cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pattern formation on the combs of honeybees: increasing fitness by coupling self-organization with templates

Biological patterns are often constructed via a combination of mechanisms including self-organization, templates and recipes. Our understanding of self-organization is becoming increasingly clear, yet how multiple mechanisms work together and what selective advantage they confer over simpler mechanisms is poorly understood. Honeybee (Apis mellifera) combs exhibit a pattern of brood at the bottom, pollen in a band next to it and honey at the top. This study constructs an agent-based model, derived from experimental studies, to determine both how self-organization interacts with two templates and to elucidate a selective basis for the use of multiple mechanisms. The vertical pattern of honey and brood is shown to be dependent on a gravity-based template, while the pollen band is shown to form via the interaction of a queen-based template and self-organization. The study suggests that the selective basis for this complex mechanism may be that colonies have higher growth rates when multiple mechanisms are used as opposed to self-organization alone. As self-organization is used in many contexts in which the addition of supplemental mechanisms could be advantageous, this result may be of general significance to many biological systems.
Safety of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with permanent pacemakers: a collaborative clinical approach

Objective This study aimed to characterize the interactions of pacemakers with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to identify device characteristics that could predict adverse interactions.
The murine plasma protein response to polymicrobial intra-abdominal sepsis.

Protein biomarkers in the peripheral blood could potentially be used as early indicators of sepsis and a means to stratify patients for clinical trials. Although individual molecular markers have been proposed for sepsis, none has clinical utility. The global changes in plasma proteins over the clinical course of sepsis have not been characterized using proteomic methods. We used cecal ligation and puncture to induce polymicrobial sepsis in mice and generated plasma protein profiles using 2-D DIGE of plasma from septic mice and surgical controls. Replicate cohorts (n = 3) of 4-7 animals each were used to identify 62 gel features that changed significantly (Student's t-test, p<0.05). We identified a suite of plasma proteins that describe uniquely the host plasma response to polymicrobial septic insult. Principal components analysis of protein abundance showed that ∼90% of the variability between samples was due to sepsis. In addition to canonical acute phase proteins, we identified proteins that are associated with metabolic changes (e.g. α-2 HS glycoprotein and zinc α-2 glycoprotein) consistent with the pathophysiology of sepsis. The panel of sepsis-associated molecular markers identified herein may prove useful in the diagnosis and categorization of sepsis.
Inflection-point method of interpreting emissive probe characteristics.

The use of emissive Langmuir probes in unmagnetized and weakly magnetized multidipole plasmas is investigated. It is shown that plasma potential, plasma electron temperature, and probe temperature can be determined from one probe characteristic curve. Data indicate that the inflection point of the current‐voltage curve gives the plasma potential to an accuracy the order of the probe temperature Tw/e for weak probe emission. Effects of space‐charge limiting and contamination of the probe are presented.
Firearms and dementia: a smoking gun?

Risk assessment is a key component in the evaluation of dementia. In assessing a person with dementia, safety issues (e.g. involving driving, cooking or wandering) are commonly considered. Standardized assessments and management guidelines have been developed in relation to some of these areas, which may aid the doctor in advising a patient and their family. However, no guidelines exist regarding the appropriate management of the person with dementia who may own or have access to a firearm. Risk assessment in relation to firearms and mental illness is complex due to the relapsing and remitting nature of most psychiatric disturbances in adults. However, by its progressive nature, dementia differs somewhat. The natural history of dementia is such that cognitive deficits will progressively worsen and behavioural symptoms, if not already present, may commonly develop during the course of the disease. Both cognitive decline and behavioural changes may adversely affect the capacity to handle a firearm safely. Contains literature review and policy recommendations. Language: en
Insights After 40 Years of the Fontan Operation

Fontan’s visionary operation and its modifications over the ensuing decades have re-established nonturbulent flow and substantially reduced cyanosis for patients with severe hypoplasia of one ventricle. However, a long list of largely unexpected sequelae has emerged over the last 40 years. Although it is not difficult to understand how care providers could become discouraged, a number of myths have arisen, which we will attempt to dispel with real-world counterexamples as well as with lessons learned from other disciplines: evolutionary, developmental, and computational biology. We argue that distinctive biochemical abnormalities pointing to dysfunction in multiple organs, including the largest organ system in the body, the endothelium, occur long before grossly observable changes in cardiac imaging can be recognized. With a rational redesign of both our surveillance scheme and our wellness strategies, we hope that Fontan survivors and their families, as well as physicians, nurses, and therapists, will se...
Branched chain amino acids in hepatic encephalopathy

Seventy-five patients with acute hepatic decompensation superimposed on chronic alcoholic cirrhosis were prospectively randomized for a blinded trial of the treatment of hepatic.
Making noises in counterpoint or chorus: Putnam's rejection of relativism

