cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficiency and Effects of Carbon Sequestration Through Ocean Fertilization: Results from a Model Study

Publisher Summary Fertilizing the ocean with iron has sometimes been proposed as a mechanism for reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The key feature of ocean biogeochemistry that drives this strategy is the presence of unutilized nutrients in the surface ocean. A vertical cross-section shows that this “preformed” nutrient represents a substantial fraction of the nutrients found in the global ocean. Nutrients that are not preformed participate in the carbon cycle, becoming associated with carbon as they are taken up by organisms in the surface layer and returning to solution in tandem with the carbon as the sinking carcasses of these organisms, dissolve at depth. Fertilization can reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide insofar as some amount of preformed nutrients becomes associated with carbon. Initially, this carbon will come out of the large reservoir available in the surface ocean, resulting in a reduction of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in surface waters, and a flux of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the ocean. A number of simulations have been performed in which the impact of large-scale, long-term of nutrient drawdown associated with iron fertilization on carbon dioxide have been performed using general circulation models coupled to simple models of biological cycling. The results raise some significant questions about the verifiability and impacts of ocean fertilization as a strategy for carbon sequestration.
A physics-based model for maintenance of the pH gradient in the gastric mucus layer

This work combines modeling techniques based on physical principles, as well as novel numerical simulations to test the plausibility of one hypothesized mechanism for proton transport across the ga...
Light pollution is greatest within migration passage areas for nocturnally-migrating birds around the world

Excessive or misdirected artificial light at night (ALAN) produces light pollution that influences several aspects of the biology and ecology of birds, including disruption of circadian rhythms and disorientation during flight. Many migrating birds traverse large expanses of land twice every year at night when ALAN illuminates the sky. Considering the extensive and increasing encroachment of light pollution around the world, we evaluated the association of the annual mean ALAN intensity over land within the geographic ranges of 298 nocturnally migrating bird species with five factors: phase of annual cycle, mean distance between breeding and non-breeding ranges, range size, global hemisphere of range, and IUCN category of conservation concern. Light pollution within geographic ranges was relatively greater during the migration season, for shorter-distance migrants, for species with smaller ranges, and for species in the western hemisphere. Our results suggest that migratory birds may be subject to the effects of light pollution particularly during migration, the most critical stage in their annual cycle. We hope these results will spur further research on how light pollution affects not only migrating birds, but also other highly mobile animals throughout their annual cycle.
Sequential circuit design for networks of threshold functions in nanotechnology

While a general strategy for designing combinational circuits exists, little work has been done on sequential circuits using nanotechnology. This is due to the logic used to realize them, and hence designing circuits can be extremely complex. In this paper, the realization of sequential circuits in nanotechnology using threshold logic is addressed, and a novel methodology for realizing threshold logic-based state machines is proposed. This methodology presents a systematic approach to solve the issue of synchronicity with minimal hardware cost.
Abortion: Embodiment and Prenatal Development

The prenatal development of the human fetus is the process by which the fetus becomes embodied in a specifically human way. Because of the significance of the prenatal period for future well-being, prenatal development has been studied extensively by scientists and clinicians. Yet much is still uncertain, even from a scientific point of view. In particular, the first days after fertilization, including the beginnings of cell differentiation, hold numerous unresolved questions. A second crucial aspect of embodiment, the process of neural system development, has been described in detail in terms of its stages. But scientists do not agree on the significance of these stages in relation to the fetus’s integration, sentience, and consciousness.
Luciferase Reverse Micellar Bioluminescence: Kinetics and Emission Spectra

Firefly luciferase is a hydrophobic enzyme that which catalyses the oxidation of luciferin by molecular oxygen and requires the enzymatic cofactors ATP and magnesium ions. This enzymatic reaction is accompanied by intense luminescence. Luciferase is generally considered a membrane-associated protein. Most of the current extensive knowledge of luciferase enzymology has been been carried out in aqueous systems in which the lifetime of bioluminescence following the injection of ATP is on the order of seconds. Therefore, the kinetics of its reaction in membrane-mimetic systems such as the colloidal reverse micelle system would be expected to be quite different. Following the initial report of Belyaeva et. al.1, we decided to investigate the effect of pH on the spectral and kinetic properties of the luciferase bioluminescence reaction in colloidal reverse micelles2 formed from the interaction of the nonionic surfactant Brij 96, water and cyclohexane. Previous aqueous luciferase investigations have shown that as the pH is decreased from 8.0, the bioluminescence emission maxima shifts from 562 nm, the same as observed in the in vivo bioluminescence, to > 600 nm, with a corresponding decrease in the bioluminescence quantum efficiency.
Evaluating the Representativeness in the Geographic Distribution of Twitter User Population

