cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Geologic History of U.S. Eastern Continental Margin South of Cape Hatteras: ABSTRACT

The continental margin off the southeastern United States contains two major basins, the Blake Plateau Basin off Florida and Georgia and the Carolina Trough off South and North Carolina. The Blake Plateau is a large, equidimensional basin that probably is underlain by relatively thick rift-stage crust. It probably was filled dominantly by shallow-water carbonate platform deposits. Reef and carbonate-bank buildups occurred near its seaward edge and the platform deposits interfingered with continental facies deposits near its landward edge. Reef building was interrupted in Barremian time and ended after an Albian-Aptian pulse. Subsequently, deposition did not keep pace with subsidence, and a deep-water plateau was formed. Onset of Gulf Stream flow across the inner Blake Pla eau during the Paleocene prevented seaward progradation of the continental shelf across the plateau, and major deep-water erosion removed the old continental slope, creating a steep cliff, the Blake Escarpment. The Carolina Trough is a long, narrow basin underlain by a narrow zone of rift-stage crust, much thinner than that beneath the Blake Plateau basin. This thin crust, presumably the result of major stretching of continental crust in the rift stage of ocean opening, floated deep isostatically and formed a salt-depositing basin early in continental-margin history. Later sediment loading caused the salt to flow into a series of slope diapirs, and withdrawal of the salt resulted in major subsidence of the block of sediment overlying the trough; movement occurred along growth faults. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1660------------
Effects of paroxetine on cardiovascular response to mental stress in subjects with a history of coronary artery disease and no psychiatric diagnoses

Rationale Paroxetine may decrease mental stress-induced cardiovascular responses and so benefit individuals with heart disease, even those with no psychiatric illness.
Relationship of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to the superior parathyroid gland during thyroidectomy.

Design:The relationship of the recurrent laryngeal nerve to the superior parathyroid gland during consecutive thyroidectomies was prospectively evaluated. When one structure was noted, careful dissection was performed to locate the other structure, to preserve their natural anatomical relationship.Patients:In total, 103 consecutive thyroid lobectomies were performed on 73 patients. The distance from the superior parathyroid gland to the recurrent laryngeal nerve was recorded.Results:In 88 cases (88.9 per cent), the superior parathyroid gland was identified within 5 mm of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. In 62 cases (62.6 per cent), the gland was within 1 mm of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The height of the thyroid lobe was positively associated with the distance between the two structures (p = 0.001), as was the incidence of cancer (p = 0.033). The incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis was less than 4 per cent.Conclusion:In most cases, the recurrent laryngeal nerve was found in close proximity to the superior parathyroid gland. In a thyroid gland with a large height, or in a cancerous lobe, this relationship is less reliable.
Biosocial bases of aggressive and violent behavior—implications for nursing studies

Although aggression and violence have been increasingly viewed as a major public health problem with a biological and health basis, it has been under-researched in the nursing and health context. This paper reviews early biological risk factors for violence. These factors include pregnancy/birth complications, fetal exposure to nicotine, alcohol, and drugs, low cholesterol, malnutrition, lead and manganese exposure, head injuries and brain dysfunction, low arousal, low serotonin, low cortisol, and high testosterone. A biopsychosocial violence mode is proposed. Finally, the paper argues that nursing is ideally placed to develop a new body of knowledge based on a biosocial perspective that can lead to more effective prevention programs for violence.
Folding λ-repressor at its speed limit

We show that the five-helix bundle λ6–85 can be engineered and solvent-tuned to make the transition from activated two-state folding to downhill folding. The transition manifests itself as the appearance of additional dynamics faster than the activated kinetics, followed by the disappearance of the activated kinetics when the bias toward the native state is increased. Our fastest value of 1 μs for the “speed” limit of λ6–85 is measured at low concentrations of a denaturant that smoothes the free-energy surface. Complete disappearance of the activated phase is obtained in stabilizing glucose buffer. Langevin dynamics on a rough free-energy surface with variable bias toward the native state provides a robust and quantitative description of the transition from activated to downhill folding. Based on our simulation, we estimate the residual energetic frustration of λ6–85 to be δ2 G ≈ 0.64 k2T2. We show that λ6–86, as well as very fast folding proteins or folding intermediates estimated to lie near the speed limit, provide a better rate-topology correlation than proteins with larger energetic frustration. A limit of β ≥ 0.7 on any stretching of λ6–85 barrier-free dynamics suggests that a low-dimensional free-energy surface is sufficient to describe folding.
Increased Soil Sorption of Pendimethalin due to Deposition of Guayule-Derived Detritus

