cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrologic connectivity to streams increases nitrogen and phosphorus inputs and cycling in soils of created and natural floodplain wetlands

Greater connectivity to stream surface water may result in greater inputs of allochthonous nutrients that could stimulate internal nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling in natural, restored, and created riparian wetlands. This study investigated the effects of hydrologic connectivity to stream water on soil nutrient fluxes in plots (n = 20) located among four created and two natural freshwater wetlands of varying hydrology in the Piedmont physiographic province of Virginia. Surface water was slightly deeper; hydrologic inputs of sediment, sediment-N, and ammonium were greater; and soil net ammonification, N mineralization, and N turnover were greater in plots with stream water classified as their primary water source compared with plots with precipitation or groundwater as their primary water source. Soil water-filled pore space, inputs of nitrate, and soil net nitrification, P mineralization, and denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) were similar among plots. Soil ammonification, N mineralization, and N turnover rates increased with the loading rate of ammonium to the soil surface. Phosphorus mineralization and ammonification also increased with sedimentation and sediment-N loading rate. Nitrification flux and DEA were positively associated in these wetlands. In conclusion, hydrologic connectivity to stream water increased allochthonous inputs that stimulated soil N and P cycling and that likely led to greater retention of sediment and nutrients in created and natural wetlands. Our findings suggest that wetland creation and restoration projects should be designed to allow connectivity with stream water if the goal is to optimize the function of water quality improvement in a watershed.
Electrolyte concentration in different muscles during growth in the rat

Abstract 1. 1. The concentration of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and moisture was determined in the biceps brachii, soleus, plantaris, gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis muscles during normal growth. 2. 2. In all muscles, the concentration of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus increased and the concentration of sodium and moisture decreased during growth. 3. 3. Regardless of age, the soleus had lower concentrations of potassium, magnesium and phosphorus but higher sodium concentration than the biceps brachii, plantaris, gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis. 4. 4. Differences were noted between muscles in the time taken to reach maturity as assessed by electrolyte concentrations.
Integrated Palmer Amaranth Management in Glufosinate-Resistant Cotton: I. Soil-Inversion, High-Residue Cover Crops and Herbicide Regimes

A three year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the role of soil-inversion, cover crops and herbicide regimes for Palmer amaranth between-row (BR) and within-row (WR) management in glufosinate-resistant cotton. The main plots were two soil-inversion treatments: fall inversion tillage (IT) and non-inversion tillage (NIT). The subplots were three cover crop treatments: crimson clover, cereal rye and winter fallow; and sub subplots were four herbicide regimes: preemergence (PRE) alone, postemergence (POST) alone, PRE + POST and a no herbicide check (None). The PRE herbicide regime consisted of a single application of pendimethalin at 0.84 kg ae ha −1 plus fomesafen at 0.28 kg ai ha −1 . The POST herbicide regime consisted of a single application of glufosinate at 0.60 kg ai ha −1 plus S-metolachlor at 0.54 kg ai ha −1 and the PRE + POST regime combined the prior two components. At 2 weeks after planting (WAP) cotton, Palmer amaranth densities, both BR and WR, were reduced ≥90% following all cover crop treatments in the IT. In the NIT, crimson clover reduced Palmer amaranth densities >65% and 50% compared to winter fallow and cereal rye covers, respectively. At 6 WAP, the PRE and PRE + POST herbicide regimes in both IT and NIT reduced BR and WR Palmer amaranth densities >96% over the three years. Additionally, the BR density was reduced
A comparison of the effects of data–ink ratio on performance with dynamic displays in a monitoring task

Abstract This study investigated the applicability of recommendations for the design of graphs to the design of dynamic graphic displays. Specifically, recommendations regarding the level of data–ink ratio (the ratio of ink showing data to the total ink) were tested. Participants monitored dynamic process control variables in one of three display conditions corresponding to high, medium, and low data–ink ratios. Speed of response to out-of-range variables and level of situation awareness were measured, and aspects of subjective mental workload were assessed. Results indicated some support for principles of non-data–ink reduction: reaction times to out-of-range events were fastest for the highest data–ink ratio condition. Reaction times were similar for the low and medium data–ink conditions, perhaps because these conditions relied on the same graphical specifier. Level of situation awareness showed no effect of data–ink ratio; however, participants appeared to have better awareness of variables, which changed more frequently. Relevance to industry Increased capabilities and decreased costs of computer displays have increased the likelihood that such technology will be applied in an industrial context. This study suggests that while there may be some applicability of available design guidelines for static graphics to dynamic displays, a simple translation of the guidelines from a static to dynamic environment is not a guarantee for improved performance.
Percolation Thresholds and Excluded Area for Penetrable Rectangles in Two Dimensions

