cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Smoking Topography on Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Exposure to smoke constituents from a cigarette is determined by properties of the cigarette (e.g., ventilation/filtration, paper porosity) and by the manner in which the cigarette is smoked (e.g., puff number and volume). The role of several potentially important smoking behaviors in affecting biological exposure levels, though, has not been experimentally determined. The purpose of the present study was to measure acute intake of carbon monoxide (CO) and nicotine, while varying puff volume (the amount of smoky air drawn into the mouth per puff), inhalation volume (the amount of smoky air inhaled into the lungs), and breath-hold duration (the temporal period from maximum inhalation volume to exhalation onset).
Intermittent computation without hardware support or programmer intervention

As computation scales downward in area, the limitations imposed by the batteries required to power that computation become more pronounced. Thus, many future devices will forgo batteries and harvest energy from their environment. Harvested energy, with its frequent power cycles, is at odds with current models of long-running computation.To enable the correct execution of long-running applications on harvested energy--without requiring special-purpose hardware or programmer intervention--we propose Ratchet. Ratchet is a compiler that adds lightweight checkpoints to unmodified programs that allow existing programs to execute across power cycles correctly. Ratchet leverages the idea of idempotency, decomposing programs into a continuous stream of re-executable sections connected by lightweight checkpoints, stored in non-volatile memory. We implement Ratchet on top of LLVM, targeted at embedded systems with high-performance non-volatile main memory. Using eight embedded systems benchmarks, we show that Ratchet correctly stretches program execution across frequent, random power cycles. Experimental results show that Ratchet enables a range of existing programs to run on intermittent power, with total run-time overhead averaging below 60%--comparable to approaches that require hardware support or programmer intervention.
Which cues are available to 24-month-olds? Evidence from point-of-gaze measures during search

In previous research 2-year-olds have failed to show knowledge of solidity in a search task in which a ball rolled behind a screen and was stopped by a barrier. The screen had four doors and the barrier was visible above the door hiding the ball. To establish what cues 2-year-olds might be using, precise point-of-gaze measures were taken during the hiding event. A transparent screen with opaque doors provided two cues: (1) the ball could be tracked until it failed to emerge, and (2) the barrier's position could indicate the correct door. Point-of-gaze measures revealed that children failed to use the more indirect cue of the barrier, which requires reasoning and spatial integration. Their search success was predicted only by the more immediate cue of actively tracking the ball. These findings support the claim that children use best those cues directly related to the object's disappearance, while failing to use cues that entail higher cognitive demands.
Osteoporosis in Spinal Cord Medicine

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can result in rapid motor loss and inability to ambulate. Due to sudden immobility, increased bone turnover and eventual osteoporosis become prevalent in the first several months post injury. Forms of nontraumatic spinal cord injury also exist and are discussed briefly in this chapter as well as in areas of this text that cover the primary reasons for motor and sensory loss in these patients, including metastatic lesions to the spine with cord compression or demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord. In stark contrast to the sudden development of bone loss evident in both adult and pediatric traumatic SCI, spina bifida occurs at birth and demonstrates very different mechanisms. The distinctions among these conditions and the divergent approaches to treatment are discussed in this chapter.
Semi-automated discovery of server-based information oversharing vulnerabilities in Android applications

Modern applications are often split into separate client and server tiers that communicate via message passing over the network. One well-understood threat to privacy for such applications is the leakage of sensitive user information either in transit or at the server. In response, an array of defensive techniques have been developed to identify or block unintended or malicious information leakage. However, prior work has primarily considered privacy leaks originating at the client directed at the server, while leakage in the reverse direction -- from the server to the client -- is comparatively under-studied. The question of whether and to what degree this leakage constitutes a threat remains an open question. We answer this question in the affirmative with Hush, a technique for semi-automatically identifying Server-based InFormation OvershariNg (SIFON) vulnerabilities in multi-tier applications. In particular, the technique detects SIFON vulnerabilities using a heuristic that overshared sensitive information from server-side APIs will not be displayed by the application's user interface. The technique first performs a scalable static program analysis to screen applications for potential vulnerabilities, and then attempts to confirm these candidates as true vulnerabilities with a partially-automated dynamic analysis. Our evaluation over a large corpus of Android applications demonstrates the effectiveness of the technique by discovering several previously-unknown SIFON vulnerabilities in eight applications.
Photoinduced Cobalt(III)−Trifluoromethyl Bond Activation Enables Arene C−H Trifluoromethylation