Laboratory sorption experiments were conducted to determine the extent to which soil organic matter derived from guayule (Partbenium argehtatum A. Gray) residues can affect the sorption of pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine]. Soils where guayule had been grown for 0 to 38 mo were collected for sorption experiments from beneath actively growing plants. An additional treatment was collected before planting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in a field 1 yr after the final harvest of guayule that had been grown for 36 mo was also included. Continuous guayule cultivation resulted in a modest increase in soil organic C from 0.29% (±0.01%) to 0.76% (±0.03%) after 38 mo of production. Pendimethalin sorption to the soil increased with increasing guayule organic deposition as measured by time under cultivation. Soils where guayule was grown for 38 mo had an organic C distribution coefficient, K OC , 23 times greater than the control soil where guayule had not been grown (389,400 vs. 16,900 L kg ―1 ). In the treatment before planting cotton, however, the combination of time and cultivation resulted in a reduction of K OC from 389,400 to 21,500 L kg ―1 . The use of pendimethalin in a guayule-cotton rotation requires sufficient time and primary tillage before planting cotton. In addition, the use of pendimethalin during regrowth of guayule from the stump following harvest may require higher application rates to control weeds. Adsorption of pendimethalin to soil using batch equilibrium indicated that soil beneath actively growing guayule has a higher sorption capacity for pendimethalin than soil without guayule.
Statistical methods for interpolating missing meteorological data for use in building simulation

Building performance simulation is increasingly used to aid in decision making about the design, construction, retrofit, operation, and maintenance of new and existing buildings. Such simulations require a complete set of meteorological data sampled at regular intervals. A data file with even a single missing measurement value becomes useless for simulation. Unfortunately, it is extremely rare to find such a perfect body of data. Measurement errors and sensor failure are frequent occurrences in meteorological data collection and are among a host of reasons for missing measurement values. To overcome this problem, simulation users may rely on Typical Meteorological Years (TMYs) instead of actual historical data, or they may apply an existing interpolation method to fill the gaps in historical data. Historical data is often preferable, since TMYs fail to account for atypical weather conditions. Clearly, this could lead to poor decision making when the decision outcomes are strongly affected by the occurrence of atypical conditions. This paper presents several methods for statistical interpolation between discrete weather-data points. A normalization procedure is first used to transform meteorological data into a set of Gaussian-distributed sample data. Next, a vector autoregressive model is calibrated using the normalized site-specific meteorological data, and is then used to determine the most likely value for one or more missing data points. Variations of the model are described to address specific combinations of missing data, and the methods are validated for several cities in the USA. Results show that the normalization procedure is the most important contributor towards a significant improvement in accuracy relative to other interpolation methods.
Plasma lipoprotein abnormalities associated with acquired hepatic triglyceride lipase deficiency

Two enzymes, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL), are released into human plasma after intravenous injection of heparin. LPL is the major enzyme responsible for initiating catabolism of chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). The physiological role of HTGL is less certain. HTGL has been postulated to be an alternate enzyme to LPL in hydrolysis of triglyceride in VLDL and to be an important enzyme for removal of phospholipid from both low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). In this latter role, this enzyme would convert larger, lighter lipoprotein particles to smaller denser particles. HTGL deficiency has been found in severe liver disease and with a genetic deficiency of this enzyme. A unique patient is described with acquired hepatic triglyceride lipase deficiency and vitamin A intoxication. This patient developed hypercholesterolemia with an increase in both LDL and HDL. An increased proportion of lighter LDL (LDL1) and HDL (HDL2) was noted. In addition, after administration of heparin there was no shift in the distribution of apoE in plasma fractionated using a column containing 4% agarose. These findings are consistent with a postulated role of HTGL in metabolism of light LDL and HDL particles and some classes of apoE containing lipoproteins.
Semantic Webs and Study Skills.

Illustrates the use of semantic webs as a tool for teaching study skills such as organizing ideas and integrating information into written work
Reinforcement of autistic children's responses to music.

Appropriate and inappropriate behavior of three autistically labeled boys was observed and recorded during alternating individual and group sessions under two conditions: Condition A, 1:1 reinforcement and shaping, and Condition B, differential reinforcement. Music served as an effective curriculum (to teach appropriate musical responses) and as a context to shape and alter other individual and social behaviors. Increases in appropriate behaviors were accompanied by variable decreases in inappropriate behaviors.
Reduction of both RAR and RXR Levels Is Required to Maximally Alter Sensitivity of CA-OV3 Ovarian Tumor Cells to Growth Suppression by all-trans-Retinoic Acid