Putnam's internal realism entails the simultaneous rejection of metaphysical realism and (“anything goes” or “total” or “cultural”) relativism. Putnam argues, in some places, that relativism is self-contradictory, and in others, that it is self-refuting. This paper attempts the exegetical task of explicating these challenging arguments, and the critical task of suggesting that a full-blown epistemological relativism may be capable of surviving the Putnam attack.
Smart materials based on polymeric systems

The science and technology of the 21st century will rely heavily on the development of new materials. Such materials are expected to be innovative with regards to structure, functionality, and design. One concept in achieving this goal is what has been termed 'smart materials.' A smart material is defined as a material which has been atomically or molecularly engineered in such a way that the microstructure itself is imbued with embedded sensors, actuators, and control mechanisms, giving it the capability of sensing and responding to external stimuli in a predetermined and controlled fashion. Programs in this area have involved technological advances in a number of scientific disciplines inclusive of materials science, chemistry, biotechnology, molecular electronics, nanotechnology, etc. These have encompassed research themes into the design of polymeric materials which are capable of altering their mechanical and electrical properties when exposed to specific molecular species, the synthesis of amphiphlic molecules with easily modified ferroelectric, photochromic and nonlinear properties, the design of stress sensitive molecules capable of monitoring damage and redistributing stresses in composites, and the merging of biological and chemical technologies to create assemblies with signal transduction properties. This presentation highlights some of these activities.
Findings from a Multi-Year Investigation of Tactile and Multi-Modal Displays

The U.S. Army's Advanced Technology Objective (ATO) titled “Situational Understanding as an Enabler for the Unit of Action Maneuver Team” sponsored a series of investigations to assess the utility of tactile displays, both as standalone displays and as part of multi-modal displays. The data from the ATO experiments demonstrated three areas in which tactile systems showed potential to increase soldier performance. These areas were communications in dismounted stealth operations, the use of multi-modal alerts (tactile paired with visual) during high visual workload periods, and reduction in visual tasks during extremely high workload.
Generation of dynamic humanoid behaviors through task-space control with conic optimization

This paper presents a new formulation of prioritized task-space control for humanoids that is used to develop a dynamic kick and dynamic jump in a 26 degree of freedom simulated system. The demonstrated motions are controlled through a real-time conic optimization scheme that selects appropriate joint torques and contact forces. More specifically, motions are characterized in appropriate task spaces, and the real-time optimizer solves the task-space control problem while accounting for user-defined priorities between the tasks. In contrast to previous solutions of the Prioritized Task-Space Control (PTSC) problem for humanoids, the solution presented here satisfies the ZMP constraint and ground friction limitations at all levels of priority, and is general to periods of flight as well as support. All generated motions include control of the system's centroidal angular momentum, which leads to emergent whole-body behaviors, such as arm-swing, that are not specified by the designer. In addition, compared to a previous quadratic programming solution of the PTSC problem, our approach gains a factor of 2 speedup in its required computational time. This speedup allows the control approach to operate at real-time rates of approximately 200 Hz.
Macropremies: Underprivileged newborns

The focus of neonatal intensive care has been on very low birthweight infants, who comprise only 1.4% of neonates. Too little attention is paid to moderately preterm infants that we call macropremies or moderately low birthweight infants (MLBW, with birthweights 1500-2500 grams). Admitting over half MLBW infants to normal nurseries presumes that they have few needs and an excellent prognosis similar to fullterm newborns. It does not take into account the macropremie's vulnerability to complications of prematurity due to immature organ systems. Obstetricians are increasingly willing to deliver these infants prematurely for signs of fetal distress. As many as 25% of children with cerebral palsy referred to a disability clinic in Paris were MLBW, with hypoxic-ischemic-inflammatory associated disorders in one-third. The majority of MLBW infants who required neonatal intensive care at a tertiary care center in Baltimore had complications of prematurity: 47% had respiratory problems, 20% had feeding intolerance and 9% had hypoglycemia. MLBW infants comprise 5-7% of the neonatal population but account for 14% of neonatal deaths, 18-37% of children with cerebral palsy and 7-12% of children with mental retardation. Increasing the level of neonatal care for the macropremie's transition to extrauterine life would be economically feasible if it prevented as few as 30% of cases of major disability. A change in attitude towards this low risk (but not risk free) group of MLBW infants will both reduce morbidity and improve their health and neurodevelopmental outcome. It includes: 1) Providing an intermediate level of neonatal care for a short duration, with close monitoring and prompt intervention as needed, and 2) Neonatal neurodevelopmental screening to allow focused neurodevelopmental followup of MLBW infants with abnormalities.
A Selection Index for Fat Production in Dairy Cattle Utilizing the Fat Yields of the Cow and Her Close Relatives

Summary An index for intraherd selection for fat production was derived, utilizing the fat yields of the cow and those of her dam, daughters, maternal half sisters, and paternal half sisters. Statistics to construct the index were computed from 23,330 lactation fat yields of 12,405 Jersey cows on HIR test. The intraherd statistics needed to construct the index were: repeatability, 0.412; correlation between maternal half sisters, 0.073; correlation between paternal half sisters, 0.120; and heritability, 0.201. Herd differences accounted for 39% of the total variance. Within herds the year-to-year variation in things which affected all cows alike accounted for 8% of the variance. Progress to be expected by using the index for selections would generally be about 1.10 to 1.15 times faster than by making selections on the cow's own performance alone. The exact ratio for a specific situation would depend on the number of records on the individual, on the number and kinds of relatives, and on the amount of information available about each.
Review of spectral domain enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography of tumors of the choroid.

