6 seconds (P = .02). Over 12 months, junior residents demonstrated a mean reduction in anastomosis time of 6 minutes 36 seconds, and senior residents decreased anastomosis time by 3 minutes 6 seconds (P = .02). Conclusions Providing residents with a low-fidelity coronary anastomosis trainer with high-quality instruments and a faculty mentor improved rates of independent practice, Thoracic Surgery Directors Association assessment scores, and anastomosis time. Our next step is validating the coronary simulator curriculum by measuring improvement of resident performance in the operating room.
When politics intervenein non-political news flow: Trans-regional intermedia agenda-settingbetween Mainland China, Hong Kong,and Taiwan on online air pollution news

Abstract While intermedia agenda-setting scholars have examined the process from a global perspective, trans-regional intermedia agenda setting, especially in non-western context, remains understudied. By analyzing the time-series data of news coverage on air pollution, a non-political topic, from online news media in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan from 2015 to 2018, this study revealed a triangular first-level agenda-setting relationship among the three regions and identified the changing agenda setters across years, which disproves the imperialistic stereotype that there is a one-way control from mainland China media. The study also revealed the significant yet unconventional moderating effect of the political stance of news organizations in the trans-regional information flow. This study contributes to the intermedia agenda-setting literature by introducing the method of controlling the real-life situation in the Granger Causality test and by showing that non-political issues can also be politicalized in the salience transferring process.
Role of reduced flavin in dehalogenation reactions

Halogenated organic compounds are extensively used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Several naturally occurring halogen-containing natural products are also produced, mainly by marine organisms. These compounds accumulate in the environment due to their chemical stability and lack of biological pathways for their degradation. However, a few enzymes have been identified that perform dehalogenation reactions in specific biological pathways and others have been identified to have secondary activities toward halogenated compounds. Various mechanisms for dehalogenation of I, Cl, Br, and F containing compounds have been elucidated. These have been grouped into reductive, oxidative, and hydrolytic mechanisms. Flavin-dependent enzymes have been shown to catalyze oxidative dehalogenation reactions utilizing the C4a-hydroperoxyflavin intermediate. In addition, flavoenzymes perform reductive dehalogenation, forming transient flavin semiquinones. Recently, flavin-dependent enzymes have also been shown to perform dehalogenation reactions where the reduced form of the flavin produces a covalent intermediate. Here, recent studies on the reactions of flavoenzymes in dehalogenation reactions, with a focus on covalent catalytic dehalogenation mechanisms, are described.
Alice Dunbar-Nelson, Marriage, and the Politics of the Erotic

Testing the boundaries and borders of respectability was especially important for the first generation of Black women who had been born to enslaved parents. According to Evelyn Brooks-Higginbotham,...
Better for everyone: black descriptive representation and police traffic stops

Racial disparities in citizen interactions with police are ubiquitous concerns in American communities. What difference does electoral representation make? We demonstrate that black descriptive rep...
Recognizing Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Clinical recognition of an acute brain injury requires skill; recognizing an acute spinal cord injury requires skill and aptitude. Acute myelopathy (and cauda equina compression) presenting with early signs are clinical situations that are not always recognized as pressing. Some of these presentations can be quite subtle until exacerbations occur, and failure to recognize these conditions in the earliest of stages, as with so many clinically puzzling cases, remains a trigger for litigation. The time to diagnosis for acute spinal cord injury may not always be critical, but failure to consider the entity at all is problematic. Specific cord syndromes will further refine localization.
Lichen-based critical loads for deposition of nitrogen and sulfur in US forests.