Twitter data are becoming a Big Data stream and have drawn multidisciplinary interests to study population characteristics and social problems that cannot be measured well by traditional surveys. However, the use of Twitter data has been strongly resisted because of concerns about the representativeness of the population as we know little about the demographic characters of the users. It is critical to evaluate the extent to which Twitter users represent the population across different demographic groups. This study evaluates the representativeness and examines the geographic distributions of Twitter user population and its correspondence to the real population. By estimating Twitter user demographics for the contiguous U.S. in 2014, the preliminary results revealed both over- and under-representation of certain demographic groups against the real population at county-level. A representation index is used to assess the representativeness of Twitter samples geographically, which may help further studies to identify the determinants of biases.
Synthesis of a novel strontium-based wide-bandgap semiconductor via X-ray photochemistry under extreme conditions

The synthesis and characterization of a novel, low cost, amorphous wide-bandgap semiconductor via X-ray induced decomposition of strontium oxalate at high pressure have been demonstrated. By means of IR spectroscopy, the final product is identified as a mixture of strontium carbonate, strontium oxalate and CO-derived materials. Band gap measurements demonstrate that the final product exhibits a much lower band gap (2.45 eV) than the initial strontium oxalate powder (4.07 eV), suggesting that the synthesized material can be highly useful in electronic and optical applications.
A machine learning approach to investigate potential risk factors for gastroschisis in California.

BACKGROUND To generate new leads about risk factors for gastroschisis, a birth defect that has been increasing in prevalence over time, we performed an untargeted data mining statistical approach. METHODS Using data exclusively from the California Center of the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, we compared 286 cases of gastroschisis and 1,263 non-malformed, live-born controls. All infants had delivery dates between October 1997 and December 2011 and were stratified by maternal age at birth (<20 and ≥ 20 years). Cases and controls were compared by maternal responses to 183 questions (219 variables) using random forest, a data mining procedure. Variables deemed important by random forest were included in logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Among women younger than 20, of variables deemed important, there were higher odds observed for higher consumption of chocolate, low intake of iron, acetaminophen use, and urinary tract infections during the beginning of pregnancy. After adjustment, the higher odds remained for low iron intake and a urinary tract infection in the first month of pregnancy. Among women aged 20 or older, of variables deemed important, higher odds were observed for US-born women of Hispanic ethnicity and for parental substance abuse. There were lower odds observed for obese women, women who ate any cereal the month before pregnancy, and those with higher parity. CONCLUSIONS We did not discover many previously unreported associations, despite our novel approach to generate new hypotheses. However, our results do add evidence to some previously proposed risk factors.
A 40nW, Sub-IV Truly ‘Digital’ Reverse Bandgap Reference Using Bulk-Diodes in 16nm FinFET

We present a novel, simple concept to generate a robust voltage reference, which is based on capacitive bias of pn-junctions. The respective PTAT and CTAT signals are sampled from the voltage-decay by means of different timings, and combined through charge sharing. This provides for precise current ratios of N >10000, resulting in exceptionally large PTAT and reverse-bandgap levels. Here, for the first time, the Nwell/Psub diode of a standard CMOS process is utilized in replacement of parasitic BJTs. The measured samples, in 16nm FinFet on 2200μm2 active area, achieve an untrimmed accuracy of ±0.82% (3σ) at 235mV output. Line sensitivity is 0.7mV/100mV, operating at a minimum supply of 0.85V with 47nA power drain. The compact Bandgap circuit is digital to that effect that no amplifiers, resistors, biasing or matching currents are required, neither is it impacted by any analog transistor performance.
'Sociocultural Theory in Second Language Education: An Introduction through Narratives' by Merrill Swain, Penny Kinnear and Linda Steinman

Sociocultural Theory in Second Language Acquisition: An Introduction through Narratives by Merrill Swain, Penny Kinnear and Linda Steinman
Hygroscopicity of Cefazolin Sodium: Application to Evaluate the Crystallinity of Freeze-Dried Products

The hygroscopicity behavior of the pentahydrate, monohydrate, amorphous, and dehydrated forms of solid cefazolin sodium (CEZ) was studied under different relative humidity (RH) conditions. Between 42 and 86% RH, the pentahydrate (α form), the monohydrate, and their dehydrated forms absorbed atmospheric moisture equivalent to their hydrate numbers. The pentahydrate demonstrated a hysteresis effect at 15 and 31% RH. On the other hand, the water content of the amorphous form increased linearly with increases in RH. The noncrystalline state was maintained below 56% RH. For the dehydrated α form there was a distinct birefringence when viewed under polarizing light, the X-ray diffraction pattern was weak and diffuse, and the infrared (IR) spectra were discernibly different from that of the amorphous form. The freeze-dried CEZ showed hygroscopic behavior almost similar to that of the dehydrated α form. Two-component mixtures of various CEZ forms showed a linear relationship between the water content and the mixing ratio when stored at 31, 42, and 56% RH. From the hygroscopicity data, the crystallinity of freeze-dried CEZ could be estimated as the percentage of the dehydrated α form.
DksA and DNA double-strand break repair

