cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Role of Exact and Nonexact Associative Memories in Human and Machine Information Processing

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of exact and nonexact associative memories in human and machine information processing. In living memories, structural elements of information are linked together by associations that serve as storing and retrieving pathways as well. The efficiency and efficacy of storing, modifying, and retrieving information depend on the representation in and the topological structure of the associative memory. Although human information processing is to a large extent serial, a certain level of parallelism also exists. In contrast with conventional, word-oriented machines, computers with associative memories are content-addressable. Parallel processing allows command sequences to be executed simultaneously over large numbers of data sets. The chapter describes three important characteristics of associative memory parallel processing language (AMPPL-II): (1) the structure and dynamic allocation of the memory, (2) the search and flag operation, and (3) the relations. Unlike the expensive and inflexible associative memories built in hardware, the size of the simulated associative memory is determined by the programmer according to his needs.
Miniaturized Flight Data Recorder for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Ultralight Aircrafts

Flight data recorder is a device that records various flight parameters and is able to survive the crash for increasing aviation safety. Aircrafts which can have an impact on the safety of flights in the airspace are becoming smaller and more accessible. Good examples are unmanned aerial vehicles or ultralight aircrafts. It would be appropriate to equip these objects with flight data recorders in order to ensure that every crash will be accompanied to improvement of the aviation safety. While the legitimacy of FDR (flight data recorder) installation into manned objects is pretty obvious, for a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) it is not so clear. There are some cases that the UAV has dropped and damaged some facilities or even dropped on human, additionally loss of often very expensive object should occur as rarely as possible. In both cases, the lifting capacity is very limited so there is requirement to significantly reduce the weight of the recording device. Minimum dimensions and weight are strongly dependent on the assumed conditions of the accident and on the size of the aircraft. The paper describes design of the electronics module, partial concepts of the whole flight data recorder and the first crash survival tests.
Epitaxial growth and dielectric characterization of atomically smooth 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 thin films

The authors report the epitaxial growth and the dielectric properties of relaxor ferroelectric 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 thin films with atomically flat surface on GdScO3 single crystal substrates. The authors studied the effects of growth conditions, such as the substrate temperature and the oxygen pressure on the structure of the thin films, as measured by x-ray diffraction, to identify the optimal growth conditions. The authors achieved sustained layer-by-layer growth of 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 films as monitored by in situ and real time reflective high energy electron diffraction. Atomic force microscopy investigations showed atomically smooth step terrace structures. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy images show good epitaxial relation of the film and the substrate without any line defects. High dielectric constant (∼1400) and slim hysteresis loops in polarization-electric field characteristics were observed in 0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3–0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 films, which are characteristic of relaxor-type ferroelectric materials.
The Perceived Impact of the 2016 Election: A Mediation Model Predicting Health Outcomes

The present study examined the relationship between the self-reported personal impact of the election of President Donald J. Trump, as measured by the Personal Impact of the Election Scale (PIES), and physical and mental health. A sample of 299 MTurk Amazon workers completed an online survey, including measures of the perceived personal impact of the 2016 presidential election, thought suppression, and mental and physical health. A mediation model was tested, with thought suppression included as a mediator of the relationship between the PIES and physical and mental health. Results indicated that thought suppression partially mediated the relationship between the PIES and physical and mental health. Specifically, the perceived impact of the election was positively associated with thought suppression (β = .51, SE = .01, p < .001), which was in turn negatively associated with physical health (β = -.25, SE = .44, p < .001) and mental health (β = -.50, SE = .47, p < .001). The results of this study suggest that perceptions of this sociopolitical event were related to the health of United States citizens and show a need for large-scale interventions to address this relationship, especially for those who feel threatened based on their ethnic or religious background.
mTORC1 and mTORC2 regulate distinct aspects of glutamatergic synaptic transmission

Although mTOR signaling is known as a broad regulator of cell growth and proliferation, in neurons it regulates synaptic transmission, which is thought to be a major mechanism through which altered mTOR signaling leads to neurological disease. Although previous studies have delineated postsynaptic roles for mTOR, whether it regulates presynaptic function is largely unknown. Moreover, the mTOR kinase operates in two complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, suggesting that mTOR9s role in synaptic transmission may be complex-specific. To better understand each complex9s role in synaptic transmission, we genetically inactivated mTORC1 or mTORC2 in cultured mouse glutamatergic hippocampal neurons. Inactivation of either complex reduced neuron growth and evoked EPSCs, however, mTORC1 exerted its effects on eEPSCs at the postsynapse and mTORC2 at the presynapse. Furthermore, inactivation of each complex altered specific modes of synaptic vesicle release, suggesting that mTORC1 and mTORC2 differentially modulate postsynaptic responsiveness and presynaptic release to optimize glutamatergic synaptic transmission.
Current Hualish Focus

