cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combining conservation value with conservation filters to guide forest management for avian biodiversity

Abstract Maintaining richness and diversity of bird species on forest landscapes has long been a major theme in sustainable forest management. However, effects of management decisions on species diversity are uncertain because of difficulties in accounting for all species simultaneously. Utilizing a diversity contribution approach, we applied an integrated coarse filter-mesofilter conservation strategy to inform avian biodiversity conservation in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Diversity contribution is a measure of relative contribution of a given area to regional species diversity based on species richness and distinctiveness, with region defined according to the study design. At the coarse filter level, we compared and ranked forest types by bird conservation value based on proportional representation of high-contribution sampling plots (sampling plots in the top 25% of diversity contribution) relative to proportional representation in the dataset. At the mesofilter level, we identified how plot-level compositional and structural attributes affected diversity contribution within forest types. We found that forest types less common in the dataset, such as cedar and upland conifer, had the highest bird conservation value, while the most common forest type (northern hardwoods) provided the greatest number of high-contribution plots. Stand-level attributes that increased structural complexity, such as higher densities of large trees, saplings, and snags, or lower basal area, tended to increase the likelihood of being a high-contribution plot within a given forest type. However, the importance and effect of different attributes varied among forest types. Our novel application of the conservation filter strategy provides a way to identify high priority forest types for avian conservation, and create stand-level prescriptions for increasing avian conservation value. Given data on forest inventory and bird community composition, managers can use this application as a planning tool in the face of uncertainty about how management decisions affect larger-scale avian biodiversity.
Chapter 13 – Speciation

Darwin was the first evolutionist to accept and strongly argue the case of common descent, meaning that the diversity of organisms is the result of millions of speciation events over evolutionary time. Today several mechanisms and categories of speciation are recognized, with many specific examples now recognized for each. While most speciations are cladistic, in that one species typically divides into two over a period of time, in some cases speciations can result from fusion events such as endosymbiosis or species hybridization events—often coupled with polyploidy. Common descent through speciation is the basis of our understanding of the tree of life, homology, comparative genomics, and even biogeography.
Imaging the Deep Crustal Structure of Central Oklahoma using Stacking and Inversion of Local Earthquake Waveforms

The southern Granite-Rhyolite province contains a comprehensive record of lithospheric evolution in North America. During the last decade, increased seismicity along with improved seismic monitorin...
Tobacco/nicotine and marijuana co-use motives in young adults: Associations with substance use behaviors one year later

Co-administration of tobacco/nicotine and marijuana (e.g., using both products on the same occasion by mixing them in the same delivery device) is a risky, yet common, form of co-use among young adults. Understanding motivations for co-administration co-use, and how these are associated with subsequent use and related problems, is needed to inform policy, prevention, and intervention efforts. We conducted a latent class analysis on 342 young adults with past-year co-administration of tobacco/nicotine and marijuana to determine how emergent classes of 16 co-use motives were associated with use and co-administration co-use of tobacco/nicotine and marijuana one year later. Four classes emerged: (1) a high all class that reported high endorsement of all motives, (2) a high coping class that reported high endorsement of co-use due to coping with stress and bad moods, (3) a high social/physiological reinforcement class that reported low endorsement of coping but high probability of social and relaxation motives and motives to even out effects of each substance, and (4) a low all class that reported low endorsement of all motives. The high all and high coping classes reported greater frequency and quantity of single substance use and co-administration. The high coping class reported more marijuana consequences than the low all class. The high all and high coping classes reported younger age of initiation of each individual substance and co-administration. Considering co-use motives may be useful in identifying those at highest risk for future use and consequences and tailoring interventions to the distinct needs of co-use subgroups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Example: Service Policy Variables and Design Projects

This hypothetical example of applying service policy variables to transportation planning and design is based upon illustrative physical and operational characteristics of a typical long-range corridor plan, to be completed at the sketch planning level. Based upon (1), and using the techniques and calculation methods of Chapters 2 and 3, the example demonstrates the mechanism for formulating the design for a given set of policy alternatives, conducting the demand analysis, preparing a preliminary physical design, and estimating the key impacts of capital cost, energy use, air pollution, and passenger travel time. It provides the basic information and the scope of work needed to develop and evaluate other alternatives that are the subject of the projects for solution, described at the end of the chapter.
Nighttime Blue Light Exposure and Breast Cancer

The purpose of this article is to provide background information and the current understanding of a less familiar cause of female breast cancer; exposure to ultraviolet light at night. Breast cancer is a common disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in women. There are several risk factors for breast cancer, most of which are genetic and environmental in nature. An often-overlooked risk factor is exposure to blue light during night shift work, which decreases melatonin production. One of the many cancer-preventing properties of melatonin is to limit estrogen production. Increased lifetime exposure to estrogen is a well-known cause of breast cancer. Awareness of nighttime blue light exposure as a breast cancer risk factor by women doing night shift work and those exposed to nighttime light via smartphones and laptops, is essential information to know so that protective measures can be taken.
Coupled geochemical and compositional wellbore simulators: A case study on scaling tendencies under water evaporation and CO2 dissolution

