cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability in Fruit Yield and Quality of Genetically Diverse Tomato Cultivars in Response to Different Biochars

Abstract Background Intensive agricultural practices have reduced soil health thereby negatively impacting crop yields. There is a need to maintain healthy soils and restore marginal lands to ensure efficient food production. Biochar, a porous carbon-rich material generated from pyrolysis of various feedstock sources is receiving attention as a soil amendment that has the potential to restore soil organic carbon content and also enhance crop yields. However, the physical and chemical properties of biochar are influenced by pyrolysis parameters. These in turn determine its interaction with the soil, thereby influencing its biological properties in terms of impact on soil microcosm and plant productivity. While most studies report the evaluation of one biochar and a single plant cultivar, the role of the plant’s genetic background in responding to biochar as a soil amendment remains unanswered. The impact of six distinct biochars on agronomic performance and fruit quality of three genetically diverse tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars was evaluated to test the hypotheses that 1) biochars derived from different feedstock sources would produce unique phenotypes in a single cultivar of tomato, and 2) single feedstock-derived BC would produce different phenotypes in each of the three tomato cultivars. Results Different biochars impacted shoot dry weight, total fruit weight, and yield per plant in each cultivar differently. Both positive and negative effects were observed depending on the biochar-cultivar combination. In ‘Oregon Spring’, Ryegrass straw and CoolTerra biochar enhanced yield. In ‘Heinz’, an increase in fruit weight and citric acid was observed with several of the biochars. In ‘Cobra’, improved yields were accompanied by reduction in fruit quality parameters. Both hypotheses were supported by the data. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the genetic background of a plant is an important variable in determining the outcome of using biochar as a soil amendment. Strategies for application of biochar in agricultural production should consider the variables of soil type, feedstock source, pyrolysis parameters and plant genetic background for enhancing crop productivity and carbon sequestration.
Understanding health care professionals' attitudes towards working in teams and interprofessional collaborative competencies: A mixed methods analysis

Abstract Background To meet the challenge of preparing health care professionals for collaborative practice, it is crucial to understand factors that influence their ability to collaborate effectively. Method This study employed a convergent parallel mixed methods design to better understand health care professional' attitudes towards working in teams and their interprofessional collaborative competencies. The quantitative strand utilized validated questionnaires to measure attitudes and collaborative competencies, and the qualitative strand utilized open ended questions to understand how health care professionals work in teams and the interprofessional collaborative competencies they feel they need to work in teams. This article reports the findings from the qualitative strand and mixed methods analysis; the quantitative results are published in a separate manuscript. Results A descriptive content analysis was completed to analyze the qualitative data, which resulted in three categories: (1) Communication, which includes two subcategories, Effective Communication and Ineffective Communication, (2) Value, and (3) Roles. Conclusion The findings from this study suggest that interprofessional collaboration appears to be influenced by numerous factors, including the type of formal interprofessional education health care professionals complete and how often formal IPE is completed. Equally important is the need to integrate principles related to effective communication, role clarification, and strategies to uphold relationships where value, trust, respect, and validation occur.
Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 RNA Genome with Small Molecule Binders and Ribonuclease Targeting Chimera (RIBOTAC) Degraders

COVID-19 is a global pandemic, thus requiring multiple strategies to develop modalities against it. Herein, we designed multiple bioactive small molecules that target a functional structure within the SARS-CoV-2's RNA genome, the causative agent of COVID-19. An analysis to characterize the structure of the RNA genome provided a revised model of the SARS-CoV-2 frameshifting element, in particular its attenuator hairpin. By studying an RNA-focused small molecule collection, we identified a drug-like small molecule (C5) that avidly binds to the revised attenuator hairpin structure with a K d of 11 nM. The compound stabilizes the hairpin's folded state and impairs frameshifting in cells. The ligand was further elaborated into a ribonuclease targeting chimera (RIBOTAC) to recruit a cellular ribonuclease to destroy the viral genome (C5-RIBOTAC) and into a covalent molecule (C5-Chem-CLIP) that validated direct target engagement and demonstrated its specificity for the viral RNA, as compared to highly expressed host mRNAs. The RIBOTAC lead optimization strategy improved the bioactivity of the compound at least 10-fold. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome should be considered druggable.
Diffuse Gastrointestinal Polyposis in Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba Syndrome: A Rare Phenotype Among Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog Hamartoma Tumor Syndromes

Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (BRRS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by germline mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene. Clinical manifestations arise early during childhood and include multiple lipomas, hamartomatous intestinal polyps, macrocephaly, developmental delay, and autism spectrum disorder among others. The case describes a 24-year-old female with a recent diagnosis of BRRS who presented for evaluation of burning epigastric pain for the previous six months. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy revealed an erosive gastric mucosa as well as numerous polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Histopathologic examination confirmed gastric Helicobacter pylori infection and different histologic types of polyps.
Resistance monitoring of Culex tritaeniorhynchus to DDT in Shanxi province