Visible-light capture activates a thermodynamically inert CoIII -CF3 bond for direct C-H trifluoromethylation of arenes and heteroarenes. New trifluoromethylcobalt(III) complexes supported by a redox-active [OCO] pincer ligand were prepared. Coordinating solvents, such as MeCN, afford green, quasi-octahedral [(S OCO)CoIII (CF3 )(MeCN)2 ] (2), but in non-coordinating solvents the complex is red, square pyramidal [(S OCO)CoIII (CF3 )(MeCN)] (3). Both are thermally stable, and 2 is stable in light. But exposure of 3 to low-energy light results in facile homolysis of the CoIII -CF3 bond, releasing . CF3 radical, which is efficiently trapped by TEMPO. or (hetero)arenes. The homolytic aromatic substitution reactions do not require a sacrificial or substrate-derived oxidant because the CoII by-product of CoIII -CF3 homolysis produces H2 . The photophysical properties of 2 and 3 provide a rationale for the disparate light stability.
The Maximin Fitness Function for Multiobjective Evolutionary Optimization

The benefits of multiobjective optimization are discussed. A new fitness function, the maximin fitness function, is presented for multiobjective evolutionary optimization. It is compared with other fitness functions. Results from an application to city planning are presented.
Glucose Homeostasis and Energy Balance in Children With Pseudohypoparathyroidism

Context Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by early-onset obesity and multihormone resistance. To treat abnormal weight gain and prevent complications such as diabetes, we must understand energy balance and glucose homeostasis in PHP types 1A and 1B. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate food intake, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis in children with PHP. Design Assessments included resting energy expenditure (REE), physical activity, food intake, sucrose preference, questionnaires, endocrine status, and auxological status. All patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Setting Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Patients We assessed 16 children with PHP1A, three with PHP1B, and 15 healthy controls. Main outcome measures Food intake during an ad lib buffet meal and glucose at five time points during OGTT. Results PHP1A and control groups were well matched. Participants with PHP1A had significantly lower REE without concomitant change in food intake or physical activity. At baseline, participants with PHP1A had significantly lower fasting glucose and insulin resistance. During OGTT, participants with PHP1A had significantly delayed peak glucose and a slower rate of glucose decline despite similar oral glucose insulin sensitivity. Participants with PHP1A had 0.46% lower HbA1c levels than controls from a clinic database after adjustment for OGTT 2-hour glucose. The PHP1B group was similar to the PHP1A group. Conclusions In contrast to other monogenic obesity syndromes, our results support reduced energy expenditure, not severe hyperphagia, as the primary cause of abnormal weight gain in PHP. Patients with PHP are at high risk for dysglycemia without reduced insulin sensitivity.
Shared versus private mobility: Modeling public interest in autonomous vehicles accounting for latent attitudes

Abstract Emerging autonomous vehicles (AVs) and shared mobility systems per se will transform urban passenger transportation. Coupled together, shared AVs (SAVs) can facilitate widespread use of shared mobility services by providing flexible public travel modes comparable to private AV. Hence, it may be conjectured that future urban mobility is likely an on-demand service and AV private ownership is unappealing. Nonetheless, it is still unclear what observable and latent factors will drive public interest in (S)AVs, the answer to which will have important implications on transportation system performance. This paper aims to jointly model public interest in private AVs and multiple SAV configurations (carsharing, ridesourcing, ridesharing, and access/egress mode) in daily and commute travels with explicit treatment of the correlations across the (S)AV types. To this end, multivariate ordered outcome models with latent variables are employed, whereby latent attitudes and preferences describing traveler safety concern about AV, green travel pattern, and mobility-on-demand savviness are accounted for using structural and measurement equations. Drawing from a stated preference survey in the State of Washington, important insights are gained into the potential user groups based on the socio-economic, built environment, and daily/commute travel behavior attributes. Key policies are also offered to promote public interest in (S)AVs by scrutinizing the marginal effects of the latent variables.
Control of Atrazine-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Double-Crop Grain Sorghum

Double-crop grain sorghum after winter wheat harvest is a common cropping system in the southern plains region. Palmer amaranth is a troublesome weed in double-crop grain sorghum in Kansas. Populations resistant to various herbicides (e.g., atrazine, glyphosate, metsulfuron, pyrasulfotole) have made Palmer amaranth management even more difficult for producers. To evaluate control of atrazine-resistant and atrazine-susceptible Palmer amaranth in double-crop grain sorghum, we assessed 14 herbicide programs, of which 8 were PRE only and 6 were PRE followed by (fb) POST applications. Visible ratings of Palmer amaranth control were taken at 3 and 8 wk after planting (WAP) grain sorghum. PRE treatments containing very-long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA)–inhibiting herbicides provided 91% control of atrazine-resistant Palmer amaranth 3 WAP, and reduced weed density 8 WAP compared to atrazine-only PRE treatments. PRE fb POST treatments, especially those that included VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides, provided greater control (71% to 93%) of both atrazineresistant and atrazine-susceptible Palmer amaranth, respectively, at 8 WAP compared to PRE treatments alone (59% to 79%). These results demonstrated the utility of VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides applied PRE and in a layered PRE fb POST approach in controlling atrazineresistant Palmer amaranth, as well as the importance of an effective POST application following residual PRE herbicides for controlling both atrazine-resistant and atrazinesusceptible Palmer amaranth in double-crop grain sorghum.Nomenclature: Atrazine; glyphosate; metsulfuron; pyrasulfotole; Palmer amaranth, Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.; grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor L.; winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L.
Measurement of Crack Tip Opening Displacement and Full-field Deformations During Fracture of Aerospace Materials Using 2D and 3D Image Correlation Methods