Abstract Inorganic deposits are the result of mineral precipitation due to changes in pressure and temperature along water flow and one of the main causes of production decline in the Oil & Gas Industry, as water is usually inherent to any oil/gas production. These deposits may be present in the reservoir, wellbore, and processing facilities. Literature suggests that evaporation of water can significantly increase (if not be the main cause of) mineral precipitation and consequently scale deposition for a gas condensate well. This work aims to determine if evaporation can also play a similar role for an oil well. New achievements towards an integrated platform (called UTWELL, for wellbore simulation) are addressed; however, emphasis is given to the effects of a newly added evaporation model in the case of an offshore oil production well showing calcite precipitation. Results demonstrate that evaporation is only relevant for very small water cuts (
Abstract 91: FLT3 is a major driver of glucose consumption in squamous cell lung cancer

Squamous cell lung cancer (SqCLC) represents 30% of all cases of non-small cell lung cancer. Despite the prevalence of SqCLC, there are few molecularly targeted therapies for SqCLC patients. There is an urgent need for new approaches in this area. SqCLC cells consume elevated levels of glucose and are highly dependent on glucose consumption for their survival. Targeting glucose consumption may be a valuable therapeutic strategy in SqCLC but is challenged by the fact that glucose consumption is critical for vital organs. Our ability to selectively target glucose consumption in SqCLC is limited by an incomplete understanding of the shared and distinct mechanisms through which SqCLC and healthy cells drive glucose consumption. We recently developed and validated a high-throughput glucose consumption assay that serves as a platform technology for identifying new proteins and pathways that drive glucose consumption in cancerous and healthy cells. In this project, we screened H520, SK-MES-1, and H596 SqCLC cell lines against 3555 bioactive small molecules including a library of kinase inhibitors and FDA-approved drugs, and measured glucose consumption 24 hours after drug treatment. We discovered and validated 62 compounds that decreased glucose consumption per cell by >50% in at least one cell line. From this list, we searched for compounds that decreased glucose consumption in all three cell lines, by >70% in at least one cell line, and with an EC50 value Pacritinib reduces glucose consumption in all three SqCLC cell lines with an EC50 value of 1.2 µM in cell culture and blocks glucose consumption in cell line xenografts in vivo without affecting glucose consumption in healthy tissues. In the SqCLC cell lines, Pacritinib decreases protein levels of Hexokinase 1 and Hexokinase 2 as well as hexokinase activity as measured by a FRET-based glucose sensor. Hexokinase 1 overexpression in the SqCLC cell lines blocks Pacritinib from inhibiting glucose consumption. Pacritinib targets JAK2, TYK2, FLT3, and additional kinases at low nanomolar concentrations in vitro. Additional small molecule inhibitors of JAK2 and TYK2 had no effect on SqCLC glucose consumption. However additional inhibitors of FLT3 blocked glucose consumption in all three SqCLC cell lines. FLT3 overexpression increased SqCLC glucose consumption and blocked Pacritinib from inhibiting glucose consumption. In conclusion, using our high-throughput technology, we discovered that FLT3 is a selective and targetable driver of glucose consumption in SqCLC. Our data suggest that FLT3 activates glucose consumption by increasing Hexokinase 1 levels. Citation Format: Chiara Ghezzi, Robert Damoiseaux, Peter M. Clark. FLT3 is a major driver of glucose consumption in squamous cell lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 91.
Enzyme Aided Processing of Oil

Enzyme aided process (EAP) has been identified as a viable alternative for oil extraction. This paper reviews the recent trends in EAP of soybeans during degumming, transesterification, oil extraction, and demulsification. The “common protease effect” and the degree of demulsification of oil was also examined. EAP has improved overall oil yield to about 90% and high oil quality. EAP oils have high tocopherol content, decreased turbidity, higher color index, better oxidative stability, and drastic reduction in residual phosphorus content of oils thus contributing to enhanced oil quality. We conceptualize “Common enzyme effect” as the reason for degree of demulsification (oDem) occurring during enzyme aided extraction. The equation for rate of change of oDem have also been proposed. Few studies on simultaneous EAP have shown the efficacy of multifunctional enzyme to enhance oil recovery and quality. The use of immobilized enzyme has also received less attention, though, could potentially reduce EAP cost.
Variability among five riparian cottonwood (Populus fremontii Wats.) populations: an examination of size, density, and spatial distribution.