The percolation threshold for penetrable rectangles in two dimensions is examined by way of an analogy to a lattice model that employs the averaged pairwise excluded area between particles as a key ingredient. Percolation thresholds are calculated as functions of: (i) the aspect ratio of the rectangles for the case of a random, isotropic, orientational distribution, and: (ii) the orientational order parameter for situations in which the particles exhibit varying degrees of alignment. The threshold volume fraction is found to rise with increases in the degree of particle alignment, and our results for isotropically distributed systems are in close agreement with findings from recent Monte Carlo (MC) simulations.
Complexity and Tor on a Complete Intersection

Let (R, m) be a complete intersection, that is, a local ring whose m-adic completion is the quotient of a regular local ring by a regular sequence. SupposeMis a finitely generatedR-module. It is known that the even and odd Betti sequences ofMare eventually given by polynomials of the same degreen; the complexity ofMis the nonnegative integern + 1. We use this notion of complexity to study the vanishing of TorRi(M, N) for finitely generated modulesMandNover a complete intersectionR. We prove several theorems dealing with rigidity of Tor, which are generalizations and, in certain situations, improvements of known results. The main idea of these rigidity theorems is that the number of consecutive vanishing Tors required in the hypothesis of a rigidity theorem depends more on the minimum of the complexities ofMandNrather than on the codimension ofR. We give examples showing that this dependence is sharp. We also show that ifM ⊗ RNhas finite length, then, for sufficiently high indices, two consecutive vanishing Tors force the vanishing of all higher Tors.
Dielectric function of media based on conductive particles

The general formula for the dielectric function of a medium containing conductive particles of various sizes (e.g., nanoparticles) is derived, and shown that it is exact in spite of electron-electron interactions for a parabolic confinement of electrons in the particles. The derivation method explains the apparent universal applicability of this formula to other systems. It is also shown, how this formula can be used to design composites with desired dielectric properties.
Transonic Flutter Computations for a 2D Supercritical Wing

A numerical investigation of the transonic twodegree-of-freedom bending/torsion utter characteristics of the NLR 7301 section is presented using a time domain method. An unsteady, two-dimensional, compressible, thin-layer Navier-Stokes ow-solver is coupled with a two-degree-of-freedom structural model. Furthermore, the Baldwin-Lomax, the Baldwin-Barth and the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence models are implemented, each in conjunction with the transition model of Gostelow et al. The transition onset location can either be predicted with Michel's criterion or speci ed as an input parameter. Computations of the steady transonic aerodynamic characteristics show good agreement with the experimental results using the BaldwinBarth or the Spalart-Allmaras model in combination with transition modeling. The aeroelastic computations predict limit-cycle utter in agreement with the experiment. However, the computed utter amplitudes are an order of magnitude larger than the measured ones.
The gene and processed pseudogenes of the rat mitochondrial single-strand DNA-binding protein: Structure and promoter strength analyses

Abstract The gene for the rat mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (mtSSB) was amplified by PCR and isolated as several overlapping genomic clones. The clones encompassed the 5′ untranslated sequence and all intron/exon junctions. The gene contained seven exons and six introns. The first exon contained only 5′ untranslated sequence. The 16-amino acid mitochondrial targeting presequence, encoded by the second and third exons, was precisely bisected by intron 2. All intron donor and acceptor sites were consistent with the GT/AG consensus. The transcription start site was determined by primer-extension analysis to be 69 bp upstream of the translation start codon. The upstream sequence lacked TATA and CCAAT boxes at the expected locations, but did contain several other potential regulatory elements including a GC box (Sp1-binding site) and three NRF-2 sites, one of which was located precisely beside the transcription start site. A 10 out of 12 imperfect NRF-1 site was located within the first exon. The 5′ flanking sequence (−546 to +30) was shown to have strong promoter activity in transient transfection assays in primary rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. In addition, evidence for the existence of several mtSSB processed pseudogenes was obtained. These pseudogenes lacked introns and contained substitution and deletion mutations compared to the cDNA sequence. The 5′ upstream region of one of the pseudogenes was analyzed and found to contain negligible promoter activity.
Effects of Prosthesis Mass on Hip Energetics, Prosthetic Knee Torque, and Prosthetic Knee Stiffness and Damping Parameters Required for Transfemoral Amputees to Walk With Normative Kinematics

