cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship of ethylene to formation of tobacco mosaic virus lesions in hypersensitive responding tobacco leaves with and without induced resistance.

Abstract This study has investigated the possible roles of ethylene in the localization of tobacco mossaic virus (TMV) in local lesions in hypersensitive responding tobacco and also in the early cessation of lesion growth in tobacco having the type of acquired resistance that develops in leaves far removed from the primary local infections. In resistant and nonresistant tissues, the patterns of ethylene synthesis were similar except that the infection-stimulated synthesis began earlier and was quantitatively less in resistant tissues. Ethylene synthesis increased about 3 hr before lesions were visually perceptible in nonresistant leaves and 8 hr before lesion appearance in resistant leaves. In both cases, ethylene synthesis reached a maximum (about 21 nl/100 cm 2 /hr at 4 days after inoculation of nonresistant leaves and about 10 nl/100 cm 2 /hr at 3 days after inoculation of resistant leaves) coinciding with the time when lesion growth abated, and rapidly dropped to about half-maximum levels by cessation of lesion growth. In contrast, injury-stimulated ethylene increased only during necrotization, after which it returned to levels equal to those of controls. During the period of active lesion growth, infection-stimulated ethylene roughly paralleled the amount of necrosis that was quantitatively manipulated by varying dilutions of inoculum, increased by inoculating with potato virus X, or inhibited by continuously incubating inoculated plants at 32°. Lesion development was not significantly altered by inhibitors of ethylene synthesis (succinic acid-2-2′-dimethylhydrazide) or ethylene action (CO 2 ), but lesions were appreciably smaller in leaves in which the infection-stimulated ethylene was rapidly removed by reduced-pressure treatments. In experiments where light was manipulated to alter phytochrome-related ethylene synthesis, red light slightly increased the rate of virus localization whereas far red light had the opposite effect. Generally, treatments that stimulated ethylene production during lesion development stimulated lesion growth while those treatments reducing ethylene levels had the opposite effect. It was hypothesized that the mechanisms by which infection-stimulated ethylene is synthesized and the manner in which it acts may not be comparable to what occurs in uninfected plants. The suggestion is made that infection-stimulated ethylene may either promote or inhibit lesion development depending upon local concentrations, timing with respect to the infection process, and its interaction with other host-directed responses to infection.
Supplemental instruction in chemistry

This study was designed to measure some effects of supplemental instruction in chemistry. Supplemental instruction is a peer-led cooperative learning program that encourages students to develop conceptual understanding by articulating both understandings and misconceptions in a think-aloud fashion. Supplemental instruction was offered three hours weekly outside of class and lab time for students in four classes of General Organic and Biological Chemistry. Over a two-year period 108 students volunteered to participate in this program; 45 students did not participate. As measured by final grades in chemistry and responses to a questionnaire, supplemental instruction was effective in increasing students' achievement in chemistry. Further research is needed to determine the in-depth effects of supplemental instruction on students' learning, problem solving, and self-esteem.
Best m-term approximation of the classes\( B_{\infty, \theta }^r \) of functions of many variables by polynomials in the haar system

We obtain an exact-order estimate for the best m-term approximation of the classes $$ B_{\infty, \theta }^r $$ of periodic functions of many variables by polynomials in the Haar system in the metric of the space L q , 1 < q < ∞.
THE MYCORRHIZAE OF PIONEER SPECIES IN DISTURBED ECOSYSTEMS IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

Study plots with ten types of disturbances were established in a Solidago-Aster community in western Pennsylvania. One year after disturbance, 93% of all species had vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) and accounted for 92% of all plant cover. After 3 yr, 96% of the species had VAM and 96% canopy coverage. An adjacent 1 0-yr Solidago-Aster community had 100% VAM species. The VAM annuals, Ambrosia artemisEifolia and Setaria glauca, were major first year dominants while VAM perennials, Agropyron repens, Solidago canadensis, and Aster ericoides, dominated at 3 yr. The mean percent mycorrhizae of all dominants at 1 yr was 39% and 34% at 3 yr. Four disturbed sites had 100% VAM colonization after 1 yr and six sites after 3 yr. Severe physical disturbances (topsoil removed and topsoil-subsoil removed) resulted in complete colonization by VAM species and mean mycorrhizal infections of more than 75%. The plowed-disked-prometone and plowed-disked-vapam disturbances resulted in low levels of mycorrhizae after 3 yr. The plowed-disked-atrazine plot showed an initial severe decrease in percentage of mycorrhizae, but doubled its infection rate by 3 yr. Three non-mycorrhizal species (Chenopodium album, Rumex acetosella, and Polygonus persicaria) were observed during the 3-yr period. C. album was the major dominant after 1 yr in the plowed-disked-fertilized site and R. acetosella a dominant in the plowed-disked-prometone plot.
Solar cells via selenization of CuInS 2 nanocrystals: Effect of synthesis precursor