Background: Spectral domain enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) can provide anatomic localization of intraocular tumors. Aims: The aim was to identify topographical and intrinsic patterns of choroidal tumors on EDI-OCT. Settings and Design: Retrospective review. Materials and Methods: Analysis of published reports and personal observations using office based EDI-OCT. Results: Using EDI-OCT, choroidal nevus displayed a smooth, dome-shaped topography with overlying retinal pigment epithelium alterations, drusen, and occasional subretinal cleft demonstrating photoreceptor loss. Small choroidal melanoma showed smooth, moderately dome-shaped topography, commonly with overlying shallow subretinal fluid that often depicted shaggy photoreceptors. Choroidal metastasis showed a minimally lumpy, bumpy surface topography and with overlying subretinal fluid and shaggy photoreceptors. Choroidal hemangioma showed a smooth, dome-shaped topography, with expansion of the affected small, medium, and large choroidal vessels. Choroidal lymphoma showed varying topography with increasing tumor thickness as flat, rippled, or undulating (seasick) surface. Choroidal osteoma displayed a smooth undulating surface with visible intralesional horizontal lines suggestive of bone lamellae and occasional horizontal and vertical tubules with intralesional spongy flecks. Choroidal melanocytosis appeared as uniformly thickened choroid with increased stromal density surrounding the normal choroidal vascular structures. Conclusions: Enhanced depth imaging-OCT can depict characteristic patterns that are suggestive of various choroidal tumors.
Age-specific seropositivity for H. pylori and dyspepsia in school-children in Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands

Age-specific seropositivity for H. pylori and dyspepsia in school-children in Cayman Brac, Cayman Islands
Meso-scale modeling of plasticity in composites

Abstract A two-phase, pixelized representation of a simple composite microstructure is used as a basis for comparing the accuracy of models that extract local information for use on a larger scale. The local microstructure is homogenized on the meso-scale, using a moving window Generalized Method of Cells (GMC) homogenization technique [1]. Effective elastic constitutive behavior is modeled, and several possible representations of the local yield surface of the composite are compared. The goal of this work is to determine a simple and accurate method to approximate a meso-scale yield surface based on the material microstructure, such that the approximation can be used in a macro-scale analysis. In order to determine the accuracy of the homogenized models, each is compared with an analytical study. The problem of a single elasto-plastic circular inclusion in an elasto-plastic matrix under radial loading at an infinite boundary is considered. A benchmark solution to this problem is developed based on the work of Mendelson [2]. Investigation is made into the effect of the variation of several model parameters. The pixel resolution of the digitized circular fiber image, and the moving window size used within the analysis are both varied. The yield surface of the meso-scale element is also varied, according to two different requirements: first yield in the microstructure, or an averaged yield in the matrix microstructure. According to the definition of yield in the material, the yield surface is then fitted with parameters to match the behavior of the material, and to describe the material on the meso-scale. These yield parameters are first defined as those of Hill’s anisotropic yield criterion [3]. The Hill’s yield criterion is chosen for its simplicity as an anisotropic generalization of the Mises yield criterion. A second set of modified Hill’s parameters is also defined, which can be applied to highly anisotropic materials for which the Hill’s criterion is undefined. A finite element analysis is carried out on each meso-scale model, with varying degrees of homogenization. The internal energy and degree of plasticity in these models are compared against the results of the Mendelson benchmark. It is shown that the Hill’s criterion parameters can be successfully modified. A subcell initial yield criterion is shown to be most effective in a material that exhibits high stress concentrations, while a matrix average yield criterion is shown to be more effective in a material with lower stress concentrations.
Jet stream flight, March 23, 1953

The observations of a jet stream traverse by aircraft are presented, and the results are discussed in relation to the synoptic situation. Die Beobachtungen wahrend einer Flugzeugdurchquerung des jet stream's werden vorgelegt und die Resultate im Hinblick auf die Wettersituation diskutiert.
Policy teaching through reward function learning

