cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STN Versus GPi Deep Brain Stimulation for Action and Rest Tremor in Parkinson's Disease.

Objective To investigate the effects of subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi), deep brain stimulation (DBS) on individual action tremor/postural tremor (AT) and rest tremor (RT) in Parkinson's disease (PD). Randomized DBS studies have reported marked benefit in tremor with both GPi and STN and DBS, however, there is a paucity of information available on AT vs RT when separated by the surgical target. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the 1-year clinical outcome of PD patients treated with STN and GPi DBS at the University of Florida. We specifically selected patients with moderate to severe AT. Eighty-eight patients (57 STN and 31 GPi) were evaluated at 6 and 12 months for changes in AT and RT in the OFF-medication/ON stimulation state. A comparison of "response" was performed and defined as greater than or equal to a 2-point decrease in tremor score. Results STN and GPi DBS both improved AT at 6- and 12-months post-implantation (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). The STN DBS group experienced a greater improvement in AT at 6 months compared to the GPi group (p = 0.005) but not at the 12 months follow-up (p = 0.301). Both STN and GPi DBS also improved RT at 6- and 12-months post-implantation (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). There was no difference in RT scores between the two groups at 6 months (p = 0.23) or 12 months (p = 0.74). The STN group had a larger proportion of patients who achieved a "response" in AT at 6 months (p < 0.01), however, this finding was not present at 12 months (p = 0.23). A sub-analysis revealed that in RT, the STN group had a larger percentage of "responders" when followed through 12 months (p < 0.01). Conclusion Both STN and GPi DBS reduced PD associated AT and RT at 12 months follow-up. There was no advantage of either brain target in the management of RT or AT. One nuance of the study was that STN DBS was more effective in suppressing AT in the early postoperative period, however, this effect diminished over time. Clinicians should be aware that it may take longer to achieve a similar tremor outcome when utilizing the GPi target.
The next best thing: Social presence and accountability's impact on auditor professional skepticism

Audit fieldwork is shifting from the client site to remote environments due to generational preferences, budget restrictions, and health mandates as seen with the COVID‐19 pandemic This may negatively impact professional skepticism without purposeful safeguards Based in Social Presence Theory (SPT), our experiment uses Big 4 senior auditors to examine how the perceived level of social presence (high vs low) influences an auditor's professional skepticism and how increasing one's feeling of accountability can increase auditor skepticism in a remote audit environment We predict and find that auditors who feel a greater degree of social presence with their client are more skeptical We also find that increasing an auditor's feelings of accountability can increase skepticism, and that increasing accountability in a low social presence environment can mitigate lower feelings of professional skepticism This finding offers an effective and efficient method to help auditors remain skeptical in remote audit environments
The AML Microenvironment Catalyzes a Step-Wise Evolution to Gilteritinib Resistance

Our study details the stepwise evolution of gilteritinib resistance in FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Early resistance is mediated by the bone marrow microenvironment, which protects residual leukemia cells. Removing these supportive extrinsic ligands drives evolution of late, intrinsic resistance. Whole exome sequencing, CRISPR/Cas, metabolomics, proteomics, and pharmacologic approaches were used to mechanistically define both early and late resistance. Early resistant cells undergo metabolic reprogramming, grow more slowly, and are dependent upon Aurora kinase B (AURKB). Late resistant cells are characterized byexpansion of pre-existing NRAS mutant subclones and continued metabolic reprogramming. Our model closely mirrors the timing and mutations of AML patients treated with gilteritinib.Pharmacological inhibition of AURKB resensitized both early resistant cell cultures and primary leukemia cells from gilteritinib-treated AML patients. These findings support a combinatorial strategy to target early resistant AML cells with AURKB inhibitors and gilteritinib before the expansion of pre-existing resistance mutations occurs.
Assessing Nephrology Fellows' Skills in Communicating About Kidney Replacement Therapy and Kidney Biopsy: A Multicenter Clinical Simulation Study on Breaking Bad News.

Rationale & Objective Interpersonal communication skills and professionalism competencies are difficult to assess among nephrology trainees. We developed a formative “Breaking Bad News” simulation and implemented a study in which nephrology fellows were assessed with regard to their skills in providing counseling to simulated patients confronting the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) or kidney biopsy. Study Design Observational study of communication competency in the setting of preparing for KRT for kidney failure, for KRT for acute kidney injury (AKI), or for kidney biopsy. Setting & Participants 58 first- and second-year nephrology fellows assessed during 71 clinical evaluation sessions at 8 training programs who participated in an objective structured clinical examination of simulated patients in 2017 and 2018. Predictors Fellowship training year and clinical scenario. Outcome Primary outcome was the composite score for the “overall rating” item on the Essential Elements of Communication–Global Rating Scale 2005 (EEC-GRS), as assessed by simulated patients. Secondary outcomes were the score for EEC-GRS “overall rating” item for each scenario, score Analytical Approach Nonparametric tests of hypothesis comparing performance by fellowship year (primary goal) and scenario. Results Composite scores for EEC-GRS overall rating item were not significantly different between fellowship years (P = 0.2). Only 4 of 71 fellow evaluations had an unsatisfactory score for the EEC-GRS overall rating item on any scenario. On Mini-CEX, 17% scored Limitations Relatively brief time for interactions; limited familiarity with and training of simulated patients in use of EEC-GRS. Conclusions The fellows scored highly on the EEC-GRS regardless of their training year, suggesting interpersonal communication competency is achieved early in training. The fellows did better with the kidney failure scenario than with the AKI and kidney biopsy scenarios. Structured simulated clinical examinations may be useful to inform curricular choices and may be a valuable assessment tool for communication and professionalism.
Cortico-Cortical Drive in a Coupled Premotor-Primary Motor Cortex Dynamical System