Solar cells are fabricated by selenizing CuInS 2 nanocrystals synthesized from various precursors to determine the effect of precursor on device performance. Copper and indium iodides, chlorides, acetates, acetylacetonates and nitrates are used to synthesize sphalerite CuInS 2 nanocrystals, which are drop cast onto Mo coated glass. Selenization results in chalcopyrite CuIn(S,Se) 2 films, which are fabricated into devices exhibiting ∼5% efficiency regardless of precursor. Variations in nanocrystals are investigated with TEM, XRD and EDS while film formation is studied with SEM and XRD. Devices fabricated with a SLG/Mo/CISSe/CdS/i-ZnO/ITO/Ag structure are studied with JV under simulated AM1.5G, EQE and CV. It is determined that impurities resulting from the choice of nanocrystal synthesis precursor did not significantly limiting device performance during this study.
The Nutritional Evaluation of Barley Selections and Cultivars from Washington State

Abstract Day old chicks were fed for 14 days on 14% protein test diets containing 6% protein from test barleys and 8% protein from other ingredients. The test diets containing each barley were fed to chicks with and without lysine and threonine supplementation. Barleys Sel 11315-73 and C195-31 produced the largest chick weight gain when fed with no additional threonine or lysine; however, chicks fed these two test barleys were the only chicks that did not respond to additional lysine or threonine supplementation to barley test diets and therefore gained less weight than chicks fed other barleys with added amino acids. An alkaline extract from the test barleys ranked 1 to 11 for producing the largest weight gains with additional .08% threonine and .30% lysine had an average relative viscosity of 2.85 compared to an average relative viscosity of 3.25 for test barleys ranked 12 to 22 for producing chick weight gain. However, the correlation coefficient for relative viscosity and chick weight gain from test barleys was only r = —.238. The tannin content of the test barleys measured as percent catechins ranged from .06% to .20% and the correlation coefficient for barley catechin content and chick weight gain was r = —.041. The correlation coefficient of chick weight gain and barley lysine content was r = .142 for chicks fed barley diets containing no additional lysine or threonine. The correlation coefficient of chick weight gain and threonine content was r = .448 for chicks fed barley diets with .30% additional lysine. The low correlation of chick weight gain with relative viscosity, catechins, and amino acid content suggests there are several factors limiting the nutritional quality of barley.
Temperature dependence of bulk and surface energy bands in copper using angle-resolved photoemission

We have directly measured thermally induced changes in surface and bulk energy-band dispersions of copper by examining angle-resolved photoemission from Cu(111) and Cu(100) surfaces for temperatures from 25 to 500\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. Polarized synchrotron radiation was used as the photon source. Observed shifts in the bulk band structure are in reasonable agreement with energy shifts calculated for the corresponding temperaturedependent lattice changes. The measured temperature coefficient for the upper $d$ band along $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ is 1.5(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ eV/K, while the lower edge of the $d$ bands shifts by 2.0(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ eV/K. The $d$-band width decreases with temperature at a rate of 0.5(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ eV/K as it shifts to higher energy. The Cu(111) surface state shifts toward ${E}_{F}$ with a measured temperature coefficient of 2.7(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ eV/K.
Energy methods in parametric excitation of rings

Abstract Hamilton's principle is employed to derive equations that may be taken as the basis for nonlinear problems of parametric excitation of rings. Such problems may arise in ring reinforced missile or submarine structures or wherever rings are employed in dynamical situations. Both normally directed and centrally directed pressures are considered. Analogous to the static stability problem, for the linear case, by means of a simple calculation, the stability regions are shown to be sensitive to the nature of the pressures.
PDGF induced microRNA alterations in cancer cells

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) regulates gene transcription by binding to specific receptors. PDGF plays a critical role in oncogenesis in brain and other tumors, regulates angiogenesis, and remodels the stroma in physiologic conditions. Here, we show by using microRNA (miR) arrays that PDGFs regulate the expression and function of miRs in glioblastoma and ovarian cancer cells. The two PDGF ligands AA and BB affect expression of several miRs in ligand-specific manner; the most robust changes consisting of let-7d repression by PDGF-AA and miR-146b induction by PDGF-BB. Induction of miR-146b by PDGF-BB is modulated via MAPK-dependent induction of c-fos. We demonstrate that PDGF regulates expression of some of its known targets (e.g. cyclin D1) through miR alterations and identify the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a new PDGF-BB target. We show that its expression and function are repressed by PDGF-induced miR-146b and that mir-146b and EGFR correlate inversely in human glioblastomas. We propose that PDGF-regulated gene transcription involves alterations in non-coding RNAs and provide evidence for a miR-dependent feedback mechanism balancing growth factor receptor signaling in cancer cells.
Operation Neptune's Spear: The Lawful Killing of Osama Bin Laden

