cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Students' Understanding of Sustainability and Climate Change Across Linked Service-Learning Courses

ABSTRACT College and university faculty are increasingly being called upon to teach about sustainability. Many of these faculty members are incorporating content related to climate change because climate change is arguably the biggest threat to global sustainability. However, the concept of sustainability is complex, interdisciplinary, and potentially difficult to teach. Further, students may feel paralyzed in the face of climate change. Thus, delivering a course that effectively covers the concept of sustainability while also empowering students to take action against climate change is difficult. The goal of this article is to describe a joint effort between four college courses in different disciplines that used service-learning projects focused on climate change as a tool to teach sustainability concepts. Although the four courses were rooted in different disciplines, they intentionally shared common components and assignments, including community service projects, shared readings and reflections, and ...
Applications of Stable Mercury Isotopes to Biogeochemistry

The application of mercury (Hg) stable isotopes to problems in environmental chemistry is relatively new, but is a rapidly expanding field of investigation. Interest in this isotope system has been stimulated by concerns regarding the global distribution of mercury, its tendency to be methylated and bioaccumulated in the environment, and the severe health affects associated with this toxic metal. Mercury displays mass-dependent isotope fractionation during most biotic and abiotic chemical transformations. Additionally, mercury displays mass-independent fractionation, mainly during photochemical radical pair reactions, wherein the reactivity of odd and even mass number isotopes differs. The combination of mass-dependent and mass-independent fractionation provides a new and much needed probe into the reaction pathways and history of mercury in biogeochemical systems, and also provides an isotopic fingerprint of various mercury sources to the environment.
Polypharmacy and risk of non-fatal overdose for patients with HIV infection and substance dependence

Introduction People living with HIV (PLWH) are at risk of both polypharmacy and unintentional overdose yet there are few data on whether polypharmacy increases risk of overdose. The study objective was to determine if the number and type of medication (e.g., sedating) were associated with non-fatal overdose (OD) among PLWH with past-year substance dependence or a lifetime history of injection drug use.
Learning Graphical State Transitions

Graph-structured data is important in modeling relationships between multiple entities, and can be used to represent states of the world as well as many data structures. Li et al. (2016) describe a model known as a Gated Graph Sequence Neural Network (GGS-NN) that produces sequences from graph-structured input. In this work I introduce the Gated Graph Transformer Neural Network (GGT-NN), an extension of GGS-NNs that uses graph-structured data as an intermediate representation. The model can learn to construct and modify graphs in sophisticated ways based on textual input, and also to use the graphs to produce a variety of outputs. For example, the model successfully learns to solve almost all of the bAbI tasks (Weston et al., 2016), and also discovers the rules governing graphical formulations of a simple cellular automaton and a family of Turing machines.
A 10-minute measure of global cognition: Validation of the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS).

Abstract Introduction Schizophrenia is marked by a global cognitive impairment that contributes significantly to chronic disability and unemployment. As new treatments are developed for cognition in schizophrenia, clinicians require easily administered instruments to assess cognition. We previously developed a very brief cognitive battery (Bell et al., 2005). The Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia (B-CATS) was developed specifically to provide clinicians with a way to assess cognition in their patients with schizophrenia. Here, we report the results of a validity study comparing B-CATS to a larger neurocognitive battery, the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) battery. Methods Outpatients with schizophrenia (N = 91) were administered the B-CATS and the non-overlapping tests of the MATRICS battery at two time points separated by 1 month. They were also administered the UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment-Brief (UPSA-B), a measure of functional capacity. Result The B-CATS has an administration time of approximately 10 min. It demonstrates good test-retest reliability and internal consistency. It correlates 0.76 (p Conclusion A 10-minute version of the B-CATS correlates highly with the “gold standard” neurocognitive battery that has an administration time of over 60 min. Both measures correlate moderately with a measure of functional capacity. This brief battery was designed to allow clinicians to monitor cognitive change and better inform treatment decisions.
A dasymetric method to spatially apportion tornado casualty counts

This paper describes a dasymetric technique to spatially apportion casualty counts from tornado events in the US Storm Prediction Center's database. Apportionment is a calculation of the number of ...
Modeling study of elemental mercury depletion during plume episodes in Ohio River Valley

Located in the heart of the Ohio River Valley Region, Athens is affected by a wide variety of anthropogenic point-sources, which affect the observed mercury concentrations. A high variability in the RGM concentration has been observed at the Athens supersite, which leads to a variety of distinct mercury "episodes". Many of the episodes can be attributed to nearby point-sources including coal-fired power plants. Other episodes may occur due to meteorological stagnation, inversions, or the advection of an air mass with poor air quality. Athens, Ohio, episodes are most numerous in the spring, late summer, and early fall. Whereas some of the episodes feature a sudden and drastic elemental mercury increase, others display a significant loss of background elemental mercury within or just prior to the event. This Hg0 decrease was observed with simultaneous increase of RGM during the night time. This paper more closely examines the episodic nature of mercury depletion events at the Athens site, in terms of chemical transformation. A two phase box model was employed to simulate these episodes and to evaluate chemical transformation of mercury during the plume episodes. The box modeling results indicated that Hg0 decrease was attributed to oxidation by Cl2 and O3.
Application of reinforcement learning to detect and mitigate airspace loss of separation events