Objective To understand the resistance status of Culex tritaeniorhynchus to DDT in Shanxi province. Methods Resistance was monitored by determining LC50 and by using distinguishing dosage method. Results Resistance level of Culex tritaeniorhynchus in Pingli county and Hanzhong city was elementary resistance,while in Hanbing and Hanyin county was obvious resistance. Conclusion Culex tritaeniorhynchus in Shanxi province retains an extent of resistance.
Fungal Pathogens of Humans

Most fungi that cause human infections are free-living saprobes and only accidental pathogens. The most prevalent mycoses are caused by fungi that are either members of the normal human microbiota, such as species of Candida and Malassezia, or ubiquitous, exogenous fungi that are highly adapted for survival on the human host, such as species of Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. This article will summarise the aetiology, risk factors and clinical manifestations of the most common mycoses. Strategies for their diagnoses include traditional methods of microscopy and culture, as well as the detection of fungal antigens and antifungal antibodies, fungal deoxyribonucleic acid and structural components. Because both infectious fungi and their human hosts are eukaryotes, they share many cellular processes and macromolecules. Consequently, it is difficult to identify targets for antifungal drugs that do not inflict collateral damage on the patients. Key Concepts Superficial and cutaneous mycoses are among the most common of all communicable diseases. Geophilic and zoophilic dermatophytes usually cause acute, inflammatory lesions that respond to topical treatment within weeks and rarely recur. Conversely, anthropophilic dermatophytes tend to cause relatively mild, chronic lesions that may require months or years of treatment and frequently relapse. Subcutaneous mycoses may be caused by dozens of environmental moulds associated with vegetation and soil. These fungi are usually acquired by contamination of minor wounds. The infections are generally chronic and rarely spread to deeper tissues. The endemic mycoses (coccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, blastomycosis and paracoccidioidomycosis) are caused by dimorphic environmental moulds and associated with distinct geographic regions. More than 90% of endemic mycoses are caused by inhaling airborne conidia, and, in immunocompetent persons, the infections are asymptomatic or self-limited; however, latent, viable fungal cells may persist and subsequently reactivate to cause overt disease. Risk factors for the manifestation of disease include compromised cell-mediated immunity, genetic predisposition and male gender. Opportunistic mycoses are caused by globally distributed fungi that are either members of the human microbiota or ubiquitous environmental fungi. These mycoses have the highest global mortality. Innate immune responses (e.g. neutrophils, monocytes) provide crucial protection from systemic candidiasis, invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. Most patients with HIV/AIDS develop mucosal candidiasis (e.g. thrush, oesophagitis). Those with CD4+ counts less than 100 cells μL−1 are at risk for invasive fungi, such as Cryptococcus, Aspergillus and others. Effective treatment of invasive mycoses relies on rapid identification of the fungus, administration of the appropriate antifungal drug and management of any underlying disease or condition. Keywords: mycosis; infectious fungi; yeast; mould; clinical mycology; medical mycology
Spanish Translation and Linguistic Validation of the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R)

Dear Editor, We commend Butler et al. for their Spanish translation of the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-Revised (SOAPP-R) [1]. This linguistic translation is an important first step in widening the clinical reach of a tool that makes opioid prescribing safer. As the authors of this newly translated tool clearly recognize, Hispanics/Latinos are the largest minority group in the United States. The high prevalence of illiteracy and low literacy among Hispanic groups represent a barrier to the appropriate understanding of chronic pain, its management, and the specific risk of opioid analgesics. Often, non-English-speaking patients and those with limited education are specifically excluded from clinical research. As a consequence, the risks of these therapies are …
DNA helicase and duplex DNA fragment unwinding activities of polyoma and simian virus 40 large T antigen display similarities and differences.

Abstract We have characterized the biochemical activities of purified polyoma (Py) large T antigen (T Ag) that was capable of mediating the replication of a plasmid containing the Py origin (ori(+) DNA) in mouse cell extracts. We report here that like the T Ag encoded by simian virus 40 (SV40), Py T Ag has DNA helicase and double-stranded DNA fragment unwinding activities. Py T Ag displaced DNA fragments greater than 1,600 nucleotides which were annealed to complementary sequences in single-stranded M13 by translocating in the 3' to 5' direction. Both helicase and double-stranded DNA fragment unwinding reactions were completely dependent upon NTP hydrolysis, displaying a strong preference for ATP and dATP. At low T Ag concentrations, significantly more Py ori(+) DNA fragment was unwound compared with a fragment lacking the replication origin. However, at higher ratios of Py T Ag to DNA, equivalent to those used in replication reactions, unwinding of both ori-containing and -lacking fragments was equally efficient. This is in contrast to SV40 T Ag which exhibited a more stringent requirement for SV40 origin sequences under similar conditions. Furthermore, some of the nucleotides that supported the helicase and unwinding activities of Py T Ag were different from those for the same SV40 T Ag reactions. We have also observed that in contrast to the very poor replication of linear SV40 ori(+) DNA by SV40 T Ag in human cell extracts, linear Py ori(+) DNA was replicated efficiently in mouse cell extracts by Py T Ag. However, despite the fact that linear Py ori(+), SV40 ori(+), and ori(-) DNA fragments could be unwound with comparable efficiency by Py T Ag, only fragments containing the Py replication origin were replicated in vitro. These results suggest that the initiation of DNA synthesis at the Py origin of replication requires features in addition to unwinding of the template.
Sensitization and Tolerance Following Repeated Exposure to Caffeine and Alcohol in Mice.