Policy teaching considers a Markov Decision Process setting in which an interested party aims to influence an agent's decisions by providing limited incentives. In this paper, we consider the specific objective of inducing a pre-specified desired policy. We examine both the case in which the agent's reward function is known and unknown to the interested party, presenting a linear program for the former case and formulating an active, indirect elicitation method for the latter. We provide conditions for logarithmic convergence, and present a polynomial time algorithm that ensures logarithmic convergence with arbitrarily high probability. We also offer practical elicitation heuristics that can be formulated as linear programs, and demonstrate their effectiveness on a policy teaching problem in a simulated ad-network setting. We extend our methods to handle partial observations and partial target policies, and provide a game-theoretic interpretation of our methods for handling strategic agents.
Semen Quality in Men Who Sustained a Spinal Cord Injury During the Prepubertal Period

Purpose: There are limited reports regarding the semen quality of men who sustained a spinal cord injury during the prepubertal period. We performed a retrospective chart review of 533 subjects with spinal cord injury to identify those injured during the prepubertal period and to characterize the semen quality of this population. To our knowledge this study is the first to formally evaluate semen parameters in this small but important subgroup of spinal cord injured subjects.Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all spinal cord injured subjects enrolled in the MFRP (Male Fertility Research Program) from 1991 through 2011. Prepubertal subjects were defined as those who sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury at or before the age of 11.9 years. Data collection included neurological level and completeness of injury, sexual responses, hormone profiles and semen quality.Results: Of 533 subjects 7 met the criteria for this study. Age at injury ranged from 4.4 to 11.9 years. Three...
Future directions in computer-aided control system design software development

Issues in the development of a new package of computer-aided control system design software are presented. The scope of the project is limited to the organization of existing results into a unified body of software, and the development of a standardized set of tools and services which allow long-term maintenance and growth of the package and support the user community. Issues which influence language selection, graphics requirements, core algorithm selection, model description requirements and software tools, and future hardware expectations are addressed.
Benchmarking of Large Design-Build Highway Projects: One-to-One Comparison and Comparison with Design-Bid-Build Projects

For generations, highway projects in the United States have been delivered with the traditional design-bid-build (DBB) project delivery method. In 1990, FHWA introduced Special Experimental Project Number 14 (SEP-14) to encourage state agencies to use more efficient alternative methods for delivering projects. As of 2002, approximately 140 SEP-14 projects have been built according to the design-build (DB) delivery method. Although the use of the DB-method for transportation projects has increased noticeably in the past decade, attempts to measure project performance under DB as against DBB have been limited to small projects. To fill this research gap, an input-versus-output benchmarking approach was used to assess the performance of large DB highway projects. By means of this approach, factors that could affect performance of highway projects were identified, and a comprehensive methodology for benchmarking was developed. A sample of four DB projects (with contract amounts ranging from $126 million to $1...
Wavelet representation of lower-atmospheric long nonlinear wave dynamics, governed by the Benjamin-Davis-Ono-Burgers equation

ABSTRACT A modified technique is presented for projecting a large class of nonlinear partial differential equations withrespect to (x, t) onto a finite number of ordinary differential equations with respect to t. Improved description compared to standard finite-difference or Fourier spectral methods involves using an orthonormal basis of waveletfunctions b11, (x) . Whereas Fourier projection represents the interaction between spatial scales throughout thex-domain, wavelet representation does the same locally. This technique is applied to solving the BDO-Burgers equation, extending previous results1'2'5'6 for the Burgers equation. Keywords: wavelets, wavelet transform of PDE to ODE, Burgers equation, Benjamin-Davis-Ono equation, sohtons, Galerkin method, Hubert transform, dispersive waves, atmospheric dynamics, Lyapunov exponents 1 INTRODUCTION A stably stratified lower atmosphere can act as a waveguide for long, finite-amplitude internal gravity waves. Generally, these waves transport energy and momentum, generate turbulence, and can play a role in initiating
Separating analysis from politics: Acid rain in Europe

Over the last twenty years, policy-makers in Europe have attempted to solve the problem of acid rain using detailed analysis grounded in natural science and economics. The results are impressive, as Europeans have successfully implemented a number of international agreements to reduce pollution emissions, agreements that in theory achieve the greatest environmental benefit at the lowest aggregate cost across Europe. This article examines the analysis on which these policies were based. First, it finds a pattern of investigating the use of cost-benefit analysis, together with a lack of usefulness associated with the actual results of such analysis. Second, it finds that the analytic framework that came to replace cost-benefit analysis--critical loads--contained many of the same uncertainties and political decisions that plagued cost-benefit analysis. Nevertheless, critical loads analysis was seen as less value-laden and more reliable, and contributed significantly to policy development. Desire for rapid action led policy-makers to ignore or overlook the politics and uncertainties inherent in efforts at scientific assessment and modeling.
Electrical characterization of GaN based blue light emitting diodes