Abstract Critical loads are thresholds of atmospheric deposition below which harmful ecological effects do not occur. Because lichens are sensitive to atmospheric deposition, lichen-based critical loads can foreshadow changes of other forest processes. Here, we derive critical loads of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition for continental US and coastal Alaskan forests, based on nationally consistent lichen community surveys at 8855 sites. Across the eastern and western US ranges of 459 lichen species, each species' realized optimum was the N or S atmospheric deposition value at which it most frequently occurred. The mean of optima for all species at a site, weighted by their abundances, was defined as a community “airscore” indicative of species’ collective responses to atmospheric deposition. To determine critical loads for adverse community compositional shifts, we then modeled changes in airscores as a function of deposition, climate and forest habitat predictors in nonparametric multiplicative regression. Critical loads, indicative of initial shifts from pollution-sensitive toward pollution-tolerant species, occurred at 1.5 kg N ha−1 y−1 and 2.7 kg S ha−1 y−1. Importantly, these critical loads remain constant under any climate regime nationwide, suggesting both simplicity and nationwide applicability. Our models predict that preventing excess N deposition of just 0.2–2.0 kg ha−1 y−1 in the next century could offset the detrimental effects of predicted climate warming on lichen communities. Because excess deposition and climate warming both harm the most ecologically influential species, keeping conditions below critical loads would sustain both forest ecosystem functioning and climate resilience.
Phytochrome from Green Avena Characterized with Monoclonal Antibodies Directed to It

The phytochrome that predominates in green oat (Avena sativa L., cv. Garry) leaves (green-oat phytochrome) differs immunochemically and spectrally from that which is most abundant in etiolated-oat shoots (etiolated-oat phytochrome). It has been difficult to characterize green-oat phytochrome because of its unusual susceptibility to modification in crude extracts and its exceedingly low abundance. Recent improvements in its purification, which not only minimize degradation but also permit its large-scale preparation, have facilitated the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed to green-oat phytochrome. Together with the preexisting MAb Pea-25, which binds to a highly conserved region, these new MAbs recognize at least five epitopes. In addition, they detect by immunoblot assay at least two different green-oat phytochrome monomers. Reciprocal analyses of immunoprecipitates with GO-6 and GO-7 indicate that green-oat phytochrome dimers may consist in part of dissimilar monomers, neither of which is equivalent to etiolated-oat phytochrome.
Nitrogen Fixation in Streams in Jackson Hole, WY

Nitrogen fixation, the conversion of unreactive N2 gas from the atmosphere into a biologically usable form NH3, is the least studied process of the N cycle in stream ecology (Grimm and Petrone 1997). Tapping into the atmospheric N pool can only be accomplished naturally by N-fixers. These diazotrophic organisms can contribute significantly to the autochthonous inputs of nitrogen into streams (Grimm and Petrone 1997). Without further investigations into N-fixation we would ignore a potentially major N flux and transfonnation. Not only do we need to quantify this process, but also examine what factors control N-fixation in streams.
Dynamics and transformations of radionuclides in soils and ecosystem health.

The chemical behavior of radionuclides can vary widely in soil and sediment environments. Equally important, for a given radionuclide the physico-chemical properties of the solids and aqueous phase can greatly influence a radionuclides behavior. Radionuclides can conceivably occur in soils as soluble-free, inorganic-soluble-complexed, organic-soluble, complexed, adsorbed, precipitated, coprecipitated, or solid structural species. While it is clear that an assessment of a radionuclide?s soil chemistry and potential shifts in speciation will yield a considerable understanding of its behavior in the natural environment, it does not directly translate to bioavailability or its impact on ecosystems health. The soil chemical factors have to be linked to food chain considerations and other ecological parameters that directly tie to an analysis of ecosystem health. In general, the movement of radionuclides from lower to higher trophic levels diminishes with each trophic level in both aqua tic and terrestrial systems. In some cases, transfer is limited because of low absorption/assimilation by successive trophic organisms (Pu, U); for other radionuclides (Tc, H) assimilation may be high but rapid metabolic turnover and low retention greatly reduce tissue concentrations available to predator species. Still others are chemical analogs of essential elements whose concentrations are maintained under strict metabolic control inmore » tissues (Cs) or are stored in tissues seldom consumed by other organisms (Sr storage in exoskeleton, shells, and bone). Therefore, the organisms that receive the greatest ingestion exposures are those in lower trophic positions or are in higher trophic levels but within simple, short food chains. Food source, behavior, and habitat influence the accumulation of radionuclides in animals.« less
Age-Dependent Paralytic Viral Infection in C58 Mice: Possible Implications in Human Neurologic Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes the specific ways that aging, viral infection, genetic factors, and immune deficiency act together to predispose mice to paralytic disease using an age-dependent motor neuron disease in C58 mice as an experimental model. Lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV) is widespread in both domestic and wild mice and causes life-long infection. Immune complexes typically are found in the plasma of infected mice. LDV does not cause significant pathologic changes in the tissues of infected mice under ordinary circumstances. The properties of LDV are summarized in the chapter. LDV derived from line Ib transplantable leukemia causes a fatal inflammatory motor neuron disease when inoculated into C58 mice that are 9 or more month of age, and in younger C58 mice, providing that they are immunosuppressed first by X-irradiation or drugs. LDV strains differ markedly in their neuropathogenicity ranging from those that are highly paralytic to those that cause inapparent infection.
Maps in Books of Russia and Poland Published in the Netherlands to 1800. By Paula van Gestel–van het Schip … [et al.]