We use genetic assays to suggest that transcription-coupled repair or new origin formation in Escherichia coli involves removal of RNAP to create an RNA primer for DNA synthesis. Transcription factor DksA was shown to play a role in numerous reactions involving RNA polymerase. Some, but not all, of the activities of DksA at promoters or during transcription elongation require (p)ppGpp. In addition to its role during transcription, DksA is also involved in maintaining genome integrity. Cells lacking DksA are sensitive to multiple DNA damaging agents including UV light, ionizing radiation, mitomycin C, and nalidixic acid. Here, we focus on two recent studies addressing the importance of DksA in the repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs), one by Sivaramakrishnan et al. (Nature 550:214-218, 2017) and one originating in our laboratory, Myka et al. (Mol Microbiol 111:1382-1397. https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.14227 , 2019). It appears that depending on the type and possibly location of DNA damage, DksA can play either a passive or an active role in DSB repair. The passive role relies on exclusion of anti-backtracking factors from the RNAP secondary channel. The exact mechanism of active DksA-mediated DNA repair is unknown. However, DksA was proposed to destabilize transcription complexes, thus clearing the way for recombination and DNA repair. Based on the requirement for DksA, both in repair of DSBs and the R-loop-dependent formation of new origins of DNA replication, we propose that DksA may allow for removal of RNAP without unwinding of the RNA:DNA hybrid, which can then be extended by a DNA polymerase. This mechanism obviates the need for RNAP backtracking to repair damaged DNA.
Quantifying cereal crop movement through hemispherical video analysis of agricultural plots

Violent movement of crop stems can lead to failure under high winds. Known as lodging, this phenomenon is particularly detrimental to cool-season cereals such as oat, barley, and wheat; contributing to yield and economic losses. Phenotyping the movement of cereal crops in real-time could aid in the breeding and selecting of lodging resistant cereals. Since no methods exist to quantify dynamic, real time plant responses in an agricultural setting, we devised a video analysis protocol to quantify mean frequency and amplitude of plant movement for a 360° field of view camera system. We present both the image analysis method for identifying predefined regions of a 2D field design as they appear on 360° field of view video, as well as a signal processing pipeline to quantify movement from time varying color signals from plot canopies within these predefined field regions. We detected significant differences in the natural frequency and amplitude of plant movement from video of 16 cereal cultivars planted in a randomized complete block design on five different windy days. Natural frequencies quantified by this method averaged 1.37 Hz, while over 2.5-fold differences in amplitude within similar frequency ranges were detected across the 16 cereal cultivars. This method is sensitive enough to systematically differentiate small frequency and amplitude differences in cultivar movement, and shows promise for investigating the physiological basis for differences in cereal movement and lodging resistance. The relative accuracy of the plot demarcation protocol suggests it could be used for other high-throughput phenotyping applications that require both high image resolution and a large field of view.
Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava (PLSVC) with a Connection to the Azygos System: Case Report and Clinical Implications

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare anatomic variant that has a significant effect on the structure of the heart and venous system with clinical implications that are far-reaching. The presence of this variant is relevant to central venous catheter insertion, cardioverter-defibrillator placement, coronary artery bypass grafting, and numerous other medical procedures. In this report, we describe a rare case of PLSVC with a connection to the azygos system; notably, the vast majority of PLSVCs connect to the coronary sinus. We also discuss the anatomic and anesthetic considerations for individuals with this uncommon variant.
The cost of congestion and the benefits of congestion pricing: A general equilibrium analysis

Abstract The benefits of congestion pricing are examined with a spatially detailed computable general equilibrium model of the Greater LA region. The model treats choices of roads on a network, of driving or public transit, of residence and job location, of non-work trip patterns, of housing type and size; vacancies and new construction, production, interindustry trade and exports. The aggregate benefit of pricing LA County road congestion increases 2.7 fold when the toll revenue is recycled to cut the income tax of the poorer LA County workers while maintaining region-wide tax revenue neutrality. Consumers get 66% of the aggregate benefit and landlords 41%, while importers suffer losses equal to 7% of the aggregate benefit. Gross regional product increases by 1.34%. The aggregate benefit changes negligibly when the toll revenue is recycled to cut sales taxes instead of the income tax, but gross product still rises by 0.6%. Under the sales tax cut, consumers, importers and landlords benefit more evenly than under the income tax cut, but with the property tax cut nearly all of the cut is capitalized into property values.
Distribution of Grain Boundary Carbides in Inconel 617 Subjected to Creep at 900 °C and 950 °C