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional image correlation methods have been developed and used successfully to measure the surface displacement and strain fields during crack propagation in aerospace structures. Initial testing focused on obtaining experimental data for both the surface strain fields and the critical Crack Tip Opening Displacement (CTOD) in thin sheet 2024-T3 aluminum under predominantly tensile loads. This work was then expanded to include CTOD measurements under mixed mode loading, the study of crack closure effects, the study of buckling in large center-cracked specimens and the effect of multi-site damage on various aerospace materials.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in systemic mastocytosis treated with allogeneic bone marrow transplant: A case report

Systemic mastocytosis is a rare entity in pediatrics, usually associated with mutations in the c-KIT gene. We describe a Caucasian female who presented with severe systemic mastocytosis with food allergies requiring prolonged total parenteral nutrition. Her course was further complicated by the onset of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which responded poorly to conventional chemotherapy. She underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant that resulted in resolution of all symptoms related to systemic mastocytosis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. She is now disease-free and without any complications two years after the transplant.
Transformation zum digitalen Versicherungsbroker : das Beispiel Optimatis

Versicherungsmakler verfugen uber sehr viele Daten und Zahlen in Bezug auf die Risiken und Versicherungen ihrer Kunden. Diese Datenmengen werden bisher aber kaum systematisch genutzt, auch wenn Kunden wie auch Berater angesichts der Komplexitat von Versicherungsprodukten schnell an Grenzen stossen. Die digitale Transformation bietet fur einen digitalen Versicherungsbroker grosses Potenzial, fur Kunden Mehrwert zu schaffen. Das untersuchte Fallbeispiel der Optimatis zeigt, wie die Anwendung einer systematischen Geschaftsmodelloptik und das Denken uber den Tellerrand der eigenen Branche hinaus, sowie eine iterative Implementierung zu ersten Erfolgen fuhrten.
Assessing precipitation trends in the Americas with historical data: A review

North, Central, and South America (collectively referred to as the Americas) extend across two hemispheres, and together cover approximately 28% of Earth's land area and are home to about 13% of the world's population. Unique ecosystems, diversified cultures, and communities that inhabit the region rely on precipitation delivered yearly by multiple systems, including mid‐latitudes storms, the North and South American Monsoons, and tropical storms and hurricanes. The rapid warming of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans combined with internal variability of the climate system, have modified precipitation patterns from the tropics to high latitudes. In the Americas, instrumental records have shown evidence of upward trends in extreme precipitation (amount, intensity, and frequency) in many areas. The most consistent evidence of precipitation trends occurs in mid‐latitudes of North America and in the subtropics of South America. Recent studies have indicated a poleward shift of heavy precipitation associated with South American Monsoon. Nonetheless, the deficient network of rain gauges in vast areas over tropical Americas limits the assessment of trends in regions with heavy rainfall amounts. Additionally, observed trends in the North America monsoon precipitation are difficult to separate from the contribution of tropical storms and hurricanes. Furthermore, coupled modes such as the El Nino/Southern Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation modulate precipitation in the Americas, from the tropics to the extratropics, and these teleconnections are relevant to assess precipitation trends using historical records. This review evaluates all these complex issues focusing on observations based on instrumental datasets. This article is categorized under: Paleoclimates and Current Trends > Modern Climate Change
Capturing hedge fund risk factor exposures: Hedge fund return replication with ETFs

We develop a new factor selection methodology of spanning the space of hedge fund risk factors with all available exchange traded funds (ETFs). We demonstrate the efficacy of the methodology with out‐of‐sample individual hedge fund return replication by ETF clone portfolios. This is consistent with our interpretation of ETF returns as proxies to risk factors driving hedge fund returns. We further consider portfolios of “cloneable” and “noncloneable” hedge funds, defined as top and bottom in‐sample R2 matches, and demonstrate that our ETF clone portfolios slightly outperform cloneable hedge funds out of sample.
The impact of inter-bed cohesion on fold-related fracture development, Stillwell anticline, west Texas (USA)

Abstract The interpretation of fracture networks in contractional folds is challenging due to the range of factors that control fracture formation. We use outcrop-based analysis of fractures in plan-view pavements and in a 9-bed cross-sectional exposure to evaluate the fracture system within Cretaceous limestone layers of a Laramide fold in west Texas, the Stillwell anticline. Opening-mode extension fractures (veins) at high angles to bedding dominate the fracture population, although shear fractures and faults cut bedding at low angles within the forelimb. Analysis of extension fractures reveals NW-striking axial parallel and NE-striking axial-perpendicular fracture sets interpreted to have formed during contractional folding, a third N-striking fracture set formed during subsequent Basin and Range extension, and a fourth ESE-striking fracture formed due to unloading during exhumation. Fracture fill textures suggest that many fracture apertures increased during exhumation. The relative abundances of the four fracture sets and the intensity of each set vary from bed to bed in cross section. Because beds display no significant differences in mechanical strength and there is no correlation between bed thickness and fracture intensity, we attribute this bed-to-bed variability to differences in cohesion between beds. Bed decoupling, when combined with low extensional (
Bottom-current depositional model and characterization of the Paraburdoo Member surrounding the Paraburdoo Spherule Layer, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia

Abstract The stratigraphy within the Wittenoom Formation’s Paraburdoo Member of the Hamersley Basin in Western Australia has lacked a significant and identifiable marker bed until the recent discovery of the Paraburdoo Spherule Layer (PSL). In this paper, we correlate this stratigraphy residing at the three known exposed locations of the PSL within the Hamersley Basin and use these correlations in conjunction with detailed observations and analyses to assess the type of sedimentation recorded by these alternating ‘sand’ and ‘mud’ beds. We also characterize in detail these same several meters of stratigraphy using the PSL as a distinctive marker bed and add to the existing depositional model of the Hamersley Basin. We find that (1) the strata surrounding the PSL was not deposited by sediment gravity flows, but rather long-acting deep-marine bottom current(s), (2) the rhythmicity recorded as alternating ‘sand’ and ‘mud’ beds is the result of increasing and decreasing current velocities, (3) grain size decreases while mud content increases to the east within the basin, (4) bed thinning occurs to the west within the basin, (5) microbial activity may be recorded in laminations in the finer-grained mud beds present within these strata, and (6) the diagenetic history changes across the Hamersley Basin.
Angle-independent optimal adhesion in plane peeling of thin elastic films at large surface roughnesses

Abstract Adhesive peeling of a thin elastic film from a substrate is a classic problem in mechanics. However, many of the investigations on this topic to date have focused on peeling from substrates with flat surfaces. In this paper, we study the problem of peeling an elastic thin film from a rigid substrate that has periodic surface undulations. We allow for contact between the detached part of the film with the substrate. We give analytical results for computing the equilibrium force given the true peeling angle, which is the angle at which the detached part of the film leaves the substrate. When there is no contact we present explicit results for computing the true peeling angle from the substrate’s profile and for determining an equilibrium state’s stability solely from the substrate’s surface curvature. The general results that we derive for the case involving contact allow us to explore the regime of peeling at large surface roughnesses. Our analysis of this regime reveals that the peel-off force can be made to become independent of the peeling direction by roughening the surface. This result is in stark contrast to results from peeling on flat surfaces, where the peel-off force strongly depends on the peeling direction. Our analysis also reveals that in the large roughness regime the peel-off force achieves its theoretical upper bound, irrespective of the other particulars of the substrate’s surface profile.
Analysis of practices to promote reproducibility and transparency in anaesthesiology research.

Abstract Introduction Reliable, high-quality research is essential to the field of anaesthesiology. Reproducibility and transparency have been investigated in the biomedical domain and in the social sciences, with both lacking to provide necessary information to reproduce the study findings. In this study, we investigated 14 indicators of reproducibility in anaesthesiology research. Methods We used the National Library of Medicine catalogue to search for all anaesthesiology journals that are MEDLINE indexed and provide English texts. PubMed was searched with the list of journals to identify all publications from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. We randomly sampled 450 publications that fit the inclusion criteria for our analysis. Data extraction was then conducted in a blinded, duplicate fashion using a pilot-tested Google form. Results The PubMed search of these journals identified 171 441 publications, with 28 310 being within the time frame. From the 450 publications sampled, 444 full-text publications were accessible. The majority of publications analysed did not have a statement regarding availability of data (164/188), analysis scripts (187/188), or study materials (160/188). Conclusions Anaesthesiology research needs to improve indicators of reproducibility and transparency. By making research publicly available and improving accessibility to detailed study components, primary research can be reproduced in subsequent studies and help contribute to the development of new practice guidelines.
Expanding the membrane-protein NMR toolkit

An NMR method to monitor conformational states of challenging large protein targets is described. The method, which can be used to evaluate distances between two labels and to measure conformational exchange rates, revealed an unanticipated outward-facing state in a glutamate transporter.
Heavy Nuclide Cross Sections of Particular Interest to Thermal Reactor Operation: Conventions, Measurements and Preferred Values

The various conventions and definitions of thermal and resonance flux are discussed. Measurements of the thermal neutron cross sections, resonance integrals, and reactor cross sections of the follo...
Probiotics, prebiotics, biofloc systems, and other biocontrol regimens in fish and shellfish aquaculture