Abstract We wished to determine the effect of altering the levels or functional activity of retinoid receptors, in particular retinoic acid receptor-α (RAR-α) and retinoid X receptor-α (RXR-α) on the growth sensitivity of ovarian tumor cells to all- trans -retinoic acid (all trans -RA). We found that CA-OV3 cells could be made resistant to all- trans -RA growth inhibition by overexpressing RAR-β(R269Q), an efficient dominant negative mutant which inhibits the function of all RAR subtypes. Antisense technology was then used to prepare stable transfectants of the retinoid-sensitive ovarian carcinoma cell line CA-OV3 in which expression of RAR-α, RXR-α, or both RAR-α and RXR-α was reduced. The effect of all- trans -RA on ovarian tumor cell growth was determined by MTT assay, autoradiographic analysis of DNA synthesis, and anchorage-independent colony formation in soft agar. Our results show that cell lines expressing reduced levels of either RAR-α alone or RXR-α alone exhibited a small decrease in sensitivity to growth inhibition by all- trans -RA. However, maximum RA resistance was obtained in cell lines in which the levels of both RAR-α and RXR-α were reduced. These results demonstrate the importance of both retinoid nuclear receptors and retinoid-X receptors in general, and RAR-α and RXR-α in particular, as mediators of ovarian carcinoma cell growth inhibition by retinoids.
Investigation of the atomic structure and visibility of crystal/amorphous interfaces in Pd80Si20 alloy by HRTEM image simulations

Abstract Atomic models of isolated crystalline Pd 3 Si embedded in amorphous Pd 80 Si 20 , a planar crystalline Pd 3 Si/amorphous Pd 80 Si 20 interface and a faceted crystalline Pd 3 Si/amorphous Pd 80 Si 20 interface were constructed using a dense random packing (DRP) model for the amorphous alloy. Multislice programs were used to simulate high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images of these models for a JEOL 4000EX microscope. The simulated images show that amorphous alloy superimposed on crystalline Pd 3 Si degrades the crystal image. The visibility limit of crystalline Pd 3 Si embedded in amorphous Pd 80 Si 20 occurs for an amorphous/crystal thickness ratio of about 3.4 near optimum defocus (- 50.0 nm), but this can be increased by a factor of two using optical diffraction. A similar visibility limit occurs for crystalline protrusions at a crystal/amorphous interface. The visibility limit is affected by defocus, and at -60.0 nm defocus a crystalline protrusion of Pd 3 Si can become more visible due to a zero in the microscope contrast transfer function at the nearest-neighbor bond distance of the amorphous alloy. The atomic arrangement of crystalline Pd 3 Si extends a few atomic diameters into the amorphous matrix for a crystal/amorphous interface constructed with the DRP model, and this structure can be observed by HRTEM.
PREDICTION OF HIP FRACTURES FROM PELVIC RADIOGRAPHS: THE STUDY OF OSTEOPOROTIC FRACTURES

To determine whether simple measurements made on conventional radiographs of the hip could predict hip fractures, we obtained pelvic radiographs on 9704 white women age 65 or older. We analyze the radiographs of all 162 women who subsequently suffered a hip fracture and 162 randomly selected women who did not. Adjusting for age, four measurements independently predicted hip fractures: reduced thickness of the femoral shaft cortex (odds ratio 1.7 per standard deviation; 95% confidence interval 1.2, 2.3) and of the femoral neck cortex (1.4 per standard deviation; 1.0, 1.9), reduction in an index of tensile trabeculae (2.0 per unit; 1.4, 2.9), and wider trochanteric region (1.4 per standard deviation; 1.0, 2.0). The combination of these four measurements predicted hip fracture at least as strongly as did measurement of bone density of the femoral neck (areas of the receiver-operating characteristic curve = 0.81 and 0.80, respectively). We conclude that simple measurements made on pelvic radiographs predict hip fractures as well as bone density of the hip.
Ultrashort-Pulse Lasers for Nonlinear Microscopies

The development of short-pulse lasers for use in nonlinear microscopy will be reviewed. After a brief historical overview of lasers used in nonlinear microscopy, recent developments in fiber lasers will be described. Article not available.
Integration of Microdialysis Sampling and Microchip Electrophoresis with Electrochemical Detection

Here we describe the fabrication, optimization, and application of a microfluidic device that integrates microdialysis (MD) sampling, microchip electrophoresis (ME), and electrochemical detection (EC). The manner in which the chip is produced is reproducible and enables the fixed alignment of the MD/ME and ME/EC interfaces. Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)-based valves were used for the discrete injection of sample from the hydrodynamic MD dialysate stream into a separation channel for analysis with ME. To enable the integration of ME with EC detection, a palladium decoupler was used to isolate the high voltages associated with electrophoresis from micrometer-sized carbon ink detection electrodes. Optimization of the ME/EC interface was needed to allow the use of biologically appropriate perfusate buffers containing high salt content. This optimization included changes in the fabrication procedure, increases in the decoupler surface area, and a programmed voltage shutoff. The ability of the MD/ME/EC system t...
Isospin of the B 11 Giant Resonance

The reactions ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, p{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\ensuremath{'}}){\mathrm{B}}^{10}$ and ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}(\ensuremath{\gamma}, n{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{\ensuremath{'}}){\mathrm{B}}^{10}$ were observed at bremsstrahlung endpoint energies of 24 and 35 MeV. No evidence was found for the existence of the $\mathrm{T}=\frac{3}{2}$ component of the giant resonance in ${\mathrm{B}}^{11}$.
Automated Universal Testing and tutoring system for WEB application