Background Energy drinks are popular mixers with alcohol. While energy drinks contain many ingredients, caffeine is an important pharmacologically active component and is generally present in larger amounts than in other caffeinated beverages. In these studies, we investigated the hypothesis that caffeine would influence the effects of alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) on conditioned taste aversion (CTA), ataxia, and locomotor activity (LA) after repeated exposure. Methods Four groups of mice were exposed by oral gavage twice daily to vehicle, EtOH (4 g/kg), caffeine (15 mg/kg), or the EtOH/caffeine combination. CTA to saccharin and ataxia in the parallel rod task was evaluated after 8 or 16 gavages, respectively, using EtOH (1 to 3 g/kg) or EtOH/caffeine (3 mg/kg + 2 g/kg) challenges. In addition, LA was evaluated initially and after repeated exposure to oral gavage of these drugs and doses. Results Repeated oral gavage of EtOH produced significant locomotor sensitization, with those mice increasing total distance traveled by 2-fold. The locomotor response to caffeine, while significantly greater than vehicle gavage, did not change with repeated exposure. On the other hand, repeated gavage of caffeine/EtOH combination produced a substantial increase in total distance traveled after repeated exposure (~4-fold increase). After repeated EtOH exposure, there was significant tolerance to EtOH in the CTA and parallel rod tests. However, neither a history of caffeine exposure nor including caffeine influenced EtOH-induced CTA. Interestingly, a history of caffeine exposure increased the ataxic response to the caffeine/EtOH combination and appeared to reduce the ataxic response to high doses of EtOH. Conclusions The data support the general hypothesis that repeated exposure to caffeine influences the response to EtOH. Together with previously published work, these data indicate that caffeine influences some EtOH-related behaviors, notably locomotion and ataxia, but appears not to influence the expression of conditioned behaviors.
Segment profitability of the US business service sector

“Business” services are those services provided for business customers. As a group, this sector has been the largest single division of the US service sector, comprising 25‐30 per cent of services as defined by the Department of Commerce over the 1982 to 1992 decade. A least squares analysis of cross‐sectional information indicated relative market share and revenue per employee were statistically significant components of profitability in this sector. States that focus on these factors may lend direction to the management of services, especially at the strategic level.
Influence of mobility models on the performance of routing protocols in ad-hoc wireless networks

The patterns of movement followed by the nodes in an ad-hoc network play an important role in the performance of routing protocols. These different patterns of movement of the nodes can be classified into different mobility models, each of which are characterized by their own distinctive features. We have explored the influence of three such mobility models (Pursue, Column and RPGM-RW) on the performance of three well-known ad-hoc routing protocols namely DSR, AODV and DSDV. The simulation environment used for this purpose was NS-2. The significance of this study lies in the fact that there has been very limited investigation of the effect of mobility models on routing protocol performance in ad-hoc networks.
DOES PRE-ECLAMPSIA IN THE MOTHER INFLUENCE LEUCINE METABOLISM IN THE INFANT?† 1423

Pre-eclampsia in the mother reduces blood flow to the conceptus, thereby reducing the amino acids transfer to the foetus. This reduced supply might impair fetal protein turnover and long-term growth.
Acentric lattice electro-optic materials by rational design

Quantum and statistical mechanical calculations have been used to guide the improvement of the macroscopic electro-optic activity of organic thin film materials to values greater than 300 pm/V at telecommunication wavelengths. Various quantum mechanical methods (Hartree-Fock, INDO, and density functional theory) have been benchmarked and shown to be reliable for estimating trends in molecular first hyperpolarizability, β, for simple variation of donor, bridge, and acceptor structures of charge-transfer (dipolar) chromophores. β values have been increased significantly over the past five years and quantum mechanical calculations suggest that they can be further significantly improved. Statistical mechanical calculations, including pseudo-atomistic Monte Carlo calculations, have guided the design of the super/supramolecular structures of chromophores so that they assemble, under the influence of electric field poling, into macroscopic lattices with high degrees of acentric order. Indeed, during the past year, chromophores doped into single- and multi-chromophore-containing dendrimer materials to form binary glasses have yielded thin films that exhibit electro-optic activities at telecommunication wavelengths of greater than 300 pm/V. Such materials may be viewed as intermediate between chromophore/polymer composites and crystalline organic chromophore materials. Theory suggests that further improvements of electro-optic activity are possible. Auxiliary properties of these materials, including optical loss, thermal and photochemical stability, and processability are discussed. Such organic electro-optic materials have been incorporated into silicon photonic circuitry for active wavelength division multiplexing, reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexing, and high bandwidth optical rectification. A variety of all-organic devices, including stripline, cascaded prism, Fabry-Perot etalon, and ring microresonator devices, have been fabricated and evaluated.
Low-energy precision tests of supersymmetry