A post-creep deformation analysis is carried out on the nickel-based superalloy Inconel 617 in order to identify the grain boundary carbide (GBC) distributions for different creep stresses and temperatures and to determine the related microstructural changes in terms of grain size and associated changes in the material’s creep ductility as a function of GBC distribution. Creep tests were conducted at two temperatures 900 °C and 950 °C for stresses of 35, 50, and 62 MPa. Post-creep rupture, carbide size, density, and spacing were measured as a function of grain boundary orientation with respect to the loading direction (i.e., trace angle). It is observed that non-uniform carbide distributions were present in the five test conditions associated with an increase in the carbide size, density, and area fraction along grain boundaries perpendicular to loading conditions (tensile boundaries) when compared to those on parallel boundaries (compressive boundaries). The magnitude of preferential distribution of GBC towards tensile boundaries is observed to govern the ability of the compressive boundaries to migrate which facilitates grain elongation in the loading direction which leads to increased creep ductility. A critical magnitude of preferential GBC distribution is determined below which compressive boundaries remain relatively pinned with a low grain boundary spacing. This condition corresponds to creep deformation accommodated by grain boundary sliding only, leading to a relatively low creep rupture strain. Above that magnitude, compressive boundaries are permitted to slide and migrate and, as such, facilitate grain elongation giving rise to increasing magnitude of total creep strain. A criterion for significant preferential distribution resulting in changes to grain morphology and mechanical response, has been proposed in the form of a temperature-stress map which identifies the creep loading conditions associated with significant preferential distribution prior to creep rupture. The critical GBC distribution coupled with the concept of identifying temperature and stress combinations resulting in significant preferential distribution provides guidelines for creep testing for the purpose of extrapolating short-term test data to long-term response.
An Offline Optimal SPARQL Query Planning Approach to Evaluate Online Heuristic Planners

In graph databases, a given graph query can be executed in a large variety of semantically equivalent ways. Each such execution plan produces the same results, but at different computation costs. The query planning problem consists of finding, for a given query, an execution plan with the minimum cost. The traditional greedy or heuristic cost-based approaches addressing the query planning problem do not guarantee by design the optimality of the chosen execution plan. In this paper, we present a principled framework to solve the query planning problem by casting it into an Integer Linear Programming problem, and discuss its applications to testing and improving heuristic-based query planners.
Opening remarks to Nonimaging Optics: Efficient Design for Illumination and Solar Concentration XVII

Welcome to Nonimaging OPTICS 2020 at San Diego, California It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2020 Nonimaging Optics conference in San Diego California. I have always looked forward to this conference as an opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, catch up with new developments and enjoy beautiful San Diego where the weather is always perfect. In fact, no visit to San Diego would be complete without a visit to Coronado Island. But, this year the conference is virtual, so we have to make the best of it. I will start by acknowledging our co-chair, Eli Yablonovich of University of California, Berkeley. followed by our program committee; Pablo Benitez, University Polytechnic of Madrid, William Casserly, Synopsys, Angel Garcia-Botella, University Polytechnic of Madrid, Michael Haney, ARPA-E, Washington, D.C.Lun Jiang, University of California, Merced, Sarah Kurtz, University of California,Merced, Juan Carlos Minano, University Polytechnic of Madrid, Neri Shatz, Surefire. There is an overall motif that characterizes this conference which (personal opinion) makes it distinctive. It can be summarized by quoting from one of the presentations.Masoumi, Bernard, Winston and Jiang. "Indirect approaches can lead to solutions of problems impossible to solve directly. For example, thermodynamics can be used to solve maximum-concentration problems in nonimaging optics". There is also a new book, Nonimaging Optics, Taylor and Francis, which should be available later this year. The authors, Winston, Jiang, Oliker as we speak. are finalizing the proofs. Something to look forward to for the next conference.
Our human quest with the Black Hole.

Abstract Black holes are fundamental: They are where small and large scales meet, where the two main theories of physics clash, and where the finite and infinite come together. Furthermore, the explosion of twentieth century black hole science coincided with a shift in the phenomenology of the universe. We consider this philosophical turn towards cosmic mindfulness, and ask whether there are definite limits to our interaction with black holes, and if a human world could ever take direct advantage of the counterintuitive effects happening near a black hole’s event horizon.
Optimal Disclosure Regulation for Entrepreneur Public Financing with Post-Financing Moral Hazard

This paper studies optimal disclosure regulation for entrepreneurial public financing with post-financing moral hazard problem. I show that partial disclosure can improve social welfare over full disclosure through reducing efficiency loss caused by the moral hazard problem. As a result, a properly designed partial disclosure rule would be optimal without assuming any disclosure cost. This remains true after allowing for endogenous entrepreneur types with adverse selection concerns. With (constrained) Bayesian persuasion tools, the optimal disclosure rule is fully characterized. Although the paper is developed mainly around entrepreneur equity financing, its intuition can be more generally applicable. For instance, I also adapt the basic model to debt financing and an application to banking system disclosure is provided.
Eating Behaviors in Relation to Child Weight Status and Maternal Education.