This paper presents an Automated Universal Testing and tutoring system for WEB application(AUTOWEB) for grading and tutoring on-line assignments. Based on WATIR, a retrogression testing tool, the system simulates actions of human being and automatically interprets and executes test cases specified for tutoring students. AUTOWEB can automatically generate an animation demo for each failed test case, showing step by step how a student submission fails a requirement. Further textual hint (prepared by faculty) will be shown to students. In addition, the system can dynamically demonstrate the project requirement specification online that shows the page layouts and functionalities required. For collaboration, students can also design and upload their own test cases in addition to those prepared by instructors. AUTOWEB is unique in its ability to interact with web GUI applications developed in any languages and deployed on any platforms, that is the reason why we call it universal system. AUTOWEB provides instant feedback to students, which enriches their learning experiences significantly.
EVALUATING PARTICULATE EMISSIONS FROM JET ENGINES: ANALYSIS OF CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS AND HUMAN HEALTH

The results of this study suggest that the range of size of particulate emissions from some jet engines clusters below 1.5 μm and that the emissions contain heavy metals. Therefore, jet exhaust particulates (JEPs) have the potential to adversely affect both the environment and human health. Little is known about the particulate component of jet engine emissions. Baseline physical and chemical data on JEPs were obtained to evaluate their potential effects on the environment. Particles collected from the exhaust stream of two types of jet engines were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Analysis indicated that 100 percent of the particles collected were below 1.5 μm in size. Particles in this size range can penetrate to the alveoli of human lungs. Chemical analyses of jet engine exhaust were conducted in an attempt to identify chemical fingerprints that would distinguish aviation emissions in the environment from other anthropogenic emissions. Certain heavy metals, especially vanadium, were found i...
First Grade and Educational Attainment by Age 22: A New Story.

Studies of the persistence of social stratification rely heavily on students’ experience in secondary schools. In this study, outcomes for a randomly selected panel of Baltimore children, followed from age 6 to age 22, demonstrate that first graders’ social contexts and personal resources explain educational attainment levels in early adulthood about as well as do similar resources measured in adolescence. Years of schooling and the highest level of school attempted respond most strongly to family SES, but parental psychological support and the child’s own temperament/disposition had substantial effects on first‐grade academic outcomes. The predictive power of race, gender, SES, and neighborhood quality measured in first grade on educational status at age 22 supports Lucas’s “effectively maintained inequality.”
Binding of [125I]corticotropin releasing factor to blood immunocytes and its reduction in Alzheimer's disease

The binding of [125I]iodine-labelled corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) was studied using peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal donors and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The high affinity binding of [125I]CRF was found in the membranes of various immunocytes. Monocytes and T cells displayed binding which was several times greater than the binding of brain (cortical) cells. The immunocyte CRF binding was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in 14 out of 18 (78%) AD patients relative to non-AD controls, suggesting the association of CRF in the pathology of AD. Our data demonstrate that blood immunocytes can be used to analyze deficiency of neurohormone sites in neuropsychiatric diseases, e.g., AD.
Production of He + in He + 2 -He Collisions near Threshold

The relative cross section for production of ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$ in ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$-He collisions has been measured near threshold. Convolution integrals taking account of the thermal motion of the target He atoms are numerically calculated for several forms of the threshold cross section and compared to the data. For the threshold laws considered, threshold is in the range 2.0-2.4 eV, in agreement with theoretical values of the dissociation energy of $X^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$. By using Liu's recent rigorous lower bound for this dissociation energy, a possible form of threshold law is obtained. The experiments also indicate that significant amounts of ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}^{+}$ resulting from He*-He interactions are formed in excited vibrational-rotational states of the $X^{2}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$.
Cast Microstructure and Fatigue Behavior of a High Strength Aluminum Alloy (KO-1),

Microstructure and fatigue behavior were studied in sand-cast and end-chilled KO-1 high strength aluminum alloy. Secondary dendrite arm spacing and volume percent microporosity increase with distance from the chill, whereas volume percent inter dendritic nonequilibrium secondary phase decreases. Solution kinetics of the secondary phase depend on the dimensionless parameter [Dt/L2], where:D is the diffusivity of copper in this alloy at the solution temperature,L is half the dendrite arm spacing, andt the solutionizing time. The fatigue life of the alloy at room temperature was measured in reversed bending on unnotched specimens at stress levels of 17,300 and 19,000 psi and was found to decrease with increasing distance from the chill. Unnotched solutionized specimens exhibited a longer fatigue life than as-cast specimens, even though crack growth studies showed that cracks grew more rapidly in the solutionized material. This would be attributed to a delay in crack initiation resulting from the decrease in the amount of microporosity and the rounding of micropores during heat treatment. Micropores and inclusions acted as sources of stress concentration for fatigue crack initiation. Cracks then usually grew transgranularly.
Performance of a Horizontally Scanning Doppler Sonar Near Shore