This visual compilation of pre-1800 maps of Russia and Poland is to be applauded. The product of two decades of planning and research by a team of Dutch archivists and historians of cartography in ...
A review of the literature: Fraction instruction for struggling learners in mathematics.

Fractions are an essential foundational skill for future mathematics success (NMAP, 2008). The purpose of this article was to review current instructional practices for teaching fractions to struggling learners and to examine the quality and effectiveness of contemporary research with a view to indicating directions for future research. A comprehensive search of literature published between 1990 and 2008 resulted in the identification of 10 empirical studies that targeted fraction skills for struggling learners. Results indicated that three interventions, found to be effective for improving outcomes in mathematics for struggling learners, were also effective for teaching fractions: graduated sequence, strategy instruction, and direct instruction. In addition, explicit instruction was identified as necessary for improving students’ performance in fractions. Overall, this review highlighted the paucity of research in this critical mathematical content area.
The effects of loss profiles in interdependent network security

Although system administrators are frequently urged to protect the machines in their network, the fact remains that the decision to mandate protection is far from universal. To better understand this decision, we formulate a model of interdependent network security where there is a system administrator responsible for a network of size n against autonomous attackers attempting to penetrate the network and infect the network machines with viruses or other exploits. We introduce the concept of a loss profile, which encapsulates the idea of variable loss due to infection. Through the application of a simple loss profile to this interdependent network security scenario, we conclude that the decision is dependent upon a number of factors including external and internal vulnerabilities, the types and likelihoods of different amounts of loss, and the interaction of all of these effects. Through this analysis, we form a model for decision-making that is simple to understand and applicable to many other interdependent security scenarios.
Directional Cell Division in Shoot Apices

Comparative cytohistological studies were made of shoot tips of Equisetum hyemale, Picea abies, and Prunus Persica, as examples from three major taxonomic groups of plants: lower vascular plants, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. The purpose of this study was to find out more specifically what factors determine the formation of apical histogenic layers. Obviously the plane of mitotic division in the cells at the upper surface of shoot apices determines the presence or absence of apical cell-layer formation. The hypothesis proposed is that the plane of mitotic division-positioning of metaphase chromosome plates-in cells in the surface region in shoot apices is determined by: 1) size of cells relative to shape and size of apical dome; 2) size of cells and space in cells relative to size of their nuclei and the freedom of their nuclei from wall pressure; and 3) location of cells and their shape and availability of space across a particular plane in cells in which metaphase plates can be accommodated. The hypothesis would explain the general predominance, or presence, of histogenic layers in shoot apices of angiosperms and relative paucity or lack of them in shoot apices of gymnosperms and lower plants.
A Unified Fault-Tolerant Current Control Approach for Five-Phase PM Motors With Trapezoidal Back EMF Under Different Stator Winding Connections

A unified approach for fault-tolerant current control of five-phase permanent-magnet (PM) motors with trapezoidal back EMF is proposed for open-circuit phase and line faults. In addition to conventional star connection, five-phase PM motors can be connected in two penta-type connections, pentagon and pentacle. In the proposed unified approach, a general solution for fault-tolerant currents is presented which uses only the fundamental and third-harmonic current components for the excitation of the healthy stator phases. The proposed approach is based on mirror symmetry of healthy phase current with respect to the fault location and it is optimized to increase output average torque while reducing torque pulsations and minimizing ohmic losses. A general parametric solution is presented which can be applied to five-phase motor drives with any fault condition and winding connection by selecting proper optimization constraints. It is shown that penta-type connection results in improved fault-tolerant capability in terms of maximum ripple-free torque due to the absence of zero-neutral current constraint. Experimental results are presented to verify the proposed solutions for fault-tolerant current control.
Enhancement and deactivation of some microsomal glycosyl transferases.