In this chapter, I provide a brief overview of Hualish culture at the four organizing levels, and then highlight what many see as imperatives for cultural improvement. These imperatives focus on one or more of the HOPE structural components in the context of the various vital signs, and how elements of these structural components in current specifications (or lack thereof) hinder improvement.
Uncovering issues of ableism in social work education: a disability needs assessment

Social work education’s commitment to teaching inclusive social work practice must not only be evidenced in the explicit curriculum and teaching methods, it must also be present in the implicit cur...
Long-term follow-up for anorectal function after anorectoplasty in patients with high/intermediate imperforate anus: a single center experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and postoperative anorectal function in the patients with high/intermediate imperforate anus (HIA/IIA) treated in our institution. In addition, we report our novel procedure, laparoscopically assisted anorectoplasty with anterior perineal incision (LAARP-API), which allows direct approach to the anterior edge of the puborectal sling and muscle complex, and is useful for the creation of a pulling-through route for the rectal pouch. From 1976 to 2016, 22 patients with HIA and 43 patients with IIA underwent sacroperineal/sacroabdominoperineal pull-through anorectoplasty (SP/SAP), Potts procedure (Potts), SP with API (SP-API) or LAARP-API. Clinical data and anorectal function of those patients were retrospectively evaluated using the Japanese clinical score. Of the 22 cases of HIA, 15 were treated by SAP, 2 were SP and 5 were LAARP-API. Of the 43 cases of IIA, one was treated by SAP, 31 were SP, two were Potts and nine were SP-API. The mean score of anorectal function of HIA/IIA both increased with age. In IIA, the score after SP-API was significantly higher than the score after SP. Long-term outcomes of our anorectoplasty for HIA/IIA are good with excellent anorectal function score.
The infection fatality rate of COVID-19 inferred from seroprevalence data

OObjective To estimate the infection fatality rate of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from data of seroprevalence studies. Methods Population studies with sample size of at least 500 and published as peer-reviewed papers or preprints as of June 7, 2020 were retrieved from PubMed, preprint servers, and communications with experts. Studies on blood donors were included, but studies on healthcare workers were excluded. The studies were assessed for design features and seroprevalence estimates. Infection fatality rate was estimated from each study dividing the number of COVID-19 deaths at a relevant time point by the number of estimated people infected in each relevant region. Correction was also attempted accounting for the types of antibodies assessed. Results 23 studies were identified with usable data to enter into calculations. Seroprevalence estimates ranged from 0.1% to 47%. Infection fatality rates ranged from 0.02% to 0.86% (median 0.26%) and corrected values ranged from 0.02% to 0.78% (median 0.25%). Among people <70 years old, infection fatality rates ranged from 0.00% to 0.26% with median of 0.05% (corrected, 0.00-0.23% with median of 0.04%). Most studies were done in pandemic epicenters and the few studies done in locations with more modest death burden also suggested lower infection fatality rates. Conclusions The infection fatality rate of COVID-19 can vary substantially across different locations and this may reflect differences in population age structure and case-mix of infected and deceased patients as well as multiple other factors. Estimates of infection fatality rates inferred from seroprevalence studies tend to be much lower than original speculations made in the early days of the pandemic.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Pseudomeningocele after Posterior Fossa Surgery: Effect of an Autospray Dural Sealant

Background Posterior fossa craniotomies can be complicated by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, infection, meningitis, neurologic deficits, and intracranial hypotension caused by defective closure of the dura. Secondary dural closures such as pericranial graft, muscle graft, glue, sealants, or fat graft are used. However, there have been few studies examining the use of sealants with a polyethylene glycol and polyethylenimine component. Objective We studied the effect of one such sealant, Adherus® (HyperBranch Medical Technology, Durham, NC, USA), as an adjunct to secondary closure methods in the reduction of the use of abdominal fat grafting and lumbar puncture/drains. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the surgical records of all patients undergoing posterior fossa cranial surgery during a two-year period at a tertiary university affiliated medical center. Results Overall, data a total of 122 patients (62 in the no Adherus and 60 in the Adherus group) were collected. There was no statistically significant difference in the 30-day incisional CSF leak rate (4.1% vs. 6.5%; p=0.183), 30-day non-incisional CSF leak rate (11.3% vs. 5.0%; p=0.205), and 30-day pseudomeningocele rate (16.1% vs. 13.3%; p=0.663) in the no Adherus and Adherus groups, respectively. However, there was a significant reduction in the use of abdominal fat grafting (0% vs. 30.7%; p<0.001) and intraoperative CSF diversion techniques (58.1% vs. 23.3%; p<0.001). Every instance of the use of Adherus saved on average, $809.36. Conclusions A statistically significant reduction in the use of CSF shunting procedures during posterior fossa craniotomy/craniectomy was achieved after the introduction of Adherus with no increase in CSF leak rate.
Computational MRI With Physics-Based Constraints: Application to Multicontrast and Quantitative Imaging