Various abiotic and biotic factors are known to affect tree size, including age, genetics, and environment. Knowledge of size variation within natural riparian tree populations has both ecological and restorative importance. We determined tree sizes, basal area densities, and spatial distributions of 5 Populus fremontii Wats. populations within the Rio Grande watershed in New Mexico. At each site 10 randomly spaced plots, perpendicular to the river and extending from the river to the end of the forest, were established. Diameter at breast height (DBH) and distance to the river were determined for 1803 trees within the 5 populations, and stand cover (measured as basal area [BA] per hectare) was determined for each population. Significant variation in tree size and basal area density existed among sites. Mean DBH per site ranged from 11.7 to 58.4 cm and differed significantly ( P P 2 ha -1 . Spatial distribution of trees in relation to the river also differed among sites. Mean distance from the river ranged from 50 to 353 m and differed significantly ( P P. fremontii populations may be influenced by differences in water availability across a site; trees farthest from water sources may experience greater water stress and, therefore, growth limitation. Increasing BA cover with increasing tree size indicated no real thinning of mature trees within a population. Recruitment and establishment of cottonwood seedlings and saplings was evident only at sites with newly formed floodplains. For these 5 populations tree size appeared to be affected by environmental factors.
Capital Budgeting Techniques

There are several techniques that are used in practice to evaluate capital budgeting proposals. These include the payback and discounted payback techniques, net present value technique, profitability index technique, internal rate of return technique, and modified internal rate of return technique. While used in practice, some of these techniques are limited in their ability to help managers identify proposed capital projects that are profitable and are not necessarily consistent with maximization of shareholder wealth. Moreover, where capital rationing exists, some techniques give conflicting rankings of the relative attractiveness of capital projects. Keywords: capital budgeting techniques; net present value (NPV); internal rate of return (IRR); payback period; discounted payback period; modified internal rate of return (MIRR); profitability index; mutually exclusive projects; independent projects; capital rationing; cost of capital; required rate of return (RRR); crossover discount rate; hurdle rate
Abstract 1462: Lineage Analysis of Mesp1 Expressing Cells in Cardiac Conduction System

Mesp1 is the earliest transcription factor detected in cardiac precursor cells considered to play a key role in their early specification. The lineage analysis, using Mesp1- Cre transgenic mouse line, has shown that there is a minor contribution of Mesp1 non-expressing cells to the formation of ventricular conduction system. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the contribution of Mesp1 -expressing and non-expressing cells to the development of sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node and His bundle in embryonic, neonatal and adult heart. In this study, the contribution of Mesp1 -expressing cells was evaluated by a lineage analysis using the cross of Mesp1 -Cre and ROSA26R reporter mice. Different components of the cardiac conduction system were identified by a combination of histological (hematoxylin/eosin), acetylcholinesterase, and immunofluorescent stainings for specific markers (HCN4 and connexin40). Sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes as well as His bundle are derived almost exclusively from Mesp1- expressing cells as evident by β-gal activity. The contribution of Mesp1 non-expressing cells becomes prominent, though still less than Mesp1 -expressing cells, in the distal components of cardiac conduction system (i.e. bundle branches). This pattern was consistent in embryonic and neonatal stages as well as adult hearts. Unlike the distal components of cardiac conduction system, which is composed of a mixed population of Mesp1 -expressing and non-expressing cells, sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node and His bundle are derived almost exclusively from Mesp1 -expressing cells.
Prognostic impact of marital status on survival of women with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objectives The objective of this study is to examine the impact of marital status on survival of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods Patients with a diagnosis of EOC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program for the period 1988–2006 and divided into married and unmarried groups. Statistical analysis using Student's t-test, Kaplan–Meier, and Cox regression proportional hazards was performed. Results In 49,777 patients with EOC, 51.2% were married and 48.8% were unmarried. White women were likely to be married compared with African Americans (52.0% vs 32.4%, p < 0.05). Younger age (63.9% vs 43.4%, p < 0.001) and early stage disease (37.5% vs 33.8%, p < 0.001) were more prominent in married patients compared with unmarried patients. Staging lymphadenectomy was performed more frequently in married than unmarried patients (39.9% vs 29.8%, p < 0.001). Overall 5-year survival was 45.0% for married patients and 33.1% for unmarried patients, p < 0.001. Married patients had a better survival compared with unmarried patients within each racial subgroup: 44.5% vs 33.3% for White women (p < 0.001), 36.9% vs 24.9% for African Americans (p < 0.001), and 53.7% vs 42.7% for others (p < 0.001), respectively. In a model that controlled for age, race, histology, stage, grade, and surgical treatment, married patients had a significantly improved survival compared with unmarried patients (HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.78–0.83, p < 0.001). Conclusions In this epidemiologic study, the social institution of marriage is associated with improved survival in women with ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linear and Projective Representations of Symmetric Groups