The volume of both manned and unmanned air traffic in the National Airspace (NAS) is projected to increase substantially over the coming decades with the consequence of increasing Air Traffic Control (ATC) workload, airspace congestion and the risk of mid-air collisions. Current ATC traffic management practices are human intensive. Separation is managed by ATC through open-loop vectoring and monitored on-board through collision avoidance systems such as the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). In this paper, we discuss a machine learning based system that uses real-time system-wide traffic surveillance data to identify anomalous traffic behaviors that can lead to loss of separation (LOS) events. Specifically, this work presents an application of reinforcement learning to detect and mitigate impending airspace loss of separation events. We discuss the model representation and learning techniques, demonstrate the alert and recommended model actions, review our findings, and highlight future steps. With the mandatory Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) usage being enforced in the NAS by 2020, it is expected that a significant amount of real-time traffic surveillance data will be available to leverage and build upon the developed technique.
DNA Sequence Recognition by Proteins

A protein's ability to recognize a specific deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence is essential for many biological processes, including initiation of replication and transcription and regulation of gene expression and development. Understanding the principles that govern these recognition events is therefore very important. In general, proteins that bind DNA use structural motifs that provide complementarity to the unique shape and electrostatic properties of the DNA double helix. Specificity arises partly through recognition of the pattern of functional groups presented by nucleotide bases in the DNA helix and partly through recognition of changes in helical structure caused by a given sequence. Although the number of specific protein–DNA interactions formed in a typical cell is immense, there are a relatively small number of structural motifs that are used by DNA-binding proteins. Proteins accomplish DNA recognition through a set of recurring structural themes that have been individually fine-tuned by evolution to bind to specific sequences. A number of DNA-binding proteins contain multiple repeats of these motifs, greatly increasing the binding affinity and specificity that can be achieved. This article summarizes the structural and chemical properties of proteins and DNA that contribute to sequence-specific recognition.
Probabilistic voltage sensitivity analysis (PVSA) for random spatial distribution of active consumers

The future grid is expected to support many active consumers who will act as prosumers, and schedule their load as well as generation in accordance with real-time electricity prices. The impact of spatially distributed active consumers with rooftop photovoltaics on the distribution system must be quantified for operational planning. Most current studies are scenario-based, and derived results are scenario specific. Determining the impact of multiple active consumers with temporally variable behavior requires investigation of a large number of scenarios, which is computationally complex using current iterative power flow algorithms. This paper presents an upper bound for change in voltage at a particular bus due to change in power at other buses in a radial distribution network. Next, this bound is used to derive the probability distribution of voltage change at a bus due to random behavior of spatially distributed multiple active consumers. Results from the proposed probabilistic voltage sensitivity analysis (PVSA) are validated via traditional scenario based simulation of the IEEE 69 bus test system.
Exercise modulates the interaction between cognition and anxiety in humans.

Despite interest in exercise as a treatment for anxiety disorders the mechanism behind the anxiolytic effects of exercise is unclear. Two observations motivate the present work. First, engagement o...
Participation from above and below: Brand community and the contestation of cultural participation:

This article draws on work in communication and marketing studies to develop a theory of cultural participation as fundamentally contested, between cultural producers who aim to steer and manage th...
Food Bioactive HDAC Inhibitors in the Epigenetic Regulation of Heart Failure

Approximately 5.7 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with heart failure (HF). More concerning is that one in nine U.S. deaths included HF as a contributing cause. Current HF drugs (e.g., β-blockers, ACEi) target intracellular signaling cascades downstream of cell surface receptors to prevent cardiac pump dysfunction. However, these drugs fail to target other redundant intracellular signaling pathways and, therefore, limit drug efficacy. As such, it has been postulated that compounds designed to target shared downstream mediators of these signaling pathways would be more efficacious for the treatment of HF. Histone deacetylation has been linked as a key pathogenetic element for the development of HF. Lysine residues undergo diverse and reversible post-translational modifications that include acetylation and have historically been studied as epigenetic modifiers of histone tails within chromatin that provide an important mechanism for regulating gene expression. Of recent, bioactive compounds within our diet have been linked to the regulation of gene expression, in part, through regulation of the epi-genome. It has been reported that food bioactives regulate histone acetylation via direct regulation of writer (histone acetyl transferases, HATs) and eraser (histone deacetylases, HDACs) proteins. Therefore, bioactive food compounds offer unique therapeutic strategies as epigenetic modifiers of heart failure. This review will highlight food bio-actives as modifiers of histone deacetylase activity in the heart.
Transcription Factors in the Pineapple Genome