The reactions to the reports of Osama bin Laden's death were many: shock, relief, joy, wariness, elation, reservation. Not surprisingly, an intense debate soon emerged over the legality of killing Osama bin Laden. Critics – including the authors of the article, ‘Has “Justice Been Done”? The Legality of Bin Laden's Killing under International Law’, Kai Ambos and Josef Alkatout – raise many interesting and thought-provoking questions. The purpose of this submission is to respond to the arguments of Ambos and Alkatout. This response article argues that the killing of Osama bin Laden was lawful under international humanitarian law. More specifically, a careful legal analysis demonstrates that a non-international armed conflict exists between the United States and Al Qaeda. The evidence overwhelmingly establishes that Al Qaeda is an organised armed group under international humanitarian law. Osama bin Laden most accurately could be thought of as a strategic level commander of Al Qaeda. He has been actively involved in planning and co-ordinating armed attacks against military and civilian targets for years, including the most recent planning of attacks commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11. As such, he is clearly targetable under international law. Finally, the United States was well within its rights under international law to launch an attack into Pakistan against bin Laden.
Electrochemical purification of heavy metal fluoride glasses for laser-induced fluorescent cooling applications

Copyright (c) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. An electrochemical purification stage has been incorporated into the conventional fabrication process of heavy metal fluoride glasses. This change was undertaken to reduce the absorption losses associated with residual transition metal impurities, particularly the Fe 2+ band at 1.0 μm. Purified samples doped with ytterbium exhibited net cooling due to anti-stokes fluorescence and a relative cooling efficiency of about 2% was observed via photothermal deflection spectroscopy. Pumping to the lower Stark levels of the 2 F 5/2 manifold, followed by population redistribution across this manifold and fluorescence to the ground state, results in net cooling. This cooling can be achieved only if energy transfer and the extrinsic absorptive component of the host glass are suppressed.
Umbilical Complications of Malignancy

Cancer patients may manifest a variety of intraabdominal complications occurring during various phases of their illness; however, little in the literature exists regarding umbilical abnormalities in this population. Umbilical metastases (Sister Mary Joseph’s sign) are the most common malignant complication involving the umbilicus and may be the presenting manifestation of visceral malignancy. Cancer patients may occasionally experience periumbilical ecchymosis (Cullen’s sign), infection, hernia, or varices, each of which may require therapy. This review succinctly presents several umbilical complications that the clinician may encounter in patients with malignant disease.
Immunochemical studies on electron transport chains involving cytochrome P-450. The role of the iron-sulfur protein, adrenodoxin, in mixed-function oxidation reactions.

Abstract An antibody prepared to the homogeneous iron-sulfur protein (adrenodoxin) isolated from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria has been used to evaluate the role of adrenodoxin in cyt. P-450-mediated reactions in adrenal cortex and liver. As evidenced by the diminished magnitude of the g = 1.94 signal in electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of mitochondrial preparations at 100 °K, this antibody decreases the amount of adrenodoxin which can be reduced by either TPNH or sodium dithionite. The interaction between the antibody and adrenodoxin in mitochondrial preparations results in the concomitant inhibition of TPNH-cyt. c reductase and TPNH-cyt. P-450 reductase activities, as well as inhibition of the 11β-hydroxylation of 11-deoxycorticosterone. Inhibition by this antibody of TPNH-cyt. c reductase activity in a soluble fraction (fraction S 2 ) prepared from sonicated adrenocortical mitochondria was reversed by the addition of homogeneous adrenodoxin, demonstrating that the antibody is specific for adrenodoxin. The antibody did not inhibit DPNH-cyt. c reductase activity or the reduction of the dye, dichlorophenolindophenol, by either TPNH or DPNH in fraction S 2 of adrenocortical mitochondria. The antibody to adrenodoxin did not inhibit the TPNH-dependent reductions of either cyt. c or cyt. P-450 using microsomes prepared from bovine adrenal cortex or from the livers of untreated, phenobarbital-treated, or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats. No inhibition by this antibody was observed in substrate hydroxylations by these microsomal preparations. These observations indicate that adrenodoxin or an immunochemically similar iron-sulfur protein is not involved in cyt. P-450-mediated reactions in the microsomal fraction of liver or adrenal cortex.
Calculation of the G factor for gas scattering experiments