Compressed sensing (CS) takes advantage of a low-dimensional signal structure to reduce sampling requirements to far below the Nyquist rate. In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), this often takes the form of sparsity through wavelet transforms, finite differences, and low-rank extensions. Though powerful, these image priors are phenomenological in nature and do not account for the mechanism behind the image formation. On the other hand, MRI signal dynamics are governed by physical laws, which can be explicitly modeled and used as priors for reconstruction. These explicit and implicit signal priors can be synergistically combined in an inverse-problem framework to recover sharp, multicontrast images from highly accelerated scans. Furthermore, the physics-based constraints provide a recipe for recovering quantitative, biophysical parameters from the data.
Link Budget Analysis of a Vehicle-to-Infrastructure System With a Switchable Circular Monopole Array

In this paper, we examine a fixed-beam linear array for a roadside unit base station and a switched-beam circular array for a vehicular onboard unit in a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication system. The antenna gain patterns from full-wave simulations at 5.90 GHz are positioned and oriented based on a specific geometry that includes the roadside base station position and highway dimensions, and received power is estimated from Friis transmission equation. This analysis demonstrates that the range of communication for a single roadside unit base station is significantly improved by using a switched-beam circular array as an alternative to an omnidirectional antenna.
Identifying Area-Level Disparities in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Coverage Using Geospatial Analysis

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection within the United States (US). Despite clinical agreement on the effectiveness and widespread availability of the prophylactic HPV vaccine, vaccination coverage in the US is suboptimal and varies by geographic region and area-level variables. The goals of this article were to model the variation in vaccination rates among boys and girls within ZIP Codes in Virginia, determine whether neighborhood sociodemographic variables explain variation in HPV vaccination, and identify areas with significantly depressed vaccination coverage. Methods: We used Bayesian hierarchical spatial regression models with statewide immunization registry data to consider the correlation in vaccination among boys and girls, as well as the spatial correlation in vaccination for each sex. Results: The results showed low vaccination coverage in our birth cohort (28.9% in girls and 23.8% in boys) relative to the national level (56.8% and 51.8%, respectively). Several area-level variables were significantly and positively associated with vaccination coverage, including population density, percentage of Hispanic population, and average number of vehicles. In addition, there were several areas of significantly lowered vaccination coverage, including predominantly rural ones, and overall large geographic disparities in HPV vaccination. Conclusions: Determining the geospatial patterning and area-level factors associated with HPV vaccination within a prescribed geographic area helps to inform future planning efforts. Impact: The results of this study will help inform future planning efforts for geographically targeted interventions and policies, as well as drive new research to implement clinical and community strategies to increase HPV vaccination.
Embedded Autonomy, Political Institutions and Access Orders

We construct a model of "embedded autonomy," the idea that closeness of bureaucrats and business people may lead to growth-promoting policies by the government, though at the risk of leading to crony capitalism. We analyze how the level of monitoring to control corruption and the weight given to the future affect the nature of the possible outcomes. We explore possible tradeoffs between growth and inclusiveness, and discuss how our model relates to more general concepts of inclusiveness of institutions, as framed by Acemoglu and Robinson, or the nature of "access orders," as introduced by North, Wallis and Weingast.
The impact of faculty and student pharmacist relationships on burnout.

Abstract Background Students in healthcare professions, including pharmacy students, are at an increased risk for psychological distress. Unfortunately, effective efforts to combat burnout for pharmacy students are still lacking in the literature and creates a void in schools and colleges of pharmacy that seek to assist their students. Objectives The objective of this study was to explore how increasing positive out of class interactions between the pharmacy students and faculty members affect burnout, especially in work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement. Professional fulfillment was also assessed as a primary outcome. Methods The institutional review board approved this study consisting of 4 faculty members and 12 students. After providing informed consent, the participants were assigned to one of four groups. Each group included 1 faculty member and 3 students. At the start of the study, each participant completed a modified Stanford Professionalism Index questionnaire to measure baseline burnout characteristics and initial level of professional fulfillment. For 8 weeks, the groups met weekly to discuss a topic related to burnout and professional fulfillment. After 8 weeks, each participant completed the post-questionnaire. Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests were performed to the mean scores (pre vs. post) in each of the 3 constructs. The statistical significance was set at p Results The results of the Wilcoxon Signed-rank analysis showed a significant difference in the burnout constructs, work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement. There was not a significant change in professional fulfillment. Conclusions Improving relationships between pharmacy students and faculty through increasing out of class interactions benefits individuals who are at risk of experiencing burnout. Future initiatives can focus on effective strategies that target work exhaustion and interpersonal disengagement and build on the social networks that develop in pharmacy school.
Genetic identification of a major, novel and stably expressed QTL for effective tiller number from tetraploid wheat