Transcription factors (TFs) and transcription coregulators (TCs) play important roles in regulating plant growth and development, physiological and metabolic processes, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Genome-wide identification of TFs and TCs was performed in pineapple. The tissue-specific and diurnal expression of pineapple TFs and TCs was characterized via global transcriptomic analysis. A set of diurnal cycling TFs and TCs was identified using time-course gene expression analysis. The resources provide important information for studying developmental biology, stress physiology, and disease resistance in pineapple. The resources also provide essential information for understanding the circadian regulation of crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) in pineapple.
Evaluation and characterization of Pd-Ag composite membrane fabricated by surfactant induced electroless plating (SIEP) for hydrogen separation

Dense Pd-Ag/MPSS composite membranes were fabricated on macroporous stainless steel substrate (MPSS) by novel surfactant induced electroless plating (SIEP) process. SIEP was effective in synthesizi...
Grandparenting and Depressive Symptoms among Mexican American Older Adults: Examining the Moderating Effects of Financial and Emotional Support

The study aims to examine the moderating effects of financial and emotional support on the association between grandparenting and depressive symptoms among Mexican Americans older adults. Older adults of Mexican American origin were recruited from two adult day centers in Texas in 2010. In-person interviews were conducted with 99 older adults on depressive symptoms, grandparenting experiences, financial support both from and to the adult children, and emotional support from adult children. Multiple regression models were fit to examine how grandparenting impacted depressive symptoms, and how financial exchanges and emotional support moderated the association between grandparenting and depressive symptoms. The findings showed that financial support to adult children moderated the association between grandparenting and depressive symptoms among Mexican American older adults. Specifically, grandparenting was associated with fewer depressive symptoms when financial support to adult children was of low...
CEP290 myosin-tail homology domain is essential for protein confinement between inner and outer segments in photoreceptors

ABSTRACT Mutations in CEP290 cause various ciliopathies involving retinal degeneration. CEP290 proteins localize to the ciliary transition zone and are thought to act as a gatekeeper that controls ciliary protein trafficking. However, precise roles of CEP290 in photoreceptors and pathomechanisms of retinal degeneration in CEP290-associated ciliopathies are not sufficiently understood. Using Cep290 conditional mutant mice, in which the C-terminal myosin-tail homology domain is disrupted after the connecting cilium is assembled, we show that CEP290, more specifically the myosin-tail homology domain of CEP290, is essential for protein confinement between the inner and the outer segments. Inner segment plasma membrane proteins including STX3, SNAP25, and IMPG2 rapidly accumulate in the outer segment upon disruption of the myosin-tail homology domain. In contrast, localization of endomembrane proteins is not altered. Trafficking and confinement of most outer segment-resident proteins appear to be unaffected or only minimally affected in this mouse model. One notable exception is RHO, which exhibits severe mislocalization to inner segments from the initial stage of degeneration. Similar mislocalization phenotypes were observed in rd16 mice. These results suggest that failure of protein confinement at the connecting cilium and consequent accumulation of inner segment membrane proteins in the outer segment combined with insufficient RHO delivery is part of the disease mechanisms that cause retinal degeneration in CEP290-associated ciliopathies. Our study provides insights into the pathomechanisms of retinal degenerations associated with compromised ciliary gates.
Reversal of Scratches in Polymer Seals via Laminated Vascular Networks

Ball valve seats are subject to relative sliding motion during opening and closing making them susceptible to accelerated wear from particles entrapped in the ball-seal interface. The resulting wear channels can lead to a poor seal, sometimes resulting in valve failure, which would necessitate repair or replacement of the valve. Self-healing techniques offer a potential method for autonomously repairing seal leakage that results from abrasive damage. In this work, a microvascular approach is adopted to automatically repair ball valve seats and reduce leakage. Healing is accomplished by circulating healing chemistry through small channels isolated from the environment by a thin surface laminate in order to simulate progressive seal damage due to abrasion. Self-repair is accomplished by autonomously filling surface scratches with a healing agent. The healing agent performs a dual purpose of slowing down the damage rate by lubricating the surface as well as reversing the loss of material by polymerizing to form new material. Manufacturing techniques of microchannels are developed for Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, Acrylic) and Polyoxymethylene (POM, Delrin), and wear resistances are measured.
Law Enforcement Activities of Philadelphia’s Group Violence Intervention: An Examination of Arrest, Case Processing, and Probation Levers:

The number of jurisdictions implementing focused deterrence strategies targeted at gangs continues unabated. Although recent research suggests positive impacts of the strategy on reductions in gun ...
Dislocation ↔ twin transmutations during interaction between prismatic slip and {101¯1} twin in magnesium