Abstract In gas scattering experiments a beam traverses the target gas and scattered particles enter the detector through a system consisting of two apertures in parallel planes. The “G factor”, G, relating the yield to the beam intensity, target density, and scattering cross section is calculated for several types of aperture boundaries. (Geometrical effects only are considered; slit edge and multiple scattering are ignored). The case of a front aperture composed of two parallel edges of infinite height with a rear (detector) aperture of any shape is calculated up to terms in the fourth derivative of the cross section. Effects of the finite diameter of the beam are also included. For a circular front and rear aperture the G factor involves elliptic integrals. The extra calculation in design of such a system is considered worthwhile, since a pair of circular apertures should be simpler to make and align.
A density functional theory evaluation of the ionization energies of alkanes, cycloalkanes and their unsaturated analogs

Abstract The ionization energies for eight groups of organic compounds, which were composed only of carbon and hydrogen molecules, were computed with HF ab initio and B3LYP, BLYP, and SVWN density functional theory (DFT) methods. The computed values were compared with experimental values and the suitability of DFT methods to evaluate the ionization energies of these molecules was analyzed. It was concluded that, for majority of neutral organic compounds, the SVWN, better known as the local spin density approximation (LSDA), DFT method should compute ionization energies which are very close to experimental values.
Petascale direct numerical simulation of turbulent combustion—fundamental insights towards predictive models

Abstract The advent of petascale computing applied to direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent combustion has transformed our ability to interrogate fine-grained ‘turbulence-chemistry’ interactions in canonical and laboratory configurations. In particular, three-dimensional DNS, at moderate Reynolds numbers and with complex chemistry, is providing unprecedented levels of detail to isolate and reveal fundamental causal relationships between turbulence, mixing and reaction. This information is leading to new physical insight, providing benchmark data for assessing model assumptions, suggesting new closure hypotheses, and providing interpretation of statistics obtained from lower-dimensional measurements. In this paper the various roles of petascale DNS are illustrated through selected examples related to lifted flame stabilization, premixed and stratified flame propagation in intense turbulence, and extinction and reignition in turbulent non-premixed jet flames. Extending the DNS envelope to higher Reynolds numbers, higher pressures, and greater chemical complexity will require exascale computing in the next decade. The future outlook of DNS in terms of challenges and opportunities in this regard are addressed.
Chaos in daisyworld

Lovelock proposed a concept, referred to as Gaia, in which feedbacks from the biosphere minimize fluctuation in climatic conditions. A simple model, referred to as daisyworld, was later developed to illustrate the Gaia concept. Daisyworld is defined on a cloudless flat or cylindrical planet with negligible atmospheric greenhouse gases in which bare soil and daisies of different colors interact so as to maintain stable climatic conditions. In the current paper, this daisyworld model is used to study the interaction between biota and their environment in more detail. It is found that periodic, and even chaotic, states can exist when the parameter controlling the feedback between biota and environmental temperature is changed. The existence of periodic and chaotic solutions is verified by their power spectra, fractal dimensions, and Lyapunov exponents. These results show that stable climatic conditions are not always maintained in daisyworld, despite the presence of daisies which supply the required feedback. While daisyworld is a simple model, the mathematical analysis of this model raises questions about the validity of the Gaia hypothesis. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1990.t01-2-00001.x
The Observed Winter Circulation of Lake Ontario

Abstract Observations of Lake Ontario's monthly mean properties during the winter of 1972–73 suggest that currents and temperatures are nearly constant with depth and that the lake-wide mean circulation pattern consists of either one counterclockwise or two counterrotating gyres.
Generalization of natural coordinate scheme for three dimensional atom-diatomic molecule exchange reactions

Methods exist for computing three-dimensional collision cross-sections for reactions of the form A + A 2 where a near linear intermediate state separates reactants and products. This paper presents an extension of one such method to reactions of the form A + B 2 where a near linear intermediate is not a requirement of the formalism. Modifications of the coordinate system and hamiltonian operator are discussed and differences in computational requirements are considered.
Seed selection procedures for cell formation heuristics

Abstract The choice of seed machines can have a great impact on the final solution of cell formation heuristics. In this study, several seed selection rules were compared using the ODCC heuristic. An alternative cell formation approach using the ODCC heuristic was formalized and is described. Computational results show that this ‘BRS’ approach can often yield optimal solutions.
Histone deacetylation of RB-responsive promoters: requisite for specific gene repression but dispensable for cell cycle inhibition.