Supersymmetry (SUSY) remains one of the leading candidates for physics beyond the Standard Model, and the search for SUSY will be a central focus of future collider experiments. Complementary information on the viability and character of SUSY can be obtained via the analysis of precision electroweak measurements. In this review, we discuss the prospective implications for SUSY of present and future low energy precision studies.
Conflict Resolution in Two Mexican Communities1

IN DEALING with law, anthropologists have often limited themselves to an analysis of certain institutionalized forms of legal systems, such as councils, courts, duels, and go-betweens. Characteristically, such agents or agencies of conflict resolution claim our attention because they are most easily discernible as core portions of legal systems in a variety of societies. However, when anthropologists begin to concern themselves with the problem of explaining interor intrasocietal variation in the law, they necessarily include in their description of "a legal system" a broader range of social control forms than those mentioned above, as well as certain variables that are crucial to a functional explanation of different forms of social control (Malinowski 1932; Whiting 1950; Schneider 1957; Harper 1957). The present paper discusses conflict resolution in two Mexican towns by exploring two central questions: (1) are conflicts resolved differently in the two towns because authority is allocated differently; that is, to what extent does the distribution of authority coincide with the distribution of conflict resolution, and (2) what factors explain the differential distribution of authority in these towns? Our approach is to investigate alternative strategies employed by husbands and wives in resolving conflicts which occur between them. In addition, we discuss implications of these alternative strategies and offer a reconstruction of the development of authority patterns in these communities. We do this in order to understand the degree of correspondence between authority patterns and the role of remedy agent.
Elastoplastohydrodynamic Lubrication with Dent Effects

A line contact elastoplastohydrodynamic lubrication (EPHL) model has been developed to investigate the effect of a dent on heavily loaded rolling/sliding contacts. The Jinite element analysis (FEA) was used to obtain the plastic deformation of the surfaces caused by the high-pressure spikes that occur in the contact due to the presence of a dent. The effects of various dent sizes on the pressure and film thickness were studied. The results indicate that by including the plastic deformation of the surfaces in the analysis, the pressure spikes that occur due to a dent in the contact are smaller than those of the purely elastic case, and local material yielding occurs, resulting in bumps at the edges of the dent. Effects of diflerent bump shapes at the dent edges were then studied in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contacts and the results indicated that these bumps can reduce the magnitude of pressure spikes.
Neutrino detection with CLEAN

Abstract This article describes CLEAN, an approach to the detection of low-energy solar neutrinos and neutrinos released from supernovae. The CLEAN concept is based on the detection of elastic scattering events (neutrino–electron scattering and neutrino–nuclear scattering) in liquified noble gases such as liquid helium, liquid neon, and liquid xenon, all of which scintillate brightly in the ultraviolet. Key to the CLEAN technique is the use of a thin film of wavelength-shifting fluor to convert the ultraviolet scintillation light to the visible, thereby allowing detection by conventional photomultipliers. Liquid neon is a particularly promising medium for CLEAN. Because liquid neon has a high scintillation yield, has no long-lived radioactive isotopes, and can be easily purified by use of cold traps, it is an ideal medium for the detection of rare nuclear events. In addition, neon is inexpensive, dense, and transparent to its own scintillation light, making it practical for use in a large self-shielding apparatus. The central region of a full-sized detector would be a stainless steel tank holding approximately 135 metric tons of liquid neon. Inside the tank and suspended in the liquid neon would be several thousand photomultipliers. Monte Carlo simulations of gamma ray backgrounds have been performed assuming liquid neon as both shielding and detection medium. Gamma ray events occur with high probability in the outer parts of the detector. In contrast, neutrino scattering events occur uniformly throughout the detector. We discriminate background gamma ray events from events of interest based on a spatial maximum likelihood method estimate of event location. Background estimates for CLEAN are presented, as well as an evaluation of the sensitivity of the detector for p–p neutrinos. Given these simulations, the physics potential of the CLEAN approach is evaluated.
Photogeneration and Photoluminescence Studies in Bilayer Structures Containing Poly(P-Phenylene Vinylene) and Molecularly Doped Polymers