Abstract Very unusual and interesting interaction between matrix prismatic dislocations and { 10 1 ¯ 1 } twin boundaries (TBs) in Magnesium (Mg) was observed in atomistic simulations. When the first prismatic dislocation impinged on the TB, the incoming dislocation was transmuted into a thin layer of { 11 2 ¯ 1 } twin inside the { 10 1 ¯ 1 } twin. When successive prismatic dislocations on the same slip plane impinged on the same location at the { 10 1 ¯ 1 } TB, the { 11 2 ¯ 1 } twin kept growing toward the opposite { 10 1 ¯ 1 } TB. Eventually, the { 11 2 ¯ 1 } twin reached the opposite TB and was then transmuted back to prismatic dislocations that exited the { 10 1 ¯ 1 } twin and glided into the matrix. Hence, the matrix prismatic dislocations temporarily lose their dislocation identity during twin-slip interaction and then resume their dislocation identity after the interaction is complete. The net effect of these interactions is that the matrix prismatic dislocations transmit across the { 10 1 ¯ 1 } twin. Lattice correspondence analysis for { 10 1 ¯ 1 } twinning was performed to understand the mechanism of the interactions. The results show that, the prismatic slip plane is exactly the corresponding plane of { 11 2 ¯ 1 } twinning. Such a correspondence is consistent with the crystallographic calculations based on classical twinning theory.
Predictors of Lost to Follow-Up in Patients Being Treated for Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Purpose To identify risk factors for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) who are lost to follow-up (LTFU) while undergoing intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF (IVIs) and/or panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) at an urban institution. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods A chart review was performed in a total of 418 adult patients with PDR who received IVI and/or PRP between January 1, 2014, and June 1, 2018, at the authors' institution. Rates of LTFU, risk factors associated with LTFU, and vision outcomes were assessed. Results Of a total of 418 patients, 256 patients (61%) were LTFU. Risk factors positively associated with LTFU on multivariate analysis included non-English as the primary language (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; P = .006); age 56-65 years old (OR, 1.86; P = .014); age older than 65 years (OR, 1.94; P = .027) compared to age 55 years or younger; living 20 miles or less from the institution (OR, 2.68; P = .009); having greater than 5 comorbidities (OR, 2.38; P = .034); seeing 20 or more distinct departments (OR, 4.66; P = .007); missing more than 10% of non-eye care appointments (OR, 1.61; P = .038); and receiving only PRP compared to only IVIs (OR, 1.93; P = .031). Conclusions A high percentage of patients treated for PDR at the authors' institution were LTFU over a 4-year time span. Identifying patients at high risk for being LTFU may help in choosing treatment modality and appropriate patient counseling.
Modelling Natural Gas Regulatory Proposals using the Project Independence Evaluation System

As part of a Congressional request to analyse aspects of the National Energy Act, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) was asked to study the impacts of three different regulatory strategies for natural gas. The regulatory structures examined were those proposed in the House bill (H.R. 8444), the Senate bill (H.R. 5289), and the natural gas Compromise as of 3 May 1978. A generic methodology was developed to represent these different proposals within the search for an economic equilibrium, using an existing EIA national energy modelling system. This paper describes the new methodology. The organization of the paper is as follows. The legislation considered is presented. Then there is a detailed discussion of the modelling issues, followed by a description of model implementation within the Project Independence Evaluation System (PIES).
Mechanism and Selectivity of Aryltrimethylgermane Cation Radical Fragmentations

Aryltrimethylgermane cation radicals were generated by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Transient kinetics experiments show that the aryltrimethylgermane cation radicals react with added nucleophiles in reactions that are first-order in both the cation radicals and the nucleophiles. Preparative photo-oxidation experiments demonstrate that the intermediate cation radicals react with nucleophiles, resulting in aryl-Ge or Me-Ge nucleophile-assisted fragmentations. The aryltrimethylgermane cation radicals were found to react more slowly than analogous stannane cation radicals; however, loss of the thermodynamically disfavored aryl radicals remains competitive with methyl radical loss.
Janus: A Cybernetic Theory of the State (Janus: Une Theorie Cybernetique D'Etat)