In the conventional view of sensorimotor control, the premotor cortex (PM) plans actions that are executed by the primary motor cortex (M1). This notion arises in part from many experiments that have imposed a preparatory ’planning’ period during which PM becomes active without M1. But during many natural movements, PM and M1 are coactivated, making it difficult to distinguish their functional roles. We leveraged dynamical systems models (DSMs) to uncover interactions between PM and M1 during movements performed with no preparatory period. We built DSMs using neural and behavioral data recorded from two nonhuman primates as they performed a reach-grasp-manipulate task. PM and M1 interacted dynamically throughout these movements. Whereas PM drove M1 in some situations, in other situations M1 drove PM activity, contrary to the conventional assumption. Our DSM framework provides additional predictions differentiating the roles of PM and M1 in controlling movement.
On Using the BMCSL Equation of State to Renormalize the Onsager Theory Approach to Modeling Hard Prolate Spheroidal Liquid Crystal Mixtures.

Modifications to the traditional Onsager theory for modeling isotropic–nematic phase transitions in hard prolate spheroidal systems are presented. Pure component systems are used to identify the need to update the Lee–Parsons resummation term. The Lee–Parsons resummation term uses the Carnahan–Starling equation of state to approximate higher-order virial coefficients beyond the second virial coefficient employed in Onsager’s original theoretical approach. As more exact ways of calculating the excluded volume of two hard prolate spheroids of a given orientation are used, the division of the excluded volume by eight, which is an empirical correction used in the original Lee–Parsons resummation term, must be replaced by six to yield a better match between the theoretical and simulation results. These modifications are also extended to binary mixtures of hard prolate spheroids using the Boublik–Mansoori–Carnahan–Starling–Leland (BMCSL) equation of state.
Ecological Deviance: The Botanical Politics of Public-Sex Environments in Parks

The literature on public sex environments spans a number of disciplines, including public health, queer geography, and urban planning. Ethnographic, spatial, and epidemiological approaches have pre...
An analysis of chemical reactor stability and control—VI : Two-phase chemical reacting systems with heat and mass transfer resistances

Abstract Pertinent to the design of any chemical reactor is a knowledge of its transient characteristics, in particular the stability of a steady state both to small and large disturbances. The dynamic behaviour of the well agitated continuous reactor both with and without control devices has been extensively studied for homogeneous reacting media. It is the purpose of this work to consider the natural behaviour of reacting systems involving two fluid phases in the well agitated continuous reactor operating under constant conditions. To this end models of the physical rate processes of interfacial heat and mass transfer are constructed for perfectly mixed systems and analysed for multiplicity and stability of steady state solutions. Some methods of non-linear mechanics are applied, and phase plots resulting from digital computer solutions of the non-linear transient equations are constructed for some chosen numerical examples. The study includes systems in which phases are in physical equilibrium, in which there are resistances to interfacial heat and mass transfer and in which components of a phase are in chemical equilibrium, the reaction rate being controlled by the transfer of mass. It is found that the number of possible steady state solutions to the non-isothermal equations depends on the rates of exchange of heat and material between the phases. Phase plots are shown for systems which have no stable state, but exhibit continued oscillations in temperature and concentration. Other examples are shown of systems which possess more than one steady state. In some cases a majority of these states are unstable. In this paper, which is continuation of Va and Vb, the cases in which there are resistances to heat and mass transfer are investigated.
Menstrual cycle phase does not affect sympathetic neural activity in women with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Key points Women with the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) report fluctuations in orthostatic tolerance throughout the menstrual cycle. The mechanism(s) underlying blood pressure control across the menstrual cycle in women with POTS are unknown. The findings of the present study indicate that the menstrual cycle does not affect muscle sympathetic nerve activity but modulates blood pressure and vasoconstriction in POTS women during orthostatic stress. Factors other than sympathetic neural activity are likely responsible for the symptoms of orthostatic intolerance across the menstrual cycle in women with POTS. Abstract Patients with the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) are primarily premenopausal women, which may be attributed to female sex hormones. We tested the hypothesis that hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle alter sympathetic neural activity and orthostatic tolerance in POTS women. Ten POTS women were studied during the early follicular (EF) and mid-luteal (ML) phases of the menstrual cycle. Haemodynamics and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were measured when supine, during 60 deg upright tilt for 45 min or until presyncope, and during the cold pressor test (CPT) and Valsalva manoeuvres. Blood pressure and total peripheral resistance were higher during rest and tilting in the ML than EF phase; however, heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output were similar between phases. There were no mean ± SD differences in MSNA burst frequency (8 ± 8 EF phase vs. 10 ± 10 bursts min–1 ML phase at rest; 34 ± 15 EF phase vs. 36 ± 16 bursts min–1 ML phase at 5 min tilt), burst incidence or total activity, nor any differences in the cardiovagal and sympathetic baroreflex sensitivities between phases under any condition. The incidence of presyncope was also the same between phases. There were no differences in haemodynamic or sympathetic responses to CPT or Valsalva. These results suggest that the menstrual cycle does not affect sympathetic neural activity but modulates blood pressure and vasoconstriction in POTS women during tilting. Thus, factors other than sympathetic neural activity are probably responsible for the symptoms of orthostatic intolerance across the menstrual cycle in women with POTS.
Atomic Modeling of an Immature Retroviral Lattice Using Molecular Dynamics and Mutagenesis.