We quantify how the hip energetics and knee torque required for an above-knee prosthesis user to walk with the kinematics of able-bodied humans vary with the inertial properties of the prosthesis. We also select and optimize passive mechanical components for a prosthetic knee to accurately reproduce the required knee torque. Previous theoretical studies have typically investigated the effects of prosthesis inertial properties on energetic parameters by modifying both mass and mass distribution of the prosthesis and computing kinetic and energetic parameters only during swing. Using inverse dynamics, we determined the effects of independently modifying mass and mass distribution of the prosthesis, and we computed parameters during both stance and swing. Results showed that reducing prosthesis mass significantly affected hip energetics, whereas reducing mass distribution did not. Reducing prosthesis mass to 25% of the mass of a physiological leg decreased peak stance hip power by 26%, average swing hip power by 74%, and absolute hip work over the gait cycle by 22%. Previous studies have also typically optimized prosthetic knee components to reproduce the knee torque generated by able-bodied humans walking with normative kinematics. However, because the prosthetic leg of an above-knee prosthesis user weighs significantly less than a physiological leg, the knee torque required for above-knee prosthesis users to walk with these kinematics may be significantly different. Again using inverse dynamics, it was found that changes in prosthesis mass and mass distribution significantly affected this required torque. Reducing the mass of the prosthesis to 25% of the mass of the physiological leg increased peak stance torque by 43% and decreased peak swing torque by 76%. The knee power required for an above-knee prosthesis user to walk with the kinematics of able-bodied humans was analyzed to select passive mechanical components for the prosthetic knee. The coefficients of the components were then optimized to replicate the torque required to walk with the kinematics of able-bodied humans. A prosthetic knee containing a single linear spring and two constant-force dampers was found to accurately replicate the targeted torque (R 2 =0.90 for a typical prosthesis). Optimal spring coefficients were found to be relatively insensitive to mass alterations of the prosthetic leg, but optimal damping coefficients were sensitive. In particular, as the masses of the segments of the prosthetic leg were altered between 25% and 100% of ablebodied values, the optimal damping coefficient of the second damper varied by 330%, with foot mass alterations having the greatest effect on its value.
High temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance of PtxCoy/C cathodes

Abstract Carbon-supported Pt–Co alloy nanoparticles of varying Pt:Co atomic ratios of 1:1, 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 are prepared, characterized and tested in high temperature PEM fuel cell intend to reduce the Pt loading. These electrocatalysts are prepared by borohydride reduction method in the presence of citric acid as stabilizing agent. Face-centered cubic structure of Pt is evident from XRD. The positive shift of Pt diffraction peaks with increasing cobalt content in the Pt x Co y /C catalysts indicated the solubility of Co in Pt lattice. The average crystallite size is found to be 6 nm in all the prepared catalysts. The electrochemical active surface area (EAS) of the catalysts from CO-stripping voltammetry is calculated to be 65.2, 51.4, 47.7, 41.5 and 38.3 m 2 g −1 Pt for Pt/C, Pt–Co(4:1)/C, Pt–Co(3:1)/C, Pt–Co(2:1)/C and Pt–Co(1:1)/C, respectively. These catalysts are used as cathode in the fabrication of polybenzimidazole-based membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the polarization curves are recorded at 160 and 180 °C. The results indicate the good performance of Pt–Co alloys than that of Pt under the PEM fuel cell conditions. Among the investigated electrocatalysts, Pt–Co(1:1)/C and Pt–Co(2:1)/C exhibited good fuel cell performance. Durability tests also indicated the good stability of Pt–Co(1:1)/C and Pt–Co(2:1)/C compared to Pt/C.
All-cause pneumonia hospitalizations in children <2 years old in sweden, 1998 to 2012: impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine introduction.

Background In late 2007, some Swedish County Councils started 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) implementation for children, and PCV7 was included in the national immunization program in 2009. By 2010, both PCV10 and PCV13 were licensed, and the selection of vaccine was subject to County Councils tenders. This study investigated the impact of the order of PCV introduction into vaccination programs on the incidence of all-cause pneumonia hospitalizations in children <2 years-old. Methods Using population-based data from the publicly available National Inpatient Registry, the incidence of inpatient pneumonia (ICD-10 J12-J18) hospitalizations by County Councils among children <2 years old was identified between 1998 and 2012. Incidence rate ratios (IRR; 95% CI) were calculated during the nationwide implementation of PCV7 and then between County Councils, as based on the higher-valent vaccine chosen for a program. Results There was a lower risk of all-cause pneumonia hospitalization among <2 year-old children following the introduction of PCV7, as compared to the pre-PCV7 period (0.77; 0.63–0.93). A decreased risk of all-cause pneumonia was also observed in the County Councils that followed the order PCV7 then PCV13 (0.82; 0.66–1.01), while no trend was observed in County Councils with a program in the order PCV7 then PCV10 (1.03; 0.82–1.30). When comparing the higher-valent vaccines, there was a 21% (0.79; 0.66–0.96) lower risk for childhood pneumonia hospitalization in County Councils finally using PCV13 as compared to the experience in County Councils that ultimately adopted PCV10. Conclusions Among children <2 years-old, all-cause pneumonia hospitalizations were significantly reduced by 23% one to two years after introduction of PCV7 vaccination in Sweden. In those County Councils that next introduced PCV13, a further decline in all-cause pneumonia hospitalization was observed, in contrast to those County Councils that followed with PCV10; this 21% lower risk for childhood pneumonia hospitalization was statistically significant.
Unbiased stereological quantification of neurons in the human spiral ganglion.