Abstract In August 1990, tests were performed to investigate the usefulness of a horizontally scanning Doppler acoustic technique in shallow water. Comparisons of radial velocity estimates from a vertical fan beam versus a horizontally aimed pencil beam indicate no degradation attributable to multiple reflections from the surface and bottom. Further tests, in which ping-to-ping phase-coherent means are examined, indicate negligible stationary backscatter from the bottom. Tests in which the acoustic beams were directed shoreward indicate that an extremely dense bubble cloud formed by plunging breakers produces an impenetrable “wall” at the breakpoint, at acoustic frequencies near 195 kHz. Useful velocity estimates (one component) are obtainable everywhere seaward of the breakpoint of the incoming surf. The spatially extensive velocity estimates offered by this technique provide enormous potential for the study of horizontal currents and wave-current interactions in shallow water.
Time series evaluation of portal monitor data

Radiation portal monitor (RPM) systems perform cargo screening at U.S. and other ports of entry. The data from these systems are routinely evaluated in regard to energy spectrum and total count rate above background. However, few analyses are performed on the time progression of data. In this work, the time series of data from an RPM system are evaluated for the presence of sources of interest by isolating the contribution of anomalous radiation. Source contributions are isolated by comparing the background spectra (or energy-windowed spectral information from low energy-resolution systems) to the spectrum at each successive time step. At every time in the data sequence, the total gross-count signal is turned into a “spectral distance” index using this method. This has the potential to dramatically reduce systematic fluctuations due to background attenuation by a vehicle (the so-called “shadow shielding” effect), and allow for time-series shape fitting for source size discrimination. The anomalous time series is reanalyzed for the presence of compact sources by using a wavelet filter function of similar size to the expected source profile. This may allow a dramatic reduction in gross-count alarm thresholds, leading to a corresponding sensitivity increase. This increase is shown by analysis of a number of real drive-through data sets taken at a U.S. port of entry. A set of isotopes of interest are injected into the data set, and the resultant “benign” and “injected” data sets are analyzed with gross-counting, spectral-ratio, and spatial algorithms. Spatial analysis alone was not sufficient to increase overall sensitivity given this data set, but both methods together gave a significant increase to detection performance.
Demonstration of a high efficiency nonuniform monolithic gallium-nitride distributed amplifier

A monolithic gallium-nitride (GaN) dual-gate HEMT distributed amplifier has been designed which offers increased efficiency by removal of the drain line dummy load. This amplifier uses a dual-gate cascode gain cell to provide higher gain and power with a wideband frequency response. A fabricated four-stage nonuniform distributed amplifier has validated this approach.
Validation of a new predictive risk model: measuring the impact of the major modifiable risks of death for patients and populations.

Background Modifiable risks account for a large fraction of disease and death, but clinicians and patients lack tools to identify high risk populations or compare the possible benefit of different interventions.
Preoperative Statins and Acute Kidney Injury after Cardiac Surgery: Utilization of a Consensus Definition of Acute Kidney Injury

BackgroundPrevious trials investigating preoperative statin use for prevention of acute kidney injury following cardiovascular surgery were limited to patients undergoing a specific procedure and many used nonconsensus definitions of acute kidney injury.ObjectiveTo use a consensus definition of acute kidney injury for evaluating the association of preoperative statin use with the development of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery utilizing cardiopulmonary bypass.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 667 patients ≥18 years who underwent any cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass between April 2007 and May 2009 at Mercy Hospital in Scranton, PA. Patients were excluded if they were receiving preoperative renal replacement therapy, had stage 5 chronic kidney disease, or did not have a postoperative serum creatinine level assessed. The primary outcome was the odds of developing acute kidney injury given the use of preoperative statins. Acute kidney injury was defined based on the Acute K...
Interactions between U-50,488H and σ receptor antagonists: EEG, EEG power spectral and behavioral correlates☆

I.v. administration of U-50,488H after i.v. saline pretreatment produced occasional high-voltage EEG slow-wave bursts that were associated with relatively small increases in spectral power in the 2.5-7.5 Hz band as a spectral peak and with behavioral incidents of sedation, ataxia, ptosis, straub tail, hunching of the back, and backing-up. After pretreatment with the sigma antagonists rimcazole and DuPont Merck S-7389-4, U-50,488H administration produced significantly larger increases in absolute EEG spectral power, both over the 1-50 Hz range and in the 2.5-5.0 and 5.0-7.5 Hz bands, than after saline pretreatment; rimcazole pretreatment eliminated U-50,488H-induced incidents of ataxia, ptosis, hunching of the back and backing-up. In summary, effects of U-50,488H on EEG, EEG power spectra and behavior may reflect interactions between kappa opioid and sigma (non-opioid) receptor-effector systems.
Tree height in Brazil's 'arc of deforestation' : Shorter trees in south and southwest Amazonia imply lower biomass