Defining the molecular interaction between Gag proteins in an assembled hexagonal lattice of immature retrovirus particles is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of virus assembly and maturation. Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy have yielded subnanometer structural information on the morphology of immature Gag lattices, making computational modeling and simulations feasible for investigating the Gag-Gag interactions at the atomic level. We have examined the structure of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) using all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and in vitro assembly, to create the first all-atom model of an immature retroviral lattice. Microseconds-long replica exchange molecular dynamics simulation of the spacer peptide (SP)-nucleocapsid (NC) subdomains results in a six-helix bundle with amphipathic properties. The resulting model of the RSV Gag lattice shows features and dynamics of the capsid protein with implications for the maturation process, and confirms the stabilizing role of the upstream and downstream regions of Gag, namely p10 and SP-NC.
Low level epifluorescent detection of nanoparticles and DNA on dielectrophoretic microarrays.

Common epifluorescent microscopy lacks the sensitivity to detect low levels of analytes directly in clinical samples, such as drug delivery nanoparticles or disease related DNA biomarkers. Advanced systems such as confocal microscopes may improve detection, but several factors limit their applications. This study now demonstrates that combining an epifluorescent microscope with a dielectrophoretic (DEP) microelectrode array device enables the detection of nanoparticles and DNA biomarkers at clinically relevant levels. Using DEP microarray devices, nanoparticles and DNA biomarkers are rapidly isolated and concentrated onto specific microscopic locations where they are easily detected by epifluorescent microscopy. In this study, 40nm nanoparticles were detected down to 2–3 × 103/ul levels and DNA was detected down to the 200 pg/ml level. The synergy of epifluorescent microscopy and DEP microarray devices provides a new paradigm for DNA biomarker diagnostics and the monitoring of drug delivery nanoparticle concentrations. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Bannatyne Recategorization Assessment Procedure: Is it Valid for Individual Diagnosis of LD Children?

The WISC-R subtest scores of 159 black LD children of low socioeconomic status were recategorized into Spatial (Sp), Conceptual (C), and Sequential (Sq) scales as recommended by Bannatyne (1974). As a group, the sample displayed the classic Sp > C > Sq pattern. However, only 18 of the subjects (11.3%) were identified in accordance with the requirement that the differences between categories be statistically reliable for each individual. This subgroup was matched with LD controls not demonstrating the Bannatyne pattern. Analyses of longitudinal reading and math scores revealed no differences between groups. It was concluded that the diagnostic utility of the Bannatyne pattern is questionable.
Outflow-Induced Dynamical and Radiative Instability in Stellar Envelopes with an Application to Luminous Blue Variables and Wolf-Rayet Stars

Theoretical models of the remnants of massive stars in a very hot, post-red-supergiant phase display no obvious instability if standard assumptions are made. However, the brightest observed classical luminous blue variables (LBVs) may well belong to such a phase. A simple time-dependent theory of moving stellar envelopes is developed in order to treat deep hydrodynamical disturbances caused by surface mass loss and to test the moving envelopes for dynamical instability. In the case of steady-state outflow, the theory reduces to the equivalent of the Castor, Abbott, and Klein formulation for optically thick winds at distances well above the sonic point. The time-dependent version indicates that the brightest and hottest LBVs are both dynamically and radiatively unstable, as a result of the substantial lowering of the generalized Eddington luminosity limit by the mass-loss acceleration. It is suggested that dynamical instability, by triggering secular cycles of mass loss, is primarily what differentiates LBVs from the purely radiatively unstable Wolf-Rayet stars. Furthermore, when accurate main-sequence mass-loss rates are used to calculate the evolutionary tracks, the predicted surface hydrogen and nitrogen abundances of the blue remnants agree much better with observations of the brightest LBVs than before.
Macromolecular Assembly of the Transition State Regulator AbrB in Its Unbound and Complexed States Probed by Microelectrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