The book describes a cybernetic theory of the state. Though the author is not a post modernist the book is influenced by post modernist thought.
Endoscopic Repair of Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEF) are rare congenital, acquired, or recurrent abnormal connections between the airway and upper gastrointestinal tract. Primary open or thorascopic repair of congenital TEF is typically done shortly after birth. Initial surgical repair is associated with good success and low mortality. Recurrence may occur on average of 10% of cases; and open re-repair is more complicated, less successful, and associated with higher morbidity. Endoscopic repair is an attractive option due to the decreased invasiveness of this approach. Several techniques have been described, typically involving de-epithelialization of the tract and/or instillation of a sealant. This may be accomplished with electrical diathermy, laser, chemical cautery, histoacryl, and/or fibrin glue. Success rates vary based on technique, but the overall success rate is high and morbidity is much lower as compared to open repair for recurrent TEF. Appropriate selection of fistula amenable to endoscopic repair is important, and repeated procedures are commonly needed to achieve complete closure. In select circumstances, endoscopic TEF repair offers a short operative time and low morbidity approach to fistula closure, with a higher ultimate success rate but frequent need for repeated procedures.
Phase I trial of intracerebral convection-enhanced delivery of carboplatin for treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Background Carboplatin is a potent cytoreductive agent for a variety of solid tumors. However, when delivered systemically, clinical efficacy for the treatment of high grade gliomas is poor due to limited penetration across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Direct intracerebral (IC) convection-enhanced delivery (CED) of carboplatin has been used to bypass the BBB and successfully treat the F98 rat glioma. Based on these studies, we initiated a Phase I clinical trial. Objective This Phase I clinical trial was conducted to establish the maximum tolerated dose and define the toxicity profile of carboplatin delivered intracerebrally via convection enhanced delivery (CED) for patients with high grade glial neoplasms. Methods Cohorts of 3 patients with recurrent WHO grade III or IV gliomas were treated with escalating doses of CED carboplatin (1–4 μg in 54mL over 72 hours) delivered via catheters placed at the time of recurrent tumor resection. The primary outcome measure was determination of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). Secondary outcome measures included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and radiographic correlation. Results A total of 10 patients have completed treatment with infusion doses of carboplatin of 1μg, 2μg, and 4μg. The total planned volume of infusion was 54mL for each patient. All patients had previously received surgery and chemoradiation. Histology at treatment include GBM (n = 9) and anaplastic oligodendroglioma (n = 1). Median KPS was 90 (range, 70 to 100) at time of treatment. Median PFS and OS were 2.1 and 9.6 months after completion of CED, respectively. A single adverse event possibly related to treatment was noted (generalized seizure). Conclusions IC CED of carboplatin as a potential therapy for recurrent malignant glioma is feasible and safe at doses up to 4μg in 54mL over 72 hours. Further studies are needed to determine the maximum tolerated dose and potential efficacy.
Tradeoff and Solutions of Data Storage in Edge Computing

Edge computing is a novel computing paradigm that can improve the performance of many data intensive applications. Edge servers offer computing and data storage services closer to the locations of data sources. Data storage is an important issue in edge computing. Data need to be carefully allocated and stored in the system. In this paper, we investigate where to store data from data sources. We consider the scenario that data sources upload their data to edge servers or to the cloud. We show the impact of data storage and point out three goals, i.e., maximizing total data access frequencies supported by the edge server, minimizing total data uploading time, and maximizing the number of data sources uploading data to the edge server. We explore the tradeoff among these goals and propose different solutions. Performance evaluation shows these three goals can be achieved by our solutions respectively.
Reconsidering delay discounting in bulimia nervosa

Abstract Delay discounting measures one's preference for smaller-sooner versus larger-later reward and is a facet of impulsivity. Studying delay discounting in bulimia nervosa (BN) may enhance clinical understanding of BN, as BN is characterized by engagement in behaviors that provide immediate reward (i.e., binge eating, purging) at the expense of future well-being. Prior research suggests that individuals with BN prefer smaller amounts of money available sooner compared to psychiatrically healthy (HC) persons. Here, we aimed to replicate and extend previous work by studying delay discounting of both monetary and food reward in women with BN relative to HC women. We also compared delay discounting of monetary and food reward, and examined associations among delay discounting, trait impulsivity, and eating disorder symptom expression in women with BN. Participants were 20 women with sub- or full-threshold DSM-5 BN and 20 HC women who completed a diagnostic interview, paper-and-pencil measures of delay discounting of monetary and food commodities, and a measure of trait impulsivity. Contrary to previous work, we found that women with BN showed decreased delay discounting of monetary and food reward relative to HC women. Within-group analyses demonstrated that women with BN showed elevated delay discounting of food reward relative to monetary reward. Within women with BN, elevated delay discounting of food, but not money, was associated with elevated negative and positive urgency, two facets of trait impulsivity that relate to acting rashly when experiencing strong emotion. Results suggest that delay discounting may be more variable in BN than previously assumed.
Tree Species of Wet Tropical Forests Differ in Their Tissue Biochemistry and Effects on Soil Carbon Dynamics