Blue light emitting diodes (LEDs), based on an AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN double heterojunction structure, have been electrically characterized. These diodes are highly non-ideal with several approximately linear regimes in the semi-logarithmic plots of the forward characteristics. Calculated values of the ideality factor range from 3.0-7.0, indicating that the recombination process in these diodes cannot be conveniently described by the Shockley-Read-Hall statistics. Logarithmic plots of the forward characteristics indicate a space-charge-limited-current (SCLC) conduction through the active region of the diodes. Observed changes in the slope of these logarithmic plots are representative of a high density of "deep-level states" in the active region of the diodes. An analysis of these characteristics yielded an approximate density of deep-level states of 2/spl times/10/sup 17//cm/sup 3/. These states are most likely located close to the valence band edge, in the compensated active region of the diodes.
HLA-DR Modulates Autoantibody Repertoire, But Not Mortality, in a Humanized Mouse Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

To evaluate the disease-modulating role of HLA-DR2 and DR3 molecules, which have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, a humanized mouse model was examined. HLA-DR2 (DRB1*1502)- and DR3 (DRB1*0301)-transgenic mice were backcrossed to the New Zealand Mixed 2410 (NZM 2410, H2 z ) strain. Seventh generation DR2 and DR3 transgene-positive animals along with their transgene-negative littermates and the parental strain NZM2410 were monitored for proteinuria, azotemia, autoantibody production, development of nephritis, and mortality. The results showed no significant differences in proteinuria, azotemia, or mortality between the backcrosses with and without HLA-DR2 or HLA-DR3. However, the genetic analysis of different backcrosses showed that heterozygosity at the endogenous H2- E locus ( E z /E b ) was strongly linked with acceleration of lupus nephritis in both HLA-DR2 and HLA-DR3 transgenics. More importantly, the presence of the HLA-DR2, but not the HLA-DR3, transgene significantly enhanced the production of anti-dsDNA, but not anti-ssDNA, anti-histone-dsDNA complex, or anti-histone, Abs. In contrast, neither HLA-DR2 nor HLA-DR3 influenced the development of glomerulonephritis or the degree of immune complex deposition. Moreover, nephritic kidneys from mice with and without HLA-DR2 or HLA-DR3 transgenes showed similar patterns of cytokine expression. Collectively, these findings provide molecular evidence that the association of HLA-DR2 or HLA-DR3 with lupus susceptibility is related to the type of autoantibody rather than to disease mortality. The use of a humanized mouse model provides a way of dissecting the roles of human MHC genes in systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis.
Academic Tax Articles 1980-2000: Tax Faculty Productivity Analyses

This study extends knowledge pertaining to accounting research productivity in taxation and provides data that may be useful for faculty career development or assessment purposes by administrators. The authors develop an academic tax article database that contains research from 1980 through 2000 and use it to review tax faculty publication quantity and timing over a 20-year career window for both those at doctoral and non-doctoral granting institutions. Results indicate that publication rates tend to spike within the first five years in academia for faculty at both doctoral and non-doctoral institutions and trail off from that point to year +20. Further, faculty at doctoral schools published almost twice as many academic tax articles as faculty at non-doctoral institutions. Relative publication differences between faculty at the two school types remain constant over time. Additional insights include that non-tax accounting faculty contributed to almost half of all academic tax articles in the study, most faculty retain the tax designation during the first 20 years of their career, movement to doctoral schools by tax faculty happens early in a career, and in contrast, movement from doctoral schools happens later in academia.
Ancient Perfectionism and its Modern Critics

The idea of flourishing has enjoyed a comeback in recent ethical theory, both from a historical and a systematic perspective. From a historical perspective, one finds a number of studies by scholars of ancient philosophy aiming to elucidate and defend the notion of flourishing; from a systematic perspective, the work of Thomas Hurka and Amartya Sen has contributed much toward the rehabilitation of the notion in contemporary ethical theory and discussion.
The potential of nicotinic enhancement of cognitive remediation training in schizophrenia.

Abstract Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are critically important predictors of long-term psychosocial outcome and are not significantly ameliorated by currently available medications. Cognitive remediation training has shown promise for alleviating cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, but the clinical significance has often been limited by small effect sizes. Approaches that achieve larger improvement involve time requirements that can be cost-prohibitive within the current clinical care system. This mini-review evaluates the theoretical potential of a pharmacological enhancement strategy of cognitive remediation training with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists. nAChR agonists can facilitate sensory processing, alertness, attention, learning and memory. While these effects may be too subtle and short-lasting to be of clinical relevance as a primary treatment of cognitive deficits, they constitute an ideal effects profile for enhancing training benefits. Several mechanisms are described through which repeated coupling of cognitive training challenges with nAChR stimulation may enhance and accelerate cognitive remediation training effects, advancing such interventions into more effective and practicable treatments of some of the most debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Cognitive Enhancers’.
Application of the ''4R'' Nutrient Stewardship Concept to Horticultural Crops: Applying Nutrients at the ''Right Time''