The Bacillus subtilis global transition-state regulator AbrB specifically recognizes over 60 different DNA regulatory regions of genes expressed during cellular response to suboptimal environments. Most interestingly the DNA regions recognized by AbrB share no obvious consensus base sequence. To more clearly understand the functional aspects of AbrB activity, microelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been employed to resolve the macromolecular assembly of unbound and DNA-bound AbrB. Analysis of the N-terminal DNA binding domain of AbrB (AbrBN53, residues 1-53) demonstrates that AbrBN53 is a stable dimer, showing no apparent exchange with a monomeric form as a function of pH, ionic strength, solvent, or protein concentration. AbrBN53 demonstrates a capacity for DNA binding, underscoring the role of the N-terminal domain in both DNA recognition and dimerization. Full-length AbrB is shown to exist as a homotetramer. An investigation of the binding of AbrBN53 and AbrB to the natural DNA target element sinIR shows that AbrBN53 binds as a dimer and AbrB binds as a tetramer. This study represents the first detailed characterization of the stoichiometry of a transition-state regulator binding to one of its target promoters.
Introduction: invertebrate axons find their way.

The mechanisms that generate the immense complexity of synaptic connections within the developing nervous system have fascinated biologists for decades. Analysis of nervous system development in simple systems, such as insects, has made a major contribution to our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control the formation of axon pathways and precise connections. This enterprise has a long, interesting, and somewhat controversial history. This collection of reviews on axon guidance in insects provides a brief update to integrate current molecular and developmental insights in a number of areas from initial axon pathfinding to the recognition of synaptic partners.
The role of human achaete-scute homolog-1 in medullary thyroid cancer cells.

Abstract Background Human achaete-scute homolog-1 (hASH1) is a transcription factor that is expressed highly in neuroendocrine tumors such as medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Thyroid C-cells do not develop in hASH1 knockout mice, which suggests that hASH1 is essential for normal C-cell development. Methods To determine the effect of raf-1 induction on hASH1 and hormone production, we used an estrogen inducible raf-1 construct in MTC cell line (TT) cells (TT-raf cells). TT or TT-raf cells were treated with control or 1 μM estradiol. After 48 hours, the cells were analyzed for levels of hASH1 and chromogranin A by Western blotting and for calcitonin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Activation of raf-1 in the TT-raf cells resulted in high levels of phosphorylated MEK and ERK1/2, a morphologic transdifferentiation, and a decrease in chromogranin A and calcitonin levels that are associated with a reduction in hASH1 production. Furthermore, using MEK inhibitors, we demonstrated that these raf-1–mediated changes are dependent on MEK but not ERK1/2 activation. Conclusion hASH1 down-regulation by raf-1 in MTC cells is associated with a significant decrease in hormone production. Thus, hASH1 appears to be important in the endocrine phenotype of MTC tumors and may serve as a molecular target for the treatment of patients with MTC.
Is mechanical embolectomy a safe and efficacious treatment strategy in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Is mechanical embolectomy a safe and efficacious treatment strategy in patients with acute ischemic stroke?
Rationalizing the Stereoselectivity of Osmium Tetroxide Asymmetric Dihydroxylations with Transition State Modeling Using Quantum Mechanics-Guided Molecular Mechanics

A new transition state force field has been developed for the AD reaction, purely from quantum mechanical reference data. A new methodology was used for converting quantum mechanical normal modes into a form suitable for parametrization. The force field has been thoroughly validated by comparison to structural and energetic data, and by prediction of experimental enantioselectivities. Excellent agreement was observed, frequently within a few percent of the experimental enantioselectivity. The interactions responsible for enantioselectivity have been identified and compared to the Sharpless and Corey models.
First-principles study of electronic properties of biaxially strained silicon: Effects on charge carrier mobility

Using first-principles method, we calculate the electronic band structure of biaxially strained silicon, from which we analyze the change in electron and hole effective mass as a function of strain and determine the mobility of electrons and holes in the biaxially strained silicon based on Boltzmann transport theory. We found that electron mobility increases with tensile strain and decreases with compressive strain. Such changes are mainly caused by a strain-induced change in electron effective mass, while the suppression of intervalley scattering plays a minor role. On the other hand, the hole mobility increases with both signs of strain and the effect is more significant for compressive strain because the hole effective mass decreases with compressive strain but increases with tensile strain. The strain-induced suppression of interband and intraband scatterings plays also an important role in changing the hole mobility.
Take advantage of your IEEE EDS membership