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB) is targeted for inactivation in the majority of human tumors, underscoring its critical role in attenuating cellular proliferation. RB inhibits proliferation by repressing the transcription of genes that are essential for cell cycle progression. To repress transcription, RB assembles multiprotein complexes containing chromatin-modifying enzymes, including histone deacetylases (HDACs). However, the extent to which HDACs participate in transcriptional repression and are required for RB-mediated repression has not been established. Here, we investigated the role of HDACs in RB-dependent cell cycle inhibition and transcriptional repression. We find that active RB mediates histone deacetylation on cyclin A, Cdc2, topoisomerase IIα, and thymidylate synthase promoters. We also demonstrate that this deacetylation is HDAC dependent, since the HDAC inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) prevented histone deacetylation at each promoter. However, TSA treatment blocked RB repression of only a specific subset of genes, thereby demonstrating that the requirement of HDACs for RB-mediated transcriptional repression is promoter specific. The HDAC-independent repression was not associated with DNA methylation or gene silencing but was readily reversible. We show that this form of repression resulted in altered chromatin structure and was dependent on SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling activity. Importantly, we find that cell cycle inhibitory action of RB is not intrinsically dependent on the ability to recruit HDAC activity. Thus, while HDACs do play a major role in RB-mediated repression, they are dispensable for the repression of critical targets leading to cell cycle arrest.
The Pattern of Change in Leisure Activity Behavior Among Older Adults With Arthritis

This study employed a "ceasing participation" framework to examine changing leisure activity patterns. Respondents of the Living With Arthritis project were classified into four participation pattern categories. Results confirmed that older adults with arthritis are more likely to experience changes to their activity regimen than older adults without arthritis. A multi-group discriminant function analysis showed that arthritis severity distinguished those who tend to cease activity. Social network and age best distinguished those who quit activities without replacement. Results are placed in the context of coping strategies. Those who do not replace forfeited activities with other activities are least flexible in their response to their chronic condition and face challenges to their well-being.
A prospective study of sex differences in the lifetime risk of posttraumatic stress disorder among abused and neglected children grown up

In the general population, women's lifetime risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is twice that of men's. However, evidence is contradictory as to whether this sex difference is present among child abuse/neglect victims. The authors examined sex differences in PTSD among a sample of 674 individuals with documented child abuse/neglect histories assessed for PTSD in adulthood. Across all types of abuse/neglect, women were more than twice as likely to develop PTSD as men. The sex difference was greatest among sexual abuse victims. Female victims' greater revictimization explained a substantial proportion (39%) of the sex differences in PTSD risk. Future research should identify mechanisms that make female victims particularly vulnerable to revictimization and the development of PTSD.
Design of a Receivable Collection System: Sequential Building Heuristics

This paper extends previous work on the use of sequential building heuristics for the design of a collection system, a linear fixed-charge problem that includes the design of a lock-box system as an important subproblem. The heuristic extensions in this paper first present simple methods for eliminating "premature termination" stopping the heuristics while there are still worthwhile alternatives not included in the collection system and unprofitable inclusion including collection alternatives with net benefits less than the fixed cost. Initiation procedures that increase computational efficiency and reduce the likelihood of significant suboptimization are presented. Finally, the simple one-at-a-time building procedure is extended to include joint exclusion-building a limited switching plus building and combination switching-building rules that consider combinations of alternatives rather than one-at-a-time evaluation.
Impaired Object Handling during Bimanual Task Performance in Multiple Sclerosis

We investigated the kinetic features of manual dexterity and fine motor control during a task that resembles an activity of daily living in 30 persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Specifically, a novel two-transducer system was used to measure time and grip-load forces during a bimanual task that is similar to opening and closing a jar. We hypothesized that PwMS would have increased grip force production, deteriorations in kinetic timing, and preserved grip-load coupling indices compared to healthy controls (i.e., young and older adults). Increased grip force production and deterioration in timing indices were confirmed in PwMS. Abnormal grip-load coupling was exhibited by PwMS, in contrast to healthy participants. The correlation between task time and self-reported disability scores suggests that objective measurement of impaired upper-extremity movements relates to perception of overall function.
Gene expression in salivary glands: effects of diet and mouse chromosome 17 locus regulating macronutrient intake

Dcpp2, Prrt1, and Has1 are plausible candidate genes for the Mnic1 (macronutrient intake-carbohydrate) locus on mouse chromosome 17, based on their map positions and sequence variants, documented expression in salivary glands, and the important role of saliva in oral food processing and taste. We investigated the effects of genotype and diet on gene expression in salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, sublingual) of carbohydrate-preferring, C57BL6J.CAST/EiJ-17.1 subcongenic mice compared to fat-preferring wild-type C57BL/6J. To achieve accurate normalization of real-time quantitative RT-PCR data, we evaluated multiple reference genes to identify the most stably expressed control genes in salivary gland tissues, and then used geometric averaging to produce a reliable normalization factor. Gene expression was measured in mice fed different diets: (1) rodent chow, (2) macronutrient selection diets, (3) high-fat diet, and (4) low-fat diet. In addition, we measured salivary hyaluronan concentrations. All three genes showed strain differences in expression, in at least one major salivary gland, and diet effects were observed in two glands. Dcpp2 expression was limited primarily to sublingual gland, and strongly decreased in B6.CAST-17.1 subcongenic mice compared to wild-type B6, regardless of diet. In contrast, both genotype and diet affected Prrt1 and Has1 expression, in a gland-specific manner, for example, Prrt1 expression in the parotid gland alone was strongly reduced in both mouse strains when fed macronutrient selection diet compared to chow. Notably, we discovered an association between diet composition and salivary hyaluronan content. These results demonstrate robust effects of genetic background and diet composition on candidate gene expression in mouse salivary glands.
Exploring Data-Level Error Tolerance in High-Performance Solid-State Drives