Preface Part I. Linear Representations: 1. Notion and generalities 2. Symmetric groups I 3. Degenerate affine Hecke algebra 4. First results on Hn modules 5. Crystal operators 6. Character calculations 7. Integral representations and cyclotomic Hecke algebras 8. Functors e and f 9. Construction of Uz and irreducible modules 10. Identification of the crystal 11. Symmetric groups II Part II. Projective Representations: 12. Generalities on superalgebra 13. Sergeev superalgebras 14. Affine Sergeev superalgebras 15. Integral representations and cyclotomic Sergeev algebras 16. First results on Xn modules 17. Crystal operators fro Xn 18. Character calculations for Xn 19. Operators e and f 20. Construction of Uz and irreducible modules 21. Identification of the crystal 22. Double covers References Index.
Combining evidence of deep and surface similarity

Abstract The traditional emphasis on surface similarity provides an incomplete account of how humans retrieve and categorize problem-solving experiences. Rather, ‘deep’ properties – those that are not immediately apparent but that can be inferred from the observables – play a critical role in memory activities, particularly those of experts. This paper provides a speculative (Hall & Kibler, 1985) account of the identification, inference, and use of deep features during categorization. In particular, we describe a machine learning system that categorizes problem-solving experiences and that retrieves past experiences that appear relevant to new situations; this retrieval is based on a combination of deep and surface similarties between the target and source problems.
Exclusive processes in QCD:: Two-photon physics involving baryons☆

Abstract Exclusive two-photon processes involving baryons have been calculated within the framework of perturbative QCD. In particular, the angular dependence of the process γγ → p p is predicted as a function of the universal baryonic distribution amplitudes φ(xi). The overall normalization is then found by a comparison with the process Ψ → p p , so that we can present a unique, absolutely normalized QCD prediction for the two-photon processes. We argue that these predictions, based on the Ψ → p p decay rate, should be more reliable than those based on baryonic form factors. Presently not enough data exist to give a meaningful differential cross section for the process γγ → p p . Nevertheless, a total cross section has been obtained. Excluding the region close to threshold, quite good agreement between our predictions and experimental data is found. The analysis in this paper is trivially generalized to other baryons as well.
Alcohol, Beer, and Ischemic Stroke

Abstract In contrast to the consistent associations of beer and alcohol intake with lower risk of coronary heart disease, their corresponding associations with risk of stroke are more complex and nuanced. In recent cohort studies of alcohol use and ischemic stroke, the association is of modest magnitude, with risk ratios approximating 0.8, and the lowest risk among less-than-daily drinkers. Consumers of 3 or more drinks per day clearly have a higher risk of ischemic stroke, and heavy intake may also acutely trigger strokes. In addition, alcohol use is generally associated with a roughly dose-dependent higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke throughout the full range of intake. These same relationships have generally been seen with both beer and other alcoholic beverages, with only limited evidence that beer intake may not confer as low a risk as wine. The mechanisms that underlie the lower risk of ischemic stroke among moderate drinkers have not yet been definitively explored. The higher risks of hypertension and atrial fibrillation that accompany heavy drinking may explain its association with ischemic stroke, and the antithrombotic effects of alcohol may mediate its link with hemorrhagic stroke.
Individual-specific determinants of successful adaptation to minimal and maximal running shoes

Minimalist shoes have been touted as a panacea for preventing running-related injuries, although evidence is inconclusive (Ryan, Elashi, Newsham-West, & Taunton, 2014). Maximalist shoes, with great...
The Burnout Phenomenon: A Comparative Study of Student Attitudes Toward Collaborative Learning and Sustainability

The importance of sustainable design and building practices has been well documented in recent literature by Stieg (2006), and as the emphasis on this type of design and construction continues to grow, institutions of higher education are increasingly integrating sustainable design into their curriculum. Congruent with this movement has been the growing realization that interior designers must be able to work and collaborate with a diverse and multifaceted workforce, particularly when sustainable design is a goal. Therefore, using a social constructivist approach this study sought to (1) measure the differences in attitudes toward sustainable design and collaborative learning between lower- and upper-division undergraduate students majoring in interior design at a Southeastern university, (2) investigate the potential impact of interior design education on attitudes toward sustainable design and collaborative learning among the sample, and (3) assess a potential relationship among the variables. Since the interior design program examined for this study incorporates increasing levels of sustainable design education and collaborative learning as students progress through the curriculum, the authors sought to determine whether upper-division students would display more favorable attitudes toward these competencies, which are so highly desired for the workforce. Results revealed that upper-division students held more positive attitudes toward sustainable design than lower-division students and provided support for a relationship between the two variables. However, contrary to expectations, results also revealed that upper-division students held less favorable attitudes toward collaborative learning than their lower-division peers. Educational implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
“Regressional” Observations of HVI Fiber Properties, Yarn Quality, and Processing Performance of Medium Staple Cotton Part I: HVI Fiber Parameters