This is the 4th issue of the IEEE Journal of Electron Devices Society (J-EDS). A quick survey of the papers published so far reveals the statistic that Electron Devices Society (EDS) members constitute about 50% of the J-EDS authorship. At the time J-EDS was established one of the purposes was to serve EDS members. As such, we would like EDS members to have a higher stake in the journal and hence encourage them to submit their papers to J-EDS. To facilitate this, J-EDS is developing a preferred pricing structure on papers where all authors are EDS members at the time of submission of the manuscript. We hope this will result in considerable savings to technical professionals and their organizations. At the same time it will open the doors for them to join IEEE and EDS and avail of a plethora of learning opportunities that EDS provides to its members. If you and your colleagues would like to make use of this benefit please indicate so in the submission letter along with the IEEE membership numbers for each author clarifying if they are EDS members at the time of submission.
Interlibrary Loan Patron Use Patterns: An Examination of Borrowing Requests at a Midsized Academic Library

The results of a recently conducted study of interlibrary loan fee-based borrowing requests are presented in this article. The study examined 3,074 borrowing requests completed over a three-year period from January 2007 to December 2009. Statistics were analyzed to understand patron behavior in submitting requests and the types of materials being requested.
Single-molecule DNA flexibility in the presence of base-pair mismatch

The conformational changes of a 22 base-pair double-stranded DNA, anchored via one end to a quartz substrate, have been characterized using a single-pair fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique. Base-pair mismatch, a major form of DNA damage, has been found to decrease the energy transfer between a fluorescence donor and an acceptor attached to the two ends of DNA molecules with 3 and 7 mismatches, by 4.4% and 10.4%, respectively, as compared to that for perfectly matched DNA. This result suggests that the disruption of the hydrogen bonds in damaged DNA leads to increased contour length and improved flexibility.
Tetrakis(N,N‘-dimethylbenzamidinato)diruthenium(III) Compounds Bearing Axial Chloro and Alkynyl Ligands: A New Family of Redox Rich Diruthenium Compounds

Novel diruthenium(III) compound Ru2(DMBA)4Cl2 (1, DMBA = N,N‘-dimethylbenzamidinate) was obtained via refluxing Ru2(OAc)4Cl with dimethylbenzamidine in the presence of LiCl and Et3N under ambient atmosphere. Metathesis reactions between 1 and MC2Y (M = Li and Na) yielded bis-alkynyl derivatives Ru2(DMBA)4(C2Y)2 (Y = SiMe3 (2a), H (2b), Ph (2c), and C2SiMe3 (3a)), and further desilylation of 3a using K2CO3 resulted in Ru2(DMBA)4(C4H)2 (3b). Compound 1 is paramagnetic (S = 1), while compounds 2 and 3 are diamagnetic. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed that the Ru−Ru distances are 2.3224(7), 2.4501(6), and 2.4559(6) A for 1, 2a, and 3b, respectively. A strong Ru−C σ-bond in alkynyl adducts was implied by the short Ru−C distances in 2a (1.955(4) A) and 3b (1.952[5] A). All the compounds undergo three one-electron redox processes, an oxidation and two reductions, and the reversibility of redox couples depends on the nature of axial ligands.
Relationship of Endogenous Levels of Sex Hormones to Cognition and Depression in Frail, Elderly Women

Neuropsychological evaluations and sex hormone assays for 188 elderly, female nursing home residents (mean age: 87.8 years; standard deviation: 7.0 years) revealed inverse relationships for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) blood levels and cognition scores based on the Mini-Mental State Exam and the Test for Severe Impairment, as well as for scores of the Immediate Recall, Copy, and Recognition tests of the Visual Reproduction subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R; VR). A positive correlation between estrone and depression approached significance, as did the inverse relationships between the Recognition scores of the WMS-R; VR with androstenedione. These results and findings of others suggest that sex hormone actions in elderly women may differ from those in younger populations. A possible stress-related mechanism is also posited.
The effect of clozapine on saliva flow rate: a pilot study.

This study examined the effect of clozapine on saliva flow rate. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from 9 patients taking clozapine (dose range=50–400 mg/day) and from 8 controls who had never used clozapine. There was no significant difference between the average saliva flow rates in the two groups ( p > .10), nor was there significant correlation between saliva flow rate and daily clozapine dose ( p > . 10). Alternative explanations for observations or complaints of excessive salivation, drooling, or a choking feeling while taking clozapine are proposed.
Vibroimpact forming of tarred converter refractories

Using experimental vibroimpact equipment in production conditions studies were made of the vibroimpaet molding of tarred dolomite-magnesite converter refractories.
Effects of root applications of gibberellic acid on photosynthesis and growth in C3 and C4 plants