Effective tiller number (ETN) is an important factor affecting plant architecture and wheat yield. The reduction of genetic diversity in common wheat breeding forces us to explore new genetic resou...
What we learn from the study of ubiquitous processes: Research Sections

Software engineering has come to recognise the value of software processes as vehicles for addressing such goals as improved efficiency in software development, the achievement of improved product quality, and better coordination and communication of the members of software teams. Greater clarity, completeness, and precision in defining these processes seem to lead to greater effectiveness in pursuing these goals. The languages and notations used to support definition of such processes seem to be relatively successful in supporting these definitions, but more progress towards better languages and notations seems indicated. This article suggests that processes are also central to the effective pursuit of essential goals in a broad spectrum of other domains of human endeavour. We suggest that the study of how processes are used in those other domains to pursue goals that are essential in those domains can help us to reflect on our goals for the use of process in software development. Further, we suggest that observing the process language features that seem to facilitate the pursuit of goals in these other domains can similarly suggest features that would seem analogously important in languages used to support the definition of software processes. This article examines the use of processes in domains other than software development and uses observations about these processes to suggest desiderata for software development processes, and the languages used to define them. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vasopressin Infusion with Small-Volume Fluid Resuscitation during Hemorrhagic Shock Promotes Hemodynamic Stability and Survival in Swine.

Introduction Current management of hemorrhagic shock (HS) in the battlefield and civilian settings favors small-volume fluid resuscitation before controlling the source of bleeding. We investigated in a swine model of HS the effects of vasopressin infusion along with small-volume fluid resuscitation; with erythropoietin (EPO) and HS severity as additional factors.
Using AEJMC Conference Abstracts in Journalism and Mass Communication: An Introductory Awareness Tool for Librarians

Journalism and mass communication research constitute a vibrant and creative arena in which many emerging interests and subjects converge. Surveying and using conference papers is a sound approach to gaining insight into trends, if not recent research topics and prevailing interests of a given field. This cursory examination of AEJMC conferences for 2000-2009 offers an open window into the trends and preoccupation’s of researchers in the journalism and mass communication field. Examination and discussion of data, reveals particular loci of specialization and emergent trends. As an awareness tool and approach the use of conferences and their respective listings is a valuable tool for librarians engaged in reference, instruction, as well as collection management.
Qualitative Research in Activity Systems Analysis

When researchers and practitioners engage in investigations using an activity theory framework, they need to follow sound qualitative research methods. An investigator can arrive at meaningful and trustworthy activity theoretical conclusions only if s/he has a comprehensive data set that represents authentic participant experiences. The results of activity theory research cannot be of high quality if the investigator does not engage in sound qualitative research. Therefore, it is critical that researchers and practitioners are as well versed in qualitative research as they are in Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT).
The role of paired basic amino acids in mediating proteolytic cleavage of prosomatostatin: analysis using site-directed mutagenesis

Abstract Many small peptide hormones are synthesized as larger precursors in which the mature hormone sequence is flanked by pairs of basic amino acids. These precursors often undergo extensive post-translational modifications; a critical step in this process is proteolytic excision of the hormone at the paired basic residues. To determine the role of paired basic amino acids as recognition signals for cleavage by processing enzymes, we investigated the heterologous expression of prosomatostatin (the pro-somatotropin release inhibiting factor (pro-SRIF). Pro-SRIF is one of the simplest peptide hormone precursors, possessing a single copy of the 14-residue SRIF peptide at its carboxyl terminus preceded by the least common pair of basic amino acids, Arg-Lys. Employing site-directed mutagenesis, we altered the paired basic cleavage site to the more common Arg-Arg and Lys-Arg residues. The native and mutated precursors were expressed in rat pituitary GH3 cells and mouse 3T3 cells using a retroviral vector. Alteration of the paired basic residues had no effect on the specificity of proteolytic cleavage as both the native and mutant precursors were processed with 70 to 80% efficiency in GH3 cells. Surprisingly, when the mutant pro-SRIFs were expressed in 3T3 cells, which do not process the native precursor, the Arg-Arg and Lys-Arg precursors were processed with 16 and 20% efficiency, respectively. The role of an acidic compartment in mediating pro-SRIF cleavage was also investigated using low concentrations of the lysosomotrophic drug Chloroquine. Twenty-five microM Chlorquine completely inhibited pro-SRIF cleavage and intracellular storage; the unprocessed precursor was secreted into the medium. We conclude that (i) exposure to an acidic compartment is required for pro-SRIF maturation, and (ii) the conformation of the processing site, rather than the composition of the basic amino acids, defines cleavage specificity by prohormone processing enzymes.
A coenzyme A-dependent adenosinetriphosphate orthophosphate exchange reaction: II. Studies with O18 and P32☆