Abstract The photogeneration efficiency for photocarriers (holes and electrons) in poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) is measured in the presence of high electric fields, for bilayer sandwich devices containing molecularly doped polymers (MDP) and PPV. A hole transport diamine molecule (TPD) and an electron transport malononitrile molecule (BCFM) each dispersed in polycarbonate were used to study holes and electrons respectively. By performing photoluminescence (PL) experiments in the bilayer structures and hole collection experiments in single layers without the TPD:PC overcoat, we have concluded that generation of photocarriers in PPV is mainly a bulk mediated process, assisted by the applied electric field, and not sensitized by the presence of the MDP. The electric field dependence of photogeneration suggests that photoexcitation results in a strongly correlated electron-hole pair dissociated by the electric field.
Country-of-origin, animosity and consumer response: Marketing implications of anti-Americanism and Francophobia

Abstract Anti-Americanism and Francophobia express a consistent hostility toward the government, culture, history or people of the US and France or the Francophonie (the global community of French-speaking peoples). This study explores interactions between country-of-origin (COO) effects and animosity expressed through anti-Americanism and Francophobia through analysis of scholarly studies, several decades of articles from the general and online press in the US and France, and ethnographic fieldwork in France and the US results reveal interesting inconsistencies and variability in national expressions of consumer animosity and response to COO cues over the time of the study, underlining the need for further longitudinal study of animosity, COO effects and consumer response. Implications of findings are examined with reference to theory development, marketing practice, and public policy.
Allozyme polymorphisms within and among open-pollinated and adapted exotic populations of maize.

Twelve U.S. Corn Belt open-pollinated and five adapted exotic populations of maize (Zea mays L.) were assayed for allozyme (allele) variation at 13 enzyme marker loci. Extensive allozyme variability was observed in all populations studied. No locus was monomorphic over all populations. Each of the lociIdh2, Got1, Mdh2, Pgd1, andPgd2 expressed two allozymes over all populations,Adh1, Acp1, Prx1, andEst1 each had three allozymes present,Est4, Glu1, andEnp1 had five allozymes, andAcp4 had six allozymes present. Significant deviations of genotypic frequencies were detected from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium frequencies and 94% of average Fixation Index values indicated heterozygote deficiencies, which suggested that nonrandom mating and/or natural selection favoring homozygotes were possible factors affecting the maintenance or loss of genetic variability marked by these enzyme loci. Genetic distance and cluster analyses indicated that the observed genetic variability at the 13 enzyme loci was closely related to ‘Dent’ and ‘Flint’ types of maize.
Economic Evaluation of Forage Quality Gains—Past and Future

Annual returns to society from agricultural research have historically been very high, generally in excess of 20%. Estimates of returns to forage research are likely similar in magnitude and must also include consumer benefits, the economic value of changes in environmental impacts, spillover research benefits, and complementary on-farm effects. The estimation of returns to improved forage quality involves more than an analysis of enterprise costs and returns and must also account for whole-farm effects. Annual expenditures for forage quality research are estimated to be approximately $125 million, roughly 2% of total U.S. agricultural research. Total allocation of forage quality research expenditures to the dairy sector would cost consumers only 0.22 cents L -1 milk. This amount is also equivalent to a 10 g crude protein kg - 1 increase over only 18% of all hay harvested in the USA. A whole-farm dairy optimization model provides results of potential farm-level impacts of improved forage quality and illustrates the complexity of determining on-farm benefits to forage quality improvement. Forage quality attributes that limit farm profitability are identified to be crude protein, undegradable intake protein, neutral detergent fiber, and dry matter intake. Average dairy farm potential of forage quality increases exceeds $3000 annually because of expanding hay acreage in addition to improved quality. However, very high quality forage may have a negative impact on profits because of off-farm feed purchases to provide additional fiber. Gains from improvement in forage quality will be greater as commodity prices and intensity of animal agriculture increase.
Application of (S)- and (R)-methyl pyroglutamates as inexpensive, yet highly efficient chiral auxiliaries in the asymmetric Michael addition reactions

Methyl N-(E-enoyl)pyroglutamates, derived from inexpensive and readily available in both enantiomeric forms pyroglutamic acid were found to be an efficient Michael acceptors in the addition reactions with nucleophilic glycine equivalent allowing for an efficient practical asymmetric synthesis of β-substituted pyroglutamic acids and related compounds.
Influence of deuteration on the crystal structure of (NH4)2[Zn(H2O)6](SO4)2.

The crystal structures of ammoniumzinc(II) sulfate hexahydrate and its deuterated analogue have been determined at 298 and 110 K. In marked contrast to the corresponding copper(II) compound, deuter...
Group utility in the micro motivation of collective action: The case of membership in the AARP

Abstract The fundamental assumption of human rationality in neo-classical economic analysis is the maximization of individual utility. As economic analyses are being widely used in political science under the broad rubric of public choice, one cannot escape the logical inconsistency between theory and reality arising from the free-rider problem in the preference for collective goods. Recent literature argues that a way out of this dilemma is to recognize the existence of motivations other than self-interest. This paper demonstrates the need to enlarge the assumption of economic rationality by explicitly taking into account the factors of group utility. With the help of survey data on the preference for membership in the American Association of Retired People (AARP), this study adds to the mounting empirical evidence for the fact that for a proper understanding of collective action, the existence of a collective identity should be recognized.
Glucocorticoids and osteocyte autophagy

Glucocorticoids are used for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. While they are effective therapy, bone loss and incident fracture risk are high. While previous studies have found GC effects on both osteoclasts and osteoblasts, our work has focused on the effects of GCs on osteocytes. Osteocytes exposed to low dose GCs undergo autophagy while osteocytes exposed to high doses of GCs or for a prolonged period of time undergo apoptosis.
Stroboscopic backaction evasion in a dense alkali-metal vapor.