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. plant nutrient demand, uptake, reallocation, plant tissue testing, soil testing SUMMARY. The 4R nutrient stewardship framework presents four concepts to consider when applying fertilizers in a responsible matter; the ‘‘right source’’ of nutrients should be applied at the ‘‘right rate’’ during the ‘‘right time’’ and supplied to the ‘‘right place’’ to ensure their uptake. In this article, we provide ideas to consider when attempting to provide nutrients at the right time. When nutrients are applied at a time when they are not required by the plant, the result can be economic and environmental losses. Oversupply relative to plant demand can result in losses of applied nutrients because of leaching or volatilization. Undersupply relative to demand, especially in the case of phloem-immobile nutrients, may limit plant growth and yield. Several factors interact to affect plant nutrient demand such as growth stage, life history (annual vs. perennial), environmental conditions, and plant health. Techniques such as soil and tissue testing, isotopic labeling, and spectral reflectance have been used with varying degrees of success and expense to measure plant nutrient demand and guide fertilizer decisions. Besides knowledge of plant nutrient demand, efficient nutrient supply also depends on systems that allow precise spatial and temporal delivery of nutrients. Future improvements to the timing of nutrient delivery will depend on improvement in knowledge of plant nutrient demands. For example, targeted gene expression chips show promise for use in rapidly assessing plant status for a broad suite of nutrients. Future developments that allow more precise nutrient delivery or more robust agroecosystems that scavenge available nutrients before they are lost to the environment will also help producers use nutrients more efficiently.
Provoking America: Le Duan and the Origins of the Vietnam War

This article concentrates on the North Vietnamese official who became the driving force within the Vietnamese Workers’ Party (VWP) and was crucial in shaping the Vietnamese Communists’ protracted war strategy. A great deal has been written about the personality and policies of Ho Chi Minh, but Le Duan's powerful influence on strategy has been largely overlooked. The article covers Le Duan's background and rise to power as the VWP First Secretary, as well as his strategic thinking about the United States from the 1950s through the deployment of U.S. ground troops in 1965. Although other VWP leaders influenced wartime strategy, Le Duan as First Secretary carried the greatest weight within the Politburo and exerted the strongest influence over the southern Communists, who were pivotal in fighting both U.S. and South Vietnamese forces. In his role as head of the southern Communists Le Duan developed strategies for defeating the United States and then implemented them as his power grew. The article spotlights ...
Boundary-Finite Element Model for Eccentrically Stiffened Plates Under Transverse Loading

A boundary-finite element model for an eccentrically stiffened plate has been developed based on a combination of unstiffened plate boundary element method and stiffener finite elements. In this model, the domain of the entire stiffened plate is divided into zones between the stiffeners. Each zone is modeled by boundary elements and the stiffeners by finite elements. The strain energy of the eccentric stiffener is derived by expressing the displacements of the eccentric stiffener in terms of the displacements of the middle surface of the plate. The boundary element solution procedure for bending and in-plane problems of a single plate, the derivation of the stiffness matrix for the eccentric stiffener and the combination of boundary and finite element methods are presented. Two example problems are analyzed.
Active Instability Suppression by Controlled Injection of Liquid Fuel

Active instability suppression was demonstrated in a 102mm dump combustor which used premixed ethylene-air mixture augmented with periodic liquid-fuel injection for control. Ethanol and heptane were used as liquid fuel, and they were injected directly into the combustor using four pulsed fuel actuators. By exploring various flow rates and injection frequency, the combustor operation was characterized for four different combustor configurations. Natural instabilities were encountered at six different operating conditions with nominal output ranging between 60 and 360 kW. A simple closed-loop control was established by assigning a fixed phase delay with respect to the pressure oscillation signal without altering the input parameters for overall operation. It was observed that a fixed phase-delay works well in reducing the oscillation amplitude unless the oscillation frequency shifts by a substantial amount with the onset of the control. With such a frequency shift, the control was successful in lowering the amplitude initially but was not very effective in sustaining the lowered amplitude, because of the shifting phase relations. Nevertheless, the peak sound pressure level was lowered by 5 to 15 dB in all six cases. The active suppression results for different cases were compared to determine important parameters that could affect future scale-up experiments. For the given injector and combustor configurations, active instability suppression was more effective when the relative amount of pulsed fuel flow was high and the flow residence time was long. In particular, the effectiveness of active control decreased sharply when the amount of pulsated power was below 10 % of the total power output. Also, the control was significantly less effective for a short combustor.
Analysis of the Social Life of Patients with Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita

先天性脊椎骨端異形成症は体幹短縮型低身長を示す代表的な骨系統疾患であるが,その社会生活についての報告はない.先天性脊椎骨端異形成症患者の社会生活について知ることを目的として,アンケート調査を実施し,29例(男性20例,女性9例)から回答を得た.年齢は2～69歳,平均20歳,親子例3組,姉弟例1組である.アンケートの調査項目は就学状況,歩行能力,SM社会生活能力検査,出生時及び現在の身長,運動発達などである.出生時身長とひとり歩きの月齢は相関があった.就学では,小中学校は普通校に進学する例が多かった.高校に進学した例は,大学・専門学校への進学率が高かった.歩行能力は未成年例では高いが,成人例では低下している例が多かった.成人例では,現在の身長と歩行能力は相関があった.
Aquatic Fungi of Iceland: Some Polycentric Species