Abstract Bacteria are ubiquitous in culture systems and may be beneficial, benign, or pathogenic to the host. It is possible to increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the culture water or intestines of fish and shellfish with probiotics, prebiotics or create an environment favorable to probiotics via biofloc technology (BFT). Essentially, probiotics are microorganisms that improve the health of animals. Prebiotics are nonliving ingredients that are indigestible to the host animal but are digestible by probiotics. As such, prebiotics can selectively increase probiotic abundance in the host intestine. Thus, these additives are linked. There is also a link with BFT in which an organic carbon source is added to the water, which selectively favors heterotrophic bacteria that have probiotic characteristics. Thus, the added organic carbon source can act as a prebiotic. The current trends of more intensification and use of plant-based ingredients may increase the risk of disease outbreaks and compromise immunity, respectively. However, some of these issues can be mitigated by probiotics, prebiotics, and BFT, and thus will likely increase in popularity for disease management.
Playing chess with the Dragon: Chinese-U.S. competition in the era of irregular warfare

Having engaged in some two decades of irregular war, the United States now finds itself confronted by a resurgent China, determined to utilize asymmetric approaches to both strengthen its grip on p...
The clinical significance of staphylococcus pettenkoferi: a retrospective review at a tertiary care medical center.

Abstract Staphylococcus pettenkoferi is a recently described coagulase-negative staphylococcal pathogen. We retrospectively reviewed 25 cases in which S. pettenkoferi was identified in routine cultures (12 blood, 13 other). Most were found with commensal flora and considered clinically insignificant, but its significance was uncertain in two cases from non-healing, deep foot wounds.
Thermodynamics of photons in relativistic e + e − γ plasmas

Thermodynamic and spectral properties of a photon gas in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ plasmas are studied. The effect of a finite effective mass of a photon, associated with the plasma frequency cutoff, is self-consistently included. In the ultrarelativistic plasma, the photon spectrum turns out to be universal with the temperature normalized plasma frequency cutoff as a fundamental constant independent of plasma parameters. Such a universality does not hold in the nonrelativistic plasma.
System Reorganization and Load Balancing of Parallel Database Rule Processing

In the coming decade, high-speed network computing using processors that are orders of magnitude faster than the platforms available today, will enable the integration and coalescing of vast amounts of information stored in diverse databases. This will provide unprecedented new opportunities for acquiring new knowledge by applying various inferential processes against such massive databases. Meeting this challenge requires significant advances in our understanding of how to build efficient, high-performance knowledge-base systems targeted to run on a variety of parallel and distributed hardware architectures.
Efficient Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Frequency Multipliers Using Nonlinear Transmission Lines in CMOS Technology

Frequency multipliers are an attractive solution for signal generation in CMOS near and above cutoff frequencies $(f_{\max})$ of active devices. This work focuses on nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) based frequency multipliers, which can be employed for high output power and broadband operation. The performance of an NLTL-based multiplier is limited by the phase mismatch at frequencies of interest caused by dispersion. We propose an alternate NLTL and engineer dispersion to eliminate phase mismatch between desired harmonics. We build two prototypes. First, a 20-GHz frequency doubler is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS process. Second, to show the feasibility of our approach near $f_{\max}$ , a 100-GHz frequency tripler is demonstrated in a 130-nm CMOS process ( $f_{\max} GHz). The achieved conversion loss is 3.5 and 12.2 dB for the doubler and tripler, respectively. The frequency tripler generates maximum power of ${-}{\hbox{1.5}}$ dBm. The relative bandwidth of the doubler and tripler is about 23% and 12.3%, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, the frequency tripler outperforms any previously reported work implemented in a 130-nm CMOS at or above 100 GHz in terms of output power and bandwidth.
Controlling Cell Geometry Affects the Spatial Distribution of Load Across Vinculin

The shape of adherent cells is known to be a key determinant of cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Manipulation of cell shape affects stem cell differentiation, gene expression, and the response of cells to mechanical stimulation. Shape sensing is at least partially due to mechanically-sensitive signaling within focal adhesions (FAs). Therefore, we evaluate the dependence of cellular force generation on cellular geometry by measuring loads across the FA protein vinculin using an engineered Forster Resonance Energy Transfer-based biosensor. To control cellular geometry, vinculin deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts stably expressing the vinculin sensor were confined to specific shapes of the same area using photopatterning techniques. It was observed that the tension across vinculin increases at the edges of the cells. However, vinculin supporting compressive loads was found in the center of cells, with an increase in compression observed with increasing aspect ratio. This phenomena is consistent with observations of compressive forces directly under the nucleus and supported by our observation of increased nuclear deformation and enhanced apical actin organization, though this is the first time compressive loads across vinculin have been shown to maintain FA assembly. This suggests a new paradigm for mechanosensitivity in adhesion mechanobiology, where the compressive and tensile loads across particular proteins must be considered.
Seed Production Environment Influence on the Base Temperature for Growth of Sorghum Genotypes

(...) The effect of location (environment) on the base temperature for growth of sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] genotypes was studied. Seeds of six sorghum genotypes were obtained from three locations: Manhattan, KS, College Station and Lubbock, TX. The seeds were placed on moist germination blotter paper on a one-way thermal gradient plate. Observations were made at least daily for 3 wk to determine the number of days required for (i) germination (i.e., protrusion of the radicle from the seed), (ii) root elongation to 10 mm or longer, and (iii) shoot elongation to 10 mm or longer. (...)
William A. Wilson, Folklore and Nationalism in Modern Finland