We explore experimentally quantum nondemolition measurements of atomic spin in a hot potassium vapor in the presence of spin-exchange relaxation. We demonstrate a new technique for backaction evasion by stroboscopic modulation of the probe light. With this technique we study spin noise as a function of polarization for atoms with spin greater than $1/2$ and obtain good agreement with a simple theoretical model. We point that, in a system with fast spin exchange, where the spin-relaxation rate is changing with time, it is possible to improve the long-term sensitivity of atomic magnetometry by using quantum nondemolition measurements.
Glacial geology of the upper Wairau Valley, Marlborough, New Zealand

Abstract Late Pleistocene glaciers in the upper Wairau Valley deposited four groups of moraines inferred to represent one Waimean ice advance, two Otiran ice advances, and an advance of early Aranuian age. The Waimean and early Otiran glaciers advanced into Tarndale Valley, deposited terminal moraines, and shed outwash down both the Alma River and Travellers Valley. The middle Otiran glacier terminated in northern Tarndale Valley and shed outwash from the southern part of its terminus down the Alma River. The north side of the terminus abutted a large ice‐dammed lake in the Wairau Gorge, and fan‐deltas graded to an old shore level at an elevation of 1040 m. Well‐preserved moraines at the mouths of four glaciated tributaries may be middle Otiran recessional, or late Otiran terminal moraines. The latest ice advance extended 11 km down the upper Wairau Valley and deposited a subdued moraine at Island Gully. The composite chronology of the latest glacial advance based on 10 radiocarbon ages suggests it occurr...
Mechanisms of Gibbsite Crystallization from Partially Neutralized Aluminum Chloride Solutions

To interpret the erratic conditions, rates, and extent of gibbsite crystallization from partially neutralized A1C13 solution, the following hypothesis is proposed: The initial OH-A1 polymers in the freshly prepared solutions were probably unstable and transformed into either gibbsite or stable OH-A1 polymers via two different reaction paths. In the presence of nuclei, the OH-A1 polymers dissociated into monomeric ions, which then deposited onto nuclei to form gibbsite. In the absence of nuclei, the unstable polymers slowly converted to stable polymers. The erratic stability of OH-Al solutions and gibbsite crystallization are therefore attributed to the relative magnitudes of these two reaction paths which, in turn, are attributed to two key factors: (1) the distribution of unstable vs. stable OH-Al polymers; and (2) the presence or absence of nuclei. The duration of aging of the parent solution governed the distribution of unstable vs. stable polymers. The rate of neutralization resulted in varying localized high alkalinity in OH-Al solution preparation and thus varying development of nuclei.
The Influence of Verb Meanings on Memory for Adjectives.

Adults were told either to form images for or to learn sentences. A noun-prompted sentence recall task exposed subjects' memory for adjectives modifying either subject or object nouns. Results revealed that subject modifiers were better remembered than object modifiers. Also, adjectives semantically unrelated to verbs were recalled better than adjectives related to verbs. For object modifiers, this appeared to occur because subjects tended to omit adjectives from their productions when verbs imposed these attributes upon the nouns modified. Constructive, interpretative, and associative theories of semantic memory were applied to the results.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers, or Both in Chronic Heart Failure

Heart failure remains a substantial worldwide public health problem [1–4]. In the United States alone, approximately 5 million residents are affected, representing 2.2% of the population, with over 500,000 new cases diagnosed annually [1]. Irrespective of index age, the lifetime risk for developing congestive heart failure for men and women is approximately 20% [3]. More important, heart failure causes over 300,000 deaths annually and 1 million hospitalizations, primarily for decompensation. There are an estimated 3 million office visits for heart failure, which is the number-one cause of hospitalization in the elderly. The estimated direct and indirect costs for this problem are $30 billion annually. Although progress in treatments has been made, the 5-year survival rate for men has improved from approximately 35% to 55% in the ‘‘modern’’ heart failure treatment era (the last decade of the 20th century) [4]. Clearly, new therapeutic approaches must be developed.
Therapeutic Hypothermia for Acute Neurological Injuries

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the intentional reduction of core body temperature to 32°C to 35°C, and is increasingly applied by intensivists for a variety of acute neurological injuries to achieve neuroprotection and reduction of elevated intracranial pressure. TH improves outcomes in comatose patients after a cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm, but other off-label applications exist and are likely to increase in the future. This comprehensive review summarizes the physiology and cellular mechanism of action of TH, as well as different means of TH induction and maintenance with potential side effects. Indications of TH are critically reviewed by disease entity, as reported in the most recent literature, and evidence-based recommendations are provided.
A comparison of techniques for measuring hue appearance