Flash storage systems have exhibited great benefits over magnetic hard drives such as low input-output (I-O) latency, and high throughput. However, NAND flash based Solid-State Drives (SSDs) are inherently prone to soft errors from various sources, e.g., wear-out, program and read disturbance, and hot-electron injections. To address this issue, flash devices employ different error-correction codes (ECC) to detect and correct soft errors. Using ECC induces non-trivial overhead costs in terms of flash area, performance, and energy consumption. In this work, we evaluate the feasibility of reducing the need for strong ECC while maintaining the correct execution of the applications. Specifically, we explore data-level error tolerance in various data-centric applications, and study the system implications for designing a low-cost yet high performance flash storage system, SoftFlash. We explore three key aspects of enabling SoftFlash. First, we design an error modeling framework that can be used in runtime for monitoring and estimating the error rates of real-world flash devices. Our experiments show that the error rate of SSDs can be modeled with reasonable accuracy (13%) using parameters accessible from operating systems. Second, we carry out extensive fault-injection experiments on a wide range of applications including multimedia, scientific computation, and cloud computing to understand the requirements and characteristics of data level error tolerance. We find that the data from these applications show high error resiliency, and can produce acceptable results even with high error rates. Third, we conduct a case study to show the benefits of leveraging data-level error tolerance in flash devices. Our results show that, for many data-centric applications, the proposed SoftFlash system can achieve acceptable results (or better in certain cases), with more than a 40% performance improvement, and a third of the energy consumption.
Optimal visual communication channels

This paper evaluates optimal quantization and data compression in the context of the end-to-end model for 2-D sampled imaging systems. Results show that the minimum number of bits (data density) required for lossless information transmission depends on the design of the image-gathering device. The information in the acquired signal, not its energy, dictates the trade-off between data transmission and visual quality. The entropy of the encoded signal does not indicate neither the amount of information conveyed by the process nor the preferable design tradeoffs for sampled imaging systems. Optimal end-to-end system design for constraint transmission inevitably involves a trade-off between electronic noise and quantization error. The resulting end-to-end design minimizes the loss of information and maximizes the efficiency of its transfer. >
Characterization of development, behavior and neuromuscular physiology in the phorid fly, Megaselia scalaris

The Phoridae is known as 'scuttle flies' because they walk in rapid bursts of movement with short pauses between. In this study, larval locomotive behavior and development was characterized in the phorid, Megaselia scalaris. Comparison was made with the well-characterized fruit fly model, Drosophila melanogaster. Developmentally, the rate of maturation was consistently slower for Megaselia than Drosophila. This disparity was exaggerated at lower temperatures, particularly during larval development. In addition to slower growth, movements in Megaselia were also slower, as evidenced by reduced rates of larval body wall contractions and mouth hook movements. Megaselia larvae also displayed a unique behavior of swallowing air when exposed to a small pool of liquid. This permitted floating upon immersion and, therefore, might prevent drowning in the natural environment. The anatomical and physiological properties of a neuromuscular junction in the phorid larvae were also examined. The innervation of the motor nerve terminals on the ventral abdominal muscle (m6) is innervated by Type Ib and Is axons, similar to Drosophila. As in Drosophila, the Is terminals produce larger excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) than the Ib. The amplitudes of the EPSPs in M. scalaris were reduced compared to those of D. melanogaster, but unlike D. melanogaster the EPSPs showed marked facilitation when stimulated with a 20 Hz train. We conclude that there may be differences in synaptic structure of the nerve terminals that could account for the different electrophysiological behaviors.
Great Blue Heron Productivity at Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Virginia, and the Potential Impacts of Weather During a 13-Year Interval