Dum pli ol jarcento post la eldono de Kalevala, de E. Lonnrot, en 1835, finnaj fol-kloristoj, lingvistoj, edukistoj, politikistoj apogis per gi la gloron de la pasinteco kaj estonteco de Finnlando. La publiko fakte ne legis gin, sed ciuj festis kaj citis gin; gi atingis la rolon de nacia metaforo, folkloro pri folkloro. La finna skriba lingvo, opone al la sveda lingvo de la intelektularo, ricevis antaupuson per Kalevala. Post nacia lingvo sekvis nacia literaturo, kaj sendependa stato en 1917. Per multnom-braj citoj Wilson pruvas la efikon de la nacia vekigo per Kalevala, ekz. pri alfabetigo, nacilingvaj lernejoj.La cefa temo, traktita de Wilson, estas la mitologio, kreita cirkau Kalevala, ne la mitoj en la poemego mem. La mitologio igis la popolon kredi, ke Kalevala estas folkloro, kiu altigis la eksterlandan pritakson de Finnlando, kaj fine kondukis al la sendependigo; ke Kalevala estas pure nacipopola kreajo, respegulanta la popolan animon; kaj ke gi provizas heroan modelon de glora estonteco.Pri la fakta rilato de Kalevala al folkloro kaj historio kaj la rolo de Lonnrot en gia kreo, ekzistas diversaj kleraj opinioj. La starpunktoj pri la herooj, la tempa kaj kultura estigo, la partopreno de nefinnaj popoloj, pri la kreiveco aǔ tradicia auten-teco de Lonnrot estas diversaj.La interpretado de Kalevala variis lauepoke kaj laubezone. Dum milito, la herooj servis al militemuloj kaj inspiris al batalo. Aneksemuloj de Karelio substrekis la rolon de karelaj popolkantistoj en la savado de la eposo; male, marksista interpre-tisto vidis en la eposo socion de pacaj karelaj laboristoj, nun rekreatan.Wilson pruvas, ke finnaj folkloristoj sangis starpunkton lau la ideologio de la mo-mento, ekz. reinterpretado de K. Krohn en epoko de naciisma militemo, sango de starpunkto de V. Kaukonen post la Dua Mondmilito, reinterpretado, lau M. Haavio, pri unu personajo, jen kiel batalanto, jen kiel paca magia sagulo, paralele al politika sango for de konkerrevo al kompreno de la problemo de simpla pluekzisto. La ver-kisto dokumentas la reinterpretadon de la esploro pri Kalevala per multegaj pied-notoj, citante finnajn fontojn. Li ne hezitas kurage esprimi propran opinion. Li senkase asertas, ke Lonnrot kreis eposon, kiu neniel respegulas la finnan prakultu-ron. Pri la rolo de la esploristoj rilate al la finna publiko, li konfesas, ke la publiko ne konsciis pri la ekzisto de rica folklora tradicio. Gi konis nur Kalevala-n, do, nur Kalevala devis servi kiel nacia simbolo. La esploristo uzis Kalevala-n kvazau meta-fore pri la folkloro generate. En tia simpligo (ekzemple, en la usona folklorstudo, la komercigo por eldono) kusas dangero. Sed la finnaj folkloristoj guis la konten-ton de sukceso - ili influis la popolan menson kaj la nacian destinon.
American Federalism and Intergovernmental Innovation in State-Tribal Relations

Relations between American Indian tribes and state governments are poorly understood; they have been inaccurately portrayed as exclusively or increasingly conflictual. This study balances such perceptions and identifies constructive patterns of state-tribal relations that developed between 1970 and 2003. President Richard M. Nixon's 1970 policy of Indian self-determination affirmed Indian tribes' survival; yet it failed, in the context of tribes' extraconstitutional status, to clarify their relationship to state governments. Since then, entrepreneurial tribal leaders have asserted sovereign governmental status while advocating practical and substantive cooperation with state governments in place of adversarial and legalistic relations. The partial success of these efforts has produced new intergovernmental mechanisms and the development of state-tribal relations as an ongoing and increasingly normalized category of intergovernmental relations, even amidst conflict over tribal gaming and a shifting political and legal environment. Copyright 2004, Oxford University Press.
Protein Solubility in Pacific Whiting Affected by Proteolysis During Storage

The effects of post-harvest storage temperatures and times on proteolysis of Pacific whiting (Merluccius productus) and relationship to changes in protein solubility were evaluated. Myosin heavy chain (MHC) degraded rapidly during post-harvest storage at low temperatures (0-5°C). Greater degradation of MHC occurred at elevated temperatures. Actin degradation was similar to that of MHC but to a lesser degree. Both log-percent MHC and actin degradation were highly correlated (R2 5 0.88 and 0.74) to protein solubility. Degraded proteins were not completely removed by washing, resulting in a lower MHC content in washed mince.
Human-computer coupling