Given the hypothesized effects on soil organic matter (SOM) of polyphenols in plant tissues, differences among tree species in their biochemical composition could influence the turnover and accrual of SOM in various ways. The extent to which the biochemical composition of leaf and fine-root tissues differ among tropical tree species, and the effects on soil dynamics, are largely undocumented, however. We used cupric oxide analyses of plant tissues and soil in long-term, replicated, mono-dominant 15-yr-old plantations at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, to test for differences among six tree species. We related these results to companion studies in this experimental site to evaluate relationships between interspecific differences in tissue biochemistry and SOM dynamics. Newly senesced leaves and fine roots of the six species differed in their concentrations of three lignin-derived families of phenols, the cinnamyls, syringyls and vanillyls (P <0.0001 for all tests). Cinnamyl and syringyl phenols in soil differed significantly among species (p = 0.0408, 0.0071, respectively), whereas vanillyl phenols did not (p = 0.83). The degree of decomposition of syringyl and vanillyl phenols in soil also differed (p = 0.0015, 0.0027 respectively), as evidenced by the ratio of carboxylic acid to aldehyde compounds, based on the concept that carboxylic acids are a common by-product of oxidative decomposition of lignin by microorganisms. In our study in a single site, i.e., the same soil type, climate, and growth form of vegetation, total phenols in soil ranged from 5 to 21 mg g-1 organic carbon (OC) across the 20 plots, and the endpoints were both broad-leaved evergreen species; even the means across species, 7–12 mg g-1 OC, covered half the range of values reported in another study across a broad latitudinal range of sites. This study’s tree species differed in traits that influenced at least four factors that explained their differential effects on SOC pools: (1) Fine-root detrital inputs; (2) Fine-root syringyl concentrations; (3) Soil pH; and (4) Macroaggregate structure. This trait-based approach provides a process-based understanding of how trees species influence SOC dynamics, and the consequences for ecosystem properties, under land-use change that involves shifts in species composition.
A theoretical justification and framework for scenario planning in SMEs

This article provides a theoretical framework and justification for scenario planning, a practice that enables small businesses to be more agile and resilient. Agile and resilient companies are bet...
A Graph-based Decomposition Method for Convex Quadratic Optimization with Indicators

In this paper, we consider convex quadratic optimization problems with indicator variables when the matrix $Q$ defining the quadratic term in the objective is sparse. We use a graphical representation of the support of $Q$, and show that if this graph is a path, then we can solve the associated problem in polynomial time. This enables us to construct a compact extended formulation for the closure of the convex hull of the epigraph of the mixed-integer convex problem. Furthermore, we propose a novel decomposition method for general (sparse) $Q$, which leverages the efficient algorithm for the path case. Our computational experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method compared to state-of-the-art mixed-integer optimization solvers.
Influence of Climate on Irrigation Agriculture

Climate is major factor that determines kind of crops that can be grown in area, and whether or not irrigation is necessary; where growing seasons and temperatures are favorable to agriculture, rainfall is important element in determining irrigation water requirement.
Diffusion Controlled Release of Drugs from Coated Drug Polymer Complex

A controlled release system employing ion exchange technology is described and serves as the basis for developing a coated drug polymer complex system known as the Pennkinetic System. This chapter describes recently developed suspension and capsule drug release systems based on this approach. Results of clinical tests involving humans are described. The approach is suitable for use with acidic and basic drugs with short biological half-lives.
Recent Progress in the Structure Determination of GPCRs, a Membrane Protein Family with High Potential as Pharmaceutical Targets

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a highly diverse and ubiquitous family of integral membrane proteins, transmitting signals inside the cells in response to an assortment of disparate extracellular stimuli. Their strategic location on the cell surface and their involvement in crucial cellular and physiological processes turn these receptors into highly important pharmaceutical targets. Recent technological developments aimed at stabilization and crystallization of these receptors have led to significant breakthroughs in GPCR structure determination efforts. One of the successful approaches involved receptor stabilization with the help of a fusion partner combined with crystallization in lipidic cubic phase (LCP). The success of using an LCP matrix for crystallization is generally attributed to the creation of a more native, membrane-like stabilizing environment for GPCRs just prior to nucleation and to the formation of type I crystal lattices, thus generating highly ordered and strongly diffracting crystals. Here we describe protocols for reconstituting purified GPCRs in LCP, performing pre-crystallization assays, setting up crystallization trials in manual mode, detecting crystallization hits, optimizing crystallization conditions, harvesting, and collecting crystallographic data The protocols provide a sensible framework for approaching crystallization of stabilized GPCRs in LCP, however, as in any crystallization experiment, extensive screening and optimization of crystallization conditions as well as optimization of protein construct and purification steps are required. The process remains risky and these protocols do not necessarily guarantee success.
An iterative method for secure inter-procedural information flow control

An information flow control policy specifies the manner in which classified information flows from one object to another. A link-time algorithm is presented for an information flow certification mechanism designed for modular programming systems. The mechanism combines a compile-time algorithm developed for object-oriented systems with the link-time algorithm described. The compile-time algorithm partially verifies the security of each procedure independently and generates equations which express potential flows caused by parameter passing. The link-time algorithm completes the certification of the entire program by verifying the interprocedural information flows. It analyzes the equations for all procedures in the program and calculates the least fixed point by using a standard iterative method. >
A Dominating-Set-Based Routing Scheme in Ad Hoc Wireless Networks