Abstract An enzyme-catalyzed, CoA 2 -dependent P i 32 -ATP exchange was followed with O 18 , P 32 -labeled P i . Analysis of the ATP 32 resulting from this exchange with rabbit muscle ATPase and potato apyrase revealed that O 18 was incorporated into the terminal bridge position of ATP to the same extent that P 32 appeared in the terminal phosphoryl position. This result implicates an adenosinediphosphoryl intermediate in the exchange reaction. It further differentiates the CoA-dependent exchange from that catalyzed by succinic thiokinase, since in the latter case the ratio of P 32 incorporated into the terminal (γ) phosphoryl of ATP to the O 18 incorporated into the terminal bridge of ATP is much greater than 1.
Climate Change, Industrial Transformation, and “Environmental Growth Traps”

This paper examines the potential interactions in the global economy between the impacts of climate change on productivity with existing technology, and increasing returns in the development of less vulnerable and lower-emission technology. A simple specification is used in which the global economy can produce a single homogeneous consumption good with two different technologies. The “old” technology has global diminishing returns to scale and depends on the use of fossil energy that gives rise to long-lived, damaging climate change. The “new” technology has convex-concave production due to set-up cost and is not vulnerable to climate change. Through simulations we show that if output with the new technology does not grow fast enough to move through the phase of increasing returns, then the economy could experience an “environmental growth trap”—lingering at a low level of income indefinitely, or achieving some progress but then getting driven back to a lower level of income by productivity-reducing environmental degradation. We discuss how the prospects of such a trap depend on the productivity and energy intensity of the old technology as well as the magnitude of the set-up cost.
Infectious cycle analysis of a Borrelia burgdorferi mutant defective in transport of chitobiose, a tick cuticle component.

Chitobiose is the dimer subunit of chitin, a component of tick cuticle and peritrophic matrix, which is not found in mammals. The Borrelia burgdorferi chbC gene is required for the use of chitobios...
Responses of Salt Marsh Plant Rhizosphere Diazotroph Assemblages to Changes in Marsh Elevation, Edaphic Conditions and Plant Host Species

An important source of new nitrogen in salt marsh ecosystems is microbial diazotrophy (nitrogen fixation). The diazotroph assemblages associated with the rhizospheres (sediment directly affected by the roots) of salt marsh plants are highly diverse, somewhat stable, and consist mainly of novel organisms. In Crab Haul Creek Basin, North Inlet, SC, the distribution of plant types into discrete zones is dictated by relatively minor differences in marsh elevation and it was hypothesized that the biotic and abiotic properties of the plant zones would also dictate the composition of the rhizosphere diazotroph assemblages. Over a period of 1 year, rhizosphere sediments were collected from monotypic stands of the black needlerush, Juncus roemerianus, the common pickleweed, Salicornia virginica, the short and tall growth forms of the smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora, and a mixed zone of co-occurring S. virginica and short form, S. alterniflora. DNA was extracted, purified and nifH sequences PCR amplified for denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis to determine the composition of the diazotroph assemblages. The diazotroph assemblages were strongly influenced by season, abiotic environmental parameters and plant host. Sediment chemistry and nitrogen fixation activity were also significantly influenced by seasonal changes. DGGE bands that significantly affected seasonal and zone specific clustering were identified and most of these sequences were from novel diazotrophs, unaffiliated with any previously described organisms. At least one third of the recovered nifH sequences were from a diverse assemblage of Chlorobia, and γ-, α-, β- and δ-Proteobacteria. Diazotrophs that occurred throughout the growing season and among all zones (frequently detected) were also mostly novel. These significant sequences indicated that diazotrophs driving the structure of the assemblages were diverse, versatile, and some were ubiquitous while others were seasonally responsive. Several ubiquitous sequences were closely related to sequences of actively N2 fixing diazotrophs previously recovered from this system. These sequences from ubiquitous and versatile organisms likely indicate the diazotrophs in these rhizosphere assemblages that significantly contribute to ecosystem function.
Generalized stacking fault energy, ideal strength and twinnability of dilute Mg-based alloys: A first-principles study of shear deformation

Abstract In an effort to establish a scientific foundation for the computational development of advanced Mg-based alloys, a systematic study of the generalized stacking fault (GSF) energy curves has been undertaken. Additionally, the associated stable and unstable stacking and twinning fault energies, ideal shear strengths, and comparative twinnability have been investigated in terms of first-principles calculations for dilute Mg-based alloys of type Mg 95 X. These GSF properties are predicted using the simple and especially the pure alias shear deformations on the basal (0 0 0 1) plane and along the [ 1 0 1 ¯ 0 ] direction of the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) lattice. Fourteen alloying elements (X) are considered herein, namely Al, Ca, Cu, La, Li, Mn, Sc, Si, Sn, Sr, Ti, Y, Zn and Zr. The following conclusions are obtained: (i) the fault energies and the ideal shear strengths of Mg 95 X alloys decrease approximately linearly with an increasing equilibrium volume of X (or Mg 95 X), with the exceptions being for alloying elements Al, Cu, Si and Zn; (ii) alloying elements Sr and La greatly increase the twin propensity of hcp Mg, while Mn, Ti and Zr exhibit opposite trends; and (iii) the observed variation in GSF properties for hcp Mg caused by alloying elements X can be directly traced to the distribution of the differential charge density (Δ ρ )—a spherical distribution of Δ ρ facilitates the redistribution of charge and shear deformation, resulting in lower shear-related properties, such as stacking fault energy and ideal shear strength. Computed GSF properties of Mg 95 X are shown to agree with available experimental and other theoretical results in the literature.
What is the Ground State of Ni(O2)