Background: The eating behavior of children is important to maintain a healthy weight. This current study explored the differences in children’s eating behaviors and their relation to weight status and maternal education level, using the child eating behavior questionnaire (CEBQ). Methods: The study recruited 169 participants aged between six and ten years. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between the CEBQ factors and children’s body weight status. The association between the CEBQ scores and maternal educational levels was examined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The multinomial logistic regression findings indicate that children in the obese group exhibited a significant increase in food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, emotional overeating, and a decrease in satiety responsiveness compared to normal weight children. The one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in subscales under the food approach (food responsiveness, desire to drink, emotional overeating) and food avoidance (satiety responsiveness) based upon the child’s weight status. The three subscales under the food approach category were significantly dependent upon the maternal education but did not have a significant association with food avoidance. Conclusions: The results suggest that the increase in food responsiveness and emotional overeating in obese children is influenced by maternal education.
Public policy and security partnerships

Abstract Improving the security of goods moved globally in maritime commerce is a huge undertaking that is beyond the capabilities of both nations and industry. The only other option is to engage in partnerships, whether these are between nations, multiple agencies with a government, multiples firms potentially representing multiple industries, or combinations that could be deemed public-private partnerships. The concept of partnerships is not a new one as this chapter explores how these have been devised since the mid 20th century. Moreover, the lessons learned from one cooperative venture then became the basis for succeeding ones. Note, too, that the emphasis on securing maritime trade has not necessarily shifted from addressing the drug trade to one of focusing on terrorism, but one of acquiring multiple missions.
Impact of race on outcomes in intermediate-risk acute myeloid leukemia

Racial disparities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have been reported but the relative contribution of disease versus patient-specific factors including comorbidities and access to care is unclear. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient characteristics, treatment patterns and outcomes in a racially diverse patient cohort controlling for cytogenetic risk group. Patients were classified into four groups: non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic and Other. We evaluated 106 patients from 84 zipcodes incorporating demographics, clinicopathologic features, treatment patterns and outcomes. We identified significant differences in BMI and geographic poverty based on ethnoracial group, while prognostic mutations in NPM1 and FLT3 did not differ significantly. Utilization of intensive chemotherapy and transplant rate did not differ by ethnoracial group. However, there was a significantly higher use of alternate donor transplants in minority populations. There was a notably increased rate of clinical trial enrollment in NHW patients compared to other groups. In log-rank analysis, NHW patients had increased overall survival (OS) compared to NHB, Hispanic and Other patients (31.6 months vs. 16.7 months vs. 14.3 months, vs 18.1 months, p = 0.021). In bivariate analysis, overall survival was negatively influenced by advanced age and race. Obesity and zip code poverty levels approached statistical significance in predicting OS. In multivariate analysis, the only factors independently influencing OS were race and allogeneic stem cell transplant. These results suggest that race impacts survival in intermediate-risk AML, highlighting the need to dissect biologic and nonbiologic factors that contribute to this disparity.
Sexuality in Later Life

Abstract Older adults are sexual beings with complex sexual lives. However, this runs contrary to the stigma, stereotypes, and biases that individuals carry, society projects, and media displays. This chapter attempts to highlight the challenges and strengths encountered by older adults as they navigate not just sexual dysfunction but also sexual wellness. Using a systemic and holistic approach to understand sexual wellness, the authors, guided by theory, offer contextual understanding of the lives of older adults, provide insights into the experiences of older adults in long term care facilities, and offer an overview of methods and measures used to provide high-quality, culturally-infused, and age-informed care to older adults.
Leaf litter and rock bag surveys allow for detection and DNA barcoding characterization of diet composition of dusky salamanders