Abstract This paper estimates the difference in stand biomass due to shorter and lighter trees in southwest (SW) and southern Amazonia (SA) compared to trees in dense forests in central Amazonia (CA). Forest biomass values used to estimate carbon emissions from deforestation throughout, Brazilian Amazonia will be affected by any differences between CA forests and those in the “arc of deforestation” where clearing activity is concentrated along the southern edge of the Amazon forest. At 12 sites (in the Brazilian states of Amazonas, Acre, Mato Grosso and Para) 763 trees were felled and measurements were made of total height and of stem diameter. In CA dense forest, trees are taller at any given diameter than those in SW bamboo-dominated open, SW bamboo-free dense forest and SA open forests. Compared to CA, the three forest types in the arc of deforestation occur on more fertile soils, experience a longer dry season and/or are disturbed by climbing bamboos that cause frequent crown damage. Observed relationships between diameter and height were consistent with the argument that allometric scaling exponents vary in forests on different substrates or with different levels of natural disturbance. Using biomass equations based only on diameter, the reductions in stand biomass due to shorter tree height alone were 11.0, 6.2 and 3.6%, respectively, in the three forest types in the arc of deforestation. A prior study had shown these forest types to have less dense wood than CA dense forest. When tree height and wood density effects were considered jointly, total downward corrections to estimates of stand biomass were 39, 22 and 16%, respectively. Downward corrections to biomass in these forests were 76 Mg ha−1 (∼21.5 Mg ha−1 from the height effect alone), 65 Mg ha−1 (18.5 Mg ha−1 from height), and 45 Mg. ha−1 (10.3 Mg ha−1 from height). Hence, biomass stock and carbon emissions are overestimated when allometric relationships from dense forest are applied to SW or SA forest types. Biomass and emissions estimates in Brazil's National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change require downward corrections for both wood density and tree height.
S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-D-penicillamine covalently linked to polydimethylsiloxane (SNAP–PDMS) for use as a controlled photoinitiated nitric oxide release polymer

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in the regulation of a wide variety of physiological processes. It is a potent inhibitor of platelet adhesion and aggregation, inhibits bacterial adhesion and proliferation, is implicated in mediating the inflammatory response toward implanted devices, plays a role in tumor growth and proliferation, and is a neurotransmitter. Herein, we describe the synthesis and NO-release properties of a modified polydimethylsiloxane that contains S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D-penicillamine covalently attached to the cross-linking agent (SNAP–DMS). Light from a C503B-BAN-CY0C0461 light-emitting diode (470 nm) was used as an external trigger to allow precise control over level and duration of NO release ranging from a surface flux of zero to approximately 3.5×10−10 mol cm-2 min-1. SNAP–PDMS films stored in the dark released NO after 297 days, indicating the long-term stability of SNAP–PDMS.
Microseconds domain switching-speed wavelength-multiplexed optical scanner

In conclusion, we have successfully demonstrated a fiber-remoted W-MOS with /spl sim/60 microsecond scan setting speeds. Extremely fast (/spl sim/25 nanosecond) wavelength tuning is possible, although electronic control systems tend to limit switching speeds to the microsecond regime. Although, our setup used a /spl sim/3.6 nm tunable bandwidth laser, DBR type structures can offer wavelength-tuning range as wide as 72 nm. Other options for high-speed widely tunable lasers include quantum dot lasers.
The power average operator

We introduce the power average to provide an aggregation operator which allows argument values to support each other in the aggregation process. The properties of this operator are described. We discuss the idea of a power median. We introduce some possible formulations for the support function used in the power average. We extend the supported aggregation facility of empowerment to a wider class of mean operators, such as the OWA (ordered weighted averaging) operator and the generalized mean operator.
A Low-Cost Sensor Array and Test Platform for Automated Roadside Mowing

This letter presents an automated roadside mowing agent. A proof-of-concept testbed was developed based on a low-cost sensor array selected for quick, efficient, and effective roadside mowing. Dead reckoning from shaft-mounted encoders is fused via an extended Kalman filter with absolute positioning and heading information provided by a dual-antenna differential (wide area augmentation system-corrected) global positioning system (GPS) unit, to obtain accurate localization. The dual GPS unit, which includes an integrated gyro, provides accurate drift-free heading, yielding a low-cost high-performance solution. Outdoor tests on grassy and uneven terrain illustrate the success and practicality of the proposed agent. Mowing performance was evaluated based on consistency of consecutive mowing paths: 10.0 cm consistency is attainable. Slow-moving drift inherent in GPS positioning does not substantially affect automated mowing performance, which depends more on positioning precision than accuracy.
Via hole modeling for an electromagnetically coupled patch antenna