The effects of root applications of gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth and photosynthesis of 12 species of plants including C3 monocots (Triticum aestivum L., wheat, Hordeum vulgare L., barley and Avena sativa L., oat), C3 dicots (Vigna radiata L., mung bean, Cucurbita moschata L., squash and Capsicum annuum L., pepper), C4 monocots (Zea mays L., corn, Sorghum vulgare L., sorghum and Panicum ramosum L., millet) and C4 dicots (Amaranthus retroflexus L., pigweed, Kochia scoparis L., kochia and Gomphrena celosoides L., gomphrena) were evaluated. Relative growth rates (RGR) of barley, oat, squash, pepper, corn, sorghum, millet, pigweed and kochia were increased above the control by 12.7%, 9.9%, 11.3%, 10.7%, 19.2% 10.1%, 11.5%, 16.4% and 32.7% respectively, four days following optimum GA3 treatments. There was no effect of GA3 on RGR in wheat, mung bean, and gomphrena. Gibberellic acid decreased the chlorophyll content expressed on an area basis by 20.0%, 13.9%, 20.9%, 17.1%, 11.9% and 28.0% in barley, squash, pepper, sorghum, pigweed and kochia, respectively, while that of oat, wheat, mung bean, corn, millet and gomphrena remained unchanged. When photosynthetic rates were expressed per mg of chlorophyll, it showed that GA3 could stimulate photosynthesis in barley, squash, pepper, sorghum, millet, pigweed and kochia by 20.4%, 20.6%, 16.5%, 17.4%, 10.4%, 24.2%, and 29.4%; while there was no effect in oat, wheat, mung bean, corn and gomphrena. An increase in leaf blade area and/or length of sheath were observed in GA3 treated plants of oat, barley, mung bean, squash, pepper, corn, sorghum, millet and kochia. The transpiration rate remained unchanged following GA3 treatment in all 12 species.
Public Costs, Relative Subsidies, and Repayment Burdens of Federal US Student Loan Plans: Lessons for Reform.

American students graduate from college with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, leading to substantial repayment burdens and potentially inefficient shifts in spending patterns and career choices. A political trend towards austerity coupled with the rising student debt make the effective allocation of federal higher education resources and manageable repayment burdens on graduates high priorities. In this article, we evaluate the net cost and distributional characteristics of four methods of US student loan repayment: the standard option, the income-based option, Pay-As-You-Earn option, and the proposed Student Loan Fairness Act. Conducting repayment simulations on 1993 and 2008 graduate debt levels for 502 constructed graduate salary paths, we find an inherent trade-off between public loan cost and repayment burdens; student loans that are more generous to poorer graduates are also those that are most expensive to the taxpayer. We conclude with a discussion of how the introduction of a targeted interest rate on income-contingent loans can circumvent this policy trade-off by extracting greater repayments from higher earning graduates.
Immunochemical studies of conjugates of isomaltosyl oligosaccharides to lipid: Production and characterization of mouse hybridoma antibodies specific for stearyl-isomaltosyl oligosaccharides

Twelve C57BL/6J hybridoma clones, 9, 2 and 1 from mice immunized with stearyl-isomaltotetraose, stearyl-isomaltopentaose and stearyl-isomaltohexaose respectively were characterized. Seven produced IgA and 5 IgM. The specificities and sizes of their combining sites were determined by quantitative precipitin and precipitin inhibition assays. All 12 hybridoma antibodies precipitated with alpha 1----6 dextran B512 and linear dextran LD7, indicating that they recognize an internal -Glc alpha 1----6Glc alpha 1----6Glc- determinant. This in contrast with the results with rabbit antisera obtained in response to the same immunogen which recognize the non-reducing terminal determinant Glc alpha 1----6Glc alpha 1----6Glc-. Of the 12 hybridoma antibodies, 1 has an antibody combining site complementary to 4 alpha 1----6-linked glucoses while others have combining sites complementary to isomaltohexaose or isomaltoheptaose. The large combining-site sizes found in C57BL/6 hybridoma clones may be related to the pre-existing clonal repertoire in this strain. Binding constants of monomers of these antibodies for dextran B512 and isomaltoheptaose determined by affinity electrophoresis range from 1.4 X 10(3) to 4.6 X 10(5) ml/g and from 1.2 X 10(3) to 3.5 X 10(4) M-1 respectively, which is consistent with previous studies in the anti-dextran B512 system. The use of synthetic glycolipids as antigens enables us to study the gene control of antibody responses to glycolipids and to investigate the combining-site specificities of antibodies to a single antigenic determinant. Results so far show that all 12 hybridoma proteins are different despite the simplicity of the antigens. The findings provide further insight into the specificity of antibody combining sites.
Competitive inventory management in Treasury markets

Abstract We decompose US Treasury bid-ask spreads into inventory, adverse selection and order processing costs by using the fact that inventory trades have different effects on spreads than do proprietary trades. We exploit this asymmetry and develop a technique to identify the three components of the spread in order to test three hypotheses: dealers make larger changes to inventory (1) following macroeconomic announcements (2) at the start and toward the end of the New York trading hours, and (3) when transaction sizes are relatively large. We test these predictions using GovPX data for on-the-run 2-year and 10-year Treasury Notes. All three predictions are supported. We also assess how primary dealers react to the Federal Reserve’s open market operations (OMOs). Our findings reveal interesting intraday patterns in the inventory component for both securities.
Geomagnetic activity following large solar flares