Efficient routing among a set of mobile hosts (also called nodes) is one of the most important functions in ad hoc wireless networks. Routing based on a connected dominating set is a promising approach, where the searching space for a route is reduced to nodes in the set. A set is dominating if all the nodes in the system are either in the set or neighbors of nodes in the set. In this paper, we propose a simple and efficient distributed algorithm for calculating connected dominating set in ad hoc wireless networks, where connections of nodes are determined by their geographical distances. We also propose an update/recalculation algorithm for the connected dominating set when the topology of the ad hoc wireless network changes dynamically. Our simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms a classical algorithm in terms of finding a small connected dominating set and doing so quickly. Our approach can be potentially used in designing efficient routing algorithms based on a connected dominating set.
STIMULATION OF SOMATOSTATIN EXPRESSION IN DEVELOPING CILIARY GANGLION NEURONS BY CELLS OF THE CHOROID LAYER

An important component of neuronal development is the matching of neurotransmitter expression with the appropriate target cell. We have examined how peptide transmitter expression is controlled in a simple model system, the avian ciliary ganglion (CG). This parasympathetic ganglion contains 2 distinct types of neurons: choroid neurons, which project to vasculature in the eye's choroid layer and use somatostatin as a co-transmitter with ACh, and ciliary neurons, which innervate the ciliary body and iris and use ACh but no known peptide co-transmitter. We have found that the earliest developmental stage in which neurons with somatostatinlike immunoreactivity (SOM-IR) are consistently found in vivo is stage 30 (embryonic day 6.5), a time shortly after the extension of neurites to targets in the eye's choroid layer. In cell culture, CG neurons expressed SOM-IR in co-culture with choroid cells, but not when cultured with striated muscle myotubes or with ganglion non-neuronal cells. No significant differences in neuronal survival or in ChAT activity were observed under these different co-culture conditions, which suggests that somatostatin expression is independently regulated. The stimulation of somatostatin expression was also specific in that other neuropeptides commonly found in autonomic neurons [neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)] were not induced in the presence of choroid cells. The ability to stimulate SOM-IR was not contact dependent because a macromolecule of greater than or equal to 10 kDa in choroid-conditioned medium (ChCM) was found to stimulate somatostatin expression in a dosage-dependent fashion. The somatostatin-stimulating activity induced SOM-IR in more than 90% of CG neurons, as well as in retrogradely labeled ciliary neurons, which would not normally express SOM-IR. Thus, the expression of somatostatin in cultured CG neurons is regulated by a macromolecule produced by cells in the choroid layer, a target normally innervated in vivo by CG neurons expressing somatostatin.
LINKAGE OF AUTOSOMAL LETHALS FROM A LABORATORY POPULATION OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

Lethal second and third chromosomes were extracted by marker techniques from a laboratory population of Drosophila melanogaster (originally Oregon-R Control populalation of Wallace), which had been maintained at 25 deg C for over 170 generations. Each lethal chromosome balanced over a dominant marker- crossover suppressor was outcrossed to a multiple recessive stock, and recombinants were tested for lethality in order to determine linkage relations of lethal producing loci. Eighteen second chromosomes displayed a clustering of sites in subterminal left arm (two loci), mid-left arm (three loci), both to left and right of the centromere (seven loci), and very close to the centromere (<0.1 Morgan unit; three loci). Twenty-three third chromosomes were distributed as follows: in subterminal left arm (one locus), mid-left arm (five loci), mid-right arm (one locus), and subterminal right (two loci). At least three second chromosomes were multilocus lethals, with one a double, one a triple, and one a quadruple lethal. The double and triple each carried aa allele of the left subterminal site; the quadruple carried an allele of a site in the centromere cluster. Chromosome 3 had only one double multilocus lethal chromosome. The finding of high order multilocus lethals cannot easily be explained as amore » random phenomenon; it is more likely that specific linkages are being selected for, which either exist in high enough frequency to be observed as multiple lethals in a small sample, or which exist in potentially recombinable form to produce such chromosomes regularly by crossing over. It is evident that some lethals have frequencies higher than expected by random drift, and their importance to total fftness in the population is demonstrated by their persistency in the population over a period of four years. This long survival is true for at least three loci on chromosome 2 and at least two loci on chromosome 3. A general statement concerning the expectation of synthetic lethals from these chromosomes is discussed. (auth)« less
Transforming growth factor-beta: Potential common mechanisms mediating its effects on embryogenesis, inflammation-repair, and carcinogehesis