Salamanders are vital components of many aquatic ecosystems food webs and are often found in diverse habitats, including both urban and semi-rural environments. The northern dusky salamander, Desmognathus fuscus is a common salamander found throughout the southeastern United States and is an important predator of aquatic macroinvertebrates. However, very little is known about either diet or suitable survey techniques for this species in human altered habitats, which may vary based on level of urbanization (e.g., are either spring-fed, derived from ponds, modified ditches, etc.). Therefore, we used multiple survey methods (leaf litter bags, novel rock bags, and quadrat sampling) to quantify relative abundance of D. fuscus on Wingate University's campus, in Wingate, North Carolina. We also collected and identified aquatic invertebrates from bag sampling and diet items obtained from gastric lavage of adult salamanders from quadrat sampling. Leaf litter bags contained the highest relative abundance of salamanders (47) compared to rock bags (14), with quadrat sampling yielding primarily adult salamanders. We noted a significant difference among our two sites sampled in salamander relative abundance (Man-Whitney U test = 67.5, p < 0.001), possibly due to reduced water quality, canopy cover, or less available habitat. Aquatic worms represented the most frequent potential food item sampled from both bag types (61.9%), followed by Diptera nymphs (13.7%). Potential food items from leaf and rock bags as well as gastric lavage samples collected from Desmognathus were further identified using DNA barcoding. These food items included a variety of both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates (annelid worms, springtails, chironomids, carpenter ants, shore flies, wasps, and wood lice). These results indicate urban salamanders may forage both in the stream and in the riparian zone or advantageously consume insects which fall into the stream. This study adds to our body of knowledge on the ecology of salamanders in urban stream environments.
Spatial transferability of expert opinion models for American beaver habitat

Abstract Species distribution models and habitat suitability models (HSMs) have become a popular tool in the conservation of biodiversity. However, the ability to predict species spatial distributions at sites beyond the data source sites (i.e., spatial transferability) is critical for the applications of HSMs in the management and conservation of rare or endangered species. The main objective of our study was to assess the predictive performance and spatial transferability of expert opinion models (EOMs). To build EOMs, we identified through extensive literature reviews 17 key landscape variables to characterize habitat use by American beaver (Castor canadensis). We developed 31 pairwise opinion questions on the relative importance of the 17 selected habitat variables for an online survey in Qualtrics®. We used Saaty's analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and geospatial analysis to build EOMs for beaver. We tested the transferability of EOMs by assessing model predictive performance using the area under the curve (AUC > 0.7) in northcentral Mississippi and northern Alabama, USA. Thirty-five of 63 survey participants submitted complete, consistent surveys. Expert opinion models had fair predictive performance for beaver at the two study sites (AUC = 0.70–0.76). The fair predictive performance of EOM for the two sites, from which no opinion survey data were collected, indicated acceptable spatial transferability. The American beaver exhibits stable realized niche space throughout its geographic range, restricting habitat selection to open water bodies and associated wetlands, which may subsequently result in high transferability of HSMs.
Issues in the Transborder Flow of Scientific Data

The US National Committee for CODATA is conducting an interdisciplinary study of international access to scientific data. The primary focus is on data in electronic forms, a topic of increasing complexity and importance in scientific research and international collaboration. The study is characterizing the technical, legal, economic and policy issues that have an impact — whether favorable or negative — on access to data by the scientific community. Special attention is being given to the specific conditions inherent in the transborder transfers of electronic scientific data among the academic, governmental and private sectors. The study is also identifying and describing those barriers that have the most adverse impact in each of the discipline areas within CODATA’s purview — the physical, astronomical, biological and geological sciences — and across those disciplines, using representative examples. Finally, it is attempting to identify trends that are likely to have significant discipline-specific and interdisciplinary impacts on the use of scientific data, particularly in electronic forms, and will suggest approaches that could help overcome both generic and specific barriers to access in the international context. Because of the broad nature of this topic it is important to maintain an appropriate focus on key issues and this will be done in part through the use of representative case studies. The study will be completed by the fall of 1996.
Abstract P183: FTO Genotype, Dietary Protein, and Change in Appetite: the Pounds Lost trial