We applied an unbiased stereological technique, the optical fractionator, on five human archival temporal bone specimens to estimate the total number of spiral ganglion neurons. Available archival human temporal bone specimen has been serially sectioned at 20 μm and every tenth section was stained. All the stained sections passing through the spiral ganglion were used for the analysis. From each section sampled, the counting areas were systematically randomly sampled within the sectional area of the spiral ganglion. The neurons within the counting areas sampled were counted with the optical disector technique. The total number of the human spiral ganglion neurons was estimated by multiplying the number of neurons counted by the reciprocal of the aggregate sampling fraction. We found an average of 41 700 neurons with a coefficient of variation of 0.14, which is a significant departure from the previously published data obtained with the assumption-based methods. The mean coefficient of error for the stereological estimates of the total number of human spiral ganglion neurons was 0.078. The present report presents unbiased stereological sampling and counting strategies for the future quantitative studies on the spiral ganglion neurons. The result of the present study provides the first unbiased baseline value of the human spiral ganglion neurons.
A study of the onset of unsaturated fatty acid deficiency in subcellular particles of rat livers.

Abstract 1. 1. Rats placed on a fat-free diet lose di-, tetra-, and pentaenoic acid from cytoplasmic particles at a high initial rate which declines by 6 weeks. Thereafter, the losses proceed very slowly, in some cases without change for 12–24 weeks. 2. 2. The largest losses are found in the microsomal fraction and the least in the mitochondrial, while those of the poorly sedimentable fraction are intermediate. 3. 3. The trienoic acid accumulates in all three fractions, reaching levels of four to six times those found in the fraction under normal conditions. 4. 4. Since these alterations occur approximately 6 weeks before the onset of external symptoms of fat deficiency, it is suggested that the primary lesion in fat deficiency may take place earlier than heretofore suspected and may bear only a secondary relationship to the external symptoms.
Covert and overt forms of maltreatment in the preschools

This paper examines the preschool environment, finding within it forms and patterns of maltreatment. The preschool is defined as an educational facility for children 2 1/2 to 5 years. Described are the major models of preschools, public and private, conservatively estimated at 50,000 in the United States. The study is based on data from observations by the author of 60-70 preschools in the New York City metropolitan area, 1976-1981. This five-year period witnessed a substantial increase in the preschool movement. Explored are factors related to this increase, one significant factor being the idea that early childhood education can never be too early. Demand for early academic competence in young children when combined with longer time periods spent in preschools creates difficulties for children. Societal pressure upon preschool teachers to produce cognitively and emotionally competent young children while assuring their health and safety needs leads to outcomes which are cause for concern. Covert forms of maltreatment lie predominantly in staff (directors, teachers, assistants) attitudes toward young children. These include: insistence that children learn to be independent while reinforcing dependent behavior; overemphasis on the acquisition of academic skills, irrespective of age; excessive reliance on packaged "educational" materials; non-use of materials that have intrinsic interest for children; lack of enthusiasm for working with young children; rigid adherence to routine for convenience; dislike of particular children. Overt forms of maltreatment to gain compliance or obedience from young children range from direct verbal attack (insult, sarcasm, ridicule, threats, name calling, humiliation) through emotional abuse (withholding of affection or compassion) to clear physical coercion (pulling, pushing, shoving, yanking, expulsion from class, isolation in class). Such patterns are not limited to a particular model but can occur in each preschool category. Their significance suggests that caring for and educating young children in group settings may not be the panacea society wants it to be. Special preparation for early childhood educators with well supervised internships is certainly a forward step, among many others, which are cooperatively needed at this juncture to improve the preschool environment for all children.
Mutations in Arabidopsis YCF20 -like genes affect thermal dissipation of excess absorbed light energy

Plants dissipate excess absorbed light energy as heat to protect themselves from photo-oxidative stress. The Arabidopsis thaliana npq6 mutant affected in thermal dissipation was identified by its partial defect in the induction of nonphotochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) by excess light. Positional cloning revealed that npq6 contains a frameshift mutation caused by a single base-pair deletion in the At5g43050 gene, which encodes a member of the hypothetical chloroplast open reading frame 20 (YCF20) family of proteins with unknown function(s). The YCF20 protein family is mostly conserved in oxygenic photosynthetic organisms including cyanobacteria, eukaryotic algae, and plants. Amino acid sequence comparison identified two other genes in Arabidopsis that encode similar proteins to NPQ6: At1g65420 and At3g56830. These three Arabidopsis proteins have functional chloroplast-targeting transit peptides. Using reverse genetics, a mutant with a T-DNA insertion within the At1g65420 gene was identified and shown to exhibit a low NPQ phenotype similar to that of npq6; therefore, At1g65420 was named NPQ7. In contrast, a knockdown mutant in the At3g56830 gene with lower transcript levels showed wild-type levels of NPQ. The npq6 npq7 double mutant had an additive NPQ defect, indicating that the YCF20 family members in Arabidopsis have overlapping functions affecting thermal dissipation.
Matrix Effect-Free Analytical Methods for Determination of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids in Environmental Matrixes

Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) are persistent chemicals that have been found widely in the environment. Their accurate determination in environmental matrixes, particularly soil, sediment, and sludge, at low levels presents significant analytical challenges. The commercialization of electrospray interfaces for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis facilitated analysis of PFCAs at low levels, but issues with quantitative analysis due to matrix suppression or enhancement still persist. The methods described in this study utilize simple and rapid sample purification procedures to remove matrix components sufficiently so that errors due to coeluting matrix peaks are negligible and recoveries of PFCAs are consistently and reproducibly quantitative. Extracts from solid samples (soil and sediment) and liquid bacterial sludge are purified using dispersive solid-phase extraction. Recovery values generally are in the 70-120% range, with limits of quantitation of 1 ppb. The method utilizes an extraction solvent previously shown to release and recover aged residues of PFCAs. A confirmatory method using two precursor to product ions is also provided and demonstrated.
Criconemoides Grassator N. Sp. From Yellow Poplar (Liriodendron Tulipifera) in West Virginia 1)

Soil and root samples from a native stand of yellow-poplar yielded Criconemoides axeste Fassuliotis & Williamson, 1959, and an undescribed representative of Criconemoides Taylor, 1936. The predominant species, C. grassator n. sp. differed from all the other representatives of the genus, except C. calvus Raski & Golden, 1965, in number of body annules (79) and in length of stylet (101 μ). The prominent head annule further serves to differentiate this species. The vulva is on the 11th to 14th annule from the terminus. It differs frcm C. calvus in body length, annulation, tail shape and character of the head.
A Nuclear Utility's Views on the Use of Probabilistic Risk Assessment

Probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is a relatively new tool in the nuclear industry. The Reactor Safety Study started the present trend of conducting PRAs for nuclear power plants when it was published in 1975. Now, nine years later, those in the industry currently using PRA techniques are frequently asked the same question: Why should the nuclear utility industry, with so many accepted analytical tools already available, invest the time and manpower to develop a new technique with so many uncertainties?
UIG: the User Interface Generator

UIG is a mixed-control model [Tanner] user interface management system (UIMS) for interactive command-driven programs. A software engineer specifies a command language by providing example sentences, and uses an interactive utility to create menus and dialogue boxes. UIG then generates a working user interface with linkages to the code of the underlying application. The user interface has a command line mode with advanced features, a menu mode similar to popular windowing operating systems, and an experiment mode in which commands are processed from external files which can contain programming constructs. All modes of the user interface feature an advanced help system which is active [Fischer] and context-sensitive. The user interface enforces semantic restrictions that determine when various commands may be executed. UIG generates end-user documentation and is streamlined to make maintenance chores easy.
Lack of Long-Term Diabetic Complications in Spite of Poor Glycemic Control in Twins With Pure Gonadal Dysgenesis

BACKGROUND The prepubertal years have little effect on the chronic complications of diabetes. Animal studies have shown castration prevents diabetic complications. No previous data on untreated agonadal human diabetic subjects is available. CASE HISTORY Clinical study of untreated agonadal twins with insulin-dependent diabetes for presence of chronic complications of diabetes. In spite of the twins9 poor glycemic control, no evidence of the chronic complications of diabetes was found. CONCLUSIONS The absence of gonadal sex steroids in the diabetic patient may have a protective effect against the development of the chronic complications of diabetes.
Procedural level generation using occupancy-regulated extension

Existing approaches to procedural level generation in 2D platformer games are, with some notable exceptions, procedures designed to do the work of a human game designer. They offer the usual benefits and disadvantages of AI applied to a cognitive task: they can work much faster than a human level designer, and are in some cases able to explore the design space automatically to find levels with desirable qualities. But they aren't able to capture the human creativity that produces the most interesting level designs, and they are usually very specific to their particular domain. This paper introduces occupancy-regulated extension (ORE), a general geometry assembly algorithm that supports human-design-based level authoring at arbitrary scales.
Factors influencing scanning for alerts

Aircraft pilots (like operators in many domains) are required to monitor locations for rare events, while concurrently performing their everyday tasks. In many cases, the visual parameters of the alert are such that it is not visible unless directly fixated. For this reason, critical alerts should be designed to be visible in peripheral vision and/or augmented by an audio alarm. We use the term "conspicuity" to distinguish the attention-getting power of a visual stimulus from simple visibility in a single-task context. We have measured conspicuity in an experimental paradigm designed to test the N-SEEV model of attention and noticing (Steelman-Allen et al., HFES 2009). The subject performed a demanding central task while monitoring four peripheral locations for color change events. Visibility of the alerting stimuli was measured separately in a control experiment in which the subject maintained steady fixation without the central task. Thresholds in the dual-task experiments were lower than would be expected based on the results of the control experiment, due to the fact that the subjects actively sampled the alert locations with fixations while performing the central task. Locations of high-frequency alerts are generally sampled more often than locations of low-frequency alerts, and alert location sampling in general increases with practice, presumably because the demands of the central task are reduced.
The Association of Postoperative Subjective Visual Function With Acuity, Glare, and Contrast Sensitivity in Patients With Early Cataract