In conclusion, we have demonstrated that a single growth factor, TGF-beta, can act in either an autocrine or paracrine mode to bring about, either directly or indirectly, all of the complex events which together lead to the formation of granulation tissue and tumor stroma. All of the participating cell types, lymphocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts have receptors for TGF-beta and many of them secrete TGF-beta as well. Although other growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor clearly also participate in these processes, we have shown that TGF-beta, alone, is sufficient to initiate the cascade of events, probably through its ability to chemoattract and to activate macrophages and fibroblasts. Without question, neovascularization and appropriately timed matrix synthesis and degradation are central to embryogenesis as well. Fibronectin, in particular, has been shown to promote cell adhesion and cell migration throughout embryogenesis (Hynes and Yamada, 1982; Rovasio et al., 1983). We propose that TGF-beta will be found to be an important mediator of embryonic development, not only by control of angiogenesis and matrix synthesis, but also by exerting direct local effects on cellular growth and differentiation (reviewed in Roberts and Sporn, 1987).
Invasion and survival strategies of Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an aetiological agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, an emerging tick-borne zoonosis in the United States and Europe. This obligate intracellular bacterium is unique in that it colonizes polymorphonuclear leucocytes (neutrophils). Neutrophils are key players in innate immunity. These short-lived phagocytes ingest invading microorganisms and destroy them by various means, which include fusing the bacteria-containing phagosome with acidic lysosomes as well as directing toxic oxidative and proteolytic compounds into the phagosomal lumen. Its tropism for neutrophils indicates that A. phagocytophilum uses strategies for evading and/or neutralizing these microbicidal activities. This review focuses on some of the mechanisms that A. phagocytophilum uses for neutrophil adhesion, surviving within the hostile intracellular environment of its host neutrophil and for effectively disseminating to naive host cells.
Jeffrey T. Kiehl Receives 2012 Climate Communication Prize: Response

I thank James Hurrell for his gracious citation of my work on communicating climate science to the public. I am deeply moved by his summary of my work over these past years. It clearly reflects how passionately I feel about this work and how important communication is for our field. I thank the Prize Committee for their recognition of my work and Nature's Own for supporting this important AGU prize. As climate scientists, I feel we have a duty to convey our research to the public in meaningful ways. This is especially true given that much of our scientific research is supported by tax-paying citizens. I also believe there is a moral imperative to communicate our research to the world. Our understanding of the significant climatic changes occurring now and those that will occur in the future places a great burden on all of us as scientists. We cannot hold onto our science like some protected treasure but must convey both the facts and the serious implications of our science to more than just our peers.
Using Film to Build Writing Proficiency in a Second‐Year Language Class

ABSTRACT While the proficiency movement has produced numerous books and articles that deal primarily with oral proficiency, little has been published on the subject of writing proficiency. This article describes the writing curriculum for the first semester of a second-year German course, designed using the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines as a framework. A traditional review grammar gives students practice manipulating words and sentences while films provide the context for creative, communicative writing. By the end of the semester, all students have mastered Intermediate-level functions, while many can perform at the Advanced level.
Grain boundary embrittlement of the iron-base superalloy IN903A

It is shown that a low coefficient of expansion, iron-base superalloy, IN903A, suffers severe tensile embrittlement following high temperature air exposure at 1000 °C. This embrittlement involves a transition to intergranular failure at low strains, with no reduction in yield strength, and is manifested in the room temperature to 800 °C range. In parallel with earlier observations on nickel-base superalloys, ductility is regained at 1000 °C. However, in contrast to these earlier results, air exposure enhances rather than hinders grain growth in the near surface regions, and, in addition, suppresses the occurrence of the jerky flow seen in vacuum-exposed material. Oxygen is demonstrated to be the damaging species, and it is show’n that boundaries are embrittled far ahead of any matrix internal oxidation. Small additions of boron are successful in eliminating the embrittlement, as they were in nickel-base alloys. The results of stress rupture tests are then reviewed, and it is concluded that the rapid failures which occur on air testing are a consequence of embrittled grain boundaries failing in tension, rather than the stress accelerated grain boundary oxidation mechanism previously proposed.
Monodramy preserving deformation theory of the Klein-Gordon equation in the hyperbolic plane

We study the complex linear space of multivalued solutions to y2(ϖx2ƒ + ϖy2ƒ) = s(s − 1)ƒ, s > 1, on H2 − {a1,…,an}, H2 = hyperbolic plane, satisfying (1) ƒ→exp(2πilv)ƒ is continued about a small loop enclosing av (v = 1,…,n), 0 l(inv)1,and (2) ƒH2 (dx λ d y)/y2 (y2ϖƒ ϖƒ + 14s(s − 1)ƒƒ) > ∞. The solution space is of dimension n; and the extended system of equations are transformed, using the hyperbolic Laplace transform, to a Fuchsian system.