Objective: A common "obesity-risk" variant rs9939609 in the FTO gene was recently found to affect appetite, and the gene is sensitive to regulation of amino acids. We examined the interaction between FTO genotype and protein intake on the long-term changes in appetite in a randomized controlled trial. Research Design and Methods: We genotyped FTO rs9939609 in 737 overweight adults in the 2-year Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies (Pounds Lost) trial and assessed four appetite related traits including cravings, fullness, hunger, and prospective consumption. Results: We found that dietary protein significantly modified genetic effects on changes in food cravings at 6 months, after adjustment for age, sex, ethnicity, baseline body mass index, weight change, baseline value for food cravings (P for interaction=0.027). The A allele was associated with a greater decrease in food cravings among the participants with high protein diet intake (P=0.027), but not in those low protein diet group (P= 0.384). Weight regain from 6 months to 24 months attenuated the gene-protein interactions. Protein intakes did not modify the FTO genotype effects on other appetite measures. Conclusions: Our data suggest that individuals with the FTO rs9939609 A allele might obtain more benefits in reduction of food cravings by choosing a hypocaloric and higher protein weight-loss diet. Keywords: diet, genetic variation, food cravings, gene-diet interaction, weight-loss trial
Abstract 116: Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Deletion Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption and Consequent Injury in White Matter After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective: The detailed mechanism of white matter injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains unclear. We hypothesized that blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption occurs in white matter after SAH and it leads to consequent injury. In this study, we investigated the potential role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) in SAH-induced white matter injury. Methods: SAH was induced by endovascular perforation in male wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 and MMP9 knockout (MMP9-/-) mice. The following three experiments were devised: 1) to determine BBB disruption and MMP9 activation/expression in white matter, mice underwent MRI at 24 h after SAH. They were then euthanized for immunostaining, transmission electron microscopy and MMP zymography; 2) to investigate the role of MMP9 in BBB disruption, lesion volumes on MRI were compared between WT and MMP9-/- mice at 24 h after SAH; 3) WT and MMP9-/- mice underwent MRI at 1 and 8 days after SAH induction to detect time-dependent changes, and were euthanized at 8 days after SAH. Removed brains were used to investigate myelin integrity and axonal damage in the white matter. Results: In WT mice with SAH, albumin leakage along the white matter was increased (p<0.05; vs. sham) and was consistent with T2-hyperintensity on MRI (r=0.97, p<0.01). In microvessels, tight junction detachment and swollen astrocyte endfeet were demonstrated by electron microscopy. MMP9 activity was elevated in white matter at 24 h after SAH (vs. sham; p<0.05), and MMP9 was mainly expressed in astrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursors. The volume of T2-hyperintensity in the white matter in WT mice with SAH was 6.2 ± 3.0 mm3 (p<0.001; vs. WT sham), while that in MMP9-/- mice with SAH was significantly smaller (1.0 ± 1.4 mm3; p<0.01). At 8 days after SAH, decreased myelin integrity and an increased density of damaged axons were observed in WT with SAH mice compared to normal control mice (p<0.05; for each), while T2-hyperintensity on MRI in the white matter almost disappeared. MMP9-/- mice developed less of those injuries than WT mice at 8 days after SAH (p<0.05; for each). Conclusions: SAH causes BBB disruption and consequent injury in the white matter, and MMP9 plays an important role for those pathologies. MMP9 could be a therapeutic target for SAH-induced white matter injury.
Marketing: A Tool for Health Education Planning

(1983). Marketing: A Tool for Health Education Planning. Health Education: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 6-11.
Fuzzy logic controller for nuclear power plant

The design and evaluation by simulation of an automatically-tuned fuzzy logic controller is presented. A method to automate the tuning process using a simplified Kalman filter approach is presented for the fuzzy logic controller to track a suitable reference trajectory. An optimal controller's response is used as a reference trajectory to determine automatically the rules for the fuzzy logic controller. To demonstrate the robustness of this design approach, a nonlinear six delayed neutron group plant is controlled using a fuzzy logic controller that utilizes estimated reactor temperatures from a one delayed neutron group observer. The fuzzy logic controller displayed good stability and performance robustness characteristics for a wide range of operation. >
Aiming for allosterism: Evaluation of allosteric modulators of CB1 in a neuronal model.

Abstract Cannabinoid pharmacology has proven nettlesome with issues of promiscuity a common theme among both agonists and antagonists. One recourse is to develop allosteric ligands to modulate cannabinoid receptor signaling. Cannabinoids have come late to the allosteric table. The ‘first-generation’ negative and positive allosteric modulators (NAMs and PAMs) represent an important first effort. However, most studies have relied on synthetic agonists, often tested in over-expression systems rather than a defined neuronal model system that utilizes endogenously synthesized and released cannabinoids. We have systematically examined first-generation NAMs and a PAM on endocannabinoid modulation of synaptic transmission in cultured autaptic hippocampal neurons. These neurons exhibit CB 1 and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG)-mediated depolarization induced suppression of excitation (DSE) and therefore serve as a model to test CB 1 modulators in a neuronal model of endogenous cannabinoid signaling. We find ORG27569, PSNCBAM-1, and PEPCAN12 attenuate DSE and do not directly inhibit CB 1 receptors. Of these PSNCBAM-1 is the most efficacious while PEPCAN12 has the distinction of being an endogenous NAM. The reported NAMs pregnenolone and hemopressin as well as the reported PAM lipoxin A4 are without effect in this model of endocannabinoid signaling. In summary, three of the allosteric modulators evaluated function in a manner consistent with allosterism in a neuronal 2-AG-based model of endogenous cannabinoid signaling.
Beam-Beam Interactions for Bunched and Unbunched Beams

The beam-beam interaction is analyzed in terms of Chirikov’s stochasticity model. Stochastic blow-up occurs when the density of resonance regions in phase space becomes large, and Arnold diffusion is assumed to depend on the density parameter below the stochastic threshold. The relation between the density parameter and the tune shift ξ is affected by bunching of the beam and also by variations in the strengths of several interaction regions and by beam misalignment. It is seen that bunching can reduce the tolerable ξ by as much as an order of magnitude in proton storage rings.
The ultrasonic diagnosis of intrauterine fetal death.