The separation between the 3B1 and 1A1 states of Ni(O2) is computed using density functional theory (DFT), internally contracted multireference configuration interaction with the multireference analogue of the Davidson correction (IC-MRCI+Q), and coupled-cluster with single and double (and perturbative) triple excitations (CCSD(T)) approaches. Although IC-MRCI+Q and DFT both predict a 3B1 ground state, the CCSD(T) predicts a 1A1 ground state. We suggest that the true separation lies between the IC-MRCI+Q and CCSD(T) values, and that the ground state is likely 1A1, despite the IC-MRCI+Q result. We also show that Ni(O2)- has a quartet ground state and, therefore, the 1A1 state of Ni(O2) is probably not observed in the anion photoelectron spectra.
Differences in aquatic communities between wetlands created by an agricultural water recycling system

Establishment of an agricultural water recycling system known as the wetland reservoir subirrigation system (WRSIS) results in the creation of two different types of wetlands adjacent to agricultural fields. Each WRSIS consists of one treatment wetland designed to process agricultural contaminants (WRSIS wetlands) and one storage wetland for holding subirrigation water (WRSIS reservoirs). Previous WRSIS related research has focused on the filtration ability and development of aquatic plants within WRSIS wetlands. The fauna of the WRSIS reservoirs and how its aquatic community structure compares with WRSIS wetlands is unknown. We compared fish, amphibian, and reptile community structure between WRSIS wetlands and reservoirs in northwestern Ohio. Fishes, amphibians, and reptiles were sampled by seining, hoop netting, and gee minnow trapping in three WRSIS wetlands and three WRSIS reservoirs in June of 2006, 2007, and 2008. No difference in species richness, abundance, percent fish, percent reptiles, fish abundance, or reptile abundance occurred between the smaller shallower WRSIS wetlands and the deeper larger WRSIS reservoirs. Percent amphibians and amphibian abundance was greater in WRSIS wetlands than reservoirs. Jaccard’s index scores ranged from 0 to 0.5 and indicated species composition differed between WRSIS wetlands and reservoirs. Our results assisted with the development of design and management criteria incorporating wetland size, hydrology, and upland habitat intended to enable WRSIS wetlands to function primarily as amphibian habitat and the reservoirs to function as fish habitat.
Developing a wetland IBI with statewide application after multiple testing iterations

Abstract An index of biotic integrity (IBI) is a frequently used approach for assessing the ecological integrity of streams with fish and macroinvertebrates the faunal assemblages most commonly used as indicator taxa. The IBI approach has been much less commonly applied to wetlands, despite the legal, policy and scientific need to assess wetland condition and develop ecological performance goals for wetland creation, restoration and enhancement. While some IBIs are sophisticated systems with statewide application that have undergone one or more testing iterations, many published IBIs are derived from single data sets of a single class of aquatic resource with limited geographic application. The State of Ohio initiated development of a wetland IBI using vascular plants in 1996. Sampling methods were investigated and ultimately a plot-based method was adopted. Potential attributes and different human disturbance gradients were evaluated in several studies. Ultimately, IBIs for emergent, forest and shrub dominated wetlands were developed. Data from the Vegetation IBI-emergent (VIBI-E) is presented to illustrate this process. Subsequent testing and refinement is a critical step in the development of a robust IBI with more than local application. Throughout its initial development (R2 = 0.863, p
Experimental determination of rare earth fractionation patterns in partial melts from peridotite in the upper mantle

Rare earth element patterns of partial melts of a natural peridotite with a chondrite-like rare earth pattern as starting material have been experimentally determined at high pressure. The experimental data are combined with major element data on the same partial melts to test the applicability of models of volatile-free melting of peridotite to rock-forming processes in the upper mantle. Alkali basalts could not have been formed by partial melting of peridotite in the absence of volatiles because the major and trace element abundances produced experimentally are not compatible with those of natural alkali basalts. Abyssal tholeiite without light rare earth element depletion can be derived from volatile-free peridotite by direct partial melting. Suites of abyssal tholeiite and picritic basalt may have been formed by a two-stage melting process from a common peridotite source. The peridotite residue must have lost clinopyroxene and garnet at the time of formation of picritic melt. Abyssal tholeiites with depletion of light rare earth elements could have been derived only from a peridotite source that has been depleted of the same elements prior to the melting event yielding the tholeiite.
Antheridogen activity in the fern Ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn.