L'administration de phenobarbital a la souris augmente l'activite de l'UDP-glucosyltransferasique dans les microsomes hepatiques. On a remarque que le traitement par la drogue, ou la conservation des microsomes a −20°C, change la qualite et la quantite de cet enzyme, ainsi que de l'UDP-glucuronyltransferase.
Spectroscopy of canopy chemicals in humid tropical forests

Abstract Remote sensing of canopy chemistry could greatly advance the study and monitoring of functional processes and biological diversity in humid tropical forests. Imaging spectroscopy has contributed to canopy chemical remote sensing, but efforts to develop general, globally-applicable approaches have been limited by sparse and inconsistent field and laboratory data, and lacking analytical methods. We analyzed leaf hemispherical reflectance and transmittance spectra, along with a 21-chemical portfolio, taken from 6136 fully sunlit humid tropical forest canopies, and developed an up-scaling method using a combination of canopy radiative transfer, chemometric and high-frequency noise modeling. By integrating these steps, we found that the accuracy and precision of multi-chemical remote sensing of tropical forest canopies varies by leaf constituent and wavelength range. Under conditions of varying canopy structure and spectral noise, photosynthetic pigments, water, nitrogen, cellulose, lignin, phenols and leaf mass per area (LMA) are accurately estimated using visible-to-shortwave infrared spectroscopy (VSWIR; 400–2500 nm). Phosphorus and base cations are retrieved with lower yet significant accuracy. We also find that leaf chemical properties are estimated far more consistently, and with much higher precision and accuracy, using the VSWIR range rather than the more common and limited visible to near-infrared range (400–1050 nm; VNIR). While VNIR spectroscopy proved accurate for predicting foliar LMA, photosynthetic pigments and water, VSWIR spectra provided accurate estimates for three times the number of canopy traits. These global results proved to be independent of site conditions, taxonomic composition and phylogenetic history, and thus they should be broadly applicable to multi-chemical mapping of humid tropical forest canopies. The approach developed and tested here paves the way for studies of canopy chemical properties in humid tropical forests using the next generation of airborne and space-based high-fidelity imaging spectrometers.
Life-style correlates of tooth loss in an adult Midwestern population.

Objectives: To describe life-style correlates of tooth loss in a representative rural American population. Methods: Information on tooth loss as well as past medical history and life-style factors was obtained in a well-defined cohort of 2,764 persons 53–96 years of age in Beaver Dam, WI (1998–2000). Results: There were 1,992 (68.2%) persons missing some and 447 (15.3%) missing all of their teeth. In univariable analyses, age, cigarette smoking, heavy drinking, education, multivitamin use, and diabetes status were associated with tooth loss. Tooth loss was associated with poorer self-rated health and with difficulty eating solid food and inability to enjoy some food. In multivariable models age, education, smoking, heavy drinking, and diabetes were significantly associated with tooth loss. Conclusions: Tooth loss is common in older persons and is associated with many risk factors including education, smoking, and heavy drinking. It is possible that modifying these may influence risk of tooth loss.
Sontochin as a Guide to the Development of Drugs against Chloroquine-Resistant Malaria

Sontochin was the original chloroquine replacement drug, arising from research by Hans Andersag 2 years after chloroquine (known as "resochin" at the time) had been shelved due to the mistaken perception that it was too toxic for human use. We were surprised to find that sontochin, i.e., 3-methyl-chloroquine, retains significant activity against chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. We prepared derivatives of sontochin, "pharmachins," with alkyl or aryl substituents at the 3 position and with alterations to the 4-position side chain to enhance activity against drug-resistant strains. Modified with an aryl substituent in the 3 position of the 7-chloro-quinoline ring, Pharmachin 203 (PH-203) exhibits low-nanomolar 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) against drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant strains and in vivo efficacy against patent infections of Plasmodium yoelii in mice that is superior to chloroquine. Our findings suggest that novel 3-position aryl pharmachin derivatives have the potential for use in treating drug resistant malaria.