Nowakowskiella elegans and N. hemisphaerospora, both with exoopercula, are reported. The morphology of an inoperculate fungus provisionally identified as N. profusa is discussed, and the species re...
Dislocation Interactions and Their Impact on Electrical Properties of GeSi-Based Heterostructures

Substantial improvements in the quality of relaxed, heteroepitaxial GeSi layers have occurred in the past few years due to both the development of compositionally-graded buffer layers and to an improved understanding of strain-relaxation in lattice-mismatched epitaxy, which have led to low dislocation densities within these layers. As a result, high performance GeSi devices have been achieved which has fueled yet greater device design flexibility through the use of relaxed GeSi layers over a wider range of alloy compositions and lattice constants. A complete understanding of the properties of all defects that result from strain-relaxation is essential to realize high performance and reliable devices, especially as the lattice-mismatch strain becomes more severe. While the structural properties of dislocations in relaxed GeSi layers have been studied in detail, the electronic properties of these defects and their consequences on the overall electrical properties of relaxed GeSi layers are not well understood. In this paper, we show that for high quality (low dislocation density) relaxed layers, clusters of intrinsic point defects formed by dislocation interaction, rather than the dislocations themselves, now dominate the deep level spectrum. We further show that these defects reduce the electronic material quality for films grown by UHVCVD at low temperatures (650 °C) in comparison to films grown at temperatures > 800 °C even though all films have similarly low threading dislocation densities. Using DLTS, spreading resistance, EBIC and Hall effect measurements, these defects are shown to introduce a low concentration of hole traps from Ev, + 0.05 to Ev + 0.30 eV that compensate and type convert nominally undoped GeSi layers grown at 650 °C to p-type. Annealing studies indicate that these defects anneal out at ~ 750–800 °C(2w, hich is accompanied by conductivity type reversal to n-type, elimination of compensation and increased diffusion length. These observations, in addition to the precise position of each energy level, closely correlate with earlier results on plasticallydeformed bulk Si, suggesting that these defect complexes are of intrinsic origin. We conclude that strain-relaxation in graded heterostructures causes considerable dislocation interaction which introduces point defect complexes associated with dislocations that, in addition to threading dislocation density, must now be considered as an important factor for achieving high electronic quality, relaxed GeSi layers.
Adaptive distributed unknown input observers for interconnected linear descriptor systems

We propose an adaptive distributed algorithm for distributed observers of linear time-invariant descriptor systems. In the proposed algorithm, the interconnection gains of the resulting distributed unknown input observers are adjusted adaptively and the adaptation law is obtained by a Lyapunov-redesign approach. The scheme uses adaptive gains for each pairwise difference in the coupling term, which are adjusted in proportion to the pairwise differences of the state estimates. A special case where a single adaptive gain is used in each node to uniformly penalise all pairwise differences of the state estimates in the coupling term is also presented. Stability of the proposed schemes is proved and it is shown to be independent of the graph topology of the network. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed adaptive distributed unknown input observers algorithm and to compare it with the non-interacting local unknown input observers.
Diverse human extracellular RNAs are widely detected in human plasma

There is growing appreciation for the importance of non-protein-coding genes in development and disease. Although much is known about microRNAs, limitations in bioinformatic analyses of RNA sequencing have precluded broad assessment of other forms of small-RNAs in humans. By analysing sequencing data from plasma-derived RNA from 40 individuals, here we identified over a thousand human extracellular RNAs including microRNAs, piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), and small nucleolar RNAs. Using a targeted quantitative PCR with reverse transcription approach in an additional 2,763 individuals, we characterized almost 500 of the most abundant extracellular transcripts including microRNAs, piRNAs and small nucleolar RNAs. The presence in plasma of many non-microRNA small-RNAs was confirmed in an independent cohort. We present comprehensive data to demonstrate the broad and consistent detection of diverse classes of circulating non-cellular small-RNAs from a large population.
Multi-source Time Variant Gain Model and Its Application in Huaihe River Basin

Based on traditional Time Variant Gain Model(TVGM), this paper developed a multi-source TVGM(MTVGM) by con-sidering the additional baseflow process. MTVGM is composed of surface flow submodel and baseflow submodel, which independently calculate the runoff generation and flow concentration respectively. The model was then applied to 13 subbasins above Bengbu water sluice in the Huaihe River Basin. The results show that MTVGM can not only keep the advantage of the TVGM which uses the simple structure to describe the complexity in nonlinear hydrological relationship, but also greatly improve the forecast accuracy.Among the parameter calibration and model verification period, the forecast accuracy of 9 and 7 subbasins respectively meet the B-grade for traditional TVGM, while the subbasin numbers increase to 12 and 8 respectively for MTVGM. The performance of MTVGM was especially improved in large basins and large flood years. The water balance efficiency improves from 0.88 of TVGM to 0.95 of MTVGM, and the average increase is about 7%. The relative flood peak error is also promoted from 50% in TVGM to92.3% in MTVGM, with an improvement of 42.3% in total. Therefore, MTVGM can be better applied in flood forecasting in Huaihe River Basin.
Transmural Colitis: Medical and Surgical Management