Three different techniques for the direct measurement of color appearance were studied. Color estimation proved superior both to color naming and to color setting. The results have defined one technique in generating a color metric.
Isotopically resolved intermediate-mass fragment and light charged particle production from the reactions 40 Ar and 40 Ca with 58 Fe and 58 Ni at E beam =33 and 45 MeV/nucleon

Isotopically resolved intermediate-mass fragments and light charged particles have been detected from the reactions ${}^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$ and ${}^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ with ${}^{58}\mathrm{Fe}$ and ${}^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ at ${E}_{\mathrm{beam}}=33$ and 45 MeV/nucleon. There is an angular dependence to the isotopic ratios. A moving source analysis shows that fragments emitted at ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{\mathrm{lab}}=40\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ can be attributed primarily to a composite source while the fragments emitted at backward angles are primarily from a targetlike source. The results are compared to predictions of QMD, BUU, and GEMINI. QMD generally reproduces the charge distribution and energy spectra and has partial success with the isobaric ratios when the system is chemically equilibrated. All of the models have difficulty reproducing the isotopic ratios when the system is not chemically equilibrated.
Automatic classification of daily fluid intake

Despite the potential health benefits of being able to monitor and log one's food and drink intake, manually performing this task is notoriously hard. While researchers are still exploring methods of automating this process for food, less work has been done in automatically classifying beverage intake. In this paper, we present a novel method that utilizes optical, ion selective electrical pH, and conductivity sensors in order to sense and classify liquid in a cup in a practical way. We describe two experiments, one that uses a high end commercial off-the-shelf spectrometer, and the other which uses a cheap sensor package that we engineered. Results show both that this method is feasible and relatively accurate (up to 79% classification for 68 different drinks), but also that we would be able to build this in such a way as to make it practical for real-world deployment. We describe the vision for building a sensor rich cup capable of determining the kind of liquid a person is drinking, as well as the opportunities that the success of such sensors may open.
Keratinocyte-derived chemokine plays a critical role in the induction of systemic inflammation and tissue damage after trauma-hemorrhage

Neutrophil infiltration is a crucial step in the development of organ dysfunction after trauma. We have previously shown that keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), a chemoattractant for neutrophils, is up-regulated after trauma-hemorrhage. To determine the role of KC after trauma-hemorrhage, the effect of a KC-neutralizing antibody on the posttraumatic inflammatory response was examined. One hour before surgery, male C3H/HeN mice were treated with an anti-KC antibody or isotype control. Animals were subjected to sham operation or trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitated with Ringer lactate thereafter. They were killed 2 h later, and Kupffer cells were isolated. Plasma levels, Kupffer cell production, and lung and liver content of TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha, and KC were determined by BD cytometric bead arrays. Myeloperoxidase content in lung and liver were measured as a parameter for neutrophil infiltration, and wet-to-dry weight ratios of these organs were also determined. Hepatocyte damage was assessed by measuring alpha-gluthathione S-transferase concentration. Administration of the anti-KC antibody before trauma-hemorrhage prevented increases in KC plasma levels, which was accompanied by amelioration of neutrophil infiltration and edema formation in lung and liver after trauma-hemorrhage. No effect on other cytokines in plasma or Kupffer cell release was observed. These results suggest that KC plays a pivotal role in neutrophil infiltration and organ damage after trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation.
Non-compressible arterial disease and the risk of coronary calcification in type-2 diabetes

Abstract Objective Ankle–brachial index (ABI) screening is recommended for the detection of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in at-risk populations, including diabetics. A low ABI identifies obstructive lower extremity vascular disease and predicts CVD events and increased mortality. A high ABI represents non-compressible arterial disease (NCAD), and is also associated with increased mortality and vascular events. Our objective is to investigate whether low and high ABI have distinct patterns of association with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in individuals with type-II diabetes mellitus. Methods The Penn Diabetes Heart Study (PDHS) is a prospective observational cohort of diabetic individuals without clinically evident CVD. Multivariate logistic and Tobit linear regression were used to compare CVD risk factors and coronary artery (CAC) among 1863 subjects with PAD (ABI ≤ 0.9), NCAD (ABI ≥ 1.4 or non-compressible) or normal ABI (0.91–1.39). Results Compared to those with normal ABI, PAD was associated with smoking, obesity, and lower HDL-c; while diabetes duration and reduced renal function were associated with NCAD. Both PAD and NCAD were independently associated with increased CAC compared to those with normal ABI, and these relationships were not attenuated in multiply adjusted models. Conclusion NCAD bears a distinct relationship to traditional CVD risk factors among diabetics, though like PAD is independently associated with increased CAC. These findings support the recognition of NCAD as a high-risk phenotype and provide additional relevance to ABI screening in diabetics.
Visuality, Aurality, and Shifting Metaphors of Geographical Thought in the Late Twentieth Century