Background: It has been shown in our previous studies that early cataracts affect vision in ways that can be measured by objective means and that this objective impairment in visual acuity, glare, and contrast sensitivity can be successfully reversed by cataract surgery. Objective: To evaluate the association of subjective visual function with objective measures of acuity, glare, and contrast sensitivity in patients who were symptomatic from early cataract. Methods: We administered a task-oriented questionnaire prior to and 4 months after cataract surgery to patients who were symptomatic from early cataract (median preoperative ETDRS [Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study] visual acuity of 20/40 [range, 20/20 to 20/80]); ETDRS visual acuity, disability glare, and contrast sensitivity were also measured at those times. Results: Uncomplicated cataract surgery resulted in resolution or improvement of subjective symptoms for the great majority of subjects, and in a few subjects new symptoms developed or current symptoms worsened. We found a positive association between postoperative improvement in subjective visual function (as measured by the questionnaire) and postoperative improvement in objective visual function (as measured by visual acuity and contrast sensitivity). We also found that the greater the degree of preoperative impairment in objective visual function (as measured by visual acuity and contrast sensitivity), the greater the postoperative improvement in subjective visual function (as measured by the questionnaire). No such association was found for our disability glare test. Conclusions: Cataract surgery for symptomatic individuals with mild impairment in visual acuity does relieve visual symptoms, and preoperative measurement of contrast sensitivity can help determine who with early cataract is most likely to report subjective improvement in vision.
Development of a Dry Plastic Insect Trap with Food-Based Synthetic Attractant for the Mediterranean and Mexican Fruit Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)

A dry plastic insect trap for monitoring populations of tephritid fruit flies is described. The plastic trap is constructed of acetate film that is painted to provide a visual cue and contains a toxic ant panel that provides a visual cue and a feeding stimulant to flies that have entered the trap. The trap baited with a 2-component blend of ammonium acetate and putrescine was tested against feral populations of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), and the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew), in field trials conducted in Guatemala. The combination of ammonium acetate and putrescine was better than either ammonium acetate-only, putrescine-only, or unbaited traps. More female Mediternmean fruit flies were trapped in green traps than in colorless traps, and capture of male Mediternmean fruit flies was greater in yellow traps than in orange traps. Neither female nor male Mexican fruit flies differentiated among orange, green, and yellow traps, but the percentage trapped in any colored trap was higher than in colorless traps. McPhail traps with standard protein bait caught more Mexican fruit flies than either of the plastic traps at any of the doses of synthetic baits tested. However, plastic traps baited with either the medium or high dose of synthetic blend caught equal numbers of Mediterranean fruit flies as McPhail traps. Although McPhail traps caught more female Mediterranean fruit flies than plastic traps baited with the low dose of synthetic blend, a greater percentage of females captured in plastic traps were unmated (55-65% versus 22% in McPhail traps). Increase in dose of the synthetic lure increased the percentage of mated females captured in the plastic traps. Unlike McPhail traps, which catch large numbers of miscellaneous Diptera, the plastic traps were highly specific and caught few nontarget flies.
Surface-mediated synthesis of metal clusters

Abstract Surface-mediated organometallic synthesis is a new method whereby the surface of a solid plays the role analogous to that of a solvent in conventional synthesis. The synthesis variables include the nature and loading of the metal salt or organometallic precursor adsorbed on the solid, the physical properties (e.g., surface area) of the solid, the chemical properties (e.g., acid-base properties) of the surface, the gas atmosphere, temperature, and pressure. The products synthesized on the surface are purified simply by extraction. Surface-mediated synthesis has been used to prepare numerous neutral and anionic metal carbonyl clusters and is an efficient method for preparation of [HOs 3 (CO) 10 (OH)], [H 4 Os 4 (CO) 12 ], [Os 5 C(CO) 14 ] 2− , [Os 1O C(CO) 24 ] 2− , [Rh 5 (CO) 15 ] − , and [Pt 15 (CO) 30 ] 2− . The latter four are prepared in one-step syntheses by reductive carbonylation taking place on the basic surface of porous MgO powder. Similar syntheses take place in the molecular-scale cages of zeolites, but removal of the products is usually hindered by their entrapment in the cages. There are parallels between surface and solution chemistry that are predicted roughly by a comparison of surface and solvent properties. For example, synthesis of some neutral metal carbonyl clusters, e.g., [H 4 Os 4 (CO) 12 ] on SiO 2 or on carbon, takes place as it does in a neutral solvent, and synthesis of some metal carbonyl cluster anions, e.g., [Os 10 C(CO) 24 ] 2− on MgO, takes place as it does in a basic solution in the presence of a reducing agent. Mobile mononuclear metal carbonyl fragments are postulated intermediates in the surface-mediated cluster syntheses.
Trans-foraminal versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion: Comparison of surgical morbidity