Abstract B-mode ultrasound was used to study 113 patients for fetal death. Sixty-one were positive for death, with 2 errors early in our experience. No errors were made in the last two years (98.1 per cent accuracy). The ultrasonic diagnosis is based upon the changes in acoustical impedance following fetal death. The changes, appearing as early as 12 hours, are a coarsening of the fetal outline with collapse of fetal structures. Doppler ultrasound is used as a confirmatory adjuvant. It is felt that by combining Doppler and 2 dimensional diagnostic B-mode ultrasound the diagnosis of intrauterine fetal death can be made within 48 hours after suspected death in pregnancies more than 14 weeks and with scans a week apart if less than 14 weeks.
End-user requirements for high-integrity directory

Internet development has evolved in three phases; storage, search/retrieval, and pervasive use. (1) The storage phase was utilized initially by scientific computer users. (2) The computer community is presently experiencing the emergence of information search and retrieval in the form of hypermedia with the World-Wide Web. (3) Research is being conducted at several DOE laboratories to integrate information between machines and people enhancing the intrinsic use of computers into their homes and workplaces. With the increase in the use of communication tools such as the WWW on the Internet, private users, organizations, and automated processes alike need reliable access to electronic addressing information. Access to this information is provided via electronic directories. These directories must be infallible. An electronic directory must be as reliable and easy to access as a standard telephone directory service. Users of the directory must be able to trust the integrity of the data, and there must be certain "rights" to guarantee data that is provided on those registrants included in the directory.
Distributed Information Retrieval

Until now, we focused strictly on the use of a single machine to provide an information retrieval service. In Chapter 7, we discussed the use of a single machine with multiple processors to improve performance. Although efficient performance is critical for user acceptance of the system, today, document collections are often scattered across many different geographical areas. Thus, the ability to process the data where they are located is arguably even more important than the ability to efficiently process them. Possible constraints prohibiting the centralization of the data include data security, their sheer volume prohibiting their physical transfer, their rate of change, political and legal constraints, as well as other proprietary motivations. For a comprehensive discussion from a data engineering perspective on the engineering of data processing systems in a distributed environment, see [Shuey et al., 1997].
Exposure to Disease Agents of Strains of Chickens Differing in Resistance to Leucosis

Abstract THE development of a short-term test capable of differentiating families resistant and susceptible to leucosis has not yet been accomplished. At the Regional Poultry Research Laboratory (1944), no correlation was found between the incidence of lymphomatosis occuring under natural conditions among nine strains of White Leghorns and that experienced by these same strains when inoculated with lymphomatous material from either of two sources. By using subcutaneous inoculation with lymphomatous tissue, Heisdorf et al. (1947) were unable to differentiate, in a test period in which mortality was measured from 10 to 100 days of age, between a strain of White Leghorns selected for resistance to neoplasms and one selected for susceptibility. However, when chicks of these two strains were exposed to leucosis by placing lymphomatous material in their eyes, crops, and nostrils, the investigators were able to show consistent positive correlations at 100 and 225 days of age between mortality following . . .
Permeation of ellman's anion in cationic surfactant vesicles

The redistribution (permeation) of Ellman's anion (2-nitro-5-thiolatobenzoate) from surface to interior sites of cationic vesicular dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide is characterized by kapparent = 0.8-1.7 secp−1.
Development and Validation of an HPLC Method Involving Solid‐Phase Extraction for the Analysis of Hydrophobic Drugs in the Presence of Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) Dendrimers

Abstract Two rapid and accurate isocratic high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods of analysis for nifedipine and furosemide in the presence of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers is described. Solid‐phase extraction (SPE) using C18 extraction cartridges and methanol as the eluent, was used to extract the drugs from the dendrimer and dendrimer plasma solutions. For both drugs, chromatographic separation was performed with a 5 µm, 250 × 4 mm, octadecyl silane (C18) column. In the first method, nifedipine was analyzed using methanol:water (2:1 v/v) as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min. The injection volume was 20 µL with detection at 254 nm and a retention time of 11 minutes. In the second method, furosemide was analyzed using water:acetonitrile:acetic acid (60:40:1 v/v) as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, injection volume of 20 µL, and detection at 272 nm. The retention time for furosemide was 8.5 minutes.