Fiber data (USDA) representing six cotton crops (1984–1989) were analyzed using regression and correlation analyses. These data consist of two high volume instrument systems (MCI and SpinLab) fiber properties and corresponding properties measured by traditional systems (the Suter-Webb array method, the Peyer Almeter, the Shirley FMT, the Shirley trash analyzer, and the Pressley strength tester). Different testing systems were compared using bivariate and multivariate analyses, and empirical equations for predicting fiber maturity and short fiber content suggested. The reliability of the results shown in this study is driven by the fact that the data examined involve a wide range of varieties and properties and a large number of observations.
Trifluoromethyldiazirinylphenyldiazenes: New Hemoprotein Active-Site Probes

The photoactivatable trifluoromethyldiazirinylphenyldiazene probes 1a and 2a have been synthesized, and their utility in the mapping of hemoprotein active sites has been validated with myoglobin (M...
Organic Nonlinear Crystals And High Power Frequency Conversion

We are searching for new second and third harmonic generators among the salts of organic acids and bases. We discuss the relevant properties of crystals from this group of compounds, including their nonlinear and phasematching characteristics, linear absorption, damage threshold and crystal growth. In addition, we summarize what is known concerning other nonlinear optical properties of these crystals, such as two-photon absorption, nonlinear refractive index, and stimulated Raman thresholds. A preliminary assessment is made of the potential of these materials for use in future high power, large aperture lasers such as those used for inertial confinement fusion experiments.
Adult males’ perceptions of confirmation and relational partner communication apprehension: Indirect effects of fathers on sons’ partners

This research used a confirmation/disconfirmation framework to analyze adult males’ perceptions of their relationships with their fathers. In the present study, the degree to which men felt confirmed by their fathers was used to predict relational partners’ reluctance to engage in relational interaction and discomfort during such interactions. The effect of dyadic communication apprehension, the anxiety associated with one‐to‐one communication, was statistically controlled. Results of multivariate regression analyses indicated that (1) females’ dyadic communication apprehension accounted for a small but statistically significant percentage of variance in their discomfort scores, (2) males’ perceived confirmation from father explained a statistically significant percent of variance in “reluctance,” and (3) a statistically significant nonlinear effect was observed for perceived confirmation on reluctance. Overall, the predictor set explained 26.62% of the variance in the dependent variable set. Implications...
Oxygen measurements in thin ribbon silicon

The oxygen content of thin silicon ribbons grown by the dendritic web technique was measured using a modification of the ASTM method based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Web silicon was found to have a high oxygen content, ranging from 13 to 19 ppma, calculated from the absorption peak associated with interstitial oxygen and using the new ASTM conversion coefficient. The oxygen concentration changed by about 10 percent along the growth direction of the ribbon. In some samples, a shoulder was detected on the absorption peak. A similar shoulder in Czochralski grown material has been variously interpreted in the literature as due to a complex of silicon, oxygen, and vacancies, or to a phase of SiO2 developed along dislocations in the material. In the case of web silicon, it is not clear which is the correct interpretation.
Early onset prostate cancer has a significant genetic component

BACKGROUND. Prostate cancer (PCa) affects more than 190,000 men each year with � 10% of men diagnosed at � 55 years, that is, early onset (EO) PCa. Based on historical findings for other cancers, EO PCa likely reflects a stronger underlying genetic etiology. METHODS. We evaluated the association between EO PCa and previously identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 754 Caucasian cases from the Michigan Prostate Cancer Genetics Project (mean 49.8 years at diagnosis), 2,713 Caucasian controls from Illumina’s iControlDB database and 1,163 PCa cases diagnosed at >55 years from the Cancer Genetic Markers of Susceptibility Study (CGEMS).
The Inhibitor DBMIB Provides Insight into the Functional Architecture of the Qo Site in the Cytochrome b6f Complex