Abstract Background: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and trans-foraminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are both accepted surgical approaches for spinal fusion in spondylolisthesis and degenerative disc disease. The unilateral approach of TLIF may minimize the risk of iatrogenic durotomy and nerve root injury; however, there is no definitive evidence to support either approach. We review our experience with TLIF versus PLIF to compare operative complications. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 119 consecutive cases of PLIF or TLIF performed for degenerative disc disease or spondylolithesis at a single institution over 5 years and examined the incidences of operative complications and outcomes. Results: PLIF was performed in 76 (63%) patients and TLIF in 43 (37%). Patients were 48±13 years old and presented with mechanical back pain [109 (92%)], radicular pain [95 (80%)], and radicular motor weakness [10 (8%)]. Patients undergoing PLIF and TLIF had similar baseline demographic, clinical,...
Design of dynamic load-balancing tools for parallel applications

The design of general-purpose dynamic load-balancing tools for parallel applications is more challenging than the design of static partitioning tools. Both algorithmic and software engineering issues arise. We have addressed many of these issues in the design of the Zoltan dynamic load-balancing library. Zoltan has an object-oriented interface that makes it easy to use and provides separation between the application and the load-balancing algorithms. It contains a suite of dynamic load-balancing algorithms, including both geometric and graph-based algorithms. Its design makes it valuable both as a partitioning tool for a variety of applications and as a research test-bed for new algorithmic development. In this paper, we describe Zoltan's design and demonstrate its use in an unstructured-mesh finite element application.
Casein kinase II phosphorylation of caldesmon downregulates myosin-caldesmon interactions.

It is well-known that caldesmon (CaD) is a substrate for casein kinase II (CKII), and the phosphorylation of CaD by CKII regulates the interaction of CaD with myosin. However, the functionally relevant CKII phosphorylation site(s) on CaD and the precise role of CaD phosphorylation by CKII in mediating CaD's function have remained elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that Ser-26 is the major CKII phosphorylation site on CaD, while Ser-73 is of relatively minor importance. Moreover, the phosphorylation of Ser-26 and Ser-73 reduced CaD's ability to bind myosin by 45% and 27%, respectively, suggesting that the interaction of CaD with myosin is downregulated, at least in part, by the phosphorylation of these serine residues by CKII. Our results also demonstrate that there are at least four myosin-binding motifs within the amino-terminal region of CaD, located between residues 1−23, 34−43, 44−53, and 86−115, respectively. The myosin-binding motif between residues 44−53 contributes to strong myosin binding, wh...
The treatment of argument in speech text books

The treatment of logical materials in many speech textbooks is seriously defective. This situation can lead to mistakes in the evaluation of arguments.
A common origin for immunity and digestion.

Historically the digestive and immune systems were viewed and studied as separate entities. However, there are remarkable similarities and shared functions in both nutrient acquisition and host defense. Here, I propose a common origin for both systems. This association provides a new prism for viewing the emergence and evolution of host defense mechanisms.
Abnormal surface liquid pH regulation by cultured cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelium

Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-dependent airway epithelial bicarbonate transport is hypothesized to participate in airway surface liquid pH regulation and contribute to lung defense. We measured pH and ionic composition in apical surface liquid (ASL) on polarized normal (NL) and CF primary bronchial epithelial cell cultures under basal conditions, after cAMP stimulation, and after challenge with luminal acid loads. Under basal conditions, CF epithelia acidified ASL more rapidly than NL epithelia. Two ASL pH regulatory paths that contributed to basal pH were identified in the apical membrane of airway epithelia, and their activities were measured. We detected a ouabain-sensitive (nongastric) H+,K+-ATPase that acidified ASL, but its activity was not different in NL and CF cultures. We also detected the following evidence for a CFTR-dependent secretory pathway that was defective in CF: (i) ASL [] was higher in NL than CF ASL; (ii) activating CFTR with forskolin/3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine alkalinized NL ASL but acidified CF ASL; and (iii) NL airway epithelia more rapidly and effectively alkalinized ASL in response to a luminal acid challenge than CF epithelia. We conclude that cultured human CF bronchial epithelial pHASL is abnormally regulated under basal conditions because of absent CFTR-dependent secretion and that this defect can lead to an impaired capacity to respond to airway conditions associated with acidification of ASL.
Design and control of an active electrical knee and ankle prosthesis

This paper presents an overview of the design and control of an electrically powered knee and ankle prosthesis. The prosthesis design incorporates two motor-driven ball screw units to drive the knee and ankle joints. A spring in parallel with the ankle motor unit is employed to decrease the power consumption and increase the torque output for a given motor size. The devicepsilas sensor package includes a custom load cell to measure the sagittal socket interface moment above the knee joint, a custom sensorized foot to measure the ground reaction force at the heel and ball of the foot, and commercial potentiometers and load cells to measure joint positions and torques. A finite-state based impedance control approach, previously developed by the authors, is used and experimental results on level treadmill walking are presented that demonstrate the potential of the device to restore normal gait. The experimental power consumption of the device projects a walking distance of 5.0 km at a speed of 2.8 km/hr with a lithium polymer battery pack.
Thermal characteristics of wild and captive Micronesian Kingfisher nesting habitats