Spores of the homosporous fern Ceratopteris thalictroides, in multispore culture, initially produce spatulate gametophytes bearing only antheridia (males) and cordate gametophytes bearing both antheridia and archegonia (hermaphrodites). When multispore cultures are sampled, the ratio of male to hermaphroditic gametophytes is a constant for each population examined. Four possible causes of such a sex ratio (cytoplasmic inheritance, nuclear inheritance, incipient heterospory and an antheridogen) are investigated. Evidence presented indicates that an antheridogen causes the existence of two gametophyte types, while one or more cytoplasmic units are the probable cause of the sex ratio. The activity of the antheridogen is to cause potentially hermaphroditic plants to become male. This activity was elucidated in monospore culture. Populational differences in antheridogen activity are also demonstrated. The significance of antheridogens is discussed in relation to the mating system of these plants.
Protein Kinase C (PKC) δ Suppresses Keratinocyte Proliferation by Increasing p21Cip1 Level by a KLF4 Transcription Factor-dependent Mechanism

PKCδ increases keratinocyte differentiation and suppresses keratinocyte proliferation and survival. However, the mechanism of proliferation suppression is not well understood. The present studies show that PKCδ overexpression increases p21Cip1 mRNA and protein level and promoter activity and that treatment with dominant-negative PKCδ, PKCδ-siRNA, or rottlerin inhibits promoter activation. Analysis of the p21Cip1 promoter upstream regulatory region reveals three DNA segments that mediate PKCδ-dependent promoter activation. The PKCδ response element most proximal to the transcription start site encodes six GC-rich DNA elements. Mutation of these sites results in a loss of PKCδ-dependent promoter activation. Gel mobility supershift and chromatin immunoprecipitation reveal that these DNA elements bind the Kruppel-like transcription factor KLF4. PKCδ increases KLF4 mRNA and protein level and KLF4 binding to the GC-rich elements in the p21Cip1 proximal promoter. In addition, KLF4-siRNA inhibits PKCδ-dependent p21Cip1 promoter activity. PKCδ increases KLF4 expression leading to enhanced KLF4 interaction with the GC-rich elements in the p21Cip1 promoter to activate transcription.
FPGA implementation of low-power split-radix FFT processors

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is one of the fundamental operations in digital signal processing area. Splitradix Fast Fourier Transform (SRFFT) approximates the minimum number of multiplications by theory among all the FFT algorithms, therefore SRFFT is a good candidate for the implementation of a low power FFT processor. In this PhD work, we aim to implement a novel low power Split-Radix FFT processor using shared-memory architecture and extend this work to a parallel structure based on FPGA. We started by designing a new radix-2 butterfly unit using clock gating approach to block unnecessary switching activity in the multiplier. Compared to existing SRFFT processors which are based on the “L” shaped butterfly, our implementation simplifies the address generation process for FFT data. Furthermore, because the number of multiplications required by SRFFT algorithm significantly decreases as the FFT size increases, it is reasonable to assume the proposed architecture will save more power when it comes to larger points of FFT.
Animal performance and economic comparison of novel and toxic endophyte tall fescues to cool-season annuals.

Increased costs of annual establishment of small grain pasture associated with fuel, machinery, and labor are eroding the profitability of stocker cattle enterprises. Interest has therefore increased in development of cool-season perennial grasses that are persistent and high quality. This study occurred on 24 ha (divided into thirty 0.81-ha paddocks) located at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Livestock and Forestry Branch Station, near Batesville. Two tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cultivars infected with novel endophytes (NE), Jesup infected with AR542 endophyte (Jesup AR542), and HiMag infected with Number 11 endophyte (HM11) were established in September 2002. Jesup AR542 and HM11 were compared with endemic endophyte Kentucky 31 (KY-31) tall fescue; wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and cereal rye (WR, Secale cereale L.) planted in September 2003, 2004, and 2005; and annual ryegrass [RG, Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] planted in September 2004 and 2005. Each year, 3 steers (3.7 steers/ha) were placed on each pasture for fall and winter grazing, and 5 steers (6.2 steers/ha) were placed on each pasture for spring grazing. Animal performance is presented by year in the presence of a year x treatment interaction (P or = 0.14). Body weight gain per hectare was least (P < 0.01) for steers grazing KY-31. Average net return of NE tall fescue was greater (P < 0.01) than KY-31, but profitability of NE did not consistently differ from cool-season annuals. Across the 3-yr study, NE tall fescue produced net returns per hectare of $219; this level of profitability would require 4 yr for a new planting of NE tall fescue to break even. Novel endophyte tall fescues offer potential benefits related to decreased risk of stand establishment of annual forage crops, longer growing season, and acceptable animal performance.
Error detection and correction with the IDT49C466