Abstract Superposed epoch analysis of geomagnetic index around day of occurrence of large central flares shows a significant increase in geomagnetic activity following flares selected according to: 1. (a) area of the flare 2. (b) “importance” of the flare. The association does not extend to flares of lesser importance, 2. During the period 1950–1954, near sunspot minimum and roughly the same period studied by Watson, there was no tendency for geomagnetic disturbance to follow within 2–3 days after the fourteen reported class 3 and 3+ flares.
Addressing Assistive Technology Needs in Special Education

Assistive technology is critical to maximize the functional skills of the person with a physical disability at home, work, and school. As assistive devices become increasingly complex and expensive and more options are available, the need for an assistive technology specialist is enhanced. Recent regulations and advances in technology are affecting the type, quality, and comprehensiveness of assistive technology service provision and need for assistive technology specialists. The occupational therapist's role as an assistive technology specialist is illustrated in an example of an assistive technology program within a special education setting.
How well does Kirtland's warbler management emulate the effects of natural disturbance on stand structure in Michigan jack pine forests?

Abstract Jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forests in parts of northern Lower Michigan have been managed with 30 years of extensive clearcut harvesting followed by planted stand establishment in order to maintain habitat for the endangered Kirtland's warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii). We used two, parallel chronosequences to study how this management has affected the structural development of jack pine stands relative to the historically dominant disturbance regime of stand-replacing wildfire. Each chronosequence consisted of three young stands (age range 3–6 years), three intermediate-aged stands (age range of 12–17 years) and three mature stands (age range of 39–69 years). Average stem density in young plantations (2300 stems/ha) was lower than the average for young, fire-origin stands (11,000) and varied over a much narrower range among stands (1403–2667 for plantations and 1552–24,192 in fire stands). In addition, within-stand patchiness of stem density was also much higher in the wildfire sites for young and intermediate ages. Plantation sites possessed very little dead wood at young ages (averaging 3 snags/ha and 12 m3/ha CWD) compared to young fire-origin stands (averaging 252 snags/ha and 49 m3/ha CWD). In contrast, mature plantations had similar levels of dead wood (averaging 269 snags/ha and 22 m3/ha CWD) as mature fire-origin stands (averaging 557 snags/ha and 12 m3/ha CWD). Differences between the plantation and fire-origin chronosequences were driven mainly by young- and intermediate-aged stands, whereas mature stands were typically quite similar in all structural features. Our results show clearly that forest management aimed at preserving and enhancing the population of a single endangered species results in greatly simplified habitat structure at the stand level, and suggest that this simplification is perpetuated across the landscape as well. Of particular concern are the effects of extensive harvesting and planting on the availability of snags and CWD.
Recent Evidence on Factors Influencing the Female Labor Force Participation Rate

This study seeks, using state-level data, to identify key factors that help to explain recent trends of labor force participation among women. Adult females are treated as attempting to maximize utility subject to a variety of budgetary and non-budgetary constraints. Among the findings obtained is a positive impact from the level of public assistance, i.e., the greater the extent of public assistance to adult females in the forms of Supplemental Security Income, Food Stamps, and so forth, the higher the female labor force participation rate (FLFPR). Other factors contributing to observed FLFPRs include age, the presence of young children, family income, educational attainment and disability status. In addition, we also find evidence that an increase in the proportion of the population that is non-native to the U.S. has a negative effect on the FLFPR.
Solubilization Properties of α-Lactalbumin and β-Lactoglobulin in AOT−Isooctane Reversed Micelles

Solubilization properties of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in a sodium bis(ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate−isooctane reversed micellar phase were measured as a function of aqueous phase pH and ionic strength. Solubilization behavior over a wide range of pH values and ionic strengths indicates that hydrophobic, as well as electrostatic, interactions may play an important role in the solubilization of these proteins. The influence of hydrophobic interactions on the solubility behavior of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin is reflected in the effect of protein size and net charge on the degree of solubility. Salt concentration also affects the protein solubilization, most likely through its influence on the size of the reversed micellar droplets. This effect of droplet size on protein solubilization can be quantified by defining a “critical micellar radius” above which 50% or more of the protein transfers into the organic phase. The value of this parameter and its constancy over various pH values further suppo...
Memory institutions as digital publishers: a case study on standards and interoperability

Using an introductory organizational case study, this paper examines the tension digital publishers face between wanting to adhere to relevant standards, and the temptation to modify or create one's own local standards. The discussion examines the long‐term costs of deviation from standards, and provides three major considerations for selecting appropriate standards: local capacity for standards support, available choices, and integration with the local technical environment. The paper also explains strategies for maintaining core standards support, while retaining room for innovation and added value to digital publishing programs.
An overview of peat research, utilization and environmental considerations