"Man-machine coupling," effecting the transfer of a human's thoughts, movements, and feelings to a computer, remains a challenge today. Alas, the 1960's reigning belief in the use of control theory for directly coupling us to machines and removing the need for "teams of programmers" has not provided the solution, although control theory has been of great use in the development of new technologies. Instead, teams of programmers are still necessary for enabling machines to interpret the signals that carry human communication. Such teams appear to be growing, not shrinking, in the coming decade.
Enhancing diffraction-limited images using properties of the point spread function

We propose an algorithm to enhance diffraction-limited images based on pixel-to-pixel correlations introduced by the finite width of the Point Spread Function (PSF). We simulate diffraction-limited images of point sources by convolving the PSF of a diffraction-limited lens with simulated images, and enhance the blurred images with our algorithm. Our algorithm reduces the PSF width, increases the contrast, and reveals structure on a length scale half of that resolvable in the unenhanced image. Our enhanced images compare favorably with images enhanced by conventional Tikhonov regularization.
Graphical determination of specific-volume anomaly and current

The derivation is described of a specific-volume anomaly nomogram and an alignment chart for finding the relative current from the dynamic-depth anomaly difference, the distance between oceanographic stations, and the mean latitude. An evaluation is made of the degree of accuracy obtainable by the use of the nomograms as compared to the use of tables.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that causes cardiac contractile dysfunction, whereas inactivation of MIF improves cardiac function in experimental animal models of sepsis. We used cultured cardiomyocytes to determine whether MIF-induced contractile dysfunction was mediated in part by myocyte apoptosis and to identify MIF-activated intracellular signaling pathways in this process. MIF treatment significantly increased myocyte apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner to 15.5 ± 3.9% and 26.0 ± 7.1% TUNEL positive nuclei (20 and 30 ng/ml MIF for 24 h) vs control (3.7 ± 0.9%). This effect was attenuated by inactivation of MIF with the chemical inhibitor, ISO-1. MIF-induced cleavage of caspase 3 and reduction of Bcl-xL/Bax were similarly attenuated by ISO-1 pre-treatment. MIF stimulated the rapid, transient phosphorylation of stress kinases, p38MAPK and JNK. Thus, MIF induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating stress kinases and mitochondria-associated apoptotic mechanisms, whereas inactivation of MIF pro-inflammatory activity improves cardiomyocyte survival.
The Hydrophobic Hinge Region of Rat DNA Polymerase β Is Critical for Substrate Binding Pocket Geometry

The hydrophobic hinge of DNA polymerase β facilitates closing and stabilization of the enzyme once the nucleotide substrate has bound. Alteration of the hydrophobic nature of the hinge by the introduction of a hydrophilic glutamine residue in place of isoleucine 260 results in an inaccurate polymerase. The kinetic basis of infidelity is lack of discrimination during the binding of substrate. The I260Q polymerase β variant has lower affinity than wild type enzyme for the correct substrate and much higher affinity for the incorrect substrate. Our results demonstrate that the hinge is important for formation of the substrate binding pocket. Our results are also consistent with the interpretation that DNA polymerase β discriminates the correct from incorrect substrate during the binding step.
Tissue distribution, metabolism and effects of bufotenine administered to rats

Bufotenine (N, N-dimethyl-5-hydroxytryptamine) is a serotonin analog reported to be hallucinogenic. Bufotenine concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection after the s.c. injection of bufotenine (1, 30 or 100 mg/kg) into rats. At 1 hr, bufotenine was high in lung, heart and blood and lower in brain and liver. No N-monomethyl-5-hydroxytryptamine was detected, but 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) was increased due to bufotenine metabolism. Bufotenine disappeared nearly completely by 8 hr. Bufotenine concentrations were slightly higher in hypothalamus and brain stem than in striatum or cortex; serotonin was slightly decreased, and 5HIAA was increased in these brain regions. Pargyline reduced concentrations of 5HIAA in blood and tissues after bufotenine injection; LY51641 but not deprenyl mimicked pargyline, suggesting type A not type B monoamine oxidase metabolizes bufotenine. Bufotenine injection increased serum corticosterone concentration, an effect not blocked by metergoline at a dose that blocked a similar increase elicited by quipazine. Although only 2% of the serotonin was found in platelet-poor plasma, more than 99% of the bufotenine was found in platelet-poor plasma, indicating that bufotenine is not stored in platelets. These experiments indicate that bufotenine is rapidly eliminated, in part by type A monoamine oxidase, after its injection into rats and that bufotenine penetrates the blood-brain barrier poorly.
THE EFFECT OF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION ON THE OLEFIN POLYMER REACTOR DYNAMICS