Although transmural colitis can be differentiated from the mucosal or ulcerative type with 95% accuracy—a distinction vital to the therapeutic approach—diagnostic error is not uncommon. A patient is presented whose progressive deterioration, originating in early misdiagnosis, eventually required colectomy and ileostomy. Continuous medical supervision is as important after operation as before.
Tenascin in rat lung development : in situ localization and cellular sources

Tenascin (TN) is a hexameric extracellular matrix glycoprotein that may play an important role during lung development. TN protein is temporally and spatially restricted during lung organogenesis. The temporo-spatial and cellular expression of TN mRNA in lung remains unclear. Localization of message expression of TN in rat lung tissue was first investigated by using in situ hybridization performed with an antisense RNA probe. TN mRNA was present primarily within the mesenchyme of day 16 gestational age fetal rat lung tissue, whereas immunoreactive TN protein was found along the basement membrane. In postnatal day 3 rat lung tissue, TN mRNA was detected along alveolar septal walls and was concentrated at secondary septal tips. Expression of TN message was consistent with localization of immunoreactive TN protein. Accumulation of TN mRNA in alveolar septal tips suggests that mesenchyme may be the major source of TN mRNA. To investigate the cellular source of TN in rat lung, we studied the expression of TN in cultured rat lung fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells. Two TN isoforms having molecular mass of 230 and 180 kDa were in conditioned medium and in cellular extracts of lung fibroblasts and endothelial cells. TN was secreted and deposited in the extracellular matrix closely associated with the surface of lung fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Lung alveolar epithelial cells showed undetectable or barely detectable amounts of TN. These studies demonstrated that TN isoforms are expressed not only by lung fibroblasts but also by lung endothelial cells. The unique spatial localization of TN mRNA during lung development and expression of TN by different lung cell types suggested TN may be involved in matrix organization and cell-cell interactions during lung development.
Changes in muscle proteins following different neural lesions

The influence of various nerve lesions on the relative concentrations of proteins in the extensor digitorum longus (EDL), plantaris (PLN), and soleus (SOL) muscles from adult female rats was examined by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. After cordotomy, levels of myosin light chains Lcs1 and -2 decreased with concomitant increases in Lcf1, -2, and -3 in SOL but not in EDL and PLN. The relative levels of several other proteins in all three muscle types were changed also. Following section of the sciatic nerve, corticospinal tract and removal of the motor cortex, the relative levels of distinct sets of protein bands in all three muscle types were altered. Only a 14,000-dalton protein band appeared to be affected by all four types of lesions. This experimental evidence supports the view that neural influences upon muscle properties are exceedingly complex. Some of these influences may be exerted via separate, central pathways to the motor neurons.
CHAPTER 5 – Use of Short-Chain Alkynes to Locate the Nitrogenase Catalytic Site

The mechanism by which molybdenum nitrogenase catalyzes the MgATP-dependent reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia has challenged enzymologists for several years. Because the quantification of ammonia has proven to be difficult and laborious, acetylene is frequently used as an alternative substrate for probing the nitrogenase catalytic mechanism. This chapter discusses some of the problems that have denied a complete understanding of this mechanism and describes how acetylene and other short-chain alkynes have recently been used in a combination of biochemical and genetic studies. The metals and sulfurs involved in providing the acetylene-binding site are likely to be located within a particular 4Fe–4S face of the FeMo-cofactor. Nevertheless, the question of which individual atoms are specifically involved in binding, as well as the geometric features of substrate binding, remains a challenging problem. Because a more reduced state and more protons are required for dinitrogen-binding and reduction than for acetylene binding and reduction, all of the atoms that participate in dinitrogen-binding are not required for acetylene binding. The availability of altered MoFe proteins having the capacity to interact with acetylene in the resting state presents the unprecedented opportunity to determine crystallographically the structure of a MoFe protein in at least some stage of substrate binding.
Negotiating the meaning of representations in the mathematics classroom

Multiple representations of mathematical concepts are used in the classroom to access existing conceptions of ideas, build on or challenge developing ideas, and to communicate through traditional and standardized mathematical symbols. Complexities in the dynamic environments of classrooms and the competing and sometimes conflicting meanings students and their teachers assign to representations can obfuscate seamless translation between representations and impact student understandings. This poster presentation illustrates the dynamics of student and teacher negotiation and interpretation of representations present during a four-day series of geometric-based fraction lessons in a fifth grade classroom.