Abstract The peat reserves in this country represent a vast resource for fuel and for chemical feedstock. As a fuel for combustion, peat generally has a low to moderate sulfur content (0.5-3.0% on a dry basis), a low to high ash content (5.0–20% on a dry basis), and an intermediate Btu content (6,000–10,000 per pound on a dry basis). As a chemical feedstock, peat can be extracted to provide various aliphatic, cyclic, and aromatic compounds, particularly oxygenated derivatives of these. Because of its chemical structure, peat provides a suitable feedstock for gasification not only for energy production but also for the synthesis of more complex compounds. In agriculture, peat and peat-derived chemicals are excellent soil additives and fertilizers. With such diversified application peat is a valuable resource. The objective of this chapter is to provide some background information on peat and to overview select research, utilization, and environmental considerations involving peat.
Cannabis — a polytypic genus

It has been a general assumption by botanists who have not worked taxonomically on the genus that Cannabis is monotypic. The preponderance of literature has treated it as such in the absence of any thorough taxonomic review to establish whether the epithet sativa must be restricted to a single morphologically distinct taxon within a more variable genus than presupposed or whether the specimens and literature concerning Cannabis permit the recognition of more than one specific epithet, in accordance with the most recent appearance of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. Several aspects of the problem have been enlarged by recent publications attempting to clarify the problem of species distinctions. The excellent work of Small and Beckstead (1973), based almost wholly on cultivated or weedy material, concluded that there was but a single species of Cannabis (on the basis of published chemical data rather than presentation of morphological evidence), even though three distinct chemical phenotypes from three geographically disjunct latitudes were recognized and plotted on a scatter diagram. One of the several unfortunate aspects of this work was that plants growing in Ottawa under uniform conditions were not able to reach maturity in many instances, due to the abbreviated growing season; thus morphological distinctions could not always be accessed from a study of mature specimens. Furthermore, this limited growing season did not permit the study of perennial forms. Most important is the fact that the
Performance of an adaptive multitaper method for reducing coherent noise in spectral analysis of ultrasound backscattered echoes

This work is a simulation-based investigation of the performance of adaptive multitaper (aMTM) windows for reducing apparent coherence in spectral analysis of ultrasound echo signals. The multitaper method may be useful when echo signal segments are limited in their axial or lateral extent. The motivation is to create high spatial resolution, low-noise parametric images of Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) parameters derived for incoherent scattering. Pulse-echo simulations convoluted a broadband (25%100% fractional bandwidth) acoustic pulse with a one-dimensional assortment of randomly distributed scatterers. Sets of 3000 independent, simulated echo signals were computed for different bandwidths and for various concentrations of scatterers (2-20 scatteres per pulse length). The power spectral density (PSD) was estimated as the average of individual periodograms from gated segments of a subset of the independent signals. PSD estimates were computed with the Short Time Fourier Transform using low-leakage tapering functions, Welch's method with different subsegment length and shift ratios, and Thomson's multitaper method. An adaptive time bandwidth selection criterion was designed to estimate PSD-derived parameters such as the backscatter coefficient using the multitaper method. The mean squared error (MSE) of PSD estimates was computed when reducing the window size from 1 to 50 pulse lengths axially and 1 to 50 averaged realizations laterally. For a particular MSE value, the window size leading to equal contributions of the bias and coherent noise was determined, and the diagonal of this window (Dw) was used as a criterion for comparison among PSD estimation methods. The adaptive multitaper method led to 77% and 13% reductions in Dw compared to that of the Short Time Fourier Transform (regardless of the windowing function) and Welch's method, respectively. These values did not vary significantly with different pulse bandwidths or scatterer densities above 10 scatterers per pulse lengths. The adaptive multitaper method successfully reduced bias and coherent noise compared to values for other methods, showing its advantage for spectral analysis of incoherent backscattered signals.
Regulation of neural progenitor cell development in the nervous system

The mammalian telencephalon, which comprises the cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, basal ganglia, and amygdala, is the most complex and intricate region of the CNS. It is the seat of all higher brain functions including the storage and retrieval of memories, the integration and processing of sensory and motor information, and the regulation of emotion and drive states. In higher mammals such as humans, the telencephalon also governs our creative impulses, ability to make rational decisions, and plan for the future. Despite its massive complexity, exciting work from a number of groups has begun to unravel the developmental mechanisms for the generation of the diverse neural cell types that form the circuitry of the mature telencephalon. Here, we review our current understanding of four aspects of neural development. We first begin by providing a general overview of the broad developmental mechanisms underlying the generation of neuronal and glial cell diversity in the telencephalon during embryonic development. We then focus on development of the cerebral cortex, the most complex and evolved region of the brain. We review the current state of understanding of progenitor cell diversity within the cortical ventricular zone and then describe how lateral signaling via the Notch-Delta pathway generates specific aspects of neural cell diversity in cortical progenitor pools. Finally, we review the signaling mechanisms required for development, and response to injury, of a specialized group of cortical stem cells, the radial glia, which act both as precursors and as migratory scaffolds for newly generated neurons.