In microwave and millimeter wave applications, microstrip antennas with a multilayered configuration are becoming more popular and important. A practical excitation mechanism for such antennas is electromagnetically coupled (EMC) feeding through a microstrip line. In comparison with other feeding structures, the main features of EMC microstrip antennas include larger bandwidth, higher efficiency, lower radiation from the feed line and better impedance matching flexibility. In the paper, a 3-D full-wave spectral-domain technique is developed to investigate the insertion of a via hole in an EMC patch antenna. The result shows that perfect matching and a larger bandwidth can be achieved by use of the via hole. >
The κ factor: inferring protocol performance using inter-link reception correlation

This paper explores metrics that capture to what degree packet reception on different links is correlated. Specifically, it explores metrics that shed light on when and why opportunistic routing and network coding protocols perform well (or badly). It presents a new metric, κ that, unlike existing widely used metrics, has no bias based on the packet reception ratios of links. This lack of bias makes κ a better predictor of performance of opportunistic routing and network coding protocols. Comparing Deluge and Rateless Deluge, Deluge's network coding counterpart, we find that κ can predict which of the two is best suited for a given environment. For example, irrespective of the packet reception ratios of the links, if the average κ of the link pairs is very high (close to 1.0), then using a protocol that does not code works better than using a network coding protocol. Measuring κ on several 802.15.4 and 802.11 testbeds, we find that it varies significantly across network topologies and link layers. κ can be a metric for quantifying what kind of a network is present and help decide which protocols to use for that network.
Morphological and genetic analysis of the Coolia monotis species complex with the introduction of two new species, Coolia santacroce sp. nov. and Coolia palmyrensis sp. nov. (Dinophyceae)

Abstract The dinoflagellate genus Coolia Meunier is an important epi-benthic organism that is commonly found in association with other dinoflagellates known to cause ciguatera. Two closely related taxa, Coolia monotis and Coolia malayensis , make up the C . monotis species complex. In this study we introduce two new toxic species that should be included in that complex, Coolia palmyrensis Karafas, Tomas, York sp. nov. and Coolia santacroce Karafas, Tomas, York sp. nov., collected from the Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean and Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, respectively. These two species can be distinguished morphologically by size, pore shape, pore density, and the relative size of the apical pore complex. The ITS1/5.8S/ITS2 and the D1/D2 regions of the LSU rDNA were used to provide molecular support of morphological observations using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. Furthermore, C . palmyrensis and C . santacroce both showed cytotoxic effects on human derived cells in vitro .
The New Decision-Makers in the Rural Landscape – Who Are Non-Farm Rural Landowners?

Rural areas are undergoing non-farm population growth as a result of various factors including changing lifestyle preferences, an aging population, and technological innovations which allow exurbanites to commute. This research investigated the rural non-farm landowner of Southern Ontario in order to describe their characteristics. It involved five preliminary focus groups with farm and non-farm landowners owning land in rural, urbanizing rural, and urbanized rural areas, and four final focus groups with non-farm rural landowners. The research also included a survey of 944 landowners in Southern Ontario. This mix of quantitative and qualitative data collection was intended to support a minor level of prediction (what will happen in the future as a result of the impact of this group?); process (working with the group under study to develop solutions through a research partnership); and generalization (as much as possible through the combination of methods). Study results suggest that the number and proportion of retirees and professionals in rural areas are increasing, and residents are more likely to live on or near their properties than in the past. Average property size has decreased, and education levels are increasing. Non-farm landowners should be considered separate and distinct from farmers, as they have different backgrounds, education levels relating to land use, and connections to the land. Policies and decisions relating to development and preservation need to treat these groups as having different priorities and perspectives on the issues. These results provide information which will assist with the development of new initiatives, support the continuation of successful programs, and enable the tracking and assessment of new and continuing conservation and stewardship initiatives for non-farm rural landowners.
First Amendment Limits on Regulating Judicial Campaigns

In 2002, the United States Supreme Court held that a provision of Minnesota's rules regulating the conduct of judicial elections violated the free speech guarantees contained in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. By a 5-4 vote, the Court in Republican Party of Minnesota v. White held that Minnesota could not prevent judicial candidates from "announcing" their views on disputed legal or political issues. White left open many questions, but some lower federal courts have relied upon it to strike down a host of other judicial campaign regulations, from those that prohibit judicial candidates from making campaign promises to those that bar such candidates from directly soliciting campaign contributions. State courts have read White more narrowly and upheld challenged judicial election rules, leading to a great deal of uncertainty over precisely which judicial campaign regulations pass constitutional muster. In addition, some state supreme courts, perhaps in anticipation of legislation, have changed the rules for conducting of judicial elections. The law is in a high state of uncertainty, which is likely to persist at least until the Supreme Court hears another case resolving these issues. White emerged at a time - perhaps not coincidentally, - when judicial campaigns were becoming "nastier, noisier, and costlier," and White has the potential to inject judicial candidates more directly into the tumult of these newly-invigorated campaigns. This chapter, part of a forthcoming NYU Press book, Running for Judge (Matthew Streb. ed., forthcoming April 2007) considers the legal question whether, in light of White, the most important judicial campaign regulations can survive First Amendment challenge. The question is important and urgent in the thirty-nine states that select or retain at least some of their judges through elections.This chapter first lays out the major regulations of judicial conduct in various states. It then summarizes White's holding and reasoning. The remainder of the chapter considers arguments that have been advanced since White for and against the constitutionality of the major judicial campaign regulations. The analysis concludes that most of the major regulations are of uncertain constitutionality under White. This constitutional analysis must be considered with caution, however. Two of the five Justices in the White majority (Chief Justice Rehnquist and Justice O'Connor) have left the Supreme Court, and it is unclear whether the new Roberts Court will follow White faithfully or go forward in a moderately or radically different direction. Only time will tell if remaining longstanding special regulations for judicial elections will survive legal challenge.
Economic Entities Seen as Spinning Systemic Yoyos