Previously [Roberts, A. G., and Kramer, D. M. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 13407-13412], we showed that 2 equiv of the quinone analogue 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropylbenzoquinone (DBMIB) could occupy the Q(o) site of the cytochrome (cyt) b(6)f complex simultaneously. In this work, a study of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra from the oriented cyt b(6)f complex shows that the Rieske iron-sulfur protein (ISP) is in distinct orientations, depending on the stoichiometry of the inhibitor at the Q(o) site. With a single DBMIB at the Q(o) site, the ISP is oriented with the 2Fe-2S cluster toward cyt f, which is similar to the orientation of the ISP in the X-ray crystal structure of the cyt b(6)f complex from thermophilic cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus in the presence of DBMIB, as well as that of the chicken mitochondrial cyt bc(1) complex in the presence of the class II inhibitor myxothiazol, which binds in the so-called "proximal niche", near the cyt b(L) heme. These data suggest that the high-affinity DBMIB site is at the proximal niche Q(o) pocket. With >or=2 equiv of DBMIB bound, the Rieske ISP is in a position that resembles the ISP(B) position of the chicken mitochondrial cyt bc(1) complex in the presence of stigmatellin and the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cyt b(6)f complex in the presence of tridecylstigmatellin (TDS), which suggests that the low-affinity DBMIB site is at the distal niche. The close interaction of DBMIB bound at the distal niche with the ISP induced the well-known effects on the 2Fe-2S EPR spectrum and redox potential. To further test the effects of DBMIB on the ISP, the extents of cyt f oxidation after flash excitation in the presence of photosystem II inhibitor DCMU were measured as a function of DBMIB concentration in thylakoids. Addition of DBMIB concentrations at which a single binding was expected did not markedly affect the extent of cyt f oxidation, whereas higher concentrations, at which double occupancy was expected, increased the extent of cyt f oxidation to levels similar to that of cyt f oxidation in the presence of a saturating concentration of stigmatellin. Simulations of the EPR g-tensor orientations of the 2Fe-2S cluster versus the physical orientations based on single-crystal studies of the cyt bc(1) complex suggest that the soluble ISP domain of the spinach cyt b(6)f complex can rotate by at least 53 degrees, which is consistent with long-range ISP domain movement. Implications of these results are discussed in the context of the X-ray crystal structures of the chicken mitochondrial cyt bc(1) complex and the M. laminosus and C. reinhardtii cyt b(6)f complexes.
Geological Assessment of the Greenhouse Effect

Geologic studies provide a valuable perspective on the importance of greenhouse forcing for climate change. On both Pleistocene and tectonic time scales, changes in climate are positively correlated with greenhouse gas variations. However, the sensitivity of the system to greenhouse gas changes cannot yet be constrained by paleoclimate data below its present large range. Geologic records do not support one of the major predictions of greenhouse models-namely, that tropical sea surface temperatures will increase. Geologic data also suggest that winter cooling in high-latitude land areas is less than predicted by models. As the above-mentioned predictions appear to be systemic features of the present generation of climate models, some significant changes in model design may be required to reconcile models and geologic data. However, full acceptance of this conclusion requires more measurements and more systematic compilations of existing geologic data. Since progress in data collection in this area has been quite slow, uncertainties associated with these conclusions may persist for some time. 106 refs., 6 figs.
Active chemotherapy for sarcomatoid and rapidly progressing renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Immunotherapy is generally ineffective in patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and in patients with rapidly progressive metastatic or locally recurrent disease, with a median time to progression of approximately 2 months and a median survival of 4–7 months. Gemcitabine-based regimens have modest antitumor activity, whereas doxorubicin is often used to treat sarcomatoid RCC. Based on the antitumor activity of doxorubicin and gemcitabine in collecting duct carcinoma of the kidney, the authors used this combination to treat selected patients with sarcomatoid or rapidly progressing RCC. METHODS Eighteen patients (11 males and 7 females; median age, 53 years; range, 31–81 years) with RCC (56% sarcomatoid; 44% other) were treated at 2 institutions in a collaborative study that was not institutional review board reviewed. Seven patients received previous treatment with interferon or interleukin-2. Sites of metastases included the lung, soft tissue, bone, liver, and brain with 88% of patients having ≥ 3 sites of disease. Treatment consisted of doxorubicin (50 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1500 or 2000 mg/m2) every 2–3 weeks with granulocyte–colony-stimulating factor support. RESULTS A median of 5 courses was administered (range, 2–12 cycles). Therapy was well tolerated with no Grade 4 toxicities. Two patients had a complete response, five had a partial response, three had a mixed response, and one had stable disease. The median duration of response was 5 months (range, 2–21+ months). CONCLUSIONS These data suggested that the combination of doxorubicin and gemcitabine has antitumor activity in patients with sarcomatoid RCC or with rapidly progressing RCC. A prospective investigation of this combination in RCC is warranted. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Cross-Organ Sensitization of Lumbosacral Spinal Neurons Receiving Urinary Bladder Input in Rats With Inflamed Colon