Abstract The reproductive performance of a large Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) colony was documented and the potential effects of weather on reproductive performance was investigated. Annual surveys were conducted during the last week of May or the first week of June between 1992 and 2004 and were designed to count all fledglings and nests in and around the heronry. Mean number of fledglings per nesting attempt during the 13-year interval was 1.57 ± 0.22 fledglings (range: 1.14 to 1.87). Mean number of fledglings per successful nest during the study was 1.80 ± 0.18 fledglings (range: 1.44 to 2.06). The number of fledglings per nesting attempt was similar to other long-term studies for the species, but the productivity based on fledglings per successful nest was typically lower. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that both fledglings per nesting attempt (active nest) and fledglings per successful nest were significantly influenced by weather patterns (number of days with greater than 0.30 inches of...
Evidence-based guideline summary: Evaluation, diagnosis, and management of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Issues Review Panel of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Objective: To develop recommendations for the evaluation, diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) from a systematic review and analysis of the evidence. Methods: Relevant articles were analyzed in accordance with the American Academy of Neurology classification of evidence schemes for diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment studies. Recommendations were linked to the strength of the evidence and other factors. Results and recommendations: Available genetic testing for FSHD type 1 is highly sensitive and specific. Although respiratory insufficiency occurs rarely in FSHD, patients with severe FSHD should have routine pulmonary function testing. Routine cardiac screening is not necessary in patients with FSHD without cardiac symptoms. Symptomatic retinal vascular disease is very rare in FSHD. Exudative retinopathy, however, is potentially preventable, and patients with large deletions should be screened through dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy. The prevalence of clinically relevant hearing loss is not clear. In clinical practice, patients with childhood-onset FSHD may have significant hearing loss. Because undetected hearing loss may impair language development, screening through audiometry is recommended for such patients. Musculoskeletal pain is common in FSHD and treating physicians should routinely inquire about pain. There is at present no effective pharmacologic intervention in FSHD. Available studies suggest that scapular fixation is safe and effective. Surgical scapular fixation might be cautiously offered to selected patients. Aerobic exercise in FSHD appears to be safe and potentially beneficial. On the basis of the evidence, patients with FSHD might be encouraged to engage in low-intensity aerobic exercises.
Neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulins as a marker of disease activity and response to therapy in patients with neuromyelitis optica.

ObjectiveTo determine whether neuromyelitis optica (NMO) immunoglobulin (IgG) antibody status in NMO/Devic’s disease patients followed prospectively is persistent or can change relative to the clinical status and/or response to therapy.DesignA cross-sectional group of patients with NMO, relapsing extensive longitudinal transverse myelitis (RLETM) or optico-spinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) were evaluated for the presence of NMO IgG antibodies. Repeated evaluation was made in all NMO/RLETM patients and in a subgroup of OSMS patients.SettingBaird Multiple Sclerosis Center, Buffalo, New York, an academic multiple sclerosis center.ResultsOut of a consecutive cohort of 38 patients evaluated for the presence of NMO IgG, 12 had NMO and 26 had OSMS. Five of the 12 NMO/RLETM patients were NMO IgG positive at the time of their initial evaluation. Four of these patients were repeatedly tested for NMO IgG: two of these became negative and two remained positive. One patient who was initially negative became positive du...
Engaging Students to Connect Beyond the Text: A Reflection on the Value of Professionals as Adjuncts

Learning from their shared experiences at the Teaching Public Administration Conference held in Frankfurt, Kentucky in 2009, three adjunct instructors give voice to the hundreds of practioners teaching in the field of public administration. The authors articulate varying ways that adjuncts challenge students to move beyond the text and examine what it means to do public administration. Drawing from the work of Newman, Guy and Mastracci (2009), the authors argue how they are uniquely qualified to not only prepare effective, but affective, future leaders.
Parallel Plate Capacitive Detection of Large Amplitude Motion in MEMS

Detection of motion with parallel plate capacitors is commonly used in MEMS; small amplitude of motion is typically assumed. In this paper, we derive precise and constructive equations for the case of parallel plate capacitive detection of large amplitude of motion. These equations are solved in closed form without using a small displacement assumption. A precise relationship between the amplitude of the mechanical motion and the amplitude of the electrical sensing signals is obtained which allows the elimination of the nonlinearity error. To illustrate the theoretical findings, MEMS test structures were designed and fabricated. Experiments confirm the developed theory. The proposed algorithms of detection are especially valuable for capacitive detection of arbitrary amplitudes of motion in resonant structures such as gyroscopes, resonant microbalances, and chemical sensors.
A TEST OF CUES AFFECTING HABITAT SELECTION BY WADING BIRDS

Abstract We examined foraging-habitat selection by free-ranging wading birds presented with different social and environmental cues by conducting two experiments in eight replicate ponds adjacent to the northern border of the Florida Everglades. The first experiment examined the relative influence of a social (presence of a flock of decoys) and environmental (water depth) cue on the selection of ponds. The second experiment examined the influence of two environmental cues (water depth and fluctuating water level) on the selection of ponds. In the first experiment, wading birds were most attracted to ponds with both the presence of a flock of decoys and shallow water. The social and environmental cues both had the same attractive potential to wading birds. In the second experiment, birds were again attracted to ponds with shallow water; however, fluctuating water level had no significant influence on foraging-habitat selection. If birds do not perceive fluctuating water levels as a cue to habitat quality, ...
An early polycotylid plesiosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan

A partial skeleton of a short-necked plesiosaur excavated from the Upper Cenomanian of the Middle Yezo Group of Hokkaido, Japan, includes disarticulated vertebrae, the right half of the pectoral girdle, fragments of the pelvic girdle, ribs, gastralia, and gastroliths. Gastroliths are unusual in short-necked plesiosaurs. Skeletal characters indicate that the specimen belongs to the Family Polycotylidae, well known from North America, the former Soviet Republics, and possibly from New Zealand. They are rare in East Asia and hitherto unknown from Japan. Extensive ossification indicates that this specimen is an adult individual, yet it is smaller than the adult specimens of other known polycotylids. The elongated epipodial bones are a unique character of the specimen but are probably plesiomorphic. The fossil is evidence of biogeographical diversification of the family at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous.
A simple and efficient quasi 3-dimensional viscoelastic model and software for simulation of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy

This paper introduces a quasi-3-dimensional (Q3D) viscoelastic model and software tool for use in atomic force microscopy (AFM) simulations. The model is based on a 2-dimensional array of standard linear solid (SLS) model elements. The well-known 1-dimensional SLS model is a textbook example in viscoelastic theory but is relatively new in AFM simulation. It is the simplest model that offers a qualitatively correct description of the most fundamental viscoelastic behaviors, namely stress relaxation and creep. However, this simple model does not reflect the correct curvature in the repulsive portion of the force curve, so its application in the quantitative interpretation of AFM experiments is relatively limited. In the proposed Q3D model the use of an array of SLS elements leads to force curves that have the typical upward curvature in the repulsive region, while still offering a very low computational cost. Furthermore, the use of a multidimensional model allows for the study of AFM tips having non-ideal geometries, which can be extremely useful in practice. Examples of typical force curves are provided for single- and multifrequency tapping-mode imaging, for both of which the force curves exhibit the expected features. Finally, a software tool to simulate amplitude and phase spectroscopy curves is provided, which can be easily modified to implement other controls schemes in order to aid in the interpretation of AFM experiments.
A Temporal Switch in the Germinal Center Determines Differential Output of Memory B and Plasma Cells

There is little insight into or agreement about the signals that control differentiation of memory B cells (MBCs) and long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs). By performing BrdU pulse-labeling studies, we found that MBC formation preceded the formation of LLPCs in an adoptive transfer immunization system, which allowed for a synchronized Ag-specific response with homogeneous Ag-receptor, yet at natural precursor frequencies. We confirmed these observations in wild-type (WT) mice and extended them with germinal center (GC) disruption experiments and variable region gene sequencing. We thus show that the GC response undergoes a temporal switch in its output as it matures, revealing that the reaction engenders both MBC subsets with different immune effector function and, ultimately, LLPCs at largely separate points in time. These data demonstrate the kinetics of the formation of the cells that provide stable humoral immunity and therefore have implications for autoimmunity, for vaccine development, and for understanding long-term pathogen resistance.
Pregnancy-induced adaptations in intramuscular extracellular matrix of rat pelvic floor muscles

Background Birth trauma to pelvic floor muscles is a major risk factor for pelvic floor disorders. Intramuscular extracellular matrix determines muscle stiffness, supports contractile component, and shields myofibers from mechanical strain. Objective Our goal was to determine whether pregnancy alters extracellular matrix mechanical and biochemical properties in a rat model, which may provide insights into the pathogenesis of pelvic floor muscle birth injury. To examine whether pregnancy effects were unique to pelvic floor muscles, we also studied a hind limb muscle. Study Design Passive mechanical properties of coccygeus, iliocaudalis, pubocaudalis, and tibialis anterior were compared among 3-month old Sprague−Dawley virgin, late-pregnant, and postpartum rats. Muscle tangent stiffness was calculated as the slope of the stress−sarcomere length curve between 2.5 and 4.0 μm, obtained from a stress-relaxation protocol at a bundle level. Elastin and collagen isoform concentrations were quantified by the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Enzymatic and glycosylated collagen crosslinks were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data were compared by the use of repeated-measures, 2-way analysis of variance with Tukey post-hoc testing. Correlations between mechanical and biochemical parameters were assessed by linear regressions. Significance was set to P Results Pregnancy significantly increased stiffness in coccygeus ( P P P > .3). A substantial increase in collagen V in coccygeus and pubocaudalis was observed in late-pregnant, compared with virgin, animals, ( P P P P Conclusions In contrast to other pelvic tissues, pelvic floor muscle stiffness increased in pregnancy, returning to prepregnancy state postpartum. This adaptation may shield myofibers from excessive mechanical strain during parturition. Biochemical alterations in pelvic floor muscle extracellular matrix due to pregnancy include increase in collagen V and a differential response in enzymatic vs glycosylated collagen crosslinks. The relationships between pelvic floor muscle biochemical and mechanical parameters remain unclear.