As suggested by the title, in this part of the book, we will focus on how the systemic yoyo model and its relevant figurative analysis method can be not only applied to the study of the laws of motion, astronomy, and the three-body problem, where Newton’s laws have been historically considered as one of the main reasons why physics is an “exact” science, but also equally applicable to inexact studies such as economics, evolutions of business, and management, which are parts of social sciences. Situations studied in these areas of social sciences are fundamentally different from those considered in natural sciences because humans are involved in each economic and management situation and their desires always alter the evolution of the outcome, leading to unpredictable, chaotic consequences. What is presented in this part of the book shows that when each business entity is seen as a rotating yoyo with a spin field around it, this fundamental difference seems to disappear and the seemingly unpredictable, chaotic consequences of human organizational desires and corresponding behaviors no longer look unpredictable and chaotic.
Microwave-assisted ultrafast and facile synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles from a single precursor: preparation, characterization and their application for the highly selective detection of explosive picric acid

An ultrafast and facile method for the preparation of fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) from a single precursor (ammonium citrate dibasic serving as both the carbon and nitrogen source) has been developed using a cheap home-use microwave oven. The obtained CNPs showed a strong blue fluorescence with a quantum yield of ∼20% and displayed excitation-independent fluorescence behavior. The effects of preparation conditions on the fluorescence behavior of the CNPs were systematically investigated, while the as-prepared CNPs were thoroughly characterized using various advanced techniques. The mechanism of nanoparticle formation was also discussed and proposed. Furthermore, it was found that, interestingly, explosive picric acid (PA) could quench the fluorescence signal of the CNPs significantly and selectively, while other nitroaromatic explosives have insignificant effect on their fluorescence intensity. The excellent sensing performance for picric acid could be attributed to the synergistic effect of its low molecular orbitals, the presence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer as well as acid–base interactions between the picric acid and fluorescent CNPs. These findings here suggest a simple way to prepare highly fluorescent CNPs, which holds great promise in the development of sensitive and selective sensors for PA detection.
MapSSS results for OAEI 2011

MapSSS is very preliminary work on the feasibility of matching OWL -based ontologies in a manner that involves using only limited reasoning over the ontologies. This is the first year MapSSS has been a part of the OAEI competition, and it is hoped that these results will serve as a baseline for comparison with a more mature version of the algorithm a year from now.
Reduced Proteolytic Shedding of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Is a Post-Translational Mechanism of Kinase Inhibitor Resistance

Kinase inhibitor resistance often involves upregulation of poorly understood “bypass” signaling pathways. Here, we show that extracellular proteomic adaptation is one path to bypass signaling and drug resistance. Proteolytic shedding of surface receptors, which can provide negative feedback on signaling activity, is blocked by kinase inhibitor treatment and enhances bypass signaling. In particular, MEK inhibition broadly decreases shedding of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK), including HER4, MET, and most prominently AXL, an ADAM10 and ADAM17 substrate, thus increasing surface RTK levels and mitogenic signaling. Progression-free survival of patients with melanoma treated with clinical BRAF/MEK inhibitors inversely correlates with RTK shedding reduction following treatment, as measured noninvasively in blood plasma. Disrupting protease inhibition by neutralizing TIMP1 improves MAPK inhibitor efficacy, and combined MAPK/AXL inhibition synergistically reduces tumor growth and metastasis in xenograft models. Altogether, extracellular proteomic rewiring through reduced RTK shedding represents a surprising mechanism for bypass signaling in cancer drug resistance. Significance: Genetic, epigenetic, and gene expression alterations often fail to explain adaptive drug resistance in cancer. This work presents a novel post-translational mechanism of such resistance: Kinase inhibitors, particularly targeting MAPK signaling, increase tumor cell surface receptor levels due to widely reduced proteolysis, allowing tumor signaling to circumvent intended drug action. Cancer Discov; 6(4); 382–99. ©2016 AACR . This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, [p. 331][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/6/331?iss=4