Background & Aims: Clinical studies show that patients with irritable bowel syndrome and colonic diseases frequently experience sensory and motor dysfunctions of the urinary bladder. The aim of this study was to investigate the spinal neuronal mechanisms responsible for potential cross talk between these visceral organs. Methods: Colonic inflammation was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (5%) in drinking water for 7–12 days (n = 12); another group of rats without dextran sulfate sodium (n = 12) was used as control. Extracellular potentials of single L6 to S2 spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital-anesthetized and paralyzed rats with dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis or normal colon. Urinary bladder distention (0.5–2.0 mL; 20 seconds) was produced with saline inflation, and colorectal distention was induced by inflation of an air balloon (80 mm Hg; 20 seconds). Results: A total of 58 of 153 (38%) and 55 of 152 (36%) spinal neurons responded to urinary bladder distention in dextran sulfate sodium–treated and control animals, respectively. The mean background activity of neurons excited by urinary bladder distention in rats with dextran sulfate sodium–induced colitis was significantly higher than in the control group. The threshold volume for excitatory responses to urinary bladder distention in rats with inflamed colon (0.024 ± 0.09 mL; n=30) was significantly lower than for control rats (0.062 ± 0.016 mL; n=31; P Conclusions: Acute colitis sensitized lumbosacral spinal neurons receiving input from the urinary bladder. Thus, spinal neuronal hyperexcitability may be involved in central cross-organ sensitization of visceral nociception between the colon and urinary bladder.
Correlation of patterns of denitrification instability in replicated bioreactor communities with shifts in the relative abundance and the denitrification patterns of specific populations

To assess the effects of community structure on the stability of denitrification, six chemostat cultures derived from the same denitrifying community were subjected to step increases in feed nitrate concentration and monitored for evidence that denitrification was either not occurring (indicated by the presence of nitrate) or was incomplete (indicated by the presence of nitrite or nitrous oxide). Functional stability was defined and quantified from the pattern of effluent concentration trends of nitrate and denitrification intermediates. Microbial community structure and dynamics were analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Functional stability varied: one chemostat community lost the ability to reduce all of the influent nitrate; others continued to reduce all of the influent nitrate, but accumulated varying amounts of nitrous oxide. The microbial community structure in two of the chemostats diverged from the others, and variation of functional response among chemostats corresponded with the divergence of community structure. The Acidovorax-like terminal restriction fragment (T-RF) dominated the chemostat that accumulated nitrate, and an Acidovorax-like isolate reduced nitrate directly to dinitrogen gas in batch nitrate reduction assays. In the nitrous oxide-accumulating chemostats, the relative abundance of the Pseudomonas-like T-RF was strongly and significantly correlated with the magnitude of nitrous oxide accumulation, and a Pseudomonas-like isolate accumulated nitrous oxide in batch assays.
Active versus passive adaptation: An acoustic study of vowels produced with and without dentures

A nterior teeth are used directly to articulate some speech sounds, such as the consonants /f/ and /v/, and indirectly to produce other speech sounds, such as the consonant /s/. Thus, it is not surprising to find that prostheses or devices placed near teeth, or replacing teeth, alter speech production. In general the literature dealing with speech changes following dental treatment focuses on alterations to consonant production.‘-’ Perceptual judgments of consonants produced with and without dentures reveal mild distortions of sounds such as /s/ and /sh/.4*8 More discrete, physical measures of consonant production reveal a decrease in the frequency spectrum of consonants when subjects are not wearing dentures and an increase in the frequency spectrum of consonants produced with dentures.‘-” Several interpretations are posed to account for the observations of mild distortions and frequency increases noted in consonant sounds produced with dentures. Some studies indicate that the frequency increases result from active alterations in the oral cavity because of a loss in tooth proprioception or changes in tongue position.’ On the other hand, many authors postulate that the distortions and frequency changes reflect the influence of passive features such as physical characteristics of dentures.” Close examination of previously reported frequency data suggests that the lowering of consonant frequencies during speech without dentures may be attributable to subtle lengthening
Physicochemical characterization of cryogenically ground, size separated, fibrogenic particles.

Abstract A method for cryogenically grinding and separating (by size) fibrogenic minerals in the 1-μm size range is described and verified for chrysotile asbestos, quartz, forsterite (an olivine), and tantalum with a battery of analytical tests. Through use of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, neutron activation analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis it is shown that the grinding and separation procedure described does not alter the mineral composition, preserves the trace element composition, maintains the surface composition, and preserves the crystalline structure. Further, investigation of electrokinetic properties of these dusts by electrophoretic quasielastic light scattering is described. The small size dispersity of these samples facilitates use of this technique for the determination of the apparent electrokinetic charge and estimations of surface charge density at ionic strengths below physiological. It is suggested that analyses of the type described here be an integral part of studies of the fibrogenic, immunologic, or toxicologic properties of such minerals. This work has been performed in conjunction with the authors' studies of the effects of these particulates on macrophage ultrastructure and immunologic function in vitro.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PREPARATION

Basic reading, writing, and math skills are the foundation for education. Some students entering vocational programs need remediation in these skills. The Vocational Preparation (Voc Prep) program has been found to raise academic ability, increase retention, and build cooperation among such students while preparing them to enter vocational programs.
SUZ12 Is Required for Both the Histone Methyltransferase Activity and the Silencing Function of the EED-EZH2 Complex