Mass and energy balances in a reactor have been derived to study the effect of particle size distribution (PSD) for each reaction mechanism on the reactor dynamics. It was observed that the PSD affects both bed height and particle volume. A feasible region for reactor operation has been calculated by using physical constraints. In a nonisothermal polymerization system, the reactor temperature does not change appreciably as catalyst injection rate increases. A unique steady state solution is found in a gas-phase continuous stirred-bed propylene polymerization reactor. The eigenvalues of the system of equations indicate that the steady state is unstable. A comparison with published data allows the observation that the actual reactor dynamics may be readily explained by using only the PSD derived from a simple reaction mechanism.
Physiology and Pathogenesis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common problems treated by primary care physicians. Almost 20% of the population in the United States experiences occasional regurgitation, heartburn, or retrosternal pain because of GERD. Reflux disease is complex, and the physiology and pathogenesis are still incompletely understood. However, abnormalities of any one or a combination of the three physiologic processes, namely, esophageal motility, lower esophageal sphincter function, and gastric motility or emptying, can lead to GERD. There are many diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to GERD today, but more studies are needed to better understand this complex disease process.
Anesthetic management of bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt in a patient with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum associated with sinusoidal communications

Pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PAIVS) is sometimes associated with coronary artery anomalies, including right ventricle (RV)-to-coronary artery fistulas (sinusoidal communications), coronary artery stenoses, and coronary artery occlusions. In some cases, the coronary circulation depends entirely or partly on the desaturated systemic venous blood supply from the RV. Under these circumstances, decompression of the RV can result in fatal myocardial ischemia. A 6-month-old boy, diagnosed with PAIVS associated with sinusoidal communications, underwent a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt procedure under venoarterial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). During CPB, to prevent RV decompression, we maintained right atrial pressure above 5 mmHg and used a pump perfusion rate of 30%–40% of the calculated value based on body surface area. Although electrocardiography showed slight ST depression and bradycardia, myocardial contractility after weaning from CPB was adequate to maintain the circulation with the administration of dobutamine and atrial pacing. In patients with PAIVS and RV-dependent coronary circulation, it is important to maintain coronary artery perfusion throughout the period of anesthesia.
Early results with LifeStent implantation in RESILIENT and non-RESILIENT inclusion criteria patients.

The purpose of our study was to determine outcomes of patients receiving the LifeStent (Bard Peripheral Vascular, Tempe, AZ) for femoropopliteal peripheral arterial disease in real-world academic practice outside the limitations of an industry supported trial. All patients from 2009 to 2012 at our institution who received a LifeStent during endovascular interventions and had follow-up were included. Outcomes evaluated included patency and freedom from limb loss. A total of 166 limbs in 151 patients had the LifeStent implanted in de novo vessels (54% male; 68 ± 12 years). Eighty-percent of limbs did not meet RESILIENT criteria due to Rutherford category >3 (51%), TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II classifications C/ D (51%), zero runoff vessels (6%), or stent location (17%). Primary patency rates were 81% at 6 months and 58% at 12 months with predictors for primary patency loss at 1 year including Rutherford category >3 (HR: 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0-3.1), p = 0.04), tobacco use (HR: 1.8 (95% CI: 1.0-3.3), p = 0.04), and no clopidogrel at discharge (HR: 3.2 (95% CI: 1.6-6.7), p 3 predicted 24-month limb loss (HR, 16.0 (95% CI: 2.0-122.0), p < 0.01). The LifeStent is a viable option regardless of the TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II classification; however, critical limb ischemia, current tobacco use, and absence of clopidogrel on discharge predict decreased patency on follow-up.
The Influence of Attitudes Toward Risk on the Value of Forecasting

Consider a price-taking firm that faces a random demand function in the sense that the market price varies randomly around some mean. To minimize the complications, we shall assume that the firm's cost function is nonstochastic and that the product is highly perishable, thereby eliminating inventory problems. The firm's profit function is still a random variable. If the owner's output decision must be made prior to the random resolution of the price, the firm is worse off than if the decision could be made after the price has been determined.' If the owner could obtain a perfect forecast, ex ante output decisions could be made as though they were ex post decisions. Since the owner is better off with a perfect forecast, forecasting services are valuable.2 We are concerned with the relative value of forecasting to risk-averse and risk-neutral owners. In spite of the fact that risk averters dislike uncertainty whereas risk-neutral owners are indifferent, we show that risk averters often place a lower value on forecasting than do risk-neutral agents. Initially, we provide a sufficient condition for risk averters to value forecasting less than do risk-neutral decision makers. Next, we illustrate this possibility in the context of forecasting random price.' We conclude with some remarks on imperfect forecasting and some related work on temporal risk versus timeless risk.
Stimulation of estrogen induced copulatory behavior in castrate male rats with the serotonin biosynthesis inhibitor P-chlorophenylalanine

Treatment of castrate male rats receiving suboptimal estradiol benzoate injections with the serotonin biosynthesis inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine resulted in a dramatic facilitation in the display of male sexual behavior. Mount and intromission frequency were found to increase, while latency to the first mount and intromission were found to decrease following PCPA treatment. Ejaculatory behavior was also found to be stimulated by PCPA. Results are discussed in terms of the aromatization and serotonin theories of the control of male sexual behavior in the rat.