Abstract Until recently parity has been the traditional method of data protection. Parity, however, has several drawbacks: it masks out even bit errors, it cannot locate the bit in error and beyond a certain buswidth it can become inefficient. These factors have led to the development of a new breed of devices for data protection. Error detection and correction circuits (EDSs or EDACs) are today's response to the growing need for greater data reliability. They afford a greater level of protection than that offered by parity, by using a higher order error correction code (modified Hamming code).
Surprising behavior of pinned vortices in YBCO films

Abstract We have measured the sheet inductance of vortices created in YBCO films by an external perpendicular field (0 to 6 Tesla), concentrating on the vortex-glass phase. Thermal fluctuations of each vortex about its pinning site cause the average pinning parameter, k(T,B), for B 3 1 Tesla to decrease linearly with T, as expected. However, many other important features of the data are puzzling. Lattice defects responsible for the very strong pinning of vortices in films at high fields (>Z 1 T) remain unidentified. Vortices created by fields less than about 300 G have an anomalously small k. Most interesting, there are regimes of T and B in the vortex-glass phase where large patches of the vortex glass become depinned for times ranging from milliseconds to minutes.
Dose-related response of centrally administered epinephrine on the change in aortic diastolic pressure during closed-chest massage in dogs.

The current recommendation of the American Heart Association is to give 0.5 to 1.0 mg (7.5 to 15 μg/kg in a 70-kg man) of epinephrine intravenously every five minutes during cardiac arrest. The optimal dose of epinephrine to augment the aortic diastolic pressure (ADP) is not known. The effect of various doses of central bolus epinephrine on the ADP during closed-chest massage was studied. A group of 25 large dogs was divided equally into five groups: control and 15, 45, 75, and 150 μg/kg. After three minutes of cardiac arrest, closed-chest massage was initiated, and the study drug was given two minutes later. The ADP and right atrial pressures were monitored for 15 minutes. Changes in ADP peaked at two minutes after injection in all groups receiving epinephrine, and the drop in ADP over time noted in the control group was prevented by increasing doses of epinephrine. Among the groups receiving epinephrine, however, there was no difference in the absolute ADP and diastolic coronary perfusion pressure.
METHIMAZOLE-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Objective: To present the case of a patient with Graves' hyperthyroidism in whom treatment with methim-azole led to severe cholestasis. Methods: A detailed case report and an overview of previously published cases of methimazole- and carbima-zole-induced hepatotoxicity, found in a MEDLINE search with use of methimazole, carbimazole, thionamides, and antithyroid agents as subject headings, are provided. Results: In a 36-year-old woman with severe hyperthyroidism, treatment with methimazole (20 mg twice daily) was initiated. Nineteen days later, pruritus, scleral icterus, dark urine, and abdominal discomfort prompted discontinuation of the therapy. Laboratory investigations and abdominal ultrasonography showed findings consistent with a cholestatic reaction to methimazole. Recovery was slow but complete. Of the 30 previously published cases of hepatotoxicity related to treatment with methima-zole or carbimazole in which the nature of the hepatic injury was described, 19 were also cholestatic. Conclusion: Ph...
Parasitization of melon fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) by Fopius arisanus and Psyttalia fletcheri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the effect of fruit substrates on host preference by parasitoids

Abstract Fopius arisanus and Psyttalia fletcheri are egg and larval parasitoids, respectively, of tephritid fruit flies including the melon fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae . We investigated the consequences of parasitization when eggs or larvae of melon flies were exposed to F. arisanus or P. fletcheri alone, or to both in succession. In addition, we evaluated the effect of fruit substrates on host preference by gravid parasitoids. F. arisanus parasitized 45% of melon fly eggs in the cohort after a 24-h exposure period. The proportion of parasitized hosts increased 2-fold when melon fly larvae were exposed to P. fletcheri alone, or when host immatures were exposed sequentially to both parasitoids. While P. fletcheri could readily develop on melon fly, F. arisanus rarely produced progeny. Life table calculations indicated that parasitization by F. arisanus resulted in host kills of 38, 40, and 47% in egg, larval, and pupal stages of the melon fly, respectively, while parasitization by P. fletcheri resulted in larval and pupal mortalities of 24 and 79%, respectively. Sequential exposure of melon fly eggs to F. arisanus , then larvae to P. fletcheri , resulted in host kills of 52, 56, and 91% during the egg, larval and pupal stages, respectively. Parasitization by F. arisanus , P. fletcheri , or both, suppressed melon fly development by 2-, 5-, and 12-fold, respectively. Given a choice of fruit types, F. arisanus and P. fletcheri preferred melon fly in zucchini squash, Cucurbita pepo , over those in Japanese eggplant, Solanum melongena , Chinese bitter melon, Momordica charantia , Japanese cucumber, Cucumis sativus , and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum . This study provides basic information needed for future work on single or multispecies releases of parasitoids for biological control of the melon fly.