(2000). Visuality, Aurality, and Shifting Metaphors of Geographical Thought in the Late Twentieth Century. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 90, No. 2, pp. 322-343.
A Minimal Ankyrin Promoter Linked to a Human γ-Globin Gene Demonstrates Erythroid Specific Copy Number Dependent Expression with Minimal Position or Enhancer Dependence in Transgenic Mice

In red blood cells ankyrin (ANK-1) provides the primary linkage between the erythrocyte membrane skeleton and the plasma membrane. We have previously demonstrated that a 271-bp 5′-flanking region of the ANK-1 gene has promoter activity in erythroid, but not non-erythroid, cell lines. To determine whether the ankyrin promoter could direct erythroid-specific expressionin vivo, we analyzed transgenic mice containing the ankyrin promoter fused to the human Aγ-globin gene. Sixteen of 17 lines expressed the transgene in erythroid cells indicating nearly position-independent expression. We also observed a significant correlation between the level of Ank/Aγ-globin mRNA and transgene copy number. The level of Ank/Aγ mRNA averaged 11% of mouse α-globin mRNA per gene copy at all developmental stages. The addition of the HS2 enhancer from the β-globin locus control region to the Ank/Aγ-globin transgene resulted in Ank/Aγ-globin mRNA expression in embryonic and fetal erythroid cells in six of eight lines but resulted in absent or dramatically reduced levels of Ank/Aγ-globin mRNA in adult erythroid cells in eight of eight transgenic lines. These data indicate that the minimal ankyrin promoter contains all sequences necessary and sufficient for erythroid-specific, copy number-dependent, position-independent expression of the human Aγ-globin gene.
Investigation of late and post-Fremont alluvial stratigraphy of Range Creek, east-central Utah: Use of OSL when radiocarbon fails

Abstract Range Creek in east-central Utah hosts a unique abundance of Fremont-aged archaeological sites. Although good age control is available for cultural artifacts and sites, radiocarbon ages from alluvial sequences along the valley floor have generally produced age overestimates. In order to provide an alternative dating technique and test the reliability of the radiocarbon results, samples for single-grain quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating were collected from three alluvial profiles where 18 radiocarbon samples of charcoal and aggregated pollen had been analyzed. While AMS radiocarbon age results were more precise, the single-grain OSL ages were stratigraphically consistent and suggest radiocarbon age overestimation of up to 2–6 ka, with the greatest divergence observed in the results from aggregated pollen samples. OSL results and geochemical analyses suggest that hydrocarbon contamination may have affected the accuracy of the radiocarbon results; age overestimates are likely due to contribution from oil-shale deposits within the catchment. OSL and stratigraphic results suggest fluvial deposition began prior to 0.88 ka (AD 1130) at the site. Floodplain aggradation continued by conformable deposition of tabular flood packages, commonly capped with charcoal and ash-rich sediments, until interrupted by channel (arroyo?) entrenchment prior to 0.34 ka (AD 1670). Sandy flood packages filled this channel and re-aggradation continued until historic arroyo entrenchment of Range Creek in the late AD 1800's. OSL age constraints indicate that the alluvial sediments at the study sites were deposited during and immediately following Fremont occupation of Range Creek at AD 1000–1200 and may contain valuable archives of environmental conditions leading up to and following the abandonment of Fremont peoples from the region. Moreover, OSL results point to the importance of the use of multiple chronometers to date alluvial deposits, as the radiocarbon chronology alone would suggest that the study sites contained pre-Fremont-aged deposits and may lead to the misinterpretation of associated cultural and environmental records.
An Introduction to Computational Physics

From the Publisher: This textbook provides an introduction to the basic methods of computational physics, as well as an overview of recent progress in several areas of scientific computing. The author presents many step-by-step examples of practical numerical methods, often with the relevant program listing. Basic computational tools and routines are discussed, including differential equations, spectral analysis, and matrix operations. The author also covers more advanced topics, such as Monte Carlo simulations, lattice gas methods, and symbolic computing.
Developmental Discourse As an Author/Hero Relationship

Dialogism views the individual as emerging from, operating within, and transacting witha complex set of social relations in an ever-changing world. Mikhail Bakhtin, in his assessment of the Bildungsroman, provides general schematic frameworks for classifying various types of novelistic genres, and explains how some genres present a static image of the hero and the world around him, while others can account for the emergence of the hero in historical time. In this paper, some novelistic genres are applied to various theoretical models of human development, in order to identify the image of the developmental subject and his relationship to significant others. Bakhtin identifies the nature of spatio-temporal relations (chronotopic motifs) in various types of literary genres, and is persistent in pointing out the limitations of monologic discourses, as they are weak in temporal categories, and as such are incapable of accounting for the hero’s development. Chronotopic motifs are extended to theories of develo...