To provide information for managing the captive population of endangered Guam Micronesian kingfishers (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina), four biologically relevant thermal metrics were compared among captive facilities on the United States mainland and habitats used by wild Micronesian kingfishers on the island of Pohnpei (H. c. reichenbachii), Federated States of Micronesia. Additionally, aviaries where kingfishers laid eggs were compared to those in which birds did not attempt to breed. Compared to aviaries, habitats used by wild Pohnpei kingfishers had 3.21C higher daily maximum and minimum temperatures and the proportion of time when temperatures were in the birds’ thermoneutral zone was 45% greater. No differences were found in the magnitude of temperature fluctuation in captive and wild environments. In captive environments in which birds bred, daily maximum temperatures were 2.11C higher and temperatures were within the thermoneutral zone 25% more often than in the aviaries where the kingfishers did not breed. No differences were found in the magnitude of temperature fluctuation or the daily minimum temperature. Results suggest that the thermal environment has the potential to influence reproduction, and that consideration should be given to increasing temperatures in captive breeding facilities to improve propagation of the endangered Micronesian kingfisher. Zoo Biol 23:301–308, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. w
Asymmetry of Matt er/Antimatt er and Possibility of CPT Violations

Symmetries are an important area of study in physics, fundamental to the understanding of all aspects of Nature including the beginning and formation of the Universe, and how it appears to us today. While current quantum theories and experiments observe that CPT (Charge Conjugation, Parity, and Time Reversal) symmetry is conserved, there are speculations that this may not be the case with matter and antimatter and could provide answers as to why such a large asymmetry (also known as baryogenesis) exists between the two with normal matter completely dominating the observable Universe. Key to studying antimatter is the ability to properly capture it in low enough energy states where accurate experiments can be conducted. To assist with experimentalists’ efforts at CERN to confine antihydrogen, calculations have determined the probabilities for producing antihydrogen ions by the most efficient means that can be used to ultra-cool antihydrogen (mK-range), and allow detailed study.
ERRATA-Mass Properties of Sphere-Cone Entry Vehicles

of rings very close to the nose may altogether alter the shock structure appearing at the nose, thus decreasing the effective Mach number at the base and increasing base pressure. It is also observed that base pressure increases with the diameter ratio of the ring for the same location of ring mounting. However, the effect is more pronounced for location of ring mounting closer to the nose than to the base. This phenomenon is linked with the strength of the shock wave generated at the leading edge of the ring. When the ring is mounted near the base, the expansion by the ring will be practically independent of the diameter. However, the shock generated at the leading edge of the ring will increase in strength with diameter ratio resulting in a slight rise in base pressure. As the ring is moved towards the nose of the test body, the interaction of the wake of the ring with the flow at the downstream edge of the base becomes more severe whereas the tip shock strength of the ring remains unchanged. When the ring is moved close to the nose, it is possible that the pressure field created due to tip shock propagates to the nose of the test body through the subsonic portion of the boundary layer on the test body thereby altering the shock structure at the nose of the test body. Under such circumstances, the shock wave at the nose of the test body may as well become normal indicating at least a change to a sonic condition which results in a very weak expansion and thus a very high base pressure.
Exercise and diet affect quantitative trait loci for body weight and composition traits in an advanced intercross population of mice.

Driven by the recent obesity epidemic, interest in understanding the complex genetic and environmental basis of body weight and composition is great. We investigated this by searching for quantitat...
Selective Facet Reactivity During Cation Exchange in Cadmium Sulfide Nanorods

The partial transformation of ionic nanocrystals through cation exchange has been used to synthesize nanocrystal heterostructures. We demonstrate that the selectivity for cation exchange to take place at different facets of the nanocrystal plays an important role in determining the resulting morphology of the binary heterostructure. In the case of copper(I) (Cu+) cation exchange in cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanorods, the reaction starts preferentially at the ends of the nanorods such that copper sulfide (Cu2S) grows inward from either end. The resulting morphology is very different from the striped pattern obtained in our previous studies of silver(I) (Ag+) exchange in CdS nanorods where nonselective nucleation of silver sulfide (Ag2S) occurs (Robinson, R. D.; Sadtler, B.; Demchenko, D. O.; Erdonmez, C. K.; Wang, L.-W.; Alivisatos, A. P. Science 2007, 317, 355−358). From interface formation energies calculated for several models of epitaxial connections between CdS and Cu2S or Ag2S, we infer the relative stab...
A Rapid Means of Separating A14-125I-Insulin from Heterogeneously Labeled Insulin Molecules for Biologic Studies

We have used two methods for the preparation of a highly homogeneous insulin with high specific activity. After iodination with chloramine T, the labeled peptides were retained on a disposable Sep Pak cartridge and subsequently eluted. The eluted labeled insulins were further purified by either DEAE cellulose or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate A14-125I- from A19-125I-insulin. Both methods of chromatography were effective, but HPLC offered the advantage of better resolution in less time and higher yields of A14-125I-insulin, which is suitable for biologic studies in various target tissues.