Recent studies have revealed the intrinsic histone methyltransferase (HMTase) activity of the EED-EZH2 complex and its role in Hox gene silencing, X inactivation, and cancer metastasis. In this study, we focus on the function of individual components. We found that the HMTase activity requires a minimum of three components-EZH2, EED, and SUZ12-while AEBP2 is required for optimal enzymatic activity. Using a stable SUZ12 knockdown cell line, we show SUZ12 knockdown results in cell growth defects, which correlate with genome-wide alteration on H3-K27 methylation as well as upregulation of a number of Hox genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay identified a 500 bp region located 4 kb upstream of the HoxA9 transcription initiation site as a SUZ12 binding site, which responds to SUZ12 knockdown and might play an important role in regulating HoxA9 expression. Thus, our study establishes a critical role of SUZ12 in H3-lysine 27 methylation and Hox gene silencing.
Multinational Investment under Uncertainty in the Chemical Processing Industries

This study uses a sample of chemical processing industries to evaluate the effect of two types of uncertainty on the decision to invest in an industry. It analyzes the effects of relative price uncertainty, through exchange rates and input prices, and demand uncertainty on the probability of expansion in a particular country. The study then focuses on the behavior of individual companies, and distinguishes companies by whether or not they are multinationals in the production of the product. The results confirm previous evidence that exchange rate uncertainty has a negative effect on capacity expansions by domestic corporations and no effect on investment by multinational corporations. Finally, the study also shows that expansions of production capacity in this industry are more likely to occur in those countries where capacity utilization is higher.
A review of traditional and novel oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy for dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons

Background Dermatologic surgeons will increasingly encounter patients on novel oral antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications. Objectives We conducted a complete overview of the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and side effects of traditional and novel oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies along with dietary supplements with anticoagulant or antiplatelet properties. Methods A PubMed search was completed for "aspirin," "warfarin," "clopidogrel," "dabigatran," "rivaroxaban," "apixaban," "prasugrel," and "ticagrelor." Review articles and publications emphasizing perioperative management of oral anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications were selected. An additional PubMed search was completed for "hemorrhage," "bleeding," and "thrombosis" in conjunction with "dermatology," "dermatologic surgery," and "cutaneous surgery." Results Aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin have shortfalls in dosing, monitoring, and efficacy. Several trials show superior efficacy with dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban, with equal or reduced risk of bleeding compared with warfarin. Prasugrel and ticagrelor may be associated with an increased bleeding risk. Many over-the-counter medications also have anticoagulant properties with associated bleeding risks that cannot be overlooked. Limitations There are few publications evaluating the novel oral anticoagulants' effects on outpatient surgical procedures. Conclusion Novel anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs are revolutionizing therapy for cardiovascular diseases. As these medications become more prevalent, dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons must be mindful of the bleeding risk that will apply in our everyday practices.
Microwave Plasma Enhancement of Various Flame Geometries at Atmospheric Pressure

A plasma-coupled methane-air flame is produced at atmospheric pressure by a microwave plasma source utilizing a tunable waveguide. Laser diagnostics are used to examine the direct-coupled, plasma-ignited, and sustained flame, for multiple flame types and nozzle geometries. OH radical number densities are quantified using planar laser-induced fluorescence and temperature measured by Rayleigh scattering thermometry. Premixed and nonpremixed flames are studied using both solid and hollow inner conductors in the plasma-applicating nozzle. The plasma source is powered by a continuous 2.45-GHz magnetron producing 360 W of power. Plasma power is controlled by adjusting the reflected microwave power, measured at a dummy load attached to a circulator. Maximum OH radical number densities were quantified as approximately (3 - 5) × 1016 cm-3 for plasma powers around 100 W, with small variation between configurations. The maximum temperatures occurred in the nonpremixed flame, where the plasma is generated in air, reaching values of 3500 K. Temperatures are lower, peaking at 2000 K, when the plasma is generated at the air-fuel boundary or the air-premixed boundary through use of the hollow inner conductor. Additional parameters are adjusted, including flow rates, power level, and equivalence ratio, and the effects are discussed. Nonpremixed configurations are ill suited for flame enhancement, whereas a premixed flow through the hollow electrode best demonstrates nonthermal plasma-assisted combustion.
Paper: Numerical comparison of kalman filter algorithms: Orbit determination case study

Numerical characteristics of various Kalman filter algorithms are illustrated with a realistic orbit determination study. The case study of this paper highlights the numerical deficiencies of the conventional and stabilized Kalman algorithms. Computational errors associated with these algorithms are found to be so large as to obscure important mismodeling effects and thus cause misleading estimates of filter accuracy. The positive result of this study is that the U-D covariance factorization algorithm has excellent numerical properties and is computationally efficient, having CPU costs that differ negligibly from the conventional Kalman costs. Accuracies of the U-D filter using single precision arithmetic consistently match the double precision reference results. Numerical stability of the U-D filter is further demonstrated by its insensitivity to variations in the a priori statistics.